Joy and color and beauty
Hello Friends,
I bought some plants.
I am terrible with plants.
But I want to be the kind of person who can keep a plant alive.
Two of my plants are named Mark and Stephanie. I have no idea where these names originated, they just seemed right.
Mark is a Wingpod Purslane and he is really feeling himself today:
Stephanie is a Little Goldstar Rudbeckia and she is very kind:
I have kept them alive for almost six days, so we’re calling that a big win. I’ve been using an app called Planta, which gives helpful information on plant care. It also sends you guilt-laden reminders if you don’t follow its watering orders. I am trying not to get my hopes up that this means I will become a person who doesn't murder plants.
I admire people who have a green thumb. I feel like it means they are nurturing. They are stable. They can commit. They are reliable. They are patient. They appreciate beauty. They are okay with giving of themselves and not always getting something back.
I want to be those people.
I think many of us are looking for a little extra beauty right now. In some ways, life feels more hopeful as we plan gatherings and travel. But uncertainty looms with the Delta variant, we might not know what the hell to do about masks, or how we navigate this new world. Do 4th of July plans feel exciting or awful? (I have zero plans for the holiday other than consoling my dog because of the Sky Booms, so if that helps you feel better, cool.)
If socializing feels like a lot, there might times when you need to to say “no" to the invite, or maybe something like “I’m a little rusty at socializing, so I can only stay for a little while” and you can bail early if you get overwhelmed. That’s okay to set those boundaries for yourself. You’re allowed to have new rules for your life. You don’t need to be exactly the same person you were in March of 2020. We went through something. We have changed.
It might be kind of like this “weird circle” scenario:
That is totally okay. We can be awkward and uncertain. Many of us were that way pre-pandemic, so this just gives us a handy excuse.
But through it all, can also find the joy and color and beauty. And if you’re having trouble finding the joy and color and beauty, I’ll send you more photos of Mark and Stephanie.
Here’s what happened this week:
What I’m reading
A crime novel/thriller is not necessarily my jam, but the writing style in Long Bright River by Liz Moore is absolutely delightful. And it was on the list of President Obama’s favorite books of the year, so I’m feeling in good company.
What I’m watching
I loved the documentary Class Action Park about the world’s most dangerous amusement park. A great look at why we sometimes try to die for fun.
What I’m listening to
What got me revising my Bullet Journal
Oh, man, do I love a well-scheduled week. I love reading about daily routines and how other people plan their lives. Like everyone else, I never seem to have enough time - but maybe that’s because I’m spending too much of it reading about how a C.E.O. of a sex-toy startup starts her morning with an apple cider vinegar shot. Regardless, I really loved Rachel Syme’s What Deadlines do to Lifetimes on the balance between structuring and squandering.
What I am thinking about
I did a podcast interview yesterday (I’ll share it when it’s posted) and we were discussing the way that we fetishize celebrities. We remove their humanity. We put them up on a pedestal built of money and power and/or we smash them down in a million pieces. See also: the fact that Bill Cosby is free and Britney Spears is not. I am devastated by the fact that Bill Cosby’s sentence was overturned because “lawyers had made an agreement with a previous state prosecutor that he would not be charged in the case.” WTF. More than 60 women came forward with their stories. 60. And we wonder why people who have been abused choose to stay silent. Because when you speak out and are told it doesn’t matter, it is a violation all over again.
We have to do better.
Oh and by the way. I’m rocking some new tie-dye - because Pride doesn’t end just because June does.
Keep finding that joy and color and beauty, my friends.
Much love,
~Lisa
P.S. my Yoga for Anxiety class starts up again on Monday. 4 weeks. Pay what you can. Live online or with the recording. No yoga experience necessary. Would love to have you join me on the mat!