The state of things

Today was one of those perfectly grey days, the sky melting into the gentle waves of low tide. While the kids splashed and explored, I let my shoulders drop from somewhere up near my ears. I unclenched my jaw. And I let the tiniest bit of peace come over me.

This is the state of things. We are six months into a pandemic and the way out is not clear. And while I zip from one type of unhinged to another, I am as grateful as ever for this place and these quiet moments. And it would be just plain wrong to keep them to myself.

It is rarely this quiet. It is rarely this perfect.

(In case you need proof: Yesterday I tried to take the kids on a nature walk, and we were met with a very freshly dead bunny smack in the middle of the path. Grace screamed “Why did you take us here?!” as if I had known the poor creature would be there…. I did not– I hope that’s obvious. Also, nearly everything is broken today — including this website. My new un-chosen hobby and passion is calling customer service for things like site hosting and health insurance.)

But these moments (the quiet, perfect, peaceful ones)– we need them. We need to enjoy them. We need to let them fortify us against the heartache, the grief, the worry, the big troubles and the little troubles. These moments are the gifts.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Over on Instagram, a project I worked on with Cuisinart — lots of great meal ideas (swipe through the gallery) including our new favorite one pot pasta (my standby, vegetarian chili for lazy people, is on there too)
• Please check your voter status + make a plan to vote on/before November 3rd (it’s not too early to make plans, my friends!)
• Our neighbors just put up a few of these yard signs — I think we need one too!

Where are you finding a little peace + quiet these days?