GOOD GOING IN EVERY DIRECTION

My cat, Marcia, lays across my shins. I have NO idea why she finds this so comfortable but she does it all the time. She makes a long stretch into the sunshine and then curls back in to hug her own face and curl her back toes (see photo). She is in a state of bliss. Have you noticed how our creatures we cohabitate with (especially cats) have no second thoughts or hesitations about making themselves comfortable or taking care of themselves? They do it for themselves, of course, it’s natural to them, but they are trying to show us how to do it too. They love us! They know we have lost touch with our instincts and our “natural-ness.” They sense our stresses and our worries as much as our joys and relaxation. Most of us humans are way overstressed; horrible news and experiences every day, bad jobs that underpay and undervalue us, or just plain joblessness. Homelessness. Hunger. Sadness and trauma. Loss of hope. These things are crippling and make it so hard to remember our souls, our bodies and our joy. 

Joy means a lot of things to me; interest, engagement, a sense of belonging, being useful and helpful, ridiculousness for its own sake, spacing out and imagining, etc. But mostly joy means to me; being present in a moment with the ability to describe it with clarity. Having the ability to know where I am on the map of the world. After 54 years of research I know that I can only truly do this if I have rested properly. A tall order for me and most humans. I rest in other ways to supplement my fitful menopausal sleep. I lay down for 20 minutes in the middle of the day, even if it’s on a concrete floor! As an ADHD person this is also good for a reset. 4pm is tea time in England for a reason, I have been having a nice green one in the afternoon instead of two coffees in the am. This is treating me much better. I let myself sprawl across my papers and work and space out for a while. It is a good spot to daydream and come up with new ideas. I have fought for my daydreaming slots my whole life and I am certain they have kept me sane. It is where you grow some hope so I take it very seriously. It is not a waste of time ever. It’s also the place where you examine the monumentally important questions like “Am I really listening, or just reacting?” or “Is this what I like or think? Or is this what society around me wants me to like or think?” Our authenticities are at risk, don’t let them go at any cost. Your authenticity is the real skeletal system of your soul. You are just a lymph sack without it. With your authenticity intact you can still function in a hard time. 

I try to think of every day like I’m going to work for the world, whether I’m going on stage, writing this newsletter, resisting nazis, getting rid of invasive plants on the farm, helping a neighbor, designing things or I’m making time to take a nap. I don’t think of the nap as “lazy” or “extra” but as the necessary act of putting gas in my tank. I’m no good to you or me if I’m crabby or just unable to focus. I watch my cats closely; they work in bursts, and know themselves well enough to know when they need to recharge. We humans have duct taped the button down on that override. All we do is “plow through,” and its a hard fucking habit to break. It is insidiously addictive. Cats always seem to have exactly what they need to accomplish feats of incredible physical ability or the opposite at any given moment. They stretch constantly which I try to emulate. They let themselves take sublime pleasure in the stretch, they even smile in their sleep. I am anthropomorphizing a bit, I know, but I do know these particular animals incredibly well and I can tell you they are truly happy and relaxed. Dogs and cats roll and revel shamelessly in their happiness and don’t hold back. We need some of that. It is a stretch for your inner being. Keep it mobile, keep it fit.

I’m not telling you joy means “selfishly ignore the world and do nothing.” I’m telling you “Joy” also means “keep your powder dry”, your blades sharpened, your tools in working order, your heart open, and your willingness to share what you have, a given. For “give and take” to be your circulatory system. 

What’s been good for me lately? Well, here are some examples!

Walking outside - I haven’t been doing nearly enough and I really missed it. Coco needed 12 weeks of downtime post surgery so I kinda fell out of rhythm. 

Getting rid of things from after the fire etc. - I want less stuff. Other people need that stuff. Easy-peasy! I love a good trade for things I might need as well. 

Small treats - I love cola. It may not love me so much, but sometimes I need a tiny one and I love Fever-Tree Distiller’s Cola . They are meant as mixer but they are a perfect serving size on their own. The Distiller’s cola is a little spicy and nice and dry. Mmmmmmm. Another bonus is they are in glass bottles, not plastic. No yucky stevia or shitty diet chemicals.

Calling friends - Yeah, people don’t do that much anymore? Or I am just a phone-phobe? That’s probably more like it…  Hearing familiar voices and laughing together is what it’s all about. The world becomes smaller and more hopeful.

Writing fiction - Inventing a new world is very freeing. You can draw better blueprints for outcomes for a better world.

I saw my first nuthatch of the season yesterday

Horse grooming - I love scratching Boon this time of year. He is shedding (really hard!) his winter coat and is really itchy. Standing in very close and scratching all his itchy spots he can’t reach while inhaling his horsey smell is heavenly. He goes bananas and grooms me back, (sometimes a little too enthusiastically…) and demonstrates his appreciation by contorting his lips and raising his head in the air. He also likes to rest his giant head on top of mine when I hit the sweet spot on his chocolatey neck up under his mane. It is such a bonding, tender act usually reserved for other horses, but he loves me too and shows it. When I go home I don’t wash his smell off. It is so soothing and earthy.

The Spring Peepers are back! I posted a video below. This was the first day they were out!

Talking to people in the community - Be they the teller at the bank or grocery, my studio-mate John or any of my lovely neighbors. It’s good to be out and about and remember who your neighbors are. Division can suck it.

Four minutes of sooooooooothe! Peepers in the beaver pond!