Week in Review: Week 140
A mixed week – mixed weather, mixed emotions. Some hard days, some neutral…and maybe some lessons learned.
Autumn rain.
Election Day. A dreary rainy day. I hope that didn’t keep people from getting out and voting.
With the time change, I can just about make it to the harbor before dark for some air and light.
A couple weeks back (or maybe it was just last week) I wrote about feeling like I’m living in a snake pit…and Michelle from Pawprints and Mint commented that “fresh air… getting sunlight does make a difference.” And I thought, well, I do that, I do get sunlight and fresh air every day. And then I realized, that no. No, I don’t. Not anymore. I used to get sunlight and fresh air every day with Caleb. For so many years I was determined that he get out of the house and off the property every day, for his peace of mind…never realizing that it was benefiting mine as well.
And now I just don’t do it. I get out for a little walk around the block once a week, and spend one marathon walking day a week with friends when we go on our local adventures…but there’s no more hours of walking through the woods or around big grassy meadows or along deserted beaches…no more time alone out in nature. Well, not really alone, cuz I was with my best guy. But not with people, and any stresses that can come along with that. But just out in nature, in the fresh air and light with my boy, who gave me so much joy and laughter and companionship and acceptance and love. It’s not just that I miss Caleb, I also miss his ability to get me out. Out of the house, out of my head.
Once I really realized that this week, that I have been living cooped up – in an office, in an apartment, in myself – I vowed to really make an effort to get OUT more. And it’s hard to do the same things I used to do with Caleb. I never felt worried about walking in deserted areas with him. But I’m a little concerned about doing it now, alone. I need to find some sort of compromise and find ways to deal with the nonsense going on in my head.
That very day I drove straight to the local park after work and forced myself out for a little walk…when what I really wanted to do was to go home alone to the safety of my apartment. And I spoke on the phone to two friends. And I got myself a slice of pizza for dinner. Essentially – a little more time out in the world than usual. And I did feel a little better that night.
Sometimes our adult clients go to a nearby farm for classes or to help out with projects. This week was garlic planting and I went along to take pictures. It was a gorgeous day.
Finally on Sunday I got out for some fun. We went to Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, a favorite place of mine with an ever-changing landscape of exhibits.
There was sort of a reuse/recycle theme going on today.
As we were leaving we saw this place right across the street, Chateau le Woof, a doggy coffee shop. Half was for humans – food, coffee, pastries…and half was for dogs, sort of like a mini indoor dog park with benches for their humans to sit and sip their coffee while watching their dogs. We got our drinks and sat on the dog side. I had an Earl Grey tea with steamed oat milk and rosemary syrup. Yum!
Word.
We went to a nearby street art collection called The Welling Court Mural Project, which, like The Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn was supposed to, in a small way, replicate Five-Pointz, a giant street art/graffiti collection that was in Long Island City until a few years ago when the art was all white-washed, the buildings torn down and high-rise condos went up in their place.
Dinner at Studio Nova No5 in Long Island City. Quirky and yummy, a perfect combo!
And last but not least, Spot Dessert Bar in Flushing, Queens, where I had Coconut Monkeybread (wait for it) “served sizzling hot in a tiny cast iron skillet, light and fluffy monkeybread covered in fall spices, thai tea drizzle served with coconut milk ice cream.” Whoa. Next time I look forward to “warm dark chocolate cake filled with green tea ganache, green tea ice cream, chocolate crunchy pearls, cookie crumbs.”
Sadly, in the midst of this fun-filled day, I learned that one of my cousins lost her house in Malibu this weekend to the California fires. She and the children are all right…though her fire-fighter husband has not yet been heard from – let’s hope he’s just busy fighting the fire. But they have lost everything they own, and the children are little: 4, 2 and 1-month. It’s heartbreaking. So many people have lost their homes and all their belongings. If you want to help you can text “redcross” to 90999 to donate $10. I don’t usually do things like this here, but…I’m doing it now.
Hoping for better times ahead for those who are struggling or in pain.
xoxo
jodie filogomo
The fires have been crazy…sending lots of love and support to your cousins.
I know what you mean about getting outside….there are many days we don’t get out. Especially yesterday in the snow, but I always feel better after a short walk. Maybe you should foster a dog?? Or add dog walker to your list of occupations…LOL!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Wow, you already have snow you won’t go out in? I’m just trying to remember to take a light jacket with me when I go out!
Fostering a new animal…it sounds lovely, but just doesn’t work right now for several reasons. Maybe *someday* I’ll be able to have another dog, but it’s going to be quite some time. I just need to get myself out alone.
Iris Smal
Oh goodness, I surely hear you about getting out. I do get out – to go to work – it’s not the same. And, I surely don’t do dark or even close. I can walk around my ‘neighborhood’ which means I can walk in the cemetery (not a problem for me), I just have to do it. I’ve always envied you and all the interesting places you’d go. I’m sure there are interesting places near me, I just don’t go. There’s a lovely walking trail in town all along the lake that I keep thinking I’ll take Koda to. It seems I’m always in a hurry or too tired.
And, I hear you about safety. It’s sad that we live in that kind of world, but we do. I have Koda – who would probably run from anyone, but he would bark and make lots of noise.
I don’t drive at night anymore at all, so that does limit my excursions in the fall/winter 🙁 Guess there’s always an excuse.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
I think I found your original post! Yeah, obviously I’m out every day at work, but…that is not a help. I have a very strong need to get outside my normal daily confines. Right now I live very close to work – I’m just 7 miles away – so my daily commute is very short w limited variation. I really need to make an effort to get outside of that small box more than just on the weekends. This is a challenge as I *really* like getting HOME at the end of the day, and in the moment, few things seem more appealing than that. But after too many days of that…it’s not good. And I just need to start pushing myself out more.
I’m sure Koda would love that trail walk. Do you have a friend or neighbor who would go with you?
Iris
Well, just so you know – I made a comment and have no idea where it went. Can’t type the whole thing again – brain not working that well this am. Love all the place you do get to go and all the pics. Sorry about your cousins, praying for the husband.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Husband has been found, safe and sound (unintentional rhyming)! There’s a drive going on out there, collecting clothes and things for the children…and they have family nearby they can stay with til they figure out an interim living situation. Grateful for that, but still a horrible situation, and for so many others as well.
Thanks for your prayers.
Susan Marinelli
First, what have you done to your hair??? I LOVE IT!!!! Maybe it’s just grown in, but it looks awesome! Second, that first pic you posted of the rain, is simply gorgeous! Very evocative of East Coast rainy days. Third, Caleb will never be replaced, and if you don’t want another, I get it. But other dogs can get you out. There must be a shelter near you, and those dogs NEED a walk! Having rescued four Scottie dogs, believe me, I KNOW! You could be a dog walker for a shelter, stop on your way home, and give a walk to an orphan who really needs one. The furbabies don’t need to feel alone any more than humans do. And last but not least, thank God your fireman relative has been found!
bettyewp
Hey Susan, we’ve missed you around here! Thanks, yeah, it’s just growing out. It’s actually a little crazy right now, I haven’t had it trimmed in 3 months and the back and sides could really use a neatening up but I’m afraid to go back to the same girl who’s been doing it cuz she really did a bad cut last time. I think I need someone who specializes in short hair.
I’ll look into shelter dog-walking though I suspect it is not as simple a matter as one might think. Things in NY never are. Ha.
xoxo