2023 | What’s Saving My Life Right Now

February 2nd is considered the halfway point of winter — the point at which we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anne Bogel celebrates this milestone every year on her blog by sharing what’s getting her through that particular winter. Tons of her readers share their own lists and blog posts in the comments and it’s an amazing source of inspiration. I knew there was no way I was going to scrounge up the time to be prepared for the linkup, but I couldn’t skip this exercise altogether. I’ve been participating, in one way or another, since 2018 and don’t want to lose that streak! So I might be a day “late” in getting this post published, but I’m so happy to share this year’s list. As a quick reminder, here are the previous editions of this post:

2018 Edition: Journaling, my window bird feeder, Tasha Tudor, essential oil diffuser, and purging social media.
2019 Edition: An electric teakettle, sourdough starter, the public library, and my family.
2020 Edition: My notebooks, more birds, more Tasha Tudor, more following nature.
2021 Edition: Welcoming a period of wintering and stillness.
2022 Edition: Hydration, exercise, afternoon treats

This year’s list includes the sun, the library, and Chetna’s chai. I tried not to repeat anything from previous years, but that simply couldn’t be helped. And you’ll see why when you get there. On to the details!

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THE SUN

Just a couple of weeks ago, it was dark while picking up Colton from his evening treatment program. We typically leave the house at 4:30 and return at 5:30. During the darkest days of winter, the sun was down before we even left to pick him up. Now — there is light! There’s daylight when we leave the house and while we’re waiting in the parking lot. It’s dark again by the time we make it home, but it’s only a matter of time until we’ll be able to play outside before going in the house, eating dinner, and taking baths.

I have mixed feelings about the sun. Colton is a creature of the seasons and has a really hard time falling asleep on those long days of summer. You might remember my challenges last summer – I was up with him until midnight most nights and he’d be up with the sun the next morning. And the level of supervision he needs requires me to be in Mom Mode constantly, which gave me no time for the things that charge my batteries. It was a painful and difficult time for this introvert. I’m trying not to worry too much about what this summer will be like and am instead focusing on the gardens and reading outside under the maple tree. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised this year.

THE LIBRARY

The library is my touchstone to the world. It’s the only place I go with any regularity and I love chatting with the librarians every week. Most of the time it’s about books, but sometimes it’s about TV shows or even politics (the two librarians who work on Wednesday mornings are politically in-line with me, so it’s typically a safe — but whispered — conversation). I’ve even started chatting with the adults who attend storytime with their little ones, which isn’t easy for me. I tend to be withdrawn in social situations and am hesitant to join in on conversations with people, so it’s nice to feel like I can let down my guard just a little bit while I’m there.

And of course – the library has always been my major supplier of books, which is an important part of almost every day. What kind of person would I be without books? I love that I am able to fill in all of the little cracks of my day with stories from around the world, “drinking my own dark sustenance of ink” (A Ghost in the Throat). I love that I don’t feel the need to buy every book that I want to read, that I can save money and space at home by using the library. That I can start a book, realize it’s not for me, and return it to the library guilt-free — I didn’t lose any money and it WILL be right for someone else in town. Going in each week and checking out a gigantic tote bag full of books helps the library’s circulation numbers, which helps their budget each year, which helps the people in my community with all sorts of services. It’s a beautiful circle of life!

CHETNA’S CHAI

A few months ago I shared the link to Chetna’s Masterclass on Chai. I am still drinking it almost daily! My practice lately has been to get a pot bubbling up while I’m putting together Bryce and Bronwyn’s snack plate for our morning readaloud. That seems to give it enough time to come together and cool down before we sit down at the table together. It’s the perfect companion for homeschooling mornings. I recently finished our old container of cardamom seeds and had to buy more — and my goodness! Fresh spices certainly make lovely a difference. I love chai from Dunkin’ and Starbucks but honestly can’t see the use in buying it anymore because this is the most delicious (and lower sugar) alternative, especially on these viciously cold mornings!

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If today’s weather is any indication, then we’re actually headed into the hardest part of this winter. Today is forecasted to be cold — the temperature is supposed to drop all day and will be below zero when we pick Colton up this evening. But it might be easier to have the hardest part be in the backhalf of winter because the end is so very near. Despite all the snow on the ground, the flowers will be blooming in just a few short months. I am planning to start some seeds in the basement in mid-March and am looking forward to nurturing those until the ground is ready to receive them and take over the job. This will be my year for a beautifully tended garden — which I say every year and then it completely falls apart. But this year? It will happen! I am planning to reread Fresh Water for Flowers and plenty of Wendell Berry to keep me motivated and on track. And of course, writing about the seasons and sharing my progress here on my blog is one of my biggest motivators year round, so thank you for reading, commenting, and the friendship. I am so thankful for this little space and the friends I’ve made around the world.