1. I have one last hike I want to share from the beginning of October, but it’s been so long since I’ve popped on here that I think an Early Morning Confessions post is in order. Somehow it’s already mid November, and almost time to scarf down pounds of turkey. It’s also almost time to be thankful Duncan is nearly one year older. Confession: I’m older than my sweet, young, boyfriend.
Any guesses on how much of a gap we have?
2. Speaking of the almost birthday boy, we managed our annual trip to a pumpkin patch just before Halloween. The pumpkin pickings were slim at this patch, and it looked as if a tornado had ripped through the farm leaving rotted gourds in its wake. We managed to find two small rejects that we turned into starry eyed puke faces.
3. One of my coworkers is constantly recommending off the cuff movies to me. I have watched most of the ones he has suggested, some I have ruminated on after watching, but none more than the one I watched most recently. I wanted to watch Midsommar since first hearing about it, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into with that movie.
It was one of the most disturbing movies I have seen in years, and yet I obsessed over it for a week.
I don’t watch scary movies. They are absolutely not for me. I will envision scenes for far too long causing extensive fear of the dark as a full grown adult. This was a horror movie of sorts and although I cannot handle true horror, the psychological thriller aspect of this movie captivated me. However, I was thankful my coworker warned me of a specifically gory scene, I don’t like gore either.
Has anyone else seen this movie?
4. My cat is doing much better these days. I think I have dialed in what he needs in his geriatric stage of life. He is playful and eats well, seems to feel ok, and loves to snuggle. Now that the colder months have arrived he is a sucker for the space heater. He sticks his paws right under the vent that blows hot air, and the image kills me every time. I also bought him a heating pad because he is spoiled and he is my child.
5. My dad came to visit at the end of September and spent a few days falling in love with my cat. He loves my cat so much he almost stuffed him in his duffle bag to take back home with him. He also went into full dad mode analyzing my car to ensure it was in top shape (I have driven the same car since 2008, and I absolutely love it.) One of these statements is true, and the other is not.
Any guesses?
6. My friend Sam and I took a day trip to Oregon the weekend before Halloween. Our goal was to visit Halloweentown, aka the town of St. Helens. For my fellow millennials who grew up in the 90’s you might remember this Disney channel movie. We rewatched the movie before going to Oregon and it was just as terribly great as I remembered.
It was fun to see the filming location right in the center of town, and movie aside this was an adorable place.
7. On this trip to Oregon we also stopped in Portland for Sam to visit Powell’s Books. I knew Portland would have some gluten free goodies, and I found a bakery around the corner from the bookstore. I was flabbergasted by the prices of the goods, and although I do better with gluten free than gluten full, I was not about to pay copious amounts of cash to feel like crap. I settled on a $6 scone that thankfully blew my socks off.
It was worth every single repercussion.
8. My friend Caitlin and I have been staying active despite the rainy weather. I am thankful to have a pal like her who is always up for an outdoor adventure. She has the sweetest adventure pup, and that means a lot coming from a cat lady.
9. Staying active in the fall and winter months is imperative for my mental well being. I have started running more regularly again in an attempt to mitigate any seasonal sadness that is inevitably coming my way (I run year round, but only 1-2 times a week when it’s hiking season). Last year I did a run streak starting on Thanksgiving where I ran everyday for 39 days.
A handful of those days I only ran one mile, but it was enough to keep my spirits high. I have decided to start the streak early this year, and this year my goal is to run at least two miles most days. I won’t be upset if there are days I only manage one mile (hello PMS week, I’m looking at you), but I’ll shoot for two.
I’m on day 8, wish me luck.
10. This year I got back into reading and it has been an enjoyable way to avoid too much time on social media. Social media does little to no good for bettering my life, and while it can be fun to scroll mindlessly once in a while, I do my best to not be on it too much.
I tend to obsess over stories that haunt me, and the book that destroyed me most this year was: A Little Life. There are so many trigger warnings for this book, and I found it to be a sad story along the way, but it wasn’t until the end that it broke me. I sobbed for probably 10 minutes straight, and I was sad for a week. I don’t recommend this book because it’s filled with trauma, but I have never read a book where the main character stuck with me long after reading.
I am glad I read this one. Books and movies that make me feel things are usually worth it for me. Real life is messy, I need messy stories. Sometimes.
Q’s:
- What’s your confession?
- Have you read any books lately that you recommend?
Blissfulbritt 
36 thoughts on “Early Morning Confessions”
Rootchopper
Nothing wrong with an old car that works. Mine’s 2009. Now that I think of it, I have a bike that can go across the continent an it’s a 1991!
Brittany
I love my car! My goal is to drive it forever. Perhaps a bit ambitious as I hope to have a lot of years left in me, but it’s a Toyota and they have a good track record. I have had zero troubles with this car and I am so thankful for that.
Rootchopper
My mechanic recommends only Honda and Toyota. I’ve got a Honda. 119,000 miles without much trouble. I spent more on each of 3 bikes than I did on my Accord this year. (Knock wood)
Brittany
Yes! Those are the two I was going between (Camry vs Accord) when buying my car, and ultimately Camry won because it had more airbags. 🤣 I don’t know if I’ll be able to deviate from Toyota, although sometimes I think about a Subaru…must be the NW blood.
Rootchopper
My wife and daughter both have Subarus. My mechanic says they are great until 100,000 miles then all bets are off.
Brittany
Ohhh, good to know!! Thanks for the heads up.
Peg
Great post! I haven’t been on here much lately either, but I do get a few posts through email. I’m guessing you are only a couple of years older than your boyfriend, four at the most. And it doesn’t matter these days anyway.
I’m not confessing anything other than I went slightly off the WW wagon and gained a couple pounds. And as far as books I recommend, the only book I have read recently that made me cry was Project Hail Mary, but they were happy tears. It’s a sci-fi book, written by the same guy who wrote The Martian (also good). I listened to the audiobook of Project Hail Mary and it became so real to me. The narrator really made the book come alive, so I recommend it whenever I get a chance.
Brittany
I love your description of the book. I know what you mean about making the book come alive. There is something about how a narrator speaks or a writer writes that just puts us into the books we consume. Thank you for sharing!
Don’t beat yourself up about the WW stuff, I know that it’s a long journey. We only quit when we stop trying all together, but back steps are necessary to continue moving forward!
I agree age doesn’t matter these days. I was sensitive to the age gap when we first got together, to the point I told myself absolutely not, but he’s a good guy and we make it work. LOL.
Grace @ Cultural Life
I’m also older than my partner – only by a year, but apparently he looks much younger. An old colleague of mine sent me a message to say he saw me in town with a younger man 😂 And since then, he has also been asked his age when we were going through airport security together. I mean, he does look fairly young but we’re both in our 30s!
I avoid graphic / disturbing films and books too, I know I couldn’t deal with Midsommar as I’ve heard it’s very disturbing. I read A Little Life a few years ago and had a similar reaction to you – I actually found myself welling up reading it on the bus to work.
These days, books with prominent themes of illness are also challenging for me.
At the moment, I’m reading The Figurine by Victoria Hislop. It’s a nice, light book with a lot of evocative descriptions of Greece. And as I just got back to the rainy vitamin D-deprived UK (from sunny Madrid), I’m taking any descriptions of summer and sunshine I can get!
I’m glad to hear your cat is doing much better 🙂
Brittany
Duncan looks older than his age, I thought he was actually 6-7 years older when we met. 🤣
I can’t tell you why I was so captivated by this movie, but it really hooked me. As for the book it was a slow burn for me. The content was definitely sad, but I wasn’t overly affected by the book until the last couple chapters. It was like it all hit me at once. Call me crazy, but I appreciated the raw depressing end of the book.
I do appreciate light books too, so I will have to add this to the list! Thanks for sharing.
Liz H-H
Oy, Midsommer! That was one trippy movie. But I loved it, anyway. Cuz psych horror creeps in slowly and doesn’t rinse through fast.
Brittany
YES! The slow burn of the horror was fantastic. I cannot stop talking about the movie. You worded this perfectly!
Liz H-H
Thanks!
matt
5: I’m guessing the choices were between driving the same car since 2008 or loving it. I’d guess the lie is you don’t really love it (but you probably appreciate not having a car payment, or some such thought process that blunts the not-love).
I’d recommend Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Even if you’re not particularly interested in the man, the novel is beautifully written and engrossing. I didn’t think I’d like it too much since it was a novel, but I added it instantly to my favorites after I read it.
Brittany
I realize there was technically three choices in #5, but the false comment was my dad loving the cat. He strongly dislikes cats.
I actually love my car! I love even more not having car payments you’re correct. 🤣
Thank you for the book recommendation, I will add it to my list!
matt
I knew I’d chosen poorly when I saw your response to another comment. I couldn’t decide from the paragraphs if the choice included your dad’s actions or not. I humbly accept defeat.
Brittany
I’ll do my best to be more clear next time too. We can call it a draw. 🤣
matt
My favorite quote is “the biggest problem with communication is the illusion it has occurred”.
Ben Mosher
Cool Post! A friend recommended Midsommar to me… I have never been more disturbed watching a movie as well…
Brittany
We’re all in this disturbed boat together. 😅🤣 did you like it though?
Josh del Villar
Confession? Truthfully been real down lately. Working some sh*t out I guess.
Books? Check out The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi a bit of a rough modern day fable. I think you’d like This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar
Brittany
There are few things more admirable that acknowledging and working out some shit. You’re not alone my friend. Sending you a big virtual hug. The only way out is through.
Thank you for the book ideas. I’m stoked for all these recommendations.
Pree
Your cat and the heater 😻😻😻
Brittany
Right?! 😭😻
Allie Zottola
I feel like you and Duncan have such a great relationship. Age difference or not, you guys just seem meant to be!
YOUR CAT. I cannot. He’s too cute.
Brittany
Anytime I walk around the corner to see my cat stretched out like this I die laughing. Duncan was able to witness it firsthand a couple days ago, and I don’t think he understood how amazing the sight was until seeing it himself. Haha.
Bortslearninglab
I love your cat warming his paws.
Brittany
I think he is the highlight of the post. He’s done this every winter when the portable heater turns on for as long as I can remember. 🤣
Some Small Things
Love the pumpkins, but Little warming his sweet little paws steals the show. 🙂 I have that space heater too. It’s the fireplace one right? I love it.
Brittany
Yes it’s the fireplace!! It’s so cute. He sits so close to it sometimes staring into it I swear he is watching the fake flames. 🤣
gpavants
Hi Brittany,
I am very sad I can’t retire this year. I have read…8-10 books this year. You guys are 6 years apart?
Happy Thanksgiving, Gary
Brittany
I’m sorry to hear you won’t be able to retire yet, I hope that’s coming soon for you! Amazing job on the books, and you are CLOSE with the age guess. Just a bit bigger of a gap. 😱🤣
My Health Adventure
The Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens. I did the audio book which was free on Apple for the holidays. Spectacular and fun…
Brittany
That is fun!! I’ve never listened to the book, I’ve only ever watched a handful of the many movies. Will have to read the book sometime.
Kathleen Burkinshaw
My daughter and watched all the Halloween Town movies when she was young, and we still do! So cool you visited where they filmed it! 😊
Brittany
This is so great, I love that you still watch them. There is such an air of nostalgia around them. Visiting was so much fun.