It’s been raining a lot this week – at the end of June and just days after the arrival of summer. The thing is, I’m not upset about it. My summer has started off on a lack luster foot this year, and while I plan to get out and hike as much as I can, I know this will be a low key summer all around for me. It’s bittersweet because I would love to hop on a plane and spend a month in Germany with my dear pal MaryBeth, something I have been itching to do for a while, but I know leaving my sweet fur child that long is not an option.
I have a six day trip planned in September and while I love having something international on my calendar (even if it’s just a road trip into Canada, anything outside of the US counts), I have some underlying anxiety about leaving my cat for that long. My only goal for this summer is to continue finding smaller day/weekend trips to keep my stale soul as mold free as possible. Sometimes life forces us to slow down, and that’s ok. Or so I keep telling myself.
A helpful tool for me when slowing down is a good book.
I recently got back into reading, and this has been a wonderful hobby to help pass time instead of lusting over traveling too far. I am amongst the millennial community who succumbed to one particular book series last year, and from there I took off running. I have read 36 books since January, and have had to change my reading goal three times. I will be changing it again as my current goal is 40 books this year.
I have become obsessed with Goodreads. Anyone wanna be friends on there?
For my birthday back in February, Duncan gave me a Barnes and Noble gift card and told me we would each get a copy of a book to read for a two person book club. I am usually exclusively a library girl (owning books gives me clutter anxiety), but I loved this idea. We chose Watership Down and while we have been slow to finish, it’s been fun to discuss with him as we go.
Speaking of Duncan, he has been quite the handyman around my moms house lately. He fixed a leaking tub spout in the bathroom a few months back, replaced a cracked toilet, takes care of the grass in the backyard for me, and helped bring home some gardening materials. We have one trough filled with broccoli and other similar vegetables, but I need one of my own for potatoes.
My main hesitation are the slugs. I do not mess with slugs, hence the copper tape in the below photos.
This post is like a scatter of word vomit because I feel like I am currently running on a hamster wheel. I am going through the motions to exist within a society that I don’t really enjoy existing in. I strive to play by my own rules, but there is only so much of that I can feasibly do. I don’t relate to most people I encounter, I prefer a simpler way of life, and spending all my time working for someone else until I die is not my path.
I’ve been seeking the best fit for me for a while now, but I suppose it becomes more complicated when you feel obligated to stay close to family.
When I do find the rare few people I click with I hold onto them tight. My friend Caitlin turned 30 this week and we went on a whale watching adventure to start the celebrations. Truth be told I am indifferent to whales and I am even more indifferent to spending four hours on a boat. This tour was two hours too long, but it was good to get out of town for a day. It was also a good metaphor for my current life.
Sometimes we want to be somewhere else, but we learn to make the best of where we are until we can change our situations.
I sound dramatic, but I would have done this all over again because it was special to my good friend. Sometimes it’s more about the people we are with than the destination/location. Caitlin is the real deal because she saved the day with a spare hat and sunglasses for me. What kind of putz doesn’t bring these two essentials whale watching?
As someone who is usually overly prepared I don’t know who I am anymore.
Each excursion I take on a water vessel confirms that I am hands down a mountain/forest lover vs. a beach/water lover. We saw one pair of humpback whales waving their fins, but I was more interested in the sea lions we passed living their lives on a buoy. I strive for that kind of carefree life.
I’ve spend the last decade of my life navigating the thoughts of whether or not I am missing something vital to succeeding in modern life. I don’t want kids, I don’t think I want to get married, I don’t want a traditional career, I have revolved my life around my aging cat, I prioritize flexible schedules, and I’m not waiting until I am 59.5 to start living freely (I’ve at least been maxing out my Roth IRA contributions since I was 23) – and yet these are all things I have chosen because they are what I want. Not what someone else wants for me.
However, sometimes it’s hard to not feel like I am failing to progress as a fully functioning human adult, but that’s my ego talking.
That’s my mini rant/vent session. I don’t have much else. I’m just out here doing my best to find pockets of excitement in my day to day life, and change what I can (because change and knowledge are where I feel revived.) I hope everyone’s summer is off to a good start, please share with me any upcoming plans you may have.
Q: Current book recommendations? I like science, psychology, romance/romcom, mind benders, and WWII books. I do not like horror, thriller, or extremely dense reads.
Blissfulbritt 
27 thoughts on “Reading Whales”
C.A. Post
The “eye” s not work ng on my computer!!!
Mounta n/forest/desert/woods lovers un te!
Anyway, Eye’m w th you. Leave the f sh ng and seafood catch ng to sea lovers and just br ng me the salmon and mah mah to eat. Have fun read ng th s w thout the eyes.😂
Brittany
This was like a puzzle, I loved it. Thanks for making my brain work first thing in the morning. The “mah mah” was my favorite part. 🤣
C.A. Post
Very strange. When I went to a Word or Excel doc the “i” worked fine! It was just in WP and at every site I tried to comment!
Maybe WP is punishing me for all the complaining I do about “retiring” the Classic Editor.🥺
(😂😂)
Brittany
LOL. I have become used to the newer editor, but I did LOVE the classic. I feel your pain.
Josh del Villar
Hmm, Somehow I feel we are in similar life situations, at least emotionally. I know my life is off to a dramatic change this year and it’s terrifying and thrilling and I’m nervicited, but ultimately I am happy and content, regardless of the difficulty.
I’ve been living in the mountains and desert for over a decade now, and I truly love them but I YEARN for the ocean again. I think coastal mountains, may be my sweet spot.
Welcome back to BOOKS! Reading is something I have always done and that I do every day, even if just a quick chapter. Of the ones you in your pic I’ve only read The Nightingale and it was great (though contradicts your dense book aversion)
My current reads:
~King Solomon’s Mines by H. Ryder Haggard
~Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan
~Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse
~Dracula Daily by Matt Kirkland (it’s reading Dracula by Bram Stoker “real time” by email delivery. Check it out you could get caught up easily.
As far as recommendations go, I always tell people to read The Expanse books. It seems like a lot but they are fast, engaging and intelligent fun. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones has a special place in my heart and Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke is a fascinating and education trip through science/history sociology.
I’m not on Goodreads because I avoid Amazon as much as is possible (I know it’s not completely possible, but every little bit …) But I am on Storygraph if you ever get over there.
I know you’ll smash that reading goal!
Brittany
I hope you find the right change for you. It’s like a nagging feeling that something is missing or isn’t quite right. You would love it in Washington. 👀👀
As for books, I may have misspoke when I said I don’t like dense books. I LOVE a good fiction that is deep and intense, but a dense non fiction that’s hard to keep up with all the people and facts gets my eyes blurring. I read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and devoured it, so I have high hopes for The Nightingale. My only five star read the past year was a 700 page trauma building book that had me bawling like a brand new baby. So yeah.
Thank you for the recommendations! I live under a rock and had no idea GR and Amazon were affiliated, but it makes sense. I support your avoidance and will let you know if I explore Storygraph. Happy reading!!
Peg
My summer plans are to continue recovering from a broken kneecap and broken arm, so nothing fun. I am enjoying reading about your exploits. I commiserate with you on your fears of leaving your cat at home while you travel. I feel the same way about our black 16 year old furbaby.
I didn’t want kids when I was younger, now I wish I had them. I got married, divorced, and now am in a 26 year relationship. I had a pretty traditional career but I hated a lot of it. We all have our own paths to walk, we just have to figure it out. You are wise to be contemplating these things while you are still young, so you have no regrets when you get older. I doesn’t mean you aren’t progressing, you’re still figuring it out.
Brittany
Ohhh Peg!! I’m sorry to hear about your kneecap and arm! That’s terrible to recover from. I hope your process is smooth and as painless as possible. I’m sure your kitty loves having you close to home, I know mine does.
I’m sorry to hear you wish you’d had kids. There is a very small part of my mind that wonders if I too will regret my choice, but I try not to dwell on that. The desire to be child free outweighs for me the desire to have children. Who knows, life is funny.
Thank you for the kind words, I suppose we’re always growing and progressing until we are no longer living.
Peg
My summer plans are to continue recovering from a broken kneecap and broken arm, so nothing fun. I am enjoying reading about your exploits. I commiserate with you on your fears of leaving your cat at home while you travel. I feel the same way about our black 16 year old furbaby.
I didn’t want kids when I was younger, now I wish I had them. I got married, divorced, and now am in a 26 year relationship. I had a pretty traditional career but I hated a lot of it. We all have our own paths to walk, we just have to figure it out. You are wise to be contemplating these things while you are still young, so you have no regrets when you get older. I doesn’t mean you aren’t progressing, you’re still figuring it out.
Liz H-H
Your blog posts are always a joy to read, whether you’re exploring the outer reaches, or your inner landscape!
Brittany
Oohh I love how you worded this. Thank you!
marietoday
I also like using goodreads! Goodreads.com/doremariefaso
A good science book I read recently was An Immense World by Ed Yong. I also am just starting Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Brittany
Thank you for the ideas!
Rootchopper
If you want to spice up you life, go bike riding in eastern Kentucky!
Okay, seriously. My wife took her pre-me boyfriend whale watching off Cape Cod. She loved it. He barged for three hours. Fast forward a few months. She took me whale watching off of Cape Ann (Gloucester). She had a blast. I barfed for three hours.
As for books, I go by author. Amor Towles has 4 books out. They are all terrific. Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series is a hoot. So is The Maid by a different author.
Erik Larson writes historical books that read like fiction. Bill Bryson started writing funny travel books (A Walk in the Woods had me laughing out loud). Lately he’s been writing science oriented stuff. His The Body is mind blowing. Sapiens is also a great recent science best seller.
Get reading, girl!
Brittany
I think I’d rather stay mentally stale forever than to step foot in eastern Kentucky! 😵💫😵💫 nooo way!
LOL I am thankful I don’t get sea sick, but I do get car sick in the back seat. How awful to be stuck on a boat barfing.
Thanks for the author recommendations!
gpavants
Brittney,
Watership Down is a great book with lots of depth. Hope you like it. 1984. Animal Farm.
Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
I just finished both 1984 and Animal Farm last month. I admit 1984 was a bit of a slog for me, though I do see it’s importance. I enjoyed Animal Farm more.
gpavants
Find me on Goodreads Gary Avants. There are some recommendations there.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amy
You’re such an inspiring soul, Brittany! I truly admire how you live according to what your heart and mind want, not what society influences us to desire and chase, and how you are steadfast in doing so. Many bend to the peer pressure, yet you stay true to your priorities and who you are. It’s rare to see someone doing that — and especially with as much love, generosity, and grace as you! I’m continually in awe of you and your courage to live your life this way. You are amazing, incredible, and such a gem!! ♡
On the topic of reading… I was a complete bookworm as a kid, but I fell off the bandwagon in 2020, only to rediscover my love of reading on our family vacation in the summer of 2022. I’ve basically been re-hooked ever since! I’m also trying to minimize my book purchases (and clutter), so I’ve been reading a bunch of Kindle eBook novels. It’s not quite the same — and not quite as soothing and rewarding — as turning the pages of a physical book, but it’s better than nothing!
Brittany
This comment made me smile, you are so kind. It’s easy to have that “what am I even doing” thought all the time, and I definitely feel it more when I don’t have anything to look forward to, but I really try to not fall prey to the comparison of a life I don’t even want. If that makes sense.
My reading journey is similar! Loved books as a kid, totally stopped reading around junior high probably, and then picked it up again and I’m loving it! Such a great non physical hobby! Something I never thought I’d have. Haha!
Amy
It makes complete sense! You’re not alone in that. I think many of us have those “what am I even doing” thoughts and feelings, especially in certain seasons of life. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing them either. I think it shows how deep of a person and how beautiful of a soul you are. ♡
Amen to a non-physical hobby! There are only so many miles we can run, bike, or hike before our bodies start to complain… 😂
Pree
Kind of feeling the doldrums lately about achieving success in modern life as well! I know I don’t want kids, and now being in a financially stable place I’m able to try out new hobbies I haven’t had a chance to do in a while, but I still don’t know about where I want to put down roots (I want ro buy property but I travel all the time and not so sure I want to buy in my current city…)
My birthday is also coming up and that makes me anxious too lol
Brittany
Trying new hobbies and traveling while we are “young” is important. While I think buying property is a great idea, I also think it’s ok to wait until you feel more ready to “settle down.” If that time never comes, finding a home base you enjoy coming back to after your travels is most important. If you’re unsure of where that might be, it’s ok to wait!! I often wonder if I ever want to own a place because it makes me feel stuck in one spot, but the reality is no one is ever truly stuck. Although much easier to move around without being locked into a home.
Pree
I agree. I hate the cons that come with being a renter but the cons of being a homeowner sound worse in some ways !
Brittany
I feel this on a deep level. LOL. $10,000 unexpected home projects? New water heater? New kitchen appliances? NOOOO.
fionajarrett
Great post, I can identify with a lot of what you said and you articulate it so well. Love your writing 👍
Brittany
Oh how good it is to have a comment from you! Thank you for the kind words. ❤️