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?