Small Adventures

As we move into this (unprecedented) coming week… I am thinking of all the magic I have in my little life and staying close to that. Thankful to have my warm homey life filled with occasional small adventures. Small adventures are all I need.

Brad had an unusual Saturday off work and it prevented me from getting things done, thankfully. We went downtown, had lunch, and later, took a long walk in local preserve. All the latter with our newly adopted 2 year old Lab mix whom we brought home last weekend. Nearly 12 hours round trip to pick him up, we had no idea what we were getting into (small adventures.) Brad thought it might be too soon, he was hesitant… and yet he went along with my angst-driven need to adopt so soon after the passing of Kody. I’m thrilled and relieved to report, it all worked out.

We named this big guy Koa (yes BIG! Likely a mix of Lab and Great Dane and…?.) We liked using the “K” in homage to Kody. But also because Koa means fearless in Hawaiian. This dog had been through some trauma and had zero reason to trust us. But he did trust us. Fully. In fact, he jumped in the car with so much power and speed we both yelled Woah!

Maybe it’s because our kids are merging into adults and more or less off on their own lives, but I find that Brad and I rather love having a big baby around. Our senior dog Amma even seems more balanced with another dog in the house again. (Kody, if you had a paw in helping us find Koa, thanks buddy.)

Another beautiful new inclusion in our life is our weekly large farm box that arrives full of delicious fresh produce. I love this so much, especially that we don’t know exactly what we will get each week. (Small adventures!) We are having fun with recipes - Brad made up his own Indian curry with rutabagas last week and tomorrow morning I’m going to make this recipe with some of the carrots that came in this week’s box. I am SO thankful to our local famers for growing such beautiful food and it inspires me once again to get my hands in the soil and start up our own lil’ winter garden.

When I feel stressed, I turn to settle again into the safety and warmth of my own little life. Long walks, carrot muffins, plans for the garden, exercise. The small things I can control. Stay healthy! Strong! I swear, that’s what gets me through. A good night’s sleep. Waking refreshed and ready to be here now. Vigil in what often seems a tumultuous, unraveling world. Finding the peaceful thread. One step after the other. The kids happily swirled in their own lives. A walk on a path. Husband. Dog. Sun. Earth under my feet. It’s enough.