32 had a greater-than-usual amount of travel and self-discovery. A recent realization I had was that, parallel to not being invited to things, I have found lots of things to do by myself that I deeply enjoy but don't invite others to (I guess I figured that if they were interested, they would go themselves, but also I do have a knack for finding interesting local things to do). So going forward I'm trying to tell others about the fun stuff before  I go rather than after, in case they want to join in - to share the wonder and delight that I'm always finding. CS Lewis (with whom I have disagreements, but not on this particular point) said that joy isn't complete until it's shared, and I definitely feel that. Watching someone else enjoy something increases my enjoyment of it - and that's definitely something I'd like to have more of in the coming year! I think for 33 I'll continue building community and embracing my weirdness/queerness - expecting delight a...

Packing list: [] Good directions [] The willingness to be sidetracked by wonder [] Comfortable shoes [] A garment that is wildly impractical but feels fabulous [] Plenty of snacks [] An appetite for adventure

Roses are red macarons are crisp I bought myself my own valentine gifts Not out of lack of a beau or a boo but because I need practice saying "I love you" to myself.

Two photos from each month of the last year, that I didn't post here.

I love the way that life pools in themes. This past month I chose a few books that had been recommended to me (by one of the few people I take books recommendations from) and they all ended up being based on mythology (two Greek, one Norse). Our bookclub book for the month was based on Greek mythology, and I listened to Neil Gaiman read his Norse Mythology while driving to and from a campground several hours away (it seemed fitting, as his retellings would not be unsuitable for a fireside gathering). My partner and I were also gifted an overnight date opportunity and part of that was spent watching The Eternals, which I was pleasantly surprised to discover was in the "origin of mythological characters" genre (one of my favorite tropes). My knitting projects for the month ended up all being for children (my own, and other's), between reading and working on my ongoing organizing project (I managed to practically double the size of our small kitchen, which feat I am quite pr...

  Balance is sometimes a step with the left then a step with the right again and again but sometimes balance is sitting down on a bench instead of passing it because you've passed so many on your way.

The greatest accomplishment of this past month has been creating a schedule for school, and then sticking with it for four weeks. The kids look forward to school, they've been getting their chore chart check marks and Brooklyn took her nicely loaded debit card to Target last week to expand her Barbie collection (I found a cute filing tote while cleaning and we discovered that it's the perfect size for Barbie storage - and pink lined, to boot!) I've been told more than once, by both of them, that they love school. And  the schedule has become sufficiently self sustaining that on the day I had a tension headache that laid me out I wasn't worried about what to do/what they were doing, because they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. It's wonderful. A couple of months ago I mentioned the examen practice . I've continued doing that every week, and a couple of things I've really liked about it is how, with repetition, patterns become apparent, and also...

A Christian mystic's Psalm 8, with respectful gratitude to the original I AM. Creator. How wonderful is your name in all creation! Your splendor fills the universe. Against raging chaos you built your realm from the smallest atoms; and your great light bound the darkness. I see the beauty your hand has painted, constellations like brushstrokes in the sky... What is humanity, that you remember us? that your thoughts turn kindly toward us? Made in your likeness to make, in Spirit inspired, you hand us the brush and invite us to bring color to your kingdom sketch. I AM. Creator. How wonderful is your name in all creation!

I was recently asked to share on Sunday morning, with several others, how God communicates with me. This was my response. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. - John 1:1-3 CSV When I heard this as a child, I immediately took it literally - that Language equals God. The concept of language still amazes me, especially when it is written. A thought occurs, then travels down my arm and out onto a page with no particular effort. I can then hold and examine my thought outside of myself, or share it with someone else. That blows my mind. The creation, cohesion, and community contained in language is extraordinary and strikes me as something that not only only God could invent, but also only God could sustain. In her poem She Said, How Do You Know When You Are Hearing From God?,  Amena Brown writes, "I w...

We kind of do birthday months in the Burch household. On your birthday day you choose a treat and we all partake of it (Brooklyn chose pineapple whip and I chose Loblolly), but the whole month is a sort of ongoing celebration. There were Just Peachy balloons , a small outdoor gathering with grandparents (she agreed to share her party with Juniper on the condition she choose the cake - vegan vanilla chocolate - and the theme - unicorns), and general scattered sparkliness. It's a good way to start the summer, I think.

 I want to be wrapped up in a blanket not wrapped up in myself I want to lose myself in a book not lose myself to conformity I want to  turn down the digital noise not turn my back to need I want to add to the beauty not add to the chaos I want to be  remembered for my compassion kindness joy if I am remembered at all.

 Dandelion dent-de-lion lion's tooth Wreaths of golden courage cresting a milky stem surrounded by spring's first food Yellow face facing the yellow sun reaching with swift confidence Petals turn to puffs a magnetic sphere calling all to wish upon it Courage fuels desire of-heart becomes of-life imagination, reality.

We've entered the second spring of this pandemic, and I'm finding myself missing some rather odd things, and daydreaming about the days when they'll (hopefully) return... - Writing in coffee shops. I used to take my computer to a public table to write these posts, and it turns out that I am actually more productive in that setting. Something about the ambient sounds and activity gives my background brain something to do, and it's always nice to have a beverage and a snack that I didn't have to prepare (although that's not the primary factor, like I thought it was). - Not feeling pressured to streamline my errands. In the Before Times, I would block off nearly a whole Saturday for erranding, and loiter my way along a route planned around at least two local eateries - but between preordering and limited capacities and trying not to breathe on people, everything goes a lot quicker now. - Discussion groups, and discussing with groups. People gathered in a living roo...

 Shifting I continue while nature cycles the light within me greeting the edge of  sunrise now instead of the edge  of night as I rise from my mat A pot of strong tea two cups, to welcome day my cup sits cooling while I forget The words a little easier now waiting for me as thought they set their own alarm an appointment made an appointment kept Elated, I return.

The lights are down the light has shown the pink fringes of the beginning of  a slow and steady climb; a rise that cannot be held back The gifts unwrapped the gift is that we hold this moment in our hearts for the long dark ahead.

 Walls straining to contain the warmth a room dimly lit with strings of blinking light Vince Gill softly sings let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me tidings of comfort and joy shared by those lovingly gathered whatever rages outside countered in equal measure or even in greater abundance by the joyful spirits within.

All three shelves in a white cabinet with a glass front and a splashing painting above it (shades of brown splattering a green striped cup) are dedicated to mugs I choose one with care matching it to my mood to the day to the tea I'll brew in it The tea itself another quest of local sources new flavors and old favorites Usually black and strong and spiced with sugar or honey and milk full of heat  and energy Sometimes I need the emotional warmth rather than the physical so I hold it and enjoy its scent until it goes cold in my hands Sometimes I talk through tea instead of words or take a sip instead of saying something It's good to stop and think and listen but there is also a time to speak.