Beautiful essay as always, Susie. I get the needing to move or keep busy that an be a way not to sit still with one's feelings. I also get the healing. Oh, and i so get your love for Farmer as he fades. I also have to say your shoes look very cool! Care to share what they are?
Hi Kirie! And thank you. My shoes are Hokas (Hoka Challenger 7). I bought them because I got planter faciiitis in my left foot and essentially needed to wear a really supportive sneaker around as much as possible - and they have definitely helped!
Just looked up those shoes. Thanks for the info. I had plantar faciitis once and it's one of the most painful foot issues ever, particularly when one loves to walk and move around in life. So glad they helped. Maybe we'll be shoe twins as well as recovery twins from afar!
Love this Susie. Thanks for sharing. This perspective is so important in recovery as you well know—to have your head and your feet in the same place. This essay evokes the presence of doing exactly that—and noticing it.
Prayers for Farmer as you love him relentlessly. 🙏❤️
Relentlessly is the word Dee. He's sitting here in a bunk next to my desk and has had both good and bad moments today - you know how that goes...ugh. There are so many hard things about this as you know - as with your guy, Farmer was with me through some difficult times, and he was (still is) such a loyal and loving companion. It has been so wonderful that he and Doug have gotten on so well, too. Last night I woke up really thinking about what this will be like, what it will mean, and I'm afraid I'm just not going to handle it well. But I will. And you're absolutely right about having your head and your feet in the same place in recovery. I keep coming back to that! Thanks for all your support.
Oh Susie. 🥲 We both know what it’s like to go through losing a pet. I would not wish it on anyone. That said it’s the price we pay for the incredible love these doggies bring us—and I would wish that on everyone 🙏
Beautiful essay, Susie, and lovely description of Quansoo—indeed a magical place. Sometimes it seems best to let the feet lead while the mind takes a backseat, that way it can’t talk the body out of going where it needs.
So true James - I like that idea of the mind taking a backseat! I wish you'd been with us to identify the birds at Quansoo - especially the little ones taking refuge in the hedges. Do you have any idea what they might be?
Some birds I’ve seen in the hedges at Quansoo include the omnipresent Song Sparrow, but also Savannah Sparrows with their faint yellow eyebrow, Yellow-rumped Warblers—it’s a birdy spot as you can imagine. Juncos are showing up this time of year too. Any striking characteristics like color, or were they LBBs (little brown birds)?
Love this, Susie! Just Keep Moving is one of my life mantras. :) Thank you as always for your beautiful words.
Oh, it certainly is, Heather! And you're welcome. We'll all just keeping moving along (and through!)!
Beautiful essay as always, Susie. I get the needing to move or keep busy that an be a way not to sit still with one's feelings. I also get the healing. Oh, and i so get your love for Farmer as he fades. I also have to say your shoes look very cool! Care to share what they are?
Hi Kirie! And thank you. My shoes are Hokas (Hoka Challenger 7). I bought them because I got planter faciiitis in my left foot and essentially needed to wear a really supportive sneaker around as much as possible - and they have definitely helped!
Just looked up those shoes. Thanks for the info. I had plantar faciitis once and it's one of the most painful foot issues ever, particularly when one loves to walk and move around in life. So glad they helped. Maybe we'll be shoe twins as well as recovery twins from afar!
Yes, it has really been a hindrance to my walking - ugh! But yay Hokas - let me know if you wind up purchasing some!
Love this Susie. Thanks for sharing. This perspective is so important in recovery as you well know—to have your head and your feet in the same place. This essay evokes the presence of doing exactly that—and noticing it.
Prayers for Farmer as you love him relentlessly. 🙏❤️
Relentlessly is the word Dee. He's sitting here in a bunk next to my desk and has had both good and bad moments today - you know how that goes...ugh. There are so many hard things about this as you know - as with your guy, Farmer was with me through some difficult times, and he was (still is) such a loyal and loving companion. It has been so wonderful that he and Doug have gotten on so well, too. Last night I woke up really thinking about what this will be like, what it will mean, and I'm afraid I'm just not going to handle it well. But I will. And you're absolutely right about having your head and your feet in the same place in recovery. I keep coming back to that! Thanks for all your support.
Oh Susie. 🥲 We both know what it’s like to go through losing a pet. I would not wish it on anyone. That said it’s the price we pay for the incredible love these doggies bring us—and I would wish that on everyone 🙏
Beautiful essay, Susie, and lovely description of Quansoo—indeed a magical place. Sometimes it seems best to let the feet lead while the mind takes a backseat, that way it can’t talk the body out of going where it needs.
So true James - I like that idea of the mind taking a backseat! I wish you'd been with us to identify the birds at Quansoo - especially the little ones taking refuge in the hedges. Do you have any idea what they might be?
Some birds I’ve seen in the hedges at Quansoo include the omnipresent Song Sparrow, but also Savannah Sparrows with their faint yellow eyebrow, Yellow-rumped Warblers—it’s a birdy spot as you can imagine. Juncos are showing up this time of year too. Any striking characteristics like color, or were they LBBs (little brown birds)?
Great descriptions, JT song immediately came to mind. Perfect.
Country Road!! I almost pasted the link in, but figured everyone who wants to listen to it and find it...thanks Susan
My dad used to play that hand game with me. And now I play it with my granddaughters!
Oh that's so cool to know! I just have such vivid memories of that. And I can smell the pipe tobacco and feel his scratchy whiskers.
Heartbreakingly beautiful. 💗
Aw, thank you. Lotta heartbreak around these days it seems...❤️