Category Archives: Beauty in the Dishsoap

A category created just for my Stonecoast work…an attempt at writing only about the mundane, every day things that happen in my life – and making them compelling. Let me know how that’s going for me, would ya?

Silver Linings

31 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by in Beauty in the Dishsoap

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It’s easy to fall into fear. But I’ve learned that worry never does me any good at all. It doesn’t prevent things from happening, change things that are happening, or change what’s already happened. Worry only makes me feel bad. Which is not to say I don’t sometimes have a good cry. I do.

Here’s what I think I know: there is good to be found in any situation. Here are some good things I’m feeling during stay-n-place month we’re facing. CoronApril. Feel free to add your own!

  1. I’m working remotely. Tomorrow is day 11. I appreciate waking up at 7am and getting to work by 7:30, downstairs, with a hot cup of coffee and my dog at my feet.
  2. I am so grateful to be working at all.
  3. I’m connecting individually with students I sometimes don’t connect with. Yes, online is actually better for some. There’s some keyboard courage happening for students who don’t always reach out otherwise. A delightful surprise and discovery.
  4. I feel such pride in my profession. At a moment’s notice we took everything we offer our students on a daily basis and made it accessible from home. This sort of magic has come to be expected from us. In case you’re wondering, magic = hard work, willingness, dedication, true commitment and love.
  5. I’m home with my dog, who already thinks I can do no wrong, and his worship of me does not go unappreciated.  It’s  a win-win.
  6. I’m walking the dog and exercising every day. This is mostly because I’m not in my car an extra hour. I’m all about beachbodyondemand online — I can choose any workout, for any length of time. Yesterday it was cardio, today pilates.
  7. Two of my children are here during these weeks of lockdown. We are playing Scattergories, Connect Four, Cribbage, Yahtzee and Scrabble. We’re talking about fear and resilience, the good in people, and taking good care of your own mental health, and strategies for doing so. My oldest son has opted to stay in his apartment with one of his roommates.
  8. This is a good time to be an introvert. I never tire of quiet.
  9. I have time to write, and knit, and organize things like the pantry shelves, and the shoes. Mother Nature doesn’t know if she’s coming or going. So. Many. Shoes.
  10. I’m reading a lot of poetry. Here’s one of my current favorites.
  11.  I’m doing what I’m asked to do; I’m staying home. We’re witnessing the creation of history, and I’m glad to do my infinitesimally small part, and I find joy in finding the silver linings all around me. I encourage you to try to do the same if you can. And if you can’t, you know where to reach me. XO

Twenty.

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Beauty in the Dishsoap, Family Ties, Stuff I Want to Tell You About

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On our wedding day: ages 30 and 26

In Korea: ages 43 and 39

Our 20th Anniversary: ages 50 and 46

I saw a very funny comedy bit recently about marriage. The comedian was madly in love and in a moment of overwhelming rapture ran to his partner and said “I love you! It’s the kind of love that comes around once in a lifetime! I never want to spend a single day without you! I think we should get the government involved.” And they got married.

When Guy and I got married we already owned a house and had a dog. We had our reception in our backyard and several of the rooms in our house had no furniture, which was great because it was full of wedding-goers and for several days what is now our front room served as a lively space for dance parties. It feels like yesterday.

Love surprises me. The highs are higher and the lows are lower than I imagined they’d be, but at the end of every day, I still turn to Guy and thank the universe that he’s the one I’m on the roller coaster with.

Middle age does sort of compel me to look backwards more than I used to. It also makes me wonder about choices I’ve made, roads I’ve traveled, things I’ve said yes (or no) to, and consider how things might have turned out differently. But when I go back to being 25 in my mind, I don’t hesitate about this decision. I choose Guy every time.

 

 

 

All the Way Gray

17 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Beauty in the Dishsoap, Stuff I Want to Tell You About

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I will turn 46 years old on the 21st of June, and memories of The Old Port and turning *21 on the 21st* are currently running loops in my head. One of my roommates at the time bought me gift: a drink called a Mind Eraser, and it went so far downhill from there I called in sick for two days. Really; kids, do not try this at home.

I try not to drink like that anymore. But never say never.

I’m giving myself a gift this year. It has nothing to do with vodka or coffee liqueur, or ruining any clothing, the interior of a cab, ahem, a carpet or my pride. I just thank my lucky stars handheld connections to the internet did not exist.

My gift to myself this year is this: letting my hair go gray. Embracing what is.

And what is, I suppose, if I overthink it: clear indication I’m that much closer to the finish line of life, but it honestly doesn’t feel that way. It feels more like dropping a lead coat from my shoulders and shaking free. Moving lightly. Freedom. It’s gray hair for god’s sake. It’s not crippling degenerative disease. For whatever reason, I was mostly gray at 35, and that’s just the way of things. I’ve fought it long enough.

Here’s my new haircut and my new gray hair, free of any and all color. It’s reeeaallllly short, but hey, it’s summer.

I have no plans to color my hair ever again. But never say never.

It’s 76 degrees, and I’m bundled up because I have a fever. That’s a delirious smile right there.