April Daybook
Outside my window: The lower mountains are taking on a velvety green appearance, and the higher ones are still covered in snow. April is one of my favorite times of year in Central Washington. The sky is clear and sunny, and the trees are starting to bud. I saw some crocuses, too. It will soon be time to mow the lawn and spend more time in the garden.
Listening to: Instrumental Study, a playlist on Spotify that is my go-to when I'm writing, birds outside my window.
Clothing myself in: Mint green gauchos, a white sweater tee, fuzzy blue slippers
Talking with my husband about this book: We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland by Fintan O'Toole. We started listening to the audiobook while sitting in our sauna in the evenings. It has been interesting and shows how far Ireland has come back from some enormous challenges in its recent history.
In my own reading: Two Kristy Cambron books in a row: The Italian Ballerina and Castle on the Rise. History, romance, ballet, and old castles…this author and I seem to love many of the same things. I don't think I'll ever go wrong with reading a Kristy Cambron book. Of these two novels, if I had to choose, my favorite would be Castle on the Rise, and that's because it takes place in Ireland. I've been fascinated with everything about that country while preparing for an upcoming visit.
Thinking and thinking: about timelines and plans for the next couple of years. I'm flexible if God wants to change my plans and direct me differently. But beyond the novel writing, it looks like I'm moving toward something that might look like going back to school. More on that later.
Pondering:
"Your life isn't about the big break, it's about one significant life-transforming step at a time." -Tim Storey
Carefully Cultivating Rhythm: Over the last year, my husband and I have settled into being part of a new (to us) church and into the ancient traditions this church lives out. We're still learning about and growing to love the liturgical church year and its rhythms. I haven't ever deliberately observed Lent until this year. I'm deeply grateful for the beauty and rich meaning behind this sacred time and for what it's teaching me.
Creating By Hand: I'm still enjoying doing counted cross-stitch as I listen to podcasts or music.
Learning lessons in: Patience. The bathroom/family room remodel project (necessitated by water damage) I mentioned last month has not moved as quickly as I would like. Besides a single day when the plumber came, we have not seen any progress in almost two months. The construction crew came, tore everything out, and left it unfinished while they went to do other projects instead of ours. I have moments where I get angry about this, but for the most part, I haven't let myself go there. I think that's progress. A few years ago, it would have been a very different story. I'm hopeful I'll have some beautiful photos of the new bathroom to show you next month!
Keeping house: With the addition of Milo, our orange tabby, there's a lot of cat hair to clean up. I'm not complaining because he's worth it, but wow…so much hair!
To be fit and happy: Daily walks, skiing, and golf: all these activities make me so happy. It's finally time to start hiking again. That will happen soon.
Giving thanks: for my kids. My son was home on spring break last week, and we got to see my daughter in Seattle, too. Having two grown kids feels surreal sometimes, but they both make me so proud. Getting to spend time with them is the best.
Living the Liturgy: It's Holy Week.
"We give glory to you, Lord, who raised up your cross to span the jaws of death like a bridge by which souls might pass from the region of the dead to the land of the living. We give glory to you who put on the body of a single mortal man and made it the source of life for every other mortal man." – St. Ephrem of Edessa
Planning for the week ahead: I'd like to send out this newsletter, write another chapter of my current work-in-progress, attend a meeting to learn more about a creative writing program for the fall, meet with my spiritual director, host a dinner with friends, attend a Good Friday service, and go skiing.
*Thank you to Elizabeth Foss, writer at In the Heart of My Home, for the inspiration and format behind this daybook.
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.