Daybook
May
Outside my window: It’s a beautiful sunny day, and from my home office window, I can see construction workers standing near their trucks. They’re at my house to install the bathtub, toilet, and shower today. We’re getting closer! A little water leak, coming from the bathroom into the basement, discovered back in February, led to months of work and a constant rotation of workers, with their loud saws and hammers, coming in and out of my house at all hours. I’m happy the work is getting done, but even happier that I can finally see an end to the constant disruptions, hopefully, soon. We’ve been living in a construction zone for too long.
Listening to: Brown noise. I know, I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s super helpful for people like me who have difficulty focusing. It sounds like sitting next to a waterfall.
Clothing myself in: gray athleisure pants and a soft, pink knit tunic
Talking with my husband about this book: We don’t currently have a book we’re listening to together. We were traveling in Ireland for the past couple of weeks and have not had our usual routine. I’m looking forward to resuming our evening sauna/audiobook time together now that we’re home. If you have any suggestions for what our next book should be, please let me know!
In my own reading: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict…I was slightly disappointed in this one. It’s the story of Hedy Lamarr, which is a fascinating story, but I didn’t care for the way it was told in the first-person narrative. It didn’t seem to work for this story. Other people really seemed to love it, so I guess that just goes to show that not every book is for every person.
Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter: this was a fun, light, romantic fiction novel that I really enjoyed.
The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle: a very interesting look at the history of the church. It didn’t really have as much to say about where the author thought the future of the church was headed.
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist: five stars. This reads a bit like a memoir or a chat with a friend, and it talks a lot about about trusting in God’s goodness.
Thinking and thinking: about what it was I loved about our time in Ireland and how I can try to replicate some of the rhythms we enjoyed there, while here at home. One of my favorite things about Ireland was that we listened to live music at pubs every night after dinner. Here, in my small town, which doesn’t have as strong of a music culture, that’s probably not possible, but I do intend to seek out more live music events. It makes me so happy to listen to good music, especially when it’s live.
Pondering: “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” -Jimmy Carter
Carefully Cultivating Rhythm: I’m craving a return to my home routines right now. Between traveling and the upheaval involved with construction happening in my house, I haven’t had much of a routine for quite some time. This week I intend to reintroduce my regular morning yoga practice and try to adjust to a regular sleep schedule. Jet lag has had me waking up a 4 am the last few mornings!
Creating By Hand: I haven’t created anything by hand over the past month. I’d like to get my hands in the dirt, though, and plant some flowers outside now that I’ll be home for a while.
Learning lessons in: Patience. Still. Same lesson as last month. The construction project at my house continues.
Keeping house: I intend to wash the bedding today. I love sleeping on freshly washed sheets!
To be fit and happy: Daily walks, yoga, and golf: all these activities make me so happy.
Giving thanks: for my family. I live near my mom, as well as my sister and her family. We all get together on Sunday nights for dinner. It’s a weekly highlight.
Living the Liturgy: We’re still celebrating Eastertide for two more weeks.
Planning for the week ahead: I’d like to purchase new towel racks for the bathroom, write another chapter of my current WIP (a novel that takes place in Moscow, ID, in 2003), play some golf, plan a dinner party, and meet with my spiritual director.
*If vacation photos of Ireland are something you might enjoy seeing, you can check them out HERE.
*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.