Hey, reader. How are you? I got to live another year–it’s pretty incredible. How much life can I pack into a year? A ton! Happy birthday, with much thanks to my mama for carrying, birthing, feeding, and raising me. It’s hard to continue without her, yet here we grow.
Ming took this picture of me hugging a cherry tree at the nearest park. The bark smells so delicious. We celebrate with chosen family, friends, and just us.
Yesterday loved ones took me apple picking, and I must admit I’m thrilled trying different apples types. Being in the orchard is a treat, a group project with people who show up and invest in me, happy to hold me, doing love every day.
Not people I have to beg, but they actually enjoy nurturing and supporting another being. It’s amazing to be treated like I’m the right amount, in a world that tells me I’m too much, body and soul.
I baked those gluten-free vegan pumpkin ginger pecan maple cakes. Friends made gluten-free vegan mac & cheese, which I had been craving. They brought grapes, presents, and abundant kindness.
We also picked poblanos, a few tomatoes, and fresh basil. Yummy! I made pesto this morning for Second Breakfast–I mixed it in rice noodles.
desire journaling
So many blessings I’m grateful for. We gratitude journal, and newly I like to desire journal too. We list five things we desire. Feels good to ponder what I most want and see if I can get it. We can help each other too.
Yesterday I wanted soft flannel sheets, that cis men would never look at me, and to honor my mom. Some are easy, some impossible–some are a whole-life project. I’m happy to try.
I’d been writing five desires in my journal, but it was fun to do in the car yesterday with chosen fam.
Today witch friends are casting spells for my self-worth to no longer depend on how I’m chosen and not chosen by other people. It’s exciting to create change intentionally when so much changes just on its own.
questions for discussion
Is time real?
How many years do you have left? If we still have a habitable planet, I’m hoping to make it to 80.
Do you crave mac & cheese?
Can you feel the new season arriving?
Is there a big change you need in your life that you’ve been working on?
Have you picked apples this year?
What do you ask your witch friends for?
If you’ve known me for a long time, how have you seen me change?
What five things do you most desire today?
5 replies on “another year”
Last question answers: Your health, your happiness, feelings of fulfillment, exciting projects, happy fam and Strong Chair community.
Happy Birthday !
I love you !
Sounds like it was a very happy birthday, I am so glad for you.
I think I perceive some kind of time. Things don’t all happen at once, but sometimes I feel like many of my memories are missing, while others are all too vivid. Is that time?
The years I have left is a scary thing to think about. I didn’t think I would make it this long. I’m scared of my body betraying me, which isn’t fair since my body wouldn’t choose to get sick. I’m hoping for 60, myself. I hope you can have 80 years or a hundred or even more if you’d change your mind.
Mac and cheese are hard not to crave. I’m making stir-fry with a sauce from leftover peanut butter, if my plans come together.
I feel the new season pleasantly in the taste of apples and the cooler weather. I feel it unpleasantly in that I have to take off my sunglasses in the evening and feel too much sinus pressure.
There are a lot of changes in my life. Too many, perhaps. It feels like I just need to prepare and wait, since there are many things I cannot change.
I chose some apples from a farm. Pink Lady apples. I would like to pick some from a tree, someday. I like the idea of choosing my own apples to pick. I also like seconds.
I don’t ask my witch friends for things. Maybe I can/should/will. I ask my spouse to join me in witchy stuff, and they are my best friend, maybe that counts.
I don’t know how much you’ve changed, to be honest. That’s not bad or contrarian, please understand. I think you’ve just become more your own self. Your appearance has changed, but you’re a more honest, open, artistic version of an already-honest, open, artistic person.
I can’t name my desires. I went for a swim, which I think was something I desired. I ate a burrito for lunch, which I did desire. Both were very good. I have time to rest, which I desired. I have time to read and write, which I desired. But what are my upcoming desires? What do I desire right now? I’ll think about it.
Thank you for questions to discuss and a reason to have fun writing.
this is so beautiful. I feel happy to hear more about your inner and outer life. thank you.