Flower petals and a light jacket.
No. 83 In defense of the daily routine.
I need to let go of the ‘see you here next week’ mentality because I cannot predict the future (such a shame). As many of you noticed, I was not in fact ‘here’ last week, which led to a drop in the production schedule - or my weekly plan to write at my kitchen table.
We took an extra long weekend - one(!) day off - and by the time it was Sunday Writing Time, the weather was too gorgeous and I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting indoors to type it all out.
Sure, the patio is open and ready for the season, but I just couldn’t do it. Thank you for your patience. And thank you for your encouragement along the way. I’m humbled that you’re here. Now, what shall we discuss? Spring is here!
Much of this past week had me pausing for photos each morning in the Public Garden. Very brief snaps of the glorious change that happens when the weather cooperates, all of the flowers have been planted, and none of the tourists have yet to wake up. ;)
My preferred time to wander is early morning. Except it’s not wandering. It’s my walk to work. And I’m usually moving at a quick pace because it’s a work day. However, by the time I’m walking through these spaces again, rushing to get home, the Public Garden is packed with folks appreciating all of the same things that I do, but in a much more crowded way.
I have always been a morning person and that rings true even now when my weekdays begin before sunrise, my ‘work brain’ turns on well before I’m at my desk, and my allotted time to appreciate the ‘pre-day calm’ is brief. I’m often asked why I walk to the office when I could just hop on the T. Why bother?
Save for a handful of awful weather days (I’m looking at you torrential rain), the walk to work is a great time to energize for the hours ahead, appreciate the season, appreciate nature, and be present with my surroundings. I know that I need to do a lot the second I walk into my office building so this walk I take each morning is even more valuable to my peace of mind. And I just love a [morning] routine.
Why am I yammering on about this daily walk? I’m not quite sure! Perhaps because when life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns, the simplest elements of our days that we can control are the most important to maintain.
No matter how wild a work day becomes or how unpredictable every corner of life seems to be, this morning walk I take to work keeps me sane and somewhat grounded for whatever happens next. Plus, who doesn’t love a gorgeous morning surrounded by tulips?
I’ll stop talking about this in a second. I must note that the weekends also have a touch of structure. Seth and I usually take Pepper for her first (earliest) walk together and then we all get coffee before everything else. This ‘tradition’ or ‘morning routine’ is something I look forward to every week and while it’s nothing too out of the ordinary, it’s different enough from the workweek to always feel special. Again, I love a routine. Even on the weekend.
If you’re getting the sense that I’m a little, how do I say it kindly, strict(?) when it comes to routines, maybe you’re right? I was the kid in college that preferred weekdays to weekends (please don’t abandon me) because I loved the structure of a weekday. I liked getting up early, walking to class, walking to rehearsal, having dinner, doing homework, going to bed, and rinse and repeat. The weekends always felt too…relaxed? Ha.
Apparently I was not a traditional college student. But that’s another day’s discussion. Let’s just say I have enjoyed the post-college working world far more and I’ve been in it for quite some time. It’s far easier to control one’s work life, to some degree, than the ‘choose your own adventure’ element the college years (graciously) provide. I’m sure this preference is the minority, but I’m OK with that. I am who I am.
The college intern on my team at work is graduating in a few weeks. Nothing hits harder than realizing the person next to you is only 21 years old and has their whole life ahead of them (although they may think quite the opposite). They were excitedly telling me about their post-grad plans, their summer travel adventures, and their mild uneasiness that comes with not knowing what’s about to happen. A curse and a joy all at once. I vividly remember that feeling.
Me and my structure-loving heart had no clue what would happen after college graduation. And that’s probably for the best! I cannot control everything, that is impossible, but I can control some things, like my morning walk. That daily bite of solitude which allows me to start fresh each day and be prepared to handle anything that comes my way.
In other news…
I did buy a light jacket by Barbour this week which is another spring passion of mine. Light Jacket Weather is a joy until June. :)
Seth and I celebrated the tenth anniversary of the day we got engaged. April 25, 2015. A great day that was ten(!!) years ago! What is time and why does it fly?
I recently made the swap to a backpack for my commute and while it’s not exactly a style I prefer, it sure does allow for faster walking and less shoulder pain.
Please watch ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ on Apple TV+ as it’s pretty entertaining and Jon Hamm is excellent. And the title track plays on repeat in my head.
This week’s episode of ‘Hacks’ was superb and the closing music had me in tears immediately as it was dedicated to the victims and first responders of the LA wildfires.
‘The Studio’ is a bit chaotic, but I still enjoy it. This week’s plot was fun and had several LOL moments. Everyone loves a charity auction!
Random and joyful…
Fried, whole-belly clams are listed as “MKT” price at Legal Sea Foods which means “market price,” which means don’t ask if you don’t want to know. AKA expensive. Or rather, they are expensive for the quantity you are served. However, if you are in the mood to treat yourself, and you love clams, then I say go for it. They are scrumptious and worth every penny.
MKT-priced items come across mysterious, but in reality it’s just a very delicious dish you deserve to enjoy. :)
But in all seriousness, always ask the price if you’re unsure! I should have asked. I almost choked when we got the bill. ;)
I hope everyone has a great Sunday and a positive week ahead. Please follow me on Instagram (@glutenfreemollied) for daily amusements in Stories and an occasional permanent post. Pepper says hello!
Cheers and joy,
Mollie