Tag: houston

Tiny Tuesday!


Tiny leaf dish, with tiny stone hearts: carnelian for empowerment and amazonite for authenticity, plus a tiny cone of nag champa incense. All of these are from my favorite Houston store, Body Mind and Soul. Crystals and stones, incense, aromatherapy and candles, the right music–these are helping keep me focused on writing and positive things.

I’ve found that I can’t read right now. It’s frustrating, and yesterday for an Instagram post, I counted 31(derful) books in my to-be-read pile. Since I’m not routinely a TV viewer, I do that in only limited doses. As much as I love other people’s creativity, for some reason during this time, reading and viewing has become harder. Music is still fantastic, especially some of the musicians I’ve met via social media.

I’ll talk a bit more about stress at the end of this post.

I’m not much of a shopper. I usually go to stores only with a specific purpose, and I’m in and out quickly. But the stores I love most take more time: record stores, bookstores, antique stores, and especially Body Mind and Soul. We are able now to book in-store shopping appointments there in thirty-minute increments. I’ll be glad to shop that way if it helps keep this Houston treasure open.

So many businesses have closed, especially restaurants. Even franchises of chain restaurants. I think so far our favorite locally-owned eateries are hanging in there, and we do get takeout a couple of times a week to be supportive. We have to budget that wisely since I’ve been laid off.

I try to imagine when I can travel again. I didn’t go many places for so long because of work. This past weekend, we Zoomed with the Tom side of the family for his mother’s birthday. It was my first Zoom meeting and was a lot of fun. We got to see people and kids (shit, they’re all almost grown now) and dogs.

One day when the pandemic is under control, I won’t have the income for travel. I try not to think about the future a lot. It makes the present situation seem bleak. I can say that staying home for seven months during a pandemic while the worst administration I’ve experienced in my lifetime is so dishonest and dangerously inept is not something I ever anticipated or want to repeat.

So… stress. There are topics I.don’t.want.to.talk.about. Ever. Has nothing to do with the current situation we’re in. One time someone who knows me well called me a finely-tuned instrument who strongly reacts to the vibrations put off by the planet, events, and humans. She taught me many ways to protect myself, and I still use those. I caution people that when I say, “Stop,” it’s a good idea to stop. It’s not personal. It’s the topic + me. When I get frustrated or reactive, it’s no longer the topic. It’s personal. This is one of my least favorite ways to be. Why would anyone want to provoke it?

So…crystals and stones. Aromatherapy. Candles. Music. Social media avoidance. Coloring. Writing scenes in my head and then into my manuscript. Everybody has their ways to cope and minimize stress. I hope. If not, there’s an entire Internet filled with ideas. Find what works, and know I wish you peace.

Just breathe

There has been street flooding in Houston courtesy of Tropical Storm Beta. So far for us, that’s meant a very soggy yard and unhappy dogs. But no flooding. Always grateful for no flooding. Also grateful for the two days first responders took care of everyone. Beta should be finished with us now.

I can’t blame the weather for the uptick in my anxiety level. That’s political. The worst part is when I can’t sleep, because then my mind goes to its darkest, saddest places. I’ve been working on that by making a definite cutoff point to writing each night; ignoring/disconnecting all devices; and since my mind can’t focus well enough to read (which in good times is my greatest wind-down activity), I’ve been doing a lot of coloring. When coloring, I seem better able to know when I need to shift my thoughts from the things that upset me about the world, my life, and my relationships, and think of the things that make me happy about those same things. Whatever works. Also, I’ve gone back to this. So far, it’s worked two nights, failed one.

One thing I haven’t talked about is that September is Suicide Awareness Month. Last year in April, I did a post about our nephew Aaron along with some drawings of eggs my mother-in-law sent at Easter. I mentioned then that eggs are a symbol of the circle of life as well as new life and potential. I colored one of the eggs last year for Aaron. By now, I’ve finished all of them.

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Youth Crisis Hotline: Text RISE to 741741 in the United States

I may be posting more coloring pages I’ve done among other things. Be patient with me for all the things I can’t say. Won’t say. I have to mute my rage setting for now. For the friends who are balm to my soul, thank you. There is a season for everything inside me. And all of us. I love the Byrds and I love this old song. (In fact, next book, there’s a fun little tribute to the Byrds in a non-musical way.) Nice images in this video. Noticed they misspelled “weep” because I can’t turn off my inner editor.

Peace.

Tiny Tuesday!

Tiny Tuesday isn’t so tiny. We have a possible Cat 3 hurricane named Laura heading our way. Things can change for so many reasons, but right now, advisories are saying midnight to 3 AM Thursday for landfall, more wind than water for our area, and probable power outages where we are.

I’ll update as I can. I do appreciate all the emails and texts and calls I’m getting. My anxiety level is high, though. If I don’t respond or respond quickly, it’s because beyond doing what I can do to prepare, I’m writing. It’s my escape. It calms me.

Wishing the best for everyone along the Gulf Coast and inland.