I was talking to Riah before yoga on Tuesday.
“How’ve you been?” she asked.
“Eh,” I said, “Okay. Not great. The world is getting to me. The war, the Rape Academy, the lack of sun, warmth, and hope. But other than that, I’m good. You?”
“Same,” she said. “It’s not that I’m sad, I’m just off.”
That’s what April’s been like.
Off.
If I stay in my bubble, I’m okay. Go out of my bubble? Not okay.
I saw Susan yesterday at Pride.
“How’s it going?” I said.
“Busy,” she said. “Working a lot. My life is boring.”
“Mine, too,” I said.
Later, I thought about that. Yeah. Outwardly my life looks boring, but here? Inside the bubble?
Inside the bubble, things are anything but.
Words are being written, books are being read, real, no-bullshit conversations are being spoken over Moosewood lunches.
In my group activities, the women in my writing group with Zee are writing amazing, heartfelt pieces. In my yoga classes, especially Gentle Yoga, people who made a yoga resolution back in January are still showing up, week after week.
My book group is so smart! Every month, they blow me away with the insights they bring to that month’s selection.
The day after the book group met, Kathryn Marco Polo-ed me, gushing about how grand the discussion was.
So even though the world is so very fucked up right now, there have been things that have been inspiring me in April.
Clothing
We had a few warm days this month that had me searching for shorts and tees. I discovered I could use a few new things. I’ve found Bayleaf.
https://www.baleaf.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor-Jnzn_zKGzHVF2t201KrZwlnGg0Reexhv71yCeDbkO7AQF8Bi
I think I saw an ad on Facebook and ordered some capris. When they came, I was delighted at the fit, comfort, and quality. I have since ordered shorts and tees. I am a fan.
I am also happy with Pact. Organic cotton stuff. I got a pair of joggers, a tee, and a bra. Love everything.
Apps
I’m using the Cronometer app to track my food. Today I discovered I can input my food by simply talking into the app. It also has an amazingly accurate photo feature where you take a picture of your food and it breaks down every ingredient. I got a burrito from Timmy B’s the other night, photographed it, and it calculated things in there I couldn’t even see.
https://cronometer.com/index.html
I am also using the Streaks app as an accountability tool. It’s simple and fun.
Books
In addition to the book group selection, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, I read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I had started it but abandoned it because the narrator is my age, yet she seemed like such a fuddy-duddy. Ugh. No. But Rebecca, in my writing group, read it, liked it, and urged me to give it another chance, and I wound up loving it.
Currently, I have 3 books going, plus an audiobook:
On my Kindle, I’m reading Project Hail Mary, and Dirtbag Billionaire.
In hardcover, I’m reading Isabel Klee’s memoir, Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About.
I’m listening to Wellness by Nathan Hill on audio, and I have Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, this month’s book group pick, sitting here in paperback.
The hope is that all this reading will keep me away from news, and news podcasts, which only inflame me.
Tomorrow is May first. I have never been more ready!
Thanks for reading. What inspired you in April?
Inspiration Location 