One of those sharing questions thingies

Comment below and I'll ask you five questions. Answer them in your own journal, offer to give the first five commenters their own sets of questions, and let the cycle continue.

From torachan

1. What is your favorite book you've read this year?

Probably Breaking the Age Code" as it's given me the most insight into accepting my own aging process (and others') without feeling so overwhelmed and hopeless about it. (The only fantasy books I made it through were the Fifth Season/Obelisk Gate and The Starless Sea, which were compelling and fun to read but not deeply resonant.)

2. What do you like most about where you live?

Portland has access to both the beach and the mountains, lots of trees and green, a river, a gentle pace, really great food and coffee, tons of dancing, and lots of safe spaces and acceptance for those of us with alternative lifestyles. Specifically this apartment complex has the most beautiful trees, and it's close to everything.

3. What is something you really love the taste of but don't eat that often?

Cinnamon roooollllsssss lol. Or Tiramisu. Or fettuccini alfredo. I love creamy things and rarely have them.

4. What would your ideal Disneyland trip involve?

With my brother, importantly, because he is more of a Disney fan than I am. Halloween time, I would love to do the Oogie Boogie bash or some sort of Halloween party. It would be amazing if this party had dancing of any kind. Haunted Mansion needs to happen, as Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies ever. I would probably come dressed as Sally. I would also need to do other rides for nostalgia: Mr Toad, Dumbo, Small World, Space Mountain, Pirates. I've yet to see Galaxy's Edge! So as much of that as I could possibly fit in. California Adventure was new when I left California so I've barely seen any of it so I gotta check that side out. Main Street stroll. Finding the dragon's lair at the castle. Also I would need to try delicious treats and have a meal somewhere, get photos of and with characters, encounter the Evil Queen as she is my absolute favorite live Disney character, shopping for the perfect new coffee mug and hoodie, getting Halloween themed mouse ears, omg I think I need several days, ha! I really hope my brother and I can go together at some point for a week or something, some time in October. Since we both love xmas, he has suggested going on Halloween proper so that we can be there for the beginning of the Christmas transformation, too - that wound probably be ideal. Maybe next year! Or 2024, as my brother turns 60 that year.

5. What is your earliest memory?

I'm not sure which of these are the earliest, but I had a lot of unusually early memories. I remember laying on my back in this little wooden cradle that laid on the floor that rocked back and forth, that my mom was using her foot to rock gently by pressing on the end of the rocker that was sticking out closest to her. I remember demanding "Mama rock!" every time she got distracted and stopped. When I saw this cradle later as an older child I was shocked at how tiny it was, I must have not been 2 years old yet?

I also remember sitting on the red porch of our first house in Newport in the sunshine and seeing yellowjackets around me and being a little scared but I didn't get stung. We moved out of this house when I was maybe 3 years of age.

winter fire lookout problems

lol, Josh found this video of these guys who thought they could just drive up to 5mile and then beat the snowstorm to ge tout. It's a 3 mile ski in from the sno-park, toughen up dudes! (I have a pet peeve about people driving to things in remote areas that they should be walking/skiing/snowshoeing to. But this is an easy mistake to make for any inexperienced person.)

I've been to this lookout maybe 4 times? Always in winter. Always climbed on my own power to get there. Always worth it.

Watch on YouTube

ow.

ugh I'm in so much pain. it was a high pain/inflammation day all day, not sure why other than paying for Saturday's shenanigans?

I went to silks and did something really bad to my arm, it hurts in a new and unfamiliar way, now I am in an extreme amount of pain and super cranky and just ate all of the snacks because I am so upset about it. grrrrrrrr. owwwwwwww.

I will still skate in the morning, hopefully I won't make anything worse, sheesh.

got lots of work done but my room is still a total disaster. I cleaned up one pile out of like, two dozen, sigh.

Josh will help me finish decorating the tree tomorrow, that might cheer me up a little.

guh this suuuucks. it's 11:15pm and I want to keep eating because i'm so mad. normally i stop eating at like, 7:30? this is the worst.

gratitude balancing

should say that the owls came back to the cedar tree tonight

the moon was stunning, close to full

all of the crows! so many crows.

the sky was sunny and cheerful and beautiful all day.

josh walked with me to drop off my orders and get coffee in the afternoon chill.

it's so cold but i have fuzzy sweaters.

xmas lights cheer me up.

there is a lot of beautiful food in the kitchen, i got a massive load of groceries tonight, so grateful for the nourishment. josh loved what i cooked for him, today. (sweet potatoes stuffed with black beans, sauteed veggies, and organic goat cheese)

turkey bone broth should be ready in the morning.

i overate but it was mostly either harmless or substantially nutritious food choices, and it was pretty darn tasty, i need to heal after injury so this is okay.

i have a safe warm cozy bed to sleep in.

there is a lot of love in my life.

and dancing.