Thoughts

Libraries and Emotions

| shannonmw11

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My mom and I went to the library a lot when I was growing up. The one near our house had two levels, with a large children’s sections I can only describe as a smaller library inside the main one. It was magical. We’d spend hours browsing books and always check out more than we could read in three weeks. I remember one time we had designated tote bags to fill full with new lives and interesting stories. Even in college, we would make trips together.

My current library has a free home delivery service, something I have fully taken advantage of since I learned about it. However, between home delivery and the library’s extensive e-book collection, I haven’t spent much time in an actual library since I got my Kindle three years ago. Not that I’m complaining, I love my library e-books and audiobooks.

But tonight I happened to return a delivered book on time while the library was still open. I spent a good forty-five minutes browsing the shelves, shamelessly judging each book by its cover and taking notes on potential picks for book club. Then I started to grab books I couldn’t live without, once again checking out way more than I can realistically read in three weeks. I realized this was the first time I actually parused a phsyical library in the two years since my mother passed away.

It was nicely comforting. I’m reaching a point in my life where I can no longer readily imagine what her advice would be for particular situations because we never discussed my problems as an almost thirty year old adult with almost thirty year old adult concerns. So much has changed in the past two years and there’s so much I wish I could discuss with her that it was nice to feel a small connection.

I hate the sense that I’m feeling sorry for myself by writing this, but I wanted to document some nice library memories and the emotional significance lirbaries hold for me. But now I need to stop dwelling and get cracking on the massive pile of books I have to read before November 19.

Farrah Fawcett Hair

| shannonmw11

I just came back from a satisfying, soul-searching jog and this song by Capital Cities popped up in my playlist. I’ve always loved this song. It has a cool, electronic mixed with gospel-choir sound, Andre 3000 makes an appearance, and the entire song is about appreciating a variety of things big and small. Nutella, Democracy, double rainbows, her hair in a bun, curled up in bed with a good book on a rainy night and scented candles are among the items listed in this song. It’s incredibly positive and it makes me happy every time I hear it. And, it turns a regular morning jog into a satisfying, soul-searching one!

“You’ll know it when you see it, you’ll know it when it’s there.”


“It’s good shit!”

Round two

| shannonmw11

It’s been a very, very long time since I have tried to blog. So much has happened in my life that I’m not even going to try to recap anything. I want to use this blog as a way to record memories, save ideas and write out thoughts.

I imported (the very few) posts from my old blog because I had included two of my favorite recipes ever and I thought they would be a good way to start. This won’t be a blog  just about recipes and crafts, but I do want to include the creative projects I involve myself with. I also want to write down memories: new ones I’m making and old ones I don’t want to forget.
I also want to focus on the small, positive aspects of life that make every day enjoyable. Right now I’m sitting on my front porch and it’s about to rain. I love that. The smell of an impending storm and how cozy everything gets on summer/late spring nights, preferably after a day of hard work or playing in the sun.

My view of rain clouds

I love being outside. I also love the new glasses my husband got today. They are quite sharp. And I love that I’m meeting a friend tonight and we are going to Chipotle to celebrate  promotions and new jobs with copious amounts of guacamole.

Sometimes life is meant to be appreciated in the small, everyday moments. Not every experience I have will be exciting, breath-taking or profound, but it’s about creating my own meaning and appreciation out of the things that happen that matters. It’s been a rough two years for me and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that I don’t want to waste time on negative feelings. If I’m only going to be on this planet for a certain amount of time, I don’t want to spend any significant percentage of that time being sad, resentful, hateful, etc. Some of these emotions are really, really hard to control, but I want to use part of this blog as a tool to focus on the positive things in my life, big and small, to keep everything in perspective. I also want to use it as an outlet for all of the thoughts that are constantly floating around in my mind. So here’s to round two (or maybe three…)!