Miscellaneous Missives

I'm not going to lie; Instagram is probably still my favorite social media app.  I do still use other apps (Facebook and Snapchat) frequently, but I love looking at photos on Instagram.  Heck, I've even made a Tik Tok (I don't understand the hype, but I'm also not a teen).  Anyway, as I was scrolling through my Instagram app at a meeting today, I cam up with some great posts from today (probably this afternoon).  My three favorite are pictured above.  Pedalmasher_hawk was the guy who created my latest tattoo.  I think his ink drawing from today would be an awesome tattoo too. Rethinkchurch had a great picture and question.  "How might you celebrate life today?" Hmmm... Kathleenwestwrites' post made me go to my library app to put this book on hold. Thanks Instagram!!!

I bought a pair of Air Pods, and I love them.  I listen to the local top 40 morning radio on the way to work until the announcers get on my nerves.  When the DJs get on my nerves (sometimes 2 blocks from home), I put in my Air Pods and listen to music (thank you Spotify).  Recently, I found a new feature on my iPhone Health App.  It shows me if I'm the noise level of my Air Pods is too high.  I think this is amazing.  It shows that I should probably turn the volume down a bit, but I feel like I'm doing OK.  This is amazing!!  One of my favorite ways to check my health along with checking my steps for the day.  Unfortunately, I can only check my steps if my iPhone is on me when I'm moving around.  It's OK.  My noise level is always checked when I'm using my Air Pods. 

Football is my favorite sport to watch.  It's one of the reasons I love fall.  Saturday I was able to watch the Iowa State Cyclones beat Texas Tech Red Raiders.  The field was full of red, but the correct red (actually wearing white jerseys) team won.  Sunday is also game day.  Today I spent a couple of hours drinking coffee and watching the pregame show.  I'd love to be an announcer for the ESPN Game Day Show or at least have a small part.  Since I live in Minnesota and have to watch the Queens most Sundays, I can merely get notifications from ESPN on my phone to let me know how the game is going.  It's probably OK since it allows me to get outside on a beautiful day like today.  Yay! 

Sometimes I get the opportunity to babysit Britt while her family is out of town.  Babysitting Britt is one of my favorite babysitting jobs. This is one of those weekends.  It's great because it gets me out walking more often.  Yesterday, Britt was fairly hyped up when she came to visit, and I was afraid I'd have to keep her on her leash as we walked the tracks.  As Britt walked, however, she calmed down, so I took the leash off and let her roam.  It was fun for both of us.  This morning it's a bit rainy, but we still have taken a walk.  Britt has also been walking up and down the stairs with me as I do laundry.  I really think she enjoyed watching me make my bed.  

Some people soak in a bath as a calming activity.  I'm a shower person and feel really uncomfortable sitting in bath water.  Others watch movies and television shows.  I don't do well sitting watching movies without something else to do.  Recently, I've found that coloring calms myself.  A friend gave me a peaceful coloring book and a box of 120 crayons (I've used all 120).  Plus, I bought myself an adult coloring book.  It seems to work well, when my brain doesn't have the capacity to read which is my actual favorite calming activity.  This coloring thing, however, is a close second. 

My favorite season is most certainly summer, but I also am a big fan of fall.  For the most part, I don't mind the crisp weather.  I do, however, adore the changing of the leaves and the feeling of being outside wearing a sweatshirt.  It's pretty incredible.  Let's be honest, it's not summer, but it's a close second.  Today I went for my first ride in several weeks, and it was glorious.  I feel as thought the pictures show it all.

My favorite day of break is the first day.  Waking up in the middle of the week without an alarm and being able to stay under the covers for an extended period of time is glorious.  Of course, I also use days like these to take care of boring chores (trash/recycling/organics).  Today's brisk walk (air temp and speed) made we want to be outside a little more, so I went back inside and donned my jacket.  Although my walk was fairly short, I love the colors and changes of fall.  Alas, I needed to get back inside to finish Dad's Maybe Book by Tim O'Brien.  I wasn't sure if it'd be for me since I don't have children, but this book was most certainly worth the read and the five stars I awarded it.  Tim O'Brien will speak tonight in Minneapolis.  I'll be in attendance adding more reason the first day of break is always my favorite.