Summer Vibes

I made this graphic using a Canva template. It was supposed to be a vision board for summer, but I decided instead to fill it with all my summer adventures and keep adding to it as I did stuff. I’m using it as my desktop wallpaper. When I come home, I like to look at it and remember all the good times I’ve had since kiddo arrived– even the ones from after she went home.

I’ve had no less than THREE solo adventures since my birthday whirlwind weekend. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a far cry from looping between work and home and my parents’ house on repeat, as I had been.

I went to Michael’s to browse Halloween and pick up art supplies, then picked up a friend and had a DELICIOUS Los Banditos take on a classic Gyro, with refried beans and Spanish rice.

On another day, I nipped out for some boba at Boba Bae, and remembered having visited there with a friend and (separately) my daughter.

And most recently, I had the now-famous Bacon Avocado Crunch Double Decker burger, that I shared here.

OH I take that back… make that FOUR solo adventures. There was also the day I stopped to pick up a package and bought those adorable hoop earrings, and got myself some chocolate, and I think a book of poetry/reflection/art about Persephone and feminism: Persephone Made Me Do It, by Trista Mateer. Gave me some ideas about maybe incorporating visual art with my writing somehow. Maybe if I decide to put together my own chapbooks.

Might even be as many as FIVE solo adventures if we count the trips I made to the chocolatier and the bookstore before and after an interview.

Technically, I was already out and about, and I had to work later that afternoon. So it wasn’t strictly an adventure for adventure’s sake kind of day. But still. I did do stuff. THAT day, I picked up the $5 special book (discounted if you bought a cafe item) Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk. And the cutest bag of meltaways with a hippie design on the packaging. I think it said “Stay Groovy.”

Chocolate and books. And I had lil cafe drinks both times, as well. But the chocolate and books came home with me and lasted longer. Good chocolate and interesting books are essential. For me, anyway.

Then, we have today’s pic of the colored disco balls at 5 Below. I don’t need more, but they’re SO PRETTY! And now available in PURPLE!!! My mom and I went out to eat tonight, then I suggested we browse there after, for funsies.

The book pictured, Amanda Lovelace’s Make Your Own Magic, I picked up along with the stuff to spruce up the spare bedroom (kiddo’s old room). I’ve been reading that and The Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft by Fire Lyte (aka Don Martin) most nights, and journaling, etc.

I picked up Dabbler’s Guide some time ago and just hadn’t done more with it than experimented with the tea bag spell form at the back (WHICH WAS SO EPIC!!!).

Lastly, we have some pics from kiddo’s visit, most of which I believe I already shared here. But it’s fun to see it all together amidst cute summery things.

I could’ve added my painting in progress but would rather wait til it’s done. Still don’t know quite how I’m going to paint the rest of it, but that’s all part of the fun.

Trying to do more, even when my friends aren’t available. But I also plan to make an effort to do more with them, too. And I am trying to reach out to more of them, more often.

Wishing you a happy rest of summer, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ll see what more I can make of it! Good night.