Three questions 😊 (#sol25 Day 1/31)

March 1st exists today from the comfort of my favorite reading chair. The windows are open, the breeze is fresh, the birds are chirping away, the sky is that perfect Colorado blue, and I’m alternating between my book and unplanned naps and trying to remember how to write a blog post.

First question: What am I reading? I’m rereading Iron Flame. Before jumping headfirst into #3, I wanted to back up and reread the first two so that I’d be fully prepared for the fresh copy of Onyx Storm that’s been burning a hole in my library since its release. I last read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame in 2023 but it’s funny how I forgot that “fully prepared” would also mean fully invested, fully emotionally attached, and fully gutted. I slipped, easy peasy, right back into this Empyrean world without a second thought. Thanks, Rebecca Yarros, for putting my heart through alllllll of the emotions. 🐉❤️🤤🥹

Second question: Why am I unplanned napping? Because it’s my first totally unscheduled weekend in months and I am utterly exhausted. On a larger scale, the past year has rearranged my reality more than I ever imagined was possible. More on that later – I promise it’s all for the better but GEEZ, it’s a lot. On a middle scale, I’m still recovering from the other week’s breast surgery to oust a radial scar and some cysts (all benign, all good!). Even though it was a relatively small surgery compared to my past medical experiences, it – as my surgeon reminded me last Tuesday – still counts and could still fatigue me for a few more weeks. But on the most recent scale, I just got back last night from a winter Outdoor Ed program where we took 60 kids, 1st – 4th grade, on an overnight cross-country ski adventure up above 10,000’ on Grand Mesa. So, yeah… it’s 4:00pm and I’m still in my pjs. Today’s unplanned naps came with a deep level of gratitude for the available time to chill and indulge after that super fun and worthwhile but HUGE trip. And also, really, for this pocket of time to breathe and reflect on all of the changes and growth that have consumed my energy lately. Seems like a good time for a pause.

Third question: Why do I need to remember how to write? Because it’s March! The Slice of Life challenge begins today, this is my eighth year of daily public writing in this supported space, and my little writing muscles are rusty. I think I’ve spent about seventy-five kazillion times more energy revising than composing this little blurb! I’m looking forward to being inspired by other writers this month, to capturing the various Random Kristina Thoughts that will end up on this page, and to reconnect with those of you who pop by every year to let me know you’re here. Thanks for being my audience for this annual literary quest.

Happy March. See ya tomorrow. 📝