I miss the travel. The quirky shops in Portugal, the chocolate in Spain, and the warm hugs and deep conversations of Greece. I miss the cathedrals. I was amazed and awed by the ancient architecture and how brilliant humans can be. It seemed that new ideas were celebrated and then made into a play, a poem, and then had their own version of a dance-off. 

Though I won't be traveling overseas, I have found a bit of refuge and even more of a journey in front of the fireplace. I have declared forty days in front of the fire.

I have missed a few days and made sure to light a candle but most nights I'm sitting in a low to the ground camping chair right in front of the flames with my journal, knitting, and a book or two. I've pondered and sifted through the many thoughts and paused to simply watch the flames. I set out to remind my body that it's safe. That I can heal from long haul covid and my nervous system can relax and get back on board. But what is showing up along...