Hey.
Remember me?
I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been soooper busy avoiding writing.
I’ve been gardening (upped my game this year by adding blueberries, green beans and zucchini to my portfolio), crocheting (not only do I have dishcloths for all seasons, but my sweaty beverages now have nice coasters to sit on), baking (ventured into the world of sourdough, and I’ve not only been baking bread, but English muffins, waffles, bagels, and crackers, as well), yoga (which is not even my thing), and cleaning (which definitely is my thing).
You see, for me, writing requires reflecting…analyzing life, recognizing what’s working, acknowledging what’s not, and making changes accordingly.
It’s messy. (I am so not a fan of messy.)
And it’s work. (Apparently a challenge I haven’t been up to for quite a while.)
Over the past year or so, comparisons, insecurities, and self-judgment left me feeling ‘not enough’. (And not just a few ‘not enoughs, but a rather lengthy laundry list. Not this enough. Not that enough. You get the picture.)
Then, in late January, my husband tested positive for COVID.
And a week later, Quinnie, the best dog in the world, passed away unexpectedly.
My feelings completely overwhelmed me, triggering old self defeating compulsions which provided comfort and a sense of control. (So many times, I asked myself how I expected ‘it’ to end. I knew my coping mechanism was not sustainable, yet I fought that knowledge for longer than I should have. )
I’m in a better place today than I was a month ago. I’ve been drowning out the toxic voices in my head by immersing myself in God’s truth. Intellectually, I understand. I’m praying the rest will soon follow.
So, at any rate, I’m back…writing with authenticity and gratitude.
Something to Eat
Well, this was lovely. Since first trying Sticky Rice with Mango (at Basil’s in Appleton, Wisconsin, in case you are ever in the area), I’ve become addicted. And this is noteworthy, as I am not a fruit in dessert type of girl. (And did I mention it just so happens to be vegan?) At any rate, I finally ordered some sticky rice from Amazon so I could give it a try at home. This recipe is simple and the taste is satisfying. Extremely satisfying.
Something to Read
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
Loved this book. Absolutely loved it. Nothing better than a little historical fiction to remind me of everything I must not have retained from my high school history class. (Sorry, Mr. Jensen.) The book follows the parallel lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. And while I desperately wanted to see how their lives would eventually intersect, my reading was slowed down by the beautifully imagery created by the author’s word choice. All in all, I am a better person for reading it and I think you will be too.
Something to Ponder
“The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself.”
Maya Angelou
Thank you for your patience. I appreciate you for sticking around, providing words of encouragement, and not giving up on me! Have a great week everyone!
Karen Hovie Writes 
Missed your writings. Always appreciate your openness. I hope you are finding comfort with your strong faith. I also hope Reed is doing well. Thinking of you.❤️ Joni
On Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 4:17 PM Karen Hovie Writes wrote:
> Karen posted: ” Hey. Remember me? I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been > soooper busy avoiding writing. I’ve been gardening (upped my game this year > by adding blueberries, green beans and zucchini to my portfolio), > crocheting (not only do I have dishcloths f” >
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