the big lessons in the little things

Like non-negotiables, I think we all have things we do that we feel especially strongly about, even if others don't. Things that ring especially true, feel especially important. Like, putting the cap back on tightly.

But in the here and now, it's about cutting off the dead leaves.

Someone once told me that when you are caring for a plant, the most important this is removing the dead stems and leaves, because the plant, like a mother, will send it's energy to the dead parts to try to bring them back. And that saps the plant's energy for the live parts that can live and fruit more. I don't know if this makes any sense scientifically, botanically, what plant science research says about it, but it's makes extreme sense to me. So I do it. Somewhat obsessively.

And as I dug into the underneath of my zebra succulent this morning to clip of the two little withered leaves that wouldn't fall off when I pulled on them but I knewknewknew that they were dead, I thought about that. How vital it feels to my caretaking.

More maybe later, but just a start.

4/2016
There's something else about this, not the plant part but the what's important to me that's not important to you part. We were in Montreal, as a family, fighting about what to do because it was raining and things were closed and had generally not gone as smoothly as they might and M&I decided to shop the 20 miles of underground stores (that we couldn't find) and G said he would meet us at the metro after because it was raining and he doesn't like to shop. And after 18 years I knew he wouldn't be there but it doesn't change how pissed I was that he wasn't and that we were soaking wet when we got back to the hotel.

And I thought, Everyone values things differently and one a linear scale George values being on time at about 1 out of 10, in fact seems to make it a rule, whether consciously or not, to NOT be on time. I on the other hand value being on time at about a 9 on a scale of 10 so even being close to not being on time makes my heart beat faster and my brain feel like it might kind of explode. And never the twain as they say shall meet.

Things I love, ongoing

Not exactly non-negotiables, since I can't source many of them, but things that resonate and make me feel good deep inside...

Badedas, a pine-ish scented body/face/hair wash the smell of which transports me totally to a calm, woodsy, peaceful place. I wish I could have it always. Can't get it right now.

Bigelow lemon body cream in a pot from Bath and Body Works--I love the soft feeling of this pot of cream and how smoothly it sinks into my skin. The fact that it smells like lemon pudding souflee is just kind of a big plus.

Better Botanicals Sandalwood Moisturizer--out of production. This is the first face moisturizer that I actually finished a bottle and re-bought--over and over again. I can't believe how much I love the smell, it's light and smooth, but my current (and perhaps last) sourced bottle is like water, sadly. A bad lot I think.

My microplane grater!

Stick mixer!