I made kale chips today.

They weren’t the best – they came out too salty, but it’s the first time I’ve made them, so I’m not complaining. They were nice and crisp, not burned. Just right, other than being too salty.

Why does that matter?

It was a small step to doing something, especially when “something” has been hard to do.

Obviously, I haven’t written anything for a long time. When I started this blog, I had a list of topics I wanted to write about, a theme to it all, a rhythm and a purpose. But life stepped in, like it has for so many this past year, and the blog was put on the backburner. I’ve thought about it here and there, tried to convince myself to start writing again, but I just couldn’t do it until today. For some reason, making the kale chips was what convinced me to write.

Maybe they’re better than I thought…

Life changes…

Like so many, I’ve had my life shaken up by the pandemic. Like so many, I’ve sometimes had a hard time dealing with it. But we keep on keepin’ on, don’t we? I had to close my business. It wasn’t much, but it was mine. The fruition of years of schooling and a lot of fighting for what I wanted. And now it’s gone. At times it makes me angry, and sad, and frustrated that I had to close, but then sometimes I think it was a good thing. It allows me to venture into something new, even if I don’t know exactly what that is right now. There are still so many unknowns with what’s going on, even if many people are convincingly pretending that things are getting back to “normal.” The landscape has changed significantly, and I am trying to figure out where I am in all this. Time will tell.

So, I’ve spent my time finishing (more) school, reading, and wishing I could convince myself to write or make some art. I’ve crocheted several blankets, with another in the works. The pets are spoiled rotten at this point. Oh, and I got a new puppy late last year. He’s about five months old, a chocolate lab. His name is Chuy (yes, he’s named after that restaurant in Austin). And today I decided it’s time to start writing again. Even if it is a rambling blogpost, it’s a start. Hopefully it will lead to more posts in the near future.

So, what does it all mean?

It means I am reaching out, trying to reconnect. I think there’s probably many people struggling to do the same right now. We’re tired, and uncertain, maybe even a bit traumatized by everything that’s happened, is happening. Maybe even a little ashamed at our inability to turn this into a freelancer’s dream, creating new businesses out of thin air, capitalizing on our sudden “free time.” Okay. Maybe I’m the one feeling a little ashamed at my inability to turn this into some magical venture. My favorite reminder for myself, and anyone else who wants to listen, is to remember to take life a day at a time. If necessary, take it an hour at a time. Hell, take it a minute at a time if you have to. Find something that makes you smile, even if it is brief. Mine has been watching the birds outside my window. I put up feeders over the winter and have all manner of birds on my porch lately – chickadees, juncos, blue jays, sparrows, wrens, cardinals, mourning doves… Pretty soon I’ll be able to put up the hummingbird feeders again and get to see those little jewels hang out. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter the most.

Oh, and if you’re curious, kale chips are really easy. Take one bunch of kale, wash it and dry it thoroughly. Tear the leaves off the thick stem and rip into chip-sized pieces, put into a large bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil, sprinkle with a little salt (less than you think you need!) and a little pepper, and toss well to coat. Put on a baking sheet and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. I decided to toss the chips about half way through the cooking time to make sure they were evenly baked, and it seemed to help. Let cool and enjoy! Next time I might try using lemon pepper on them. Or a little lemon juice. Will need to experiment.

And here’s a picture of all my dogs…

Until next time. Keep on keepin’ on…