Birds, Life, Tater Tots

screw it, i’m eating tater tots- episode 66

Kari

if you’re new to my blog, welcome! here is an explanation of the tater tot post.

one year

a year ago tomorrow, mike broke his leg, and what a year it’s been. our family has faced so much, and we’re still processing and grieving everything that’s happened.

there were moments over the past year when i considered stopping my writing because i felt overwhelmed or unsure if i’d find the time. but writing has always been my form of self-care—whether through journaling, making lists, or keeping a diary. when i started writing here in 2010, it became even more meaningful. the community that has grown over time has been a huge part of why i’ve kept going. i truly wouldn’t have continued this long without all of you.

i’m incredibly grateful to everyone who reads this blog and has offered so much support to me and my family. thank you for helping me laugh, cry, and smile this last year. i’m deeply thankful for each one of you. 🖤

my love affair

if you weren’t a reader back in 2020, you might not remember when i was sad for a month (maybe two) after our parakeet, joy, flew out the window. that year, we lost three pets during the lockdown.

a hamster in february, a 14 year old goldfish in june, and a parakeet in july.

it’s no wonder i began soul homework soon after.

i believe my love affair with birds began when our beloved joy flew out the window, especially during the lockdown. with more time at home, i started paying closer attention to what was just outside. as i scanned the skies and trees for months searching for joy, i began to notice and appreciate the other birds and nature around me in her absence.

i think my love for birds grew deeper as i became more mindful of the world around me through my soul homework. installing the bird camera only intensified that love. each notification on my phone (which is the only one i allow, by the way) is a gentle reminder of the beauty just outside my door. 🕊️

one thing of many i read

bearing the unbearable by joanne cacciatore

one thing (or two) of many i listened to

diamonds on the inside by ben harper

and

woman is a word by empress of

one thing i watched

the middle

we used to love this show when it originally aired, and now mike, ella, and i are rewatching it and enjoying it all over again.

also, this.

Gary Coleman Documentary Director Talks “Misinformation” About Star

links i clicked on last month

(17) he would have liked my house. (thank you, rita, for sending this to me 😘)

10 Heartwarming TV Shows For ‘Gilmore Girls’ Fans

Mindfulness and ’empty boats’

We’re lonelier than ever — and there’s one big reason

I spent 60 years sneering at yoga. It turns out I love it – and it does make you healthier and happier

Grief and Pinterest

Whatever Happened To McDonald’s Hot Mustard Sauce?

quotes that had me thinking last month

“i’ve found that there is always some beauty left- in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.” – anne frank

“build your life as if it were a work of art.” – abraham joshua herschel

“we tell stories in order to live.” –joan didion

“we do not remember days, we remember moments.” – cesare pavese

“there’s no heart more whole than a broken one.” – kotzker rebbe

“only connect.” – e.m. forster

the other night, my mom and i were talking about dad, and we realized that he’s been gone for the same length of time as the period between his diagnosis and his death—just over four months.

it feels so much longer than that.

over the weekend, i met a friend for brunch at a local spot, and a family next to us was celebrating a birthday. the grandmother, sitting at the head of the table, surprised everyone by pulling out a harmonica and playing “happy birthday” for her teenage granddaughter. the whole restaurant fell silent, and afterward, everyone burst into applause, much to the mixed delight and embarrassment of the teenager.

it was a beautiful, deeply human moment that brought tears to both my friend and me. it reminded me of how my dad would always play the birthday song on his phone for all our birthdays, even in public. i miss him and those special moments so much.

it’s heartwarming to realize that, in the end, we’re all more alike than we might think.

here’s to september…🌈

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49 thoughts on “screw it, i’m eating tater tots- episode 66”

  3. Aw, that harmonica story is so sweet! My mother in law calls my boys on their birthdays and sings to them over the phone nice and early trying to be the first one each year. It’s such a fun yet silly tradition that we all love.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Just know (and I think you already know this) that you are so LOVED, my friend! And you are always in my morning meditation; sending you much Reiki!

    I love birds too. My favorites are Ravens and Crows. Stunning, and incredibly intelligent.

    Gotta’ check out that Gary Coleman doc!

    Your bowl of gemstones keeps GROWING. The various colors are beeeautiful!

    Have a fabulous week, dear friend! X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel that love, my friend. You are loved too. I am so grateful for you, Ron.

      Crows and Ravens are some of my favorites, too! Honestly, I love them all. 🤣

      It was very good. Sad, but very good.

      I love that bowl of gems so much. I hope to someday have several bowls of them.

      I wish the same for you, dear friend! 😘

      Like

  7. I’m so glad to have found you and thankful you’ve continued writing. My husband and I probably quote “Whatchoo talkin about, Willis” on a monthly basis, if not more. When I come upon someone my age who has no idea what we’re saying, I’m hugely disappointed in them🤓

    He would have liked my house is a great read. I’m constantly thinking about things my Dad would have loved or hated, had he lived long enough.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh joy. That was sad but it sounds like in a way her disappearing connected you more to nature.

      the harmonica story is so sweet.

      It is hard to believe how much happened to your sweet family this year. I agree. The blogging community is so supportive. I’m glad you have continued to write. Thinking of you probably more than you know. XO

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I’m so glad you liked “He would’ve liked my house.” I thought it was such a great essay. And your story about the harmonica happy birthday made me teary. As so many things do these days. But in a good way. Somehow I missed “The Middle.” Never even heard of it until today. How can that be? Isn’t it weird how we can miss whole things that so many other people know about? My surprise like was the Pinterest grief board. I wasn’t sure of what it would be, but it wasn’t what I expected. Also in a good way. Sometimes I really miss the world I knew when Pinterest was a big thing. It made me feel nostalgic. 

    Thinking of you and your family always. You really have had a hard year. I hope the coming one is full of happiness and peace. And no more accidents/illness!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Things have been making me teary lately, too—but in a good way.

      The Middle is such a fun show! It’s been great from the very first episode, and it’s brought us so many laughs, which has been wonderful.

      Pinterest has been such a comfort in my grief journey. It helped me through grieving Joy and again when I lost my childhood best friend. It’s always been a source of healing for me.

      I’m also wishing for a year filled with happiness and peace for us. Today has been so lovely—I’ve been practicing mindfulness and truly appreciating the quiet. I’m hoping to manifest that calm and peace throughout the year.

      Like

  11. Thank you Kari, as ever, for a post chock full of wonderful things. I loved the essay ‘He would have liked my house’ and went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading (and subscribing) to that Substack (thanks also to Rita for its recommendation). Through Mindfulness and empty boats, I found my way to the new website of Alessandra Pigni and her book ‘The Idealist’s Survival Kit’ which I’m sure will end up in both mine and my daughter’s libraries. And like all who read it, I was utterly charmed by the story of the happy birthday harmonica. But… I don’t know the story of the bowl of stones. Could you bear to share it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love Substack, too! I’ve often thought about moving from WordPress to write there, but I can’t bear the thought of losing everything I’ve created here.

      That book sounds exactly like something I’d enjoy—I just added it to my TBR list. Thank you for the recommendation!

      I’d be happy to share! I found the idea in a grief book called As Long as You Need. In the book, the author talks about an activity where he placed a colored rock in a bowl whenever he thought of someone they lost. I loved the idea so much that I started doing it myself. It’s been a powerful reminder of all the memories I’ve shared with my dad and how often he’s on my mind. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh that is a beautiful story <3

        And yes, I have the same issue with Substack vs WordPress. For now, I just bimble along on both, although I do write about more serious stuff over there.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. THAT POEM.

    It’s everything! I love it so much. I’m bookmarking this.

    You’re the second person to mention the Gary Coleman documentary, and I had never heard of it. I can’t hear his name without thinking about the chapter in Molly Shannon’s memoir, where he tried to get her in bed. And when I say “tried” I mean he literally jumped off a hotel room bed onto her and she had to SHAKE HIM OFF. It is the craziest story and the image is absolutely ridiculous.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Wow, the broken leg was already one year ago. You’ve had such a year. ❤️ I was intrigued by the idea of Pinterest serving as a tool for grieving. I love Pinterest, although I often forget about it. Then I remember it and go on a huge Pinterest binge. (I feel one coming on!)

    Liked by 1 person

  15. You guys have had such a trying year, and you are growing through it.

    I think I started noticing birds, when I started looking outside of myself and grew a deep appreciation for nature.

    My aunt and Uncle call everyone on their birthdays, they patch in my cuz Patrick and the three of them sing the entire Happy birthday Song. It’s endearing and I know one day, it won’t happen, so I suck it up.

    Oh, I loved The Middle! Sue is my spirit animal.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Coincidentally enough, I’m listening to Blues Traveler while reading this post. Which, of course, means there’s a lot of harmonica. I don’t think they cover “Happy Birthday” on any of their albums though.

    I’m not sure when my own love affair with birds began. I think it’s something a lot of us age into.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Thanks for your continued writing and sharing. I love your blog posts.

    Interesting idea abut the grief Pinterest board. I have just a general grief resources board…I think?! I haven’t been on Pinterest in awhile.

    So cool that you and Mike are watching The Middle with Ella. That was a great show.

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I looked at the list of TV shows to watch and suddenly remembered I liked Hart of Dixie but lost touch with it along the way. I am watching this latest season of Only Murders… because it makes me almost too happy and that’s a good thing. The photo of the colored stones seems like a perfect way to add a pop of color to anywhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We watched the first two seasons of Only Murders and then took a break. We’re planning to catch up on it this fall—it’s one of our cozy shows. And yes, it makes us so happy too. Such a great show.

      I love that bowl of stones. Once it’s full, I’m thinking about finding new ways to remember my dad, maybe with different kinds of stones. It’s such a beautiful way to reflect on our memories together.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Kari, thanks for asking. I didn’t have a link to my Substack on Despatches, but I’ve now added one in my About page as there isn’t a nice logo I can use, so it ended up being just a random link symbol which is no good to anyone!

    But for speed of use for you, here it is:
    https://debscarey.substack.com/

    Liked by 1 person

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