Favorite Things, Life, Tater Tots

screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 74

Kari

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

planespotting

a few years ago, i shared about plane spotting near o’hare with mike. last week, mike and i picked up anna, and the three of us got to do it again.

when i watched this video and heard a little voice from the backseat, it was hard to believe it was my 25-year-old.

never lose the child inside of me, us, you.

💜

100 days project

i recently started reading a book that has daily journaling prompts (i’ll be linking to it in my one thing i read), and in it, she mentions the 100 days project—essentially a project of your choosing that you commit to for 100 days straight.

source

i’m excited to take part in this, though i haven’t decided yet what my project will be. lately, i’ve felt a bit disconnected in some areas of my life, like yoga. i haven’t been sticking to it daily, even though it used to be a solid part of my routine—every morning and evening. i’m not exactly sure when my motivation started to fade, but i know it was sometime over the winter.

yoga always makes me feel so good, so it’s a bit of a mystery why i’ve let it slide. i’ve thought about incorporating it into this project, or even writing. i’ve been typing out my grief journal from the last year into google docs so it’s more legible, though i don’t always take the time for it.

while those are both meaningful practices, i’m wondering if there’s something more creative to dive into. any suggestions would be so appreciated!

i wanted to share this with all of you because it sounds like such a lovely idea—like something we could all benefit from right now. 100 days from now would be mid-august, so it could be like a summer break project for adults.

one thing i read

the book of alchemy: a creative practice for an inspired life by suleika jaouad

she has me writing 1.5 pages each morning. i can’t do three—i have the time, just not the brain space. i either run out of things to say or get too impatient and want to move on with the rest of my day. but, i’m noticing a real difference in my mental health! i forgot just how good journaling is for me.

one thing i listened to

long lost by lord huron

this sounds like a song from the ’60s. i just found it the other day, and it made me realize how rarely i venture outside of my usual playlists or explore different genres. i’ve been trying to be more adventurous with music lately. lord huron isn’t exactly a wild leap for me, but still—on the one day i decided to listen to a playlist i wouldn’t normally choose, i discovered a really cool song i probably would’ve missed otherwise.

one thing i watched

denise richards and her wild things

highly entertaining. andy cohen did denise dirty.

and garcelle.

links i clicked on last month

Why do we hide our chronic illness? – The Mindful Migraine

Twenty Ways to Matter – The Marginalian

low-energy habits that improved my mental health

(48) Finally, in a real way, warts and all – by Rita Ott Ramstad

(48) The Poetry of Everyday Life: A Collection of Moments to Love

Walking in the graveyard | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

18 Plants That Will Attract Hummingbirds to Your Home Garden

(50) A Nod From God

A Crowd-Pleasing Dessert | Cup of Jo

source

quotes that had me thinking last month

when the bird and the book disagree, always believe the bird. – james audubon

how are we supposed to treat others? there are no others. – ramana maharshi

we shake with joy, we shake with grief, what a time they have, these two, housed as they are in the same body… – mary oliver

what a lovely surprise to discover how un-lonely being alone can be. – ellen burstyn

here’s to may…

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52 thoughts on “screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 74”

  1. Love the Ramana Maharshi quote!

    We saw Lord Huron in concert once in Portland, with Trampled By Turtles opening for them. Great show, even though it was hot as blazes that day. They’ve got a lot of good music if you feel like taking a deeper dive.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love that quote too!

      Oh man, that must’ve been an amazing concert! I love several of their songs already—and now that I’ve found this one, I know I’ve got more digging to do. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

  2. “That’s so cool!” OMG, it really is! As much as flying stresses me out, I romanticize it so much.

    I read through the 100 Days Project and was so impressed by how creative some of them were. I particularly loved the one about finding random names and also the pictures of people met (though I’d think it would be so awkward for me to approach someone in the store and ask to take their picture). Also, the practicality of the person who sold 100 random things. Love it!

    I have not watched the Denise Richards show because I just have too many other things to watch. I became obsessed with Summer House for the first time this season. Are you watching Top Chef? I was excited when they went to that winery in Niagara-on-the-lake for the pizza competition. We did not go to that winery for my birthday trip two years ago, but we passed by it.

    The low energy habits made me chuckle, but man, do we need them!

    Thanks for adding joy to my day! XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “As much as flying stresses me out, I romanticize it so much.”
      SAME, GIRL.

      I loved the creativity too! This feels like it would’ve made such a fun pandemic project—minus the part about approaching people in the store 🤣

      I love that you have so many things to watch. I’m kind of missing Housewives. I know I could dive into old seasons (I binged New Jersey over the winter), but I’m just not feeling old seasons right now. We’re watching Top Chef—well, kind of. We keep forgetting to keep up. I think we’re on episode 4 of Top Chef Canada. I’ve loved getting to know more about Canada through the show. They did such a great job featuring Wisconsin last season!

      And I’m so glad I added some joy to your day—that makes me so happy. 💜

      Like

  3. I like a lot of Lord Huron’s music. I love that page about fitting in; it really is eye opening and a great reminder that we all often have that feeling of being on the outside.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love their music too.

      I actually had this exact conversation with Ella this morning — about how FOMO is such a common word now because so many people feel left out or like they’re missing something. Then I told her the story about The Beatles. 💜

      Like

  4. I love the Ramana Maharshi quote too!

    The 100 days project sounded interesting but I felt like I already have so many rituals and tasks to do each day so I just skimmed the page you have about it but then I went back and clicked on the link and now I want to do it!
    What if you picked a date to begin … relatively soon while we have momentum and to have it end in August, and somehow we all do it with you? You could post daily about whatever you choose or save it and continue to share weekly including it and we could check in with you and let you know how and what we’re doing too. We could “sign-up” with you and maybe help hold each other accountable to doing it. Just a thought.
    What I’m thinking I’d like to do is get out of my head and be creative by taking a picture with my iphone of something beautiful each day. I do this many times a day when I’m in Italy but I don’t regularly do it back here unless something totally blows me away. I think this would help me look for beautiful things each day (and I know I’ll find them.) Just a thought … I might do it regardless but collectively it could be a lovely thing too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t that great?

      That’s exactly the process I went through when I first read about the project. 🤣🤣

      I LOVE THIS IDEA, DONNA! I was completely stumped for creative ideas until I started responding to comments — and then my creative juices finally started flowing. I love your “beautiful things” idea using your phone! The comment I replied to right before this one mentioned getting my zinnias in the ground, and it made me think about doing 100 days of gardening… even though I’ve come to kind of dislike gardening. Maybe this could be the push I need to get my butt back outside!

      But I also love your idea of taking pictures, since I really enjoy documenting my life. Now I have two things I want to do! Definitely a good problem to have!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Adore the low energy habits list. Will this very evening will use my wine glass for something other than wine.

    Thanks for the Denise Richards review. I’ve meant to watch it, so now I will.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I loved them too! I already do some of them, but the others were such great ideas. I love that you’re doing the wine glass one — so fun!

      I hope you enjoy it as well. She’s very un-Hollywood, and I get such a kick out of her.

      Like

  6. The 100 days project sounds like a great thing to do, esp because you can choose what it is you want to do. Since it’s summer, what about walking every evening? And yoga every morning? Or vice versa.

    Here’s to May indeed. Let’s get some spring like weather here before it’s summer. ;)

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Kari, I LOVED the vid of the plane landing; especially Anna’s voice!

    “never lose the child inside of me, us, you.”

    A-MEN to that!

    As far as yoga goes, I think we need different things at different times of our lives. So maybe your Higher Self is just letting you know that you’ll get back to it. But for now, like you shared, something more “creative” is in the works.

    Enjoyed the Denise Richards clip! Not surprised about Andy Cohen doing her dirty, though. I’ve never liked him.

    “what a lovely surprise to discover how un-lonely being alone can be. – ellen Burstyn”

    Yes!

    Thanks for sharing, Kari! Thoroughly enjoyed this! Have a superb week, my friend!
    X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Me toooo, Ron! So adorable. 💜

      Oh my gosh, I love this perspective — it’s so spot on. I just had a conversation with my psychiatrist yesterday, and she said it might not be what I need right now. I don’t want to push myself so hard that I end up resenting it. It’s really shifting how I think about the things I love to do vs. feeling like I have to do them. Something more creative is definitely calling.

      Also, I’ve never liked him either! He’s always felt a little sneaky to me, too.

      That Ellen Burstyn quote hit me hard in the best way. I loved it the second I saw it.

      Thank you for reading and always leaving such thoughtful comments. Have a wonderful week too, my friend! 😘💜

      Like

  10. It’s probably cheating for me to say for the next 100 days I’m going to do yoga, because I do it every day, but I would LOVE it if you got back on the yoga train too! It’s a fun idea, doing something creative for 100 days. I want to be in! But I’m not sure with what! Maybe piano. I play most days but not EVERY day. I wonder if I should just lower the bar and say at least one song every day. Hmm!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s not cheating at all! I love that you’re committing to playing the piano every day. I also love how this challenge encourages us to think creatively, instead of treating it like a chore. I’m working on shifting my mindset in that direction too. I want to start with something simple to help get my creative wheels turning — and journaling every day is already helping with that!

      Like

  13. It was so fun to read the article about the 100 day project! There are so many awesome projects. When are you starting? I’m doing the 365 Somethings project with iHanna, where I’m drawing in my sketchbook. Does that count? Maybe I should switch it up for 100 days and make 100 postcards! And mail them! That sounds really fun! I’m excited to see what you’re going to do!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, I don’t know exactly when I’m starting yet — lol. I wrote about it to give myself some motivation, because once it’s on the blog, I have no excuse not to start. I still haven’t landed on a creative idea. I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday, and I’m still not sure. It’s the “100 days in a row” part that has me spooked a bit. I need to stop overthinking that detail.

      I love that you have that project going! If you can do 365 days, I can surely manage 100! And I absolutely love the postcard idea! Is there an email I can send my address to? I’d be so happy to get one from you — I’d love to have a little piece of your artwork in my home!

      Like

      1. Yes, I would love to send you a postcard! How fun! You can email your address to me at mgdoodlestudio at Gee Mail dot com. (Will that fool the bots? Ha! Ha!) I think this will be a fun project!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I love the way you take time to take care of yourself..writing, reading, and living in the moment. I don’t like to wish time away but I’m looking forward to August. Since early last year when we decided to build and move, it’s been too busy for my liking. It’s obviously our choice and knew what we were getting into, but I’m feeling weary. But we certainly are blessed and lucky we are able to downsize and live a simpler lifestyle! I’m looking forward to lying around and not making any decisions for a bit when we’re moved in..lol

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that you have something to look forward to in August! I totally get the weariness — building a house, making endless decisions, and preparing to move is no small thing. Even when it’s a good change, it can still be so draining. I’m glad you’re giving yourself the gift of a slower, simpler season ahead. Here’s to rest, quiet days, and zero decisions for a while in your beautiful new home. 😘💜

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I have been considering doing a long-term sewing project – it’s originally a 365 day challenge, but if I could use my sewing machine every day for 100 days, wouldn’t that be something? Hmmm…what would I have to deprioritize to fit this in? Good food for thought for me here.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Beautiful puppy photo. I liked the Audubon quote – I tend to believe the animals. Unless it was a polar bear trying to convince me to play…

    The one hundred day commitment sounds fascinating. I find I tend to let go to things that help me – meditation, yoga – when I’m struggling. It’s a contrary impulse by our brains, for sure. Recommitting to the yoga would be one way engage with the hundred day challenge, though I admit, when I first was reading about it, I’d thought you were going to say you were trying something new. One hundred days of learning to rug hook, for instance.

    I like that there’s no minimum daily time requirement for the challenge, either. Do let us know what you pick.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I tend to believe animals too—but never trust a polar bear. 🤣

      I agree with the new, and I think you’re right… I want to pick something other than yoga and writing. I’m leaning toward gardening. Last summer, it was the last thing I wanted to do, and just the other day I told my husband I didn’t even like working in the yard or planting flowers anymore. But I want to get outside more, and I feel like something like this might inspire me—or at least help me get to the bottom of my distaste for it.

      Also, I’d really like to try rug hooking…

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Happy Belated Birthday Month! I’m sorry I missed it!

    I’m so happy you embraced the whole month. Anyone who says otherwise is a poopie (or a poo-pay even).

    Happiness isn’t a scarce resource to be conserved. It increases with spending.

    Wow! I have unintentionally done the 100 days thingy! I kept a Daily Bloom Calendar for a hort college class one semester. I think a semester is 100 days?

    Drawing and recording basic details of something in bloom each day. I was caring for horse boarders at the time, so I cataloged a lot of wildflowers in my horse pasture. Learned so much about native plants in the process. Had fun drawing (poorly but still fun!). Also a beekeeper friend was doing something similar but in a different location. The bloom time difference! Weeks!

    Decades later, I still see the same wildflowers in that pasture!

    I point them out to my husband – “I knew these pink blooming variegated-leaf oxalis when I was 20!” “The bluets are back and they’re moving up the hill!”

    I’d likely notice them anyways but the Blooom Calendar project makes them feel like old friends (or descendants of old friends).

    It really is the simple things. 😊

    It makes so much sense that your Yoga phase has shifted. The season is totally different now! Different daylength. Diff sun angle. Diff rhythms to what life wants. Naturally your body & mind want something new. Looking forward to reading what you find. You’re so good at discovering new activities and excursions. And I think you’re wise to listen to what your internal self needs. Keep us posted on your project whatever you choose!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll take a birthday wish whenever they appear! Thank you, friend! I’ve missed your comments!

      I agree! We all deserve to celebrate ourselves fully. Being human is hard.

      I love that you’ve unintentionally done this! And I love this so much, Maddie. This is such a perfect idea for something like this. It truly is the little things, my friend. This made my day. Thank you for sharing this with me.

      You are so right about yoga. I was also making it something I had to do instead of something I wanted to do. I began taking it off my daily to-do list, and now when I do it, it feels so good—like a treat that I save for later. 💜

      Like

  18. Plane spotting is a lost art; I remember doing that with my Uncle Jim as a kid and I still remember those moments fondly, sitting in his car, or on the hood of his car watching planes take off or land.

    Sometimes our interests fade, or come back differently throughout our lives. It’s a thing.

    I can’t wait to see your 100 days project.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Sorry to be late in responding. It’s been a week, and I’ve still got the old tech difficulties with commenting. Anyhoo, as always I love your shares. I’m not surprised that Lord Huron is your jam, but am surprised that they aren’t on your usual playlists. Algorithms are weird. I can’t wait to hear what your 100 day project will be. I’d like to commit to something like that, but summer isn’t the season for me. Maybe in the fall, which is my best time for beginnings. I so loved the poem from The Marginalian–thank you thank you for sharing that. (And for sharing my essay, too!) The post on hiding chronic illness made me think about other kinds of things we hide. We pretend we’re OK and try to carry on as usual, but why? For the same reasons, I think. More and more, I’m learning how to make choices that allow me to meet my needs. Yesterday, I spent hours on the couch. I think that’s part of why I was able to go to the gym today. I said “yes” to too many things on Monday and Tuesday, and I paid the price on Wednesday and Thursday. I’m slow to learn, but I’m learning. I hope you can openly choose what you need for you, too. Maybe that would be a good 100 day project? Hmmm…maybe summer is the PERFECT time for that?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sorry I’m late in responding to this. I hate that you’re still experiencing problems here. Sometimes this makes me want to go back to Blogger. I wonder if I could just transfer my old posts over there… Maybe this could be my 100-day project. I’m literally talking this out loud as I write this. Otherwise, I got nothing.

      I’m a bit annoyed at Spotify at the moment. I left, and then after a month, I went back. But I don’t feel like I’m seeing new music as much. My experience isn’t as good as it used to be. I’m thinking of leaving again. Or is it just because it’s 2025? Let’s blame it on 2025.

      Summer isn’t the season. You are so right. Have we ever talked about summer seasonal depression with each other before? I do believe I have it… I think it flipped from winter to summer in 2020.

      SO MUCH PRETENDING. I am still grieving, just not like last year. Not much at all, honestly. But I am. Deep down, I just can’t feel it. But my lack of motivation is the only outward sign of it.

      Here’s to learning more about yourself and myself this week. Here’s to saying no to societal expectations more this week than we did last week.

      Like

      1. YES TO SEASONAL SUMMER DEPRESSION. Sorry, I’ll speak more quietly. But YES. Summer is the hardest time for me. It’s like I feel my whole self exhale when we get the first cool days in the fall. And I live in a part of the country that probably feels mild to most people. So maybe the thing to do is not pretend that it’s all fine and good. Maybe I’ll do 100 days of whatever the hell I want? I wish you weren’t still grieving, but it makes sense to me that you are. I’m finding it a challenge lately to know whether my desire to withdraw is coming from a healthy place or an unhealthy one. Maybe it’s me finally paying attention to what I really want/need and not wanting to conform to societal expectations. Or maybe it’s depression. I guess we’ll just keep living and trying to figure it out. Glad to have you doing that with me.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You never have to speak quietly here! I just read an article about “When Your Cup is Empty,” and every single symptom of having an empty cup is something I’m currently experiencing. Doing whatever the hell I want for 100 days sounds like exactly what I need.

        I feel like the grieving I’m doing is for things I never thought I’d be grieving over. Little things I’m missing, systems that are diminishing, the country I no longer have, the support systems that aren’t in place because of COVID… all of this feels like it stems from the fact that we don’t love each other. That’s the root of everything.

        And learning this while grieving one of my most favorite humans has been incredibly hard. I’m so glad to be having this conversation with you. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone in this.

        Like

      3. Yes, Kari, it’s this: “I feel like the grieving I’m doing is for things I never thought I’d be grieving over. Little things I’m missing, systems that are diminishing, the country I no longer have, the support systems that aren’t in place because of COVID…” My OT talked with me last week about how taxing cognitive dissonance is to the brain, and how so many of us are grappling with that right now because we know things are falling apart but our lives are still so much like they’ve been. And now I’m thinking that cognitive dissonance might be one of the hallmarks of grief; there is a huge rupture, but life goes on as it always has (or mostly does) and it doesn’t make sense. Our brains are trying to make it make sense, and it is exhausting. I had a therapy therapy session yesterday, and that therapist said that my lack of interest in things, my lack of energy is a normal response to the situations I’m coping with, not a sign of pathology on my part. She recommended giving myself permission to do and not do what I feel like doing and not doing. She said that learning to trust myself is important, and that’s one way to build that kind of trust. Passing this on in case it might be as helpful to you to hear that as it was to me. xoxo

        Liked by 1 person

      4. This really helped — it felt like a mini therapy session. I’ve been wondering if my feelings are connected to all of this, but then I look around at people going about their day like nothing’s wrong, and I start questioning myself.

        Thank you so much for sharing this here. 💜

        Like

  20. Plane spotting…my dad used to take our family to do that when I was growing up. Good memories!

    It’ll be interesting to hear what you come up with for The 100 Days Project. I didn’t realize it started as an art project at the Yale School of Art. Some of those student’s projects are incredibly creative and interesting.

    My library has The Book of Alchemy – I have it on hold. I want to look through it before I decide to buy it. I’m not likely to keep up with the journal prompts. I do journal, but it’s all free-writing. I tend to get stuck with most prompts.

    Love the Mary Oliver quote (she’s my favorite poet – and I don’t believe I’ve seen that quote before) and the Ellen Burstyn one. “Funny”…I was just talking about that with you today, about how I’m never lonely! And you felt the same. True introverts!

    Some really great links you shared with us, too. Love Andrea Gibson. Her writing is so tender and raw.

    Love you, my sweet friend. Happy Mother’s Day!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, I love that!

      Well, I’ve come up with nothing. 🤣

      I understand that. I’m enjoying the prompts so far, but some of them don’t resonate with me. They lead me in different directions, but I’m learning that I don’t need to follow them exactly. I can use the prompt as a jumping-off point, and I like that freedom.

      YES to the lonely quote and how we feel. I used to feel this way before I started doing soul homework and came to the conclusion that I am an introvert. I was raised with the belief that being shy wasn’t always seen as a positive trait. But over time, I’ve learned to accept myself for who I am, and now—I’m never lonely!

      I love Andrea too!

      Love you too, my friend. Happy Mother’s Day to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m more of an introvert than I am shy. (There’s a difference!) I was VERY shy as a child. Not so much anymore except in crowds.

        Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. xoxo

        Liked by 1 person

  21. I’m even later than Rita in commenting, as still trying to find my way back to a routine. I’d like it to be a better one than the one I had before, but any one at all would be good.

    The 100 days project sounds interesting and is something I’d like to do at some point, but as I’m struggling even to fit in a regular gratitude practice, it feels too much for now. But I’m hugely looking forward to hearing what you decide will be your subject, for I’m sure something will present itself to you and you’ll wonder why you felt you needed inspiration from others.

    <3 <3 <3

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah “meh” mode is a shitty place to be. I hope it slides away from you soon. I’m having a not so bad day today in that I am getting some stuff done and am feeling motivated to do more. Probably ‘cos I went for a walk – sometimes it really is that simply. Except that means I will struggle for an hour or so to go to sleep tonight as my knee throbs and complains, but it should get stronger over time. Slow progress is still forward motion.

        Liked by 1 person

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