119 | Stampede Season
a post written in 20 minutes
“I want to live in a society where the currency of exchange is gratitude and the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiplies every time it is shared rather than depreciating with use.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
What I’m up to
Challenging myself to write this Substack in 30 minutes. I got dressed and ready for our date night and while our babysitter comes on the hour, both kids fell asleep on the couch while I was upstairs. A rare unicorn half-hour! So naturally, I made tea.
We just got back from two weeks in the Maritimes - two days in Halifax and then the rest of the time in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. I got to journal about our time here on my Instagram, and I had a blast making the post a kind of digital collage.
Returning to Calgary as Stampede starts, we get to dive in head first into an Alberta summer. Trent and I are off to watch a friend’s band play in the tend this evening and then we’ll take the kids to the Stampede grounds on Monday. While I feel overwhelmed to think of bringing our kids to such a crowded place, we noticed how well they did traveling and how they’re capable of so much more than we give them credit for. It’s easy for me to say “they’ll feel overwhelmed” when it’s truly me who has those feelings.
What I’m proud of
I read 3 books over our vacation! It was such a great experience to walk into a book store in Halifax and be greeted with, “Hi! We’re an Atlantic-Canadian-author-only bookshop! All of our books are either written or published in eastern Canada.” I told her I’d just finished Yellowface (loved) and she went to work curating my next to-reads. I bought two and finished the final on the way back home to YYC.
Coen essentially potty trained himself while we were at the PEI cottage!
I was invited to emcee the Canadian National Barista Competition in October - super honoured and excited about that.
The kids are such good travellers. It’s been almost a year since we’ve flown as a family so we weren’t sure what to expect, but they rocked it. It gave us hope that we’ll get to do more family adventures in the future. (Also, no more diapers to pack!)
What I’m reading
First of all, I highly recommend both Atlantic Canadian books I read:
Blood Typed by Jane Doucet
Recipe for a Good Life by Lesley Crewe
This morning, to celebrate the 4th of July, I started a book my dad gave me and asked me to read: The American Story: Building the Republic by David and Tim Barton. The father and son author duo have read and researched letters, journal entries, and other historical documents to weave into a telling of American history.
I’m just a few chapters in and I wonder how they could have told the story of history without putting barriers in a way that seems to villify people who think differently than them. Perhaps this was intentional - to let the reader know where they stood. I’m reading this one, pencil in hand, just like the ol’ college days - so if you’re read, let me know. I’ll be ready to discuss. ; )
And also, happy 250th birthday, USA.
How I’m summering
Reading books outside while the kiddos play with water
Trying to get adjusted to being back in Mountain Time - it’s just a 3 hour difference but I’m still not quite adjusted. I
Choosing some fun Stampede looks! (Not too cowboy, but subtly a nod to the occasion. Should I get a cowboy hat this year?)
What I’m thinking about
Morning Pages. Have you done this? I’m also reading The Creative )))) and have been working on Morning Pages when I can. I enjoy the flow when it comes and love writing without pressure to produce anything. But also, sometimes I try to write so fast before I get interrupted and it feels almost too frantic. What can it look like for me to slow down my thoughts to write - while honouring the morning rhythms of our family?
Okay, babysitter will be here in just 5 minutes! On to our Stampede date night!
What I’m Googling
what should i bring to stampede with kids
dead cow gully backyard ultra (nate’s crazy, but we love these videos)
world cup schedule today
Until next time,
cer
What is Stampede? It doesn't sound safe.....