Grab Bag vol. 8
Things I found interesting lately, what I’ve been up to, and whatever else comes to mind.
In May, I crossed the finish line of the Bryce 60K and no one was more surprised by that fact than me. I had felt crummy most of March and April for reasons unknown, but after feeling more like myself, I decided to race. It was a weird one and the finish was something I really fought for. I was so close to giving up and then - somehow - I didn’t. Maybe more on this later, maybe not. After the race, I ended up very weirdly sick, again, and it took me weeks to feel normal again. I may still not be there. After spending too much stress focused on worst-case scenarios, I’m taking it one week at a time. I’m running again, sometimes even fast and sometimes if I squint really hard I feel stronger.
I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again; running ultras have really taught me what it means to endure life and all the shit it throws our way.
There was a time when I was won over by the beauty of a neatly organized, put-together kitchen. Who wants to stare at a branded bag with advertisements on it, just put all your bulk goods in perfectly orderly containers! But it is the year 2024 and I must say I feel what this article is putting down.
Sure, containers are great for truly bulk goods when you need a smaller container to fit in your pantry (I buy 10lb bags of artisanal buckwheat from Anson Mills, because of course I do. What am I going to do? Store that in my pantry?). But the days of having an orderly, matching spice drawer with custom labels (yes, a thing I did at 23) are in the past. I’ve eschewed order. My spices are all in various different containers in the cabinet, half of them quickly labeled with painter’s tape, and they are no harder to find. It may be a statement in and of itself but it’s the one I’m making now. It’s the age of curated chaos.
And, honestly, quite related: a million times this.
I’m always here to appreciate a good photo with great light. And speaking of where this photo was taken, I’m ready to be back volunteering at High Lonesome 100! I’m even more ready to watch a fellow previous volunteer run this very hard race!!
Lastly, because I’m not really in a place to write about anything too too serious right now, please just read WE ARE THE SPIDERS OF THIS HOUSE. Plus, sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh.
Some days it’s a little stormy around here.