Welcome to another edition of The Opposite of Doomscrolling where we use our powers of self determination to turn our attention to the whole story, not just the scary/urgent/flashy bits. Every day so many things go just right. So many moments are safe and easy and kind of funny. Here are a few:
Billie had her knee surgery last week. After many months of skipping around and asking to be carried, that kneecap is settled in a brand new groove. Now when she walks, she hops on her back leg and her cone bobs up and down. Our friend said she looks like the Pixar lamp, which is so exact I died.
We thought that Billie would hate the cone, but it seems to have brought her world down to a more manageable scale and she is more relaxed and less feisty (read: bitey). Maybe she’ll end up keeping her emotional support lampshade for hard days even after her knee is healed up.
When Billie first came home from the hospital, Miko was really concerned about her. Danielle tried to explain the situation. Miko tried to listen. Sometimes it’s just hard to understand. All we can do is be together until it passes, as everything does.
Alas, Billie still wants to be carried all the time. Here’s her favorite position. Liquid.
Forgive me one more dog thing, but look at this backpack carrier we got. Miko and I are absolute bike buddies now. Doesn’t it sound so cozy to be bundled up and wheeled around on a giant’s back? She just sniffs the world and takes in compliments on her cuteness from everyone we pass (or, more like, everyone who passes us).
Along the northern California coast there are some very big, very old trees. I stood there, next to something that has been living and breathing for over a thousand years. It felt like touching a kind of immortality.
Look how much is survivable. Ignorable. A blip.
This photo of Danielle reminded me of a portrait I painted of her almost ten years ago after our last visit to the Redwoods. Can you spot her?
Even in their eventual death, when lightning strikes after a long life and they torch from the inside out — look what presence they have.
I also wanted to show you this mountain water that runs through the old growth. I took some photos thinking I’d use it for art inspiration, though I know better than to try to paint something so beautiful.
After barely leaving my neighborhood for like ten years, I traveled 6 times from May to July. I was very sleepy afterward, but(!) I did not have panic attacks or any of the associated issues that used to make it so I had to stay close to home. I kept thinking I would jinx it if I mentioned it, but it’s not so fragile. I’m doing better. Like, really, so much better. After a lot of hard years. Wow.
One place I went for the first time was the Smoky Mountains. I promptly met someone in a parking lot with a pet, diapered raccoon. Ten points for leaving the house.
If you want a pet raccoon but are looking for something legal in more states, may I suggest a toy poodle.
I hope you are feeling comfortable and have everything you need. I hope you get to say hi to a dog. If you’ve had any moments lately where things were okay, tell me about it in the comments.
love,
brit
Thu Aug 13, 9am PT 🎈 Member PRESHOP — first dibs on everything
Fri Aug 14, 9am PT 🎈 Open to EVERYONE — until we sell out (usually 1-2 days)
I’ve put together 6 new sticker packs but there’s only a handful of each — we’re really low on stock and, for the most part, we’re not replacing them once they sell out. Be sure to swing by early for the best selection.
If you’d like to access the PRESHOP, you can become a member for $3 and you’ll get a $10 off code. It’s a very good deal!
We only open our shop 2 or 3 times a year, each time with its own selection of prints and sticker packs. I hope you enjoy the ones I included this time. Thanks for sending in all of your requests.
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