Everyday Adventure - Day 4 - Morning Routine

Text from "Margarita Wednesdays" by Deborah Rodriguez. Coffee by Aeropress

Oh, how I wanted to fudge this one.  I so wanted to stage a morning routine that looked different from my actual morning routine.  I thought about artfully orchestrated photos with yoga mats, and  green smoothies, and mediation pillows, and handcrafted journals.  I considered faking you out with a picture of what I feel my morning should look like.  Instead I decided to share what it really is. Me, a coffee and something to read.  

It wasn't always like this.  There was a time when I didn't drink coffee.  Those days are best forgotten.  And, as most of them are in my distant youth, many of them are.  

The "something to read" has been a constant for as long as I have been able to read.  It doesn't always have to be a book. Once upon-a-time it was the cereal box. Reading is a big part of my morning routine.

And I'm not just talking about leisurely weekend mornings.  I mean every morning.  Even when I'm rushed I find time to read.  Sometimes I'm rushed because I "found" time to read. That time is often stolen from more practical chores.  Like getting ready for work.  

I have been known to prop my book open behind the faucet so I can read while I'm drying my hair.  Many bad-hair days can be attributed to a good book.  Our last apartment came close to disaster when an exciting scene in Guy Gavriel Kay's "Fionavar Tapestry" distracted me from the smoke pouring from a malfunctioning toaster. (Spoiler alert: The smoke detector went off in time, and I was able to save our home. The toast could not be rescued.)

So, I have to ask myself, if this is how I usually start my days, can it be considered an adventure? If you too are a reader, you'll know the answer is a definite YES. 

I cannot imagine starting a day without something to read.  I hope I never have to. 

Everyday Adventures 2017 - The Beginning

I received Tammy's newsletter outlining A Month of Everyday Adventures last week.  I thought about participating, then I decided I didn't want to. February's Month of Tiny Pleasures was enough for 2017.  I just wasn't in the mood this time around.

Then a friend emailed and asked: 

Have there been any tiny pleasures in your life since February? 

That was all it took to change my mind.  I wanted to have Everyday Adventures after all.

As you can see, I'm a very decisive person.  Once I make up my mind it stays made up.  Until I change it.  

Anxiety set in immediately.  In addition to the angst that goes with sharing on social media, there was the additional panic caused by my late start. It was already July 3rd, for crying out loud.  I had missed the first two days. How was I going to make up for the lost time?

Yes, I was that student.  I did all my homework, and the bonus questions, and unasked-for work if it occurred to me. Starting Everyday Adventures on the third day was almost unbearable.

But I did bear it.  The prompt for Day 3 was "vibrant colours". July is perfect for vibrant colours. They're everywhere.  Below are just some of the vivid examples I found on my lunch-time walk. 

I chose the photo below to share for the daily photo challenge:

elusivelaurie shared on Instagram #EverydayAdventures2017

Old habits are hard to shake.  This became obvious as I strolled around snapping pictures.  I couldn't let go of the two days of prompts I had missed.

Day 1's prompt had been "gather your tools".  At first, I was ok with skipping this one.  I had no idea what "tools" I would need for everyday adventuring. Then, as I walked, I realized all I really need is my feet!

The shoes make this photo a candidate for "vibrant colours" as well.

The prompt for Day 2 had been "unplug".  I get the inherent ridiculousness of trying to photograph an unplugged moment, yet when I found this quiet corner in the park I felt my entire day slide away.  I may not have been unplugged, but I felt it.

I think I'm going to like being an everyday adventurer.  I'm looking forward posting again soon with more tiny quests.

Tiny Pleasures 2017 - Week 1

On Friday I woke up early, had a quick coffee, drove Hubby to work, returned home and returned to bed. Nothing out of the ordinary there.  A typical Friday morning at Elusive Onions Headquarters. When I got up a couple of hours later everything was covered in snow.  Gah!

The shock of the sudden change in weather required a second cup of coffee. I hunkered down on the sofa with my mug and my blankie.  It was a perfect opportunity to visit some of my favourite spots on the interwebs.

Eventually I landed at Rowdy Kittens and discovered that Tammy had invited her readers to join her in a month of savouring, and sharing, tiny pleasures. She had even provided a list of prompts as a guide.  Even though I was already a couple days behind, I decided to jump right in.

#TinyPleasures2017

Day 1: Your morning view. (Top left)

That is the view that prompted the second cup of coffee, so I guess you can say that this view led me to finding, and taking on, the Tiny Pleasures Challenge.

Day 2: A cup of coffee/tea (Middle right)

Later in the day I met a friend at Mud Sharks for a coffee.  I briefly explained to the barista why I wanted a photogenic beverage, and asked for the "prettiest" drink on the menu. He took great care in preparing my spicy mocha. He discarded his first attempt.  It must not have been ready for its close up.    I was so touched that I almost forgot to tip him.  Almost.

Day 3: Freshly made bed (Lower right)

This is one of the reasons why I'm enjoying this challenge.  I don't think I've ever taken the time to enjoy my bed when it's freshly made.  I usually just throw it together and go.  It was nice to pause for a moment and appreciate this tiny pleasure.

Day 4: Sunrise (Top right)

Ummm... that is a picture of the inside of my eyelids.  I didn't get up in time to see the sunrise.  Instead I enjoyed the pleasure of sleeping in on a Saturday.

Day 5: Sunset (Bottom left)

The snow continued through the weekend. I knew that the sun would set, but I also knew that there wouldn't really be a "sunset" - more of a gradual greying into darkness. Still, I set an alarm for 5:15pm so that I could be out the door to record the sun setting at 5:23pm.  I actually enjoyed being out snapping pictures.  It was so peaceful and quiet.  Quite lovely really.  

I'm also sharing these pictures over on Instagram.  I'm known as elusivelaurie in that corner of the interwebs.  

Weekly West Coast - Adieu to 2016

A couple of photos to wrap up the year.  Happy New Year all! May the force be with us in 2017.

Weekly West Coast 2016 - Magical Mushrooms

If April showers bring May flowers, I suppose it follows that November monsoons bring mushrooms (and other assorted fungi).

Have a great week all.  Wishing you warm thoughts wherever you are.  

Weekly West Coast 2016 - Wet, Wet West Coast

I knew when I started this project that I'd struggle to post pictures when the rainy season hit.  I just didn't expect the struggle to start so soon! 

October was one of the wettest months on record here. There were 28 days of rain.   Motivation pretty much packed it in after day three of the deluge.  No wonder it was hard to find inspiration. 

Still, there is beauty to be had, even on the wettest days.  I just have to look a bit harder.  And find creative ways to record it when I do find it.  

The photos below were taken on a spectacularly stormy day last week. I parked at the beach and took pictures between swipes of my wiper blades.  It's hard to convey the awe  of that moment with just three pictures. The surf was crashing; the wind was roaring.  My car shook with the force of the gale.  Sea foam rose from the water and danced up and over my car.  As I was leaving, an eagle flew low just beyond my rear window.  A blast of wind stopped its flight, and it hovered at eye level for a moment before it struggled on. It was so close I could see individual feathers. 

Of course, still photos don't really do the weather justice. For that you need video.  Fortunately, I stumbled across this film, 29 Days of Rain, by local indie filmmaker Shane Philip this morning. You know there's been a lot of rain when there are salmon swimming around the playground equipment in the park. 

Have a great week all.  Wishing you warm thoughts wherever you are!

Weekly West Coast 2016 - Autumn Arrives

It is autumn, and that means rain here on the west coast. Taking pictures outside has become challenging.  I knew this would happen eventually, but I thought it would be November before I struggled to find the motivation to go outside.  It's only the second of October, and I am ready to hibernate.  Only a couple of photos this week as a result.  

Have a great week all! Sending you warm thoughts wherever you are!