July 2012

I recently read an article entitled The ‘Busy’ Trap, which made me think the author had been shadowing my life without my consent.  The premise of the piece was the busyness we all tout and “lament” is self-imposed, and we all trap each other in a busy cycle…

If you live in America in the 21st century you’ve probably had to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.” It is, pretty obviously, a boast disguised as a complaint. And the stock response is a kind of congratulation: “That’s a good problem to have,” or “Better than the opposite.”

The deeper issue, masked behind our constant preoccupation, is why are we here?  What is our purpose?  In those quiet moments, free from all the “have to’s”, we are faced with those glaring questions.  This point really struck me. I am constantly in the throes of those big questions, and consequently, I try to create, create, create.  Yet, looking back, the moments that come to mind are reading Les Miserables (the full version!) under a shade tree for the majority of a summer; biking to an from farmers markets; dancing to the sounds of a folk band in my backyard into the hours of the morn.

On that note, I am sharing something so simple, something that could never deign to be called a “recipe” (my boyfriend said, “you’re posting about water?!?! Water?!?!), but it’s worth sharing because with each sip, I hope you find an excuse to go to the local pool or spend time talking to someone far older than you or to fall asleep in a hammock. Furthermore, it’s beautiful, and sometimes we need reminders to give ourselves something simple, beautiful, refreshing and relaxing.

Local Cucumber
Lemon Slices + Juice from 1 Lemon
Blueberries
Strawberries
Lavender chamomile tea (brewed from a teabag)
Water
Ice

And on that note, please excuse me while I slip on my swim suit and seek the sun and flowing waters of a creek in the middle of nowhere!