Monthly Archives

September 2020

Things I Love

Weekly(ish) Stuff & Things

September 22, 2020

It’s finally starting to feel like fall outside, which means it’s been almost a month since the first installment of this weekly(ish) post…nailed it. A few nice things…

-I bought a bike! I learned I also remember how to ride a bike, which is a relief.

-Completely shattered, but May Her Memory be a Revolution

-Been doing a lot of dreaming of this place lately.

-Nature. Is. Hilarious.

-One of my favorite writers/Insta follows, Ashley C. Ford, has a book coming out. Pre-ordered immediately!

-Are you registered to vote? But really…are you? In 2016, “did not vote” actually won the election. Not sure? Check here. Want to kick it up a notch? Text unlikely or undecided voters, sign up to be an election judge, get certified as a notary if mail-in votes require it where you are. It is going to take all of us.

-I was going to end with a lovely note about how it’s hot tea season and that my favorite is Sweet Cinnamon Spice tea from Hy-Vee. But I went online to link it and I can’t find it and if they don’t make it anymore I will have a small (large) meltdown.

-At least if there’s no tea, there are still grumpy baby otters.

What’s making you smile lately? And also, seriously, are you registered to vote?

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40 by 40

40 by 40 – LOTR Marathon

September 1, 2020

32. Lord of the Rings Extended Editions marathon

One of my favorite posts I’ve done was writing my 40 by 40 List of things I wanted to accomplish my January 2023. This past weekend, I checked my first one off the list, have a Lord of the Rings Extended Editions marathon.

While this was likely one of the easiest tasks on my list, it was still a lengthy (over 11 hours!) undertaking. The boyfriend and I stocked up with snacks, donned our comfy clothes and settled in for this epic marathon.

It had been many years since I had fully watched any of the Lord of the Rings movies and each of them brought back their own set of memories.

I can remember watching Fellowship of the Ring for the first time at my friend Jaclyn’s house, pausing every few minutes for Jenn and Riki to explain something to us or fill in gaps in our knowledge. I’m still awed by the beauty of Galadriel’s narration at the beginning of the film and I think we could all use a getaway to Rivendell right now. It’s the one of the trilogy I’ve seen the least, so I loved being immersed back in the lighter times of the series.

The Two Towers is still the most incredible experience I’ve ever had in a movie theater. It was a midnight showing and the collective audience reaction (hello, Legolas flipping through the air onto a horse) has stayed with me. I saw it in the theater SEVEN times because I kept finding people who I would insist needed to see it and then would invite them to come to see it with me again. It’s my very favorite of the three films and the wonder still finds me each time I watch.

Whew. The Return of the King is looooong. With about three different climaxes, it’s like being on a roller coaster that you’re not sure will ever end. Still, the strong themes that weave through all three movies are all tied up nicely and the mouth deleted scene is still one of my favorites (so gross). And yes, I cry at the ending every single time.

We started at breakfast time and wrapped up well after dark, and then my first 40 by 40 list item was complete. I would like to thank the academy, Robert, my snack pile, La Croix sparkling water, Peter Jackson and fuzzy blankets.

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