Copycat Levain cookie recipe

Levain chocolate chip walnut

Levain chocolate peanut butter chip

Taylor Swift trilogy of songs

What happens if one *only* listens to TS’s “august”: we learn Augustine has big feelings and wants to be understood and loved. Poor thing!

Yet what about Betty? Does she not have feelings and deserve to be understood and loved?

Isn’t there more to this story? I believe there is! Let’s see…

In “betty”, James points out he kinda neglected Betty. And then his friend Augustine maybe took advantage of that. Though, James is no fool — he admits to his own “worst intentions.”

Betty & James certainly grew from the experience. James realized he was wrong. Yes, “betty” is a lovely song.

James expresses regret, says his heart never left Betty.

Of course “cardigan” is nice too. Betty has moved on, having gotten perspective & wisdom with maturity.

Poor besotted Augustine will forever be cemented in the teenage love triangle drama. She’s stuck in the month of August long ago… sad.

Maybe Tay needs to write an update for Augustine so the child can move on.

“Cause you were never mine” is an astute observation by Augustine. She’s could grow and learn. It is just weird how that song lyric isn’t obsessed over and learned from. I guess it’s not convenient. 😉😆

Maybe the obsession with “august” is someone wants to be the misunderstood victim... but isn’t willing to extend grace to others. 🤷🏼‍♀️ And that is very sad.

Taylor wrote this lovely trio of songs to make a full complicated story. People miss out by only playing one song … on a constant loop.

Fun inside joke: my husband has called me his favorite girlfriend for thirty years. Like “you put me on and said I was your favorite.”

Randomly pulling out Taylor Swift lyrics *is* fun!

Doesn’t bug me at all who likes or doesn’t like “august.” I mean I like it — It is a catchy tune.

But i also recognize “august” is only a part of a larger story. Focusing on and sympathizing and even also *demanding sympathy* for only one third of the story is… weird.

Of course, in Taylor’s full story James is wanting to hang out with Betty. There is no James and Augustine, never was.

James was immature, but he learns from it, wants to improve himself.

Augustine is stuck and wistful, living in the past, reliving that summer in her mind. Needs an update.

Small Joys — diamonds!

Day 206

Random number 438

Watch classic old movie

Sean, Peter & I watched Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Great movie, fun catchy songs. Peter likes Marilyn Monroe now. It’d been 2 or 3 decades since I’d seen it; and Sean said he’d never seen the whole thing!

This movie choice was inspired by the Norton Art Museum showing the film on the big screen. We’d intended to go but Peter was indecisive and I decided to skip the driving part. It would be spectacular in a big screen! But we all enjoyed it.

Small Joys — singing

Day 205

Rando 22

Sing along loudly to Journey song

DON’T STOP BELIEVING! Done. In car of course. Satisfying.

Small Joys — Pisces stars

Day 204

Random number 1

Learn a new constellation

i never know how to find Pisces, my star sign. Looks like I’ll have to wait until I’m away from light pollution to have any chance of it. Once I am, hopefully I remember to look up these directions again.

August Ins & Outs

In:

1. Audio books
2. Losing weight & weekly weigh-ins
3. Work
4. Going away to college
5. Needlework
6. Decorating, setting up house, plans for improvements in Tampa condo
7. Survivor reruns
8. Daily stretches

Out:

1. Doom scrolling
2. Gassy foods
3. Store-bought treats
4. Mindless snacking
5. House hunting (for now)

UPDATE:

8/19: 

• Listened to two audio books. 
• Slowly losing weight. 
• Did a bit more work, got two big projects out of the way. Going back to full time on 8/27
• We are moved to college
• Have not done any needlework
• Decorating and setting up house and big plans for improvements for Tampa condo
• Plenty of Survivor re-runs
• Been doing a lot more stretches but haven't gotten a full daily routine yet
• I guess less doom scrolling as I've been busy with other things.
• Less gassy foods -- less soda, less baked beans
• Less store-bought treats though I have indulged a couple time guiltily
• A lot less mindless snacking
• I still do a little dream house hunting for buying, instead of renting, but we are not ready to go there yet. 

Who I Am Right Now

three things about me

1. I’m a mom to two fantastic brilliant strong and very different adults. They’re my lights.

2. I’m in a period of transition. Letting my hair grow out and the grey grow out. Moving houses. Coasting to retirement. Losing weight (again). Changing how I interact with the world. Slowly (painfully) weaning myself off social media (nothing like a photo challenge to stymie that!).

3. I love to travel. This whole moving process has gotten in the way this year, but I have some spectacular USA/Canada road trips planned for me and @sean.brodrick as soon as we can, and smaller trips with friends. My flowery suitcase is ready!

#introduction #whoami #augustphotochallenge #transition #augusteyecandy