It’s been more than a year since I fell hiking and broke my fibula. I remember post surgery, while I was struggling with my walker and wearing a boot, I would write my morning pages (from Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way”) out by the pool, with my coffee and water. It was a highlight of those tough days — quiet time outside, listening to birds in the fresh air and sunshine.

It occurred to me over the weekend that I can still enjoy those mornings outside writing my morning pages. Here’s to more time outside in nature!

This is my sad ankle. I had a one-year checkup and x-ray. No wonder my ankle feels a little stiff. I’m doing my PT exercises to keep it moving.

I pulled out my old canvas ballet slippers and thought I should go back to tendus and pliés. I used to take ballet four days a week as an adult in Palm Springs. I began at age five until fifth or sixth grade when I got my first pointe shoes. I loved it, but a shoe fell out of my bag and was lost. My mom said, “You obviously aren’t interested anymore.” And that was that. I was supposed to be taking a minimum of classes three days a week or more. Mom was driving me to Bellevue which was 40 minutes away from home. I think she was tired of the commitment — especially if she thought I wasn’t interested.

As soon as I was at the University of Washington, I enrolled in ballet. I continued until my unfortunate accident when I was a pedestrian hit by a pick up truck. Then I picked it up again as an adult before kids and continued into my 50s until my ballet class ended and I couldn’t find another one in the area for adults.

I realized I could do this on my own. I can follow Youtube videos or make my own barre routine. Then, if I’m feeling motivated, I can go to the gym for barre class also. It’s plan!

Red in the morning light visiting his flamingo friend.

What little things do you enjoy that improve your daily life?