Alpaca My Bags
Restoring peace, one exotic animal at a time.
Hello and happy July!
Here in Tapioca Land, I'm finally bouncing back from a tough few months. My resilience was stretched so thin, I felt like a cracked rubber band hiding in the back of a junk drawer. There wasn’t one major event that caused it, but the combination of everything made me decide to step back from all expectations, including returning a freelance assignment. After over 110 published articles with the SBJ, this was a first for me! (For the nosy: A few highlights include: the young dog swallowing two chicken kebabs, skewers and all; the old dog having frequent seizures in the middle of the night; my body experiencing an internal infection of unknown location or type, requiring aggresive antibiotics; job rejection after job rejection, and living with two teens during summer vacation.)
Taking that break was much needed. I ended the month with a wonderfully restorative trip across Colorado, planned by Dan, which included some of the craziest overnight stays:
A decommissioned missile silo in Kansas
An alpaca farm near Rifle, CO
A hot springs near Doc Holliday’s place of passing, in Glenwood Springs, CO
Unique Lodgings
It was quite an adventure and I am ready to tackle little parts of the world again. My sister and I are revisiting our old blog/newsletter, “Bubbly in a Teacup,” which usually only rears its head around 99x when we create a tableau for this festive event (save the date: Saturday, September 28th!). I’ve applied for another round of jobs (I know you’re probably wondering: Doesn’t being a published author of a niche topic while writing a sporadic newsletter and monthly business articles pay the bills!? Dear reader, it does not. I wish it could!), submitted a new book proposal (!!!), and am ready to get back into theater-mom role as my youngest starts a short run of Addams Family at the Springfield Little Theater.
How do you cope with low moments? Would you like a go-to word to help restore yourself in times of need? Look no further than the monthly Tarot Card draw! Let’s discover your magic word to keep on hand for a dash of determination:
(Keep reading for your word)
Art in the Wild
As always, your support of my work means the world! Here’s a few places I have my work:
Organize your office the fun way: with fungi-themed file folders and giraffe-print binders!
Learn Tarot through my unique workbook, Journey Through Tarot, available on Amazon and coming soon to Mystical Thoughts Shop in Springfield! (My coloring books are also available on Amazon or a select few at Jellybeans in Springfield)
The Pocket Poetry Vending Machine is currently hanging out at The Creamery Arts Center lobby! I’ll be moving it to another location in the fall, so let me know if you have a spot you’d like to see it at!
Latest Crazes
1970s Biblical Musicals. My youngest and I saw a production of Godspell, Junior at The Judy. I had never seen this show before and had no idea the cultural impact it had on pop culture (specifically, my favorite musical spoof, Mr. Show The Joke The Musical, with a callback at the 6:50-minute mark). With some of my other favorite musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I had to do some reading about why the Christian craze during that era. This article was a good start.
We took the kids to see Nate Bergatze at a sold-out show at the Great Southern Arena. It’s so rare to find a funny comedian that appeals to the entire family. Before the show started they played one of my favorite recent SNL skits of his. Worth a watch!
Blackberries! In my backyard there is a huge blackberry bush that has been taking its time to fruit. This year it finally did and I lovingly pluck about 20 a day. What to do with those blackberries? Make my favorite cobbler of course! It takes only 5 ingredients and is great for dessert or an indulgent breakfast. Paid subscribers will get a downloadable recipe card!
Word for Resilience
And now to help tuck away a word or phrase for when times are tough:
VI of Swords: This is a card of journeying past troubled times! You’re traveling still waters, either as a guide or with one, but you’re leaving a tough time behind. The future is unknown, but the sky is clear and the water is smooth! Your phrase is “Better Days Ahead.”
IX of Swords: This card shows up when your thoughts weigh so heavily on your shoulders they keep you up at night. Perhaps you experience panic attacks or insomnia. While this card feels really heavy, it’s a great reminder for reflection and confrontation. What are these thoughts? Why do they bother you? Consider journaling, making lists, doing a guided meditation, or talking with a trained counselor. Your phrase is “I have control of my thoughts and actions.”
The Chariot: Part of the major arcana, this card shows up when major life events are occurring. The Chariot is another card of moving forward, but compare it to the VI of Swords. In this case, you know your path, you have confidence and are ready to trample obstacles and arrive in style! Your phrase: I’m confident I am on the right path.
How did those feel? If you enjoy these pulls, don’t forget to buy a Tarot Workbook to start exploring the cards. They are great tools for self reflection!
And don’t forget, paid subscribers receive a downloadable recipe card of one of my favorite summer desserts! Thank you as always for reading, subscribing, and supporting!
Keep calm and alpaca on,
Nicole
Download below!