Things to be aware of when I'm stressed:
- There are lots of times when I can handle crowds. Or groups. High-stress times, not so much.
- I have learned to be spontaneous. Or at least more last minute. But when I'm stressed, I need things planned.
• But I need to not be the one planning everything.
• Especially if someone else said they'd get back to me. It's in your hands then. - When I'm stressed I'd rather stick to my plans with a group of people I don't know than do something spur-of-the-moment with a group I do know.
• But it's more likely I'll end up home alone.
• Though probably healthier for me to not be too antisocial for long.
~~~
It amazes me how some friends manage to amplify my stress while others diffuse it. And it's not consistent. Surely much to do with my mood. But feels like there's more than I understand. Good luck making sense of me.
~~~
So that's where I was mid-afternoon on Saturday. Which made it extra amazing when I called a friend to come with me to
the trail I visited at the beginning of the month and she could join at the last minute.
The sun was well on its way down by the time we arrived. (But it was okay because I take the scenic drive past the crazy-rich houses.) Even the buildings were glowing in the light.
October has seen the span of fall here. Last time the leaves were a week or two away from peaking. There are a few left in the tree now, but more carpeting the trail than shading the sun.
Not that the sun was in position to be shaded.
We saw a herd of deer. (Pictures didn't turn out. Too far away for the flash to do anything. Too dark not to use it.) Wandered into the Halloween Hike--complete with luminaria and costumed employees doing skits educating us about nature. Debated whether that was a black squirrel or whether it was simply in the shadows.
Agreed we had perfect timing in leaving the trail.
Drove back home amazed at how much calmer I was.
~~~
In separate news, I needed a pair of black pumps, so I went shoe shopping. Came out with super-pointy yellow heels. Not so black, but D. says I can play fashionista.
Also got a pair of menswear-style high-heel lace-up oxfords. They're black. And heels. And I think I can go dancing in them. Plus they can also replace the black boots that I have that, really, I didn't even wear much last winter because the insole is sad and old and when I tried to add a schmancy Dr. Scholl's type one it crowded my foot.
I should probably throw those boots away. They're past the donate stage. Otherwise I'd still be wearing them.
~~~
A week from now, I'll be back from my first conference presentation. I'm excited for that.
More excited for the weekend crew reunion happening afterwards. Camp friends convince me time and again that friendship withstands distance, different lifepaths, and far too few visits. Remind me to talk about that in a future post.
Going under this bridge was awesome. It was high enough that I didn't need to duck. I still did though.
