March 16, 2023 For a good part of my adult life, I have been pretty grouchy about the arrival of spring, vibing more with T.S. Eliot’s declaration that “April is the cruellest month” than Robin Williams’ idea that “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” All promise, but only slush and cold wind. Not to mention the dreaded ritual of spring cleaning, when like good Marie Kondo devotees, we clear away the clutter of our winter lives. Nope, give me a season that doesn’t go back on its promises or ask me to shampoo the rug of the dog.

March 11, 2023 I don’t often listen to audiobooks, but I’ve been listening to Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World, by Michael Harris. There’s so much I’m liking about this book. There’s lots about the psychology of solitude and what brain research has to say about it. And there are some terrific, honest, intimate and often funny stories about his pursuit to be alone. Bottom line: we could all use a bit of solitude. But what I really like about the book is this: I think I understand what’s been a weird (and, if you ask my husband, annoying)

I’m a big fan of Jennifer Piercy, a yoga nidra specialist with some excellent sleep-inducing meditations on the Insight Timer app. I tune into Jennifer if I feel like I might have trouble dropping off to sleep. Between her soothing voice and her gentle invitations to sense what’s happening in my body, I usually conk out long before the meditation ends. A couple of nights ago, I was listening to one of her meditations and she said something that helped me realize why her meditations work for me and shifted how I approach falling asleep. Here’s what she said: “Please