If you read my last Beyond Books Installment, you would know that February and March just sucked all around for me, especially when it came to my mental health. I am happy to say, though, that April has greatly improved. I am not sure if I just had enough of myself or if it was the change in the seasons, but I am feeling much better now. Over the past month, I have spent a great deal of time outside; I saw the Eclipse, baked a delicious cake, listened to some great music, got back into my knitting, watched a new show, played the Switch, and revisited one of my favorite movie series. So let me begin, and who knows, maybe you, too, Reader, will find something new in this installment.
I am going to start off with signs of Spring in my area. I am a very observant person and take great comfort in nature. It does not matter how I am feeling at the time. I always feel so much better if I am outside breathing the fresh air, listening to the birds, and even grounding, providing the temperatures permit. Have you heard of Grounding before? If not, Google Defines it as Abstract. Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to the discovery that bodily contact with the Earth’s natural electric charge stabilizes the physiology at the deepest levels, reduces inflammation, pain, and stress, improves blood flow, energy, and sleep, and generates greater well-being. I understand that not everyone believes in such things, but for me, I can honestly say I feel an improvement in my mental health when I stand barefoot outside in the grass, so I am going to keep doing it.
I live on the East Coast, and signs of Spring have finally hit my area with little tiny leaf buds popping out and Peepers at night. On my walks, I have noticed that frogs have laid their eggs in the ditch at the bottom of my driveway and the little pond just down the road from my home. All of these things bring me such joy. I find that each day, I have to go out and check on the progress of these things. Reader, do you take joy in such small things that most people just pass by and do not even notice?
The Frog Eggs
I live on a dead-end road in the woods along the river where the ocean feeds into it, making it perfect for walking. With the temperatures getting a bit warmer, it is nice to get out on the road with my dog, Dexter, and pound the pavement. I used to run, but about a year ago, I injured my back pretty badly, so I am left with just taking walks until it heals.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I picked my knitting back up and am so glad I did. I had forgotten how much joy it brings me. I learned to knit years ago when my son was just a baby and he is now sixteen. Now, please, do not think I am an expert in this because I am so far from not being an expert that it isn’t even funny. All that matters is that I enjoy it. I am working on a tube sock for my husband in the pictures below. I do not remember the brand of yarn I am using, but it was gifted to me years ago. Oh, and you will see Dexter being ever so helpful in my construction of this sock, or maybe he is just admiring it. Who Knows.
I am not sure about you, Reader, but I, for one, have a huge sweet tooth. I do not like just any old sweets; I like baked sweets most of all, and I am so glad to have stumbled upon this Vegan Lemon Cake recipe. I find that sometimes it is difficult to find vegan baked treats, and oftentimes, I am left having to make my own. I am sure that for those who live in bigger areas, this is not a problem, but in the very small rural area that I live in, it is a huge problem. Honestly, I do not even know any other plant-based people in my area other than those who live in my home with me. Even they are not vegan but vegetarian. I am going to give you Google’s definition of vegan and vegetarian in case you are not sure what the difference is between the two. Google Defines Vegan as a person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products. It Defines a Vegetarian as a person who does not eat meat: someone whose diet consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products. So, with that being said, let me get back to this cake because, oh my word, it was so delicious. The recipe is from the website Rainbow Plant Life, and the chef behind it is Nisha Vora. Let me just say she writes fantastic recipes. I will include the link to the recipe, but while you are checking that out, maybe take a look at the rest of her site.
I can not forget to tell you about another amazing, delicious thing I found in April: Lemon Oreos. Have you ever heard of these delicious creations? I had not, but I was pleasantly surprised when my husband brought some home for me to try. Oh, and bonus Oreos are vegan. Their flavor reminds me of Starbucks’ lemon pound cake, which, before turning vegan, used to be my go-to treat when I went there.
Over the years, music has helped me get through some seriously rough stuff, which I am sure some of you can relate to. I tend to enjoy most music with the exception of country music. I just can not get into it. I also have to say that I have never been a huge Taylor Swift fan, but when she released her newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, I decided to give it a go. I will admit it here right now I have enjoyed it very much and listened to the album a number of times already. I am not sure if it was the title of the album or if it was the fact that Florence and The Machine was on it, but I am glad I gave it a listen.
I have found myself playing a lot of the Switch this past month and I have really enjoyed it. I seem to go on a kick for a while with one game, then stop playing the Switch altogether. When I pick it back up, I sometimes go back into the game I was playing before, or I switch to another game I had played in the past. April has been the month of Disney Dreamlight Valley. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the game until I picked it up again. Besides, doesn’t my Joy-Con Controller look beautiful?
My husband and I watched a new show in April, and it was actually really good. The show is called Renegade Nell and it is on the Disney+ streaming service. I really hope they make a second season of it. We really enjoyed it. Have you heard of it? When I Googled it, this is what came up: Accused of murder, Nell Jackson finds herself forced to live on plunder and expedients with her two sisters. Helped by a brave spirit named Billy Blind, she realizes that fate has not led her astray by chance as she navigates war-torn Europe. It takes place in the 1700s, and it is a historical fantasy-based show. Like I said, I really enjoyed it and have my fingers crossed for a second season.
We also watched another movie series in April that kept with the theme of fantasy-based comfort movies. I am hesitant to mention them here because I am well aware of the things that this author has been saying, and I want to make it clear that I Do Not agree with her views. I am left with the question, like many, is it possible to like the art but not agree with the artist? As I have said before, I grew up in a rough home, and these stories brought me such comfort and escapism that they hold a special place in my heart. I am sure by now, Reader, you know the series I am talking about, but if not, it is Harry Potter.
Last but not least, Reader, I have had such an Aha Moment, as Oprah would say, and I thought that I would share it with you here. I have made it clear over the years that I suffer from Mental Health problems, and two of those problems are OCD and an Eating Disorder (ED). I have spent most of my life in battle with myself concerning these two issues, and with my birthday just around the corner, I have decided I am done. I am done with the need to be thin. I am done with the worthless feelings that come with my OCD and ED. I refuse to spend the rest of my life on this nonsense. I am well aware that I am at the very beginning of the journey to recovery (again) but this time I have felt a weight being lifted from my shoulders when I calmly came to the conclusion that I AM DONE. As I sit here and write this, my good friend is fighting for her life. Tomorrow, she goes in for one more treatment to see if it makes a difference with her cancer. If it does not, the doctors recommend she stop treatment. She has been at it for five years now, and it is to the point where the treatments are no longer working. With that being said, it really helps me to see how much of my life has been stolen by OCD and ED. I don’t want to give any more of my time and energy into these two things. I want to live a life where I am fully present and not lost in my own head. I am not naive to what I am saying I understand that this journey will be a difficult one and probably a continuous one but I am here for it. This time, I am gonna win.
I mentioned in my previous Beyond Books Installment that I was struggling with my Mental Health, but I also said that April was shaping up to be a good month. It was a good month. I have been working hard on myself and finding enjoyment in hobbies that I used to take part in (knitting, I am looking at you). I have spent so much time outside and feel as though it has benefitted me. May is looking to be a good month so far, and besides, it is my Birthday Month after all. Reader, tell me what you have been up to in April. Have you watched anything good? What about music? Has anything touched your soul? I have to say that I highly recommend trying out that cake recipe I shared from Rainbow Plant Life, and my word, grab yourself some Lemon Oreos. Until Next Time, Reader, Happy Reading.
Reader, I almost forgot…my husband, son, and I chased the Eclipse through Maine, and I have some video of it that I will share here. Were you lucky enough to live in an area or get to an area where you could see the Eclipse?