I’ve decided to take at least one day off from external influences each week. Whatever fresh hell today brought, I can learn about it tomorrow. Body-mind-spirit all require relief from the stress of knowing what the usurpers are doing. Seriously, if they don’t break our spirits first, the stress alone could break our bodies. Every day this week I’ve engaged in several forms of activism, and today is a day off to nourish my resilience.

Another warm, springlike day motivated me to open both doors for some fresh air in the house. With music to help me move, I was in and out all day, cleaning the mudroom, the patios, carrying some things to storage in the yurt, feeling grateful for the wildlife and the woods, and for the emergence of the first tender crocus leaves in the yarden.

On the evening I finished this puzzle, Changing Light, Changing Seasons by Brad Gorman, I stepped outside to a similar sky. A moment of layered joy.

I’m grateful for fresh, homegrown Florida grapefruit. I saved some seeds from the last one to try to sprout, but then I learned that citrus seeds need to stay damp in order to germinate. So I opened my second-to-last Christmas grapefruit today and carefully supremed it so I didn’t damage a seed.

I’ll save and dry the peels, then use them in a variety of ways from tea to cleaning vinegar. Or maybe I’ll just compost them, we’ll know more later. I harvested four perfect seeds and planted them in four pretty little pots, after clearing space for them on the second shelf on the grow rack.

I’m grateful I was able to keep my attention in my home today: no outside influences, so that I could focus on housekeeping, spring cleaning, fresh air, music, movement and playing with plants, with joy and gratitude, without distraction or distress.

And then I baked. Another project that’s been on my mind for awhile like planting citrus seeds has been maple-pecan scones. This time I added a few dried tart cherries in with the toasted nuts, and remembered the egg wash before I put them in the oven. These turned out perfectly! So simple, so delicious. Then I glazed them with Mount Mansfield maple cream, which sets with a firm shell but remains melty soft underneath. I can hardly wait to wake up alive tomorrow and enjoy one with coffee.

Wherever you are, whoever you are, I hope that you find a way to nourish yourself today: pause occasionally to take a few deep breaths, get outside, move to some music, indulge in a treat; be kind to yourself, and be kind to someone else.