Wander Lydia

a month of adventures

lydia — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:09:38 +0000

Well, a little more than a month ago, when Amy and I started talking about this idea of creating 31 days of adventure, an exercise for others to find adventure in the everyday, I didn’t know what to expect. Daily adventures are something I try to do most of my days, and so this project seemed like a fun extension of that. It was also a great way to challenge myself to think of 31 days of ideas for adventures and map them out logically (and a great excuse to work with Amy). When we talked about goals for this project, I felt (and Amy agreed) we would be successful if the project inspired and helped just one person. Much of the project, not to sound selfish, was just plain fun to do and I was going to do it regardless of who signed up. Inspiring and reaching someone else felt like icing on the cake.

Once we had that goal in mind, we got to work. We laid down our plans and put them into action. Working with Amy was a joy — she is a great collaborator, easy going as well as a fluent, thoughtful writer, and she provided me with inspiration many a time (did I tell you that yet, Amy? Well, I am now.)

The outcome of our toils was far more than I expected. We had more than 100 people sign up before the month even began. And more came even after January 1. I am touched by how many folks participated in the 31 days (and I started out participating myself, but then felt more suited as a spectator for this go ’round). Everyone created really wonderful posts/tweets/otherwise — some were unexpected, all were so creative. I feel honored to be among this community of people, adventuring in big and small ways. And it showed me there are more likeminded people in my sphere than I realized.

So, there’s another delightful outcome. I learned a little bit more about my world.

To those who participated in the 31 Days of Adventure, thank you so very much. You are awesome. I send you high fives and have nothing but smiles and gratitude for your posts and tweets. And as well to those who joined in the middle or thought about joining but didn’t, stay tuned. Amy and I have more in store for all of you.

A later note: I forgot to thank Katie Levy, Sara Lingafelter, Kim Kircher and Chicks Climbing for contributing awesome guest prompts. You all rock!

noticing the little things

lydia — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:12:33 +0000

Over the past year or so (and maybe even longer than that), I’ve gotten into a bad habit of doing other things while eating a meal. Breakfast is always a quick smoothie I can consume while getting ready for work. I eat lunch at my desk (while continuing to work) most days and dinners are spent in front of Hulu or a book or magazine. I barely notice the food, which seems to be a weird practice, since I enjoy cooking it so much.

So now I’m seeking to return to food awareness and put my full focus on the meal in front of me. No distractions. For today’s 31 Days of Adventure, I took the opportunity to practice this by noticing the little things while eating lunch today. I closed my eyes. I chewed slowly. I found there was a lot to notice while eating this tasty salad:

So much kale and cabbage goodness mixed in with a tangy sweet homemade dressing! Each bite was a little different than the one before. Some came with the leafy texture of kale, some with a bit more onion, some with a salty pumpkin seed punch that seemed to accentuate all the other flavors. I was really surprised at how intense the flavors and textures were when I really paid attention.

Next I enjoyed a slice of 5-year aged cheddar from the great state o’ Wisconsin:

Again, an intense flavor experience. Far more than I remember before.

I’m going to have to eat with this much attention more often.

This post is part of the 31 Days of Adventure. Follow the prompts here or at #31adventures.

31 days of adventure

lydia — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:12:36 +0000

My friend Amy at Expand Outdoors and I have crafted a fun thing for the new year: 31 Days of Adventure. It spawned over the idea that adventure happens every day, you just have to look for it or seek to create it . We don’t need epic trips to the backcountry, skydiving or similar to feel a sense of adventure (although those things certainly do it). That’s one of the things I’ve learned on the road trip and I try to incorporate into my every day and on this blog: adventure is everywhere, small and big.

So, every day in the month of January, we’ll send out daily adventures on the 31 Days of Adventure site and through our newsletter. These adventures are free, easy enough to incorporate into your day and do right in your backyard (or around the neighborhood). We hope they’ll inspire you to carry adventure with you throughout the rest of the year. Hope you’ll join us!

think kit: my hidden spot

lydia — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:36:42 +0000

This is one of my favorite places to sit and think, my own little hidden spot, tucked away in the city. See that rock on the left? I like to sit right there, feet in the water, and think.

Isabel loves to frolic in the water while I think, so it’s a great spot for both us.

This post is part of Think Kit 2011.

things you find along a new path

lydia — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:07:53 +0000

I’ve noticed that since the early summer, I’ve gotten out of the habit of biking or walking to work. This is an absolutely ridiculous thing to have happen because I live a mere 1.5 miles from work, so it’s a snap to hop on my bike or shimmy down the street. I could go on with a list of excuses, but suffice to say that I’m working to change back into a non-car commuter. So this past week things worked out and I walked to work on a frosty morning, which was ever so delightful because it gave me a chance to slow down and view things from a different perspective. I got to take an up close and personal view of this guy:

And this guy!

And these little ones!

And a frosty hedge!

I mean, do you see how the light is hitting that hedge? And imagine some glittery frost business with that? Unbelievable. I would have totally missed out on this if I had traveled by car. (And even by bike, most likely. I’m usually eyes forward.)

Last, as I neared my destination, I found a frosty rose bush that looked so beautiful, shimmering.

It was a great way to get to work and it really put a smile on my face. It was a much nicer way to start the day than to be scraping frost off my car and waiting for the light to turn green.

How are you getting to work this week? What little things are you noticing?

the think kit

lydia — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:50:52 +0000

We’ve just launched a fun thing over at SmallBox called The Think Kit, which is an inspiration kit in the form of 30 days of prompts that help you reflect on your year and consider what’s next. The Think Kit prompts start today, and the first one is so easy, I couldn’t resist sharing.

Prompt: Have a snapshot that encapsulates your year? Or one that represents a great moment? Maybe it just looks dang cool. Show ‘n tell time — let’s see those pics!

This would be my favorite photo of this year:

It’s not a perfectly composited and shot photo in any sort of professional photography sense (in fact, it’s a little blurry), however, this photo encapsulates so much for me. It was taken in one of my favorite spots in Indianapolis, a place of peace and rejuvenation. It is a visual representation of the spirit and the attitude I have focused on embodying this year: letting things flow like water. Paying attention to that flow and getting to know the feeling better. This photo is a gentle reminder.

Want to participate in Think Kit? Head on over here to get started!

the interplay of words

lydia — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:33:08 +0000

I really love the work of Everynone, this video is no exception. It reminds me of some of my favorite conversations I’ve had with friends and the type of conversation I enjoy having the most. One where one person’s story sparks another person’s story which sparks the next and the next… then you’re off and running in a beautiful discussion about ideas, thoughts, funny anecdotes or otherwise that never ends. And you leave feeling full to the brim with meaning and having made deeper connections with each other. It feels rooted in life and requires presence. This is what I love most. And I wish it would never end.

WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.

an evening walk in the fall

lydia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:01:07 +0000

Stars dot the dark sky as the wind picks up a few leaves enough to scraaaatch along the ground. We rush across a busy street into a quiet neighborhood, our favorite place to roam. Isabel prefers regular stops to sniff and instead of pulling her along in a rush, I find myself stopping too. Pausing is more like it. Noting the neighbor’s grass is shorter than last time. One light is out on the porch across the street. This tree has dropped all of its leaves. We meander toward the bigger houses, the ones with stained glass windows and elaborate landscaping. The smell of onions cooking fills my nose as we pass a few houses and then drifts away. Dinner’s on.

rock walking

lydia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:21:11 +0000

A few weekends ago, Isabel and I went to see my good friend Carissa in Berea, Kentucky. Berea is very close to the Red River Gorge, a place I used to frequent often for climbing, but haven’t been in a long while. Driving down brought up a lot of memories for me. It’s funny how places can do that. Smells have that effect as well. Wave a bottle of Exclamation! perfume and I will be transported right back into seventh grade.

Anyway.

Carissa took us on an excellent hike up to Pinnacle Rock where we got to do a bit of rock walking.

Rocks! Some fit for a bit of bouldering! What a treat. We also enjoyed a beautiful view through the trees at the top.

It was a beautiful fall day in Kentucky. How’s fall treating you?

things I love about Fall

lydia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:44:55 +0000

Sweaters!
Brisk evening walks, sloshing feet through fallen leaves
Finding out I’m inspired to run when the weather is not oppressively-hot degrees
Hot tea in the evening
Hot chai in the morning
The return of my desire to bake
The smell of campfires seems to happen more
Living amongst landscape of colorful trees, everchanging!