Here's part of why blog writing(for me) has been intermittent as of late: I don't have anything interesting to write about. My intent is to draw things from real life: what I'm doing, what I'm thinking, things I want to do or see or make. But right this minute, mostly I'm just thinking FRANCE: what to pack, how to prep the home front for my absence, getting Jordan's room (which is currently scattered about the gameroom) back in order. And mostly . . . GETTING MY BABY BACK!

In the meantime I just have half-conceived, mini-posts rattling about my head. Let me give you a sampling:

Zentangle. Many moons ago I posted a short blurb on the art of Zentangle, and after trying a few tangles online I've made it a part of my daily routine. It's part doodling, part drawing, part meditation. It's super relaxing (some people call it yoga for the mind), and gives me a short creative burst in the middle of the day. I have an artist's notebook where I keep all of my patterns and tangles. I'm still working my way through this book, but I'm considering this one next..

Sleep. I'm just finally understanding the whole "How did you sleep?" inquiry. For the majority of my life I've gone to sleep, stayed asleep, and then woke up fairly well-rested. But now? It's a veritable crap shoot. At times, I have trouble falling asleep. Sometimes I can fall asleep, but I wake up 200 times. My mattress feels too hard. What is it with sleep? And how can I get some?

Football. I really love football until about the last week of October (that would be now). Then it's enough. I'm through. I don't want to sit through any more 2+ hours games. I no longer feel like I can justifiably eat the nachos. I'm ready to settle myself in front of a roaring fire with a good book. But no. Football continues.

Ikea! I went to Ikea yesterday! Ikea makes me inexplicably happy. So much good design lurking in that maze of pathways. It makes me feel hopeful and inspired even. (This hope and inspiration is also made possible by a husband who is truly gifted in furniture assembly. I bring home the boxes. He fits it all together.)

Gilmore Girls. Could I write an entire post on the Gilmore Girls? Yes, several even. Guys, Gilmore Girls is now available on Netflix, and watching an episode in the evening fills the cracks in my heart -- mostly because there is always some nugget of dialogue that makes me feel understood. Do you know entire transcripts of various episodes are available online? For this reason was the Internet created. For instance, in one episode Lorelai is trying to write a letter. But she's stuck. This speaks to me: 

LORELAI: Because my brain is a wild jungle full of scary gibberish:
"I'm writing a letter. I can't write a letter." 
"Why can't I write a letter? I'm wearing a green dress."
"I wish I was wearing my blue dress." 
"My blue dress is at the cleaners." 
"'The Germans wore gray. You wore blue."
''Casablanca."
"'Casablanca' is such a good movie."
"'Casablanca.' The white house. Bush."
"Why don't I drive a hybrid car? I should drive a hybrid car." 
"I should really take my bicycle to work."
"Bicycle. Unicycle. Unitard. Hockey puck. Rattlesnake. Monkey, monkey, underpants."

And now, all I can think about is Monkey, monkey, underpants.

Happy Wednesday out there.