What happens during a blog pause

It is possible to lose track of time. Blogging can serve as a date anchor that when active, acts as your schedule reminder. 

This week I forgot the Salty Pumpkin Road travel blog had a scheduled post for today that was going to be filled in (unpublished now). I have another date planned.

Problem is a week before a medical procedure, in order to manage anxiety, I go on slow stay at home mode. So, when the travel blog shows up today published, I go all what is this!? Ah, not blogging, I traveled to forgetful city. 😢🥴😳

Other than that, this week has been slow mode for me. I know cataract removal is an easy procedure to get through. My anxiety reservoir  doesn’t care. Ironically, it takes more assurance from me to calm than it does when facing high anxiety events. My mind is not used to my not having more intense anxiety to deal with. 

Anxiety management isn’t a clear do this when that happens to create this result. Learning how takes time with every tense situation. The logistics of anxiety can be very complex. 

I have safety zones to access: sounds, surfaces, thoughts, places, objects. When used, they signal my brain with I am safe waves. It works for me to have that structure, to depend on it. I don’t suffer alone when I have safety zones.

Day 86 of Week 13 March 2026

Next week when April 2026 begins, I think it will be nice to start the first day with a moment of thanks that Winter 2026 is really over. A long cold and snowy Winter is comforting in that it is a winter being winter.  

However, the brain wants the warmth, the sunshine, blue skies. That sounds poetic. April is Poetry Month.  

Have a poetic weekend

Draw a houseplant

Arrange a vase of flowers

Bake herbed veggies

Read about pollen

Browse Steampunk art online

Design your logo 

Make parsley pesto

Spider Plant in Basket

A gentle posting pause

A Wednesday Vibe

 Posting pause 

Back on Friday

Spring on day 2

It is almost, uh, it is 10 AM EDT as I type. Up once earlier, I looked out the window to see yesterday’s snow is not melting yet. No worry  because the ambient temperature might go up to 40° Fahrenheit this afternoon.

Half of Spring is ready while the other half catches up. Like me. Catching up. On days like this I want food that is easy to heat up because I don’t want my attention taken away from whatever task I’m doing. 

Cooking is a whole other task block. Easy food when busy is good planning. Lentil soup with chunky vegetables and a tall glass of ice tea is a good busy day menu. 

Making soup requires prepping the veggies. Without realizing it, I’ve been brainwashed to feel unpeeled carrots are bad. They are not. Peeling carrots is not required, especially when they are cut up and boiled in soup. 

My busy day will start with making lentil soup. 

Being busy requires prep work as well.

Day 79 of Week 12 March 2026

You know those days after a brief illness, when you suddenly realize you feel better? Well, that’s what this Spring feels to me. And now I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with that energy. 

Last fall I started a travel blog (after being on my mind since my early blogging days). March is the month I planned to publish the first excursion post. 

There are eleven days left this month to get that done. I have notes on a few places, all fairly local, as well as ideas to focus on. 

The weather forecast for the next few days is grim calling for some rain and snow.

Have a Sunshine On the Mind Weekend

Read about paper making 

Play a board game with friends

Browse UV umbrellas online

Mix a big green salad

Sing from a song book

Visit a bookstore

Bake a pumpkin bread

Won’t be long now