Ten.One Thousand, Three Hundred & Twenty-Nine

1. Both of us are awake, wondering when the water will return, making a list of things we should get just in case. The list consists mostly of water and things we can eat for breakfast that do not require the dirtying of another dish.

2. Safeway at 6 am is the best time to go grocery shopping.

3. First light.

4. I see it as a practice in deepening my compassion while learning to build better boundaries.

5. “Can I alter the timeline of the plan?” she asks. “It can be the plan, but maybe not the five-year plan.” “But, you see, the five-year plans have always worked for me.” “But you’re putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.”

6. I ask myself what needs to shift or be eliminated so that I am able to take more risks.

7. “I just do what I want to do and maybe some people think that’s being bold.” I end the call feeling inspired. He sends me a picture of his highland cattle a few moments later. I am moved.

8. Wasting away at my desk this week, missing all of the sun.

9. I read to him from my notes, recount the stories about fermenters and the danger of groups, and his artwork. “My goal in every interview is to make them say ‘that’s a good question,’ and he said that multiple times, and so that feels good.”

10. I download the picture of the highland cattle and make it the image on my desktop as a reminder of one of the most important 1 hour and 22 minutes of my life.

11. If you pay attention, you are always learning.