# 310: X is for (e)Xtra
Extra Money, Extra Effort, Extra Time, a Book and Music Recommendation and I'll be presenting at Grubstack on Pi (π) Day 3.14 at 3:14!
X is for (e)Xtra
I don’t make xurros and xanthan gum isn’t high on my list of “oh that would be cool to write about” even if I do use it in my gluten free baking on occasion. In searching for X ideas to share with you, I did learn that xiphias is a swordfish and xiangcaojing is the Chinese word for vanilla extract both of which might be useful in a game of Scrabble if I can remember them. Yes, there are Xmas cookies which would be good with a mug of xocolatl—spicy Mexican hot chocolate but honestly X has been a hard one for me to figure out so, if you don’t mind I’m adding an E to it and settling in with Extra.
Extra Money
First up is extra money. Right now there just isn’t any. That’s right. No extra as in will I have enough to get through this month? I do trust with all my heart that somehow I will. I believe more paid subscriptions and registrations for camps and classes will come in time to keep the lights on. But, it astounds me that what I hoped to be the promise of a modest (not extravagant) elder-hood is quickly diminishing. As a piano teacher turned pie teacher, turned writer and author I’ve pretty much always lived outside the financial box. It was up to me to be the bread winner and I have always done it. Apparently I ain’t done yet and IF Social Security and Medicare are cut I’m pretty much screwed.
Extra Effort
I need to keep going which means I need to make the extra effort to keep myself healthy and fit. For me, this means eating good food=real food, buying at my local stores, farmers markets and farm stands, riding my bike, taking the bus which is free in my town instead of the car, walking rain or shine, stretching, getting enough sleep. Yes, I have my aches and pains most of which are reminders of injuries from my younger years, but I’ll keep making the extra effort to keep going because like many of us I simply don’t have a choice to do anything but. No, these ideas won’t exactly solve my money issues but they will help to keep my mind off all the things out there that I can’t control so I can continue to write and teach, things that I hope contribute to the well-being and happiness of others.
Extra Time
I’ve mentioned before that it’s important to take extra time for ourselves. Keep calm. Keep cool. Limit intake of media. Listen to music. Look at the sunrise. Gaze at the moon. Walk barefoot in the grass. Feel a cool breeze on my face. Plant an extra row or two of vegetables to share. Say hello to neighbors. Hug our loved ones.
And please take that extra moment and effort to smile at the next person you see because it really does make a difference. 🩷
What I’m Reading
The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald
Betty MacDonald lived on a farm on Vashon Island from 1942 until 1956 and wrote this book about her time there with her husband who I suppose we might call Old MacDonald! A piece of Americana written in 1945, I find The Egg and I to be a humorous diversion that still brings laughter. Here’s a 2008 article from the Vashon Newspaper celebrating her centennial. Interestingly the article was published on March 11th, the very day that I am was putting the finishing touches on this newsletter edition, too.
You may know of her Mrs Piggle Wiggle books, which I read multiple times when I was a little girl. Mrs Piggle Wiggle lived in an upside-down house and instructs parents on how to correct their children’s bad behavior.
What I’m Listening To
Canyon by Paul Winter & Winter Consort (1972)
I’ve been listening to this for decades and I always find it uplifting.
Grubstack
Join me on Pi Day Friday March 14 at 3:14 PM Pacific/6:14 PM Eastern for a Live Pie Dough Demonstration: Let’s Dough It!
I’ve been invited to be a part of the first ever Grubstack, a food and drink extravaganza hosted right here on Substack. I’ll be sending out specifics of how to join in the fun on Wednesday March 12th so be sure to watch for that.
Nice Things To Do
Something that you can do for me is to heart ❤️ this post and leave a comment. It not only lets me know that you are stopping by but this small act really helps my ratings on Substack, too. Thank you!
Also you are XTRA wonderful Kate❤️
Xtra beautiful and thoughtful post, Kate. Xx