The Devil's in the Details

It all started a couple years ago when a friend bought Nick a kids bow and arrow set for his birthday as a gag. Despite the fact that the bow was more suited for a 7 year old, we all had fun that night and many nights since.

This past July Nicks brother bought him a shiny compound bow, arrows, release, target, wax and tips. Needless to say I've lost my husband to archery.

Yesterday my husband bought me my very own left handed compound bow with all the needed accessories. We've spent the last two days standing side by side shooting at the target and trying to best each other. It's great that the two of us have a hobby we both enjoy and can share.

I went to visit my brother today to get some advice and tips. Rene is an avid hunter and was huge into archery for a while. He was able to show me a few things regarding my posture and stance (Horse stance Khona! You should know this, horse stance!). Despite being absent from Kung Fu for over ten years he remembers that at least.

So, I start shooting more accurately, getting a bit cocky. I forget to mind the details. The bow reminds me, the string grazes my arm upon release and I have the most wicked looking welt along the length of my forearm. I yelp, my brother laughs at me. He had told me to relax that arm, after all.

What is the point? The details are what will make or break you. You need to pay attention to what your body is telling you before your body slaps you in the face and says enough. Heel out, toes down, hips square, shoulders relaxed, all of it is important. I had tightened my grip, it turned my arm in, the string found its own target. Simple. Details details details.

Oh, and yes. Those are my arrows you're looking at. *Polishes nails on shirt*

It is ok to nap (Right Ma?)

I have something to confess. It's something I've only ever spoken to my mom about, and only because she admitted to it first.

My favourite part of the day is when I get to go to bed.

I've never wanted to admit that. Why does this weigh on my conscience so much? Because I'm supposed to be some gun ho go get 'em type person, pursuing mastery and such. But I love going to bed, snuggling up against my fluffy pillow, burrowing deep into the sheets, sinking into the soft-yet-supporting mattress. My bed is six feet behind me now and it's calling my name. Softly, determinedly.

So, I'm accepting it. No, I'm not going to try to change it. Try changing your favorite color, it just doesn't work that way.

I love bedtime. It's wonderful and makes me happy.

Appreciation

This past weekend was one that really emphasized how fortunate we are to live where we do, as we do. The parade on Saturday was epic. The crowd was positive and energetic and the group of people I walked the parade with are all extraordinary. As Sifu Brinker often mentions, to think of all that had to happen to bring us all together at that specific point in time, at that specific location.

Then later to have the freedom to pick berries, to bake bread and muffins, and to share these goodies with my neighbours and friends. To stay up and listen to the bugs and watch the bats and chat with my husband about nothing at all.

Sunday was about celebrating the birthdays of my husband, my sister-in-law and my niece. A family get together with copious amounts of food and sunshine. I had the opportunity to draw penguins with my youngest niece and talk with my older brother, to look at the blooming lilies with my mother.

I'm a bit of a science geek and originally went to university to study astronomy. The vastness of the universe is unfathomable and the idea hooked me at a young age. To look up and see so many stars and know they are so far away that many no longer exist by the time you see their light. To know that in all that space there are so many events occurring that we never think about, planets and galaxies colliding, stars being born and burning out, the endless space between an endless number of stars in an endless number of galaxies.

And in all that the idea that I exist, here and now with all of you. It's unfathomable. And I am grateful.