Thursday, November 30, 2023

November → December

November, you flew right by, but you were beautiful.

 

I said most of what I could say today, in yesterday's entry.
Long story short, I'm excited to see what the last month of 2023 has to bring.

xo | cmd
at No comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

39. LFG

Today I celebrate the final birthday of my 30's. 
Once upon a time, the prospect of doing this would've made me groan; the oldness of it all worthy of eye rolls and bad jokes about AARP cards. 

And YET, here I am, 39 years old today and realizing with certainty that there is no other time stamp on the map of my life thus far that I would rather find my two lungs breathing through, than this one right here, right now. It is a true clichΓ© to say this past year has changed me, but damnit it has, and not only will I not avoid saying it, instead I'm staking claim to it and celebrating it for where it's brought me now. 

In less than the 11 months of 2023, I've rediscovered what my own persistence can do. I let go of stale ideas and relationships that I'd only kept because they were familiar, and by proxy from doing so, have been met both again and for the first time with the new things that can only exist when we just breathe through the fear of the unknown and trust ourselves. 

The collection of people I call my community are the apex definition of safe. They have met me where I am, accept me for who I am, and encourage me to celebrate what I am and what I have. They challenge me to love the parts of me that I don't think are that great, and have paved the better half of this year with core memories that I hope to never lose. 

Today is my birthday, but I was met early by a weekend in the Red with a handful of my favorite people: climbing, music, a cabin, friends, and even Auggie in tow. Other than missing Syd, it was hands down the best birthday I've had to date, and I owe the universe for the beautiful direction it's taking me. 

I am learning still to slow down, and to embrace what's next when it finds me, rather than chase it. I have absolutely no idea what this next year is going to look like, but I've decided I'm ready to feel the joy and the sad, the victories and the disappointments, and everything in between that come inevitably with life. I'm ready to love this body that has carried me so far and served me so well, and keep the cup full to pour into the people around me. 

Thank You, November, for claiming me as one of yours. 39. LFG. 

xo | cmd

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,
Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA

Monday, November 6, 2023

Chica Bonita | Hello, November

This past weekend provided supreme conditions for sends in the Red. We took advantage of the gorgeous temps and made our way south to the beloved RRG, with rocks in mind. Though an unfortunate lack of footage from day one at Sunnyside & Bowling Alley, Marcus and I joined forces with Tommy (featuring Dakota) and eventually Kate on day 2, for collaborative sends at Chica Bonita. If there's one thing in this world that feeds the well of my soul, it's quality time with the right people, in a natural paradise How thankful I am for the beautiful souls who shared space with me the past couple of days.  

'Tis the season for sport climbing sends. Cheers to the Red, cheers to these people, and cheers to many more core memories in motion. 

xo | cmd
at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Farewell, October {But Let's Keep Spooky Szn}

Sara and I, in true fashion, waited until the absolute last day of October to manifest our vision for spooky fall photos. The consequence was doing so in 37 degree temps, and walking away with matching sets of frozen fingers (which would later both sustain cooking-related injuries as a result of numbness. We're thriving).
 
I'm so thankful for this friend of mine, and for every unhinged idea that we bring to life.
Happy Spooky Szn, loves.

 

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, October 30, 2023

Halloween 2023

We celebrated our first Halloween in the new digs, so naturally we hosted a mini bash and invited a bunch of our favorite people over to hang. The gang came through, completed our house with spooky decorations, pizza, and drinks. It was the sweetest success we could have wanted for our first holiday-themed shindig. 

To top it off, Marcus and I made a last-minute appearance at the Miguel's Halloween party, which morphed into nearly an all-night event, complete of course with a mini hike the following day up to Natural Bridge. 



I can feel myself coming back to life, bit by bit. 
For the village around me, for the ways in which life is teaching me to act, react, and counteract, I will be forever grateful. This isn't where I thought I would be, but now that I'm here, I can't imagine anything else. ♥

xo | cmd

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Sean & Madison | 21 OCT 2023

Squid Squadders tie the knot!

Admittedly a departure from the norm, to see some of the usual suspects donning not just casual (aka non-climbing) wear yesterday, but the escalated formal wear. The versatility of climbers is not to be underestimated; this group cleans up quite well. Congratulations to you, Sean & Madison, and cheers to this next chapter of life together! 
I'm thankful for this group of people, for these friendships (*belaytionships, of course!), and for the beautiful wedding that we were able to experience to celebrate Sean and Madison. 

So much love ♥
xo | cmd
at No comments:
Labels: , , ,
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Rocktoberfest 2023

PHEW, another Rocktoberfest in the books!  

Enjoy a little photo dump (41 of them, to be exact.. there are SO many more, but I digress): 

Previous Next
A million thanks to the RRGCC, and to the absolute phenomenal souls that I'm so fortunate to call my friends, for a weekend celebrating the climbing community and our little place in it.
at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,
Location: Slade, KY 40376, USA
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

November → December

November, you flew right by, but you were beautiful.   November 2023 November 2023 ...

  • The [Re]Intro
    Welp. I haven't written a formal digital entry since the dawn of Covid, and in re-reading the last one I did pen, it's clear that I ...
  • 39. LFG
    Today I celebrate the final birthday of my 30's.  Once upon a time, the prospect of doing this would've made me groan; the oldness  ...
  • November → December
    November, you flew right by, but you were beautiful.   November 2023 November 2023 ...