Some things are just as pretty in one color. And yet, in the sea of green that makes up this photograph, the little splashes of fuchsia are what grab my attention.
I like habit. I like living with the known. But life doesn’t go ahead at a steady pace. It’s what keeps things interesting. And, sometimes, what makes things difficult. I’ve developed a morning ritual that ensure a calm, slow start to each day. This was developed during my post-surgery bed rest when life was anything but normal. Adding in rituals gave me some sense of normalcy.
My days start like this…
I use my phone as my alarm clock. I have three alarms set, which provides emergency back-up and back-up back-up incase I oversleep. If I haven’t showered the night before, I hope in the shower and then get myself a cup of coffee cut with a good bit of frothed milk and a little bit of sugar. Then I head upstairs and watch one episode of whatever television series through which I’m working my way. (Typically, foreign police dramas.) At the episodes end, I quickly get ready. Sometimes that means packing lunches and blow drying hair or flat ironing my hair. Other days I just put on some clothes and go.
There’s not much to it. That one television episode means that for 22-42 minutes (occasionally 56 for the foreign dramas), I have quiet time with nothing on my agenda. I’m entertained and happy and can start my day feeling calm. If the day is a good one, the quiet morning time is a bonus. If it’s a hard day, at least I had that moment of quiet.
How about you? Have you added any ritual into your day? What are they and what purpose do they serve?
Oh! And in case you’re interested in some import crime shows, I recommend Poirot, Murdoch Mysteries, The Code, Broadchurch, The Bletchley Circle and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
I planned on a Summer of Fun. My goal was to stuff a bowl with slips of paper detailing fun and unusual activities throughout the city. I never followed through on that idea, but my Summer of Fun was just that.
- Music festival where I met Kasey Musgraves
- Road trip to Columbus to see Belle and Sebastian perform
- Birthday parties for myself and friends
- Slip ‘n’ slide event that was of questionable fun but certainly an experience to remember
- Seeing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes perform
- Cookout followed by watching fireworks displays along the Ohio River
- Housewarming party for friends
- Visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force with my dad
- Trip to the Dominican Republic where I hung out with friends, made new ones and experience my first foam party
- Traveled to Indianapolis to watch the New Pornographers perform
- Road trip to Detroit to visit my great aunt Ceil and walk through the Motown Museum with my parents
- Listened to Ira Flatow at a speaking event and was able to meet him
- Beer tasting birthday party with friends
- Pool parties
- A visit to Sunlight Pool, the world’s largest flat-surfaced, recirculating swimming pool
- Eighteen books and counting
I still have two weeks of Summer to pack in some fun, but so far, I’d say I’m doing pretty well. What have you done to make your summer full of fun?
Later this Fall, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is losing a special part of its family. Harapan, also known as Harry, is a Sumatan rhinoceros and the only one of his species outside of Southeast Asia. He’s also one of an estimated less than 100 left in the world.
I had the good fortune to meet Harry this past Spring. He’s eight-years-old (they have a lifespan of 35-40 years) and weighs about 1,800 pounds. Standing face-to-face with him is like looking back into prehistoric times. He’s hulking with thick skin and watery eyes and horns that look built of stone. And yet. When he spots food, he becomes single-minded in his focus. He’s playful! He oozes personality!
When Harry moves to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia, he’ll join what remains of his species in the hopes of successful breeding. If it works, move people will have chances like I did to meet a Sumatran rhino. If not, the species goes away entirely.
No matter the outcome, I feel so much gratitude. Best of luck to you Harry! I hope you have endless amounts of food and playmates!
Learn more about Harapan the Sumatran rhinoceros:
- “Last Sumatran Rhino in Western Hemisphere is Leaving the Cincinnati Zoo,” from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- “American effort to breed rare rhinos ends in Cincinnati,” from Cincinnati.com
I have a pretty lazy approach to my hair. I get it cut about every nine months. I often wash my hair at night to avoid blow drying. In the morning, if I feel up to it, I use a flatiron. Or, I just throw my hair in a ponytail. I know my hair could look better, but I’m not willing to invest the time.
When given given the opportunity to review some Monat haircare products, I figured it was my chance to step it up! With a little attention, maybe I could get my hair looking good!
When my samples arrived, the packing got my excited. It was like opening a gift!
Inside, was tons of loot!
The Before Photo
This is a “Before” photo of my hair. It looks fine, right? Just not a lot of body to it.
Renew Shampoo and Conditioner by Monat
The first product I tried out was the Renew shampoo and conditioner. I was intrigued because the packaging said it would increase density, strength and manageability. I don’t know if it gave my hair a ton more volume, but it did leave it really soft and light!
My hair after using Renew shampoo and conditioner by Monat.
Revitalize Conditioner by Monat
Next I tried the Revitalize conditioner by Monat. It promised, and delivered, volume. And I liked that I could just leave it in while doing my regular shower routine and then rinse it out, versus leaving it in for an extended period of time. The results? I was amazed. I’m not used to a conditioner doing much besides making it easier for me to get a comb through my hair. This, combined with my regular daily shampoo, gave my hair a ton more volume!
My hair after using Revitalize conditioner by Monat.
Replenish Products by Monat
I definitely stalled on trying out the products that took more time. I cannot reiterate enough how little time I am willing to invest in my hair. The Replenish products by Monat sounded good, though. Brilliance, strength and vitality. Those aren’t words I typically associate with my hair, but they sound great! The conditioning masque was slightly more time intensive, as I had to leave it in long enough to do it’s thing. Afterwards, my hair felt great. I’ve gotten conditioning treatments at salons before and this was equally as good if not better, and I did it right at home.
My hair after using Replenish haircare products by Monat.
Rejuvenique Oil Intensive
The final product I tried was Rejuvenique oil intensive. I have no after pictures because those can’t really convey feeling of how soft it made my hair. The downside to my typically lazy hair routine is that I often have dry, split ends. Rejuvenique didn’t completely undo the damage, but pretty darn close!
The Verdict
It can be weird when I review a product on here. I want to be honest in my review and only praise products I feel are worth it.The Monat hair care systems were easy to review because I enjoyed using all of them. The Rejuvenique oil intensive was a definite winner, despite taking the longest to do and going against my low-maintenance style. I also loved the Revitalize conditioner because it worked so well with my existing shampoo. It’s changed how I think about conditioner.
If you’re interested in giving your hair a makeover, I’d recommend looking at the Monat line of products. It’s worth treating yourself, and your hair, to a little luxury!
I received samples of Monat haircare products to try and review for free. All opinions are my own.