How Are You REALLY?
This piece came about as a response to a prompt from The Book of Alchemy, by Suleika Jaouad, that my 3rd Saturday Book Club recently began reading. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a theme and holds an intro followed by ten pieces created by different writers that each hold a writing prompt.
"How are you really?" was the piece and prompt by Nora McInerny, from the first Chapter, On Beginning.
Friday, July 18th, 2025
I am really, really, really happy at this moment, sitting on the soft dark blue cushioned chair that makes me think of my friend Lori-she gave us this entire set, four chairs and lava rock square fire pit table all. Every time I sink into one of these, I smile and think of Lori
But I am happy to the max because this day has been perfection. My memoir beta draft is in the hands of three readers. It is up to them now. I pushed away the panic earlier and gave it up to Fate. If they hate it, or love it but tell me NO WAY should it be published, so be it. I wrote it. It is finished. Huge accomplishment and lessons learned in the writing.
But that's not why I'm glowing, grinning and smiling, and feeling like I could float into space. It's the horses. It was deciding to slide onto Cinder, bareback with only the blue mule tape halter and lead, and ride in the arena.
It was 'do less, Kristine' fresh in my mind from WRITING the damn memoir and listening to Jim Masterson on Shawna and Jessie's podcast before I went out to play.
It was doing less, and less, and feeling-FEELING-Cinder's change. As if she said, "Ohhhh, well why didn't you just say this before?" And forward we moved. A little leg, thinking 'forward', looking where I wished to move toward, and always, constantly, reminding myself, Do Less, Kristine!
But then, as I grinned and laughed and savored the joy, Cappy came in and gave me just as much. So much heart, and try, and trusting today. So much love. So much fun. He chewed his food, relaxed, head turning and watching me with those soft, dark eyes filled with trust. Touching with solid palm and rubbing my way down his neck, sides, and rump, Cappy stayed with me-no halter, no pressure, totally his choice. We finished with a bow-Ta, da!
And I grinned my way into the house. "Look at that smile," Chad announced. Unable to stop myself, I flounced beside him on the couch and gushed about Cinder, playing her video, narrating the magic moments as he watch it with me. "But then, Cappy..." the gushing continued and I played his video, too. "Is this boring?" I asked Chad a few minutes in, but, No-"I know his story," Chad scoffed. "Look, he's chewing here, while you are touching his butt! That's a big deal!"
How am I, really? Today I am exuberant, joyful, ecstatic. Despite the tsunami shitstorm brewing in the world, today I am really, Really, REALLY great! Shaded beneath the new front porch pergola, in my comfy seat, birds chirping in the flowers and flicking seeds just behind me (they have no fear!), no AC running, just below normal temps and a lovely breeze strumming the Costco chimes...I am really good.
It could change in an instant. I know that too well, but right now, this present moment, it couldn't be any more perfect than it is right now.
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