Yesterday, I met up with a new friend for the first time. We grabbed coffee at my tiny town’s only coffee shop and the next thing we knew, three hours had passed and we were making plans to meet up again very soon. I walked to my car (well, after getting sidetracked and buying a few plants at a pop-up) giddy with gratitude for meeting someone else I have so much in common with and immediately connected with. In addition to doing a bit of time travelling through our lives, much of our conversation revolved around our personal (and quite similar) searches for the feeling of home, and of community. One thing that is incredibly clear is that an ample number of us yearn for a greater sense of community, and it is also clear that it’s gradually becoming more challenging to establish or enmesh oneself within a closely-knitted community.

But what is important, I think, is that we want it in the first place. We acknowledge the importance of community and haven’t given up the hope of kindling that. I am unendingly grateful for the various communities I’ve become part of in my years of moving around, and grateful to be continuing to garner a greater sense of community in New England, even if we are often quite spread out. And while I’m at it, I am already so grateful for this space, the folks who take time to visit (I know it isn’t easy to find the time to do it, y’all–seriously), and those who read something here and message me to chat about it. Please, if you ever want to chat about something I write here–or just in general–don’t hesitate to reach out. I want this humble space to nurture a greater sense of community not only for me, but for any who visit. Like it or not, you are my travel companions, and I am grateful you’re here.

What I’ve Been Reading
–The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (Could be considered a work of travel fiction–if traveling through one’s possible lives counts. But really, this is a brilliant work of philosophical fiction that had me tearing up and jotting down quotes for later.)

What I’ve Been Listening To
-The Amazing Tales from Off and On Connecticut’s Beaten Path podcast. This reminds me of something I love suggesting to folks: If you haven’t considered it already and enjoy podcasts, have a look and see if there are any podcasts dedicated to your state or region. I have learned so much about my beloved Connecticut via various podcasts and have accrued countless day trip ideas.

What I’ve Been Watching
–Toscana (A romantic dramedy set in… you guessed it–Tuscany. Lovely settings with lots of food & wine. And what more do we want out of a film set in Tuscany?)
–Under the Eiffel Tower (A fun travel-based film set much less under the Eiffel Tower and much more at a vineyard in the Bordeaux countryside.)
–Vicky Christina Barcelona (I was honestly hoping for a little more Spain, a little less romantic pain… But hey, that’s Woody Allen.)
–The Last Right (I absolutely loved this heartwarming indie film set in Ireland.)
–James May: Our Man in Italy (I honestly had no idea who James May was before watching this travel show, but he’s a witty host and I’m enjoying learning about unexpected aspects of Italy.)
-Season three of Ted Lasso (It’s set in the UK, so it’s like doing a bit of armchair travel for us Americans, right?)

Where I’ve Found Awe Lately
-In watching each day as my Colette roses slowly unfurl their countless divinely-scented petals.
-In finding an absolutely gigantic (and hilariously loud) male turkey standing regally beside one of our windows begging for us to notice him.
-In continuing to pick basket after basket of gloriously ripe strawberries from the bed in our back yard and stow most of them in the freezer for some late summer wine making.

A Spring Bucket List Check-In
At the beginning of each season, I make a bucket list of things I really want to fit into that fleeting time period. With all of the various things that keep us busy, it’s shamefully easy to let time pass without doing any of the fun, meaningful, restorative, creative, etc. activities we’ve bookmarked for later. Keeping these unintimidatingly brief lists the last three years has helped me make sure I’m leaving room for seasonal enjoyment.
What I’ve checked off my spring bucket list thus far:
-Explore the outrageously charming Wickford Village in Rhode Island.
-Visit the multiple Book Barn locations in Niantic, Connecticut.
-Pop back by the lovely town of Essex, CT, during their Daffodil Days.
-Take in the plethora of blossoms at Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, CT (I did this via an afternoon picnic with my book club, which was seriously perfect).
-Enjoy a wine tasting at Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby, CT.
-Go to Smithy Café in New Preston, CT, for lunch (We could not get enough of the delicious food & cozy atmosphere).
-Bike along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in West Suffield, close to where we live.
What’s left on my spring bucket list:
– Watching a polo match for the first time.
-Exploring more of Providence, RI, while at a conference next week.

I’d love to hear about your very own bucket list, what you’ve been reading/listening to/watching, your own travel plans, or what you’ve been enjoying lately. So, as I said before, please don’t hesitate to comment or reach out. We’ll pretend we’re sitting on blankets at an underrated beach and sipping gin & tonics.

Already pretending I’m on that beach,
Lara