July 2026 will be a memory for me of not just healing but learning: how to dial down and take care of myself (others are critical for this), how to monitor the absolutely insane news, how to understand the rules of World Cup/Tour de France/Wimbledon; how to sit still and watch the hummingbirds alight above my head and focus on the Northern Flickers as they bed down in the massive fir tree out the living room window; how to forgive the days of setbacks and celebrate the wins.

Today a friend takes a ferry to help me get to appointments. Tonight a group of women will arrive with nibbles and drinks and their stitching. Saturday my writers gather to share summer notes and set goals. Monday more family arrives. Here’s what we cannot forget — our communities. Whether we have to call them or they stop in or they send a book or they drop a text they will sustain us.

There is so much downtime healing a joint which translates to brain spin. Then a voice shouts ‘hello’ or a card comes in the mail or a gripping soccer match happens with crowds rowing and singing and kilts spinning. How good people are and how terribly bad only a very small percentage are (ok maybe just one and a lot of spineless elected members — vote them OUT); I fall back on faith in humanity. Simple as that.

Sure, I am disappointed too. And have battled an infection that could have been prevented. And have some bad nights when no amount of pillows comfort me. But then the sunrise. And the birdsong. And a dog depositing a soft wet toy in my face at 5am.

I am not tying life into a little neat bow, I have plenty of time right now to feel down and hopeless. But I find when I look to the people, sit up and look at the goodness to be found, relish the little voice on FaceTime, put on the red skirt, kick my best foot forward it makes a difference. This I believe.

Oh and a tiny book report: adored Dave Eggers Contrapposto, Charleen Hurtubise Saoirse, Gwendoline Riley The Palm House, Lauren Groff Brawler. Next up: Maggie O’Farrell Land.

What can I do for you? I would love to.

Power bracelets on today: “Mimi” + “Courage”