I took last week off from writing this letter because, to be honest, my heart just wasn’t in it.
On June 23rd, we said goodbye to our beloved Sunny, our sweet dog of 17 years. She was a part of our family for so long that it’s hard to describe the quiet in the house without her. It’s been a tender, sad time. Grief has its own rhythm, and I’m honoring it the best I can.
That said, we still took our planned trip to Detroit, although not quite as we had imagined it. Our Spirit flight was canceled (because, of course), so we made the long drive instead. And I’m so glad we did. The change of scenery, the city energy, the adventure of it all… it was exactly what was needed.
And the best part? I got to help my husband check off another MLB ballpark on his list. Just one more to go—the Toronto Blue Jays—and who knows when we’ll make that trip, but I have a feeling it’ll be worth the wait.
Detroit surprised me in the best ways. I’ll be sharing a blog post soon with some of the cool places we explored. If you’ve never been, it’s definitely a city to add to your list.
This week’s confidence kickstart:
Even when life feels heavy, joy can still find you.
You don’t have to feel “all better” to go, to explore, or to smile again. One doesn’t cancel out the other. This week, let both joy and grief ride side by side—and trust that you can carry them both.
Things I’m Loving Lately:
Crossing off ballparks (with snacks and scorecards in hand)
Audiobooks on the drive to Detroit
Writing again—it’s slow, but it’s coming back
Concerts in the park
I shared my full list of summer book picks on the blog—what I’m reading now and what’s waiting on my nightstand. From thrillers to heartfelt fiction to beautifully written midlife stories, there’s something in there you just might love too. → Read it here
The Summer Reading Challenge: Joy, Curiosity, and One Good Book at a Time
If you saw yesterday’s blog post, you know I’ve got a stack of books I’m excited about this summer—from moody fiction to fast-paced thrillers to midlife reinvention stories.
So I thought… why not invite you to join me?
Here’s your Wear the Damn Boots Summer Reading Challenge:
✅ Read 1 book just for fun
✅ Read 1 book that stretches your perspective
✅ Read 1 book that you’ve been “meaning to get to”
✅ Bonus: Re-read an old favorite and notice how it hits differently now
That’s it. No pressure, no timeline, no book club guilt—just stories that spark something in you.
“Detroit in 48 Hours: Where We Ate, Walked & Wandered” A mix of museums, baseball, amazing food, local flavor, and a whole lot of walking. Stay tuned.
Wherever you are this week, I hope you’re giving yourself permission to feel what you need to feel—and still move forward in the ways that nourish you.
P.S. If this note resonates, forward it to a friend who might need the reminder that we’re allowed to grieve, to rest, and to keep going—all at once.
