mouthful of dust

biker. wagoneer. knitter. 29. rva. after all this time, i'll be glad to be home.

[thewhiskeyknitter]

"i hear you calling me but G-d i am scared, still if you lead me i will follow you there. " We were not made to be alone. I am an introvert at heart, but we were made for community with G-d and each other. Yesterday marked the one anniversary of the death of my dear granny, and the five year anniversary of the death of a friend with whom I had a complicated relationship. I've had a lot of time alone lately to reflect on my life thus far, and I find myself seeking comfort in the Light. Do not fear the darkness, for the dark is what makes the light that much brighter. (at Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ape5CFJuF/?igshid=rl3k45m5hqq1

[thewhiskeyknitter]

My friends and I found a cool place to hike today. Maybe I'll take you there one day. . . . . . . 📸: @xhfrenchx #hiking #friends #colorado #snow #fallcolors (at Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fsGPaFE6u/?igshid=1xcuhj9vbs7fd

[thewhiskeyknitter]

"Be gracious + kind to yourself," said a letter from a precious friend that I opened when I got home. I saw almost as many rainbows as I did sharks on my solo trip to Hawaii. Being gracious is a trait that I am struggling to learn, both to myself and to others. We have to learn to let go of the things that hold us back. Where were we a year ago? How far have we come since then, and how far will we go by the next? Spending a lot of time looking up and looking within will reflect the kind of people we want to be. What are we doing now that we wish we had done a long time ago? What are we putting off? Don't just love on those who love on you; do the work. Make it right. Don't spend time wishing you could have done it, but let go of what's holding you back. Here's to learning to let go. 🥂 . . . . . #hawaii #kaenapoint #hiking #rainbow #friends (at Kaena Point) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3LSkN4lbVB/?igshid=hlkgbvkw93v5

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Some days I feel like too much, and other days I don't feel like enough. But every day I have a choice: I choose to believe that right now God is enough. I woke up today feeling lonely and broken, with my heart achey and my mind exhausted. I was looking through pictures on my phone and found some beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and found myself grateful for my friends, my family, my job, and my past experiences, no matter how hard they are or how much I feel like I've failed. If you're reading this, I'm grateful for you, and know that we are in this together. . . . Check on your strong friends. Check on your happy friends. Check on your lonely friends. Check on your extroverted friends. Check on your busy friends. Let's look out for each other, especially since we don't know what the future holds. #sunrise #friends #happiness #hiking #colorado (at Maroon Lake, Maroon Bells) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2crhnwlhqZ/?igshid=lmjyuxnqy7l7

[thewhiskeyknitter]

All that is gold does not glitter Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. . . . #hiking #colorado #aspen #wildflowers #elk #friends #ghosttown #lotr #lordoftherings #jrrtolkien #strider #aragorn (at Aspen, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FM81XFMys/?igshid=o5kjnzk1drzo

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Looking like the happy hobo I am for doing something I never thought I could do. Today I completed my first Colorado 14er. That's 14,036 feet up into the air, to be exact, though I stand about 5'6" taller than that. I look at these photos and become grateful for how far I've come (no pun intended). I have a hard time expressing it, and often you'll find me complaining, but I love and feel loved by many people in my life. Here's to many more adventures with many more people that I am blessed to be around. P.S. Swipe to see beautiful views and me acting more like myself. . . . . 📸: @xhfrenchx #friends #hiking #colorado #mtsherman #beauty #14ers #snow #mountains #iwanttoseemountainsgandalf (at Mt. Sherman Fairplay, Colorado 14'er) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzjj3zSFRf2/?igshid=2yywlnhmaglt

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Don't let your arms get tired. . . . . . #travel #airplane #family #friends (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMdeEtlyb1/?igshid=nfnd5cbbtx3z

[thewhiskeyknitter]

From one peak to another. You can easily see Pike's Peak from any number of nearby peaks such as this view from Blodgett Peak. This wasn't my first summit, but it was definitely my most difficult. Lately I've been finding myself in a little bit of a valley. Down in the bottom, it can feel shameful to ask for help. But remember that asking for help does not mean you're giving up; in fact, it means quite the opposite. There is hope in the valley. . . . . . #friends #hiking #colorado #coloradosprings #blodgettpeak #pikespeak (at Blodgett Peak) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNZlc6FflM/?igshid=7zxwmf20a6f

[thewhiskeyknitter]

"I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are evil." -Gandalf I've been thinking a lot lately about how small and broken I feel. I have a hard time being gentle with myself and others when I feel broken. Sometimes doing the hard thing is forgiving yourself so you can learn to love others better. . . . . . . . #colorado #hiking #friends #camping #hanginglake #jrrtolkien #gandalf #lotr #lifelessons (at Hanging Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2gt5_FrZj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f3i2xkno43m

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Get lost with people you love. Find peace in the lessons that Colorado teaches you. I love this place. . . . . . #friends #hiking #colorado #coloradosprings #fog #evergreen #trees (at Section 16/Palmer Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvnvPpDFLp2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sj1a8e26k82r

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Doing my favorite things. In my favorite places. With my favorite people. 30 doesn't seem so bad. . . . . . 📸: @deliberatehands #friends #hiking #knitting #knittinginpublic #placesyoucanknit #30 #royalgorgw #royalgorgepark (at Royal Gorge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvYKDgdFh3W/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=eay5h5jaci52

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Only eleven days in, and 2019 has been an earthshaker. I am reading a book right now that has made me feel more vulnerable than I have in a long time. It doesn't help that I'm a little homesick right now, and I called my dad yesterday just to tell him that I loved him and missed him. My cat has an intestinal bacterial infection and her vet bill was more than I was prepared for. Not to mention, I have been trying to be more open about my feelings since day one. This year, since I have my health insurance back, I have finally decided to get some help for some trauma in my life that I have been avoiding for many years. 2018 brought me a lot of challenges, but I also learned that I was stronger than I thought. If you're the praying type, please keep me in your thoughts as I try to sort mine out this year. I hope as I continue to be vulnerable, I will also learn to be kinder to myself. And also, if you are reading this, know that you are my friend and you are not alone. Thank you to all who supported me in 2018 and know that you have a supporter in me in 2019. If you have made it this far reading, thank you. Also, I love you all. . . . . . #sunset #hiking #colorado #skylinedrive #cañoncity friends #strongertogether #love #hope #joy #courage #growth (at Skyline Drive) https://www.instagram.com/p/BshHUsnFytK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2potdpudgwra

[thewhiskeyknitter]

happy birthday to my favorite watermelon princess!! . . . . . #friends #birthdaygirl #happybirthday #btpff #watermelon (at Colorado Springs, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLp93_FznK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t0gqcgohz1on

[thewhiskeyknitter]

I love the smell of the winter evergreens through the snowy trailheads. . . . . . . #coloradosprings #friends #hiking (at Gold Camp Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrK26S6lSIY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ueo54056me0m

[coral]

[teathattast]

the holy grail

[processintegrated]

wrong

im sure i am missing some but we’re getting there

[processintegrated]

[weirdmageddon]

[slowjamastan]

[ryumako]

[thewhiskeyknitter]

Working hard to bring you all tasty mochas. It's hardly work when you live what you do. I am trying hard to be grateful for the little things, and lately progress is one of them. It has been a long, weird year for change: some of it good, some of it bad, some of it just unbelievable. But I am grateful for this chance to learn and to grow, so thank you for all who have been patient with me this year. I love you. . . . . . . #coffee #latteart #mocha #change #growth #grateful #blankcoffeefood (at Blank coffee / food) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrBTxflFA_F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bf66lxnfd30y