What’s the tallest building you’ve been to the top of?

Does the St. Louis Gateway Arch count as a building? I’m literally drawing a blank on whether I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building – if I did it was when I was young and most likely traumatized enough by the height that I’ve suppressed the memory. I probably went to the top of the Washington Monument, too, back in the days when visitors were allowed at the top.

What do you do to keep fit?

Okay, so the responsible answer to this would be oh, I work out three times a week and walk the dogs every day but I’m not gonna bullsh*t you guys. I do walk the dogs but not with enough regularity to count. And I have worked out, it’s just been a really long time. So these days the honest answer is eating right. I cook almost entirely with fresh ingredients, buy very little processed food (for me, anyway, the kids still love their CheezIts), and plan balanced meals.

What’s your jack-o-lantern carved to look like?

Oh my gosh, I haven’t carved a pumpkin since we used to go to our friends’ big pumpkin carving blowout where we’d eat and drink and carve intricate designs into those orange gourds. If I did one this year it would say one thing: VOTE.

Do you have hope or have you lost it?

Boy, this is 2020 in question form. I’m finding my hope comes and goes these days. I hit a rough patch a few weeks back and felt distinctly…well, I guess hopeless describes it as well as anything. It took a while to break through that funk, but these days I’m feeling hopeful. I see a lot of great energy out there heading into the last week of the election.

GRATITUDE QUESTION:

Feel free to share something you’re grateful for! Images and photos or poems, essays or free writing (stream of consciousness) pieces are all acceptable! AND you don’t have to do this part, it’s always optional!

I’m really appreciating having photos to remember these places by.

Sparks from a Combustible Mind hosts Share Your World.