{"id":8865,"date":"2025-08-25T19:52:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T02:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8865"},"modified":"2025-08-26T19:15:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T02:15:35","slug":"the-quiet-space-between-the-loops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8865","title":{"rendered":"The Quiet Space Between the Loops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"8869\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?attachment_id=8869\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?fit=3000%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3000,2000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Shutterstock&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright (c) 2012 Marcio Jose Bastos Silva\/Shutterstock.  No use without permission.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Roller,Coaster,Loops,In,The,Sunset.&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Roller,Coaster,Loops,In,The,Sunset.\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"rollercoaster with two loops at sunset\" class=\"wp-image-8869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?resize=1140%2C760&amp;ssl=1 1140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?w=2580&amp;ssl=1 2580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025, Numerology\u2026 and No Attendant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was sent a video recently, talking about the mystic qualities of the year 2025 in numerology. Apparently, this year is the last year of a cycle. It is about tying up loose ends and getting ready to move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All I have to say, I would have liked some notice. The attendant for this rollercoaster left for lunch about six months ago and hasn&#8217;t come back. I would like to get off now!<br>Please.<br>Anyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health, Family, and the Heat Miser<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year has been action-packed; we have dealt with cancer, extended family nonsense, and now the Hubs is off to finish a project in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have to pause and smile here.<br>My husband\u2014the Heat Miser (yes, he can sing the song too)\u2014talks about how much he loves the heat.<br>Curious to know his feelings after this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If this is a cycle-ending year, I hope the health issues are resolved. I want this health chapter behind us. What endures is us, stronger than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Missing the Lulls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the middle of all this chaos, I find myself reminiscing about times when nothing &#8220;exciting&#8221; was happening. It was just the same daily grind. I was so bored, feeling stuck waiting. Impatient for the something just around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you&#8217;re young, everything seems exciting. You want life to bring you new things and meet new people. I never thought a lull in life meant it was the quiet space between loops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I miss lulls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Baton Pass: We\u2019re the Adults Now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we age, responsibilities grow. The realization that you and your generation are the aunts and uncles, mothers and fathers in the stories is daunting. They are roles that are not always easy, nor is there a playbook. The calls come to us now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between Loops: Writing Again<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lulls of the past seemed to crackle with positive energy; something would be in the air. I had time to shape a mindset or prepare a response to whatever was coming. I had time to clarify my goals and rethink past actions. It helped me, gave me perspective, and a feeling of readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I now grab moments on the slow clackety-clack ride up the next slope\u2014prepare as best I can before the drop while trying to squeeze in some moments of sanity, aka writing. I have missed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking to 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This leaves me with my thoughts turning to 2026. If 2025 is about endings, does that mean 2026 is about beginnings? Will that be as chaotic as 2025&#8217;s endings or awkward and confusing as new things tend to be when caught unprepared? And by the way, writing on rollercoasters is hard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2025\u2019s supposed to be a \u201ctie up loose ends\u201d year. Mine\u2019s been a rollercoaster\u2014health, family nonsense, and my husband\u2014the Heat Miser\u2014testing Arizona. Somewhere between loops, I remembered what I missed: the words.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111203969,"featured_media":8869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":true,"token":"eyJpbWciOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdGlkYml0c2FuZHdoYXRub3RzLmNvbVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDhcL3JvbGxlcmNvYXN0ZXItMTAyNHg2ODMuanBlZyIsInR4dCI6IlRoZSBRdWlldCBTcGFjZSBCZXR3ZWVuIHRoZSBMb29wcyIsInRlbXBsYXRlIjoiaGlnaHdheSIsImZvbnQiOiIiLCJibG9nX2lkIjoxMTczOTEwMjN9.THsLfuPNRlOmaw3PWQX7u9la86NDkVy0yD41g9GL5mcMQ"},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[779323134,779323047],"tags":[376,779323232,779323234,779323233],"class_list":["post-8865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-family","tag-humor","tag-life","tag-lulls","tag-update"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7WyLB-2iZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8816,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8816","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":0},"title":"School started\u2014so did my exercise routine.","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"August 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=779323134"},"img":{"alt_text":"parent running after the school bus with their kid's lunch.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lunch-run.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lunch-run.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lunch-run.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lunch-run.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lunch-run.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7443,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7443","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":1},"title":"The Day I Got Carded\u2026 by AARP","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"March 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I thought turning 50 would come with more grace\u2014and a lot less plastic. But there it was, an AARP card in my mailbox, my name in gold letters and a not-so-subtle reminder I\u2019d hit the half-century mark. My husband embraced his senior perks. I\u2019m still processing the idea of being\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sunday Shorts&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Shorts","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=26400"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mailbox.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mailbox.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mailbox.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mailbox.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mailbox.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7571,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7571","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":2},"title":"\ud83d\udc3e\u00a0The Return of the Squirrels: A Funny Tribute to Our Backyard Jedi Dog\ud83d\udc3e\u00a0","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"April 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"After our Australian Shepherd passed, the squirrels reclaimed our backyard. A heartfelt blog post tribute to our Jedi dog\u2014and a free printable for fellow dog lovers.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Family &amp; Dog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Family &amp; Dog","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=195981"},"img":{"alt_text":"Australian shepherd Jedi standing on rock in front of a cosmic background in Jedi robes and holding a blue lightsaber","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7988,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7988","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":3},"title":"Sunday Shorts: Where the Work Actually Happens","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"April 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The real work is done in the quiet hours, long before the spotlight. A reflection on why showing up matters more than finishing fast.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sunday Shorts&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Shorts","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=779323066"},"img":{"alt_text":"P.S. If you like small steady wins, check back next Sunday \u2014 I\u2019m sharing a story about unexpected Jedi-level skills (and something free to celebrate May the 4th).","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/perserverance-.png?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/perserverance-.png?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/perserverance-.png?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/perserverance-.png?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8160,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8160","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":4},"title":"Olive-Tested Dog Toys: The Ones That (Mostly) Survived a Power Chewer","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"May 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Got a strong chewer or a working-breed dog who destroys toys for sport? Our Aussie, Olive, was an expert in toy destruction\u2014until these stood up to the test. From her blueberry-scented forever ball to her favorite gift-wrapped squeaker, here are the toys that actually lasted.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Family &amp; Dog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Family &amp; Dog","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=195981"},"img":{"alt_text":"An Australian Shepherd holding toy rope ready to play tug","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/olive-with-rope2.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/olive-with-rope2.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/olive-with-rope2.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/olive-with-rope2.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/olive-with-rope2.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7288,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7288","url_meta":{"origin":8865,"position":5},"title":"A Little Sunshine in a Vase (Thanks, Love)","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"March 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\ud83d\udcdd\u00a0There\u2019s Something Quietly Magical about Yellow Tulips. They don\u2019t shout for attention. They don\u2019t need to. With their soft golden petals and fresh green stems, they bring a calm kind of joy\u2014the kind that arrives unannounced, settles in, and warms the room without asking for anything in return. \ud83d\udc90 A\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sunday Shorts&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Shorts","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=26400"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollercoaster.jpeg?fit=3000%2C2000&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/111203969"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8865"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8870,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8865\/revisions\/8870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}