Jenn Howe

Hello again, readers. 😊

Riding a bicycle — “Living Danishly” 🇩🇰❤️

Lots of changes for me these days, all for the good. One of the biggest changes was inspired by the country of Denmark — in particular, the capital city of Copenhagen.

I was lucky enough to briefly visit Denmark in 2017, and I plan to return (I almost went back this month, in fact…but I think I’m going to plan for a few months from now…maybe springtime?). While my stay in Copenhagen was recent, I’ve been studying about Scandinavia and the Nordic countries for many years — watching documentaries and YouTube movies, following several Scandi bloggers, and reading numerous books about this particular part of the world.

Here are two books I read this summer…one factual, and one just fictional Viking fun 🤣 –>

A lovely Nordic book (above): “Nørth: How to Live Scandinavian”, by Brontë Aurell. 📖 🕯 ☕️

Just finished this one (above): “Gone Viking”, by Helen Russell. 😂 📖 Also pictured here — my viking-related medals for running: the mermaid medal for jogging 22.2 miles, and the Viking Conquest medal for jogging 65.3 miles. 🏃🏻‍♀️🏅💪🏼

Anyhow (anyHOWE, lol)…

I’d heard about the bicycle culture in Denmark, but to EXPERIENCE it was really something different altogether. 🚲🇩🇰😳

I stood in amazement. Copenhagen is a city of bicycles…period. There are more bikes than people. Over half the population bikes to work every single day. They bike to meetings, to go shopping, and to drop the kids off at daycare (#CargoBikes). They bike whether it’s sunny, raining, or snowing. They bike as a means to an end AND for recreation. They bike alone, with friends, and as a family.

They are not just vikings. They are BIKINGS.

And they are SMART.

As I watched the bicycle rivers flowing through this city, I wondered: “Why the hell aren’t WE doing this in America?”

In fact, why aren’t MOST people in the world walking and/or biking, whenever possible…keeping healthy & using their bodies as they were made to be used (to MOVE!)? Why aren’t we doing what is better for the planet? Why are we wasting so much of our money on CARS?

I realize that some people are impaired/injured, and they can’t bike. I also realize that many cities in America (especially here in Arkansas) are VERY spread out and some destinations are not within biking range.

BUT. ✋🏼

👇🏼

AMERICANS: it’s time to face the fact that MANY places (around our individual towns) ARE within biking distance, many of us ARE physically able to bike (or walk), and we have become WAY too addicted to — and dependent upon — our cars. It’s bad for our wallets, it’s terrible for our bodies/health, and it’s CERTAINLY killing our planet.

AND IT HAS TO STOP.

I know I can’t control others, and change always has to begin with ME. So I’m not just talking the talk…I’m walking the walk. Or biking the bike. Or…something. 🤣

I have taken on this Danish/Copenhagen way of life, in ernest.

For months now, I have bicycled to work EVERY single day — early or late, rain or shine — about 3 miles to work and 3 miles back home. I also bicycle everywhere else IN TOWN…to the small grocery store, to Walmart, to run every errand. When I shop for groceries, I can only buy what I’m able to carry back home in a basket and/or a backpack, and this forces me to buy only what I really need. I have to be a more conscientious consumer, and there is much less waste of money and goods in my life now.

I ride the bike (or walk)…ALWAYS. I’ve only been keeping my old junk car for out-of-town trips and emergencies, but I’m considering scrapping it altogether. I hardly ever leave town, anyway…and when I do, there’s always public transport, taxis, Uber, Lyft, carpooling, etc.

In short: yes, you CAN live without a car. I’m living proof. AND I’M LOVING IT.

I’m not saying every person on earth should give up their cars or that no one should ever drive again. I’m simply saying IF and WHEN it’s possible, just consider walking or biking, okay? Every little bit makes a difference. And I promise, you’ll physically FEEL better. Use that beautiful body you’ve been given…you’ll get stronger and more FANTASTIC! Honestly, I’m getting so ripped and muscular. My body is FIRE. 🔥 🔥 🔥⏳👌🏼👏🏼

Another benefit of biking everywhere: I actually SEE the world…more slowly, with new eyes. I’m truly IN the world. I’m more “in the moment”. I especially love early mornings or late evenings, when everything is quiet and at its most beautiful.

Here are some of the moments/sights I’ve experienced recently while on two wheels –>

There you have it. Life is beautiful on two wheels. 💫🚲 I’ll definitely continue this way of getting around town — it feels amazing. 💪🏼👏🏼💯

Living the “Poet Life”

I had another feature at Kollective Coffee in Hot Springs…my good ole coffee and poetry home. 🏠 ☕️ 📖💕

Time to suit up. 👔🎙 This is Serious. Business.

In the tip hat, I received over 100 dollars in cash, a bar of chocolate, a bag of coffee beans, a love note, and…crystals?

Yep. Crystals. ✨

💕

What a fantastic night. Thank you to all who came out. 🙏🏻 ❤️

Other Stuff/Saying Goodbye To Summer

This summer, my baby girl turned 22 years old. Where does the time go?…

And now, she’s a woman, living on her own. This magical, beautiful creature came from my body… 💐💕

I recently went to visit her and watch her practice with the university marching band.

Also, I SAW MY GRANDSON. 👏🏼👏🏼

#ILoveMyGrandson #ProudGrandma 🐈❤️

As for me, well, I turned…44. 🎂🔥😳4️⃣4️⃣

How did I celebrate? I didn’t. Because I was alone and sick from food poisoning… or something else that gave me a case of the screaming 💩’s. Okay? So that was fun. Cheers. 🥂

As fall kicks in (IF it kicks in…it’s still hot as BLAZES here), I’ll be trying to relax at home a bit more and finish a few creative projects, some of which I hope to share with you very soon.

And for my friends who are wondering…yes, my Christmas tree is STILL up (since last December) — I never took it down. 😆 🎄

This is me the other day, enjoying some Christmas tree glow and roasting marshmallows over an “open fire”. Cause that’s just the way I roll.

Okay, it’s goodbye for now, readers.

I hope you’re enjoying autumn — or as we call it around here, “Summer, Part 2”.

Today, October 1st, it was 95 degrees here in Arkansas. That’s 35 degrees Celsius, for the rest of you out there. 😅🥵 So this is how I spent today (below)…at the river.

HAPPY AUTUMN. ☀️ 🌊👙🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

Xo, Jenn