Yeah I finally started taking those guitar lessons I kept putting off. My neighbor recommended a teacher who comes to the house and honestly it clicks way better than trying to learn from videos. The first few weeks my fingers hurt pretty bad but now I can play a few chords without totally messing them up. I'm not ready to perform anywhere obviously but it's nice to have something creative to focus on after work. My teacher says I'm making good progress for a beginner which feels encouraging. I picked up a used acoustic guitar from a local shop and it sounds fine for now. If I stick with it maybe I'll upgrade later but I don't want to get ahead of myself. The whole thing started because I saw a video of someone playing fingerstyle and I thought that looks impossible but I'd love to try. So here I am fumbling through scales and trying to keep a steady rhythm. It's humbling but in a good way.

I told a friend about it and he asked if I wanted to jam sometime which seems way out of my league right now. Maybe in a few months. For now I'm just enjoying the small wins like switching between chords without pausing. The calluses on my fingertips are finally forming so that's a milestone I guess. I try to practice about twenty minutes most days. Some days it flows and other days I feel like I have two left hands but I'm sticking with it.

We finally put in that small raised bed I kept talking about. Nothing fancy just some cedar boards and soil from the garden center. I planted basil rosemary and thyme because those are the ones I actually use when I cook. The basil took off immediately which surprised me. I've already harvested enough for a few batches of pesto. The rosemary is slower but it smells incredible every time I brush past it. I'm not trying to grow everything just a few things that make sense for how we eat. My partner thinks I'm getting carried away because I check on them every morning but it's kind of meditative you know. Watering and weeding gives me a reason to be outside before the day gets hectic. A friend told me I should try tomatoes next season but I want to see how this round goes first. The whole thing started because I was tired of buying herbs that go bad in the fridge before I use them. So far so good.

I ended up adding a small patch of mint in a separate container because I read it spreads like crazy. That stuff is already taking over its pot and I've only had it a few weeks. I use it for tea and salads mostly. My next project might be a little trellis for cucumbers but I'm trying not to go overboard. One step at a time.