Crickets, chirping, rusty hinges, sound of no rain

I am observing my sense of readiness and anxiety the night before the sesshin.

I've got all my belongings ready; you don't need much anyway. I'll be bringing my own zafu, though I need to remember to find a dark-colored pillow case to put around it, so it doesn't stand out too much visually in the zendo (it being a light denim color; the rest of the zendo fixtures being black or dark brown). There might be other things I might need - but I'll be fine. I'm not going to continue with most of my diet stuff, though I think I'll bring the Cod Liver Oil and Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium tablets I've been taking - they do seem to help my general sense of well-being.

No gossip here, just reporting of my feelings: I was transfixed by an e-mail I got today; this encounter I am having with this person is really getting to me in a good way. What a long time it will be, waiting 10 days to see her again. It will be a good exercise for the sesshin, having that feeling of anticipation. I am kind of chomping at the bit with this relationship, too, so that makes it extra helpful. It might be because we are taking things slow, but my level of excitement is way, way higher than it has been in the past. In fact, I'm sure taking things slow has definitely ensured that. I am bubbling and sizzling and popping inside. It's great. Man, what weird, wonderful timing, plunging into zen right now. How am I going to feel, coming out of it?

Only one way to find out.

Have a good rest of week, all.