When I was little, I remember reading "City Mouse - Country Mouse." I liked the idea of switching things up, having a new perspective for awhile, trying on another life. But in the end, I always knew I was the country mouse. I wanted to be the city mouse, but I knew that really wasn't who I am. 

I've been thinking a lot about movement and energy. I love the energy that downtown in cities have; so much to see, so much to experience (so much to eat!). It's so upbeat and uplifting, but after awhile it seems to wear me out and make me tired. Not to mention the road rage I "might" experience while trying to navigate the traffic. This is when I remember that I am a country mouse, not a city mouse.

I like things to move at a slow, leisurely pace. My dream home is a cottage with an herb garden. My favorite music is happy hippie earth child folk music. I love walking around barefoot in comfortable clothes, making comfortable food, reading long books. All of this says "slow" to me. It says home, comfort, peaceful. It says, "quit worrying about everything and go fishing."

One of my favorite cowboy movies is "Crossfire Trail." And one of my favorite quotes from that movie is when one of the cowboys tells a younger one to "Slow down; take your time--you'll get a more harmonious outcome."

In case you are in need of a Country Mouse weekend, here's a few of my favorite ways to slow down:

• A hot cup of tea
• A warm bath with favorite bath salts or oils
• Talking on the phone with someone who is already having a slow day, so they don't stress you out
• An old movie
• Listening to quiet music with eyes closed
• Baking something warm and comforting (cookies, a cheesy casserole, stew)
• A foot rub
• Picking one spot that needs work and slowly going through it (a box that's been in the same spot for months, a closet, a catch-all drawer...)
• Looking through pictures
• Flipping through magazines
• Reading a book
• Attempting to sew/crochet