Summer is winding down but mentally, I’m still in mid-March. If I think about the last five months too hard, my head hurts. That’s why, instead, I’ll do what I can to enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

It’s been a frustrating year, that’s for sure. Looking at the season ahead, which also happens to include my 29th birthday (and thus a good motivation for changing things up), I’m set on getting back to basics. Being more intentional with my time. Making my home cozier and more conducive to time spent within it. I made a list of things I hope to do before the end of the year. Not saying I’m going to complete all—if any—of these. But this is where my head is.

• Drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. Camp in Asheville. Perfect the art and science in making coffee with my new camping percolator.

• Find an Autoharp. Learn it. Write a song. It’s been so long.

• Finally launch my new podcast.

• Learn how to actually bake. I’m thinking of starting with this Miso Caramel Apple Danish.

• Shoot skeet.

• Discover a new favorite wine. Impress my parents by sharing it with them.

• Host a dinner party.

• Finish reading The Rings of Saturn.

• Watch Homeland past the 3rd season.

• Learn how to fold a fitted sheet.

• Develop a signature cocktail. (This will certainly come in handy for that dinner party.)

• Hike 50 miles. Then go from there.

• Spend a night at The Greenbrier.

• Commit to a natural deodorant.

• Call my friends more.

• Somehow find the grace and love to forgive my ex boyfriend and perhaps be cool enough to be friends again.

• Come to terms with moving back to New York, eventually.

• Embrace wide open spaces and solitude.

Many of these are fairly specific and highly personal but you’re still allowed to borrow them if you need some inspiration of your own. And now, as promised, here are some tunes to get you in the right mindset.

I’ve probably listened to The Band cover of Atlantic City over a hundred times this month. It’s such a good one. Enjoy.

xo, e.m.