croissants at a street side table with my daughter
lemon slices in Coca colas
not one, but three different Sennelier art shops
being part of a waiting line of folks entering a bookstore (well, it is Shakespeare and Co after all…but still) and realizing people value words and their power
Feeling a similar feeling when gathering with a group of museum goers as we stood in awe of one of Van Gogh’s paintings … again recognizing that art holds a great place in society.
So much gratefulness. So much left to say. My words are still working themselves out, but this time away from home and among so many others gives me a renewed regard for freedom, choices, living.
Happy Father’s Day to the guys among us who make our lives richer and sweeter. I had a good dad, and my children did, too. Now I get to witness my son as a father, and it is truly beautiful to watch a father love his children.
I’m writing to you today from an Airbnb in Amsterdam. Still grateful to write sentences like that one. I am listening to street sounds, distant laughter and snippets of conversations. It’s past a normal bedtime, but holiday time is a different time right now. 
A few days ago, my daughter and I were in Copenhagen, a first for both of us. We wanted to go somewhere we’d never been, and the place and people did not disappoint.
Travel is such a reset time for me, and I realize how much I’ve missed being among different people and seeing new places.
My journal is filled with impressions, phrases, sketches, ephemera…all the ways I try to keep memories alive for future days.
I have lots of stories to tell, lots of people to recall who have crossed our paths for just a little while, and some who amazingly, we met again… like an artist from 7 years ago in this city. She was at a different market then, but after my daughter bought her art today she realized the marking on the packaging was one she remembered having. Sure enough, she located an old photo ( thanks technology) and today we greeted her once more. The world is gifty like that. 🌎
And, sometimes I get to continue traditions that matter to me. I passed a “hidden church” this week and lit a candle for all of us: all who read these words, all who read other words I write. All in my universe…
and even there, in that quick random space, a stranger greeted me, gave me something, said words I’ll always remember. And that is why I try to use this space for good things…
because we are in a world that contains much of it…be awake. It’s coming to you, too. ✌️
that fly to far destinations with multiple transfers and no problems ✅✅✅
Oh, those happy suitcase wheels rolling in airports for the first time since 2019…🙌🏼
and a daughter standing in greeting with a special sign because we are celebrating
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
and it is good here with sunny skies and
cobblestone streets
and coffee in real cups on patios ☕️ ☕️
and art shops and music and flowers in windows
and open air festivals
and Ukrainian flags still flying in support of those people 🇺🇦
and meeting Anna from Kiev who shook my hand and said Oh, Agnes, you are strong 😂🤣😅
and I was honored to be told this by someone who is truly strong and is making the world better one piece of art and t shirt at a time…who was so glad for a conversation in English in this foreign country…
and I thought to myself How many assumed she couldn’t speak English? How many didn’t approach her and hear the story we heard? Oh, just take chances and engage people and learn…
I’ll leave you with Anna’s words tonight:
Keep smiling. We need to see your smiles.
I know this is more than seven good things…
Some words from Wallace Stevens:
“The most beautiful thing in the world is the world itself.” 🌎 🌍 🗺 ✅🧚🏼♀️❤️
Enjoy your week, dear readers. Know that I am feeling grateful to be out here with a different view for a little while and hope to share highlights with you.
June is here, dear readers. May she be good to us all.
I’ll start this week’s seven good things with a simple one: lullabies. Do you have a favorite? Did someone sing to you as a child? Recently, a granddaughter requested one that I often sing from my childhood: Tura lura lura…it’s a sweet one. Music holds so much good. Another frequent request is She’ll be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain, but we add Yee-haw after every verse, so it’s not really in lullaby genre, but hey, it’s ok.
Clean sheets. Something about freshly laundered linens, especially when the weather gets hot. I remember as a child my mom would pop the sheets on super hot nights ( I did not grow up with central AC) , and I’d feel the cool billows of air on my skin as a nighttime ritual. I think we often crave nostalgia and the good feelings of past childhood days. Returning to those small feel good things— even small things like clean sheets—can make the immediate moment better.
Lots of little ones are in my house this season, and we have adopted our own rituals and routines. Sometimes a prayer, sometimes a song, most times laughter and stories and planning for the next times. Sweet words from young mouths. I wish we all could hear those.
Other sweet moments from the past week:
The grands wanted the plastic baby Jesus this week — the Christmas yard decoration one that ended up being one of their beloved babies. I located him, and watched as they kissed him, checked him for ticks (we may have adopted a ritual here 😅), and “fed” him all the snacks. Little precious moments that the world does not see. Moments that have great power.
A repairman came and I watched from the window as he took extra moments to play with our dog. You can always tell about someone based on how they treat an animal, especially if it’s not theirs. ❤️ Another one of those moments that the world didn’t see—a moment that made my heart happy to see the kindness of strangers in action.
Oh, it’s been a week filled with art, too. The Index Card a Day (ICAD) has started again. It is a daily creative challenge and one that has become a tradition for many of us. If you are interested in learning more, check out this link:
And, last for this week, I have more art on display at our local gallery. A potter friend and I are alternating months so that we can keep the space filled with fresh art and still have time to do all the other things we like to do. I’m a believer in the power of art to change the world for the better. It’s nice to have a place to share.
Sometimes we are making memories that will become only memories. That’s good. Sometimes we are making memories that become rituals, routines, traditions. We may not realize how important those things are for a really long time, but then something or someone reminds us.
A blog reaching out to victims of abuse and others in need, providing insight about abuse, hope for the future, and guidance to see THE LIGHT that lead Secret Angel out of the darkness of her own abusive situation and helped her to not only survive but to overcome.
agnestirrito 