I saw geese mamas ushering their new broods to the water on a walk break this week—which led me to remember how many good and wondrous things happen just out of sight a lot of days…
like the driveway feather waiting for me to find…
Nature’s Gift
…the way our world smells after a clearing rain and the child who reminded me of that…
…how rain led to some happy mud puddles but also some necessary clean outs
and progress in increments or big versions still counts as win here.
Take out pizza because 🍕is gift, actually,
in so many ways, and eating it for breakfast is evidence of plenty/leftovers/choice…
…and we are already at the end of April and this list, so I choose this poem to share as we go on about our busy days:
Another birthday in the books last week, and gratitude for family and friends who honored the day with special moments. 🎂
Granddaughters who are currently enamored with the magician’s code and how one keeps pulling all manner of objects from my ear. The best part is her reaction to my reaction…is there anything more joyful than a child’s laugh? Listen for that in your comings and goings this week. Notice it as the gift it is. 🪄 🎩
Wildflower bouquets. Receiving one and knowing these moments are simply a window of time. Children grow and become busy with so much; when someone offers a wildflower bouquet, I hope you recognize the gift of that. Added bonus: a child who agrees to a picture. That sometimes is fleeting, too. 🌸
Beautiful offering
Funny stories told and shared… 🤭
Daily routines and rituals…and freedom to choose how our days will run in the background of life… 📝
Spring’s gifts of puddles and purple irises this week. 🌧️ 💜
Knowing how to prepare a meal and realizing that, too, is worthy of praise. 🍽️
I hope in this month of April (oh, it’s National Poetry Month…I’ll add one as a bonus 😊 below), you’ll honor the gifts of your life. I hope, like me, you’ll never exhaust the list. The more you notice, the more arrive. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A Gift
By Czeslaw Milosz
A day so happy. Fog lifted early, I worked in the garden. Hummingbirds were stopping over honeysuckle flowers. There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess. I knew no one worth my envying him. Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot. To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me. In my body I felt no pain. When straightening up, I saw the blue sea and sails.
—-
And, as all things are connected it seems, this poem reminds me of a young man who read the poetry of Milosz to me in Prague…and how that moment’s memory has always stayed with me.
My eldest grandchild left her Color reminder taped to our sunporch-art porch wall, and I did not see it until early this morning. Little lights people leave for us as they journey on…
…another GC reminded me to please take care of her works in progress. I will. So much more in those words than non- creatives might hear—I’m returning. I like what I was doing. Protect it for me. I had fun.
Witnessing is a big part of life—I’m pretty sure Bradbury said “Witness and celebrate”—and I am. Those around me are, too. Spider webs in many trees and quick lizards playing hide-and-seek in patio rafters and rocks to be claimed and puddles to jump in were here and noticed as we say farewell to October. A two sides carved pumpkin will be in transit to its artists’ home later. And that is its own simple story for today:
I planned to carve with children, but time got away as it does. Then I recalled an October decades ago when my mom was away. My new husband and I came to check on her place, and at some point I realized he’d never carved a pumpkin before. As an elementary teacher at the time, I carved them yearly with my students. Anyway, we had a little memory making that day and my mom was welcomed home with a grinning Jack-o-lantern on her porch steps. Fast forward to other Octobers, and my husband carved many pumpkins with our kids. And, he carved a final one for us his last year here. Today, I laughed as I used his hunting knife to carve our latest rendition. He would not approve of this use I’m quite sure…then again, it’s for our grandkids, so I’d likely get a free pass. I bet some little kids smile tonight when they see their pumpkin friend on their own porch…and the little things keep unspooling through the years. Because the little things often cost almost nothing. And they become part of our being. Kids remember far more of what we do than what we spend. 🎃
On the pumpkin theme, my young friend Mirren made a glorious pumpkin fairy house and her mom texted me a pic. All of us creatives hanging on in spite of distance and circumstances. 🥰🌟
So many good things to list this week, but the latest one involves another “little thing- big thing”—my sister and her husband are traveling abroad, and my daughter is there to welcome them and show them the sights. My sis has been sending me pictures, and knowing the happiness we can give by simply honoring another for good…well, gift.
Of course, we don’t have to be travelers to find joy. It’s right next door, down the street, in the next aisle over. In our own homes. Witnessing. Celebrating. Honoring what another might need. Don’t let the magic in front of you get away.
The calendar says fall. TX says where… but maybe by week’s end we’ll get a not 90 day. One must hope. Forecast says likely. 🙌🏼
Leaves have not been up to their usual autumn magic, but there are signs of trying.
Beginner
The garden spiders are busy and a few littles have joined in the naming: Sally and Izzy are still daily regulars, but Sunny Star Scout (fave name 🤩) must be otherwise occupied …we expect her return any day. 🕷️ I know all are not spider lovers, but these are my returners. Sally always sets up on the side of the garage. Izzy chose the dog food bin this year, but she waves a happy leg at me each morning as I gently get Ada’s breakfast without disturbing her glorious weaving. We seem to understand one another.
Sally
The days aren’t fall cool, but outside is bearable, so that’s the win. Little girls were joyful with jump ropes and sidewalk chalk and swings and driveway races. That’s good. ✅
Little boy wearing a cowboy hat greeted me at his house with “ampoline ampoline!” on his busy way to the swing and see saw and trampoline…then sat happily in the backyard dirt and sifted through his goldmine …stopping multiple times to bring me treasures. A child who notices. 🫶
Gifts from a 2 year old 🍂
I hung the pumpkin front door decoration, and as is my custom, also plugged in the white lights on my beginning tree—this year it will live on the sunporch where it’s already bringing us moments of joy. We have decided it will be our art tree. I’m looking forward to how it transforms by December. So much to be said for creating spaces that we enjoy. The days are busy. White lights in the early morning and late evening are luxury. 🌟
Beginning tree 🌟
Little things. Passing moments. Noises and silences and all the gifts those hold.
May your week be filled with treasures you are able to notice. ✌️
Ah, a Sunday in August. School is back in session for some of us…others have a few more days of freedom. I witnessed a bit of the “first days behind the scenes” this week as my youngest granddaughter started school, and I’ll start with this: thank you, experienced teachers. Teachers who greet with a smile, extend a hand, place a new book dedicated to a child in a backpack, arrive and teach/mentor/model/, often with no expression of gratitude. Thank you for caring for our most precious ones. Thank you to those who give their all and then go home to children of their own. If we can give nothing else to our educators, let us give them the respect they deserve.
Maybe I should keep with a school theme, but I’ve been noticing flight this week—how some of us still stop when we see an airplane above us—why? Maybe in awe of the miracle and science of it…maybe to bless its going forth…maybe to say soon…regardless, noticing the wonders of the sky can be a special practice.
Three granddaughters gathered ‘round my back-porch table and noticed other fancies of flight: the ever present hummingbirds, dancing monarchs, double egrets one morning, and of course, cardinals. So, gratitude for noticing. How rich to see, and to see that others see, too.
Other goodnesses: little hands waiting for and giving pink polish manicures…💅🏼
Other hands guiding a sister with a water play toy…and my own inner hesitation to bring yet another mess forward was silenced by my thoughts of water dries. Kids grow up. Let them play in peace. Relative peace. 😅
Next up was a foray into fake snow making—and I must admit that baking soda and a drop of water occupied some little hands for a good while. ❄️
Grateful for a house where children play and learn and wonder. Grateful for their jokes and insights and my food one calls slowfood (versus fast because even that gets old sometimes). 😉
I’ll end with that landed text from a loved one. Grateful for safe travels and adult children who are thoughtful enough to let moms know all is well. That’s a lot. 🛬
Blessings for your new week. I’ll be greeting new students to college classes midweek, and I’m sure there will be stories and insights ahead. ✌️
Ah, my elusive egret has returned, and what an entrance. I’ll start with her story to top my list today:
I have been looking for this egret, and while I’ve seen some at area parks this spring and summer, no egrets at my place. Really unusual. I felt a surprising sadness about it, honestly. But this morning, as I was writing near a sunporch window, Ada barked and I looked up to see this beauty swooping in and rounding the corner of the house, almost clipping the siding on her way. It was a moment I would not have believed if I hadn’t experienced it…a true Mary Oliver moment, I really do think. 🤩 Majestic moment.
I immediately went outside, but by that time, she was a distant shadow among the trees. An hour later, though, she returned to the place I have been missing her from…and she posed for me for a good while. Little gifts, dear people. I marvel at nature and her offerings. May we never be indifferent to them. ❤️
Other things making the list this week:
an impromptu patio visit with a dear friend (thanks, Dee)
a gift of international stamps from a loved one (thoughtful giver)
a Burger King crown 👑…that’s its own story, but let’s add late night drive thrus to the list and one grownup thinking another might accept it…and did 😅
cast iron skillets and all the stories and sustenance they’ve helped provide…
the four slot toaster it took me far too long to buy…it really is the little things 😄
My adult children. They listen to me, help me in ways they cannot imagine, and they really are the invisible listing here each week. Always present outside/ inside/between the lines. ❤️❤️
The week has been a busy one, and I have noticed myself ranting a bit too much, irritated a bit too often. I tell you this as a form of disclosure. While this blog is about the good things, it’s not always easy. Sometimes we ( I ) have to look harder. But sometimes, a great egret will appear right in front of our eyes, and we will remember: look.
As Mary Oliver told us:
Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.
Bye for now. I hope something memorable and beautiful greets you this week.
A stack of books to read in the new year…I’ll try to post some titles/pics soon. What are you reading this year?
Those airport hugs. They are markers of so much between visits. While I’m at it, pilots and air traffic controllers and attendants and security and good weather and on and on…all the folks and events that allow us to get from one place to another.
Children. If you are lucky enough to witness a child at any stage, cherish that. It is fleeting, but to witness them before the world pushes in…gift. And those smiles…
My mama’s Bundt pan and the pottery bowl she bought me decades ago. It is beige with blue hearts on it. It was too expensive really, but she saw that I admired it, and she gave it to me on some occasion. Every time I use those items, it’s as if she is in the kitchen with me. This morning, there she was as I mixed up a pound cake hours before my daughter was set to head to the airport for her return flight home. Presence. Good vibes.
Names on class rosters/courses to teach. Excited about a new group of students on campus.
Messes. Evidence of life. Things might get a bit out of hand, but generally speaking, messes mean something took place. Most likely, some part of it was good. And, if it is hard to see the good, maybe we walk away learning something. Still a win.
I know a lot of us get caught up in the gift-buying at Christmas. Guilty here, too. The real gift is us; trite as that is, it is us. And we can give of ourselves and let others give of themselves to us all year. Let us continue. ❤️
We are at Halloween Eve here, and while the day is officially tomorrow, lots of costumed children (and adults) can be seen throughout the weekend enjoying a little extra fun and frivolity.
My fun this year includes buying some good chocolate candy for my college students haha…and lo and behold, candy was on sale before Halloween here. That’s a first! Ring that right up. 🍫
Costumed children. Really tho. An uplift of childhood. Sweet faces and fun days and becoming someone else for a bit is magical indeed. 👻
While I’m already in Christmas thought mode, there is a trio of pumpkins on my front door, some kid art of a spooky scene on my refrigerator, and even a quickly colored Happy Halloween ornament (one reminding child placed quietly) on the tree I couldn’t help but put up a few weeks back. 🤣 So, celebration in progress here, of sorts.
While I didn’t carve a pumpkin this season, I do have a photo of one from days gone by. A memory of a time when I remember many cold and foggy Halloween treks, visiting family members and collecting candies to fill plastic pumpkins.
And this, a fun and favorite poem for the day and season:
Wherever you are reading from, I hope you are enjoying the season of autumn. The crows are calling/cawing here, deer are moving, leaves are offering up new paintings every morning.
From children’s lives and moments in their presence…seven good things to recall:
leaves picked up for a chapter book in progress…
a fallen branch with tiny acorns attached presented to me as gift…
laughter as they ran up and down the driveway and across a nearby clearing…
one toddler snoring in my arms as I read Charlotte’s Web to the eldest…
little hands mixing the ingredients for raspberry lemonade…
paintbrushes in hand and new masterpieces created…
…knowing to be loved in the heart of a child is no small wonder.
❤️Have a good week, dear reader. May you see the gifts in the ordinary. Tonight, I drove home to see the green leaves are making way for the gold. Beauty. Look for it. ✌️
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