Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Rudi coming home from a ten-day coaching trip (and the end of the 2021-22 coaching season).

2. We were out running an errand in Virginia, and I thought to send us home via Hains Point. The cherry trees are lovely against the night sky.

3. A single box of a preferred brand on emptyish shelves at the second store I stop at.

What’s been beautiful in your world lately?

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Both my COVID isolation period and the subsequent masking period have come to a close. It felt wonderful to walk to the grocery store tonight naked-faced until I went inside.

2. We had a thunderstorm last night, the sort where the sky cracks right overhead. This is our first of the year, and while I know it can be a violent storm, particularly for those living unhoused, I had the privilege of witnessing it from the safety of my couch and did not have to dread it. (Corey, on the other hand, definitely was not thrilled.)

3. As I was walking home Sunday evening, I noticed a large bird suddenly flapping against the wind just above traffic ahead of me. At first I thought it was an eagle or an owl, but then it came in for a landing on the ground, making me almost certain that it was a wild turkey. The jogger in front of me paused and turned around, incredulous, to confirm that he was seeing what he thought he was, as the hen looked back at us and then crossed the road. Because it was heading toward one of the busiest roads in our area, I followed, hoping to corral it back to safer climes. It paused by a decommissioned bus stop, as if hoping an alternative mode home might arrive. It walked on a bit more, before darting across the street, in front of what I can only assume was a very surprised driver, and up into the neighborhood that would likely put it back in the direction of its nest. While I live in what many would still consider to be a downtown area, I’m also two blocks away from the woods, and it’s easy to forget that until the wildlife materialize to remind you.

How about you? What’s been beautiful in your world lately?

Three beautiful things from this past week:

1. If Rudi had to catch COVID, at least it over was a non-race weekend, when he was coaching only 90 minutes away and sleeping at home. So far, we’ve not heard that he’s passed the germs on to anyone else.

2. If I had to catch COVID, at least it was just after doing a supply run and nearly a week out from seeing anyone I would have spent any quantity of time with.

3. If either of us had to catch COVID, at least it was after being vaccinated and boosted and with health insurance and (for me) paid sick days. Our symptoms have been mild and I’ve been able to simply be exhausted and grumpy about being housebound on a beautiful spring week, rather than gasping for breath and fearing for my life. We test again tomorrow and hopefully that will indicate we can leave the house, albeit masked the whole time for another five days.

What’s been beautiful in your world lately?

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Jordan almonds in Easter hues from the Italian shop.

2. My friend gave Planet Word a thumbs up when we visited on Sunday.

3. Walking in the evening with Rudi. (I’m looking forward to evening light returning in just a few days!)

How about you? What’s been beautiful in your world lately?

World news is not good tonight. But that doesn’t mean things aren’t without hope or beauty. Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. I pet two puppies on Sunday. One was a tiny beagle nearly the same size as my brother’s favorite stuffed dog growing up and the other an already overgrown Newfoundland.

2. French bread pizza for lunch and leftover cheese fondue for supper.

3. A California teacher launched an art project with her elementary school students — a hotline offering words of encouragement. Calling 707-998-8410 gets you pre-recorded pep talks from kindergarteners, a recording of kids laughing, and more. It is exactly what I needed. (I’ve since heard that the response has been so overwhelming that it keeps crashing, but I understand they’re working on solutions.)

What’s been beautiful or hopeful in your world this week?

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. I spent four days in Connecticut with my parents, during which time we celebrated my birthday, made homemade scones with homemade clotted cream (I only had a hand in the former, not the latter), played pool, and relaxed both out in the sun and in front of the fireplace.

2. Karen and I spent an afternoon together, which included an unexpected concert, when our current lunch spot was hosting singer-songwriters, in addition to our normal walk along the river and hot beverages.

3. Rudi and I were able to join the throngs sitting outside on the patio at our local yuppie grocery store/bar to take advantage of an abnormally warm February evening.

What’s been beautiful in your world lately?