I’m glad it’s Thursday and not just because I need the weekend to arrive. (Honestly, I dozed off on a cat last night and then put my underwear on inside out this morning and didn’t notice for hours… Clearly I need some sleep.) Here are three beautiful things from my week:

1. Going to Old Town Alexandria on a weekend is never a smart idea, but sometimes your errands take you there. Memorial Day Weekend meant King Street was particularly packed, but it was also filled with bikers who were in town for Rolling Thunder (an annual event designed to raise awareness about POW and MIA issues and to assist veterans). Everyone walked up and down the street admiring the motorcycles and trikes — but particularly the Boss Hogg parked right at the bottom of the street. Very classy and so cool.

2. I buy two pints of shelling peas so there will still be some left when Rudi gets home.

3. A terrific afternoon thunderstorm strikes the area Tuesday to mark the beginning of meteorological summer. I turn my back to my computer for a few minutes so I can watch the lightning and listen to the driving rain hit my windows as the storm sweeps through downtown. Blue skies return shortly thereafter.

As I sit down to write tonight, the skies open up and rain pours down. The streetlight silhouettes the deluge and the scent of fresh, earthy mud wafts in from our open window. Thunder rumbles in the distance and closer to us, the rain bounces off the window well railing and the tree leaves. Cars sploosh past. Our Burrow feels nice and cozy and the time seems perfect to think back on three beautiful things from the past week:

1. Mac’s memorial lunch is the sort of event everyone hopes for at such an occasion. 70 or so people turned out to remember a woman with a big smile and a bigger heart. Whether they called her mother, grandmother, neighbor, friend, or whatnot, it was clear that Mac had touched each and every one of us in a deep way. As loved ones got up to eulogize her, I found myself, eyes wet, nodding along with many of their comments. A people person, Mac would have had a ball — and would have loved the afternoon’s festivities. No one wants to lose a loved one, but I hope Sam and his family’s pain was tempered by seeing what a profound effect Mac had on everyone she came in contact with.

2. Memorializing a friend’s grandmother hammers home how fragile one’s family is. I spend the rest of the weekend hanging out on my parents’ deck and in Gramma’s bedroom. Sunday and Monday were quiet and uneventful — and perfect.

3. Amani and I had dinner tonight and followed it up with ice cream, which we took down to the Circle. While sitting next to the fountain and chatting, we suddenly realize that five dancers are suddenly standing up and doing a routine. It wasn’t quite a flash mob — more like five friends suddenly got up to perform their dance at the urging of their larger party — but it was so quintessentially part of city life that Amani and I both felt pleased to be part of it, even if only tangentially.

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

It always irks me a bit when I have things in mind for my TBT post and then I forget to use them. In this week’s instance, I’m totally blaming the sick — and taking a second shot with three beautiful flowery things from my week:

1. On an embankment along the highway leading to Crystal City grow a sea of brilliant red poppies and very green grass.

2. Purple irises and orange poppies atop the yarn cupboard in our living room remind me of a Dar Williams lyric (even if it’s not quite accurate).

3. Tree boxes all over downtown have been turning purple and magenta this week as city maintenance crews switch out the plants. Gone are the early spring plants, which were past their peak, and in are blooming petunias and pansies. It feels more summery already.

I’m back again after a brief bout with a stomach bug. It’s been a shortened week, but nonetheless full of lovely things. Here are three of them:

1. This evening we have baseball tickets — Mets vs. Nationals. It is pleasantly warm and sunny — perfect for spending at the ballpark.

2. Susan and Phillip announce an addition to their family will be arriving in early November.

3. Strawberries — From our garden. From the farmers’ market. Sliced and juiced and served with whipped cream and lemon pound cake. Whole. Cold from the fridge. Warm during a picnic. Room temperature. Strawberries.

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

Rudi, Julia, and I spent the evening at the Argonaut eating, drinking, and catching up. It was a lovely way to spend a Thursday and a great way to start our weekly three beautiful things post:

1. On Sunday I spent time washing our (subterranean) living room windows — inside and out. The difference was instantaneous — and surprising.

2. A letter from Rebs includes pictures of their new puppy and of a growing son. He’s no longer in that toddler stage and it’s obvious even in still imagery that he’s now a little boy.

3. Phoebe’s nest cam, located in a California rose bush, shows a tiny iridescent hummingbird sitting on her nest and two eggs. Monday morning offered occasional views of the first hatchling and by Tuesday morning, we could see both babies (complete with what my coworker Sarah termed “back mohawks”) during the occasional times when Phoebe left for a snack run. (Hat tip to Jill for the link. And a reminder that the nest is best viewed during daylight hours in California.)

What’s been beautiful in your world this week?

I spent four hours at an author event this evening and came home exhausted but happy. But now isn’t the time to talk about such things and instead should be focused on looking back at three beautiful things from the past week:

1. A curly-haired imp runs by. She is wearing a red tutu and sports a yellow SpongeBob umbrella.

2. My dentist and I talk music at my visit this week. As I’m about to leave, he hands me a mix cd. It feels much like getting to pick out a cool plastic gem ring at the dentist when I was a kid.

3. Biking home from the ballpark, Rudi and I ride along a nearly deserted Mall. Peering up into the spotlights aimed at the top of the Washington Monument, I realize that what I initially thought was an aircraft or shooting star or satellite is instead one of more than a dozen bats looping around after bugs hundreds of feet up the air. We stop and stare at the tiny dots so high up (seemingly) peacefully zooming about. As we tear ourselves away, Rudi says, “Definitely a beautiful thing.” Indeed.

Anything beautiful in your world this week? Share with us!