Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. My outdoor volleyball game was the early one, so it was neither rained on nor called for darkness. And then one of the teams in the late game had a couple tardy players, so I got to offer to fill in until they arrived.

2. On our drive home, we were on a back road trying to get around some heavy traffic when Rudi discovered we were near a local doughnut shop, Donut Crazy, so we stopped in and bought a half dozen to try. Their chocolate glazed hearkened back to the way Dunkin’ Donuts made them when I was a kid (when their name included the thing they actually focused their attention on).

3. There were two maple trees along the highway — one in full technicolor glory and the second just about to enter it, in the moment where green turns to red that New Englanders know means fall is truly here.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Trying a new ice cream shop. Brown sugar baked pear? Yum!

2. Both street festivals I attended on Sunday had great music in common at their stages — Caribbean and Turkish beats — perfect for getting the crowds moving.

3. I finally painted my nails again — this time in autumnal hues.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Changing out of sopping wet clothes after getting caught in the rain.

2. Spending an afternoon with one of my oldest friends.

3. Collapsing into bed after nearly 10 miles of walking and eight hours on my feet.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. The last time the Mets came to town, it was memorable, if not pretty. Tonight, they got on the board first — and last — to clinch a victory.

2. Getting to take a shower after arriving home hot and sweaty.

3. I return everything to the library that’s overdue.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. I am often scooting over to the Tuesday lunchtime farmers market just before it closes, but this week I was even later than usual, arriving only five minutes before the closing bell. The guys at the bakery stand, who make grilled cheeses, laugh and tell me they’re psychic and that they’d just put my sandwich on, assuming I’d be there any minute. Similarly, I often head to the local indie coffeehouse after volleyball on Wednesday evenings, because it’s too nice to go inside just yet (and I’m too smelly and damp to go anywhere to sit inside). As I walk in, the barista behind the cash register asks, “Cup of tea tonight?” and the woman who’s the manager (and who complimented my knitting last week) makes sure I have bug spray, since their patio seems to be a mosquito magnet.

2. We received a supper invitation we had to decline over the weekend and another we were able to accept this evening. It’s nice to have everyone back in town after the summer.

3. I was running a little later for work than I wanted one morning, there were no bikeshares at the docks nearest The Burrow, and the next train was going to run me against the clock. When I passed one of the new electric scooters on my way to the metro station, I decided to rent it and use it to get to work. They’re speedy! But also the brake didn’t respond the way I wanted it to, which made the commute rather fraught, so I stuck almost exclusively to bike lanes. I don’t know I would take one again, unless I was caught needing to get somewhere fast and it’s my speediest option, but it was exciting to try it and a new way for me to get around town.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. The Street Sense vendor I usually buy from at the farmers market gives me a rose with my paper. Saturday was Independence Day in his home country, Uzbekistan, and he wanted everyone to celebrate with him.

2. I stop at a coffeehouse to grab a beverage after leaving the pool on Monday. They have horchata on the menu, which is one of my favorite hot weather drinks.

3. This week has felt like a thousand years already, which is why I’m really glad it’s a short one. Today, Les Mis’ “One Day More” kept playing in my head.

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