Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. My parents have adopted two cats. The older is very shy and was still acclimating to her new home (read: hiding), but the younger is a joyful little boy who alternates between kitten boisterousness and napping on their laps. My parents have not anyone this energetic living in their house in decades, but I am confident they will meet somewhere in the middle as he ages. (On a related note: I was shocked when we returned home to meet two fully grown cats. I would have sworn we left kittens behind at the start of the weekend, but our nearly 2-year-olds are ginormous.)

2. My best friend and I were finally able to meet up for lunch. It had been more than six months since we’d seen each other, and I missed her tremendously.

3. I’m now working part-time for the nonprofit where I’ve been volunteering, and today had me subbing in and coaching soccer to pre-K and kindergarteners, who were maybe the most affectionate group of kids I’ve ever met. I had to work hard to get them to stop hugging me in order to play a game. It’s a rough life. (Remind me of this next week when I come down with a cold from being snuggled by 20 wee people with runny noses.)

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Peak bloom arrived today, a gorgeously warm March day when my plans were fluid and I could make it down to see the trees. As I was biking down to the Mall, I ran into Rudi, who was on his way home from a ride, and he opted to turn around and join me.

2. This week kicked off a new session of volleyball at the elementary school with a new group of kids. As I was waiting for them in the gym, one by one the kids from the last session called to me or came up to give me hugs and to say how sad they were that their volleyball time was done.

3. I went down to the sand courts to practice serving and ended up being asked to join a trio of young men. At a certain point (because it is early in the season for the exertion of playing doubles in sand on a warm afternoon), I told them I was done and thanked them for letting someone their moms’ age play with them. “You’re way younger than my mom,” said the college freshman.” “Oh? How old is she?” “52.” “I’m 52.” “No way you’re 52! I’d guess 40 at the oldest!” “Thanks, but my birth certificate assures me you’re wrong.” (I didn’t tell him my back and knees would soon be in agreement…)

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Spring flowers have been popping out on trees and in patches of earth all over the District.

2. Sarah invited me to join her to watch her alma mater, Siena, take on Duke, in the first round of the men’s basketball playoffs. I’d expected it to be a blowout, but Siena led from five minutes into the game until five minutes left in the game (which, sadly, is not really the relevant stat when it comes to advancing in sports), but was wholly impressive, particularly when you realize their starters played the entire game.

3. I tried a new sourdough bread recipe for my breadmaker and expect it may become our go-to. It sliced beautifully, toasted well, and was tasty when eaten plain, with butter, with jam, and with peanut butter. (The recipe comes from The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook, which Rudi and I picked up from a Little Free Library several years back.)

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. A crowd gathers at Fort Reno, the highest spot in D.C., to watch the sun sink on Sunday. (My parents, Karen, and Rudi all reported gorgeous sunsets that night, as well.)

2. On an unseasonably warm Monday, Sarah and I opt to do our job hunting from the rooftop of the main city library, which has been converted to a green public oasis above all the concrete.

3. It is warm and sunny, so I opt to do some work and take a phone call up at the park before turning my attention to my book and the sunset.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. It was the last week for the 2nd graders’ volleyball program. There were tears and hugs.

2. It was sunny and warm last weekend and I got to sit outside both days and read.

3. I had gone to Adams Morgan to run some errands and passed by the restaurant we frequent after volleyball games during the summer. I texted John to say I was thinking of him, and not 30 seconds went by before my phone was ringing. “Where are you?! Stop walking!” He was out at a nearby bar celebrating a buddy’s birthday and came running outside to give me a hug.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. I have been lazy with my sourdough starter and had let it hang out unfed in the fridge for a couple weeks. This week, I fed it and it perked right up.

2. I had an expiring birthday coupon with Asics, and the trail runners I like for outdoor volleyball were on clearance. I didn’t need new sneakers yet, but I will certainly need them at some point this year, so it’s nice to have a new pair ready to go as soon as my knees and hips tell me that the old pair should be retired. (This is my best advice for 40-somethings who want to remain active in sports: listen to your body and replace your equipment more often than you used to.)

3. I’d seen them on other people’s blogs, but hadn’t come across them in real life yet, so Saturday, I took a snack, knitting, and a book and walked to the park via the route most likely to reveal snowdrops. I didn’t even have to make it to the Quakers’ churchyard; two doors down from me had some gorgeous clusters growing in their front bed.

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