Three beautiful things from my last week:

1. We knew my parents had a bear, because it had taken down the bird feeder once already this spring. But Sunday morning, my family got to see this mama and baby black bear up close and personal for the first time.

2. Karen and I got to have lunch and a walk and a talk Sunday afternoon. The weather held steady and we were dressed properly, and it was great to catch up.

3. My dad’s doctor’s appointment was over quickly on Tuesday, so they were finishing up just as we were on our way out of town to return home. We met up for ice cream before parting ways for real.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Katie has a housewarming party, and about a quarter of the volleyball team is able to make it, including Sergio and his family, which means I get to play with a toddler and hold a three-month-old.

2. The first strawberries and salads made only with lettuce from our garden were consumed this week. Plus, there is at least one pod growing amidst the waist-high peas greens, there are half a dozen green chilis, the cucumber is covered with flowers, and the potato greens are knee-high.

3. Rudi’s birthday was Friday, and we celebrated with several of his friends outside at a brewery — just AFTER a torrential rainstorm.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Despite the cancellation of our kids’ program, the adult leagues go on despite the threat of thunderstorms. Neither rain nor lightning materialize in our vicinity, and we not only get our game in, but also patio time at the local watering hole for drinks and dinner afterwards.

2. A single restroom has been in the works at the park where we play on Saturdays. My pal sent a photo earlier this week without any construction fencing around it, so we are hopeful this will mean it’s open this weekend. (The women, particularly, will be grateful, as the guys just disappear into the wooded verge.)

3. Plenty of rain has fallen this week, which means I haven’t had to trudge water down to my thirsty garden plot. Since the pool adjacent to our community garden opens next weekend, I’m hopeful the water has been turned on, and I won’t have to lug more from home until the fall.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Despite a worrying forecast, Saturday turned out to be a lovely day and we stayed out playing until suppertime, when a bunch of us trooped down the hill to the local Tex-Mex joint and then on to a bar for a nightcap. Apparently some of the others kept going until 2 a.m., but I was maxed out on crowds and retired home at 10.

2. Rudi and I went to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday for the first time in several years and got to see herding demonstrations, sheep, and lots and lots of yarn. I’ll save the haul (Rudi is an enabler) to show you another day, but here are a pair of sheep who were happy to say hi.

3. Susan and I had lunch this afternoon. The coffeehouse at the cathedral had a tent up, which meant we could sit outside on a lovely afternoon without fear of her getting burned.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. I went to the National Arboretum for the first time last week. The azaleas were in late peak bloom, and we got a nice hike in to see a good portion of them. (Azaleas and rhododendron remind me of my grandfather.) We also got to see the old columns from the Capitol, which stood back when Lincoln was sworn in as president.

2. The Mets were in town for one of their two visits this season. In the final game of the four-game series, they scored 19 runs to blow the Nationals out of the water. It was ridiculous, but, also, a win is a win, particularly if I get to see it in person.

3. My Saturday league resumed for the season last weekend. I loved getting to see folks I hadn’t caught up with since November and it was good to go out for supper, even if they’ve gotten rid of the sandwich I used to love.

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

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Rebecca and I walk across town after coaching to catch up on how life is going. And my upstairs neighbors, Ryan and the delightful golden puppy Miller, walk partway back from the park with me this evening, before I break away to do my grocery shopping.

2. The connecting bus I need does not show up, which means I am later than intended arriving at the Arlington library — and the closest door is already locked. But the library is open for three more minutes! So I sprint to another door and then across to the holds shelf, where a book I’ve been waiting for is about to go to the net person on the list. The librarian comes over — “Don’t run! I’ll check you out!” she kindly assures me.

3. Rudi and I were separately looking through photos to print and we both commented on how much the cats have grown: “Coal was so tiny! He curled up in my bowl!” And, “Remember how much Ember hated when we played music?!” But somehow, surprisingly, six months have passed since they moved in with us, and none of us can imagine the world any other way.

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