Five on Friday: Five (Or, Fine, Maybe More) Things to Be Happy About

The truth is, I've never read the 14,000 Things to Be Happy About book. Maybe I've flipped through it once or twice--my oldest daughter owns and loves it. She has even shared her own quirky, poignant, delightful lists of things to be happy about which I've very much enjoyed reading.

Me? I've long been a fan of grat lists, quick collections of things I'm particularly grateful for in that moment. I think the difference between the two might be that the latter is more likely to be very specific to the writer's life while the former is made up of more universal concepts that a broad range of readers could relate to.

 For example, if I were to write a grat list right now, it'd include things like:

1. The mild weather this week.

2. The fact that somehow with seven people in this family, we only just now in December 2021 have had our first student asked to quarantine due to potential COVID exposure at school. It's amazing to me that we made it this far without direct exposure not to mention the fact that it happened at the point in time when we are all vaccinated. (The only reason our child even had to quarantine was because her age group was only recently approved for the vaccine and the exposure came at not-quite-fourteen-days after her second shot.)

3. Finding time to take walks with my husband.

4. Being surprised by the Christmas cactus. It was just over there on the window sill all green and I forgot what it was, I guess. Until boom! (Or bloom?! Bloom boom!) Instant color and beauty.

5. College kids coming home for the holidays!

But the above grat list is just for an example, of course, since I'm not even writing one this week. Duh.

I'm trying something new, see? A list of things to be happy about, that hopefully other people can relate to and then remember to look around for joy in their lives. That's my real list this week, and it includes:

1. Watching High School music teachers direct their jazz bands. 

2. Noticing natural colors and patterns.

3. Wooly bear caterpillars.

4. Flags that get stuck to trees in such a way that they look like they're flying even when there's no wind.

 (I've seen two of these recently, believe it or not!)

5. The way clothes smell when they've been dried on the line.

Our dryer has been broken and repaired twice recently. It's currently working but it was so warm yesterday (see #1 above-above) I just had to use the line instead!

Okay, so honestly, they're both sort of grat lists but I hope the second one is universal enough to inspire you to remember to take a moment to look around and find small moments to find joy. 

Reminder: It doesn't have to be a holiday for you to be happy

Five on Friday: The Evolution of Holiday Traditions

It's family tradition season, folks! It starts annually in October when the bin of Halloween decor comes out of the attic only to be swapped out for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year . . . 

Every year there's the possibility for slight tweaks but the changes have picked up in frequency, due to three main factors:

* First: Kids insisting on growing up. Our oldest two are off at college so aren't home to participate in some traditions. Some of them start to feel a little too babyish, so it's understandable that the young teens will begin to roll their eyes at them. But with a ten-year age gap between oldest and youngest, I've always wanted to make sure there was plenty of holiday magic for the youngest to experience, too.

Somehow, though, even the baby has grown though and she's now a tween herself. This means she wants to act grown but still be a little girl. This extends to how she approaches holiday traditions (eye-roll or get excited?)

Some examples from this category include:

1. Decor placement! I shared this meme with my friend and we both chuckled. 

I can relate to the sentiment while also realizing how silly it is. This year my 11-year-old wanted to place all the Halloween decorations around the house and she was absolutely putting things where I didn't usually put them. I had to tell myself to relax and appreciate how excited she was to be doing it herself. And really, who cares? (Okay fine. It's me. I care. I stealthily switched some things around but I swear, just a few.)

2. The Thanks-Giving Turkey has traditionally been made of paper and added to after dinner the entire month of November. This wasn't really possible since two kids were at college and three kids didn't care that much about it. I still wanted to have an option on Thanksgiving Day so this year it was relegated to the chalkboard door, participation optional:

* Second factor, related to first: parents getting burnt out.

3. The annual gingerbread creation, originally my husband's idea and project, has been feeling overwhelming to him in the past couple of years. It is really fun, though, so many of  us are not ready to abandon it. 

My oldest daughter and I usually take the lead on it but this year it felt particularly burdensome . . . I wondered if this might be the end. Somehow all five kids ended up getting really invested in it (in a way I hadn't expected) and it turned out great. It's our family's Museum of Art:

4. Aw, look how cute these card holders are that I made! I hated throwing away all the great holiday cards we get so I started saving them in homemade pouches. I was delighted that my children loved poring through them each year.

Uh, apparently last year's card holder looks like this:

This is a plastic zippered pouch that bedsheets probably came in, with 2020 written on it in marker. Is it because I was burnt out--or does this one really belong under the . . . 

* Third Factor: Pandemic influencing everything.

Because maybe a shitty plastic low-effort card holder just sums up 2020, am I right? 

Lastly. . . 

5.  When I opened up the bin of Christmas decor, I thought, "Why the heck is there a face mask in here?" 

Oh. A holiday-themed one I made last year and surely put away thinking that by 2021 it'd be a funny blast from the past . . . that's sort of bittersweet, isn't it? Because now I wonder if we'll be wearing it again in 2022.

Man, is that a bummer way to end this list? I didn't mean it to be. Overall I want to express that times and our family are changing and actually, I'm okay with it. Yeah we have holiday-themed masks but now we also have vaccines and boosters . . . we spent time with family, in person (!!), this Thanksgiving. 

I'm thankful to be alive and healthy to experience these evolving traditions together . . . might have to add it that to my chalkboard turkey.

 

Five on Friday: Reasons People Might Be Still Wearing Their Masks in Public

There seems to be a lot of concern about people "living in fear" and continuing to wear their masks in public even though they don't "have" to anymore.

To that I say: what the hell difference does it make to you if someone is wearing a mask? I meant, there are lots of reasons why people might still be wearing a mask!  Sure, it might be because they are immunocompromised or have unvaccinated family members to worry about. But maybe you've never thought about these other reasons why a person might still be wearing their mask:

1. A mask provides a nice shield when you literally need to bite your tongue in response to an insane thing someone is telling you. (Also works for sticking your tongue out at them.)

2. You don't have to worry about food being stuck in your teeth. (As I once made fun of my mom for always having food in her teeth, now I suffer the same fate, as is only fair.)

3. Ohmahgod, it's called accessorizing, look it up.

 4. It's just so warm and cozy!!! (I can't be the only one that finds the supermarket produce department to be totally freezing.)

5. Being harassed by strangers is a favorite pastime.

 

Five on Friday: Holiday Highlights

I’ll admit, I had a bad attitude about the kids’ spring break. It wasn’t just me, though. Even my 7^th grader was asking, “Why do we even have spring break this year? I’d rather just be done with school a week earlier!”

 

I don’t know why a late-stage* pandemic spring break seemed daunting, it’s not like we ever travel this week anyway. I think it may have to do with the fact that we still had some winter doldrums to shake off because let me tell you . . . the weather this past week has been glorious and it just made everything better.

 

So in spite of having zero plans and a bad attitude, we had amazing weather and a very pleasant holiday week. I think my son and I both even realized that maybe a little break from hybrid school and homework was just what we needed.

 

Here are some highlights:

 

1. You thought I had a bad attitude about spring break, you don’t want to know what I though about Easter! Ha! Just kidding . . . sort of. Last Easter was our very first pandemic holiday and our first chaotic attempt at having a zoom call with extended family. There was so much that felt scary and wrong and unknown. I spent the day fighting back the tears. 

 

This year my oldest two children weren't home which might make you think I'd be crying again but honestly, I felt fine. After they were stuck at home for the last two semesters, I'm genuinely thrilled for them to be on campus.

 

Traditionally, we go to my parents first and then my in-laws' later in the day. Part of the earlier celebration includes an outdoor egg hunt. This year, I did some last minute scurrying to make an egg hunt in our own yard (with some added rules by Mom and sneaky spots by Dad that made it occupy the kids for a good twenty minutes!) The weather was perfect for an outdoor brunch with my parents and a then dinner with my husband's side of the family.

Eggs weren't the only thing to find this year; my clever and creative husband hid some little bottles of wine around the house for me.

2. I got some super cute sewing projects done! My clothespin bag was falling apart and as I had gotten my hands on some vintage baby clothes, I decided to get crafting. I only meant to make two but . . . I made three. (Bonus: this sewing was done on our only cool and rainy morning and by the time I was done, the sun was coming out!)

3.  After beginning to annoy even myself with my constant "Should I cut my hair or not?" questioning, I decided to text-whine to my older daughter about it.

 

"Why can't someone just tell me what to do?"

 

"Cut it. Summer's coming, you like your curls better when your hair is shorter, it'll be a symbolic cutting off of the past year."

 

So I handed my best friend a pair of scissors and have zero regrets. (Though one day when my hairdresser sister gets her hands on my head again, she surely will.)

 

4. We got our annual Earth Day Month neighborhood clean-up done, to the soundtrack of birds chirping and my children whining, "UGH, why do we even have to do this??" 

 

There was also some groaning when I realized I was wearing just one green gardening glove and tried to declare myself the Earth Day Michael Jackson. 

"Oh my god, Mom. No." I cracked myself up later in the walk, too.

5. All the promise of new life makes spring feel eternally hopeful.

This year more than ever . . . as my husband and I, along with so many of our family and friends, are at least half vaccinated. A few loved ones that were sick with COVID are improving by the day. My parents, who have been  living in a state of housing semi-limbo, finally have a closing date on their home and will soon have one on the home they are buying. 

 

But the very best news of all is that a very wonderful person whom I love dearly had her last radiation treatment!! We celebrated on the patio with pizza, leftover Easter candy and the season's first fire in the chiminea!

 

 Best spring break ever.

 

 

 

 

 

*Feels sort of hopeful and potentially foolish to refer to the present time this way. Oh, please, please let us be nearing the end of this.

Five on Friday: Things a Mom Says, Pandemic Year Two

Recently I've said some things I haven't said in a long time. Just typical things a Mom might say to her kids but that haven't been necessary (or even possible!) in a long time because of the pandemic.

 

While saying them made me feel like things really are getting back to normal in some ways, I can't claim these to be post-pandemic phrases. Each one of these "feeling sort of normal" statements also has a caveat that made it firmly still part pandemic--year two.

 

1. Come on! The bus is coming!

(*Caveat: the bus is coming because it’s Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday but not Wednesday because the new combined cohort hybrid schedule means you all go together but nobody goes on Wednesdays. Natch.)

  

2. Who do you want to invite to your birthday?

(*Caveat: Sort of a double birthday party since last year we said "don't worry, we'll just have a do-over in a few weeks." Spoiler: We did not. Also, this party will be held entirely outdoors even though the weather is just on the cusp of being reliably nice enough to do such a thing.)

 

3. Is there a basketball game today?

(*Caveat: "Do you know if it's going to be live streamed?")

I'd say the dog likes to watch the game but really she just likes to stalk me.

4. Do you have practice after school?

(*Caveat: "Don’t forget you have to show Coach the COVID pre-screening thing on your phone!")

 

5. I have a meeting tonight.

(*Caveat: "I’ll be up in my room with the door closed on the zoom call, please don’t interrupt me.")

Five on Friday: How it Started, How it's Going (Pandemic Style)

The one-year anniversary of COVID dramatically changing all of our lives is looming on the horizon . . . I know this bearing heavy on everyone's minds lately. The milestones are already happening: this was the day of the first confirmed case in our state, this was our last full week of in-person school last year. Now it's almost our son's early March birthday . . . the second one he won't be able to fully celebrate because of the pandemic.

I had some one-on-one time with our youngest child the other day. We were talking about how even though this last year has been so weird and different . . . it has not been awful for us. None of us got sick with COVID. Nobody in our immediately families died from it. Nobody here lost their job, we always had enough food (and toilet paper!) and a safe place to live.

Of course, that doesn't mean things haven't changed. Here are my pandemic-themed "how it started, how it's going" observations

1. Oh those early days of lockdown! I cooked and cooked and cooked. I like cooking, there were seven people here CONSTANTLY, and not much else for me to do. These days I can find myself a little burnt out on it and have told my children they are allowed to get the free garbage lunch the state has been offering all school children.

2. There are NOT seven people here anymore--two of the adults were able to go off to college in January! And the remaining three children are not packing lunch on the 0-5 days they go in to school (every week is different with these two schools' hybrid schedules!) Now there are days we don't even run the dishwasher!!

3. Last February, my boys were ahead of the pandemic puzzle craze. We had been swapping puzzles in the local library's exchange box for a few weeks before the pandemic started . . . then when the library announced it'd be closing to the public, we stocked up on a few. Suffice it to say, at this point the novelty has worn off.

4. Me, March 2020: "I'm not going to sew any masks for the kids because they're not going to go anywhere."

Me, today: "The bus is coming! Do you have your chromebook? Water bottle? Do you have your mask???"

5. I'm still not back to attending any in-person exercise classes, though, so for now, this part of my life remains pretty much the same:

Five on Friday: Donating Blood in the Time of COVID

 Observations from my recent donation:

1. I’ve read a little about the recommendation of double masking when out in public. I think it’s a fine idea but I never spend an extended amount of time indoors close to people so I haven’t done it. 

 

As I was waiting to check-in at the blood drive, I had a mini freakout, thinking “okay yeah, maybe hanging out with phlebotomists who travel around and spend time close to and touching lots of strangers would be an instance I should have considered double masking!” It passed quickly, because I’m not good at maintaining that sort of freakout (thankfully) and it was such a warm day yesterday, they had the door wide open and I could feel the fresh air coming in. Don’t tell me any science that would prove that wasn’t enough to help, it made me feel better.

 

Not only could I feel the breeze, I could even see the open door. That probably means it's twice as good.

 

2. Upon check-in, I sat at the touchscreen to answer the same questions they always ask. When a new one flashed up on the screen and I saw it but didn’t really process the words yet, I thought maybe it said “Does your nephew have hepatitis?” and I thought that was oddly specific and then I realized that it of course didn't say that. Then I was giggling out loud which is fine because they don’t ask you any questions about your mental health when you donate blood.

 

3.  I’m not at all sick, but I did have to clear my throat. If everyone wasn't so tense about COVID, I'd have just done it. I tried to just do it a little bit which of course didn’t work and so instead of just having one satisfying throat clearing, I had to do about ten little attempts at stealthy throat clearings under my single layer mask, none of which got the job done. Ugh, now I have to clear my throat again just thinking about it.

 

4. While I was laying there, I realized the music they had was this something-something-greatest Motown hits album I used to have—pretty sure on cassette (!!). I was having a great time singing along to all the songs (yes, of course out loud. Quietly but out loud. Please refer to the end of #2)

Honestly, they probably couldn't even tell where the singing was coming from since I was wearing my mask.

 

(Though I did think it was rather unfair when September came on, how are you not supposed to get up and dance to that song??)

 

5. While there was a lot that was different about donating blood during a pandemic (many extra steps and precautions), some things remain the same: they still insist you have a snack before you leave and they still go completely overboard on the bandaging.

 

Five on Friday: Basketball Mom Double Feature

As I snuggled in on the couch to watch my son's basketball game being live streamed, I couldn't help remembering how much my back was utterly killing me by the end of last year's season. Backless bleacher seats are so unkind to aging backs! It made me realize that watching games from home on the laptop has its advantages:

1. Not only is the couch literally billions of times more comfortable than bleachers . . . in general the living room is much warmer and cozier than any  school gym.

2. The couch is really, really comfy . . . and when I'm watching from home, a mid-game snooze is totally possible.

3. We can share the link with family members who live too far away to make live games.

4. Volume control when the squeak-squeak-squeak of the sneakers or the drone of the buzzer become too annoying.

5. I don't have to divide my time watching my son play and wondering what kind of trouble my other kids are getting into under the bleachers or in the hallways.

UPDATE! 

I wrote the above observations before they began allowing parents in to watch games in person. Since that time I've been to two in-person games and have to admit . . . there are also things I really like about watching my son play in person. 

Does that mean I take back any of the above? Nope! I have the ability to like two different things simultaneously! So while I continue to appreciate the comfort and convenience of live streamed games, I also really appreciate some aspects of watching in person. (Though I do wish I had volume control in person--that buzzer is excessively loud and annoying.) 

Here are five things I was reminded of  enjoying when I got to sit in the gym:

1. I derive a sort of weird pleasure out of watching grown men lose their minds over a school sports game. (Not when they take it too far and have to be carded or asked to leave--but luckily I haven't really witnessed much of that. Just the sort of run-of-the-mill disagreeing with the ref's call that makes me cue up Heart Attack Man in my head.)

2. It's easier for me to actually see my own son when I'm in direct danger of getting hit by a ball . . .  and I really do love watching him play, even if I don't like the idea of getting hit by a flying ball or smelly teenage boy.

3. I get a little charge out of hearing the coach from the other team repeatedly warning his players to watch out for my son.

4.  In years past, trying to make sure I got to all the games sometimes felt like a real struggle. But this year, any chance to get out of the house and see other people is such a treat!

5. My husband says this wasn't a date since one of our kids was technically present, but it was still nice to just sit with him alone with nothing else to do but enjoy watching the game together. (Plus I got to listen to him be a sideline coach/ref and cue up the Beastie Boys in my brain. Bonus!)

Five on Friday: Things to Be Grateful for As I Prepare to Send Two Off to College

 

What’s that word to explain when you’re simultaneously feeling thrilled for your kids’ opportunities but sad because they’re growing up and little bit worried because they’re your kids and that’s your job? Oh right, parenthood. I think the word I’m looking for might just be parenthood.

 

I feel funny calling the older two my “kids” sometimes—at 18 and 20, they’re young adults. But what else can I call them? My offspring? Too weirdly impersonal. My adults? Same. My grown kids? To me that feels like it implies that they are financial independent, or in their thirties, whichever comes first.  

 

Anyway. They are going to college this weekend—one of them back for her the second half of her second year (she came home last March and has been home since), one for his first time. 

The younger three kids are thrilled by all the things they plan on doing with their older siblings’ empty bedrooms once they're gone.  While I will be enforcing some restrictions, I do understand--when my parents drove my older sister to college, I opted to stay home. By the time they returned, I had moved everything out of my shared bedroom and into hers.

 

Me? I’m experiencing all the mixed emotions that one does when sending her alleged adults to college five hours away from home during a worldly pandemic. If you know me at all, you know that means it's time for me to focus on all that I am grateful for in this scenario. I am so very thankful:

1. That they are going to the same school. Not only does this help us in a practical way, it just makes my heart happy.

 

2. These two have been very cautious with mask-wearing and people-seeing. I really don’t have any worries about them being careless in this regard. 

 

3. For, again, technology! Always grateful for the the ability to call, text and FaceTime.

 

4. That five hours is far but not too far. It’s driveable, which is extra great now since I’m still wary about airline travel.

 

5. That even though it's still going to be virtual learning,  they’ll be around their peers and in a different space and city. They want this. They need this. I really am so happy for them to be spreading their wings, even though I'm going to miss them.

 

 

 

Five on Friday: Last One About MLK Day (for this year anyway)

I hesitated writing a third Five on Friday list in a row about Martin Luther King Day, but it’s kind of a big deal around here. Seeing how it occupies most of my life, brainpower and dining room for the majority of the month, it only makes sense that it would also dominate my blog.

 

To be completely honest, it also took over a good portion of the living room for a few days.

I’ve already shared with you my tongue-in-cheek tips followed by my genuine pointers for hosting a Day of Service, now I’m going to share some highlights from this year’s event.

 

As overwhelming as it was to plan and prepare for it, it all came together beautifully in the end. I’m not going to lie, some things even went smoother than usual. Even so, I never want to do it this way again. I long for the events of the past, with a room packed full of people and so many hugs. I want that again very badly. But this year’s drive-through Day of Service was terrific! Here are some of my favorite parts:

 

1. People! I'm so grateful for people. People in general for annually reminding me how good we can be. I'm grateful for both people who know me and my event and especially for those who don't for donating money, goods and time. My favorites are always the people who jump right in; especially this year, having no experience with what our event is normally like but still just deciding to go for it. I appreciate them all so much.

2. We tried a few new projects this year that worked out so well, they are already on the list for next year. 

3. The creation of a little new terminology “We’ve got to Tetris this insane number of diaper packages into the back of that Subaru” and a new unit of measurement: “We ended up with three Subarus-full of diaper donations!”

 

Still lots of space in there!

4. Everyone was really good at following instructions on how to complete their projects at home. They even remembered to take pictures and send them to me.

 

 5. The weather!! Someone wanted to know what our inclement weather plan was. I laughed and told her we fly by the seat of our pants on that, 18 years strong now!  Two years ago it was about 20 degrees outside. I felt bad about sending my son and some other teenage boys outside to direct traffic but . . . I still did. We really needed traffic to be directed.

This year I was going to be the outside (along with other volunteers) and I despise being cold. Well lucky me! It was sunny and mild all day! A little breezy at times but really not bad at all. I am pretty sure I was being rewarded for my good deeds. Like instant karma, but in the good direction.

Additionally, I just wanted to share that our motto for this year was "Doing good together while safely apart." I think this picture sums that up beautifully:

 

 

 

Five on Friday: Alternate Greetings for 2020

It's happened to all of us: out on a quick errand or small, outdoor, socially-distanced get-together and we see someone we know from our old, pre-pandemic lives. Or is it them? It's hard to tell with the mask and fogged-up glasses . . . no, no, it's definitely them. Because here they're walking right towards you, smizing and saying, "How have you been?"

How to answer that question this year? Let's see . . . remote learning is soul draining, we're alternately filled with gratitude and completely sick of each other, we can't really complain but will anyway . . . ?

A few times I've simply smized right back at them and said, "That's a loaded question in 2020, isn't it?"

But I don't like it. I keep thinking there has to be something better to say. Over the past eight months, I've been delighted to see all of the adaptations people have come up with: drive-by birthdays, zoom holidays and, fine, even remote learning. We should be able to come up with some alternate greetings, too. Here are my suggestions:

1. Walk up to friend, smize and say, "Still standing?" Hopefully this become a trend with everyone understanding that as long as they are still metaphorically standing, they are to respond by breaking out in song.

 2.  Ask, "How many times have you cried this week?" This will serve as a true gauge to your friend's current mental state. I think crying up to 5-10 times a week (depending on that person's personal circumstances) is pretty acceptable for 2020. Anything over that may require some more questioning on your part to see how you can assist your friend.

3. For that corny-uncle-type: "Covid enough for ya?"  (Oh please don't actually ever say that. I already have regrets for even thinking of this one.)

4. Watched everything available on Netflix yet?

5. Or use this handy flowchart to decide on the ultimate alternate 2020 greeting:

 

(Click to enlarge)

 

Five on Friday: How to Make Winter Not Totally Suck/Early Autumn Gratitude

I’ve been noticing my kitchen could use a good scrub lately.

 

“Didn’t I just do a deep clean recently though? Oh, man, I guess that was way back in early quarantine!"

I keep hearing that we are entering COVID’s phase two, so I suppose that means it's time to deep clean the kitchen a second time. In some ways we are moving a lot towards what it was like back in March: the kids are taking classes remotely and soon the colder weather will isolate us again. Maybe we'll be reviving the Zoom cocktail hours that had been replaced by drinks on the patio.

 

I don't want to stop walk-and-talks with friends and potlucks on the patio. I know these things are still possible in cold weather but I despise being cold. I've been asking my husband if we're old enough to be snowbirds yet since we were in our late thirties. So I’m trying to prepare myself for it: physically, I’ve purchased new, warmer winter boots and mentally I've been visualizing how much I will enjoy the fresh air, movement and socialization of brisk winter walks with friends.

 

Naturally, when this headline showed up in my feed it caught my eye.

 

 

 The article suggests " . . . cultivating different states — social connectedness, a clear purpose, inspiration . . .  focus on something outside yourself." I reviewed the suggestions and realized I do most of those things already. Now when I do them, I will try to appreciate them for their apparently dual purpose of not just being things that feel good to do, but that are hopefully going to help this winter not totally suck.

Since autumn is the harbinger of winter, and winter is what I'm dreading, I thought I'd start with a gratitude list for the sights and smells I've been so thoroughly enjoying lately:

 

 1. Cinnamon Pine Cones: Starting in September, our supermarket places this highly scented cinnamon pine cones by the front door. I always inhale deeply and walk on by, such a weird product and frivolous purchase! 

Well last week I bought them, on a whim, and they have brought at least $4.99 worth of joy into my life if not more. I can't explain why I love them so much but I do.

2. Lip Balm: On the same day my lips were feeling chapped last week, a friend randomly gave me this lip balm. I like it quite a bit; it feels nice on my lips, has a good flavor . . . and when my 10-year-old saw it, she let me know that owning this brand lip balm means I am now entered into the category of "cool Mom." 

 

 

 

At long last, I'm cool! Thanks, eos.

 3. This Squirrel Thief: Pretty sure this furry little bandit stole that ear of corn from the farmer's cows but I enjoyed watching it maneuver it with its tiny hands anyway. Sorry, cows.

 

4. Montauk Daisies: All summer I kept thinking, "What's this green thing again? And is it ever going to flower or do anything exciting?" Ah, yes, they are my October bloomers, the Montauk Daisies! I don't pick favorite anything (ask my kids what my favorite color is and they will correctly tell you it's rainbow) but I have said that crocuses may be one of my favorite flowers since they signal the start of spring. I realized that Montauk Daisies may bump crocuses out of that toppish place on my list since they extend the flowering season. 

 

They also provide a lovely home for this tiny spider who now has no reason to make a web in my house.

 5. Walk Surprises: A walk through the park, when taken thoughtfully, can always produce a surprise or two. I find when I slow down a little and pay attention to my surroundings I can be amazed by interesting mushrooms or delicate spiderwebs that seemed crystallized by the morning dew. But sometimes I don't have to be paying that much attention at all to be delighted by the unexpected. For example, this wild animal I saw at the State Park earlier in the week;

Really, you're just pollution. But you did make me smile.