Yes, indeed. And much needed.
Graham and I are heading to the coast later this week, so I’ll be taking a bit of a writing break. But I’ll be back next week – I’m sure with lots of stories and pictures – and February’s short story will be posted on Monday, February 28th. It’s a good one, if I do say so myself. So, check back next week, and in the meantime, happy creating, y’all!
Graham and I stopped into my favorite antique and vintage shop over the weekend, and these little cups caught my eye:
I bought them and brought them home, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out what they’re meant to be used for. Are they sake cups? Maybe they’re for sugar? I don’t know! They’re Nippon, based on the maker’s mark.
But a quick Google search doesn’t turn up this pattern, so who knows? Regardless, I just think they’re neat. And different, given their shape, pattern, and colors, than anything else I have in my china collection. So, overall, a pretty cool find.
“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” –Lord Byron
I love to laugh. I think a good laugh can work a whole host of miracles – cheering you up when you’re sad, releasing tension, just generally making the world feel a little less daunting, and also, decent pictures of me actually existing.
My friend got a new phone over the weekend and snapped this picture as he was trying it out. I don’t know what I was laughing about, but I’m glad he captured the moment. And I figured I’d share it today, just in case anyone reading also needs a good laugh. You never know, right?
Everywhere. All around. In the brightest and the darkest places. Written on the faces of fathers and mothers, siblings, partners, and friends that become family. On every road, down every path, no matter the wrong turns and false starts, it’s still out there.
And you’re worthy of it.
You deserve it.
So, here’s your reminder, if you need it:
In this world, there is love. Yes, there’s hate, and fear, and anger, and sadness, but also, there is love.
You are loved.
It’s been a lightly snowy Sunday. Not much in the way of accumulation, but a few showers every now and again.
I’m enjoying it, and I suspect it might be our last snow of the season. Yesterday was sunny and almost 60 degrees (Fahrenheit), so it was a little strange to wake up this morning and see snow on the ground, but I’ll take it!
Overall, it’s been a relaxing day. We’ve got a fire going in the fireplace, and I’ve been reading the latest from my brother-in-law: a web comic called Traveler. I’m super excited to see this work get published, and I hope it really takes off. If web comics are your style (or even if they’re not, because it’s always fun to try new things), I’d definitely recommend checking it out!
And that’s my Sunday, I guess. Reading, relaxing, and watching it snow. And for dinner? Some kind of garlic-y pasta, as is snow day tradition for Graham and me. 😊
I don’t know if this is a thing that happens in other places, but here in Virginia, before we get on with actual spring, we usually have a first spring, or what some people call a “fool’s spring.” And, well, I think we’re there.
It’s beautiful and sunny and in the 60s (Fahrenheit) today, and will be tomorrow as well. But I don’t think winter’s quite ready to let us go, and it’s supposed to be cold and possible snowy on Sunday before warming up again next week. So, I guess we’ll see.
Virginia, y’all. She always keeps her people guessing.
Anyway, I wrote a poem about it, because it just felt like the right thing to do.
**********
Winter’s chill softens.
The sun and air and wind
turn gentle and warm
and the ground begins to thaw.
All around the sounds of new life –
a world rife with breeze and birdsong –
but first impressions
can be wrong
and beauty’s a fickle thing.
Here in Virginia,
it remains to be seen
whether this is truly spring.
Another one for the poetry challenge over at Fake Flamenco!
The challenge for February is to write a pareado with the theme of friendship. Well, I’d never written a pareado before, and y’all, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be! But friendship certainly has a place in my heart, what with the Better Friendships podcast that I co-host with one of my besties. So, even though it was difficult, I had to give it a try. The results?
A true friend is a guiding star
who lights the way even from afar.
No one walks life’s path alone
who has a friend in heart or home.
…Not my best work. But it was still super fun! And if you want to participate, the challenge is open until February 12th.
When my child asks
why my hair is going gray,
I will say:
“Those are my stardust streaks.”
I will tell her we’re all made
of earth and star stuff,
and one day, once again,
that’s what we’ll be.
And I’ll remind her
that it’s not a tragedy
to say goodbye, even though
it’s sad for a time,
because she can always
find me in the night sky.
*I read Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg this morning. It clearly left me feeling inspired (see: this poem, above), and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to read this week.*
Darkened sky and sodden ground,
drops, drips, and downpours –
the sound: a rhythm of life
on cold, hard earth.
The winter rain reminds us,
a damp drumbeat
to tell the world that
spring’s around the corner.
Well, mostly.
The wall’s patched, and the wet bar’s back in place, and the plumbing issue hasn’t resurfaced, so, yay! But we’ve got some painting to do, and this whole thing’s made us think about what other changes we’d like to make in the basement, and in the house generally. So, we’ll see where that goes. But for now, I’m relieved that this particular problem has been dealt with.
Old house life, y’all. It’s certainly never boring.
