1. Where we live, on a quieter street. There was an early morning this week when I came from the back of the house and could tell from the light in the living room that it was a pretty sunrise, and it was, so I stepped out on the front porch and took some pictures. After about three, a black cat ran in front of me and under my car. To make sure Ringo didn’t see it, I turned around and pulled the door closed but not all the way shut. As I turned around and raised up my phone to take another picture, I heard a growl from behind me (Ringo had smelled the cat and nudged the door open) and before I could even turn around Ringo took off after the cat, into the neighbors yard then across the street and two houses down where the cat climbed a tree and Ringo couldn’t get to it. I was following, in my socks, running after him yelling for him to stop, and when he treed the cat, he trotted back towards me, so proud of himself, then past me and right back into the house. I told him to not do that again because it was a good way to get hit by a car but he thought it was the best day of his life. So, I’m grateful that both the cat and Ringo were safe when it was finished.

2. Our fall into winter front garden. What needed cleared out and cleaned up has been, and I love that the giant birch behind our house had a chance to turn it’s full color this year — I haven’t seen it that vibrant in at least ten years. Maybe this will be the year I finally repaint the outside of the house? It’s supposed to be a much darker green but is faded by the sun.

3. Practice. Meditating in the morning before the sun comes up. Writing at my desk with my HappyLight and a hot cup of coffee. Wild writing with my Friday morning sangha. I’m really struggling with my yoga practice, but I’m grateful even for that.

4. Morning walks. We’ve been going later and later to be able to be there when the sun comes up rather than walking in the dark. I was so sure with the wind this week all the leaves would be on the ground and the trees bare but was surprised when even today still there was a whole other layer of color. Once again, I took so many pictures, I chose my very favorites instead of loading all of them here because there were just so many.

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5. My tiny family, my tiny home, my tiny life. I’m so happy, content, and I try not to spend too much time thinking about what it would be like if I didn’t have Eric and Ringo here with me.

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Bonus joy: How big Ringo’s personality is — his enthusiasm and his strong opinions, having Eric home for the weekend after he’s been working all week, training with Shelby, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna, roasted sweet potatoes, green grapes, hanging out with Calyx, texting with Chloe’ and my mom & brother, naps, watching TV, listening to podcasts, clean laundry, a big glass of cold clean water, how much Ringo loves his physical therapist (he thinks he goes there just to play), getting the results of my sleep study back already (mild sleep apnea, I see my doctor next week to figure out what I might do about that, but it might explain my recent fatigue and blood work and answers are always appreciated), health insurance, vaccines, a warm shower, clean sheets, good neighbors, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.