1. Morning walks. It was pretty hazy all week, due to the fires in Canada and Oregon. Eric came with us on a few of our walks, and that was nice. On their walks, Eric and Ringo saw lots of racoons and deer, and one day on one of our walks, we saw two mama deer and three of this years babies. One of them had the zoomies and it was so cute to see the baby running as fast as it could in circles around the rest of them and its mom joining in to play and chase him around.

It’s almost impossible to see in these next pictures, but on one walk I heard and then saw a tiny hummingbird taking a break way up in this mostly dead tree.

2. Long term healthcare providers. I’ve had the same primary care doctor for 25 years, have gone to the same women’s clinic for 25 years, the same eye doctor for at least 15, and have gone to the same dentist office for 20+. There is a level of compassion, comfort, and care you have access to after a long, good relationship that is worth so much. I am in trouble when everyone starts to retire.

3. Content/Art. Sometimes there is so much of it that it feels overwhelming, but I love all the books, TV shows, films, videos, podcasts, comedy, music, etc., and how easy it all is to access.

4. The chance to start over. Again, and again, and again, as many times as necessary.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. This morning when I went to practice, I noticed that Eric had left a bonus love note on my meditation shrine. Then I remembered how the tiny brass deer was another surprise from him — I’d posted a link to it on Facebook, saying “add this to the list of things I don’t need but want anyway” and when I got back from being in Oregon caring for my dad as he died, the tiny brass deer was there on my shrine. Then I walked out into the kitchen after I finished meditating this morning, and Eric was there making potatoes for Ringo and had added peaches and sliced almonds to the grocery list because he’s going to make me a pie. I haven’t done everything right or always made the best choices in my life, but marrying Eric is NOT one of those things.

Ringo clearly is feeling SO much better, his belly and his arthritis, and that makes me incredibly happy.

Bonus joy: rain, texting with Chris, peaches and corn, a/c, clean laundry, finding new recipes to try, cancelled plans, a warm shower, the way Ringo naps on the bathmat until I’m done, the way the top of his head smells when he comes in from laying in the sun in the backyard, Facebook memories, hawkmoths, tiny bright yellow turtles, meadowlarks feeding on the sunflowers, pizza, gummies, floss, popcorn, naps, cuddling with Eric on the couch in the morning, hugging in the kitchen, making each other laugh, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.