1. Morning walks. One thing I love about living here is how dry and sunny it is, after living the first part of my life in the damp and gray of the Pacific Northwest. And yet, this particular winter season, we’ve had way too much “good weather” and I am aching for snow. There’s a particular stillness and quiet that only happens when it snows and I’m longing for some of that.

2. This weird week, this liminal space of no time between Christmas and New Year’s. 

3. Christmas day. It was just the three of us at home, opening presents, cooking and eating good food, and resting — and it was wonderful. My small family in Oregon was gathered at Mom’s house, the girls doing all the cooking again, the kids playing with their presents, and my brother sending me texts and pictures so it felt almost like I was there with them.

At our house, Ringo was too tired from his morning walk to get involved in opening presents, and once the sun went down, so did Eric — literally fell asleep on the floor, lying on the Shakti mat he bought me. The funniest present Eric got me requires some back story: if I buy snacks, in particular candy, I have to hide it from Eric otherwise it will be gone. “Sharing” doesn’t really work, because I like to savor things, have just a little at a time and make it last, when if it exists he has to consume it all immediately. Over the years, I’ve had to find multiple hiding places because he eventually finds the current stash, so it slows him down but doesn’t stop him. Because of this, this Christmas he bought me a metal lockbox where I can hide my candy and he can’t get to it. I laughed so hard when I opened it. I’m not entirely convinced he didn’t have a copy of the key made before he gave it to me, however. 🙂

4. Practice. My meditation shrine is starting to look like Noah’s ark with all my tiny brass animals. Not sure why I love them so much, besides the fact they are tiny and animals.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I love being here, with them. I suspect that will come as no surprise to you, kind and gentle reader. P.S. I take an absurd amount of pictures of Ringo while he’s sleeping, but he’s just SO cute!

Bonus joy: pecan tarts, comedy, true crime, stickers, the family group text, clean laundry, pay day, how good it feels when someone likes what you got them for Christmas or their birthday, nuts, leftovers, soft bread, roasted vegetables, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna with Eric, texting with Chloe’, sharing memes and reels with Shellie and Kari and Carrie, listening to podcasts, a new Kindle, libraries and librarians, poetry and poets, watching TV, eating candy, white cheddar popcorn, massage, blackout shades, my weighted blankets, Christmas cards, twinkle lights, down blankets and pillows, wool socks and sweaters and shirts, other people’s kids and dogs and Christmas decorations, having a tree with just lights, not losing hope or giving up, naps, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.