1. Morning walks. This is probably my favorite season for morning walks, as it’s cooler but not super cold, we leave in the dark but get to see the full sunrise, and the sunrise because of the cold and moisture in the clouds can be a particular kind of magic.
One morning this week, we got to the trail head and heard a noise I couldn’t place. I looked around but didn’t see anything at first. Then, my headlamp reflected in the green of some animal’s eyes. We see a lot of deer there but these eyes were too close to the ground and it’s head moved different. I was starting to think it might be a bobcat when I put on my glasses so I could see more clearly and realized it was a deer, with a large heavy rack of antlers and head hovered low to the ground eating apples which he’d earlier knocked off the tree using the same antlers, explaining the strange noise we’d heard.
2. My brother and his tiny family. He has become the “head of the family” hard and fast, and does such a good job of it. And as Papa 2.0, he’s a much gentler, kinder, easier going version than we had growing up. Three sweet things about him this week: I found out that the apples Mom is always eating when he sends a picture are because he brings her one special when he goes to visit her. Also, even though he’s the one who typically does most of the shopping and all the shipping for my birthday and Christmas presents, he always makes sure to have his WHOLE family, both girls and both grandkids, sign my card. And finally, another sweet story about where some of Mom and Dad’s furniture that we don’t want is ending up — this time it’s a small loveseat that is going to a woman that is building a “tiny house” for her dogs!!! He knew I’d like that one. Even though the last two years have been especially hard for us, we are closer than ever, and I am grateful for that.
3. Seeing the Northern Lights from our front porch. Even more fun was sharing the pictures with everyone who wasn’t there to see them and seeing all the pictures other local people took.
4. Practice. Yoga at Red Sage plus one puppy, Friday morning writing sangha, writing and reading in the morning, and meditating in the quiet of my practice room.
5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I’m really looking forward to when Eric doesn’t have to work so hard, and to celebrating Ringo’s 12th birthday next week — the oldest dog I’ve ever had by a whole year and a half!
Bonus joy: seeing our friend Mary Ellen on our walk, visiting our friend Theresa at her fitness studio every week on our walk, all my dogs — here and gone, texting with Chris and Chloe’ and Shellie and Kari, sharing books with people, book club, getting the laundry done, grocery shopping, hanging out with Ringo all day, good TV, new music, listening to podcasts, slippers, breakfast burritos, other people’s dogs and kids, stickers, citrus, fry sauce, plantain chips, grapefruit Bubly, down blankets and pillows and coats, wool socks, gummies, making each other laugh, owls, finally a chance of snow in the forecast, remembering good people, Sesame Street, a warm shower, naps, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.
Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray) 
So much here to be grateful for. Thank you for sharing your northern lights with me. I love messaging with you, and I’m so grateful for you and your friendship.
I read Bobbi’s obituary-what a lovely life she led. Thank you for sharing it here. 💜🌈
Bobbi was one of my mom’s best friends, so we go way back. 😁 The best story about her: my dad got in a very serious car accident (hit by a drunk driver) just a day or two before he was supposed to report, having been drafted into the Vietnam War. While in the hospital, only family was allowed to visit him. Bobbi was newly married, so she let my mom borrow her wedding ring, and Mom pretended to already be Dad’s wife so she could visit. While she was there, he said something like “that ring looks pretty good on you, maybe we should get married.” The next day, he checked himself out of the hospital, against his doctor’s recommendation, and reported for duty. Because he was such a mess from the accident, they excused him, told him to go home and heal. The 2nd time he was drafted, they excused him because he had married Mom by then and they had a brand new baby at home, my brother. ❤
OMG- I love this story! 💜
fave pics: Ringo in his purple coat on rocks, and on couch howling!
He is such a drama queen. 😆
Your morning walks look and sound so beautiful. And I’m not a morning person!
Your brother sounds like a saint in every which way. You and your mom are very lucky to have him.
I love that you gave your neighor a Blue Heeler stuffed animal for her baby. So sweet!
Weren’t the Northern Lights amazing?! We had a beautiful show of them here, too. At one point, I could see them with my naked eye, which made me gasp out loud.
I hear you about Eric working so hard. My husband does, too. He works two jobs; always has. At one point, he had 3 or 4! (Seasonal PT jobs.) He’s 65 so technically could retire, but he’s going to work til age 67 so I can be covered by insurance (I’m 63). When he does retire, he’s going to keep his PT, working approx 2 days/week. He actually likes working….he enjoys what he does (911 dispatcher) and likes to get out of the house.
I was never an early morning person, until I had dogs, and I realized how wonderful it was to be able to see the sun rise, all the animals, and have it be so early hardly anyone else is out and you feel like you have the whole world to yourself. ❤
Yes, we are!
Her Mom said, “she has her very own Ringo!”
So amazing, and I would have totally missed them if it weren’t for Eric.
Oh, if you liked it, being a 911 dispatcher would be a great job! Talk about making a difference.