1. Morning walks. We are now in the season where we can do more of these together, all three of us, and soon, we’ll be doing them for a bit on the beach. We are also in the season of baby animals and the river flowing full and fast.

2. Ringo got a bath. It takes some work for the humans (his bedding, the blankets that cover all the furniture he’s allowed to use — which is basically all of it, and all the towels mean a full day of laundry) and he doesn’t love it, but he’s all fluffy and clean now, and I can’t help but think that must feel better. Especially now that he’s older, I also appreciate the after bath zoomies and roll in the grass, the extra surge of energy he gets after he’s done — followed by an epic nap.

3. Practice. Meditation with Sarah Blondin, Friday morning practice with my writing sangha, and yoga with Red Sage that included a fluffy puppy.

4. Working in the garden. As I mentioned, there is something so satisfying about it, as whatever progress I make seems so obvious, so clear. I filled our entire 65 gallon yard trimmings bin in just a few hours, and the majority was either Bindweed or Creeping Bellflower, also known as Devil Weed, (for good reason). I picked some of my rhubarb and since I also had strawberries, I made compote.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. Eric was still busy this week and at work some days, but it’s starting to feel like summer with him around a bit more, and I love it. I’m not ready for him to retire yet, but I like having him around more often.

Bonus joy: Mom and her best friend, visiting with Chloe’, getting in the pool and sauna, my own washer and dryer in my own house so I don’t have to hoard quarters and transport my dirty things to a second location and wait there while they cycle, a warm shower, a big glass of cold clean water, ice cream, all of our favorite places to eat and stay and walk on our road trip to Oregon still there (I checked), Eric’s dad’s new place perfectly located on our regular driving route so we should get there right in time to stop for lunch and rest a bit before the final two hours to the beach, down blankets and pillows, clean sheets, grapefruit Bubly, hot coffee sweetened with hot cocoa mix, a warm mug of green tea, eggs, Skyr with granola and strawberries, listening to podcasts, good TV and movies (and the awareness that sometimes “bad” can be “good”), listening to music, oranges, texting with Chris, naps, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.