1. Morning walks. Even the ones that are gloomy and icy and cold. This week we saw two osprey in a giant tree next to a pond and a small herd of white tailed deer in the cemetery. And yes, we walk through the cemetery some times — it’s big with lots of giant trees, an owl’s nest, a series of wide dirt roads that wind through and around. It’s very peaceful and quiet and right next to City Park where we can finish our walk. And if there are ghosts, I think they enjoy being visited by dogs — at least, I would.

2. Making art with Janice and Mikalina. This week I cut out tons of pictures, tried various combinations, but what I ended up with was much more simple than all that.

3. Practice. No matter what is going on, I’m so much more sane and able to handle it because of my practice.

4. Sam. 13 years ago today, we brought him home. Dexter was about seven at the time and so sweet with him. As I scrolled through my Facebook memories this morning, I could see the countdown from the very last time I celebrated his “gotcha” anniversary with a picture of him lounging in the sun on the back patio all the way back until that first day. The last picture was only two months before we’d lose him, but we had no idea anything was wrong, even though I’m sure the cancer was already growing. Looking back, I’m so glad I retired the year before and that COVID meant we were all home together in those final months. As strange as that time was we got to be close and together, all the time. It’s been three years without him, and still I’m so sad today, missing him so much. He really was my shadow my “velcro” dog. Once you’ve been loved like that it’s really hard to be without it. I miss all three of my dogs the same way, and if life were fair, I’d still have all four of them.

5. My tiny family, tiny home, tiny life. I feel very very very lucky, all the time.

Bonus joy: lounging in the sun in the backyard with Ringo, bran muffins with dried raspberries, green grapes, audiobooks and ebooks from the library, naps, clean laundry, clean sheets, a big glass of cold clean water, a warm shower, a haircut (for those keeping score, that’s two haircuts in the past four years), wool socks, down coats and pillows and blankets, clean pjs, good TV, listening to podcasts, texting with Chloe’ and Chris and Mom and Mikalina, other people’s dogs, birds, how one sign of spring is the increase in bird song, electricity, “real” mail, blue sky, sunshine, friends who randomly text me to tell me they are thinking about me, birthdays, the promise of spring and our garden, the new “magic eraser” feature in my photo editing app, the way Ringo will run back inside when I knock on the window, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.

1. Morning walks. I took so many pictures that my first attempt to put them all on this page crashed my browser. This week the weather and my body cooperated and I got to do all our normal walks. But y’all, it was COLD. Beautiful light, gorgeous sky, and we got out early enough and at the right place to see an owl one morning. Eric said they saw a coyote this morning, and because of where they saw it I now know why Ringo gets so excited and starts tracking every time we walk along that one side of the back cement pond.

2. Being able to unload my junk. This could apply to a lot of things but what I’m thinking of in this moment is the load I just took to ARC to donate. There has been a huge pile in the middle of our garage for months that we hadn’t gotten around to loading up and taking, (this winter was rough, y’all). I really really need to clear out my office but without that space in the garage to unload to while I reorganize it’s almost impossible. I had a few errands to run today and since Eric was home, I had him help me load up the car. When I got to ARC, I was laughing at myself because the two cars in front of me dropped off ONE bag each and when they got to my car, I told them, “everything in the back seat, on the floor, and in the way back goes.” One of the kids unloading said, “all of it?” and I said, “everything but the seat cover.”

3. Naps. I need one so bad today. Hopefully I can take care of that once I hit “publish.” I got a set of flannel sheets, have never had them as an adult, and oh wow do I love them. My bed really is one of my favorite places in the world and it’s now even more cozy.

4. Reading. One of the biggest regrets of my life will be not getting to read all the books I want to read. I love it so much, always have.

5. My tiny family, tiny home, tiny life. I love it here, so much.

Bonus joy: two little beloved boys turning two on the same day, stickers, my favorite fork and spoon, a new notebook, ink refills for the pen I thought I’d have to throw out, reusable grocery bags, bird song, that corner of the couch, my infrared heating pad, a warm shower, a cold glass of clean water, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, wild-ish writing, training with Shelby and the gang, hanging out with Mikalina, texting with Chris and Chloe’, the promise of spring, crayons, other people’s dogs, all the ways Eric helps and supports me, watching TV with him at night, sitting on the couch together doing nothing, making each other laugh, the way Ringo will just show up at random times throughout the day asking for some love, documentaries, true crime, music, poetry and poets, massage, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.