1. Flowers in the bathroom and kitchen counter love notes and pie. I haven’t had them in a long time, and I was sad last week because I broke my favorite vase, so when Eric was at Trader Joe’s, he brought me home flowers. It was also my birthday last week, so I got a special kitchen counter love note AND a pie. I also made myself cupcakes and bought myself two new pairs of the softest pajama pants ever.

2. Morning walks. Even though it’s dark, I love going so early because hardly anyone else is out, except for the deer.

Can you find the deer?

3. 52 years. It’s been a good life, and I’ll take a few more decades of it, please. I got lots of celebrations last week, spread out so that I could recover from peopling in between.

Birthday present from my brother, which Ringo was certain were a toy — this is his look of disappointment when he found out they were just socks

4. Practice. I’ve been leaning in this week, have needed the extra support.

5. My tiny family. Ringo turned six this past week and Sam is as sweet as ever.

Bonus joy: Writing with Carrie, writing with Chloe’ and Mikalina (and cracking each other up), having tea with Chloe’ which also meant I got to see Pancho and Franny, dinner with Heather and Stacey and their good news about their move and a new job, dinner with Jon and Chelsey, long naps, a warm shower, a tall glass of cold clean water, texting with people I love, apple pie oatmeal (one part oatmeal, one part apple pie), writing, yoga, inside jokes (not because it leaves anyone out, but because it represents a long history with someone who makes you laugh), Thanksgiving break (which means Eric will be home all week), getting all the laundry done and put away, an easy salad mix in a bag, a quiet snow day, new music, good books and tv and movies.

1. Morning walks. Even with the dark, this is my favorite time of the year for walking.

2. The color of the Colorado sky, especially when there’s moisture in the air and it’s cold out.

3. Getting the rest and support I need. After our scare with Ringo, I spent the next two days recovering, had a good session with my therapist and texted with friends, ate good food and took a lot of naps. Today Ringo is going to see our favorite physical therapy and pain management vet to get some extra love. He’s actually fine, but I will feel better if we go and make sure.

4. My birthday is coming. Because of that, I have a lot of fun plans coming up over the weekend and into next week. Instead of a cake this year, I asked for an apple pie.

5. My tiny family. They really are the best, my favorites.

I was sitting under my infrared heating pad and favorite blanket and Ringo decided to come borrow some of my heat

Bonus joy: San Pelligrino Orange, soft warm pjs, wool socks and sweaters, down blankets and pillows, a warm shower, a big glass of cold clean water, the dog walkers who say hello or good morning, the fact that our new neighbors across the street have two kids and three big dogs, getting to hang out with Mikalina and Chloe’ for three whole hours, toast with butter and jam, Henry the baby Corgi, teaching yoga, long naps, friends that have been friends for decades, good books, good TV and movies, good podcasts, good music.