1. Spring. Yes, we could still get snow, even a lot of it, but it’s here.

2. Clean water. Because of Flint, but because this is always something that I feel such gratitude for, knowing it could easily be otherwise, and a cold glass of water and a hot shower are two of the best things ever.

3. Roasted sweet potatoes covered in yummy spices making my house smell so good.

4. Eric taking the dogs hiking at Lory. They have been going a lot lately, and the next best thing to getting to go with them is if they get to go.

5. The way Ringo and Sam play together. For a long time I didn’t know if they’d ever learn to do this, to enjoy it, and it makes me stupid happy to see it. (It’s pretty hard to get a good picture of since they are usually a big blur when it’s happening).

Bonus joy: new music to add to my SoundCloud playlist, You Made it Weird podcast, being my own trainer at the gym, Wild Writing class, making plans to see friends, the perfect poem prompt, getting the rest I need, clean sheets, my new bathroom (will this ever go away?), my new car, the lingering smell of incense, being able to say “no” and not feel guilty, giving away chocolate, yoga, stretching my muscles, getting a massage, my doctor (she’s so good), physical therapy, xrays that prove I’m not exaggerating the chronic pain, good news.

1. The particular blue of an almost spring Colorado sky. It’s so pretty, and makes me so stupid happy. The winter doesn’t have to be long to bring me low, and it’s only when there’s a hint of spring that I realize just how low.

2. Walking with the dogs. Eric will be home late today, so we went on our own, for a whole hour and it felt good, nothing hurting so bad it made me want to cry — this is progress!

3. The good people CSU has brought into my life. I may have regrets, complaints about my time there, but I will be forever grateful for the dear friends I’ve made because of it.

4. A successful writing assignment. It was a kind of writing I don’t do much, and I surprised myself with how easy it was, how fun, how well it turned out.

5. The weather being nice enough, the yard dry enough that the dogs could have a frozen Kong treat outside, and how happy it made them to have it.

Bonus joy: I thought I might be over it by now but nope still my new bathroom, Wild Writing, having a good laugh with someone, talking with someone who really listens and understands and loves you, the ease of our walk this afternoon, clean water, the way Ringo got up on the futon next to me today and fell asleep while I was writing, pretzels, yoga, being sore and tired like I used to get from working out with my trainer knowing that now I am my own trainer, the weekend on its way, the sun/moon roof on my new car, how my new car is the same color of blue as the spring sky, the fact that Eric will be home soon.