1. A safe, relatively easy trip from Colorado to Oregon. There was some minor chaos, but that’s to be expected when traveling with two dogs, one of which is Ringo.

Somewhere in central Oregon

2. Cooler weather for the road trip. There have been times we’ve made this drive when it was 90-100 degrees and we had two dogs in the car, and that’s not fun at all, for anyone. This time it was cool enough they were comfortable in the car, and we got to stop and walk around a lot because it was cool enough outside.

3. My peonies, which were still blooming and producing when we left, were so gorgeous this year.

4. My tiny family. Oh how I love my three boys, and the chance to spend more time with them in this beautiful place.

5. Waldport. It really is one of my favorite places on the planet.

From our walk this morning

Bonus joy: maple bars, a hot shower, getting here and getting unpacked, sunshine on a day it was supposed to rain, bay shrimp, clean water, a remodeled rental house, visiting with relatives, my new car, quiet, the sound of the real ocean when I’m falling asleep at night, the cool breeze coming in the window over my head, how happy this place makes Eric, that the dogs totally remembered this place and relaxed into it right away, the proximity of everything we need, a new book from Tig Notaro on my Kindle just waiting for me to read it, marionberry jam (I bought it at the grocery store just like it was a regular old jam!), how quiet it is here, the familiarity of this place, Sam trying so hard not to freak out about seagulls, Ringo so sleepy and sweet, a bed that is smaller than our own but still works, a washer and dryer so I can pack light, wi-fi, our not so new cellphones with cameras so good I didn’t have to bring another camera on this trip, a good friend I can trust watering and caring for our garden, three Farmer’s Markets, being able to stay connected even when I’m away.

1. Peony season in my garden. I’m so glad they opened before we left, and there were so many this year! I put in two more plants because they do so well and I love them so much. The pale pink with the butter yellow center in the picture above is one of the new ones.

2. In related news, flowers in the bathroom. There’s something so decedent about this, and I love it even more when they are from my own garden. These smell so good.

Some new flowers I put in this week.

3. Our garden all in and as cleaned up as it’s going to get. It’s been four years of working on the front garden and it’s really starting to fill in.

4. Strawberries from our garden. This makes me so happy, even though right now there are only a ripe handful a day. I heard a rumor that the season in Oregon may have been ruined by a recent heatwave, so at least we got some before we went.

5. My tiny family. I can’t wait to walk on the beach with them.

Sam’s new harness

Sleepy boy

“Can I haz some?” (notice the hamburger on the counter ready to grill — and yes, he got some)

Ringo Suave, coat made of stars

Bonus joy: getting to see friends and share food and a laugh before we head out, cooking, strawberries freshly picked and still warm from the sun, homemade pizza, the promise of peach pie, ice cream sandwiches, cold clean water, a new physical therapist so sure she can correct a 30 year imbalance, new seat covers for the car, naps, clean sheets, a shower.