At home yesterday for about half the day I decided to go out and find some magic. I went to CVS to pick up a prescription. I saw the store manager tending a trolley loaded with cellophaned heart-shaped boxes of candy and stopped to tell her how I appreciated her enthusiastic assistance a few months ago when she showed me the store's candle selection. Got any candles? I asked. Tons! she said. Seasonal! she said, sweeping her arm toward paper goods. Regular! she said, sweeping her arm in the other direction. I told her that I also included our exchange in a series I have started based on my journal and thanked her for the inspiration/anecdote. Anytime! she said. I got shit to do all day! I try to be funny, she added. Better that way on purpose than by accident, I said. Right! she said.
Happy early birthday Maggie! I just pre-ordered your new book and can’t wait! I’m all about the small joys- mine right now is heating the milk up for my coffee- ooooh it’s so much better! I’m writing a letter a day this month (inspired by The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans) by new fav book of 2025! Ha! I love letter writing so I’m writing to people I know, but also people I’ve never met! It’s such a small joy for me! Thank you for all that you do; the world is a better place because of people like you- I was just listening to NPR last night on my way home from work and he quoted Benjamin Franklin as saying “just do something useful” and I love this. Because for me, making someone smile with a pretty letter in the mail is a useful joy! 🙏🏽❤️💌
I'm started reading Fear on an airplane last night- what an unexpected joy. It felt like a Buddhist meditation and a instruction manual on how to get the most out of a poem. Always appreciate the book and music suggestions.
And I am going to start writing poetry again, it's time. It's past time, actually
My idea of celebrating sportsball was restarting Ted Lasso for the umpteenth time with my son and his partner last night while eating chicken soup. Spending time with my grown kids is a (not small) joy. The good-heartedness of Ted Lasso is also a joy, as is the latest season of Shrinking, which is similarly good-hearted (and bawdy and hilarious).
Oh, and I did catch Bad Bunny's halftime show on YouTube first time this morning. What JOY! It reminded me of being in Cuba in my twenties, and his calling out of all the countries of America made me weep happy tears.
I am a Lasso evangelist. It is such an antidote to these times, but most especially to the toxic masculinity which feels like it's hanging over all of us like a doom cloud. It would be a great thing to watch with your son (If you don't mind the sexual content. I don't remember how old he is.) It's also great that the eps are mostly very short, so you can run through a few very quickly. It's not a huge commitment, time-wise, to get through all three seasons. And a FOURTH is coming out soon.
And you really should then check out Shrinking. It's completely different, but has a similar spirit.
Right now, my joy and my anxiety is the finalization of my first full length book. The anxiety is knowing where to send it and of course the joy is the creation and anticipation of publication. I, along with the populace of the empathetic, have been feeling the weight of the world lately and it’s a lot. Reading your words are a stability in a whirlwind of convolution.
Thank you for calling forward the good stuff and for offering some options of where we might find more possibilities of it! Yes to Brandi Carlile (always!) and to Bad Bunny's performance packed with messages needed for our times!
For me the best and most necessary part of life is often its little pleasures, especially encounters I have with people going about my day-to-day life - random conversations that bring unexpected connections and kindnesses, or just noticing what someone on the sidewalk or in the grocery is doing. Initiating, participating in, and witnessing these moments can go a very long way these days.
At home yesterday for about half the day I decided to go out and find some magic. I went to CVS to pick up a prescription. I saw the store manager tending a trolley loaded with cellophaned heart-shaped boxes of candy and stopped to tell her how I appreciated her enthusiastic assistance a few months ago when she showed me the store's candle selection. Got any candles? I asked. Tons! she said. Seasonal! she said, sweeping her arm toward paper goods. Regular! she said, sweeping her arm in the other direction. I told her that I also included our exchange in a series I have started based on my journal and thanked her for the inspiration/anecdote. Anytime! she said. I got shit to do all day! I try to be funny, she added. Better that way on purpose than by accident, I said. Right! she said.
It took less than 60 seconds and it made my day.
❤️❤️❤️
Happy early birthday Maggie! I just pre-ordered your new book and can’t wait! I’m all about the small joys- mine right now is heating the milk up for my coffee- ooooh it’s so much better! I’m writing a letter a day this month (inspired by The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans) by new fav book of 2025! Ha! I love letter writing so I’m writing to people I know, but also people I’ve never met! It’s such a small joy for me! Thank you for all that you do; the world is a better place because of people like you- I was just listening to NPR last night on my way home from work and he quoted Benjamin Franklin as saying “just do something useful” and I love this. Because for me, making someone smile with a pretty letter in the mail is a useful joy! 🙏🏽❤️💌
Thanks for this, Hannah! I love the idea of getting back to letter writing.
I'm started reading Fear on an airplane last night- what an unexpected joy. It felt like a Buddhist meditation and a instruction manual on how to get the most out of a poem. Always appreciate the book and music suggestions.
And I am going to start writing poetry again, it's time. It's past time, actually
I love the feeling of reading in the sky—might have to finish this book on a flight!
My idea of celebrating sportsball was restarting Ted Lasso for the umpteenth time with my son and his partner last night while eating chicken soup. Spending time with my grown kids is a (not small) joy. The good-heartedness of Ted Lasso is also a joy, as is the latest season of Shrinking, which is similarly good-hearted (and bawdy and hilarious).
Oh, and I did catch Bad Bunny's halftime show on YouTube first time this morning. What JOY! It reminded me of being in Cuba in my twenties, and his calling out of all the countries of America made me weep happy tears.
Believe it or not, I’ve never seen Ted Lasso! Maybe this is finally my year….
I am a Lasso evangelist. It is such an antidote to these times, but most especially to the toxic masculinity which feels like it's hanging over all of us like a doom cloud. It would be a great thing to watch with your son (If you don't mind the sexual content. I don't remember how old he is.) It's also great that the eps are mostly very short, so you can run through a few very quickly. It's not a huge commitment, time-wise, to get through all three seasons. And a FOURTH is coming out soon.
And you really should then check out Shrinking. It's completely different, but has a similar spirit.
Sold! Thanks, Asha.
Right now, my joy and my anxiety is the finalization of my first full length book. The anxiety is knowing where to send it and of course the joy is the creation and anticipation of publication. I, along with the populace of the empathetic, have been feeling the weight of the world lately and it’s a lot. Reading your words are a stability in a whirlwind of convolution.
Kevin, here’s to the joy in the creation, as you say! Sending all my best.
Thank you for calling forward the good stuff and for offering some options of where we might find more possibilities of it! Yes to Brandi Carlile (always!) and to Bad Bunny's performance packed with messages needed for our times!
The earnestness of her voice—so moving, always. A national treasure!
As always...
For me the best and most necessary part of life is often its little pleasures, especially encounters I have with people going about my day-to-day life - random conversations that bring unexpected connections and kindnesses, or just noticing what someone on the sidewalk or in the grocery is doing. Initiating, participating in, and witnessing these moments can go a very long way these days.
Initiating, participating in, and witnessing—yes! Thanks for this reminder, Polly.