Barry

There was (apparently) a barred owl in New York that drew the attention of people because of her (researchers said it was a her) comfort with humans. She died last week, and the New York Times published a really lovely story about what she meant to the community. 

It's not every day you read a moving tribute to an owl. But I highly recommend. (Also: The photo of her gazing at her reflection is sublime.) 

Obsessed

I am in love with this batch of five parrots that were all swearing and laughing at each other in a giant, recurring stew. 

Here, kitty, kitty

I visited a friend on her porch last night, and was surprised when a cat greeted me as I pulled into the driveway. She's always been a dog person, but it had been six months, and maybe she'd added a pet.

The cat was friendly and followed me into the backyard. It hung around after I slipped and fell in the mud. (That's a different story, but it's been so long since I fell in the mud! There was something weirdly nice about that, too!) And it walked up the stairs with me to the porch.

It did not belong to my friend.

But for the whole two and a half hours I was there, it made itself at home. It leaped on the chairs, the table, each of us. It challenged her dog, who had come to the door to see what was happening. It strutted along railings and went after some bugs. It was the most self-assured cat I've ever seen.

And when it was time for me to leave, the cat followed down the stairs. I had to lure it out the gate. It scampered among the rosemary as I picked some on my way out. My friend joked that it was going to follow me in to my car, but I made a (mud-covered) run for it. The cat was nonchalant, and meandered away, to the next house.

I'm not an animal person at all, but it was really sweet and soft and friendly. If it had jumped in the car after me, I would have been hard-pressed to kick it out.

P.S.

The butter carving was just as amazing as I hoped it would be.

Princess Kay

The New York Times had a story a couple weeks ago about Princess Kay of the Milky Way, the annual competition for dairy promotion at the Minnesota State Fair. 

Each year, the competition is capped by a sculptor carving a 90-pound butter bust of each contestant. The show must go on, so even though the fair os off, the carving must continue. They'll do it via Facebook Live starting tomorrow. You can bet I marked my calendar. 

I went on the Facebook page tonight to see the details and ended up watching the coronation. It was otherworldly. College students in gowns, wearing masks, talking about their love for dairy farming. There were videos with family members wearing matching shirts, terrible puns and beauty-pageant-like questions related to farms.

It made my night. I can't wait for a week's worth of butter carving. 

For the birds

I was sitting outside this afternoon, watching the squirrels jump from branch to branch when I saw two winged creatures that made me smile: a hummingbird and a cardinal.

It's the second time in the past few weeks that I've seen the hummingbird, and at around the same time -- so maybe it's a regular occurrence? The cardinal makes me smile with its bright flash of red, and because it reminds me of home.

Slipper socks

I finally had to close my windows the other night because my heat kicked on while they were open. Which is far preferable to 90-odd degrees, I think.

I left one window open and turned off the heat, because I've liked having a breeze. I pulled my blankets tight. But I was still cold! And then I had an aha moment.

In the back of the pajama drawer, I found an old pair of socks with grips on the bottom, purple with green frogs. They're old and holey and kept my toes warm and made me grin.

You're so vain

Because how great is this, from a story about a town overrun by peacocks?

"He showed the crowd a photo of a city employee’s Toyota Prius that had deep scratches on all sides. He said the peacocks see their reflection on the side of the car, mistake it for a rival and attack with their beaks."

For the birds

A receipt from the olden days, when you used to go to restaurants and eat food, that had the server's name on it. His last name was Cockatiel. I don't know if it was real or make-believe, but it made me smile.

Lost in time

Remember how I told you I was thinking of Billy Pilgrim coming unstuck in time? I am apparently not the only one who is having a hard time with when we are.

As such, I was very amused to learn I am not the only one who needs help with when it is. (Watch the clip! Then go to the thread and watch the next one! Day Two is even better than Day One.) Thank you, TV news, for that assistance.

I don't know that they're representing Cleveland well, but they are representing Cleveland. And it gives me a fabulous excuse to link back to this, from the same station, about a neighborhood bear sighting.

It never doesn't make me laugh. Thanks, TV news, for some levity (at least mostly intended).

Sharing stories

I love to read, and I love talking about the things I read (and want to read). Lucky for me, a friend has been indulging my desire for book (and other!) discussions in email chains for some time now. He sent me a fabulous short story several weeks ago, and I suggested another one in return. I was thrilled to see in an email today that he liked it.

Even more thrilling is that he's working on his own writing -- and asked me to read it. I'm so stoked to eventually see what he's been working on and really honored to have been asked. (I may have responded in all caps. I won't tell if you don't.)

Racing stripes

On the way in to work this morning, I heard a song that made me smile. It included the lines "my dog has racing stripes" and "I named my dog Springsteen, cuz it was born to run."

Of course, I tried to find the song when I got to the office. But the internet isn't cooperating, and it's nowhere to be found! Do you know this song? Can you find it for me? I'll be forever grateful.

Books, books, books (and a bonus)

A post in three parts (and a bonus):

Today -- for the fourth time in recent memory, which is indeed a dangerous thing -- I stumbled upon Bag Day at my local library. This means that you can fill a grocery bag full of for-sale books for super cheap. In today's case, I spent $12 on two paper bags full of books. Luckily (because my shelf space is severely limited), I intend to give some of them away. I also came out with the John Green book I went in for, which was the original purpose of the library visit.

In the free book bin, I found a book of poems by Billy Collins. I was lucky enough to see him converse with Paul Simon last year, and I really loved the poems he read then. But I haven't sought out any others, despite intent. When I picked up the book, the co-worker who put it there saw my face. "It's gone to the right place," she said.

I got in the mail a book I lent out maybe two years ago. I'd forgotten just how beautiful it is. You should definitely read it. And now I have my copy back to lend again.

And! What else should come in the mail but a blue canary! For putting in the outlet by the light switch! (It's already there.) It was totally unexpected and I am super stoked!

I hope they did this on purpose

Kansas and Toto are touring together.

You're welcome.

Today so far

This morning, here's what made me smile:

On the radio: "It is Friday. That's when we bust out the Tom Jones."

From the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought was a zebra on my morning commute. Atlanta has a history of zebras, so while surprising, this wouldn't have been unusual -- well, less unusual than a mountain lion. Turns out it was a Hummer painted like a zebra. Which was still pretty great.

And then, a middle-aged man riding a bicycle with a basket, wearing a reflective crossing-guard vest.

(As an added bonus, there was also a man on the sidewalk in a bright pink leg cast. I felt a little bit bad for the cast itself, but love that he chose bright pink.)

Saturday

On the road

Three vehicles worth noting:

• An open-backed truck, like the ones people use for landscaping equipment, stuffed with helium tanks of various sizes;
• At a construction site near my office, a truck that says WATER TRUCK and underneath it, in smaller letter, NON POTABLE WATER;
• A truck with a trailer full of donkeys (the sides were down, so I could see the donkeys) with what looked to be a handmade, carved bumper decoration that said, "HAULING ASS."

Take a gander

On my way home from work yesterday, I saw two geese. Crossing the street. In a crosswalk.

The first one to get to the curb nibbled on some grass before hopping up and out of the way.

It was predictably adorable.

Also? There's a swath of road on my way home that smells amazing. I don't know what kind of flowers or trees or naturey goodness is planted there, but it's delicious and immersive. So I always make sure to go by with my windows down.

My favorite thing today

I've been meaning to post about several things that have been making me happy: unexpected Honeycrisp apples, having options and the ability to make choices, baked goods, delicious chocolate, time with friends, celebrations and making new connections among them.

But for now, I want you to know about this.

It's the latest hashtag-of-wonderfulness, about the Muppets. And Communists. And, just click (on the "this"). It'll make you smile, too.

My favorite that isn't on the list: @owillis: "Just how much of America's tax dollars was used to send pigs to space, sir?" #GOPMuppetHearings

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C

As those of you who know me know, I'm a gigantic fan of spelling bees. Gigantic. Like, I host a spelling bee viewing party every year. They are so much fun. (Don't believe me? Watch this, one of my favorite-ever spelling bee moments.)

So when my sister texted me to ask if I had any questions for the director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I said yes. (Actually, I said, "OMG probably," but is now really the time to split hairs?)

Moments later, my phone rang. Soon, I was on speaker phone, talking to Paige Kimble.

The first thing I asked her? Her favorite word, of course. And if she could spell it.

For the record, it's Ouaniche, and she can. It's a kind of salmon. She always wanted to get it in a spelling bee, but never did.

We talked a little bit longer about why the bee's on ESPN instead of ABC (I shouldn't hold out hope of it going back on network TV), what she likes about the bee (keeping an old-fashioned skill and experience relevant to the modern world) and how the bee is becoming more popular internationally, and at viewing parties like mine. Before I let her go, she asked me what organization I was with, telling me I sounded very professional. (As a question-asker, I should hope so -- that's what I get paid to do!)

And then I squeed a little to my sister, who pretty much knew this would make my day.

Thanks, darling. And thanks, Paige, for keeping spelling bees alive.