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.) 

Surprise!

Somehow, I skipped all of November. Oops!

Today, I'm excited that a friend dropped off a surprise - a tote bag she decorated and some baked goods inside. I'll be having muffins for breakfast the next few days, and that sounds delicious. And the bag is lovely. 

Fortunes

I love fortune telling in all its various forms. So I was thrilled yesterday when a box showed up on my door and it was a kit from a friend teaching me how to read tea leaves.

There's a mug and some loose leaf and instructions about how the whole thing works. But the best part is the list of symbols - what everything means. 

I can't wait to practice it. 

Errands

I'm not someone who likes shopping, but I had a few errands to run today. I bought stuff online, pressed a button or made a phone call to announce my presence and someone brought it to my car. I know that's how it's been going for a few months now -- but I want to take a moment to be grateful for it, as well as the few minutes I spent driving around during the day.

Muscadines

Muscadines have been growing on me the past few weeks.

Traditionally, I have liked the word more than the fruit. But my CSA had some good ones, and a friend shared some that she picked.

She handed them over in a box she made and her daughter decorated, and it was super exciting to see how thrilled she was to hand them off.

Plus, I'm getting used to them. They're no concord grapes, but they're not half bad.

So awesome

Video of a friend reacting to a birthday surprise I helped orchestrate, and seeing how excited it made her. 

Vows

I got to watch a friend's wedding on Zoom this weekend. I wish I could have been there in person, of course. But it was so nice to see the ceremony online.

They referenced wizards and Hedwig's Origin of Love in their vows, and it was so damn sweet.

Surprise

I got to be on the phone with someone I sent something to as it arrived at the front door -- and the confused reaction to the knock, followed by being able to tell them what it was they were being surprised with was really great. (It was ice cream! We should all be surprised with ice cream. As long as there's someone home to get it!)

Obits

I always hate having to write an obituary, because it means there are people who are mourning. But there's something so powerful about writing them, too. You are often the last word on someone's life.

I'm glad, today, that I was able to write one to memorialize someone who touched so many people. And I was glad to help people process grief, remember a loved one and smile while they recalled certain memories. It's lousy, but it's good.

Fruit picking, and the results

Sharing is caring

Glad to be able to help a few friends who have needed a lift these past few days, each in some small way.

T-shirt

I got a package in the mail today, when I wasn't expecting one. That's always a nice thing. When I opened it, I was surprised to see that it was from my employer -- they made T-shirts to send to us, with a note to say we're appreciated.

And it's a little corny, but they definitely didn't have to do that. So it made me smile.

Sharing is caring

I had a socially distanced picnic this evening, and there was another group doing the same in the same park. They were kind enough to walk over to us with a bottle of margaritas, ice and glasses and offer to share their bounty.

We chatted a little, and it's the first time I've *really* talked to strangers -- at least in a non-work setting -- for months. It was a nice gesture in the midst of continuing madness.

Old friends

Through this whole global pandemic thing, three friends and I have had a weekly phone call. We started out taking a Coursera class together, and as the class wound down, we started asking important questions of each other. It's led to long, thoughtful, winding conversations with people I respect and trust and know I can be vulnerable and wrong around, and I really appreciate that.

Birthday party

Sitting in a park today with a nice breeze and three other people, celebrating one of their birthdays from across an open field.

Donuts

Can I take a moment to tell you how excited I am?

A box of donuts showed up at my front door today. A dozen of them! With a note that said, "If I have donuts, you have donuts."

A friend and I have made donut tours of our respective towns the last two times we've visited each other. So when she found a donut delivery near her, she sent me a picture.

And then she sent *me* donuts!

It's kind under normal circumstances, but under pandemic circumstances it's literally the most thoughtful thing in the world. And it totally made my week.

And then I got to call her and tell her how excited I was and we talked for an hour and that *really* made my week.

It's a pretty exciting day, is the long and short of it.

Kindness

Over the last week, I've been the recipient of four types of cookies, one loaf of challah, two face masks and some Purell. I'm so lucky to have some wonderful bakers/sewers/sharers in my life.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Sitting outside in a park on a gorgeous day, a more than acceptable amount of space between my sister and I, makeshift masks on our faces, a three-dimensional conversation.

More family time

How refreshing to have a Brady Bunch-style Zoom screen filled with 25 siblings, cousins, in-laws, spouses and children (though not in 25 pictures, and not all 25 at the same time). We talked Tiger King (which I apparently really need to get on) and healthcare workers, how well the kids were walking and how the work-from-home was going. We saw cartwheels and a race. And we agreed to do it again in a couple weeks.

I'm so good at yoga

(This is actually veryyyyyy far from the truth.)

But the most exciting thing to happen today is that a friend who teaches yoga decided she was going to livestream classes. The timing worked today for me to hop on. And it was so nice -- it was nice to do it, but also nice to feel encouraged by a friend! I've never taken her classes before IRL, but she was great.

And then we started an email exchange when I thanked her for doing it. And it's been a long while since I've seen her, so that's great, too.

Other positive things today: what's become a weekly dinner date with some friends. A walk outside for the first time in forever. Grey skies and crisp air. A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend meme. Cooking real food (of a sort) for the who-knows-what-time in a row. Peanut butter M&Ms. (They're sure to make a repeat appearance.) Various forms of contact with various people.

And it was yesterday, but I made a super tasty martini (or two) with some hazelnut espresso vodka I brought back from Portland last year. Yum.