today i am grateful for

being thursday's child, that moment when babies melt into you, animal crackers and ginger ale, my big bed and business day trips that take me through the gorgeous shenandoah valley.

today i am grateful for

happy boots on grey days.

today i am grateful for

the sound of rain on the roof, jury duty, pumpkin lattes, my sweet man, crazy fun dreams in need of analysis, stores that refuse to engage in christmas until thanksgiving is over and having no need for proper punctuation.

today i am grateful for

 
little scenes.

ever since childhood i've set up tiny collections of goodness around my space.  it started with a wee pink pig wearing overalls that i painted in a ceramics class.  he was carefully placed among flintstones jelly jars filled with water and flowers picked from the yard. 

in my early twenties when money was scarce, it was a collage of images cut from magazines and thriftstore books then taped to my closet door.  this montage served as an inspiration board before i knew what that meant.  i would lie in bed and stare and dream and plan and heal and smile.

when i first started making a real income, the scenes got a little out of control.  i started accumulating way too many objects.  like a crazed magpie, i hunted for and acquired anything shiny and new and trendy.

today the little scenes are pared down to the essence of their personal meaning:  a bit of memory, a touch of wish and a whole lot of beauty.  each one makes me very happy.

today i am grateful for

nesting.

and lazy saturdays when there is absolutely no need or desire to leave the house or even get out of pajamas.  these days give me space and security simultaneously.  and time to mull over questions.  here are some of my answers:

yes.
viridian green.
prague.
rain boots!
a peppermint milkshake.
yes.

today i am grateful for

memories.

three weeks ago today, my saturday morning routine went something like this:

• wake at 5am to a dark silent house
• climb three flights of stairs to the kitchen to make coffee
• open the giant doors to be greeted by the sea and stars
• sit in the big white chair wrapped in a blanket, sip coffee and gaze at the horizon line
• watch as the faint pink line begins to glow and deepen to red
• when it is light enough, take coffee and camera and head to the sand
• quietly and respectfully navigate other morning beachsitters as they experience their own sunrise
• literally hold back tears as the sea slowly gives you a giant ball of fire
• love how your skin is glowing golden pink
• forget holding back the tears
• feel small and powerful at the same time
• love how everyone knows the exact time to start being social with cheerful greetings
• wish for girlfriends in everyday life who say, "good morning beautiful" and mean it

good morning beautifuls.