#GoodThings

1: I had an incredibly kind response #today from a former student/staffer who read my new book & took the time to send me a note. It made me cry ... none of us can ever be sure of the impact we're having on others. Don't lose heart!
2: Assuming I survive until about midnight tomorrow/Sat, I then get over a week of staycation... off work to try to get the shambles of my life reorganized!
3: The POWER is back on. Ice storm be damned.

More random ramblings before I disappear into my bubble for the day.

I have loads of shitty things going on in my life just now, especially health wise, you all know that, I'm not exactly quiet about it The state of the world right now is terrifying, looking at the news its hard not to just give up and think what is the damn point. A relentless avalanche of fear and misery.

But.

I am still finding lots of good things. So here is a list, sort of.

1. Lots of bees and butterflies in the garden.

2. The trees are starting to bud again, everything is coming back to life after a long grey winter.

3. I have a bench to sit on and enjoy the brighter days (yes, I had to mention that again).

4. I got a flyer through the door yesterday for a garden centre, which allows me to get a free pack of bedding plants.

5. Despite being a short, fat, broken potato, I can still do the splits even if its a really bad idea - actually, maybe that one shouldn't be on the list of good things

6. I have a roof over my head, food in the kitchen, a huge pile of books and lots of craft stuff to keep me busy.

7. I am lucky enough to have some wonderful friends, especially on here, just in case I haven't mentioned it, you lovely folks absolutely rock and get me through the shite times.

8. I have a theatre trip next week, while I have some apprehension about it, I am looking forward to being back in Glasgow for the day.

9. I still find the strength to giggle and be silly with the child each day, that right there is a damn good reason to keep going.

10. Its race week.

So many of the things listed are mundane, little things but they still give me a spark of joy. Moments of joy don't need to be huge things, they can just be those little things that make you pause and smile for a second. More than ever, I think we all need to find those moments.

Thank you, as ever, for reading my random thoughts, you may continue with your day

Rupi Kaur's wonderful Milk and Honey...

#3GoodThings

1. Hit 10,000 steps this morning without it feeling like a chore! #YaySpring!

2. The chocolate cake I was making yesterday seems to have turned out OK

3. Can't wait to see my friends this evening!

Yesterday in the #Chicago suburbs, we had some hail, and the tornado sirens went off south of us. After the rainstorm, we got a beautiful #rainbow .

In the morning, we awoke to snow on the ground, because... well, it's #Illinois in Springtime.

Just got home from a wonderful evening out! Local high school drama club was performing Sondheim's "Into the Woods". I love love love that musical, plus my manager's kid was in the show and several co-workers were going, plus it's the same high school where I was in drama club 50 years ago. So lots of good reasons to go.

But the best reason turned out to be the one I discovered after I was there, and that's what it did for my spirits. It "spoke to me" right where I am in these days. So many echoes of real life, with words that went to my mind and heart, lifted me up, said what I needed to hear. We are beset by wolves these days, we have to stick together, be brave, take action, not throw each other to the giants to save ourselves. And "sometimes people leave us halfway through the woods". Honestly, "No One is Alone" had me in tears in the dark auditorium, but in a good way. "Hard to see the light now, just don't let it go. ... Someone is on our side ... No one is alone, you are not alone."

I'm so glad I went! Did my heart good!

(And yes, the kids did a brilliant job!)

Was having kind of an out of sorts morning and then I went to the post office and all my seeds had come.

While i was on my way into the post office I put my hand in the pocket of my raincoat and found some beautiful little bumblebee earrings in my pocket that I bought last year at Pride and completely forgot about. It was such a surprise.

So I got home and planted some heirloom sweet peas from the 1600s that are supposed to be the nicest smelling variety of sweet pea on earth. I didn't even mind that it was pouring with rain while i did.

Feeling like a rather serendipitous day. Gardening is hope.

#GoodThings for #today

1: Had a chance to download some preview songs from a cherished friend's upcoming new album... JR Richards is, as always, just... WOW.
2: Was able to cross off 8 of the 14 must-do entries on my weekend list.
3: Read that today's subzero temps are supposed to give way to 30ish by Monday.

#3GoodThings

1. Saw my sister and nephew today, had tasty soup, and laughed!

2. 48 days in a row of starting the day with a short story instead of my phone.

3. Sci fi, just generally really glad sci fi exists!

You know you have a friend at your local Tim Horton's when the Iced Cap is *always* filled to the top of the bubble plastic cap!

Looking forward to saying hi to them again today.

Chaat lunch with husband! Moong dosa & fish curry - mmmmmmmmm!!! #goodThings #distraction #food

#GoodThings #BishopBudde
#EditorialCartoons

I've been asking @Knightky this question every day for several years. Today I'm asking you, too: What's the best thing you saw today? #GoodThings #GoodNews

#GoodThings #ThreeGoodThings

1) Had a nice private exchange with someone I admire on a forum that I frequent
2) Good checkup at dentist yesterday (I know that this is only supposed to be a win if you are under the age of 10)
3) Agility today

Bonus: leftovers of home made split pea soup in the fridge

I am agnostic to the bones but on this darkest day of the year I feel the need to say thank you.

Thank you to the tree that fell in my friend's garden without hurting anyone and which provided us with free firewood.

Thank you to the guys* who install solar panels on roofs so people get free energy from the sun.

Thank you to all the people in the world who don't give up hope, who keep going against the odds and spread kindness instead of hate.

I hope that just like the sun becomes more powerful and brighter with every day from now on, that humanity becomes stronger, brighter, and more powerful, bringing light back into these dark times.

* And with "guys" I mean all those skilled, handy people of all genders who do this job.

#2024 #GoodThings
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2024/dec/20/seriously-did-one-single-good-thing-happen-in-2024-yes

#News #USA #GoodThings
https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-forgiveness-debt-774b0ee69f911f68f646a066031ee604

Before the nightmare that is coming!

Look at the absolutely wonderful friends @Caiotekit so very kindly sent me all the way from the USA! I am so delighted with Edna and Puck ( as they shall now be named) and so very touched by her generosity. #kindness #knitting #goodthings #MadeMyDay