2. I received a handwritten note in the mail recently, accompanied by a newspaper clipping that someone thought I'd enjoy reading. It was the perfect thing to send. It means a lot to know someone thought about me enough to write a note and mail a letter. What a lovely surprise.
3. I keep thinking about baking homemade bread but haven't gotten around to it. Baking fulfills some of my creative needs, that's for sure.
4. This month we attended the CFHS Jazz Show, the Tallcorn Jazz Festival, and a HS band concert. We traveled to Luther College for the Nordic Choir's Homecoming Concert, too. There's really nothing like seeing your kids performing in ensembles and making music with their talented friends. It makes my heart sing.
5. February is packed with holidays, but none of them are worth a hoot. I'm counting Groundhog Day as the first one, and that might be my favorite, which is scary. The other two I don't celebrate.
6. I saw a bald eagle sitting in a tree earlier this month. It did not move for hours. It was the biggest eagle I have ever seen. I was absolutely in awe. Also, is this what old people do? Watch birds?
7. I visited a friend over the weekend. I don't think we had seen each other in over a year, which was too long. No matter how much time has passed, we can easily pick up where we left off. I am sure that I talked too much, but she didn't seem to mind. It's really good for me to get out of town, and I need to do it more often. I deeply love my friends. You know who you are.
8. This morning when I dropped off Isaac at work, he leaned over and wanted me to kiss his cheek. I did. He got out of the van and walked towards the coffee shop, and after taking a few steps, he turned around and smiled the biggest smile. Then he waved. None of this sounds extraordinary, I'm sure, but it is.
9. During a walk this week in the rain, I saw one rawhide dog chew treat on the grass by a park bench. It looked like the loneliest scene ever. I had a million questions about everything: Was a dog here recently with an owner? Did the dog forget the treat? (That seems unlikely.) Did the owner think the dog liked these treats, but the dog thought they were total shit? Was someone tossing the treat to the dog and expecting the dog to fetch it? And the dog was tired and didn't want to take it home? Did someone whose dog passed just leave it near the bench, hoping a dog would find it? There are so many possibilities. One thing I know is that the rain has made the treat pretty soggy, and it should probably be tossed in the garbage. I honestly can't believe I spent time thinking about this, but it's how my mind works.
10. I saw something on Instagram that said, "What if you just turned your magic all the way on?" I like it.
11. My husband was looking for a picture frame in the basement storage a few nights ago and found a framed poem my dear friend, Ann, had written for me in 1997 when I left my job at Drake University. Written words hit me often, and this poem certainly did. It was a lovely surprise.