Top of To-Do List This Morning: Writing an email to my dental office expressing some dissatisfaction and hoping for some resolution. . . Took me over an hour (so much deleting and re-wording, with some agonizing thrown in for good measure), but it’s sent. . .
New Top of To-Do List: Posting my list of Books Read in 2020. . . .very much want to have this done by the end of January!
Also on the List as Ongoing Items, all making their argument for immediate attention: Italian homework; French listening or reading; sketching; fitness workouts; and writing snail mail. . .
And then the lists I never need to write because I’m going to do this anyway: Read (finished Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain, now reading Diane Cook’s The New Wilderness); Knit (currently a sweater, a sock, and two teddy bears); Nap (I know, but seriously, if I’m figuring how to ration my time, napping’s in the mix ;-); Go for walks. . . .
So there’s really no room for a post here until I’ve posted that list of Books Read. . .
But because I need the reminder this rainy grey Monday in January, and because I don’t want to wait to chat with you, here are Random Things That Made Me Happy Lately . . .
It was frosty but sunny on Saturday, so Paul filled thermoses with tea and we biked out to a favourite spot only 11 kilometres away. A slow ride watching for icy patches on the road and manoeuvring ’round the many, many folk out walking along the seawall. So invigorating though. A good way to recharge. . .
I’ve been sketching teacups lately and made this card to send off to some of the grandkids with a bit of family history about tea-drinking. More here about this project soon. . .
On a rare non-rainy day last week, I walked five kilometres to a favourite children’s bookstore, and on the way back, I stopped at an Italian deli/cafe for a bowl of risotto. Yes, it was a bit chilly sitting outside, but I’ve really missed these occasional solo expeditions. Taking myself out for lunch after walking far enough to need a sit-down and food. . . It felt good. Would feel better if I were warm and had a glass of wine, but hey, Winter + Covid-19, this was a good compromise.
No words needed, right?
I made one teddy-bear head (dark brown; you can see it in motion here on Instagram — swipe through to end), but had to stop until the eyes arrive by post. . . so I made another little guy and now I’m waiting for that pair of eyes as well. . . Frustrated about the waiting, but making these two has been surprisingly entertaining (I may also have almost finished a tiny cabled pullover, also while deflecting impatience for those eyes)
Another rare sunny day that we took full advantage of, heading to the VanDusen Botanical Garden
where these dogwood branches flamed in the afternoon sun. . . (I posted some witchhazel and winter aconite photos from that day on Instagram).
Back to that to-do list now. . . Or to the no-list-required activities?
Hope you’ve found some random (or even purposeful!) happiness lately. Care to share?
Comments always welcome, but you know that, right?
xo,
f
Love, love, love that “Tea with Teddy” sketch. Is it going to be part of a series? Looking forward to your reading round-up too. I’m currently engrossed in Hamnet and Judith – a wonderful, though heart-breaking read.
Frances in Sidney
I'm digging deep this week to look for the joy. Something to off set my mood which is so mercurial. I'm enjoying listening to Tana French's latest The Searcher on Audible, and that got me through two days of housecleaning. Gad I hate cleaning. But I also love things to be clean and neat. So it's a conundrum only solved with a good audio book. I can stomach doing almost anything if I have something engrossing to listen to.
I also love those tiny Teddys. So precious. They will be cherished forever, I'm thinking.
Your first photo made me happy! I'm a misplaced coastal girl living on the prairie. I spent my childhood on the beach at Powell River and my teen years in Vancouver. I've always said, you can take the girl away from the ocean, but you can't take the salt out of her blood.
Random, happy things – I love it 🙂
My favourite was your solo walk and chilly lunch stop-almost like life BC (before Covid)
I think you may have unlocked the secret of the to-do list – remember to add i the to-dos you do without prompting !!
Margaret x
Love this post filled with magical happy moments. The walk and the risotto treat sound absolutely perfect, and remind me of the joys of being able to walk somewhere. The to do list is always with us, and napping is one of my secrets, that and the acceptance that it will never be defeated, so that list and I might as well share our burdens as best we can.
So jealous of your meal outside the home! Funny–we had risotto tonight, with squash worked in, but I am so sick and tired of cooking every last meal. And so sick and tired of no ideas. And so hungry not for food but for conversation. The pandemic is getting on everyone's nerves. There are murmurs we will be locked down again, perhaps very strictly. People were good and stayed home, but now they're fed up–I keep hearing "this isn't life." It's so hard to balance the needs of physical and mental health.
My to-do list this week is a whole lot of garden tidying on non-rainy days, and inside decluttering on rainy days. The weather forecast has shifted a bit on which days would be rainy, so I've had to be flexible in my approach. I repotted several succulents from the plastic pots in which they came to me (via a friend who was moving a few years ago) into ceramic pots that I had already, and it was a pleasing process, both esthetically and productivity-wise. And replaced the reed fencing covering the block wall. And wondered why I hadn't done it much sooner!
Delightful, spontaneous, light-hearted…thank you for sharing, Frances! I’ve had my head buried in American politics since October and I’m hardly an activist! Recent events and a new President (Hurrah!!!) have kept me glued to the internet and tv, more than I like. Time to re-write my to- do's and to look for the inspiration around me!
Stay safe and healthy!
Lovely teddies! Little recipients will be happy…
You are quite dilligent
Finding joy in small things…is a way to go through our days
Thank God for books-I loved The New Wilderness and am waiting for your 2020 Reading List
Dottoressa
Thanks for sharing your moments of joy. Like Sue, having trouble finding much joy this week for a myriad of reasons, so content to find a little joy vicariously through your photos. Love your teddies, the fiery dogwood, the water scenes.
Frances: It IS going to be a little series. Working on the second now, hoping to manage one for each grandkid. . . Must read Hamnet and Judith . . .
Sue: It's tough, isn't it? Most mornings, it takes at least a very good pep talk. . .
Elaine: Oh, weren't you lucky! Beach childhoods. . . and Powell River back then, very special
Margaret: Yes! A method that makes it much easier when it comes to crossing off and feeling smugly productive . . .
Mardel: I think there's a special kinship between those who understand the value and delight of an afternoon nap!
TasteofFrance: It can be so tough, some days much more than others. Are you able to get out for good walks, at least? I'm lucky my husband enjoys cooking, but when we're both wanting a change, we get takeout — hasn't been as common an option in France, I know, nor as much variety perhaps. . .
CarolP: A wise approach — you get the variety, shifting from inside to out, and the weather doesn't throw off your plans. I find I've plenty to do, but some days it doesn't seem of value. But chucking the existential questioning and just getting into whatever the project is often gets me past the slump. Something like repotting succulents would be a great example and then that continued pleasure each time you catch a glimpse. Can't underestimate these small quotidian joys.
Charlene: We've been caught up with it up here as well, a few months of anxiety, depression always threatening just behind. So good to feel some hope now. . . .
Dottoressa: Of course I learned of The New Wilderness through you. I'm still thinking about Bea and Agnes. . . and about that wilderness, survival in dystopia, etc. Maybe the pandemic's not quite so bad in comparison? 😉
Mary: I'm glad if it helps. Every little bit of cheer, right?