How we spent the snow day (J, 13)

Journaling a bit here because I know one day it will seem like a distant memory, the same way looking at the toddler pictures does!   J and I hunkered down for a cold, snowy weekend and it was perfect.   We started with a trip to Barnes and Noble.  Saturday included some reading and we made sauce, meatballs and fresh pasta.   On Sunday, we spent more than 2 hours making clay projects with Cat Stevens playing in the background, the snow falling hard, and just being together.   We ended the night with Episode 1 of Game of Thrones.  J loves the series so I'm going to dig in a bit with him.  Nothing fancy.  Just a lovely weekend home together.  

"Hygge is about being cozy, comfortable, safe & surrounded by people we love, " and Pia Edberg notes, "Hygge was never meant to be translated—it was meant to be felt"

“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.” -  Meik Wiking

What I read: 2025

 A mix of genres but here is some of what I read in 2025: 

Zero to One, Peter Thiel

Caroline, Sarah Miller

Who Really Cares: the surprising truth about compassionate conservatism,  Arthur Brooks

Cherished Belonging, Gregory Boyle

In Praise of Walking, Shane O'Mara

The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt

Building Thinking Classrooms, Peter Liljedahl

Community of Leaders, Vince Molinaro

The Advice Trap, Michael Stainer

All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert

The Women, Kristen Hannah

The Great Alone, Kristen Hannah

The Seville Communion, Arturo Perez

The Rackateer, John Grisham

Queen Bees and Wannabes, Rosalind Wiseman

*There were likely others and a handful I started but didn't finish, but this is a good summary.  Cheers to even more in 2026.  

Art Show

 Joe was selected to have his pieces presented in the middle school art show.  I love this for so many reasons. First, he just loves art class and art club after school. His art teacher thanked him last night for being a leader in that space.  Second,  He's not a naturally gifted artist, by a text book definition.  In my opinion, this makes his interest and his accomplishment even more cool and interesting!   When I was in school, I had the view that you were "good at art" or you weren't and that was that.  It would never have occurred to me to pursue it because I enjoyed it; regardless of whether I was considered good.  I was proud to see Joe recognized for something he enjoys so much.  I loved his work!  

  

Forty-five!

 Hello, 45!  Here we are.  I began this morning looking at some old posts from birthdays.  My first on this site was when I was 31; so that means this little garden I till, and more often than not these days, neglect, has been going for 14 years.  It truly is like an old friend and looking back; my younger self also seems like a friend - hopeful, innocent, unaware of the incredible blessings and painful moments that would lie ahead. 

Here we are.  I know pain and blessings will continue.  The bumps, bruises, highs and lows are a sign that I am alive.  Never perfect but always trying.  I am so eternally grateful for the wonderful 45 years I have had and can only pray that they continue. 

"So please, just fight for the things that crack light into your life, fight for the things that soften you.  Protect the people you love, leave them better than you found them.  Defend your heart, do whatever it takes to keep it open despite what it has been through.  Forgive, not just others, but yourself, as well.  Slow down - taste, and touch, and feel and care.  Create the things you want to see in this world, stay as curious as possible.  Honor your joy, do not shy away from the good that is trying to reach you - do not convince yourself that you are unworthy of it.  Be strong enough to be gentle.  Be brave enough to break.  Be all that you are.  Be all that you are. - Bianca Sparacino

Mysteries, yes

 Mysteries, yes - Mary Oliver

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. 

--

How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of lambs. 

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity

while we ourselves dream of rising. 

--

How two hands touch and the bonds

will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the 

scars of damage

to the comfort of a poem. 

--

Let me keep my distance, always, from those

who think they have the answers. 

Let me keep company, always, with those who say

"Look!" and laugh in astonishment, 

and bow their heads. 

(taken in beautiful Acadia a few weeks ago) 

Atomic Habits

Finally crossed this one off the reading to do list.  The book made me think so much about this space.  How it used to be a part of my daily ritual - a stacked habit, as James Clear would say.  I would arrive to the office, fix a cup of coffee and open this page.  No outcome has ever been attached. 

The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become. - James Clear

I appreciate this line, and many others, from the book.   And believe that writing has helped me articulate my thoughts, parse out what is important from the noise, and so much more. 

In another universe

This space holds various purposes....a place to jot down a quote I want to remember.  Share a picture from a memorable time.   Put words to feelings.   Journal about a period of my life.  Post an inspiring photo.  That's why this morning I was nearly frozen when I looked at my hotel room in Copenhagen - S downstairs at a meeting, Joe happy with his beautiful loving paternal family for vacation, and me - able to do a job I enjoy from anywhere I'd like to do it, traveling with someone I love, in a beautiful place - but what was in front of me was a picture nearly the same as something I had posted right here on this blog in 2011.   A perfect reminder to pause with full gratitude for making dreams come true.   Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

From my blog in 2011....

From today in my hotel room.... 

Have had this art print saved for awhile.  "In another universe, I am dreaming of this life right here" - Amanda Jones, Australian artist.