Today’s list of delights
(I just read Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights which was an absolute JOY. Lately I’ve been a little crabby so I thought I’d take a cue from Professor Gay and practice some delight-finding of my own this afternoon. It’s amazing how many are all around, tucked into too-often-ignored regular ol’ days.)
The tiny bouquet which Addy and I bought from Trader Joe’s, an unnecessary splurge tucked into a hobbit-sized stoneware vase, sitting on my broad wooden table in the afternoon light, asking to be noticed, sniffed, photographed, appreciated.
Honky-tonk in my headphones.
The quietness of a summer afternoon household, when the kids have worn themselves out with water hoses and bubble wands and the only sound is the irrigation line humming and the birds chirping out my window.
The enthusiastic chuckle of my gap-toothed girl.
Cinnamon Chex falling into a bowl, crusted with sugar, covered in cold milk, eaten with gusto.
The smell and tang of a just-zested lemon, the luxury of tapping it into a clean bowl, how it waits in power, not striving but simply being, making my cooking better through its simple presence.
Speaking of food, saying “I feel fat” and having someone say “no!” with emphasis and utter belief. Sometimes we have to borrow conviction from others.
My dog wagging her tail in her sleep, dreaming of riding in the truck probably, or playing fetch, or catching a rodent.
A steaming mug of coffee in the heat and long light of early evening. Morning coffee is essential but afternoon coffee is a gift, a treat, a way to invite rest.
The stillness of a humid, pre-storm pasture, when even the flies seem to sit patiently, awaiting the next move of Mother Nature.
The question:”How are you?’ meant sincerely, expecting an honest answer. What an uncommon and meaningful delight.
Kisses from my husband, who sees that I’m feeling stompy-aroundy but grins at me and smacks one on anyway.
The warm cheeks of a just-awakened toddler, snuffling his frowsy head into my shoulder, saying “Mama sit wif me”.
My horse’s nicker when he sees me, the sound of his hooves running in joy, the feeling of soft horsehair under my fingers, his nose nuzzling my elbow for optimum petting potential.
The smell of irrigation on warm pasture-grass.
An aching back, tired muscles and a sunburn, from doing things worth doing.