joy: 2024 (week 32)
finding joy has become easier
The week in joy is back after a nice holiday hiatus. I debated with myself about bringing it back at all, but a lot of readers expressed an interest in keeping it going so here we are. Besides, I really like doing this. Finding joy is never a bad or tedious thing. I will be doing these on Mondays instead of Sundays from now on so I can include the whole weekend.
It’s been a while so let’s recap all the joy I’ve found since my last entry in this series.
I got a job! I am working at the Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center two days a week. It’s a low-key, low pressure job that I am enjoying very much. Getting out of the house, talking to people, feeling useful again, it’s all good stuff.
Reilly and Pixie are getting so big! They bring me so much happiness, it’s crazy. They spend their days batting around their huge collection of toys, chasing each other around the house, knocking things over, and watching birds and squirrels on youtube. They both love to cuddle and sometimes I have to make room for two of them on my lap.
Natalie was here for Christmas week and my heart was full the entire time. It was the first time I saw her since August and only the second time since she moved a year ago. Having her back in the house for a bit was wonderful. Her presence is a thing of joy for me.
Christmas was amazing. The entire family was here and we crammed all 11 of us into my parents’ house for opening presents, gingerbread house decorating, brunch, grab bag game and other assorted fun. I got a copy of Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam, a crockpot as well as some crocs, It was a warm, cozy, fulfilling Christmas in which we all just enjoyed each other’s company.
I took some huge steps as far as my finances go. Made a lot of phone calls, filled out a lot of paperwork, corrected some errors in my favor, and just felt like a functioning adult for moving forward with this.
Jo-Anne and I went to Rhode Island to celebrate the new year. It was another great trip to see Lisa and family. She and Matt treat us so well when we are there. All we do is eat and watch hockey and play cards and it is relaxing and rejuvenating and comforting.
I saw The Holdovers in the theater and have since watched it three times on streaming. What a sweet, charming movie. It’s sad in a lot of ways, but that sadness is tempered by humor and the stories around it. The acting is sublime - all three leads are wonderful - the story is compelling, the writing is perfect. I can tell this is going to be a comfort movie for me as well as a Christmas tradition.
I made my annual albums of the year list, which brings me great joy. I discovered so much new music this year. 2023 knocked it out of the park. Here’s my top ten (I have 38 on the actual list).
Check these albums out to find yourself some joy. MJ Lenderman video below.
As you can see, I’ve been enjoying life. Retiring was the best decision I ever made for my mental health. I am loving life, and when was the last time I said that? Even though we have hit that time of year when winter seems endless and the skies always seem grey, I have plenty to keep me happy and content until pitchers and catchers report and I can get to being excited about spring. Hope you’ve been well and your new year is off to a good start.
and my song of the year:
This post made me realize I completely left off the boygenius album from my Top 50 which was a mistake! I really liked their debut, but it was also one of those things where I felt that the whole was not the sum of the parts? Traveling Wilburys Syndrome. I definitely think boygenius was the musical phenomenon of the year as far as rock and roll was concerned.