the week in joy

read to the end for a question

Sometimes I will sit down to write this weekly column and I will come up blank. I’ll look back on my week and think, it was nice, it was pleasant, but I can’t recall more than one or two specific joys. And I think that’s a good thing! A life where the joys all kind of blend together into one serene week is a good life. It’s sort of surreal to walk through my days now in a haze of happiness and contentment, on a personal level. Sure, that contentment keeps getting interrupted by the news that never seems to stop, but in between staring at the tv wondering what the hell is happening to our country, I’m feeling pretty good.

I had some friends over Saturday. I do not entertain often because, as we’ve established, I am not a very social person. But, as we have also established, I - at 62 years old - am coming out of my shell. I’m eagerly looking to do things with people now. So Kerry and Sean came over Saturday morning and we had bagels and mimosas and lovely conversation and Sean brought these giant ass cookies (several have been shared with other) that were simply amazing. I know I shouldn’t be eating giant ass cookies so I’ve just been nibbling on the chocolate chip one day by day. Microwave for ten seconds and it’s a gooey, delectable mess.

As we know, one thing that brings me joy is music. I will always be open to hearing new artists and bands, or visiting albums that came out long ago that I missed. Last week, I mentioned on twitter that I only like the first three Weezer album and was met with incredulity. How could I not like Maladroit? Or Everything Will Be Alright in the End? What was wrong with me? Not being one to back down from a challenge (I did view this as a challenge) I decided to revisit Maladroit and listen to EWBAITE for the first time. Well guess what, everyone? I loved them both. Maladroit was great but it was EWBAITE that I found to be a compelling case for not dismissing a band’s catalog out of hand. Two songs in, I was hooked. What a fun, rocking album. I do love finding things I missed out on previously, so this was a big joy.

I have been getting really into bird watching and listening so I put a new free standing bird feeder (as opposed to the birdhouse, and the hanging bird feeder) right outside my front door. All kinds of birds - sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, doves - and squirrels are in it or hovering around it all day and besides the benefit to myself, it’s been wonderful for Pixie and Reilly. They sit in front of the door all day, just watching nature happen. It’s so much better than the youtube videos of birds they had been watching. Keeps their screen time down.

That’s a wrap on this week. While I have you here, though, I’d like to ask you a question: Is there anything you would like me to write about here on this newsletter? Anything related to parenting or music or sports or the world at large? I asked this on twitter and got some great ideas so I’m putting it out here for you, my dedicated readers, to ponder. I’m up for any ideas, and I’d love to know what *you* want to read.

Have a great week ahead!