A few months ago my sister and I were out shopping in Pennsylvania. We went to a store that featured artwork from local artists, and I discovered a painting that I just kept going back to look at it. Never before had I had the experience of feeling like artwork "spoke" to me, but there was something about this painting that did. We left the store, but within days I was calling to buy it over the phone, taking a cue from Gretchen Rubin and Laura Vanderkam, both who extoll the value of buying things that make you happy.
Now this painting hangs over my bed, and it does make me quite happy. The title of the piece, "...all good things..." speaks to this project and the perspective on life that I try to foster, that there is so much good in our lives. And for me, this painting is such.
Friday, August 3, 2012
#212: Morning Pets with Kennedy
Of our two cats, Kennedy is the introvert. Most people don't know her, or only know of her from the rare glimpses they see as she darts down the hall to hide under our bed when they come over. She's the more apprehensive of the two, and although she's happy to be part of the family when it's just the four of us, she's still a bit withdrawn.
That is, except for in the morning.
When we first wake up, Kennedy is all over us. Kegan wakes up much earlier than I do. If he doesn't find her and spend some time petting her, I hear her start meowing and crying for him to come spend time with her. When I finally get up myself, Kennedy will run from wherever she is to hop up on her cat condo, where she prefers to be pet, looking at me as if to say, "Well...it's about time!"
Once she's had her fill of affection for the day, Kennedy goes off on her own. She'll sit on the arm of the couches we are on (while Noel is draped across us), she'll lay up in bed with us, but at our feet. She'll cry if we're in separate rooms for too long, needing to know where we are and coming to join us...keeping to a bit of a distance. I'm thankful for these moments with her, but most especially for our morning time together. One of the differences between cats and dogs is that cats are much harder to earn affection from. I know when friends and family see her run away, or don't see her at all, they must assume she's a pet whom we don't have much of a relationship with. But catch that cat first thing in the morning, and she's a whole different animal.
That is, except for in the morning.
When we first wake up, Kennedy is all over us. Kegan wakes up much earlier than I do. If he doesn't find her and spend some time petting her, I hear her start meowing and crying for him to come spend time with her. When I finally get up myself, Kennedy will run from wherever she is to hop up on her cat condo, where she prefers to be pet, looking at me as if to say, "Well...it's about time!"
Once she's had her fill of affection for the day, Kennedy goes off on her own. She'll sit on the arm of the couches we are on (while Noel is draped across us), she'll lay up in bed with us, but at our feet. She'll cry if we're in separate rooms for too long, needing to know where we are and coming to join us...keeping to a bit of a distance. I'm thankful for these moments with her, but most especially for our morning time together. One of the differences between cats and dogs is that cats are much harder to earn affection from. I know when friends and family see her run away, or don't see her at all, they must assume she's a pet whom we don't have much of a relationship with. But catch that cat first thing in the morning, and she's a whole different animal.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
#211: Having Doors Held
Since I was little, I've always been prone to hold doors for others. This started mostly from being a socially awkward child, who would hold the breezeway doors after mass and not know how to pass it off to someone else. Once I became used to holding doors for quite a few people, I almost became compulsive about it. There are times when someone is significantly behind me, but the mere sight of them heading my way results in me holding the door for them. Sometimes this forces them into a jog, and I almost feel like I am inconveniencing them by holding the door rather than not!
Because I am such a stickler for the holding of doors for others, I am easily annoyed by people who don't hold doors for me, and very appreciative of those who do. In my opinion, not holding doors is inconsiderate, while holding doors is a kind gesture-- a sign that in these times of introversion and self involvement, we as a society still have manners, can still be considerate.
Today I was pushing a cart out of Target and the automatic doors weren't working. I had to maneuver a way to simultaneously hold open the door and get my cart, naturally filled with bulky items, out of the store. Just as I was about to perform an acrobatic feat, I heard a voice behind me, "Let me get that for you." A woman walked away from her cart in order to help. She held it for me, and then I returned the favor and held the door open so she could get herself out. We smiled at each other, grateful to have come across one another's paths.
Then, of course, a man with a single bag walked up to the automatic doors and they worked for him.
The woman and I looked at each other and laughed, and then parted ways. Today I'm thankful this woman was gracious enough to help me with the door, and as insignificant as it may seem, I am thankful for all the doors ever held for me.
Because I am such a stickler for the holding of doors for others, I am easily annoyed by people who don't hold doors for me, and very appreciative of those who do. In my opinion, not holding doors is inconsiderate, while holding doors is a kind gesture-- a sign that in these times of introversion and self involvement, we as a society still have manners, can still be considerate.
Today I was pushing a cart out of Target and the automatic doors weren't working. I had to maneuver a way to simultaneously hold open the door and get my cart, naturally filled with bulky items, out of the store. Just as I was about to perform an acrobatic feat, I heard a voice behind me, "Let me get that for you." A woman walked away from her cart in order to help. She held it for me, and then I returned the favor and held the door open so she could get herself out. We smiled at each other, grateful to have come across one another's paths.
Then, of course, a man with a single bag walked up to the automatic doors and they worked for him.
The woman and I looked at each other and laughed, and then parted ways. Today I'm thankful this woman was gracious enough to help me with the door, and as insignificant as it may seem, I am thankful for all the doors ever held for me.
#210: Raymond on "Wheel of Fortune"
I was reminded of this video last night. It is long, but a well spent eight minutes of your life.
"Raymond"
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
#209: Trivia Nights
I love going out to play trivia. Anything based around a game, appetizers and a beer is a good night in my books. I also have so much fun testing my knowledge of random facts (which I've come to accept is subpar) and subsequently gaining knowledge of random facts.
While I'm thankful for trivia nights in general, I'm thankful for the one I participated in tonight with Kegan's cousins. It was really wonderful to spend time with them, especially Jim and Diane who live in New Hampshire and are down for vacation. Plus I contributed two correct answers, which I'm pretty proud of. Who knew I knew the Flintstones' address...but somewhere in the recesses of my mind, that's taking up space.
While I'm thankful for trivia nights in general, I'm thankful for the one I participated in tonight with Kegan's cousins. It was really wonderful to spend time with them, especially Jim and Diane who live in New Hampshire and are down for vacation. Plus I contributed two correct answers, which I'm pretty proud of. Who knew I knew the Flintstones' address...but somewhere in the recesses of my mind, that's taking up space.
#208: August
With many of my friends new engaged and in the midst of wedding planning, I am reminded lately of my own experience doing this years ago, and it's caused me to recognize my appreciation for my wedding month of August.
Ideally, I don't think I would have chosen August as a wedding month. The fall is my favorite season, and there is much to be said for the ambiance created by the cool weather, changing leaves, the sense of harvest. But for a teacher who wanted to go on her honeymoon soon after being married, the only logical season for a wedding is summer, and so we settled on August.
Also, I wanted to get as close to the fall months as I could, but August in the Northeast is definitively not autumnal. By the grace of God (and my mother, I think) I was blessed with a truly gorgeous day, weather wise. Warm but not hot, barely humid, bright and sunny-- the perfect summer day. Days like this exist in August, and I've learned to appreciate them. Some years summer seems to extend into September, but many years September ushers in the fall. August, therefore, one must always view as the end of summer, the final weeks to enjoy the wonderfulness that is this time of year.
Maybe it's that I was married during it, but there's something romantic about this month. Even its name is romantic sounding! August (the name and the month itself) reminds me of dusk-- the late afternoon transitioning to early evening, as the calendar year transitions to its near end. The days are still long, but clearly shortening, giving you time to enjoy the last few summer nights, time to reflect on a wonderful summer that is ending, and to anticipate the beauty of fall on the horizon.
Ideally, I don't think I would have chosen August as a wedding month. The fall is my favorite season, and there is much to be said for the ambiance created by the cool weather, changing leaves, the sense of harvest. But for a teacher who wanted to go on her honeymoon soon after being married, the only logical season for a wedding is summer, and so we settled on August.
Also, I wanted to get as close to the fall months as I could, but August in the Northeast is definitively not autumnal. By the grace of God (and my mother, I think) I was blessed with a truly gorgeous day, weather wise. Warm but not hot, barely humid, bright and sunny-- the perfect summer day. Days like this exist in August, and I've learned to appreciate them. Some years summer seems to extend into September, but many years September ushers in the fall. August, therefore, one must always view as the end of summer, the final weeks to enjoy the wonderfulness that is this time of year.
Maybe it's that I was married during it, but there's something romantic about this month. Even its name is romantic sounding! August (the name and the month itself) reminds me of dusk-- the late afternoon transitioning to early evening, as the calendar year transitions to its near end. The days are still long, but clearly shortening, giving you time to enjoy the last few summer nights, time to reflect on a wonderful summer that is ending, and to anticipate the beauty of fall on the horizon.
Project Note
The summer months of June & July have proven to be challenging for me in regards to regular postings. The hecticness of the last month of the school year, followed by the first month of unstructured time and lack of a routine resulted in less reflections than I would have preferred. So, in order to get back on track with my goal of 366 musings on the aspects of my life for which I am most thankful, I have issued a personal challenge to myself for the month of August: 2 posts a day, each day. Get ready for an inundation of appreciation!
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