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Author: heytherefriends
Hey there, friends. Welcome to my blog.
I'm a mother, cookie maker, animal lover, photo hobbiest, kindness advocate, and seeker of beauty and quirkiness in the little things of every day living
Friday’s foliage
When you hear Nat King Cole, even though no music is playing. La-de-da-de-da-de-dum… ‘Tis Autumn. La-de-da-de-da-de-dum… ‘Tis Autumn. (29 of 41)
What a thing
“If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the strangers you have been kind to, the people you’ve made laugh, or inspired along the way, and that star-bright web of you would…
That’s what kindness is
“Because that’s not what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” – Andrew Iskander Today when I went to pick up some flowers at lunchtime, I couldn’t choose between a few bundles — so I decided to get all three. When I got to the register…
Swoon
I will forever be awed by the colors of fall. (26 of 41)
Five
Happy Birthday, Finnegan. (25 of 41)
This is the season
“To survive the seasons, you must change with them. To survive winter, you must learn to rest. This is the season of stillness. To survive spring, you must be brave enough to begin. This is the season of renewal. To survive summer, you must trust in your own magic. This is the season of abundance….
Soulful shift
“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” — Friedrich Nietzsche The other day I used this quote and lamented that the stories of autumn were still on the horizon. But tonight, during our evening walk, it felt like the book had begun to crack open. A crisp chill hung…
Generously
“Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8 This skeleton is part of a Halloween display in our neighborhood — and his hat made me laugh. But it also made me think. A skeleton giving life advice…. Does he have a regret of not being kind enough? Did he give beyond his means? What’s…
Reluctant
C’mon, autumn. Let’s get this party started. (21 of 41)
Wishes for the week ahead
I wish for… Opportunities for rest during the rain. Bits of the extraordinary in the most common situations. (No, seriously. Look at the size of this blueberry. It’s like three normal blueberries combined.) Signs of love, even in the mess. My kitchen was in a state of chaos this weekend, but this little sticky heart…
Breathtaking
I don’t care what performance you’re there to see, the Fox Theater in St. Louis is worth the price of admission based on atmosphere and architecture alone. (19 of 41)
The best validation
“You are the person your dog thinks you are.” That is the sentiment on the front of a greeting card that was given to me by a friend. I cannot think of higher praise than that, so I keep it on my fridge for encouragement. I can only think of perhaps one nicer thing to…
Waiting
“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” — Friedrich Nietzsche This was one from a series of fall photos that popped up in my memories today. I took it exactly one year ago. The leaves have not quite begun their transition yet this year…and it dawned on me that…
Feelin’ Fine
Finnegan. Face. Flower. And a Fall walk with my favorite fur friend. (Brought to you by the letter F.) (16 of 41)
Slow going
Colors are slow to arrive this year. But I’m fully embracing every bit I find. This last one made me laugh. This is literally the only branch on the entire tree that has made the turn. I guess somebody had to go first. (15 of 41)
Valid points
“Can we stop acting like joy has an age limit? If buying a stuffed animal, rewatching cartoons, using a coloring book, collecting cute stationery, or sleeping with a fuzzy blanket brings you peace in this chaotic world, that’s valid. The world is heavy. Bills are real. Burnout is constant. If something soft or silly makes…
Weekend colors
Just a few images from a weekend spent celebrating my mom’s birthday. Beautiful in every way. (13 of 41)
Listen and remember
“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.” — Stevie Wonder A vivid memory from my childhood was my mom’s record collection. I always loved when she played Anne Murray, the Carpenters, and (especially) the Partridge Family…
Novelty
“Studies show that short, novel experiences — a day trip, an unplanned hike, exploring a new street — boost dopamine and reset mood. You don’t need a vacation. You need interruption. The brain thrives on small doses of novelty. Routine keeps you alive. Novelty makes you feel alive.” I fully support vacations, don’t get me…
Friends
“Money can buy you a fine dog. But only love can make him wag his tail.” – Kinky Friedman There are some great little cut-through paths connecting the streets in our neighborhood that have become part of my regular walks with my dog. These little pathways are lined with tall landscaping and privacy fences, so…
At my doorstep
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Vincent Van Gogh In this case, I found beauty on my front stoop. Something about it stopped me in my tracks. I just thought it was so lovely. (8 of 41)
Fingerprints
“Never apologize for your eccentricities. They’re your fingerprint.” – Diane Keaton A lone tomato ripening on a vine draped over the wrong side of a privacy fence — with a heart-shaped leaf, I might add. A blue rubber duck randomly perched on a curb. An expressive garbage can. A leaf showing off in the sun….
The call
“The world has lost Robert Redford, Jane Goodall, and Diane Keaton in one month. Three extraordinary souls who reminded us what it means to live with purpose. Their legacy is a call…to rise with kindness, to protect what is sacred, to create boldly, and to love without apology. The next chapter belongs to those brave…
hey there, friends 