“Your attention is basically a currency. And what you spend it on matters. You can spend it on outrage, and the world feels angrier. You can spend it on kindness, and the world feels a little softer. The thing is, you only have so much to spend, right? It’s a finite resource, so what will…
Category: if you lived here
Happy chaos
This is such an interesting time of year. Halloween is behind us and the leaves, while past their peak, are still turning. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but Christmas is waiting in the wings. I had to laugh along our walk this morning when I saw various houses combining all of the above ……
It is well with my soul
“When peace like a river, attends my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, You have taught me to knowIt is well, it is well, with my soul.” — hymn by Horatio Spafforc I was just pausing to reflect on gratitude for beauty, blessings, and answered prayer. As far as beauty, this was my…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Everyday joy
“Keep a list of small, ordinary things that make you happy. A new flower from your plant-baby. That book you can’t wait to finish. When you hear something wonderful that happened to someone you love. Cultivate the habit of everyday joy. After a while, you won’t even happen to try.” —- Nanea Hoffman Nanea Hoffman…
Life lately
Just a few photos from recent walks in the park… And a trip to the flower truck for a peony fix. Which is entirely too expensive but totally worth it. Hello, weekend. I’m so glad you’re here.
Truths
I spotted a list of five harsh truths about life that I thought was pretty good – and accurate. 1. You are responsible for your own happiness. 2. The majority of your limits are self-imposed. 3. You can never fully prepare for everything life will throw at you. 4. You will mess up. The best…
Swan Surprise
Today I decided to visit one of my favorite parks in search of these beautiful trees… …only to be surprised to find something entirely new. The swans are going to be parents! Just one egg so far. But how cool is that? In unrelated cuteness news, here’s Finn’s face while patiently waiting for me to…
Mystery flowers
“The world is full of magic things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” – W. B. Yeats During a chilly walk in the park this morning, I saw in the distance what I thought were snowballs on the icy surface of the grand basin. But upon closer inspection, I found that someone had…
Snowy Saturday
We got our first real snowfall of the season! Not a ton, but it was just enough to coat everything with a bit of magic. And enough for our neighbors to manage to build a snowman… …or two. And it looked like these snowmen were having a snowball fight. I had to stop my run…
I’m proud of you
Just in case no one has told you lately: You are free to create your own moments of celebration.You are free to reflect on all you’ve made it through and say this to yourself:“You know what? I’m proud of you.” You are free to be proud of how far you have come…even when it comes…
Silent Sunday
I visited a park today that, once I stepped through its gates, it felt like I was walking back in time. It felt like the kind of place where a poet would write…or an artist would paint…or a musician would find inspiration. A magical, hopelessly romantic place. There are several areas in which you can…
Sunday with Sculptures
What a perfect day for a long walk in the local sculpture park.
Howdy, neighbor
After receiving a lovely visitor recently, a new visitor has been making regular appearances out back. So much so that I’m wondering if he’s actually a neighbor/resident. He’s noisy, twitchy and bosses the other birds around. But he’s pretty neat and I hope he’s happy in the neighborhood.
Whoo’s there
Check out this spectacular visitor to my back yard over the weekend. He first dropped in late Friday afternoon, his arrival announced by a flurry of irritable crows and bluejays squawking and bouncing about. When he showed up again on Saturday, he had an even crankier antagonist — a very large red-tailed hawk. I couldn’t…
Purina Pet Parade
St. Louis does a lot of things well, but we do Mardi Gras REALLY well. The Purina Pet Parade always gets the lengthy celebration started on the best note – and today was a gorgeous day for it. So my younger son, Finn and I piled into the car and headed to Soulard. What a…
hey there, friends 