2026 March 17

  • I can make dango whenever I want

  • Birds at the bird feeder (chickadee, junco)

  • Ethiopian food at the market

  • Clear blue winter skies

  • The crunchy white ice on sidewalks

2026 January 8

  • Birthday cake mix

  • Mochi doughnuts

  • Fog that’s so thick you can’t see the houses on the other side of the road

2026 January 7

  • The sound of water at the dock

  • Hydrogen peroxide

  • The way the moss sways in the live oaks on my parents‘ street.

2026 January 6, Tuesday

  • Areas without streetlights

  • Electronic pianos

  • Pizza delivery services

  • Spending time with parents and siblings as an adult

  • Thoughtfully animated movies and shows

2026 January 3

  • Fireworks

  • The sound of birds in the morning

  • Warm, heavy rain

  • Playing in the rain

  • Air conditioning

  • My mom’s extra large pressure cooker

2025 December 20

  • Ironed bed sheets

  • Fresh cookies

  • Smooth-writing pens

  • Local art supply stores

2025 December 17

  • public parks

  • Sunlight on the lake

  • The large selection of pastries in the city

2025 December 16

  • Fresh pressed juice

  • Evergreens in the snow

  • Soft brioche

2025 December 13

  • I have a working washing machine!

  • I have all the little comforts and luxuries that I have ever wanted, like a pc to play games on, a washing machine and dryer, an e-reader, enough art supplies to satisfy my creative urges, a garden, city amenities, a gym membership, clothes I feel comfortable and confident in, a dishwasher, and an over the sink drying rack.

2025 December 12, Friday

  • We have a microwave. Didn’t have one for several years.

  • Public libraries

  • Big, fat, perfect snowflakes that glitter like shards of glass.

2025 December 10

  • Miniature train displays in local shop windows.

  • It’s relatively easy to fly and see family (not cheap, but not as expensive as it could be).

2025 December 8

  • The daycare folks complimented the consistently tasty-looking snacks that I pack for S—.

  • The grocery store is walking distance away, even in winter.

  • Pears and papayas are a good price.

  • Every Saturday and Wednesday, the local farmer’s market is up.

  • The local farmer’s market is actually a farmer’s market and not an expensive-craft-doodad market.

2025 December 7, Sunday

  • My son can now say “I love mama”, and says so freely and randomly

  • The hot water heater works.

  • My new warm snow boots. (Steger Arctic model)

  • My time alone when L— takes our son to church and play dates.

  • I am able to participate in a local choir.

  • L— is always trying, and never gives up on our relationship.

2025 November 20

  • S— wants to help me feel better when I’m sad

  • The oven works

  • I can mooch off of my parents Netflix account on a bad day

2025 November 7

  • S— helped me plant garlic in the hay-covered field, handing me a new clove for each hole I made with my favourite walking stick. It’s a lovely, sunny day.

  • The gym has 2 hour childcare.