Thursday, October 30, 2025

Small joys — apples and laughs, partying and a plant! Oh my!

Day 270

#161

Make an apple dessert

yummy apple crisp. Feels like fall. Needs more apple and nuts, less sugar.

Day 271

#513

Laugh

Saw Celeste Barber last night. Good stuff!

Day 272

#516

organize event

The week-long celebration of Laurie’s birthday is coming up!

AND

#270

buy a plant

Purchased a mini rose bush at Publix. I wanted to get something more like a philodendron, but there are no nurseries in this area according to Google. Hmph.

EDITED TO ADD: now on Saturday, I’ve bought a small plant named a flamingo something. I need to find out what it is; the seller at the farmers market told me but I forgot almost immediately.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Focus words

Connect -- with people near and far

Boost -- more than connect

Create -- art or in the kitchen or music

Calm -- doing something peaceful

Resist

Organize

Learn

Nourish -- exercise and healthy eating and sharing

I want to play violin and bake and do arts & crafts and read and plan trips.

EDITED TO ADD: someone else thinking along the same lines:p

Small Joys — catch up

Day 267

#221

read a mythology story

Read up on Calypso. Because I heard the song named that by Suzanne Vega.

Day 268

#265

Go to bed when tired

Home with Sean. Was in bed by 7:30, asleep by 9:30. Delightful.

Day 269

#328

Go to art museum

Technically I went 3 times this weekend. Enjoyed membership at Norton. Saw the new Rembrandt exhibit. It was fantastic.

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Thing I looked up today: Art Nouveau vs Art Deco

was discussing Art Nouveau (1890ish to 1910s, reaction to industrialization) and Art Deco (1920s-1930s, embrace of industrialization) with Sean. Looked this up to explain it to him. But basically, easiest way to understand it: Elves vs Dwarves

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Selfie mode

I need a better photo to show the color

Took this photo because of the braids, but today I was also admiring the good blond color job done by @simplycolourbydean. It’s been about 3 weeks, and I really like the color. I appreciate he kept it natural and thought ahead on the growing out and used natural products. I’m glad I found him.

also! I love my new glasses! They’re green!

Memories: funny Christmas present

One year my son said he wanted a jar of magical pony farts for Christmas. I think he couldn’t think of anything and was trying to think of something difficult. I didn’t blink and said ok.

I got a jar, painted it with sparkles, and wrote Magic Pony Farts in it. I sprayed a bunch of cotton balls with perfume and put them in the jar. Excessive amounts of perfume, so when you opened the jar, it hit you hard. Wrapped it all up and gave it to him for Christmas. We still have it somewhere, 15 years later…

Small Joys — surprise

Day 266

random # 231

Send gift to list of people in Keep — promised years ago

Done finally! Or 3/5ths … because mailing stuff is expensive. I’ll hand over the other two in Saturday.

I sent a copy of the US constitution and a magnet that I painted that says I have friends everywhere. And mailed in adorable flamingo envelopes I’ve also had for ages.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Small Joys — walk around

Day 265

Random number 483

walk around campus

Lovely day for it. Peter and I are learning our way to and from parking garage. I walked with him and hung out at library to walk back.

Work vent

Me to employer: keep me at associate, I don’t want to move up. You get years of experience in a low level position.

One particular partner keeps expecting ME to *manage* and *be responsible* for his clients.

No, that’s what the *manager* is for. I literally said don’t put me in charge of things.

And…. Now they have let a wealthy client slip through the cracks. I’m scrambling to find out what happened, how to keep her happy… and said partner is not answering my email or Teams message.

Gaaaaah

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Small Joys — choose your own adventure

Day 264

Random number 505

make choices

We chose… to choose on Weds. Well, we chose a house. We’re waiting until Weds to make offer. Wooo!

Small Joys — bikes and bikes

Day 262

Random number 503

enjoy ups and downs

Day 263

Random number 504

freedom

Both of these apply to bike rides.

Saturday we rode the South Lake and West Orange and Hickock trails from Clermont to Winter Garden and back. Nearly two hours of hilly biking, a little shopping and a light lunch, with a shall ice cream treat in the way back. Weather was perfect, the trees kept it shady and our bikes handled the hills moderately well! Might be time for new batteries.

Sunday, we rode the Van Fleet trail. It was a joy to learn about General James Van Fleet, an American hero. Great rail to trail path too. We did 8 of its 29 miles.

Lots of ups & downs and a feeling of freedom as we whizzed along. Happy to be together, happy to still be moving, lots of discussion of the future.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Small Joys — vacation mode

Day 261

Random number:502

hotel living

Hotel living for two days? Yes please!

No cat to pester me with her cute fuzzy face and incessant demands for food. No adult child to gently guide. No housework. No obligations other than enjoying time with my husband. Maybe a couple bike rides and a drink with a salted rim next to a lake…


Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Small Joys — reaching out

Day 260

Rando # 508

reach out to three people that you’re thinking of them

I messaged high school friend Kristi and old friend Susan to let them know they’ve been on my mind, and to ask after them. I sent birthday greetings to Asheen. I asked in general on FB for people to tell me something good. I texted with Aunt Laurie to settle the dates of her visit. Feels like mission accomplished.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Small Joys — learning via video

Day 259

Random number 60

Watch Youtube video on how to do something

Well I watched a video about adding pesto to sourdough. It gave some good tips but also confused me. I then went and read a tip to add flour to the pesto. Which I then forgot.

I may have added too much pesto. The video said 100-150 grams. I did just under 150 grams. Too much. It’s leaking out all over the place.

Im sure it’ll still taste good just maybe not be pretty. I’ll get better at technique by doing it again! Room for improvement!

Monday, October 13, 2025

Small Joys — books and reading

Day 257

Random #499

Donate books to a class

Came across a request for a set of Albert Camus books for a high school teacher. Happily donated $25 to the cause, shared the list on BlueSky and another person said they donated. Then a few more people shared it and several liked it and it was funded within hours. Not sure how much I helped but very happy.

Day 258

Random #496

sit on balcony, drink tea and read on a weekday

Happy to do this. Definitely a small pleasant joy. Work is slow, waiting on clients to submit documents. The weather is utterly delightful. I’m loving this book about an obscure Velazquez painting, mostly about people’s passion for V and just for art itself.

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Small Joys — it’s autumn

Day 256

Random # 245

drive with windows down and music playing

Went to a see a Fleetwood Mac tribute band at Bok Gardens. Drove the long entrance with the windows down and The Chicks playing. Joyful!

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Small Joys — pretty stamps

Day 255

Rabdom #: 27

Order new stamps

Fone. Nothing to photograph until they get here. I ordered Jimmy Carter, snow globe, and SpongeBob stamps, as well as sail boat stamps for post cards.

Small Joys — food similar to other food

Day 254

Random # 303

Try a new cuisine

Went to a Ukrainian restaurant last night. Had Russian meat dumplings and Ukrainian potato dumplings and a Georgian soda (like Sprite) and a honey cake. Shared with Nora. Good to catch up with her.

Monday, October 6, 2025

Small Joys — catch up yet again

Day 249

Rando #494

Support local music

Went to concert by two jazz ensembles at USF. Delightful. Also walked around campus, enjoyed a sunset.

Day 250

Rando #495

dinner at Barbara’s

Always a delight to get together with the Willetts. We had a yummy and healthy fish dish. Plus a fun cooperative game called Fate of the Lord of The Rings.

Day 251

Rando #409

Enjoy a Flamingocon

I wasn’t in charge. I volunteered and helped out, but mostly just chilled. I had agreed to promote a game called Dice Words. It was stupid. I gotta stop doing those. All in all it was fun. I’m excited to be part of Flamingocon and part of future plans. Got to see Mark and a Peter and Yves and Zack and Fred & Sara and Joe and Jessica briefly. And met lots of newcomers!

Day 252

Rando #416

Toast Bob Stevens

Remembering Bob on anniversary of his death. A good guy.

Small Joys — Memories

Day 253

Rando #349

Go through treasures from the attic 

Found a small treasure trove in my attic. Thank god for good plastic boxes with lids — kept these guys safe a long time in a Florida attic. I probably put them away so my kids wouldn’t touch them! I also probably didn’t intend for it to be 15+ years!

Left to Right:

1. Tigger. Given to me in my early 20s by a dear British friend who designated all her friends as 100 Acre Woods characters. She was Kanga; her husband really seemed like a grown-up Christopher Robin. I was bubbly and annoyingly energetic, so I was easily named. And I think a few years later, I used the Tigger nickname for my first email address! Hadn’t thought of that in years.

2. The small bunny in blue — aka Mr Blue Jeans — is 55 years old at a minimum. I don’t remember life before him. He’s named after Mr Green Jeans from Captain Kangaroo. I may have teared up when I found him. I vaguely knew these guys were in attic but it’s been a long time.

3. This is NOT just a Raggedy Ann doll, but a *hand-made* Raggedy Ann doll. Made by my mom’s friend Becky. For my 8th birthday I believe. Always wish I could’ve tracked down Becky, but her last name was too common. I should sew Ann a dress, poor thing. Probably has been naked 40 years or so!

4. Small brown bear is Pookie. From the Garfield comic strip. I acquired him late in college, probablybat the Waah U bookstore, but I don’t remember details. Pookie was my companion on a three-month post-graduation road trip through the American Southwest. In days before phone selfies, Pookie stood in for me in many photos. We will always have Taos, me and Pookie.

5. Orange bear, named Teddy. He’s same age as Mr Blue Jeans. Teddy bears were so much simpler in the ‘60s! He used to have a ribbon at his neck, but it got tattered, so it was cut off. Teddy and Mr Blue Jeans could’ve suffered smoke damage in a house fire in ‘75, but a bigger bear covered them. That bear, Peter Panda, had to go away. *sniff*

Friday, October 3, 2025

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Ins and Outs October

Ins:

  1. adding good foods to diet: esp apples, roasted broccoli
  2. drinking more water
  3. sleeping
  4. Busch Gardens walks
  5. fuzzy socks
  6. tea on the balcony
  7. mailing out birthday cards
  8. walking 2 miles a day with audio books
  9. fiber
  10. planning vacations with friends
  11. reading
  12. meditation
  13. sourdough bread
  14. flamingocon #30 and planning new things
  15. Getting out and about in Tampa
  16. financial planning
  17. peter driving on his own
  18. house hunting

Outs

  1. political doom scrolling
  2. processed sugar
  3. John Hancock 401k
  4. job stress
  5. complicated clothes or Halloween costumes

UPDATE 10/1

Already accomplishing several today: Zoom meeting with financial planner; friend started vacation house hunt for a New Years get together; and I am going to a jazz concert tonight at the college (getting out and about in Tampa). Maybe I will go have tea on the balcony and read my book right this minute.

UPDATE 11/2:

Too many goals!

  1. adding good foods to diet: esp apples, roasted broccoli — NOT ENOUGH
  2. drinking more water — LESS THAN USUAL
  3. sleeping — NO BETTER
  4. Busch Gardens walks — NOT ONCE
  5. fuzzy socks — NOPE
  6. tea on the balcony — ok, one time
  7. mailing out birthday cards — NOTHING NEW FROM PRIOR MONTH
  8. walking 2 miles a day with audio books — NOT ONCE
  9. fiber — LESS THAN USUAL
  10. planning vacations with friends — DONE ✔️
  11. reading — DONE ✔️
  12. meditation — NOT MORE THAN PRIOR
  13. sourdough bread — DONE ✔️
  14. flamingocon #30 and planning new things — DONE ✔️
  15. Getting out and about in Tampa — A LITTLE BIT
  16. financial planning — DONE ✔️
  17. peter driving on his own — NOPE
  18. house hunting — YES! DONE ✔️ This took uk most of the focus of the month, so I forgive myself. Didn’t realize it’d be so successful so fast.

Outs

  1. political doom scrolling — NOPE
  2. processed sugar — WORSE
  3. John Hancock 401k — NOT RESOLVED
  4. job stress — WELL, less work than ever, and a decision to let go, so DONE ✔️
  5. complicated clothes or Halloween costumes — DONE ✔️

Small Joys Project

Back in January 2023, I came across a British woman on Twitter who had written out 365 small joys on pieces of paper and put them in a jar, ...