1) stepping outside, after dusk, to breathe in the sweet primrose
2) tea: the act of drinking it
3) worn hymnals given to me by my mother's church
4) model houses that represent places in 'Sarah, Plain, and Tall'
5) the hum of a refrigerator, oddly comforting
6) cold toes, nudging me to bed
7) a large red mug yet to be sipped out of
8) a floating clump of cat hair
9) a sign stuffed in the corner of a bookcase, willkommen, welcome: welcome, home.
10) recalling when i was once called upon to inventory the book cases, as a young girl
11) wishing i could fit inside of a bookcase shelf, warmly tucked between my favorite novels, or books of poetry
12) my head aching, again, nudging me towards rest
13) a cat scratcher, in the shape of a wave, each rubbing up against it stirring up foam
14) an at least 2000 page collection of all of Shakespeare's works
15) books my sister and I wrote, prize-winning authors that we are
16) many of the novels coming after Anne of Green Gables, but not that novel itself
17) books that I've known, or have been owned by my parents, as long as I've been alive
18) gilted spines and gold-edged pages
19) fireflies so numerous and vigorous it seems, as I coast along the highway, I am venturing into some sort of 'hyper' space
20) waking up at night to discover patches of light dancing about the window
21) being sent an encouraging note by someone i've never met, someone who knows me indirectly
22) discovering, gradually, how much i look like my mother, comparing our baby pictures
23) giggling and smiling profusely, as i do every time, at the sometimes awkward, always tender falling in love of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth
24) the goldfinches attracted to our bird feeders, that my mom always mentions (and loves)
25) the way the flame of a candle is magnified upon our white walls, which flows and throbs
26) the little stacks of coins my mother puts on the window over the sink, including one of Maine, which is one of the places she most wants to go, in the world
27) being complimented, out of the blue, in a kind, respectful way about how lovely i looked on a day when i felt anything but
28) hearing my mother snort in her sleep
29) generally, moments of delight and freedom, moments when my smiles/joy are genuine
30) never ceasing to be amazed at the sky; tonight, i saw a sliver of the moon being swallowed and later framed by cumulus grey, hearty fluffy things
31) receiving flowers
32) picking flowers
33) stopping the car because i saw.noticed.found something and i had my camera with me, feeling slightly foolish, hoping my efforts will be rewarded
34) being told, after playing a hymn at church, that it almost sounded like the words of the hymn were coming out of my flute
35) lying in the grass, under the stars
36) for You, alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety
37) wanting to have someone to read to, poetry or fairy tale, or otherwise
38) how appreciative my mother is when i offer to do the dishes...it's such a little thing, such a little way to help out.
39) cats sitting in windowsills
40) a weekend trip to see and cherish the company of a beloved friend and family
41) simple faith, faith like a child
42) warm, soft knit socks
43) a cat resting at my feet
44) the incongruous patterns of our living room rugs and couch covers
45) a cupboard of family 'achievements' and memories: diplomas, coca-cola bottles, black and white photographs, etc.
46) movies rooted in my childhood memory: mrs. doubtfire, sister act (2), little women, pride & prejudice, etc.
47) classic films, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, James Dean, Ingrid Bergman, etc.
48) paintings from the 1989 and 1999 Half Moon Bay Pumpkin festival, the artist being a mother of a very good friend
49) our Portuguese landlords in California, who had a make-shift wine 'cellar' in their garage
50) a backyard made of bark
to be continued, again, and again.
To be continued...
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