One of my favorite things to do is to slow down and not rush. High Garden Tea is a perfect place to do just that. And the tea I bought there allows me to do that at home, too, although I can't wait to get back soon!

Is anyone surprised to hear that reading is one of the things that makes me the happiest? Books teach me, keep me company, entertain me, inspire me, calm me, allow me to travel through time and space... the list goes on and on. Heck, tangentially they even pay my mortgage!

I am deeply and eternally grateful to all the amazing writers throughout history who have performed this powerful magic!

"I rest in the grace of the world, and am free." - Wendell Berry
How the heck did this plant know a support was there? I love how nature reminds me that the world is a place of mystery, wonder, and awe. Seriously, does this not blow your mind?! And these miracles are around us every day...

“Take a walk at night. Walk so silently that the bottoms of your feet become ears.” - Pauline Oliveros

Wow!! These instructions by the late composer and deep listener Pauline Oliveros open up such a space of longing in me! Ah, to slow down and listen so intimately... At Big Ears this spring, I had the incredible fortune to witness Alvin Curran reminiscing about his dear friend. It's a memory and inspiration that brings nourishment to my soul.

Color, color, color!!! I've loved Marilyn Rusekas' gorgeous pastels since I saw them in Boston about 20 years ago. In searching for an image to show you I was delighted to see that I've already shared her work here. Yes, I still love her and even remember her name.

Thank you, Ms. Rusekas for two decades of inspiration and joy!

I saw an exhibition of Katherine Ace's beautiful paintings based on Grimms' Fairy Tales at the Parthenon during the spring of 2016. The memory of wandering through it still makes me smile and fills me with that glorious sense of possibility. I was enchanted by her use of rich colors and the way she played with the tales' symbols. Doesn't this just pull you in? So I have to kick off this series of posts here of course: "Many and many a year ago, in a kingdom far over the sea..."

"Happiness is a form of courage" - George Holbrook Jackson

"We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world."
- Jack Gilbert

Let's be courageous, stubborn, and happy! Over the next few weeks I'm going to post things that make me happy. I hope it will make you think about what you enjoy and love.