It has been hard for me to see lovely things lately. I've been worried about our current budget situation, sad for my friends who have lost their jobs, afraid that I might lose mine. I see terrible, terrifying things in the news on a daily basis. I watch devastating videos of lives and homes lost in the tsunami.

My brain has been so wrapped around the sadness, that when I started looking for something to post today, I felt I needed something huge, something that would make up for all the bad, and I couldn't find it. In my heart, I knew that there were great things out there, amazing people, lovely, loving people. It hit me when I had five tabs open looking for the best thing to post that there are simple lovely things happening everywhere, and they more than make up for the bad. 

So I have two things to share. One is truly incredible. The other is just something that made me smile this morning. I'm sharing the second with you because I came to realize that a "lovely thing" doesn't have to be a feat of strength or something that is far reaching or something that helps millions of people; it only needs to make you smile.

Here we go.

1. After the earthquake, Hydeaki Akaiwa, couldn't get in contact with his wife or elderly mother. Instead of waiting for a rescue team, he found some scuba gear and dove to find and rescue them both. Read the article if you have time. Apparently, he isn't finished with his rescue work. Truly incredible!

2. Smile.

Lovely Thing Sunday - Music for the Deaf

if you don't try

As I've mentioned before, I like to set lofty (perhaps unattainable) goals, and naturally, I've made a list. I love lists.

1. obtain green thumb
2. use pesky spot of yard intended for composting...for composting (see number 1)
3. plant herb garden (see number 1)
4. brew beer and make wine
5. make kombucha
6. experimental cooking (not as frightening as it sounds)
7. crochet
8. learn sign language for my students
9. make bath products
10. whistle with my fingers
11. take pictures

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

And yes, it bothers me that there are 11 things on this list.

dying pomegranates from my pomegranate trees (see number 1)

Play Me, I'm Yours

Lovely Thing Sunday

Music is bringing people together all over the world! Austin is next!

Abby Carlisle

Meet Abby!

I'm going to go ahead and blame her for keeping me from this blog. Really! Truly! It's all her fault!


This is Abby's belief system:

1. Trash was never intended to be in a bag.

2. Beds aren't made for sleeping. It's the perfect place to catch your human off guard and attack them with licks.

3. You may eat dirt. Be sure to bring the dirt inside the house first.

4. Christmas trees look prettier on the ground.

5. As long as you look cute, you may get away with anything.

We love her. We really, really love her.