Everything is broken and messed up and completely fine. That’s what life is. It’s only the ratios that change. Usually on their own. As soon as you think that’s it, it’s going to be like this forever, they change again.
Meg Mason, Sorrow and Bliss
This afternoon I listened to Brené Brown’s conversation with Karen Walrond (link on Brené’s website here) about joy and connection. wow did I need that! and not only because it’s a wonderful reminder about why I started this photo-a-day habit more than a decade ago … and why it’s still one of my few must-do daily things.
Life Draining: political ads (early voting for our May 24 primary started last week). library hold jail (just kidding, kind of). worrying about doctor visits. my friend whose cancer came back is now in hospice.
Life Giving: SPRING. Holy Week and Easter in person. Beaufort. longer days and evening sunshine. poetry. the return of porch time.
A (short) Happy List: DirectTV streaming (we finally cut the cable cord and it was remarkably easy and painless!). re-watching All Creatures Great and Small season 2 before our DVR turned into a pumpkin (I loved it even more the second time because I wasn’t worried about story-line). pink/red manicures. Boy Baseball.
and speaking of Boy Baseball, I never did share the story of our Saturday watching them play. We last saw them on the ball field a year ago. Since then, they played the second half of last spring’s season, a fall season, and the first half of this spring’s season. What a difference! Both boys can hit the ball (Sam still hits his off a tee, and Charlie is playing coach pitch) and Charlie is learning to field. Sam pays attention and loves the whole experience on and off the field. Here are a few of my favorite off the field moments from that afternoon.
Lower left is from the bleachers during Charlie’s game. Younger siblings playing UNO Flip (best game ever for all ages!) with Marmie (who was mostly appreciated for “shoveling” the cards).
What made your Happy List last month?
mere-et-filles 
I’m so sorry about your fried Mary, big hugs. Love the photos of your grandsons… they are handsome young men. We cut cable TV and Satellite a few years ago and now only have a couple of streaming channels. It’s amazing how much money you can save!
Oh, no! I don’t know what library hold jail is (you placed too many holds?) but I hope you can get out of jail soon. Love the boy’s baseball photos (and I had to “shovel” the cards for my kids, too)!
Those beautiful grandsons, my goodness! One of the gifts of looking back–and of your photo-a-day practice–is the reminder that there is, indeed, life GIVING. Because when the drains are big…and I’m so, so sorry about your friend…sometimes it’s hard to remember there IS beauty and joy. Here’s to porch season! The best!
Wow have your grandsons grown! Charlie in particular looks so much older!! So sorry about your friend Mary. Wishing her peace. Library jail does not sound good!
Library Hold Jail? Oh my! I hope you are out soon! (I am with Bonny, I have no idea what Library Jail is… but I, too, am most curious!)
What fun photos! I love the boys smiling faces! 🙂
What . . .is library jail hold???? Inquiring minds want to know! I’m so sorry about your friend, Mary. Life is just really hard sometimes. But those little baseball boys’ faces? Full of joy and love. (Another “card shoveler” here!)
Yes, please enlighten us about library hold jail so we can avoid it! I am sorry to hear about your friend and I hope hospice can provide some comfort. Finding the little bits of joy in our lives is crucial at times like these, I think. For me, it’s sunshine, warmer weather (finally), excited greetings from our neighbors’ puppy, and being with family.
your grands are growing so fast!! We have ads as well that are equally draining and very negative..ugh. Good thing I only watch the news and that is it.
I’m so sorry about your friend, Mary. I think when we seek beauty, joy, & connection in each day is helps us through difficult times and enables us to be a support for others.
I’ve never heard of “library hold jail”, please tell us all about it!
Your grandsons are growing up so fast! Enjoy your time with them!
Sorry hear about your friend in hospice, but love that you are still finding things that brought you joy during the month. All the floral picks-spring has sprung!
Like everyone else, I want to know what you mean by library jail hold! And I’m so sorry about your friend, it’s a hard thing to go through. Those boys and their baseball uniforms are adorable and it looks like they are having so much fun!
I am so sorry about your friend Mary. Sam looks exactly like his mom! Those boys must be so fun. April joy…Easter with family and lunch with college friends!
Your grandsons are so sweet. These are great photos. We hope to take in a few grandson – baseball games later this summer. I am sorry to hear about your friend. Life can be unfair and hard sometimes. And joining the chorus – what is library jail hold?