Perseids

I read online that tonight
there is a meteor shower
but the city lights
make it impossible to view
so I sit quietly in my room
turn off the television
and listen for the shouts
of cosmic joy
as the shooting stars
streak across the sky

Couldn't put it down

I'm thankful for books that I get so wrapped up in I stay up too late reading to write on my blog:) I reread Madeline L'Engle's book A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET (which I haven't read since I was 11) and I finished last night. Amazing it still held up after all these years...even more so because as an adult I could really understand the stakes and the deeper themes -- I actually cried at the end. I'm sure I've said it before, but I'm thankful for Madeline and the inspiration she has been to my writing and my life.

Rick Steve's new sidekick

I was sick last night and in bed, so I didn't get to write, but what I was going to write about was the fly that was in my room last night keeping me entertained. I was watching Rick Steve's on TV, and the picture was so beautiful, that fly kept trying to fly right into it. I think he actually believed he had traveled to France and landed happily right on the top of a medieval castle. And it made me grateful, first of all for a TV with such a nice picture quality, but also for TV in general -- how amazing that for people who could never see the 15,000 year old cave drawings in a tiny town in France in real life, you can get a pretty cool experience watching it from your own bed like I did last night:)

Eating grace instead of just saying it

We ate our dinner mindfully tonight...meaning we didn't talk, and we didn't think about anythng, but we put our full attention on eating our meal and being grateful for it. And what would've been devoured and forgotten while watchng a House Hunters International was instead luxuriated over and appreciated. I actually couldn't help but write a haiku in my head about the crunch of fresh toast. I've forgotten it now, but in the moment it made me very happy. I tried to really taste my food, to think about how I would describe a green pepper to someone who's never eaten it...not easy! It's crispy and juicy, kind of like an apple, but spicier, but not really spicy, more like tangy -- finally I just decided that it tasted green. My tomato seemed to melt like earthy butter in my mouth which seemed to be a new experience -- I never really thought of tomatoes as melty. So many tastes and textures! Thank God for all of the wonderful food we have been given to eat and enjoy. It's nice to be reminded what a miracle a grape is.

Two timing cat

My cat Gatsby is hilarious. He has huge saucer green eyes, waddles like an overstuffed goose and instead of a meow he says "meep!" He's been growing fatter for sometime now, and it didn't make one dent when I switched to diet food. He's gone most of the day, but always comes in for a good scratch behind the ears at night -- we always refer to him as our college kid, wandering restlessly all hours of the day and night, but always coming home for a snack and a hug when he needs it. We've been suspecting that he's been two-timing us for sometime now -- and tonight we got proof. Ryan brought him into the bedroom where I was working and he was laughing so hard he could only get out "look!" And that's when I saw the bright red brand new collar with a nice little name tag that read: CHUBBLES. HAHAHA!!! Chubbles the cat. It's actually the perfect name for him in her current shape. We called the number on the tag and as of this post, haven't heard back yet. Hopefully we can figure out how to put him on a diet between our two families. Although I'm sure that somehow Gatsby Chubbles will just find some other family to feed him if we do. Such a galavanting moocher, that cat!

Fashion appreciation

I cleaned my closets today...really cleaned: I put all my clothes in pretty arrangements according to color and fabric and all of my shoes in their boxes with the lids closed. The boxes are all so lovely, pink and red and purple and green...makes me want to open a shoe store -- one where I get to keep all the shoes:) It was hard work, but also fun to go through and see all the beautiful pieces of clothing I've gathered over the years and it made me very thankful that I have such nice things to wear. I've been on a spending freeze and it's actually been pretty cool to go "shopping" in my own closet, finding things I haven't worn in a while and giving them new life. I've always liked fashion, and today it was nice to appreciate it too.

Real to me

We were out late last night seeing TOY STORY 3 which is such a beautiful movie, well written, exciting, funny, sad and happy all at the same time. It was my second time and I still cried. It makes me thankful for all of my toy friends who were very real to me and who kept me company and carried my secrets and hopes growing up -- for Susie the pillow with a plesant doll face, for Peetie the blue bunny that Papa bought me, for Marshmallow and Rachel the pink and white bunnies I got for Easter, for Theodora the old fashioned teddy bear I got after I was sick to make me feel well, and for Herman the bear with the bow tie that I got for Christmas one year and who made the trip out to California with me to remind me of home. There were many more...but those guys were the first string, and I loved growing up with them:)

Sit ups should be illegal

I'm thankful I made it through my first real work out in months...man am I hurtin, but the pain is a good reminder not to put taking care of my body so far down on the priority list. Take care of your body and it takes care of you...neglect it and it will kick your butt! I'm really grateful to be able to have a wonderful trainer -- even lunges aren't so bad when she sings along with me to my ridiculous Show Tunes mix. The laughter almost makes me forget how much I'm sweating. Almost:)

Comfort food in comfort

I just have to say that dinner in bed is just as fun as breakfast in bed, even when you're not feeling well, it somehow makes it feel like you're celebrating:)

City Cricket

I love that in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world, that when I get ready every night before I go to bed, I get a lovely lullaby from one very lost cricket, and it sounds like home. I don't know how the cricket got to Los Angeles, or how he somehow climbed up to our top balcony, or how on earth he has escaped both our cats, but somehow he has set up residence in our vegetable planter box, and it makes me smile. I keep wondering if he grew up in some little town watching Jiminy Cricket movies and moved out here to make his mark and spread a little magic like his idol. When you wish upon a star...