I was recently reminded by my good friend and collaborator Jill Schwartzman, editor extraordinaire, that it’s been a while since I’ve written an “I Love…” post. Before I get started, I’d like to make clear that my silence in this regard should in no way imply that there has been a scarcity of things I feel affection for. In fact, a better explanation for these types of posts having been neglected recently would be a sense that there is such an overwhelming abundance of things to love right now. And making a list can feel a bit reductive sometimes. Seriously. Even in the terrifying hell-scape that is our current world. So much beauty, inspiration, goodness…so much to love.
I love the hope and inspiration that is coming from the people of Ukraine in this insane time and love all the neighboring countries opening their hearts and homes to masses of refugees from a madman's obsession. I love that out of madness hope, intelligence and light is happening opening minds. I love that this reminds me and makes me more curious about my own family - those who left and those who stayed in Lithuania. It's hard to sleep with the inspiration of hope and the wishes for peace but chose to remain optimistic and work harder for peace.
Taking college tours with my 18 year old… Riding my bike to Whataburger and convincing myself by the time I get there that I totally earned a double with cheese and jalapeños… Watching the Wilcrew in action… Making my wife do a spit take when I say something funny, she’s the only person in the world I can routinely make laugh out loud, so that moment is golden.
I have one of those hiking packs to carry my one-year-old on my back, and we walk my first grader and third grader to school each morning. We walk in a group, but they're still young enough to want to walk beside me most days.
Walking my little dog Biscuit twice a day and observing how she sniffs every blade of grass and every leaf. Detective work. How she spots another dog walk and pulls me along to catch up to them (she is freakishly strong at just 30 pounds). She is convinced that even a dog that is snarling at her just hasn't had the chance to get to know her yet. How she stalks squirrel after squirrel and sometimes chases them up a tree, then immediately abandons the pursuit, not wasting her energy. How she sits and watches the chickens in the schoolyard coop across from our house, never barking at them or scaring them. Chicken TV. How she snuggles on the couch with me while I watch human TV. How she's finally learned to love my husband (but not as much as she loves me!) two years after we rescued her. Dogs are the best animals.
I love being able to reconnect with old friends in public settings again. Great conversations on shared interests, positive or negative, is welcomed therapy.
My kids have left home and we’re still getting used to the empty nest. I catch sunrises and sunsets daily, texting pix to the kids as a daily postcard from home. It makes me feel good to share the beauty of home with them. I love doing it and getting their emoji acknowledgements. It’s just enough.
I love the hope and inspiration that is coming from the people of Ukraine in this insane time and love all the neighboring countries opening their hearts and homes to masses of refugees from a madman's obsession. I love that out of madness hope, intelligence and light is happening opening minds. I love that this reminds me and makes me more curious about my own family - those who left and those who stayed in Lithuania. It's hard to sleep with the inspiration of hope and the wishes for peace but chose to remain optimistic and work harder for peace.
Taking college tours with my 18 year old… Riding my bike to Whataburger and convincing myself by the time I get there that I totally earned a double with cheese and jalapeños… Watching the Wilcrew in action… Making my wife do a spit take when I say something funny, she’s the only person in the world I can routinely make laugh out loud, so that moment is golden.
Mostly listening to moderately successful sad songs.
I love hearing my kids (ages 8 and 10) randomly singing Wilco songs 😍 I’ve done something right!
I love smelling the earth and dirt again as we leave the winter season.
I have one of those hiking packs to carry my one-year-old on my back, and we walk my first grader and third grader to school each morning. We walk in a group, but they're still young enough to want to walk beside me most days.
peeling back the sheets, stretching out the legs and surrendering the day with the promise of a new beginning, a sunrise away
I love that I'm able to play my guitar, drink some coffee and practice being grateful each day.
I love that a screech owl has moved into the owl house we put up in our oak tree.
Walking my little dog Biscuit twice a day and observing how she sniffs every blade of grass and every leaf. Detective work. How she spots another dog walk and pulls me along to catch up to them (she is freakishly strong at just 30 pounds). She is convinced that even a dog that is snarling at her just hasn't had the chance to get to know her yet. How she stalks squirrel after squirrel and sometimes chases them up a tree, then immediately abandons the pursuit, not wasting her energy. How she sits and watches the chickens in the schoolyard coop across from our house, never barking at them or scaring them. Chicken TV. How she snuggles on the couch with me while I watch human TV. How she's finally learned to love my husband (but not as much as she loves me!) two years after we rescued her. Dogs are the best animals.
I love being able to reconnect with old friends in public settings again. Great conversations on shared interests, positive or negative, is welcomed therapy.
I love watching my dogs nap in a little patch of sun across the floor
I love friendly cashiers
I love the way modern black metal forcefully erupts from a good set of speakers
I love the first mouthful of a liberally buttered forkful of pancake
I love taking the dogs for long walks
My kids have left home and we’re still getting used to the empty nest. I catch sunrises and sunsets daily, texting pix to the kids as a daily postcard from home. It makes me feel good to share the beauty of home with them. I love doing it and getting their emoji acknowledgements. It’s just enough.
...the disappearance of dirty snow banks around this time of year, and the first day(s) of opening every window in the house.
Tom T Hall songs with the word ‘love’ in the song(s).