A Day of Simple Pleasures

It's a Saturday morning in Vermont in the dead of winter. The holidays are behind us, the gardening season is still months away.  There is a stack of books on my desk and a list of tasks for work that are always waiting for attention.   Most days start with a very long list of things to do, chores to check off the list, people to see, things to accomplish.   But on this day, there is nothing that demands attention.   It is unexpected and unfamiliar.  So I wander around the house feeling unfocused and unproductive.  I resist making a list but instead sit down at the piano and read through some music.  I sing a bit, playing some familiar songs that make my heart swell.

Next I head to the kitchen to make a "mash" for our chickens.  This is a hard time of year for the chickens who spend happy days in the summer, pecking around the garden, wallowing in the dust and dirt under the lilac bushes and just generally entertaining themselves and us.  The mash consists of leftovers- some squash, some kale salad, some over-ripe pears and some yogurt.  Yum.  Does that sound delicious or what?   It's hard to believe how much pleasure I get in concocting a mash like this for my "girls".  I empathize with them during the long cold winter months when they are literally "cooped up".  They seem to take it all in stride but I know how much they appreciate some treats and also a break in the daily routine of the long, cold winter.

The day is sunny and bright and despite the cold, I revel in being outdoors.  With the chickens fed, I invite Sydney, the wonder dog, to come for a walk in the woods with me.  We tromp through the deep snow and Sydney runs on ahead, sniffing out all of the scents that bubble up from the trail.  Perhaps she smells the deer that walk along this snowy trail or the foxes or coyotes who live in these woods.   It's very peaceful and I am energized by the fresh air.

We return to the house newly invigorated and I decide to make some broccoli soup.  I always enjoy cooking and especially love making a hearty soup in the winter.  If only we had grown the broccoli in our summer garden, then I would have been doubly grateful for the pleasure of making this delicious, nutritious soup.

I spend a bit of time trying to get on top of the clutter and chaos that my husband and son are able to create.  Sadly, the boys in the family don't seem to care about the orderly house that I so value.  Of course it would be better if they would pick up after themselves.  But I have learned that sometimes it is better to take the time and do some clean up myself for my peace of mind. God knows nagging them to do it never works.

I head out to do some errands and to shop for the food that I will prepare for dinner. Sydney is my traveling companion which makes me so happy.   I take the scenic route, driving along the frozen Connecticut River.  What's the rush?  There is nowhere that we need to be  so I can take whichever route I like.  I remember how the river looks in the summer.  I drive by the Whippy Dip, the popular ice dream stand that attracts droves of visitors in the summer months.  It is shuttered for the winter, but it's not hard to imagine it back in business a few months from now with happy families and groups of friends, enjoying a frozen treat at the outdoor picnic tables.

We return to the house and prepare a hearty dinner to share with a dear friend who is coming for dinner.  I even fit in an hour or so of reading.  So many books, so little time.  A crackling fire, good conversation and the Winter Olympics keep us entertained for the evening.

There is something about the ebb and flow of the seasons that makes living in New England such a delight. It's nice to slow down for part of the year and to enjoy simple pleasures.  That's the kind of day that I have had.

Play Piano-  Check
Feed the chickens- Check
Take dog for a walk-  Check
Make some soup-  Check
Shop for dinner-  Check
Read a book-  Check
Cook dinner-  Check
End the day with family and friends over a meal-  Check

Now that is a nearly perfect day. Come Monday, I'll be back to my very busy and demanding schedule. But I'll be warmed by the simple pleasures that I shared with a wonderful dog, my dear husband and son and a close friend.  Anyone for some hearty soup?

What Does a Facebook Movie Say About Your Life?

I am always pondering questions about self-expression and how people choose to share themselves with the world and with their circles.  Much has been written about the differences between extroverts and introverts.  Susan Cain's book, Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, is a wonderful book on this topic.  A very visible way that we see how much people want to share their stories, their ideas, their journeys is on today's social media sites.

So, today while the snow swirled outside and I hunkered down for a glorious snow day, between emails and meetings, I have been captivated by the Facebook Movies that have been coming through my Facebook newsfeed.  What a simple idea and what a great way to celebrate Facebook's 10 years.

I once wrote a post about what a Facebook birthday says about your life and today I reflect on what a Facebook Movie says about your life.  To be clear,  this snippet of images shown in about a minute may have very little to do with the real fabric of your life, unless you have chosen to share it on Facebook.  But it's a proxy.  It's a signal of what your network of friends choose to share.  What are the share-worthy moments and what compels us to put them out there?

Of course, we all know that many folks cannot resist sharing photos of babies and dogs.   As a complete sucker for both, I am always happy to see those sweet faces coming through my feed.  As someone who long ago hung up the diaper bag, I find myself often consumed with pangs for those sweet, sensual early days of motherhood.  Since I have also sadly hung up the dog leash, at least for now, I look longingly at wonderful pictures and images of dogs of every size and shape and dream of the day when I will have another devoted companion.

But today I reflect on more than that.  I reflect on the values that come through these movies.   There are  friends who share nothing but pictures of their spouses or their families.  There are the friends who are shameless self-promoters, who promote every achievement, book published, play they've been cast in, award they have been given.   Sure, why not?  It's a great place to do it and is undoubtedly why so many of my most active Facebook friends are theatre people.  Who doesn't want to spread the good word about our good work? And truly, nothing makes me happier than celebrating with these friends, their achievements and their great moments on stage.

One can learn a lot about what people value by the images they share.  Are they often surrounded by large groups of family and friends?  Are they sharing glorious photographs of beautiful outdoor spaces or settings?  Are they doers?  Are they thinkers?  Are they creators?  What are they passionate about?  The Red Sox?  Politics?  Fashion? The issues they champion?  Are they grabbing their life by the horns and living it or are they settling back and just savoring it?  Are they sentimental or are they serious?  Are they adventurers or just plain fun-loving? What a kick to have a peek into so many people's interesting lives. So today I celebrate the full and rich lives that so many of us have.. A happy snow day indeed.