Category: make me smile

  • it’s the little things…


    afternoon tea & cake, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    I love how tea & cake is part of the everyday ritual here…

  • in preparation


    A friend took this picture of Catgirl a few years ago, when her artwork was featured at City Hall. She not only got to “cut the ribbon” for the exhibition, but she also spoke at the City Council Meeting and was interviewed for regional TV and newspapers. This picture is her standing in an open stairwell above the exhibit as the news reporter was preparing for her interview. I love how this silhouette captures her little-girl innocence at the same time as it shows a young woman prepared to meet the world.

    I’m so thrilled that it’s my not-so-little girl’s birthday tomorrow. As I wrote earlier, she’s celebrating this year by heading to Washington DC as part of a Quaker lobbying group (a group that includes her Dad). Right now she’s doing last-minute prep for the trip–learning as much as she can about the relevant issues. And she’s also finishing homework & packing. It’s a lot to juggle. But she’s more than ready!

  • to any fellow being…


    San Gabriel mission, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.
    ~William Penn

    As I’m unpacking my suitcase and remembering so many details of my latest journey, I’m once again humbled by all of the amazing people whose kindness helped me along the way. On a smaller scale, I’m ‘crowdsurfing’ like Amanda Palmer–allowing myself to be supported by the generosity of the people (especially strangers) around me. A few memories:

    –the waiter in a chain restaurant where I stopped briefly to get warm on a long-ish walk in the snow. He was out of tea and admitted that their coffee was terrible. He brought me several cups of hot water (without charge) so I could use my own “emergency teabag”.

    –finding super-friendly staff & overstuffed chairs for reading and relaxation at The Tattered Cover and Under the Umbrella cafe.

    –the hospital archive making an exception for me to spend time deep in the bowels of the basement (in the ‘restricted section’) poring over records. And the woman who was overseeing me, keeping me supplied with jasmine tea and a kind word. And the random hospital worker who helped me find my way back in the maze of hallways and locked doors after I stepped out to find a restroom.

    –Meeting up with friends and colleagues at the WHA conference: sharing tasty cafe food (and not-so-tasty hotel food–ugh!), dips in the hot tub, and late-night pub conversation.

    –My uncle’s yum breakfasts: toast with homemade jam, banana pancakes, over-easy eggs.

    —Meghan’s delicious vegetarian dinner meal, including pumpkin pie for dessert (my very very favorite!). Meeting her kids, her spouse, and her crazy kitty was awesome, too, as was listening to Brandon’s inaugural concert at Metro State.

    –a SuperShuttle driver who gave me extra-detailed directions for navigating the remodeled Denver airport (oh, and not to mention the hotel concierge who ran out into a rush-hour-trafficky street to wave down said shuttle).

    –two friendly young nursing students at Caribou Coffee who insisted that I didn’t look old enough to be getting a PhD (oh, if they only knew…)

    –all of you on twitter and Facebook who “liked” my posts, who sent me notes of encouragement and whose support made me feel braver and stronger than I truly am.

    –the remarkable synchronicity of meeting Sara at the Walnut Room, along with Jolie Holland and her partner Gray. Lounging in the green room before the show, Sara treating us all to a “take your chances massage” (oh, how did she know exactly what my poor shoulders needed?) and feeding me her amazing homemade Thai soup. Then, Jolie listening to my plans for rooting around in the archives as she prepped for her gig. My favorite of Jolie’s lyrics: “I’ll dance at your funeral, if you dance at mine…“

    –you great Denverites who smiled back at me.

    –the flight attendant who, after seeing how sore and exhausted I was last night, bumped me up to Business class and gave me an entire row to stretch out and sleep on my flight back home.

    –And, to make all of this possible, a thanks to the International Center for Writing and Translation for financially supporting my work this year. And huge kudos to my beloved John, GameBoy & CatGirl who are unflagging in their encouragement…and who nourish my pilgrim spirit better than anyone else ever can.

  • Make me smile…


    IMG_7866, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    It’s been far too long since I posted one of these lists of happinesses, so here goes!!

    –Making travel plans to finish up a section of my archival research. Love love love making reservations and dreaming about adventures-to-come.

    –Speaking of travel, I’m experimenting with “crowd sourcing” ideas for romantic travel by posing questions via twitter. I’m thinking that John & I need to make some long-term plans for some big anniversaries that’re in the not-so-distant-future.

    –B-kitty does the deepest cat sighs when she’s craving attention. It’s absolutely charming and works nearly every time.

    –In an effort to downscale some of my commitments, I’m letting go of my responsibilities as the moderator of FreecycleIrvine. I’ve done this job day in and out for nearly 5 years and while I absolutely _love_ Freecycle, I don’t have the energy for it anymore. I’m feeling glad to hand this job on to someone else now. It’s time.

    –My thumb that got crunched at paddling practice on Monday is nearly back to normal (hardly purple at all–yay for arnica oil!)

    –Today I had one of those days where every time I went to get something accomplished, an obstacle or distraction popped up in my way. I got a lot done still, but I have to say that I’m glad today is over and I’m looking forward to a new day tomorrow. One that’s as bright as the daisy in the pic above (and doesn’t the center of this flower just almost look like cupcake frosting? Lovely!)

    –Tomorrow’s Friday! Woot!

  • there is no blue…


    Jana Composition., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    “There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”
    ~Vincent Van Gogh

    My craving for sky blue (as if I don’t get enough of it outside every day) inspired me to paint the wall behind our bed this lovely color (and it helped that I scored the paint on Freecycle, too).

    It’s really amazing how much peace the blue has brought to our bedroom space.

    However despite my fondness for blue, I’ve also been craving orange–I love how warm and alive it feels. Each morning I burn a small orange candle for my morning meditation and I love wearing orange, too.

    Alicante

    Une orange sur la table
    Ta robe sur le tapis
    Et toi dans mon lit
    Doux présent de la présent
    Fraîcheur de la nuit
    Chaleur de ma vie
    ~Jacques Prevert

  • magical places


    Our family visited the Isle of Man about 8 years ago and it was a sublime (despite having various dramas with British Airways–ugh) vacation. One of our favorite spots were the ruins of Peel Castle (pictured above), a space where my ancestors had certainly walked the halls many generations ago. For me, traveling is magical–especially when I can reconnect with the past in a meaningful way, or just let the beauty of a new place wash over me and fill me up with new sensations.

    I can’t wait to return to the IOM someday, but in the meantime I’m dreaming of trips to new places (specifically, my East coast trip starting next week!) to fill me with their wonder.

    Speaking of traveling…if you’re in NYC or DC and you want to meetup over the holidays, let me know ASAP. Also, if you’ll be at the AHA conference, let’s definitely touch base at some point during the proceedings. :)

  • simple gifts


    This morning I got up early to work on a handmade gift for a family member. It was fun to think about that person and to put much intention and love into the process. I can only hope that they will enjoy the final product.

    The pic above shows some of the felted wool balls that we made and gave as gifts to our nieces, nephews and beloved furpeople last Christmas. I loved that I was able to purchase the wool directly from the farm where the sheep were raised and where it had been hand-dyed. Making the balls was also great fun–choosing colors, rolling the soapy wet masses over and over in our hands until they created tight spheres.

    What are some of the best handmade gifts that you’ve given and received?

    ‘Tis the gift to be simple,
    ’tis the gift to be free,
    ’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
    And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
    It will be in the valley of love and delight.

    When true simplicity is gained,
    To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
    To turn, turn will be our delight,
    ‘Til by turning, turning we come round right

    ‘Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
    ‘Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
    And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
    Then we’ll all live together and we’ll all learn to say,

    ‘Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
    ‘Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of “me”,
    And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
    Then we’ll all live together with a love that is real.

  • some simple pleasures

    basil

    **chatting with a friend on her front porch

    **getting an unexpected check in the mail–an award for a book review written several months ago

    **meeting all of my dissertation goals for today

    **turning the compost in the backporch bin (I try to remember to do this daily–the wormies do their best work when they get plenty of fresh air)

    **GameBoy and Catgirl sitting at the kitchen table dutifully doing their homework. Until they break out into a boisterous debate about the merits of the overland Silk Road vs. the seatrade from Mecca to China

    **the smell of fresh basil from my garden

  • yes


    H/T

  • voting

    On Monday when I voted, I was ebullient. I Love Voting. Just love it. Although it probably sounds really corny to say this, I felt the spirit of folks like Martin and Alice and Harvey right there alongside me there in that uber hi-tech voting booth. I was also surrounded by dozens of undergrads who were exercising their right for the very first time. The thrill was palpable.

    People who are voting next Tuesday: bring a lawnchair and some leftover Halloween candy to share. Those lines are going to be long, but don’t let that deter you. Just do it.

    :)

  • all dressed up…


    Halloween Party Prep, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    Here’s John and I prepping for a costume party last night (you can see me going for John’s jugular here). Very fun!

    What are you going to be for Halloween?

  • firsts (the alone edition)

    Having married while I was in college, and then had babies shortly thereafter, I’ve rarely done anything by myself. So this trip has been a big one for me—it’s the first time I’ve gone somewhere unfamiliar alone (Salt Lake City and Denver don’t count because I’ve lived both places). So here are some firsts from my first day of travel:

    -First cross-country flight alone where I am sitting between two super-tall men who both have a “big stance.” You know what that means? They have like 3 ft each between their two knees and I had no space at all for mine, Everytime I fell asleep I woke up to find myself with the outside of my thighs resting on theirs—as if they were trying to squeeze me out of even more of my legroom. It was a long long night.

    -First taxi ride alone (I was really scared, which is crazy because I know it’s a totally normal thing) but to be in a car alone with a strange man? Weird. I don’t think I tipped him enough, but it cost more than I thought and I didn’t want to dig back into my cash stash as we were standing on the street corner at 5:30am in a dodgy area of downtown Boston.

    -First view of the Charles River alone (the taxi driver doesn’t count)

    -First stay in a hostel alone (nice experience, though I did spring for the private room)

    -First aborted attempt to buy a T ticket myself (someone had to bail me out because I was totally oblivious and didn’t know that I needed a Charlie card….). Oh, and along with this one goes “first aborted attempt to get through the T gate myself.” Had to be bailed out of that one, too.

    -First ride on the subway alone. Grabbed myself a pole by the door (it was rushhour) and did just fine.

    -First chichi Harvard tea & cakes reception(!) alone. When I checked into the Harvard Special Collections library this morning, they handed me an invitation to this event. I went, knowing that it would be something to blog about. Discovered that even though I walked in looking a bit like a drowned rat (having traversed Harvard yard just moments before in a pouring rain with a hole-y umbrella), people were nice to me anyways.

    What are your recent “firsts”?