dear seattle,

some days i really like you.

love,

j

the darndest things

today i've got a story. a short one. an anecdote?

when i first started working at children's again, my very first day one of my kids came up to me. he snuggled in really tight, wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a huge squeeze of a hug. and then he looked up, and said, almost in awe: "i LOOOVE you."

i laughed and said thanks, and after a short pause, he asked, "what's your name?"

that's love. if only we could all be so trustingly giving.

love,

j

sam clam's disco

it's been far too long...

i've started working a second job, and have been volunteering my little tail off, so things have been crazy. but. sometimes when things are crazy it is even more important for me to set aside the few minutes it takes to recognize something beautiful or simple or complex or moving.

so today we have the bay. i finally bought my tickets to go see e next month in her show (i posted bits and pieces before) and bake cake and probably dance, too. if that's not beautiful, i'm not sure what is.

also, i thought i'd follow up on my resolutions, seeing as we're basically a good three months in.

1. lose 15 pounds. not there yet, but about half way. depending on the day and the meals.

2. finally address some of the skeletons in my closet. hm. this is a challenging one to quantify. i've started. and i've decided i'm going to write a book about my father. that's something, right?

3. figure out a way to get a dog. check. i have to move to a place that allows me to have one. that was easy.

4. get a dog. probably will roll over to next year's list.

5. exercise to keep the bitchiness away. i've been doing much better. with the two jobs it's hard, but there was a while where i was running three days a week. i'm continuing to make it a priority, even if i fall off the wagon now and again.

6. paint. often. or at least once a month. fail. but now i've reminded myself, and i'll re-resolve.

7. memorize a new chopin waltz. i'd forgotten all about this. will do.

8. write real letters more. definite check. double check. emily, e, isabel... i've been writing bunches (and sending boxes of presents too!) so this one's definitely a success. in fact, when i opened my stationary box the other day, all i had left were thank you notes and birthday cards, which is a good sign!

9. start planning my trucker documentary. opening song: eastbound and down. does that count as planning?

10. be kind to everyone. empathy. love. patience. i can honestly say i have been trying very hard to do this one. any time i feel harsh words coming up, i try to stop them. i've been trying to ask people i don't like questions that might reveal secret gems within them. and working with kids again has reminded me that not everyone moves at the insane pace i'm used to, so sometimes in order to know or understand people i have to slow down...

not a bad start, especially considering i've got nine months to go.

seattle is finally starting to cheer up and lose the drizzle, and i love how it smells outside. enjoy spring, have a picnic.

xo.

love,

j

life in the roses

love,

j

(thank you, banksy).