The little details

With the darkness comes the winter flunk, and being mildly depressed most of the time makes me think small. But thinking small has good points, I try to notice more of the positive little things, too.

So, here's a thread for posting those little details that you appreciate or enjoy around you, on a normal day. I'll start:

- grumbling and skidding down through fresh snow on unplowed local roads, to discover that the main bike path is snowfree and cleared, all the way in

- the lovely amber glow of our Christmas star against the black window

- the smug feeling of riding in to work in really cold weather, and just nailing the right clothes to wear

- braking down for a tricky corner, and discovering that today, the slush is gone and I can just lean my bike over and power through

- the delicate pink and white colour of the inside of my cats paws when she stretches each toe out to wash it

- the awesome feeling of glancing behind me on the last stretch to work, and catching the sudden sunrise

- the sly look my son gives me when he's cracked a joke and is expecting me to laugh

What are yours? :)

I just had one of these thoughts maybe 30 minutes ago.

The worst part of Winter is that dread that comes in Fall, when everything is brown and Winter hasn't yet hit. Today I realized that now that we're in the midst of it our next season is Spring...and with Spring brings months-on-end of great road cycling weather (someday I will have a 'cross bike, so I can ride when there's crap on the ground, too).

These are just beautiful! Thank you. We have more snow forecast for the weekend so I definitely needed reminding of the little things.

Some of mine are:
Hearing my daughter use a new word for the very first time.
Watching her talking to "Santa Christmas" this evening.
Learning something new on the bike. This week's was nailing how to get onto my bike by swinging my leg back over the saddle - my marin is a step-thru, so that is how I learned, but I can't do that with my Spesh.
Seeing that people are reading my blog.
Making small changes.

I posted this already on the running thread, but this was so cool that I'll bring it here too.

Running intervals on a slightly slick surface last week ... going fast around the turns really reminded me of managing traction on a bike. Leaning, weighting, feeling out the traction available to each foot. Fun stuff.

Does it have to be outdoors? Super dry air isn't usually my favorite thing, but it sure helps the freshly shampooed carpet dry quickly. :D

And yes, pretty sunrises, lined up directly with my living room window this time of year.

Being able to finally go through a spinning class and only having to avoid the sprints - no leg pain :)

The first time of walking in the very cold air and realizing that it doesn't feel as cold as it did - my body is getting used to it!

Realizing that I get this Friday off work, and 1.5 week vacation starts at noon next Wed :D

I love the stars in the crisp sky when I go out to get the paper in the morning

Walking through Central Park today when it was almost deserted was heavenly. I didn't find the hawks today, but I imagined the females getting lots of nice rats and long sleeps to build strength for nesting and raising young.

My dog sleeps happily in his sun puddle every morning, thanks to the winter sky being arranged for his convenience and comfort.

Winter biking increases my cold tolerance so much that ordinary errands and such are pleasant.

Great thread!

I love the endless blue skies in Western Australia :). Same in Summer/"cooler months"

The afternoon sea breeze :rolleyes: :cool: that cools us down

The pelicans that gracefully make thier way along the Swan river.

The doggie beach :)

The crunchy sound of pea gravel

Way too short cold winter days, not being able to garden or bike or tend my beehives... but I love:

getting my skirt to twirl really well like a big morning glory when i do a spin while contra dancing

waking up to my husband who brings me a fresh cup of coffee in bed every morning (how lucky am i?)

when I pet my very sick cat and she starts purring happily

walking down to the village on a cold morning to have breakfast

having really warm gloves, boots, and hats :)

seeing the doves and chickadees at the bird feeder

looking at heirloom vegetable seed catalogs and planning for Spring

the feeling I get after working at the food pantry in my town

my big cup of Japanese tea and honey in the evening

sleeping in soft wool

hearing my husband laugh

All the replies are beautiful and wonderful. and this is good enough for me to know that life is wonderful.

peace and happiness to all!

It's a great thread, and just at the right time when winter is looming ahead. :)

The 5 inches of rain in 6 days made a big pasture on the way to work a big swamp. I saw about 300 Canadian geese swirl down and land today. It was incredible!

the simple pleasure of a hot bath.

the surprise of a headache gone away after a brisk walk (bike ride)

a new box of crayons

the taste of a mango. then.. the taste of a mango with lemon juice on it.

the delight of meeting my husband where i did not expect to.

Enza my cat circling and then whump leaning up against me as she lies down on our bed.

ps LPH you have DAWN before you get to work and you live in Norway?? I have to wait for an hour or two before I can see it !!

The taste of hot coco
The taste of cookies fresh from the oven (if they're gingerbread even better)
Sound of my cat purr-ing
Feel of my cars soft fur (the two combined are a tonic for all that ails)
Smell of a open wood fire on a cold evening
Collection of boxes under the tree, gifts for family+friends

Sooooo...

Sitting down with a cup of hot coco and a fresh Gingerbread cookie, in front of warm fire, with purring kitty in my lap within sight of the Christmas tree and presents all aglow in the lights... Heaven on Earth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

ps LPH you have DAWN before you get to work and you live in Norway?? I have to wait for an hour or two before I can see it !!

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I'm a slacker. I get to work really late most days :D

I have a puppy.
:rolleyes:She's a complete goofball. She runs to greet me and slams into the 3rd step rather than walking up them.
:rolleyes:She pottied in the house last night - right in the middle of a Frisbee I'd left on the floor.

Even years where I don't have a puppy, I have dogs.
:rolleyes:they get me out for walks (annoyingly so).
:DThey greet me at the door, even when I've only been gone long enough to collect the mail.
;)They bug me.
;)They fight for who gets to sleep touching me the most.

:eek: It has been overcast here for the last 3 weeks, no sun anywhere. Yesterday there was a rainbow that came out of the Columbia river on one side and descended into the rive on the other, it was amazing. :)

My SO keeps dragging me to crossfit. He set my bike up on a trainer in my livingroom and checks the progress on the bike computer I mounted to the back wheel - it only shows distance and can't be seen when riding. (OK, maybe that's annoying instead of uplifting, I'm not sure :o).

Hot cup of good tea
The socks (ssh!) for Mom are progressing nicely.
The smell of the chili cooking on the stove.

My little boy (actually my oldest) is getting married next week...

A spectacular display of the Northern Lights when you are not expecting to see them!

Eating chestnuts while watching dumb Christmas movies on tv.

Finding good presents (some people are so hard!), and being done shopping!

Walking in to a freshly vacuumed house after work last night. Must be elves.

Feeling so lucky every time my cats tear up the house. They are happiness.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new steed. There's nothing like the anticipation of the first ride. I may name her Molasses. We'll see.

And, as I wrote that last sentence, hearing a voice in the kitchen say "Look at the beautiful clafoutis", when I didn't know he was baking!

Brewer cleaned the garage for me!

All the bikes and tools and everything are moved to the edges and celing so the car can fit in there and I won't have to scrape or clear snow off of it.

Cute kids who are amazed that stirring one drop into some sugar in a bowl changes the whole color of the sugar.
One very limited verbal kid exclaiming: YELLOW!
Tricking a kid into using past tense: It was white! Now it's green!

There are moments when I really like what I do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inkspot

A spectacular display of the Northern Lights when you are not expecting to see them!

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I envy you!

Just walking in the evening when snow falls softly onto the ground and there's no wind.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

My little boy (actually my oldest) is getting married next week...

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These are all lovely, but this one has just made me tear up. I hope you all have a wonderful day and that he has a truly happy marriage. I love winter weddings!

Seeing Christmas lights while taking Chloe for her night-time walk.

Watching one or both of the cats doing battle with a rubber band.

Seeing both cats sleeping in very close proximity (they're usually trying to out-dominate each other).

Finding Christmas cards in my mailbox instead of bills.

The smell of pine trees. (Or wreaths...'tis the season!)

Watching the squirrels darting off with whatever treasure they've found.

Chloe trying to take over the bed.

Knowing I have a roof over my head when others are not as fortunate.

Wrapping up in a big warm afghan that someone made for me many years ago. They colors are not ones I would have chosen at all and it has some flaws of execution in it but everytime I see it, it reminds me that someone was thinking of me as they worked on it.
:):):):):)

hmm.
I got nuthin.

That's so sad that you can't find anything lovely, hopeful, or comforting to appreciate in winter!

Sometimes (usually) the joy comes from the perspective...and that's a choice

Freshly laundered wool. The big mug of coffee I make when I get to work in the morning. The frost sparkling on the bridge and the ground and trees of the park I ride through. A text message "I love you Mom" from any of my daughters. Freshly-baked bread from my hubby, the amazing cook/baker. A bike that shifts smoothly. Opening the case of my favorite guitar. Old English carols. A big, goofy dog waiting at the door for me to get in the house.

Deb

The days are officially getting longer, now--woot! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

That's so sad that you can't find anything lovely, hopeful, or comforting to appreciate in winter!

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I can barely walk, I have a ton of boxes to empty and my dogs aren't thrilled about being here. Sometimes I have enough money to get through the month, sometimes I don't.
So yeah, I got nothing.

Fa La La La La

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

The days are officially getting longer, now--woot! :D

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Double-woot!

It was sunny yesterday. I rode my bike along the beach just to soak in all those rays.

Aw, Zen, if I lived closer I'd make you a cup of something and help you unpack.

A new tasty-smelling tea to try out.
I figured out how I'm going to write my personal statement (well, one of them). Now I just need to do it. It's due on the first!

Living in CA I don't have the bad weather and dark days as bad as some of you but we have had a bad spell of rain that is causing havoc everywhere. Problem with a desert as Southern California is, the land doesn't know what to do with alot of water.

That said, this morning there are clear skies. With that came a view I don't get very often, the Santa Ana River is filled to capacity and flowing strong and the San Gabriel Mountains are covered with snow. This is the view I have from my office window right now... it's hard not to just sit and stare. For a Californian this scene is rare and very special!!!! I so want to get out and ride right now!!!!

The little thing: Thankful to be warm inside drinking a hot cup of tea while the wind howls outside my window.

The big things: Thankful to have a husband and doggie who love me. Thankful to have a family to spend Christmas with, even though it's a lot smaller than it once was. Very, very thankful to have my health - just heard from a friend that her breast cancer is back (well after the 5-yr survival period) and is incurable. :(

Glad to be off work for a little vacation and stay in the warm to watch the snow outside. Stocked up on firewood to spend a few lazy evenings with a roaring fireplace, a good book, and a nice cup of tea or a beer.

Glad to spend Christmas with friends from church - family is just too far away.

I played tennis three mornings in a row with wonderful people to compete and smile with.

I don't have to travel this holiday season and will enjoy the fire, a book to read, some friends for dinner on Christmas, and all my holiday lights sparkling away.

We just had a wonderful snow fall last night and it was so nice to shovel this morning to a full or almost full moon. What a beautiful sight.

Our newly adopted black kitty made Mark very happy last night by curling up against his stomach to cuddle for part of the night. He usually prefers me cause I don't wiggle too much in bed!

It just doesn't get any better.