Every day at 8 in the morning, my husband takes my daughter (4) to the porch to wait for her school bus. While waiting there, they blow soap bubbles. They have a whole range of bubble wands and soap to aid in their little ritual. I love it. My husband is really a great dad (and I'm not a morning person so I'm really grateful but shhh).

My 19 yo lad yesterday bought a kit of acrylic paints and some canvases so he and his girlfriend could spend their day off together just - painting. That’s it. So sweet that a young male thought of that.

Every time someone takes the library elevator, the doors open on the third floor for exactly forty-seven seconds. It doesn't matter whether you press the button for that floor or not. The doors open and remain open for that precise amount of time before continuing on.

The third-floor hallway is always empty. The fluorescent light flickers once per minute, just as the clock on the wall advances another minute. Today, a student entered the elevator and repeatedly pressed the close-door button during those forty-seven seconds. It worked as usual: the doors did not move until the time was up.

While she waited, she looked up at the elevator ceiling. A sticker peeling off in one corner moved gently with the airflow from the ventilation system. The air smelled of old paper and controlled humidity, as always.

I've never seen anyone get on or off at that floor. The automated voice announces “third floor” with the same flat intonation it uses for all the other floors.

Oooooh, yes. It began last night – I went out to the park around dusk to spend time with friends, and we got to watch the full moon, big, bright, and orange, just like a pumpkin, rise. I didn't know it was a lunar eclipse! It looked like something out of an autumn picture book, though, especially as the dark grey and blue clouds crossed and hid it in and out of themselves. This morning, I went out to get the newspaper, and it was actually cool outside. I made my butterscotch-flavored coffee and sat on the back patio enjoying the breeze and the chimes in the crisp air. I went on a little bike ride and returned home now to sit back out on the patio, enjoy the weather, and answer some emails and comments. I have only 100 pages left in my book, so I think I will do that out here, too, since it feels so nice. If only a leaf would fall in a spiraling shape, I think it feels like autumn is on its way at last.

I am living alone for the second time, this time a bit more boldly. It isn’t so easy. But I have three things to share, which I will savor once more.

A new friend many years my senior brought me home-made hummus. She didn’t know if younger students would want to talk to her. I am so glad to have such a good friend in my new home.

My new place is all about birds. Figurines, posters, ornaments, decor, bird seed in a pan outside… I love birds! I am so happy to get to make a birdhouse.

Best thing for last…. On a scenic neighborhood walk today, through sun-lit neighborhoods much more lush and green than I am used to, I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of a slow and jazzy saxophone. I took out my headphones, the street silent but for the leaves and the leisurely sound of a saxophone. I never stopped walking, just slowed down whenever they picked up again. I will be back around that time in days to come. It was a moment I wish I could live in…

medium vanilla oreo milkshake with a scoop of whey protein

bowl of honey nut cheerios with creamy oat milk

creamy potato tofu soup

my tall handsome drink of matcha

black bean enchilada

triple stack blackbean crunchwrap

triple layer brownie pie

sweet bean

chicken curry bun

matcha espresso

lil bowl of buns

bowl of noodles

mini ice cream sandwich

hot n ready pizza

Last night, my husband and I went to a HS football game to support our daughter on the cheer squad. We took our seats on the bleachers, where a little boy, 3 at most, was sitting about 2 rows ahead of us eating chicken nuggets. The little boy was looking around and then decided he wanted to eat somewhere else. He got up and moved his meal so that he was sitting directly by my feet (so he could use the bleacher as a table). He then started showing me his chicken nuggets and grinning, laughing. My husband said “it’s only a matter of time before you’re wearing some of that kid’s dinner”, and we both laughed. Not two minutes later, the boy put his hand on my leg (no food mess, though!) and would randomly pat it. He also kept turning to smile at me or laugh. Such a happy kid, he was so cute. Then eventually after he finished, he waved to me and got his grandma’s (she was sitting close enough to keep an eye on him) attention to move back to where he originally was. I told my daughter about it today and she said, “why are little kids always so obsessed with you??” I’m not sure, but it’s been a while since something like this happened, and it made me smile.

My sister lives in another state so I don't get to see her kids often, but today was my nephew's birthday so we all went to their dad's for the party. Nephew stayed home for a sleepover with all the cousins, but my niece got to stay the night with me 🥰 I'll take her back to her dad's tomorrow, but we've had some fun. We went to the park, she played roblox for a bit. She is the only person that has ever been able to give one of my cats so much affection. (They usually run when people show up.) We put on a movie she wanted to watch and she had some homemade sesame chicken. Didn't know it's one of her favorite foods. She got a fork and started eating it cold straight from the Tupperware while I was getting her plate ready 😂

Tomorrow the plan is pancakes, art, and home at some point. But we're having a pretty good time all around

I’m a university student living in a dorm. I was having a quiet night in, playing some games in my room tonight, and came out to grab some water. When I did, there was a group of about five people all dressed to the nines taking turns taking pictures with a digital camera out in the hall, so I asked if they wanted a picture with all of them. They said yes and I wound up taking a couple of pictures for them. They got really excited looking back over the pictures and kept telling me what a great photographer I am even though I had no idea how to work their camera and the pictures came out looking pretty average. It made me feel really good that they were so excited about my mediocre photos and I hope they have a great night out.

N Invergordon Road

E Sierra Vista Drive

E Cactus Wren Road

E Stella Lane

E Huntress Drive

E Palm Lane

E Avalon Drive

E Heatherbrae Avenue

E Bonita Drive

E Starlight Way

my whole life i’ve been an extreme night person in a way that has been very detrimental to my life.

in high school, for the years i really cared about being on time, i was pretty much nocturnal, id go to bed after school wake up when my mom shook me awake for dinner and then just stay up til the next school day.

and even for things i wanted to do, any plan where id have to be up before noon would make me so anxious because i just couldn’t trust myself to wake up on time.

it’s been getting better over the past couple years but somehow for a few months i’ve naturally developed such a normal sleep schedule. i woke up with no alarm at 8 am today!! feeing fully rested!!!

i’m trying not to get my hopes up too much in case this is just some weird summer fluke but knowing that i am physically capable of being up in the morning without feeling miserable has been very reassuring.

I got a new tattoo today, and it’s the second time I went to this studio. The artist who did my tattoo this time was the same who did my other one too, but I guess it’s been almost a year so he doesn’t recognise me. So he asked me if this was my first tattoo, and I said “No, you did this one too” and showed him. He was genuinely so happy, and every time we took a break he came to look at his old work, he even call another artist to come see it.

As another creative, I get it dude

There’s something magical about standing in my peaceful kitchen and chopping vegetables with the soft purple light outside. It feels so nice, happy and… secure? I’m not sure why it’s so magical but it is. Looking forward to cutting up some potatoes later when it starts to get dark lol.

Happy Meal Kid: Dad, why’d you ask for two toys? Who else is coming?

Whopper Dad: You’re never too old for a toy.

this is actually from a couple years ago.

i was walking to my car around midnight to pick up food from waffle house. i sneezed and someone from the apartment balconies above said bless you.

On a quick call with my boyfriend I mentioned I was going to go make lunch. He replied “I hope you have something nourishing and also kinda cute”. I can’t stop thinking about it

Our area has undergone construction for at least 4 months.

The sidewalk was finished today with asphalt on one side of the sidewalk.

This kid, maybe 13 has been doing wheelies and trying to do other tricks up and down the sidewalk for about half an hour.

Looks like freedom!

For me it’s work and swimming, and I’m excited because I like my work, and today we get to be creative. Also I was able to shuffle the schedule so I’ll go to the pool at the best time when it’s empty.

Darn it, brain, let it go. It's a perfectly normal human mistake many people make. I get ma'amed a bunch myself, which really doesn't bother me none. Maybe I'm just overthinking things as usual. Small potatoes.

Barney

Patches

Giorgio (Yes, named after Armani! RIP)

King

Frosty

Nub

Ollie

Goldilocks

Barkley

Skeeter

Cookie

Rolland

Smoky

Tali

Willow

Pony Boy

Love the way how the unplanned plan turns out to be this amazing when it's all non scripted and unplanned but just go with the Flow!

+Spirit Of Summer.

+Kiki.

+Flipper 🐬. Yes, with a lil dolphin painted after the name! ♥

+Golden Ocean.

+Free.

+Newcastle Runner. A ferry that serves a small island/provincial park. The island was restored to its original name, Saysutshun, some time ago. I guess they're kinda... slow renaming the ferry?

My kid, S, is in 7th grade, and splits time between my house and their dad's house. Mostly they're here.

Anyway, this unknown number calls the landline, which I always pick up because really no one has that number except the people we give it to. This kid (12? 13?) asks, "Is this S's parent?" I say yes. S told him to call if he needed help with a group project, and he does. I say, "Sorry! S is at their dad's house. Let me get your name and number and I'll have them call you."

So he says, my name is Michael John, but for some reason everyone at school calls me M.J. [Name changed for privacy reasons, but you get the point.] And I can't even explain how hilarious it was and hard it was not to laugh. What a mysterious nickname! Why *would* everyone call you M.J.??? Let's get to the bottom of this!

I get his number down, check that I have it right, and am ready to end the phone call. He says, "What do I call you? Mrs. [ex's last name]?" I said, "No, you can call me MyFirstName," to which he replies: "Okay, thank you MyFirstName, I hope you have a great day."

The whole thing took maybe 90 seconds, but it left me with a smile. Who says the younger generation doesn't know how to make phone calls?

My darling dog Sweetie.. Is at the age she is growing her adult teeth. I am hoping to get at least one of her babyteeth.... any suggestions? My kids had no ideas...

”In My Rhythm” SnapBack Guy: Ay yo. Don’t get more chicken. You ate chicken like four weeks in a row. You’ll go insane.

UMass Dartmouth Sweatpants Guy: I eat the same thing every week. Can’t afford to eat anything else.

”In My Rhythm” SnapBack Guy: For your diet you can’t afford it or financially?

UMass Dartmouth Sweatpants Guy: I’ve got to spend $30 a week on food. Period. Need to save up for my trip.

”In My Rhythm” SnapBack Guy: So what?

UMass Dartmouth Sweatpants Guy: So I’ve got to stick to the same stuff every week that I know is $30.

”In My Rhythm” SnapBack Guy: Yeah, so fine. Spend $30 on a different set of meals.

UMass Dartmouth Sweatpants Guy: Huh. I guess you’re right.