Signs of Spring, in Fall

You know how things have been a little bit droopy drawers, like food costs, fights, and "when will I be able to afford a home?" feelings going around. Well, I do believe I've felt a shift in the winds these last few days. Here are my examples.

That Hoverboard Feeling - I went for a walk with my cousin Conner. He has a lovely, big, friendly, almost-never-barks dog named Stanley. Children are drawn to Stanley. It's his cuddly, non-threatening vibe. Welp, one kid managed to make his way to Stanley for a pet after shouting at Conner, "Can I pet your dog?" Conner paused, we walked over to the kid, and, while hovering on his hoverboard, the little guy petted Stanley. I said, "Wow, you can do your hoverboard AND pet a dog. That's impressive." The kid was kinda lost in a petting-the-dog zone of quiet contemplation. Conner wrapped things up and we started to walk away. Suddenly, I hear a shout from the little hover-naut and I look back. With both arms swung wide hope, chest out to the world, he screamed, "I can do anything on my hoverboard!!!!" 
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I have not seen this level of bold optimism, self-love, and pure joy in a while. Folks gotta have it! Of course it came from a kid. Children are our teachers; I fully believe that. This kid taught me about exuberant joy in that moment. I felt it. I loved it. I also loved his hair sticking out of his helmet at every angle, including across his face, as he made his power-stance proclamation. I loved this kid. Keep it up, bro. Shine on!

Doughnuts Not Distance - Another friend, who shall go unnamed, went into a "I need space this weekend" zone with me instead of the "let's go to the corn maze" zone, which I thought we would be going into. I felt sad and bummed and annoyed about it until Sunday morning. This person had had a medical procedure on Thursday that required full anesthesia and was maybe wigged-out, overtired, or hungry for some reason, I figured. I still don't know. But, on Sunday morning, I woke up with an idea.

I like to go for bike rides. This person's house is one I'd biked to many times. This person is also someone I know loves a morning pastry from Grand Central Bakery. Who doesn't? So, my big fun idea was to not break through the request for space too much by texting, calling, or knocking on his door. Instead, I would just go to Grand Central, get some yummy-yummy pastries, and leave them on his door step.  

I dropped them off at 9 am then waited all day Sunday with no acknowledgement. Then, at 10:58 pm I got this text, basically: "Six pastries outside my door in three boxes inside a big bag. If this was you, thank you." I wrote back, basically: "Sorry to invade your space but I wanted to have fun and leaving you pastries was fun." The reply?

"Ate three
In five minutes"

So, it worked out. I took the risk of having fun and breaking the request for space, slightly, and it was received with kindness. All is well, now, and I feel happier.

Fall Leaves - Electrical fall leaves are busting it out all over Seattle. They're just so neon and bright and aliiiiiiive. That's enough to remind us to enjoy our lives, to love nature and its cycles, and be glad the earth has so many cool moves with which to surprise and delight us. Go neon orange tree! I see you. You shine on, too!