Every month I chronicle those ordinary delights that give me comfort or offer a place of reflection or joy. Here are my everyday delights for April:
1) The mornings in the desert – I caught this picture last week and found this corresponding quote that aptly described what I felt in that moment: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius
2) My magazines: I love receiving magazines in the mail and I probably go overboard with my subscriptions. This is only a small sampling of my collection – my taste lands in a variety of directions, everything from The Sun to Oprah Magazine.
3) This ice tea: Summer will make its landing in the desert. Temperatures are set to rise to a 100 degrees this week. My drink of choice in this hot weather is iced tea. I discovered this particular brand through a friend. Its subtle flavor is refreshing, but doesn’t contain the caffeine of regular tea.
4) My book club: I’ve met with the ladies in my book club for the last four years. Every month we meet at a respective member’s house. The host cooks a homemade dinner and then we discuss the book. We have conversations about writing and books over some great meals. I look forward to this everyday delight each month.
What delighted you this month?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Mornings in April when the trees are still bare so I can get a peek of the lake that lies beyond. I sit here and stare at it out my front window every single day (I’m doing it right now), knowing that the leaves could grow back any day and the view will disappear until next year.
And San Pellegrino grapefruit soda.
So just the two things then: beautiful, fleeting view and grapefruit soda. 🙂
Kristin,
What a lovely way to start your morning. I am certain that view sets the tone for your day. There is quality about quiet and peaceful mornings that seem to help push me forward through unexpected curves that lay ahead. Thanks for sharing your view with me.
Hmmm. I’ll have to see if I can find that tea on the East Coast! 100 degrees…oh my!
Kristen,
It is the best tea. I love it and if you are a tea person, I am certain you will too. They sold it at Trader Joe’s, but discontinued it. My friend orders it online.
I love magazines and even loved that picture of magazines. What a good pile there!
Thanks, Nina. I hope to get to them soon. Never enough time!
100 degrees! Whew! We hit 70 today and it felt positively tropical.
I love magazines but I don’t read them as much as I used to read them. That makes me sad sometimes!
Well it’s delightful that it finally reached 70 degrees and I’m cutting down on sugar so when I do get a treat, it’s so amazing.
And the crispness of a new book!
I will take 70 any day in the desert summer. The nights still hit about 60 so it isn’t quite summer yet, but the heat of the day requires some rearranging with errands, etc.
There is nothing like the smell and crispness of a new book.
A nice collection of magazines 🙂 love reading time 🙂
Yes, Ayala, reading time is great. I love ending the day with a good book or magazine.
100 degrees! Summer has certainly landed in your neck of the woods.
It sounds like you have such a dynamic book group. How wonderful that you can meet monthly and share your impressions about what you read. I feel the same way about my writing group. We get together once a month and share our pages, offering comments and support. It’s something I look forward to.
Jackie:
The ladies in my book group are an awesome bunch. They enjoy writing as much as reading and are also all great cooks. I certainly look forward to this delight every month.
Sounds like you experience the same camaraderie with your writer’s group – glad to hear it.
Oh, I love magazines. I need to make more time to read them. Like Nina, I love that picture too. And I love the blues in your picture of the sky.
I agree, Lara. So much to read – from magazines to books to blogs – I need more time too.
The desert is filled with various hues of blues, purples and pinks during sunrises and sunsets. It is a treat to witness it – every single time.