Dear Sunday Letter friends,
What a sad week we’ve had. The latest school shooting in Uvalde, Texas—number 27 this year 😦—has been extra-heartbreaking to me. Hopeless. Helpless. That’s how the situation seems to me. Like we are living in a Shirley Jackson short story, waiting every day to see which unsuspecting school in which American town will draw the black spot and be number 28.
I see those sweet baby faces every time I close my eyes.
I’ve tried to stay off social media. Some of the comments in my feed annoy me to my core.
Really, I should win a free taco or something for keeping my mouth shut on Facebook.
For the love of all things holy, I don’t understand why everyone with a heartbeat isn’t willing to come together to work on a solution.
Maybe two tacos. And queso.
Today’s Sunday Letter will celebrate the week’s simple things that made me happy. Thank goodness moments of happiness are always there, scattered throughout even the gloomiest of times. It’s during those dark times, little patches of good bring the most joy.
A Movie!
John and I went to see the new Downton Abbey movie at the theatre. It’s the first time we’ve been to a movie since Covid began, and what a treat it was.
Yes, I sat at rapt attention, even while Maria Menounos talked about “Noovie Trivia”. Yes, I felt a thrill during every single movie preview and may have whispered, “oh, we need to go see that,” after each one, even those I probably won’t like. Yes, we ordered the largest bucket of popcorn and ate every last kernel.
I nearly cheered several times during the show.
Being back with the Crawleys in the world of Downton Abbey provided exactly the escape I needed. And those comfy movie-theater seats! I’d forgotten how wonderful they are.
Sunshine
After four straight days of rain, finally, on Friday, blue skies appeared.
I like a good storm, one with rolling thunder and an inch of well-needed moisture after a dry, hot spell. But days and days of drizzle gives me a case of the blahs.
Never underestimate the power of a sunny day (or the importance of a good rain gauge).
Watermelon
Behold my first watermelon of the season. Hitting the sweet and delicious jackpot on the very first one of the year is what I call a happy spring miracle. Usually, I eat my way through two or three tasteless melons before devouring a perfect one, but not this year. Grown in the Rio Grande Valley and purchased at Sam’s—👏👏👏— yum.
I’ve said it before, and it’s still true—watermelon is my spirit fruit. Once watermelon comes into season, I never have to wonder what to eat for breakfast or lunch. Or supper, for that matter.
Lightning Bug
We.Saw.Our.First.Lightning.Bug of the season on Friday night. And the best part, this tiny bit of magic happened while we were sitting out back with friends while eating banana pudding. I mean, seriously, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Bernice Runs Away
After so many things kept me away from finishing up my next book (mainly preparing for the garden tour), I am back working on Bernice. And man alive does it feel good. Bernice is an entertaining person to hang out with. I can’t wait for you to meet her!
BUT the minutiae involved in writing and publishing a book is a real thing.
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Things Momma Says:
I really think I could write a diet book.
***
Okay, friends. That’s it for this week’s ramblings (and brief ranting).
Thanks for being a regular Sunday Letter reader and for always supporting my writing. If you threw a party, invited everyone you knew, well, you see, the biggest gift would be from me.
I appreciate you!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
We’ve been seeing lightning bugs too! It’s always fun to see the first ones.
I’m looking forward to ‘Bernice’.
You should see my neighbor’s Irises. The first thing I said was “Oh Talya would love these!”
What color irises does your neighbor have? I want to have all the colors LOL.
She has one that’s, is two-tone pink and lavender, one that is such a dark purple that it looks black, peachy color, others too but I’ll have to ask the names. I think some are girl names. They were gifted to her by her sister for her birthday so she may not know all of the names.
Yes…a great time to be alive..summer daze almost here, flowers, books, sweet tea..I ask myself…what’s not to love. Appreciate You too..And your writings! 🌸📙
Thank you!! I sure enjoying seeing graduation pictures of your beautiful granddaughter.
This has certainly been a sad week. Your Sunday writings are up lifting; the flowers in my yard give me hope and joy. I am looking forward to Top Gun, Where The Crawdads Sing, and Elvis. But most of all, Bernice. ❤️❤️
Yes. I forgot about Crawdads. I’m looking forward to that one too.
Love your encouraging words. Tough week but you brought out the happy !
Aww thank you.
Two tacos and queso definitely. If I were still on Facebook, I might have written, Tell me why you need combat weapons.
Loved switching to good thoughts though good movies & popcorn, watermelon, fireflies, banana pudding and Bernice. Looking forward to another good read!
Thanks friend!! Miss you and thinking about you and your brother this Memorial Day.
First a comment on last week’s post as after several tries, I couldn’t get a post to go through. 1) Your compost bins ARE a work of art! 2) when we used to be on an annual “pond tour” back in Wyoming, the day of the tour I would be out there spray painting the dog burned patches of grass with green spray paint!
I’ve been gleaning some measure of strategies to use in dealing with emotions after the shootings in a book I hadn’t heard of, that came to me when I needed it. The book has the unholy name of “How to be Human in a F#c*ked Up World”. Not for everyone perhaps as it is Buddhist based and maybe a bit woowoo but I am pulling strategies from it that are helping. And your practice of noticing all that is beautiful in the world is part of the strategies.
My beautiful surprise this week: the geraniums I rescued from a grocery cart throw away pile up at Walmart (with permission) are in full gorgeous bloom in pots all over my deck. Maybe some of the prettiest geraniums I’ve had. Just like adopting a shelter dog, they were so grateful they turn out to be the best!
I love this! We bought two Gerber daisies from the half-price shelf at Lowe’s. They looked pitiful but now are gorgeous! I think I would really like that book – thanks for the recommendation. We are really enjoying our compost bins!
I look forward to these letters! They always leave me smiling and feeling hopeful. Thank you!!!!! Can’t wait to meet Bernice.
I’m so glad. Thank you!!