This seems to be a good time to look for reminders of what is best about the world. At least, they will help keep my focus on the path I want to travel down the road (oh hey, a mixed metaphor with synonyms). So here is today….

MUSIC

There are three reasons I love this song. It is optimistic. It is beautiful. It is, not surprisingly, Gabe’s song.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

And speaking of Lovely Days, my friend Laura Mahanes and I walked through beautiful Berkeley today. Laura and I plan to hike the Camino de Santiago from Porto, Portugal to Santiago, Spain in May.  Or maybe September. Or 2021.

Nephew Devin is working in Amman, Jordan where the borders have just closed. To keep him company, I sent him a virtual yellow lab named Poppy. Dev says Poppy is apparently still on route in the virtual airplane from Oakland.

ART

“The Pomegranate Seller” is a very special painting from the school of Orientalism — Europe’s 19th century fascination with Muslim countries, like Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. Orientalist paintings were not consistently conceived in innocence but they are sublimely beautiful and influenced many of the best 20th century painters, including Matisse, Kandinsky and Renoir.  You can learn more here. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/euor/hd_euor.htm

LAUGHING

Here is a video Vic found that reminds us why we are proud parents and, simultaneously, how much patience parenting can require.

If you love this, there is a longer version on YouTube with a Grandma cameo.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkaxyOxabfw

DANCING

I photographed this inspiring moment at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Mexico City last year. The dancer was practicing under a rainbow created by the mist of a giant sculptural installation.

 

I hope you are finding peace and joy and love.

More of this soon….

 

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.
—Winnie the Pooh