1. “You cannot run away from a weakness, you must sometime fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?”
– Robert Louis Stevenson

2. Businesses that donate goods and services for community fundraising events (plug!)

3. There’s a fella I see every few days that’s reading a well-loved hardback copy of Roots by Alex Haley. I remember loving that book when I was young (moving! racey! race-y! angry! strong!) — it’s fun to see someone carrying such an important memory of mine, and important work, around.

4. Friday Eye Candy on MamaPop.  Sometimes you just need a little sugah.

5. Sugarcubes, Birthday

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. I love this video.  I forget about it and then every once in a while I stumble upon it again.

2. Then, the inevitable parody of something creative and beautiful.  I especially love the enormous line of coke he does at about 1:20. Holy two-day high, Batman!

3. Leg warmers!  I don’t know who authorized their re-entry into society, but they make me smile.  And Ruby sportin’ around in her black and metallic silver ones just cracks me up.  Girls just wanna have fun!

4. Expressionery.com.  I love all things paper and monogram and pen/pencil and envelope and correspondence and this site makes it even more glamorous and affordable. And, they occasionally have a monster of a sale that makes it a great place for gift shopping.

5. Michael McDonald, Minute by Minute

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. Text message from my spouse that reminds me that “inch by inch, life is a cinch — yard by yard, life is hard.”

2. The existence of Whole Foods when I need a vegetarian entree and don’t feel like making a fancy one. 

3. Seeing the first smile on the face of a person who has been in great pain.

4. New words from a toddler, “frustrated,” “expedition,” “quesadilla.”

5. Justin Timberlake, My Love

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. Rumplestiltskin.  Creepy little dude but great name.

2. Method brand granite cleaner — it’s the only thing I have found that doesn’t make a streaky mess and it smells great!

3. Buy-in from my spouse when I want to take a class or need an “evening off.”

4. Salma Hayek’s boobs.  I’m just glad they’re around.  Almost as much as that kid was!

5. Kelis, My Milkshake

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. Kilian Back to Black: Aphrodisiac perfume.  What were they thinking with that name? It’s a sexy scent though.

2. Five o’clock shadows at 10AM.  Not on me, silly.

3. The fact that I quit smoking (which is not a small thing for anyone). Watching the show Mad Men is crazy-making with all the smoking.  And the smoking!  Madison Avenue must have just been a big smokey haze during the time the series is set.  One of the character’s gynecologist was smoking during an exam! Ohsweetheaven.

4. Getting a quick nap in an unexpected place — like the hair salon!

5. John Prine, Please Don’t Bury Me

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

So I started this alongside Schmutzie and had published quite a few (74, in fact!) before I pooped out in March. I don’t know that I will do one-a-day, but I would sure like to get to 365 (and know that I shared a year’s worth of gratitude, even if it takes me three and a half years to do it)! Maybe you’ll find some things here that make you smile, too.

1. Reading in bed underneath warm clean sheets.

2. New phrase from a toddler, “Yeah, I think so!”

3. My grey fuzzy scarf — I wear it at home all the time!

4. Being found by a friend who needs help.

5. Lone Justice, Shelter

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. Ellen Degeneres having her wife on the show — to promote her new show and play the Newlywed Game.

2. “Whoopee.”

3. To Tell the Truth

4. The hard drinkin’ and smokin’ crazies on Match Game

5. Molly Hatchett, Flirtin’ With Disaster

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.

1. Shepherd throwing the football straight back over his head when he really means to throw it forward.

2. A. C. Moore, a kids’ craft dream store!

3. Magic Sand

4. Sculpey

5. Jane’s Addiction, Jane Says

1. Writing a poem on scratch paper through the afternoon and into the next day.

2. Toddler shoes that close with velcro — especially Chucks!

3. “If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” — Aboriginal Activists Group (thanks, Janine!)

4. Remembering the difference between alliteration and onomatopoeia while on a stroll with my family.

5. Ollabelle, See Line Woman

1. David Sedaris‘ voice. I am listening to “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” via audiobook and as always he is funny. I could listen to him read a recipe for cornbread and chuckle.

2. Every once in a while Shaun and I get it together and are able to do drop-offs in time to get on the train together. I highly recommend holding hands and walking slowly with your sweetie at the beginning of the day if you can pull it off.

3. Picking up the NY Times Crossword and knowing the first clue I read (nevermind that I stop there).

4. The “Pickin’ On” series — bluegrass versions of hip tunes — they’re hilarious. U2 and Led Zeppelin are favorites.

5. Mat Kearney, Nothing Left to Lose

Battle against embitterment and take part in 365 days of Grace in Small Things.