magical mystery kind

Thoughts. Emotions. Isolation.

Despite the happy notes in the blog, days aren't always filled with sunshine and warmth. Amid not-so-great weather and long days of class, finding things to enjoy can be quite difficult.

MSU 10.27.10

Remedies: Hum a tune. Skip to class. Walk on the curbs like a balancing beam. Listen to your favorite song. Do tiny things that can brighten your day.

Simple Joys: Lavender. Trick-or-treaters. Watermelon Jolly Ranchers. Local Natives. Photos. Twinkle lights. The Deathly Hallows. Red leaves. Painting.

solitude

Close your eyes.

Take a trip to a warm dirt road; one that you remember from your childhood. Head held high, arms at your side. Feel your feet moving one in front of the other, your toes pressing into the soles of your shoes on the crunchy gravel, the breeze rolling through your hair. Breathe in, breathe out. Soak in the presence of yourself and the earth. Solitude. 

"I guess my feet know where they want me to go, walking on a country road." [James Taylor, Country Road]

Lake Lansing [10.23.10]

Remember one of those feel-good nostalgic moments that nearly makes 

you cry. Start your day with a warm memory, a smile, and breaths of clean, fresh air.  

Craft of the day: Whip out those old books and steal some time from your day for the loveliest item you'll make 
this week (see bottom). Memories from Bri's pretty birthday gift (#8). Enjoy. Adore. Have a ball.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1XkXd0/www.writtenword.com/turn-old-musty-books-to-art-and-other-cool-things/

time is all around

Sigh.
Saturday morning. Game day. Tick tock.
Rain. Chilly. Fall.

Challenge for you: Pull out those trusty old rain boots. Grab your rain coat, perhaps an umbrella too. Walk outside and prepare for a mini hike. Walk passed the small mud puddles. Walk passed the medium-sized mud puddles. Stop in front of the large puddles (make sure it's muddy and wet). Jump. Get muddy. Get dirty. Get messy. And embrace it. Happy autumn in Michigan where the weather is just about as unpredictable as an MSU football match.

Smile.
Saturday afternoon. Spartans are glorious. Tick tock.
Sunshine. Cool. Autumn.

Lake Lansing [10.23.10]

Favourite: I discovered Beirut 
(a lovely band with a folky-jazz style, 
in which you can't help but hum along) 
through my friend, 
Erin. Elephant Gun &
Carousels (enjoy).

pumpkin spice

A cozy chair, a room full of smiles, and a hot caramel cider are enough to make my day. Sitting at my favorite coffee shoppe in town (take a guess!), I witnessed a rare (but necessary) moment that gave me those feel-good-fuzzies instantly.

"Hi Dennis!!" said an excited five year old girl while waving frantically at an older man reading the paper in his chair. His 'Up North' hat, red, fuzzy fleece and flannel gave him away instantly; a born and raised Michigan man who knew how to enjoy life amid a Pure Michigan, autumn day.

"Hi Dennis!! Hi Dennis!!" repeated the five year old's younger brother while emerging through the red doors. As he heard the younger children, Dennis peered over his newspaper and gave a great big smile, waving back at the young children. Although I will never know just what this older man meant to these young kids or how they knew one another, as a witness from afar, I am sure that these cheerful children made Dennis' day.

Abbie Reifel in line for pumpkin painting. [10.20.10]

Tip of the day: Be the cheerful, young child who waves frantically. Enjoy a fall day. Put a smile on someone's face, and by doing so, put a smile on your own.