I ran tonight for Boston - I was literally overcome with emotion as I ran downtown and downhill on the West side towards the CNN building.  I thought about the air - crisp and cool on my skin - thought about the daffodils and the crocus - thought about the cherry blossoms, magnolias, and dogwood trees - thought about the sunset over the West side and the way the city lit up the sky, illuminating the dome of clouds and blue above it.  Thankful that I get another night to talk to my Dad, eat a chocolate bar, relax with my dogs, and hear Brian come home.

The older I get, the more difficult these tragedies are for me to absorb.  They don't roll off me like they did when I was a child.  I can't help but imagine my loved ones or myself in the same situation.  The senselessness of the acts is part of what gets me the most.

I hope that tonight you hold your loves close in body and in spirit.  I hope that you also take some time to remember that there are good and beautiful things left in this world even amidst tragedy like this.

If you're having trouble thinking of them....I'll help get you started with some silly & simple ones:

 

I defy you to show me a thing cuter than a baby bunny.

 Could there ever be a limit to the number of chocolate chip cookies one person could eat?

 

I <3 <3 <3 Christmas and still want to believe in Santa.

 A BELOVED story from my childhood.  I think this book defines what magic means to me.

 Fancy coffee-shop lattes.  With pumps of vanilla or mocha flavoring....

 Snoopy was the first dog I ever loved...  Why does that bird fly upside-down???

 It's not my birthday unless I eat cake.  I don't request presents or even a party...but I'll be damned if I don't get cake. 

 KITTEN!

 :)

 Well...you were all waiting for a dog picture.  Here you go. 

 Hawaiian sunset. 

 I hate that I love you.

 Mountains are majestic and awe-inspiring....and a little scary even.

 If I had been born a few decades earlier.... (that's Led Zeppelin in case you were wondering)

 What could be better than carbs covered in cheese?

 My favorite flowers are poppies.  My second favorite are tulips.

 I enjoy good Russian vodka - and lets be honest...who doesn't like to get a little buzzed now and again?

 Friends are nice....and Winnie the Pooh is sweet. 

Love me a theme park.

 ....and a good movie that makes you yell

NEVER gets old...

I've always had a thing for horses.

Most magical thing I do each year.

 It might seem like I don't read "adult" books, but I do. 

 I LOVE this show!!!!!!

Nature makes beautiful colors.  

 

Who doesn't love a good adventure?

 Favorite bird.

 This book sets the record for number of times read out of all my books and it was the most unlikely.  I remember standing in an Atlantic Books in Sea Isle City, NJ when I was about a junior in college.  I had called my Dad and asked for a book recommendation - he always has good ones.  When he recommended this one, I snarked but bought it anyway - it was about $3.00.  I read it on the beach and hated it - thought it was the lamest.  Then I read it again on a plane trip....and then I read it again traveling to and from work on the train.  Then I read it again over Christmas holiday the year we lived in Manayunk.  In all honesty, I'm not sure what it is....the simplicity?  The gossip?  It comes back to me now and again - an odd & inexplicable craving for it....but it makes me happy.

I'll leave you with a song....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

What stupid & silly things make you happy?  

Carpe diem,

J