Spring Training in Arizona

Dodgers vs Rockies in Arizona. On a school day. Perfect.

Drive Through the Desert

A little 12:00pm baseball stop in the desert.

Tuesday Night Vibes

I feel ya, guys.

Join Us. For Real.

Guys? Maybe you remember when I went to the gorgeous island off the coast of Vancouver last September? The one with the delightful beach and retreat center and garden? The one with the fantastic writing class and salad dressing we wanted to drink straight out of its darling little pitcher? Well, I'm going back this September again and you can join me. Yes, really! I'm returning this time to co-teach a seminar about humor writing with the phenomenal, Janelle Hanchett. The humor! The writing! The beach! The salad dressing! THE Janelle Hanchett! Please come. We'll have a blast.

For more information, click here.

Smacksy Sunday Links

How to stop ruminating.

What I say when I don't know what to say.

Books to read in 24 hour or less. I've read three of these - and yes, unputdownable.

Designers' favorite sentimental items.

A breathtaking trip through Myanmar.

And a panda in the snow.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Big Boy Baseball

Today we went to see a college game at Cal State Northridge. One of Bob's coaches is the pitching coach there. Bob got an autograph from one of the players. Sweet.

Cccold

Maybe wherever you are, 46º is normal, or warm even. It was a little chilly sitting out at the baseball field tonight, yes, but the real news is that it snowed in our town yesterday for the first time since 1965. That seems normal.

Hey, Mister

Just hanging out, being all casual.

Naptime

These guys, you guys.

A New Issue

You may recall my habit (obsession) of organizing various areas of Airbnb or VRBO kitchens. The cabin we stayed in last weekend created some real problems for me. Everything was pretty well organized. Apart from the toile valances that I wasn't really feeling, but that's more of a taste and cleanliness issue, this kitchen was a-okay organizationally speaking EXCEPT it was laid out just wrong.

The plates and bowls were located in the cupboard above the sink and while the folks get points for keeping them near the dishwasher area, unless you were Mr. Rosenberg's height, you weren't really going to be able to reach those top shelves. They were using what should have been the plates area on the other side of the little galley kitchen for heavy bowls and casserole dishes which should have been on the lower shelves. Short of moving everything around, which felt too invasive for even serially invasive organizer me, my hands were tied.

The spice area was tiny and had very few items in it so I felt weird about throwing stuff away. I half-heartedly straightened the six things on the shelves. Somehow, I managed to enjoy a perfectly lovely weekend anyway, despite my crazy.

The Return

We all had fun in the snow. Now these guys are ready to get home.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The value of a minimalist mindset.

Why 5:30 is the best dinner time.

Non-book things you can get at the library.

Inside Amy Sedaris' apartment.

The secret alley full of curious old book shops.

Beautiful portraits.

And ducks in the snow going to breakfast.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links: Snow Guys

They are enjoying.

The Woods Are Lovely, Dark, and Deep

We're back to the snow, and this time there's actual snow on the ground with more on the way. There are dogs and boys and plenty of coffee and a fireplace and winter things. And miles to go before I sleep.

The Day of Hearts

I have written before about my history with Valentine's Day and the music that goes along with it. For Valentine's this year, I'm linking to my favorite love song of the last decade. Brandi Carlile's "The Story."  It always makes me cry so either I really love it or I need a new SSRI prescription.

Happy Valentine's, friends!

4 Blankets, 2 Coats, Gloves, and a Hat. And That's Just Me

My friend Amy took this photo of Emily and I at the kids' baseball game on Monday night. If you live in Southern California, 44º feels like a blizzard.

Teddy! Levi! Teddy! Levi!

This is what it looks like ten seconds after I have called the guys to come in the house. (No one is coming in the house.)

They Are Professionals

Napping is their specialty.

Smacksy Sunday Links

Ways to age well.

The religion of walking.

Anthony Bourdain quotes about travel, eating, and life.

But there is this. A beautiful poem.

The Library Tree. A little poem from our town.

Victorians letting their hair down.

And a kitten in a teacup.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links: Sunset

Mr. Rosenberg took this photo last week. Isn't it glorious?

Helper

Levi can always tell where people's weak spots are. In an effort to save me from myself, he always, always, stands between me and the full-length mirror.

A Thing I Made

Including this quote from Morgan Harper Nichols

And in those moments where the sun is setting and the house is quiet and you are weary from the day, may you know that there is grace for you in that space, and no amount of heaviness or loneliness can take that away. And because of that grace, you are free to slow down. You are free to breathe and rest, no matter the things not sorted out. There might be some mystery here and there might be longing, wondering, and waiting. But there will also be boundless peace that goes beyond any understanding, running wild like a river through everything, no matter how heavy these moments feel. So rest easy, when everything is approaching. Tomorrow is surely coming, but in the hours in between, you are free to rest till then.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

I keep thinking, now that it's the beginning of the year, I need to get organized and get myself together. I keep thinking it. Now, I've thought my way into February. No longer the beginning of the year. Unless I go with the lunar calendar again, as I have in recent years. It's my version of a fast re-set do-over. So, I'm doing over. I've started clearing out old files. I'm putting some new habits into action. I'm working in earnest on an old project. I got that new/old double root canal situation handled. I even drank some water in addition to my omnipresent coffee. Somebody throw me a parade.

Happy New Year. Gong xi fa cai. Wishing you great happiness and prosperity.

Baseball Guy

Baseball Guy, clay and paint, by Bob Rosenberg

Rainy Night

It's been raining, well I was about to say "raining up a storm" but that's a little on the nose isn't it? It's been raining a whole lot the last few days. This song has been in my head and I think it's a good one for a rainy day.

Smacksy Sunday Links

Raising your child to be.

Personal finance lessons from the government shutdown.

I love Ina Garten.

Jane Austen's family photos discovery.

Dream catching at the ends of the earth.

And ducklings.

Happy Sunday.

FYI

"We're going to keep walking in front of you and sitting wherever you're trying to get just to make sure you understand how much we're not appreciating this thunder and lightning so you can make it go away please and thank you."

My Own Personal Polar Vortex

It was 50º and raining at the baseball game tonight. The guys couldn't find me immediately after the game because I had teleported to the car as soon as the umpire yelled, "Ballgame!" (There are seat warmers in the car, not in the folding camp chair.)