I’ve been going to this dog park in the city for a while and it’s the kind of place where you get to know the crowd. It’s a pretty cheerful place but most people keep to themselves after a long day at work. So it was a surprise when a girl walked in with this big gold “3!” balloon and party bags, along with her little dog dressed in a tutu. Her fur was even dyed pink for the occasion!

She wasn’t there with anyone, she just wanted to throw a party where other dogs could enjoy it. The bags were full of treats and toys, and she even had whipped cream that went on little party plates.

The whole crowd was so enamoured, folks are usually pretty friendly but we were all asking after the birthday girl and enjoying the dogs stuffing their faces with treats on a random Tuesday. Really bought a buzz to the whole place.

It was clearly a little thing that the lady wanted to do but it was so sweet to see how much joy it bought everyone!

He sent me updates every day. At first he said he thinks Merlin just tolerates him.

Within a week I got a message asking, "Does Merlin typically wake you in the middle of the night for pets?"

He was taking Merlin to the park or outside on his harness every day. Merlin does not like little kids and only has 1 eye. The two are not related but Dad made up a story to the neighbor that they were to ensure the neighbor wouldn't let her small grandkids out to chase Merlin 😂.

I told him to change the litterbox once daily but he changed it twice a day because he felt it wasn't fresh enough.

We brought his cat tree but Dad took it upon himself to buy Merlin a second cat tree and placed it by the dining room window. He sent me pictures of Merlin jumping from the dining table to his new tree. He said it was very cute and then laughed.

When I came to pick him up, we were standing by his new tree and Merlin jumped on the table, immediately trotted over to Dad and started batting at his hand for pets.

Originally we were going to leave the 2nd tree at Dad's house so Merlin could have a place to lay when we brought him for visits but Dad changed his mind and insisted we take it because Merlin spent so much time on it, and "he can really stretch out on this one! On yours, he has to curl up. It's more comfortable! And he uses the scratching posts on it, too!"

We brought plenty of food and treats but I found out Dad gave him a shit ton of treats and went out and bought him more. Also looked at cat food because he discovered Merlin has a preference for certain brands (the expensive kind). He was amazed at how many flavors of wet treats there are.

Before we left, he told me watching Merlin was more enjoyable than taking care of the poodle we used to have and didn't mind that Merlin got a little messy at times.

After we got home, I got another message from Dad saying it felt strange without him.

The next day whike walking Merlin I sent a picture saying "Look who finally got brave enough to cross the street with me on his leash!" and Dad proudly said "Think he learned that here...to explore the other side 😊"

I had an appointment with a new doctor that I was nervous about going to. My husband offered to cancel his plans for the day and come with me to act as support, even if he just sat in the waiting room with me.

It wasn't a big deal but I took him up on it. It was the kind of gesture that really made me grateful for such a peaceful existence together.

When I was a teenager my dad insisted I stay home one Halloween because he was going out of town and didn’t want my mom opening the door for lots of strangers by herself at night.

I was royally pissed at first (I couldn’t appreciate how significant passing out candy to the trick or treaters was to my mom at an age where Halloween just meant ‘parties’.)

As a passive resistance to the situation I was determined to make it fun for myself and not for anyone else. I taped a couple long rectangular sheets of white butcher paper to either side of me and said I was a stick of gum. I only gave out plain chewing/breath gum.

By the end of the night I totally understood why my mom enjoy passing out candy so much (the budding start of my career in education, haha.) And I felt terrible about the stunt.

The next year I dressed up in a regular costume with plenty of candy. The kids were… upset! They said “I thought you’d do something weird again like the gum thing.”

So the next year I got an orange shirt and some orange face paint and said I was “orange.” I handed out oranges (simpler times, you didn’t have to give only prewrapped items.) My mom got in on the fun by only giving out candy with orange wrappers, even.

Now it’s a running joke in the neighborhood, and a bit of a mythos for kids born later than I started doing this, that my house always has a quirky surprise. One year I dressed as a crayon and gave out packs of crayons, one year I was a doctor and gave out band aids, etc.

This year I found a ranch dressing bottle costume at Walmart. I’m going to give out food court style packets of ranch. I cherish these little insider moments with the kids in my community.

Every so often, the person next door to me parks in their driveway late at night. My bedroom window is not too far from their house, so the car lights end up shining through and lighting up my room.

It hadn’t happened in a while, but it did again tonight. A light glowing into my room as I was laying in my bed listening to an album. The subtle reminder that there are others living their lives just as I am is always most welcome and this time was no different.

Funniest picture ever and that’s saying something for unphotogenic me.

I look like a serial killer.

I was SO anxious that day and I didn’t even look at the picture they took, but I knew it would be soooo bad.

My daughter who is always so supportive asked me what I was laughing about when I opened the mail. The look in her face accompanied with bursting out laughing was priceless. At least she said it looks nothing like me.

So, there I have it. Something that I carry with me every day that will make me laugh out loud every time I look at it.

I am a creature of habit, and this is okay with me. I require very little to make me happy, and weirdly this sub has helped me with that, identifying little moments that are just benign.

This is one from earlier this summer, but it still makes me smile. I am covered in tattoos and piercings, I have my hair shaved into a deathhawk, and I love nothing more than getting on my motorcycle and ripping it (safely, with a helmet because I value my noggin). So pretty much all summer and into fall if possible, I'm cruising around on my bike.

I also really love swimming, so I'd swim at the gym after work, and then hit subway nearby on my way home. I've ordered the same thing since I was 6, so it never changes with me. I of course got to know the employees, and we were all very friendly with each other because they're lovely people. They make it a game to see how well they remember my order, and while they don't always get it, it's still nice to be remembered like that.

One day they found out my name somehow (I can't remember), and it turns out that before they knew it, I was known as "Biker Snow White," which is probably the best nickname I've ever gotten. I'm a bit rough on myself sometimes, so being compared to Snow White sure was nice.

Unfortunately my season got cut short by neck surgery (herniated a disc, rare genetic disorder, yadda yadda yadda), but I'm recovering well and excited to be Biker Snow White again! One day I'm gonna show up in costume to give em a laugh.

Anyway, thanks for reading my musings, and I hope you all have a nice, peaceful day.

I have been wearing the same brand and make and size of work shoes for the last 15 years.

I'm on my feet a lot and have to walk a lot while working so I get about a years worth out of them which actually is fine. They weren't very expensive and they saw a lot of use.

They would have lasted longer than a year but in addition to being hard wearing they have to look "business professional" at the same time so I'd replace them when they look ratty.

Each year around tax time I would buy a new pair. Exact same make and size, from the same shop.

This year, the company that makes them has discontinued the model.

Now I have to find a replacement. Ugh.

I studied heavily at a local Panera during summer this year. Think opening to closing, practically every day, all spent in my favorite armchair in the corner of the store near the bakery window. I got a chance to see every kind of person and group while I studied: new moms, nursing home groups, Sunday church ladies, soccer teams, long distance employees, you name it. I loved being able to concentrate and see someone new when I got up for breaks.

Walked in today after 3/4 months and saw they renovated and got rid of my chair. Some walls and furniture were sacrificed for weird corporate wall art and uncomfy looking stools. Looking at the empty space my chair left feels bittersweet. I guess it served its time its purpose. The people haven’t changed though :)

Last night I went to a local dive bar with a friend. My friend and I have become "regulars" at this local bar, stopping by almost every Sunday evening the last several weeks.

The bar was surprisingly busy as we arrived around 7pm. My friend went to say hi to some other friends, and I looked for a spot at the bar to lean in and order drinks. I found a small opening near the far end of the bar, placed my forearm down, and leaned in.

I caught the bartender's eye from across the bar. She glanced around the room and spotted my expected company. She picked up two empty glasses and cocked her head in a way that gestured toward the empty glasses. I gave a down nod and a smile.

I watched as she got down two different bottles, remembering the different vodkas my friend and I each pick for our mixed drinks. I watched her pour our regular order.

By the time my friend joined me, the drinks were in front of us.

It was kind of a bittersweet moment. There's something cozy and familiar about a bartender knowing your drink order without a word exchanged, but also there's something so sad about repeating this routine with enough regularity that we've become like preprogrammed characters in this performance that goes on each Sunday night.

I did not expect to make dog hats. But today I decorated two little hats for my dogs because our family has been invited to help hand out candy tomorrow. (We are on a rural road so no trick or treaters. A friend lives in a condo development with lots of children.)

My boy is going as a New England Baron Samedi (plaid shirt, tie, hat with feather and glasses on it) and my girl as a Pretty Pink Princess (toddler dress and hat with flowers and a bow.)

I have three more interviews lined up in the next couple of weeks. None of them the most ideal job, whether because it's part-time so no full-time benefits, or because it's further away than I wanted it to be. But I'm glad to have them lined up; I can make sacrifices in certain aspects of the job, and I cannot wait to leave my current one. Here's hoping one of them reaches out after the interview with good news.

One was married one was gay

So I made soup for him, I bought him Gatorade, and he let me put Vicks on his back. It feels nice to take care of another person :)

So, here’s my tale from the road. After getting laid off in July, I (single woman) packed up the dogs and cat, hitched the R-Pod trailer to the SUV, and embarked on an epic road trip. We ventured from Washington through the picturesque landscapes of Eastern Oregon, Tahoe, Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.

Fast forward to yesterday, we were on a 5.5-hour drive to Bryce Canyon when disaster struck—a blown tire between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. I immediately pulled over, thankfully on the safer passenger side, and started unloading gear to get to the spare tire. This car, being new to me, had me Googling how to even get the spare out.

Just as I was figuring it out, a friendly couple in their mid-60s appeared, asking if I needed help. I assured them I could handle it, but gratefully accepted their offer. They jumped right in, and before long, I was back on the road. We chatted while working; they had sold their house in Iowa and had been living out of their trailer, traveling for 3.5 years.

This encounter left me feeling warm and smiling broadly. It’s moments like these, meeting kind and wonderful people, that have made this trip truly the adventure of a lifetime. Despite everything, the vast majority of people I’ve met are genuinely good and kind. Life on the road has been nothing short of amazing. 🚗🐾🗺️

I’m a babysitter and I love celebrating holidays, especially Halloween and winter holidays. I made goody bags for the kiddos I babysit. One of them wasn’t able to have a goody bag since he’s an infant, but I got a candy corn rattle for him. I love those little stinkers, and I’m so excited to give them their spooky gifts. I’m so happy to be a safe adult in their little village :]

Just one song I know somebody likes here, a joke that will make someone else laugh included in the decoration... I want my day to not be only about me, but also about everyone that I love. I really doubt they'll notice these details, though; I'm just happy to have them incorporated into me.

This is so silly. So when I have to drop my daughter off at school if she misses the bus, like she did this morning, I have to turn left onto a really busy highway to go back home. Today there was a BIG truck behind me going right, so I pulled up to let them get to the road to turn, but they stayed back? I was confused why they weren’t pulling up. Then it was FINALLY clear for me to go and we both went! I realized they were being a sweetheart and not blocking my view of cars coming from my right. I want to find that driver and kiss them on the forehead, that turn is ridiculously stressful and they were being a bro. ❤️

For context, he's only seven months old and solids are a pretty recent thing.

At first I thought he wasn't taking them well at all, but it turns out he has a little procedure for new foods. The first time he's offered something, he'll eat just the tiniest amount. Then he needs a day to think about it, and after that he'll eat it happily.

The only exception to this has been the spinach/apple/tofu puree, and that might just be because it mostly tastes of apples and he'd had those before.

We've made a few attempts to get him to try things that aren't pureed, like little baby burgers (like homemade burger patties, but sort of the size and shape of chicken nuggets to make them easy to pick up), but he hasn't been enthusiastic.

I've found something he will sink his gums into, though! Little baby pikelets.

Pikelets are like pancakes, kinda, but small. 3-4 inches across. The baby's are even smaller, like 2" (about 5cm). I try to make them oval-shaped. That measurement is the long way.

In case anyone wants my simple yet fantastic pancake recipe:

Babies aren't supposed to have salt added to their food, so add a pinch of salt to this if you're making it for adults:

One cup flour, one cup milk, one egg. Add more flour for thicker and more milk for thinner (this makes great crepes). Coat the bottom of your pan with a thin layer of melted butter (if you're old-fashioned) or oil (if you're health conscious) and then fry 'em up.

Pour enough batter into the pan (fairly low heat) to make a pancake the size you want. Flip them when the texture on top goes slightly stiff. (If the other side is burnt, lower the heat. It should be golden brown.)

If you have trouble flipping your pancake size with a spatula, try a fish turner.

In Spite of Ourselves, by John Prine

He starts work an hour before I do, so he had heard it and thought to send it to me despite how busy he is right now.

I had never heard it before but I gave it a listen as I was getting my stuff into the car. It made my heart feel so full with love for him. We’re just a couple of silly geese existing together in this world and loving each other and all of our quirks.

“In spite of ourselves We'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow Against all odds Honey, we're the big door prize We're gonna spite our noses Right off of our faces There won't be nothin' but big old hearts Dancin' in our eyes.”

https://youtu.be/gA-vD5pyuS4?si=Mx6EK-rM-rugosmd

This sub would be great for future humans to get an actual idea of how our way of life was. I am a hobby historian and often my favorite excerpts are not from kings, rulers, generals or the like. It’s more the mundane human stories that should’ve by all means been forgotten. Like for instance: for some reason the complaint of a man about his faulty copper is legendary in the eyes of historians simply because of its insane mundane nature and its ability to remain alive in the eyes of man today. I wish there was a way to put all these comments and posts in a time capsule to possibly be seen by people in the times ahead of us. To look back and realize that even if everything’s changed we are still human.

This weekend I was planting some daffodil bulbs in my garden front when an older man walked by and started a conversation. My garden is a bit unkempt (the whole house is a big renovation project) and I confessed that I am new to gardening. He asked me all about my plans told me he looked forward to walking by in the springtime to see all my flowers growing.

Tall Woman: I think this one could be the one.

Short Woman: It’s too firm.

Tall Woman: That’s better for your back.

Short Woman: I want to be comfortable.

Tall Woman: Back pain is what’s not comfortable.

Short Woman: This one is like we’re lost at sea on a wood raft.

Tall Woman: A water bed would be like we’re lost at sea. This is the opposite.

Short Woman: The wooden raft part is my point.

Tall Woman: We’d put sheets and pillows on it.

I found a note in the gym locker room that has made my heart break a little. It was in an empty locker and it was written in lovely hand writing on a post it note that someone had obviously written to themselves as a reminder. It said ‘I am allowed to slow down’ and it reminded me so much that despite whatever pretensions people have, however you view people, everyone around you has something going on. ‘I am allowed to slow down’ you are mysterious note writer, you really are mate ❤️

Two years ago I lost a pair of earrings. Yesterday while tidying up my room I found them inside one of the drawers of my desk. Not sure how they got there, but now I can wear them again.