After reading Ross Gay’s Book of Delights a few years ago, I started to intermittently keep my own book of delights. They are hand scrawled into this little notebook. They help remind me that there’s always something to feel good about. Be warned: They are sentimental. Here are a few old ones transcribed:
February 6, 2022: Sunset Waltz
Today, Emilio was wearing my big robe, and he tied our waists together with the belt. Then, we side stepped in a circle, tied together, a little waltz. It was late afternoon, so bright sunshine was pouring into my living room. With each turn, the sun hit his face, then mine. Blinding glare, then his bright blue eyes. White light, then warm pink skin. Subtle warmth, then his sweet face.
February 8, 2022: Morning Air, Morning Sun
I went out onto the back deck this morning because the sun was shining and it wasn’t supposed to be. It was less than 20 degrees, but I didn’t feel cold with that big ball of light shining right on me. Just content. In that fresh air, I felt myself there every season. Working, drawing, tanning, reading, swaying in a hammock. Oh, how many delights will that balcony record? How many joys can the sun bring one life?
April 1, 2022: A Maker’s Power
Today I sewed my first shirt. I’ve been so excited about sewing for the past month, and it finally was sewing day. I put the shirt on at every stage, and after I sewed the shoulders and the sides, I put it on and joy came bubbling out of my mouth and my eyes and my heart. It was a really beautiful moment. I felt so much delight and pride and fun and excitement to see this thing take form on my body.
June 14, 2022: Ice Cube
It’s very hot in Chicago. 100º days. I don’t have air conditioning. So, after a day of sitting and sweating in my apartment, and then a 40 minute bike ride, I jumped in the lake for the first time this year and felt sheer joy at the iciness of the water. I’ve never been so happy for it to be so cold. I stayed in and numbed out and bobbed and smiled.
June 19, 2022: Escalating Pink
At the end of a long day, I laid down in bed, 15 minutes before finishing out this Sunday. I looked out the window, then closed my eyes. When I opened them back up again, the dimming, dusty blue of the sky was now streaked with a faint pink line. A trick of adjusting pupils? No, a cloud reflecting a sunset of escalating pink. A couple tears to my eyes. A hard day—beautiful!
August 22, 2022: Rainbows
Today, while doing two things that I didn’t want to do, I was delighted. First, spider mites have invaded my deck garden. Every day, I spray them with hot water. Today, the spray misted into the sunshine and prism-ed the light into a sparkling, blinking rainbow. Then, while sewing some quilt blocks, I sewed one upside down. I had to seam rip. The fabric is loose weave, so I had to get in real close to pull out the tiny stitches. In doing so, each fabric became not just a piece of cloth, but a tiny woven beauty full of so much color and harmony.
Miscellaneous Dates: Bullet Points
Daffodils with bright orange centers
Deck table and chairs, perfect for sitting in the sun (warm toes)
Sur reminded me to pack a hair towel
Fresh juice in Medellín, ordered in Spanish
Neon crayola pastels
Sleeping on top of the covers because it is now summertime hot
A little, friendly black and white bird that I couldn’t identify later
Hope something out there is delighting you, too.
These warmed my heart and made me smile. 😘🥰
I loved these. Thanks for sharing ♥️🥰