Delights: May 22 to May 28

May 22, 2019:  Instead of walking home from the Metro tonight, I wandered up the street to our local independent bookstore, One More Page Books. There I exchanged hugs with my friend Eileen, the bookstore owner, and my son Jeremiah, who happily and successfully presses Cervantes, Isabel Allende and the poet Lorca into the hands of willing readers. A panel of authors tonight attracted a large and animated crowd, and I — of course — left with another new book. Next time, I will buy only wine and chocolate. I consume those faster!

May 23, 2019:  I treated myself to sunrise yoga this morning and returned home wondering what my day would be like. I knew challenges awaited me. As I checked my calendar, I suddenly flashed to Julie Andrews swinging her guitar case in The Sound of Music. En route from convent to the Von Trapp family home, her character gives herself a serious pep talk in the song “I Have Confidence.” She begins quietly, “What will this day be like, I wonder? What will my future be, I wonder?” And then finds the courage to start her life-changing adventure. I grabbed a memory this morning: of a time when I sang that song too, beginning with trepidation and ending with gusto. And so today, I cued up my iPhone and sang nearly all the words. Two times. Soon enough, I was marching from the house, head high and ready. Take a peek here when you feel blue.

May 24, 2019: My razor-short hair offers many practical benefits. Except for the occasional shampoo, I literally never touch it. Indeed, I know it’s ready for a trim when, after toweling off, I need to pat it flat with my palm. That happened earlier this week, so off to the salon I went — and experienced bliss. Every stroke of the razor or snip of the scissor or brush of the finger works directly on my scalp. And the shampoo process: truly the “massage” of the word’s Hindu origin.  From the salon, I glided across the street for a lunch called Magic Dragon and a few chapters of my book. Blissful Friday.

May 25, 2019: I’m in Colonial Williamsburg today (one of my favorite places in the world) with one of my favorite people in the world, a dear high school friend. In a day of cascading delights, I’ve settled on this: afternoon cocktails at the outdoor bar of the Williamsburg Inn, lazy breezes, engaging neighbors — and bouquets of prom teens, posing for photos on the beautiful grounds of the Inn. Sequins, embroidery and gorgeous designs inspired our admiration; their happiness at being together touched our hearts.  

May 26, 2019: For me, delight often comes by surprise. Today in a colonial garden I saw this stand of laughing posies, doing no work among the herbs and vegetables except to give joy.

May 27, 2019: Yesterday at Chowning’s Tavern in Williamsburg, I heard this story. Our companion’s great-grandfather served on the front lines in World War I, delivering supplies on the battlefields of Belgium. At last, Armistice. At last, liberation for small, battered villages and their numbed survivors. Our young man rolled into one of these villages atop a tank — that heroic leveler of trench and barbed wire. And the perfect spot to see the celebratory flags, welcoming smiles and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. As he passed, he shouted out to her: “Will you marry me?” “Yes!” she shouted back. I won’t say he swept her up on the tank with him, but marry they did. And so, I wish a happy Memorial Day to their great-granddaughter, to her boyfriend, who serves in the U.S. Army, and to all of you.