63 Days

Messages left on the line between January 3rd, 11am CST and January 6th, 2am CST.

I’m cat sitting today for a few of our friends and it’s been very cute to put my little slippers on and prance around their house knowing that they live here and I just get to be a part of their little world for a minute.

Today I walked and reparked my car. I took this opportunity, as I live in San Francisco, a city of fog, sunshine, dreams, Golden Gate Bridges - I took the opportunity to repark my car, to take a walk in the Presidio where trees are abundant. On this walk I stumbled upon a tree I’ve seen before with its roots dangling down and half cut, like a modern art exhibition right there in the forest with it’s roots exposed. And I feel the same way in so many ways, this first Monday of January of a new year. Something - I should be rooted, I should be growing, I should be stretching out my branches in this new year thing, but instead, this vulnerable, almost jagged tree reminded me that joy is found and beauty is in that vulnerability. This brought me comfort as I reparked my car and slowly made my way back to the apartment where I worked from home, looking for space, finding that the world itself is the space that I’ve been looking for. And then, scrolling through my Instagram feed and finding this page. My name is Hope - and thank you, for sharing joy, warmth and comfort.

What brought me joy and comfort? Well, I really liked the truffle burger today that I got with my family. It was so yummy and the type of burger that drips down to your pants and stains. That kind of joy, that stains. The kind of joy that stains. Do you have anything else to share? I wanted to bring Peter here, my husband, I came here earlier today. It’s like going to a show with someone- I wanted to show them- look at what I experience. I also found comfort in a milkshake near that burger that you enjoyed. Like, right next to me? Aww. Yeah, it was nice being next to you drinking a milkshake while you had a pant-staining burger. And then, I’m finding joy in the new black turtleneck that you’re wearing. [laughter]

This wasn’t a warm activity but it was a joyful wintertime activity. I’ve been going cold water swimming with a group of friends from high school that I’ve continued to be friendly with for the last 20 years. We went to Montrose Beach and it was really icy- this is in Chicago - the ladder was icy and it was really windy and the waves were pretty big but I went in anyway. I got blasted by the biggest wave but it made me really happy and made me feel really awake and alive. Thank you.

My name is Robyn, and today what is bringing me joy is watching the birds, especially the red headed woodpeckers eat off my bird feeder, and then I also get to watch the squirrels drinking from my birdbath. That is very joyful for me today.