We like our joy unhygienic

Today we gathered up
the juicy joy of the earth
and held it in our hands.
Maybe, just maybe,
some of us popped it
straight in our mouths.

Sachets

Did you know
that a car seat will hold
a lavender plant just as well
as it holds a daughter?
Precious lovely things
all tucked in safe and
soothing.

Photo credit: AJK

Ahhhh, siblings.

Impromptu family dinners
are beyond delightful.

Love Letters from your life

Darlings,
I’m releasing a new thing into the world tomorrow,
and it is from my heart.
Well, it’s from YOUR heart,
but I took dictation.
And I’m doing a secret 24-hour giveaway
just here,
for you sweethearts,
because your comments feel like
love letters to me.
In the comments, tell me
what you think YOUR life would say
if it wrote you a love letter.
Three randomly chosen winners
will receive Love Letters from your life
for free.
Love,
me

Photo credit: ISP
P.S. If you have a blog and you’d like to do a giveaway too, send me an email at sitatmytable@gmail.com — I like to share.

Update: Congratulations to Christina, sigsy, and tellingdtales! You’ve each won a free copy of Love Letters from your life. You’ll get an email from me soon.

Thank you so much to each of you who entered– I loved, loved, LOVED reading what your life is saying to you. And I love that you are listening.

much love,
Anna

Down the lines

Seven minutes before my class started,
I got a phone call.
“She needs to tell you something,”
said my sister.
Mommy? Earlier when I was so mad?
And I said those mean things?
Like idiot and I hate you?
When you were in the bathroom I hided
your favorite book and your shoes under the couch,
and I wanted you to know where they are in case
you wanted them and I feel bad and I don’t want
you to be sad and I hoped I wouldn’t forget where I put them.
Thank heaven for The Auntie.
Apparently The Child confided her wicked deed
and said sorrowfully,
I feel so bad about it.
But I know Mommy will understand my feelings.

Oh, Portland.

Portland, you’re killing me.
Even the people at the POST OFFICE
are nice.
Even the people at the GAS STATION
are nice.
I’m going to sprout flowers from
all my orifices
soon.

More tenderness, more ministrations

My girl picked them out,
and my sister delivered them.
Also vitamin C gummies,
Airborne tablets, and loves.

Brown paper package

I haven’t even opened it yet.
I’m just looking at it,
holding the subtle flavor of
delight
on my tongue.
Thank you, my dear friend.
The cosmos is whispering in so many ways,
“It’s all right.
You are loved.”
Today, it spoke through the mail.

Things I did today that scared me:

I put the bug outside.
I merged in the rain.
I used my new phone with the many many buttons.
I called my accountant and we had the numbers talk.
I drove across the slippery bridge over the river wild and deep.
I pressed Pay and signed myself up for a weekend
of magic and horses.

The strange gift of being afraid of
everything
is that you stop waiting to feel brave.
You get things done still quaking, and then
suddenly
you’re not so scared anymore.
I’m launching a new class to talk about this,
and it feels as new and sweet and precious
as a newborn.
If you’d like to join me, I’d be honored.

Chickens

She went to see the chickens.
There used to be four, but one ran away,
and the rooster was obnoxious, so now
they only have two.
Those two venerable hens were plump and brown
and they laid
EGGS.
Real live eggs!
That she brought home!
And we scrambled! and cooked!
and ate!
In our own very own house.
That the chickens made.
In REAL LIFE.
If that doesn’t seem like
an absolute screaming miracle to you,
then I prescribe a strong dose of
four-year-old,
to be taken immediately.