Isn’t it wonderful when a once-in-awhile day brings the simplest of pleasures? When a walk to the mailbox finds a letter from a loved one? A parcel you’ve been waiting for arrives, that book you ordered or a handmade craft from Etsy waits inside. Your favorite magazine, perhaps? I am close to giddy when one of my two favorites arrive. Victoria or English Home, hopefully not on the same day for that would be way too much excitement. I set the magazine aside, on an end table or a chair, and I savor the wait. First a chore, then tea, brewed and steeped with care. Sometimes I wait until later in the evening when the lamps are on and the mood is just right.
Do you ever have a once-in-awhile day where the greatest gift it brings is something unexpected in your mail?
I had a once-in-awhile day on Friday. After safely arriving home as the snow was falling, I brought in my bag of groceries and put on my boots and my long, hooded coat, camera in one pocket and cell phone in the other, and headed down our long driveway to the mailbox. The camera, of course, was for pictures. The long coat with a hood for protection from the elements. The cell phone in case I fell and needed help. It happens.
Our mailbox is at the road. Our drive narrows as it reaches the road. After a significant snowfall, it starts to feel and look like a snow tunnel – one Beatrix Potter would paint. New fallen snow is quiet and pristine and the landscape takes on a new personality. The world seems fresh and new for a time. There is a smell to snowl that is hard to explain, though I’ve heard it compared “oddly enough like apple blossoms”.
There wasn’t much mail on Friday, which was okay. The walk was worth the effort just the same. I could hear a chickadee making her presence known and a few deer were watching, the snow catching on top of their hides like feathers from a pillow. The few cars on our road made a slow, crunching sound with their tires as the passed and the only signatures on the snow were my own boot prints.
It was a once-in-awhile day.
The walk to the mailbox and back was the only gift that I received.
The simplest of pleasures, indeed.
This is beautiful, Penny, and I enjoy the unexpected way in which it ends. Being present to the world around us is the best of gifts, and your walk in the snow sounds magical, with its Beatrice Potter associations and the feel of the watching deer.
Thank you, Juliet. It was exhilarating walk and there was a magical element to it.
I am enjoying your tai chi posts and the wonderful way you have in communing with nature, Juliet, and I’ve been feeling as if I’m right there with you. Thank you. (still not able to comment)
We are, too often, wrapped up in waiting for the next, BIG pleasure — a long weekend, a vacation, a party — and we totally overlook the small pleasures that await in hidden places if we’ll only take a moment to notice.
Reading your posts tells me you seldom miss those little pleasures. They are always evident in your words and photos.
So true, Karen. I try to remember to take time out to look and listen. Blogging helps me with this.
I am flattered to read your words here and thank you.
I love the simple things that you enjoyed on your once in a while day. How lovely just to enjoy the walk, the sounds, the views, and even the smells. You say it all so well.
Thank you, Janet, for your kind thoughts and for sharing my once in a while day. I hope the sleet didn’t leave too much ice down there.
Lovely twist, Penny. A short walk in the snow is an incredible blessing. As is the hot chocolate which I always make at the end
It’s the little things, as you say…
Thank you, Kate, who does a literary “twist” better than anyone I know. Ooo, I should have a hot chocolate instead of tea soon, and will think of you and big Al.
Ah…I think I shall favorite this post and come back to re-read often. I can totally relate to the favorite magazine arriving in the mail. I, too, feel that I must do something productive so that I can be rewarded with just sitting and enjoying the leisure with a good read.
And I can also relate to the magical beauty of fresh fallen snow. While I have never had deer eyes look at me as I walk to my mailbox
I absolutely love your description of footprints being the only signatures on the snow. Simply poetic….
Such a nice thing to say, Molly. Thank you. I think that waiting a bit before reading makes finally turning the pages all the sweeter.
The deer have now left their own signatures, which is somewhat helpful in at least I can track what they’ve been into.
Dear Penny,
Thank you for sharing your “once-in-a-while day” with us so lyrically. I, too, felt a frisson of recognition at your saying “signatures in the snow” for your boot prints. Your mind is a storehouse of creativity.
And yes, I have experienced “once-in-a-while days” in which I am gifted by the grace of being present. That’s the problem for me: I’m not always present to the day and its beauty and wonder. I get caught up in my mind and what’s whirling around there. Sometimes my mind feels like a pinball machine. No time then to notice all that appealed to your senses during Friday’s walk in the snow.
Thank you for encouraging me, through sharing your own awareness, to live in mindfulness.
Peace.
Thank you, Dee. You always make me feel so good. As I mentioned to Molly, the deer have now left their own signatures.
“the grace of being present”. I will remember that. I get caught up in that same pinball machine myself, quite often. In writing about my walk and the simple things, it helps to slow me down and be mindful. You are very welcome.
What a beautifully-observed, quiet reflection on an everyday activity, Penny. I love the way you see beauty and significance in little, ordinary things like a walk to the mailbox. Mind you, that sounds exotic to British ears, where mail is still delivered right to the house. It’s only in France that we have to have a mailbox by the gate.
On the commenting issue, you’re the second of my WordPress followers to tell me today alone that you are having problems commenting on my blog. Indeed the other has actually emailed me her comment in frustration! So sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you so much, Perpetua. Many here in Chicagoland have mail delivered right to their door and there are many days when I wish it were so here, especially when it is raining hard or, in summer as I’m avoiding mosquitoes. Still, there is almost always something of precious beauty.
We’ll all figure out the problem eventually, Perpetua. I just feel badly that I can’t relate right on your blog about your posts.
Penny, I have temporarily taken off word verification, so you should be able to comment now without difficulty. If I find myself getting spam, I may have to enable comment moderation, but for the moment, i will just leave it open and see what happens.
You are such a dear person, Perpetua. I am amazed at your generous spirit and feel a bit like a pest. I certainly hope that you aren’t bothered with spam because of your removing the word verification. Gosh, I know what a problem that can be, though WordPress has been wonderful about filtering that aspect of blogging.
I was able to leave a comment on your post about medieval illuminations and it looks like it went through. The word verification did not click back as it has of late. I hope that your other WordPress visitors have as much luck as I.
Thank you.
Just a quick word before I head to bed, Penny, to say that your comment did indeed get through and I’ve replied to it. Please don’t worry about spam as Blogger is pretty good at filtering it too. I’d much rather risk a bit of spam and have comments.
What a lovely description of the everyday things that bring us joy. It’s so simple, isn’t it, to find meaning in life? I enjoyed reading this. I, too love low lamplight. It makes me feel cozy.
How nice of you to say, Teresa. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed this. Oh, lamplight is so cozy. I always imagine the glow of a kerosene lantern, the romantic in me I guess. Only problem is, who can read the words on a page?
Penny, you and I have the same taste in magazines. Victoria and English Home are two of my favorites. I love sitting down with them for a quiet moment with a cup of tea. Finding beauty in the ordinary is a very special trait and I love reading your descriptions of the special moments in your days that make life meaningful. Love your blog!
Oh, Sunday, what a gracious thing to say. Thank you. Your words are kind. Aren’t they the best magazines? I save them and savor them over and over again.
Episode 3 in just a few hours. Enjoy Downton Abbey tonight.
Well, that was the nicest thing I’ve read all day. I’ve forgotten how much I enjoyed Beatrice Potter.
My once-in-a-while-day was just yesterday, when I finally received a long-overdue letter from my best friend. She lives in Thailand, and hates the Internet. The only way I hear from her is either through her son (on face book), or with her snail mail. I miss her. We’ve been friends for almost 40 years…
What a wonderful once-in-a-while day! With all the benefits of the Internet, there is nothing quite like having a letter-in-hand, especially from such a longtime friend. I’m so happy to hear of your snail mail gift yesterday, and of such a long lasting friendship. I know how precious those are.
Thank you and yes to Beatrix Potter. I never tire of her stories or of her artwork.
I love how you savour the simple things Penny – and then how you write such lovely, descriptive posts about them! Simple pleasures are the best, and so is a package in the post!
Oh, I do, Janet, and I appreciate your comments. You are so correct and I know you are waiting for Emily Dickinson. I hope it comes soon.
Dear Penny:
Another wonderful little chapter in your book of relivant thoughts! You take something we all take for granted and write the most beautiful description of the simple pleasures of life and how really important they are. . . . .if only I had that long walk to the mailbox. . .
Thank you, Mary Anne. I’ll be singing a different tune come August in the heat, with mosquitoes out for a bite or two and bringing in the mail an aerial attack. I never tire of your beautiful settings and the pictures of them and of your unique talent of putting things together. Inspiration comes in many forms.
Dear Penny,
I read the interchange between you and Perpetua with great interest. I know you are experiencing difficulties commenting on my blog. Today I learned that someone else is also.
Is it the word recognition aspect of my blog that is being difficult? If so, I could follow Perpetua’s lead. Please let me know.
Peace.
Hello, Dee. Yes, it is the word recognition/verification aspect and Perpetua’s action made it possible for me to finally leave a comment. My guess if that if two of us are having a problem, there are probably a few more. Good luck. I’ll check your blog again later and see if I can leave a comment then.
I just don’t have the words to say how much I love your words, your meditations, your descriptions. They are calming and filled with truth. Thank you, Penny.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your comment, Nan, and I thank you for it. You are welcome.
I’ve been having a hard time leaving comments on your blog, though still enjoy each and everyone.
Lovely post — I remember one day realizing for the first time that I was happy, just happy for no particular reason, not because of something I did, or something somebody did. for me. So many people wait for someone to bring them happiness.
What a wonderful realization that must have been, Sallie – just to know you were happy. Bliss. You’re right. People wait for happiness to come to them when it is often right there. Thank you so much for this comment. I’m smiling.
Lovely, Penny. This post really touched me, but differently than probably intended. I often miss my aunt who died rather suddenly a couple of years ago. She was “the one” who always got excited with me when I’d have a hawk sighting or something from the natural world would surprise me in my urban landscape! She lived in a more rural environment in Northern California and from much of what you describe I think your home settings would be similar. She had the long walk to the mail box, the deer, wild turkeys, and so much more. Your post really made me miss her! But in the best of ways… I so appreciate every time you post about your “wildlife sightings” and the beauty and appreciation of nature. Tonight I really appreciated it! Debra
I’m equally touched that this evoked memories of your dear aunt, Debra. I know that feeling of yearning that comes about at unexpected moments. I had an aunt that was special to me and though she passed away some years ago, every once-in-awhile I’ll reach for the phone to share a tidbit of life with her and catch myself. Thank you for telling me about your aunt. I imagine her presence in much of your adventures with your granddaughters.
What a lovely thought, Penny. Thank you!
One word comes to mind: charming. Thank you for such a lovely story!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much.