2014’s been a weird year, so part of me is just happy with being on an even keel at this point, to be honest. (That sounds really depressing, but it’s not meant to be.) But it’s the fall, which I love – I’m very happy when the days get colder and the trees turn new colors before they fall apart. Fall also means I start baking more, and the experimentation with sugars and chocolate and oats to make the ideal cookies is exciting in a truly nerdy way (75% dark brown sugar, 25% pure cane sugar, leave the dough in the fridge overnight – makes the cookies chewier).
What else? Looking for Moondog albums on vinyl. WGN’s Manhattan, which isn’t exactly “happy,” but is very good. The prospect that a new issue of Ganges might be on the horizon. Falling back in love with the Mirah album from earlier this year. Stuffs like that, I guess – and spending more time with Kate, the dogs, and friends.
Oh! Something that’s made me excited and happy recently, that’s been odd but wonderful: there was a week recently where I found myself looking after a few dogs in the neighborhood during the day because their owners were otherwise engaged. It wasn’t a big deal, but meant that every day at lunch, I’d go and visit these three dogs who’d be so ridiculously happy to see me, and we’d hang out. That was pretty great.
(Seriously, baking, listening to good music and hanging out with dogs while it’s autumnal and dark outside: That’s pretty much my definition of an ideal day. Just add in some good reading and I’m all set.)