heart raptures

otherwise known as the list of things i live for…. i originally had intended to write a list of 100 things – but it’s hard to think of a 100 original things and this list has been sitting partially completed for the last two months. i have decided to post as is and add to it over time.

1) the crakow klezmer band
2) the sunrise over mount baker as seen from the lion’s gate bridge
3) my lover when he gets that look in his eye
4) the spawning sockeye on the adams river “like millions of roses”
5) letters from children
6) an eagle feather found on the beach
7) swimming naked in a crystal alpine lake after two days of hiking
8) “the red cedar” by emily carr
9) a shooting star in the early morning dark – and not knowing of anything more to wish for than that
10) the sound of hard rain hitting the roof when snuggled in a warm bed
11) high storm clouds passing over a bright moon on a windy night
12) flowers rescued from a dumpster
13) roasted beets
14) being kissed good morning on the back of the neck
15) dammit – cliche yes – but sunrises in general
16) the northern lights over the howe sound at 5 in the morning
17) luscious red flowers spilling open on a spring afternoon
18) letters from friends who have come through the struggle the better for it
19) finishing large and long projects
20) meeting a fellow traveller unexpectedly
21) organic, dark coffee (fair trade of course!)
22) the romantic melancholy of missing loved ones
23) a cold beer and a good political argument at the WISE
24) the brandenburg concertos (particularly 1 and 3)
25) sparks when meeting someone for the first time
26) standing up to the cops with a crowd full of angry people
27) winning someone’s job back after they have been laid off
28) the scent of cedar trees
29) playing my fiddle until my fingers hurt
30) children dancing to said fiddle playing
31) resistance of all kinds
32) knowing the people out there who love me think of me from time to time
33) serial radio dramas (thanks cbc for that peculiar fancy)
34) wild strawberries
35) seeing bears in the wild
36) fiction so compelling it seeps into everyday life
37) good accordion playing
38) eclectic friends and eccentric co-workers
39) politically conscious music
40) going on strike (what you lose in pay, you gain in dignity)
41) getting the lyrics to a new song just right
42) collectively creating
43) potluck feasting
44) mountains from all vantage points
45) being humbled by those who know so much more than me
46) learning new things about marine life and the sea
47) a decent red wine and a long conversation
48) my women friends who so rock my world
49) meeting a new mentor
50) smoked salmon and avacado on kavli crackers

grateful? why yes, i am…..