Happy Things

The last post was about so many things gone wrong, and while there was more that made last week difficult, I AM ON VACATION and so I am wrapping myself in a while lot of happiness making. 

Things that are making me happy: 

- during a real hard week, a student and his mom surprised me with a Valentine's Day surprise -- teacher appreciation gifts (a Teaching Is My Heart cup with straw filled with hard candy, a teaching inspirational sign, a "Thanks for helping me grow" notepad with pen, Hershey kisses, and a Beach Escape candle). I literally cried. And then asked my student if I could hug him. It was the sentiment that mattered, not the stuff. That was the first filling of my bucket in a long while this year, and it made me so warm and fuzzy inside. (If you want to make a difference in a teachers life this year, send a note of appreciation, because holy hell that goes a long way!) 

- being in Vermont, in our favorite inn. Proof of vaccination is required or a negative PCR to stay, and you can't dine in the barn without vaccination. People are wearing masks in common areas. It's lovely. 

- a puzzle that is a topographical map of our area with our house in the center. So cool... From LL Bean, a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law. Brought the puzzle to Vermont along with an Owls & Owlets puzzle. 

- Going for a hike in Vermont (trails were all icy and Bryce valiantly offered to go first and promptly dumped it , so we decided to hike up a dirt road. 

- the Northshire Bookstore, a wonderland of gorgeously curated books and goodies. A smattering of my finds:

So many awesome things to fill me with happiness. It helps to focus on the house when the annoying/terrifying pops up:

- a HUGE influx of small children at the inn where typically it's been few and far between, including two tiny babies, one only FOUR WEEKS OLD. It doesn't bother me the way it used to, but it still feels a little like an invasion. And it makes me worried for the tiny vulnerable unvaccinated humans because...

- news of BA2, hopefully we miss it here as there were, like, 6 cases per day in this area, but people come from NYC and Boston areas that are wayyy more populated.  

- the looming school work that waits for me at home. Did not bring any. Trying to cleanse my mind. 

So I focus on this and feel way better:

Obligatory covered bridge shot

Quintessential New England church

Mmm nearly empty boulevardier from last night's dinner... Mmmmmm

Want to read more #Microblog Mondays (that perhaps are more micro than this?)? Go here and enjoy!