It’s Monday and it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I teach 6 and 7 year olds and I’m wearing my pesto-green vans and completed 8 parent conferences today before 3pm.
Like most days I come home knowing I have a blog post to write and still have absolutely no idea what I will write about. And then, in the few minutes I had to check my ever-multiplying email inbox (that tripled–at least–in volume while I taught and conferenced today), I came across a wonderful recommendation from a colleague. My fellow writing project directors share their newsletters — so inspiration can find me with just a click.
She shared a blog post in her newsletter called A List of Things I Love, a wonderful rambling poetic meander through time and the little so-called ordinary things that make life extraordinary. I knew it was special when it began with the 2-word sentence: I love. (Do you hear the strike of inspiration hitting?) I could do that! Although I have no illusions of mine list matching the breadth and whimsy. But here’s an early draft that I hope to come back to later.
I love. I love a Monday afternoon when I come into the house and the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cooks wraps me in a warm and chocolaty hug after teaching and complicated and rewarding conversations with eight families. I love a blue-sky day after a week of rain, when my jacket hangs on the back of my chair and the sun feels warm when I walk outside. I love tulips in a vase, a whisper of spring color and a reminder of the beauty of daring to blossom, even knowing that these cut flowers will soon droop, dancing as they drop their petals.
I love the beach in all seasons, but especially when the tide is low and the beach is wide. I love the egrets and the pelicans and the tiny sandpipers that move in unison with the breath of the sea. I love the treasure hunt of the tidepool and the excitement when orange sea stars appear…a constellation of wonder and hope. I love learning about nudibranchs and finally seeing one in all its colorful glory in its home habitat.
I love books that invite a deep dive and force you underwater in the silence of words, immersing you in an experience so real that laughter and tears are necessary expressions of a heart touched. I love songs that curl into the corners of my ears, bringing long lost memories forward for remembering again and again.
I love when writing pushes time away making room for ideas to explore and expand as fingers and neurons intertwine. I love the mystery of a readers’ response, will my loves resonate and spark ideas and loves in another. What loves emerge for you?
Thinking Through My Lens 
This is a wonderful slice, and I can see why the format caught your imagination. You wrote so clearly about all the things that you love that I can smell the chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven and the salty, tangy smell of the beach.
Thanks so much—it’s funny how the words pour out when you find the perfect format!
Oh my goodness – your post resonated with me – from your pesto colored vans to your loves! I never heard of a nudibranch before – but they are Beautiful. I’ve been writing poems about foods I love so your post was right in line with what I’m concentrating on this month! Thank you!
I love a meandering list of things people love! You have now made me want chocolate chip cookies…:) Thanks for sharing with us!
They were delicious! 😋
I love that you were late posting which made you first to post today so I could find you. I’m an early AM poster! You are right – those two words got you started! Your descriptions and word choice took me to the kitchen, to the beach, to your book and to write. Thanks for posting so late. Lucky me to read and be inspired by your writing process and beautiful descriptions.
I love is a wonderful anaphoric phrase to use. You take us through some beautiful descriptions and that photo! of the nudibranchs, a creature I’ve never heard of, much less seen. In so many ways your Pacific habitat is fascinating and foreign to me.
Nudibranchs are amazingly beautiful (especially considering they are slugs!). I wish I saw them more often.
The things you love made me smile. Isn’t it wonderful how, as different as we all are, the same things can be loved by us all!? Such a “lovely” post – thank you!
I love this!! Can’t believe you can come home to the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. How novel. Your beach photos are amazing and breathtaking. But what you write about reading and writing is so beautifully captured! I love the words you chose. So poetic and spot on. What a great prompt. I certainly hope to use it. – Heidi
Kim, this is such a gorgeous post, both in your language and your photos. I’m totally wowed by all the photos, but especially the one of the nudibranch. What an amazing creature! (Your tidal pool photos often make me want to take off and visit your coast.) Thanks for sharing a great structure, too. I suspect we might see a lot of “I love” lists in the next few days. Yours will be a hard act to follow!
Don’t you just love these colorful little slug-like creatures? What’s not to love about a tide pool? (Except that I worry about those vulnerable little creatures that live there!)
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