Found Exhortation
The nicest places to walk these days are the alleys.

thoughts on how we fit into the web of community, family and society
The nicest places to walk these days are the alleys.

What is bringing you joy?

I am not missing getting a mani-pedi. Never did manicures. Stopped polishing my toenails right before I went to India in 2017 because it was one of the things that I was holding onto that I could let go of that was bad for the environment. I’d been painting my toenails for long enough that it took several months before they looked clear.
I’m glad I don’t miss painted toenails. I would have, however, preferred to see my hairdresser of 36 years, rather than have snipped at the back of my hair myself this afternoon.
Did you practice any yoga today? Did you find yourself raging or grieving over the cruelty, injustice, ignorance, and selfishness in this country? Did you appreciate something in your life? Did you speak out and/or give money or time? For me, that’s pretty much been a daily “yes” to all those questions for years.


My first reaction when seeing young people go past my house without a mask, is to ask, where’s your mask? My second reaction may not be kind. I am trying to make a habit of thinking, may they be happy–starting in the middle of the litany.
That may be more about enlightened self-interest, than exercising true compassion, but it’s a start.

What are you reading this week?

Protest is patriotic.

To what and to whom shall we offer our reverence and create our social altars? How do those choices define us and others?


At lunchtime, I walked out to go to the bank and to pick up some pre-ordered kitchen supplies. Every time I go out, things have changed.