Things I really like right now
Clementines.
Don’t they look irresistible, piled in that slatted wooden box? It makes you think absurd things like, “I could totally eat a box of clementines. What is that, like, fifty of them? Whatevs. Bring it.”
I think I had that exact thought. But I have always, always disliked that song “Oh my darlin’ Clementine.”
I like the future. It is awesome. And not just because it will definitely contain flying bullet-shaped silver cars with snack bars that restock themselves automatically. But because it can contain anything. It’s full of second chances. And third chances. And a gazillion more chances. You might get it wrong today, and then try to get it right for two weeks, and on the 13th day you mess everything up and feel like you’re starting from scratch, but then on the 4th day after that everything might fall into place. Or five years later, everything might fall into place. Isn’t it cool that everything might fall into place?
I like pillows. I have too many of them. I have this fantasy about a room that has a floor covered with pillows. Sometimes it’s more than a fantasy, but that’s usually right before I finally decide it’s time to clean the apartment. In the fantasy, though, it’s a clean floor, and no one has tracked a horrifying cocktail of virulent germs from the depths of the subway system and the contaminated sidewalks of Times Square across it. I think pillows make couches look ten times better. I think every bed should have at least four pillows on it. I don’t know what happened to me as a child that caused this. But at least I don’t like fancy pillows. No ruffles or satin or beads. They should be simple and soft.
I like my dad. And my brother’s kitten. He was helping her find her toy, and then they were just hanging out:
I like that my brother, who is 21 and works out every day and has the respect of other (occasionally questionable) young men, loves this kitten a lot. And that his friends love this kitten a lot. And that his friends come over just to see this kitten sometimes. And hope she’ll be tired, so that they can pet her (when she’s not tired, she’s impossible to catch).
I like bagels with cream cheese and butter at the same time.
I like Bear’s arms.
OK, it’s true. I really like taking pictures of the kitten. It turns out I’m just like everyone else.
I like all of these people:
And a lot of other things, too. Like leaves and clear plastic chairs and wooden bowls and the Star Trek movie.
* * *
Un-roast: Today I love the way I feel when I am goofing off.
P.S. There’s a part of me that feels like this cheerful little post is wildly inappropriate, because of Japan. I feel like I should write something about how terrifying the world can be, and how concerned I am about everyone who is struggling through the aftermath of too many disasters. But honestly, I don’t know how to talk about that right now. It’s too big. So instead I’m talking about little things that make the world better. I hope that’s OK.
Kate on March 14th 2011 in Uncategorized
Cassie responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 12:54 pm #
I like that you love Bear’s arms. I’m looking at them and thinking of my own husband’s big furry warm arms and missing him while he’s at work today. One of the first pictures he sent me of himself was one of him with his dog, Joy. His right arm was draped over the dog’s neck like they were college buddies and I thought, “I could get used to those arms.” I have never been much of an animal person as a general rule, but there is nothing cuter to me than a big furry lurch of a man cuddling up to something smaller and cute.
Cassie responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 12:55 pm #
P.S. Your family is wicked cute. Families are awesome.
B1 responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 1:03 pm #
Kate, I love the Feel-Goodiness of your post today. It counters my feel-gloominess today. I love your dad with your brother’s cat and all of the additional kitten pictures (with and without other people). Makes me want a kitten even more now.
Jeremiah responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 2:03 pm #
I don’t know why, but the pictures of your dad reminded me of a time when Bear’s mom and my wife were off shopping or something and his dad was at work, so I was left with the responsibility of taking care of little Bear, who was about a year old or less. I took a nap, lying on my back on his parents’ bed, with bear asleep on my chest. I think his mom took a picture of us when they came home.
There’s a picture of it in my head, anyway.
Thanks for the lovely post.
Kate responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 2:17 pm #
@Jeremiah
That’s so sweet! Thanks for sharing the memory. I want to see that picture now.
Jak responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 3:32 pm #
We can do both; that is, we can feel sad and bad about all the crap that’s rolling across the world as well as trying to find some little bit of light in our life. If we don’t we’ll drown in the sorrow.
I love taking pictures of my pets. It’s impossible to get one of them on film, though, because he’s so dark. If there isn’t an ton of light streaming down on him he won’t show up.
Sooz responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 6:18 pm #
Very okay. And much needed. thanks for the cheery love note.
Valerie @ Life 4 me by me responded on 14 Mar 2011 at 10:42 pm #
I love peeling Clementines, popping the sweet bits in my mouth. I love, love the wood box they come in. I adore the pictures of your Dad playing with the kitty. Adorable!
2girlsonabench responded on 15 Mar 2011 at 12:13 am #
Clementines rule. You’re right to talk about good stuff, we’ll get our fill of the bad stuff on CNN.
Brittany responded on 15 Mar 2011 at 9:32 am #
Clementines are like a gateway drug! You think, “Oh, they’re tiny. I’ll just eat one, maybe two.” An hour later you’ve polished off some number in the double digits’ worth of clementines. This happens to me at work every year! Someone brings in a box and they get placed on the treat table that’s right behind my desk. So addictive!!
San D responded on 15 Mar 2011 at 8:21 pm #
And don’t forget the cool Clementines’ box. LOVE IT! Not only am I enamoured with the fruit, but have to have the cool little box. It’s not a crate, but kinda, it’s got feet if you put it in a sort of table, or they can be a container….I like putting them around as pedestals with stuff on them. As for the kitty, I used to tell my female students NOT to date men who didn’t love cats (or couldn’t say the word “magenta”). It’s a test that weeds out the sensitive intellectual ones from the cro-“mag”man. (you wouldn’t believe how many young men say MAGneta when they see the word!).
Kate responded on 15 Mar 2011 at 8:53 pm #
San D
Ha!! The box is awesome.
And yes, it’s important that young men appreciate cats. Mine thinks kittens are really cute and loves to play with them.
Mrs. Muffins responded on 17 Mar 2011 at 10:54 pm #
I’m not sure if I’ve commented on your blog yet… but I love it and I thought you should know. I also love clementines. And kitties.
xx