Simple Pleasures

What delightful days these last four have been! Warm and clear; lovely in every respect. I have taken advantage of the weather by daily climbing the mountain near my house, an activity I have not enjoyed since winter began. It looks so different now than it did six months ago. The short, spindly trees are bare, and the earth, still covered with the brown leaves of autumn, is damp. At first I was disappointed by this contrast with the flourishing green of several months ago, but now I find it enchanting in it's own quiet way.

My room-mate, Teresa, will be leaving a week from today. The thought is unreal, so doesn't yet effect me one way or another. No doubt I'll miss her, but I know that rather with my head than with my heart, so I am able to help her pack, etc., with neither foreboding nor loneliness.

As one friend leaves, another comes. I will see Petra on Thursday, the anticipation of which is, contrary to the above, ­anything but unreal. I've no doubt of being heartily blessed and encouraged by her visit.

My back has been more sore, lately, than usual. The knot in my right shoulder, never quite absent, is tight and aches relentlessly. I suppose that the monotonous motions of knitting probably aggravate the mischief, though I occupy myself less with that now than before.

Rather, I have taken into my head the notion of making a rag rug. Teresa has a mountain of clothes to get rid of. I keep myself amused by tearing these into long, thin strips, to be later tied together and braided into that rug with which I hope to make the middle room more comfortable and homey. The prospect pleases me.

I have found a restaurant that gives free coffee refills! Teresa and I were dining comfortably together; I had no anticipation of any occurrence out of the ordinary. The coffee had been remarkably delicious, but came in that very small mug that indicates some stinginess on behalf of its server. Sitting thus, engaged in pleasant conversation, I was surprised to have my empty cup replaced with a full one. The surprise quickly gave way to a hearty benevolence. What warm and cozy feelings a good cup of coffee excites! Something akin to a blazing fire, or an intriguing book; the smell of chocolate, or the crisp sound of autumn leaves under foot. Simple pleasures, are after all, the fullest.