Cold Weather, Warm Heart

Here in Portand, the winter weather consists mostly of dark gray skies and drizzling rain with moderate temps. But once a year, the rain turns into snow. Everyone is seized with a sense of wonder if the snow actually sticks. Sleds are tested on our hilly neighborhood roads - you won’t be driving if the snow sticks anyway, not in this city. Snow men are lovingly rolled - I saw a group of six sitting roundly on patio furniture, having a barbecue in someone’s yard (a dangerous pastime for snowmen).

On one such day this winter, while out on a walk in the cold, I encountered something I hadn’t seen before. I saw a neighborhood family (from child to gran), bundled up and sitting out on their driveway around a warm chiminea. They had a sign that read “Free Hot Chocolate!” and one of the children waved at me wildly. Did I want some? Of course I did. Their mom offered me various toppings while warmly pouring hot chocolate from a large thermos into my cup. I accepted two marshmallows, beaming with delight.

A little kindness goes a long way.

Little Free Library

I just love little free libraries, they have provided me with so much joy. I will walk up a steep hill in a downpour to check and see if there are new titles in a neighborhood library. I enjoy leaving my own books for other readers as well. I’d love to have my own little free library someday. Someday, when I can afford a house, I will set up a little free library in the yard and curate it’s contents for you. Not only will I share books, I will share plants - I can’t seem to stop propagating them. In this way I will perpetuate another simple pleasure I have enjoyed; the distinct pleasure of finding plants with cheerful little signs reading “Free” or “Take One” and me proceeding to carry them all the way back home. The plants and books from my neighbors have filled my heart as much as my garden and my bookshelf.