We can never underestimate this truth: No matter who you are, the biggest thing you do in any day is most often going to be a small act of kindness, decency, or love. 

Paul Cotter

1. It was in the low 30s and clear this morning when I got up to fix my tea. It never got above 40 deg today, even though we had a decent amount of sunshine.

2. The Washington Post returned to its 25 Good Things that Happened in 2025.

3. B. and E. spent the morning running errands. Then this afternoon, B. and I went and ordered a small refrigerator for my room.

4. Breakfast was maple pecan granola with blueberries, a bowl of Del Monte red grapefruit, and a piece of Killer Dave’s toast with Polaner sugar-free jam. E. and I had planned on having cracked crab for supper, but, alas, it had gone bad in the frig. We’re falling back on a Jimmy John’s sandwich.

5. B. and I made it to the gym the second time in two days. We’re going to try and go every day. Amazingly, neither one of us was interested in any of the football games except LSU v Houston, so I’m going to spend the evening watching that.

How about you? What made you happy today?

The moon is spending an increased amount of time whispering a different necessary truth: Here, for all, are the lengthening hours of the night, a gift for repentance and restoration. For quiet and calm. For dreaming and releasing.  

Rachel Hackenberg

1. It was in the mid 30s and rain when I got up this morning. “They” said it was sleet, but I never saw any flakes. The sun came out mid morning and we’ve had sunshine and lovely weather. Still cold though – high in the mid 40s.

2. Luna and Erika have been out shopping, working, etc., all morning long. B. and I have been sitting around trying not to eat all the chocolate in the house.

3. Breakfast was two strips of bacon, two eggs, a bowl of Del Monte grapefruit, and a piece of Killer Dave’s toast with Polaner sugar-free jam. Lunch was Lite Clam Chowder. I don’t know what’s for supper, but I know it will be good.

4. The man from Home Depot is coming this afternoon to look at my closet and tell me how much it would cost to redo it. If it’s too pricey, Bill and I will try to do it ourselves. But I’m hoping that I can mentally accept the cost and get it done professionally. Fingers crossed.

5. B. and I are PLANNING to go to the gym. I really need to do that. I’ve managed to put on two pounds (see #2) in two days.

How about you? What made you happy today?

The things we yearn for – the end of racism and white supremacy, the end of poverty, the end of oppression, the end of addiction, the end of homelessness, the end of homo/transphobia, the end of all things that diminish and destroy – these don’t come magically. Thoughts and prayers don’t make these things happen. Justice comes when God’s people stop waiting and get to work turning themselves around. 

Debra Avery

1. Merry Christmas. It was in the 30s with wet streets when I woke up this morning. We’ve had grey skies and clouds all day with drizzle. Fortunately the wind hasn’t been blowing too much. High temperature has been in the low 40s.

2. The doggies “knew” something was going on. They started woofing about 5:30 a.m. when it was still dark. They’re as bad as little kids. They insisted that we get up and open presents by 7:15.

3. We had either Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, or Pillsbury orange rolls for breakfast. We grazed through the Christmas candy, and the stockings offerings. We’re having roast beast, crab legs, mashed potatoes, etc., for dinner about 4:00 pm.

4. I got an Oregon Duck pillow for my bed that comes with a nightlight that puts stars on the ceiling. Also an electric lap blanket, and a new tea pot.

5. I had a nice visit on the phone with all the siblings, and progeny. Most were too busy to talk for long, but it was good to hear from them.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

Calvin Coolidge

1. It was 40 deg around dawn. Bill, Luna, and went down to Portland for the day and to get out of Erika’s hair. We had a lot of rain while we were traveling. On the way home we lost the rain in The Dalles. Much easier driving without all the spray.

2. It took us about three hours to get to Portland, with no problems.

3. We picked up two presents that Bill had ordered and ate lunch at Raising Cane’s. It’s an okay chicken fingers place. I think it’s native to Louisiana, consequently why B. and L. like it.

4. After we left The Dalles, we had pretty weather.

5. The Columbia River is VERY low. We’re going to be in trouble this spring if it doesn’t rain – a lot more.

How about you? What made you happy today?

We are all born happy. Life gets us dirty along the way, but we can clean it up.

isabel Allende

1. It was 35 deg and cloudy when I got up this morning. It managed to get up to 43 deg this afternoon. Cloudy all the way.

2. The housekeepers came today – clean sheets on the bed, emptied waste baskets, clean bathrooms. I also got the bed linen and towels washed, dried, folded, and put (sort of) away.

3. Breakfast was two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, a bowl of Del Monte grapefruit, and a piece of Killer Dave’s toast with Polaner sugar-free jam. Lunch was a bowl of chicken flavored noodles. There’ll be something for supper, I feel sure.

4. I changed the picture on my watch to Santa. I also changed the watch band to red and black. I’ll go back to the Duck (#GoDucks!) next week.

That’s one of my favorite things about the Apple Watch.

5. Greisser Girls Gab is this afternoon. We’re meeting an hour early, because my Arkansas sister wants to watch a hockey game…

How about you? What made you happy today?

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.  

John Muir

1. It was 37 deg and clear when I woke up this morning. We’ve had alternating clouds and sun today, but it hasn’t helped the temperature much. High this afternoon was 48 deg.

2. I got the dishwasher emptied, and started to refill it, all the while loading the clothes dryer with my shirts and slacks that I had washed before breakfast.

3. Breakfast was maple pecan granola, with blueberries, and a piece of Killer Dave’s toast with Polaner sugar-free jam. Lunch was a Thai salad with greens, Thai dressing, and grilled steak. I’ll eat something later to stave off starvation.

4. B. and I planned to go to the post office to mail some cards to the siblings, and when we got in the car, it reminded him (and me) that he had a lunch date with two folks from his work. So I went along with him and got a wonderful salad. (see #3)

5. When we got home, there was a box with a lot of little presents from Marianne. I also finally got my clothes dried, and folded. I’ll wait to hang them up after the “professional” closet builders come on Friday.

How about you? What made you happy today?

How are we going to get through this craziness, I asked. There was silence for a moment. “Left foot, right foot, left foot, breathe,” he said.

Anne Lamott

1. It was in the mid-30s and cloudy when I woke up this morning. The current temperature is 43 deg and that’s probably the high for the day. Still cloudy and cold.

2. It’s the solstice. The world has turned, and the darkness is going. Welcome the return of the light.

3. Three years ago today, I was in the hospital with a heart attack. Great care, and careful eating and exercising, and I’m fine. Thank you, Al, for staying in the Air Force and retiring so that you, and now I, have lifetime health care!

4. B. and I had planned to upgrade my clothes closet today, but after looking at the work that would be required, and the cost, I decided to have a professional come and give me an estimate for them to do it. If I’m going to live here for 10 to 15 years (God willing), I want it like I want it. We’ll see what the delta is…

5. Once we decided that we were going to let the professionals do the work on my closet, we took a ride, and Bill showed me some more of the area around and near Kennewick. When I moved over here I got confused and mentally, I’ve been thinking that the Columbia River was south of town, but NO – it’s the northern border… I have to bring myself up short every time I try to figure out where I am…

How about you? What made you happy today?

The destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in. 

Harold Clarke Goddard

1. It was 37 deg and clearing when I got up this morning. Now it’s 47 deg and mostly cloudy. I don’t think it’s going to get any warmer. I’ve had to run my little space heater most of the day.

2. I rode with B. when he went to run some errands this morning. One of the places we went was downtown Kennewick. I had never been. It has a Main Street that could have been relocated from Texarkana. It looks so different from the part I know – not unlike Texarkana.

3. Breakfast was three cinnamon rolls and a bowl of Del Monte red grapefruit.. Lunch was two eggs, two strips of bacon, and a glass of orange juice. I have no idea what’s for supper, but it better be portable, because (see #5).

4. B. and E. have left the house to do some more Christmas shopping. I appreciate the errands they run for me, when I don’t have transportation.

5. The Ducks play James Madison at 5:00 pm. #GoDucks They are favored, and I’ve got my fingers crossed.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Even in the darkest days, the moon and sun make their ancient, reliable journeys. Birds sing. Some green thing insists on growing in a ravaged land. Our own human life force refuses to give up.

Trebbe Johnson

1. It was 40 deg this morning early. There wasn’t much, or any advance on the temperature. High this afternoon was 46 deg. That’s the expected high for today.

2. I got the kitchen cleaned up after breakfast – unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. B. spent the morning “working from home”. That mostly consisted of talking to several people from work on the phone, and wrapping Christmas presents.

3. Breakfast was two poached eggs on Killer Dave’s toast, a bowl of Del Monte red grapefruit, and another piece of Killer Dave’s toast with Polaner sugar-free jam. Lunch was a wedge of apple pie. I’ll probably have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for supper.

4. B. is officially on vacation as of 1:00 pm today. He’s the one who lured me into having apple pie for lunch. He’s enjoying watching TV this afternoon. Apple TV has lots of short series to keep him entertained.

5. Alabama v Oklahoma is in the first playoff game this afternoon at 5:00 pm PDT. You will undoubtedly become tired of hearing me post about football. Just remember that after the National Championship I won’t have anything to look forwards to for many, many days.

How about you? What made you happy today?