Small Moments

of connection

Hi, friend,

I hope your September has started off well! It’s been a bit cooler here in Portland, downright pleasant outside. I have a three-day weekend away from my day job, thank all the powers that be. I need some rest!

Not necessarily what I think of as rest, though. More like the purposeful doing of what helps me feel connected to other people—human and non-human alike.

A friend and I went to see Janelle Monae in concert last night and the people-watching was SPECTACULAR. People wore the clothes that made them feel gorgeous and we saw a number of people we knew among them. There was lots of laughter and fun and lots of dancing. Witnessing other people’s joy makes me feel as happy as my own.

(For anyone wondering, Janelle Monae was Phenomenal.)

Today, I met another friend for lunch. We ate outside in the cool breeze and were surprised and fascinated to have our catch-up time hijacked by yellow jackets coming after our fried chicken. I’ve never seen a yellow jacket break off a bite of fried chicken and fly away with it until today. We started off good natured about it. Eventually, we gave up though. I mean, they were YELLOW JACKETS. And they were absolutely beautiful. We watched them in wonder as long as we could.

On the way home, I saw a yellow road sign noting an upcoming crosswalk. Some enterprising artist had lined the entire sign—both parts and the pole they were fastened to—with metallic purple streamers. I drove by with a little more care than I might usually take, celebrating the fun and also the drawing of attention to our collective safety.

Connection is the good stuff. I hope you’re getting all you need as well.

All my best,
Leslie