We lost our old dog (Lab/Golden/German Shepherd) in February two months short of 14 years. When he was about 7 there was a small flowerbed in the back of the yard with city park behind us. One day two little bunnies I didn't know were living in the flowerbed ventured about 20 feet into the park. Chester saw them and ran full speed for them. I didn't know what he was going to do, but he just gently sniffed them and carefully herded them back to the garden. It was so neat to watch.
Yes, the little things make the world more livable. They're important. I don't usually share them with anyone (they wouldn't understand, these are quite subjective) I just cherish them on my own for a little while. Interestingly enough, I remember a lot of them even after years.
My minutiae buddy right now is my 4 year old. He is always noticing the little things, especially on this trip. "Mama, look... Bugs. Geckos. Worms. Roly-polies. Teeny tiny fairy flowers. Hila-hila(sleeping plant). This stain looks like a dog nose." I've been thinking about getting him his own camera to take pictures so I can see what interests him. I wanted to get a disposable... But it felt...wasteful? Digital cameras are a bit expensive. I'll have to think about it.
I remember those early days of digital cameras, smart phones, and social media. There used to be this app that you'd take a one second video every day and then it'd stitch it all together. That was a really cool video of your life in a year. I wish I still had it. I wish there was a way to share a photo in a comment here.
I think it’s so important to notice and appreciate the little things. Sometimes they are all you have during a difficult time.
I have recently noticed a little visitor every morning outside my bedroom window. The first time I thought, “oh aren’t you cute” and thanked it for visiting. Then like clockwork, every morning around 8:00am when I get up and look out the window, he/she is there nibbling on the grass and buttercups beside my driveway. Same time, same spot every morning, a little Snowshoe Hare. I open the window and talk to it and it stares at me and moves its ears around, as if it’s listening to me. It’s not afraid at all. I’d like to believe that it’s lonely and comes to say hi and hear me say hi to it. (I know that’s anthropomorphizing). It usually sticks around about 20-30 minutes and then hops off into the forest. Since the loss of my two dogs this past winter, I’ve come to cherish these visits from this little furry friend. 🐰
I'm in Australia. . I mean "nowhere" Australia lol...
I love that at the veterinarians here, in the entry, are perhaps a dozen, maybe more, photos of Momo..
EVERY time I enter, which is perhaps yearly to help people I've met here ease a passing, I go into the story of Momo...how much that snowflake-falling video whith him staring into the camera enriched my life..
Just wanted you to know that even down under, is an admiring Texas hermit 👍🏻🫶👍🏻
My best friend of over 40 years passed away about 8 months ago, entirely unexpectedly. She was a photographer and sent me a photo every single day for years. I have literally hundreds of photos of minutiae that I can go back and wander through any time I want, when I'm missing her - which is often. It's hard to not talk to her every day. I had no idea how big the meaning of all those little things would be. I cherish them now. And hopefully am better now at cherishing in real time, too, not just in retrospect.
i had a bout of vertigo over the past few weeks, that forced me to slow down and stay closer to home for a bit. The silver lining was in really noticing the squirrels and birds in my yard, seeing all of the neighborhood kitties who stop by, and also truly sitting still and admiring how beautiful my hydrangeas were!
The people I can share the minutiae with are the ones that no matter how long it has been we pick right back up where we left off. I feel they are my true people.
Right now, my hubby and I are appreciating a praying mantis that has been eating small spiders and bugs on our backyard gate. "He" has been there for about two weeks. We both found this little one on our own and cautioned the other to be careful when using the back gate to make sure we cause him no harm. We laughed when we realized we'd both been being very careful and/or avoiding using the back gate if it meant possibly harming or making him move.
I've documented the mantis in photos over a few days - nothing exciting as he is generally in a similar spot. I know my minutiae people will appreciate him and the little way he watches make sure I am not going to cause him harm.
Lately I have been finding a lot of joy in the little things. I have noticed a beautiful hawk that keeps returning to my neighborhoods when I am driving to work. I paused while stepping out to observe a Carolina Wren taking a dirt bath in my front yard. I found two walking sticks while taking out the trash, and was amazed how well they blended into the plants that I safely set them down on so they wouldn't be crushed by the trash-truck. These are the things that bring me joy.
We lost our old dog (Lab/Golden/German Shepherd) in February two months short of 14 years. When he was about 7 there was a small flowerbed in the back of the yard with city park behind us. One day two little bunnies I didn't know were living in the flowerbed ventured about 20 feet into the park. Chester saw them and ran full speed for them. I didn't know what he was going to do, but he just gently sniffed them and carefully herded them back to the garden. It was so neat to watch.
Wow that could have ended differently but instead turned into a fairytale 🥲
Yes, the little things make the world more livable. They're important. I don't usually share them with anyone (they wouldn't understand, these are quite subjective) I just cherish them on my own for a little while. Interestingly enough, I remember a lot of them even after years.
Private minutiae category unlocked
My minutiae buddy right now is my 4 year old. He is always noticing the little things, especially on this trip. "Mama, look... Bugs. Geckos. Worms. Roly-polies. Teeny tiny fairy flowers. Hila-hila(sleeping plant). This stain looks like a dog nose." I've been thinking about getting him his own camera to take pictures so I can see what interests him. I wanted to get a disposable... But it felt...wasteful? Digital cameras are a bit expensive. I'll have to think about it.
I remember those early days of digital cameras, smart phones, and social media. There used to be this app that you'd take a one second video every day and then it'd stitch it all together. That was a really cool video of your life in a year. I wish I still had it. I wish there was a way to share a photo in a comment here.
Kids are the best at it ... oh the one second app! I remember doing that for a few weeks ... but great idea haha.
I think it’s so important to notice and appreciate the little things. Sometimes they are all you have during a difficult time.
I have recently noticed a little visitor every morning outside my bedroom window. The first time I thought, “oh aren’t you cute” and thanked it for visiting. Then like clockwork, every morning around 8:00am when I get up and look out the window, he/she is there nibbling on the grass and buttercups beside my driveway. Same time, same spot every morning, a little Snowshoe Hare. I open the window and talk to it and it stares at me and moves its ears around, as if it’s listening to me. It’s not afraid at all. I’d like to believe that it’s lonely and comes to say hi and hear me say hi to it. (I know that’s anthropomorphizing). It usually sticks around about 20-30 minutes and then hops off into the forest. Since the loss of my two dogs this past winter, I’ve come to cherish these visits from this little furry friend. 🐰
Anthropomorphize is what we do and this is the perfect exercise of it aha. Love that.
I'm in Australia. . I mean "nowhere" Australia lol...
I love that at the veterinarians here, in the entry, are perhaps a dozen, maybe more, photos of Momo..
EVERY time I enter, which is perhaps yearly to help people I've met here ease a passing, I go into the story of Momo...how much that snowflake-falling video whith him staring into the camera enriched my life..
Just wanted you to know that even down under, is an admiring Texas hermit 👍🏻🫶👍🏻
thanks for letting me share him with you 🥲
My best friend of over 40 years passed away about 8 months ago, entirely unexpectedly. She was a photographer and sent me a photo every single day for years. I have literally hundreds of photos of minutiae that I can go back and wander through any time I want, when I'm missing her - which is often. It's hard to not talk to her every day. I had no idea how big the meaning of all those little things would be. I cherish them now. And hopefully am better now at cherishing in real time, too, not just in retrospect.
Wow
That’s tragic. I’m sorry for your loss
She’s brightening days for others now wherever she is above 👆
i had a bout of vertigo over the past few weeks, that forced me to slow down and stay closer to home for a bit. The silver lining was in really noticing the squirrels and birds in my yard, seeing all of the neighborhood kitties who stop by, and also truly sitting still and admiring how beautiful my hydrangeas were!
Sorry to hear about the vertigo, but what a lovely silver lining. The flora and fauna of the yard are an entire world!
We have a little birdfeeder and it attracks mostly woodpeckers. It's a great start of the day to watch them.
The people I can share the minutiae with are the ones that no matter how long it has been we pick right back up where we left off. I feel they are my true people.
Right now, my hubby and I are appreciating a praying mantis that has been eating small spiders and bugs on our backyard gate. "He" has been there for about two weeks. We both found this little one on our own and cautioned the other to be careful when using the back gate to make sure we cause him no harm. We laughed when we realized we'd both been being very careful and/or avoiding using the back gate if it meant possibly harming or making him move.
I've documented the mantis in photos over a few days - nothing exciting as he is generally in a similar spot. I know my minutiae people will appreciate him and the little way he watches make sure I am not going to cause him harm.
Monday night I took a picture of my chihuahua sleeping. Tuesday morning he woke up blind. That picture is the last one of him before his new normal.
Lately I have been finding a lot of joy in the little things. I have noticed a beautiful hawk that keeps returning to my neighborhoods when I am driving to work. I paused while stepping out to observe a Carolina Wren taking a dirt bath in my front yard. I found two walking sticks while taking out the trash, and was amazed how well they blended into the plants that I safely set them down on so they wouldn't be crushed by the trash-truck. These are the things that bring me joy.
I completely know what you mean Andrew. I recently went to take a look at my old Tumblr blog I started back in 2008 and it made me realise how different the internet is today, so I wrote an essay about it this week: https://unwomanly.substack.com/p/the-internet-is-a-scary-place-to?r=1m3vhq
Are Boo and Yaya puppies here drinking from the water bowl ?
We have new kittens. I love just watching them grow and exploring.
Everything is new to them, fun and scary. It reminds me to stop and see.