The Daily Three Beautifuls

This blog is being continued at "The New Three Beautifuls."


I ran into this site called Three Beautiful Things and loved the premise. What a healthy practice....to list three beautiful things a day! Theoretically, I want to start doing this. I'm not sure I can fit in one more commitment, but then I say, why not? LOL What's one more thing to do in a day, if it's worthwhile? (Thanks to Kathleen Callahan for the photo.)

The Daily Three Beautifuls

Okay...not ALWAYS daily, but frequent, anyway. I might change the name....to "The Frequent Three Beautifuls." Why does that, and the whole name change, sound so Monty Python to me?? "We are no longer the Knights Who Say Nee. We are now the Knights Who Say Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoom-boing-mumble-mumble."



May , 2007

1. Listening to my daughter yell from the porch about her sister, "Mom!! She didn't change her underwear!!" Ya just gotta laugh.

2. Being asked to think about the best thing that has happened in the past two days.

3. Looking forward to and not dreading the day.

May 20, 2007

1. http://agutie.homestead.com/files/children_1.html

2. Watching my children's faces as they watched a lived performance of "Oliver!"

3. Yellow honeysuckle.

May 14, 2007

1. A glorious Mother's Day spent with family by the water.

2. Walking with each daughter separately and loving the individual in them, letting them make me laugh at their wondrous humor.

3. My older daughter who notices everything scientific and biological, from the color of the plants to the parts of the bugs. And my younger daughter who can find fantasy in everything from fallen tree buds to pebbles.

May 6, 2007

1. http://susie1114.com/LiveALife.html

2. Waking to the feel of my husband next to me.

3. 18 more pages done in the 2007 scrapbook!

May 2, 2007

1. My husband, who make me feel beautiful.

2. A warm walk on a finally dry trail.

3. Emotional breakthroughs.

May 1, 2007

1. Definitions that actually clarify meaning.

2. Still being able to be "wow-ed" at my age.

3. Sometimes enjoying being capriciously me.

April 29, 2007

1. Everywhere, the living thrust of spring greenery.

2. My husband helping my daughter to carve a marshmallow roasting stick.

3. The girls' silly races--run with a chocolate chip cookie in your mouth, but don't bite it!

April 28, 2007

1. Orange lady bug landing on blooming honeysuckle.

2. Inu's muddy paws.

3. The Bluebell Trail.

April 25, 2007

1. A Mourning Dove visiting me in the morning.

2. The soulful sound of that dove on the rooftop.

3. Seven ways to view a Mourning Dove.

April 24, 2007

1. Reorganizing my daughter's bedroom and with a new bureau. Thanks, Ma!!

2. Observation leading to insight.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqfFrCUrEbY

April 23, 2007

1. Wearing a thin dress and no pantyhose.

2. Another pot of giant vegetable soup.

3. Three ways to look at a red azalea.

April 20, 2007

1. Warm, spring breeze on my face.

2. The fresh smell of white.

3. A fun weekend planned.

April 19, 2007

1. Rediscovering egg noodles.

2. A bathroom completed in pink.

3. Making a dent in the laundry pile.

April 18, 2007

1. Kale. What a great vegetable!

2. In spite of uncooperative nerves, working things out.

3. A day without too much wind.

April 14, 2007

1. Beating Word Whomp!!!!!

2. Waking up from good dreams to the sounds of singing birds and chatting children.

3. Waking up next to my husband.

April 11, 2007

1. HUGE veggie soup. So much fun to make, and so much fun to eat!

2. Letting my daughter talk my ear off.

3. Letting my mother talk my ear off!

April 10, 2007

1. Productivity.

2. Anticipating honor roll!

3. An eight-year-old smile.

April 9, 2007

1. Being reminded there is one more day of Spring Break! (How could I have overlooked that??)

2. An intense, satisfying workout that leaves your muscles knowing you worked out.

3. Whiting broiled in spray butter and lemon pepper seasoning. YUM!

April 8, 2007

1. Returning from a Transcendental vacation.

2. Celebrating flowers and resurrection.

3. Togetherness.

April 1, 2007

1. Looking forward to a vacation.....FINALLY!!!!!!

2. Finally finished painting......but still finding pink paint on my shoulder.

3. Preparing for the Easter season.

March 28, 2007

1. Our little squirrel friend who has visited faithfully every morning since we've been putting out seed.

2. So looking forward to Spring Break up north!

3. There is nothing more healing than water and air.

March 26, 2007

1. Cheesecake. OH MY GOD!!!!

2. A well earned nap.

3. Escape from the basement......

March 24, 2007

1. Concentrated scrapbooking.

2. Watching Little Women with my youngest lady.

3. The smell of a freshly laundered t-shirt.

March 23, 2007

1. That wonderful season of silence, before the sound of air conditioners take over the morning.

2. Feeding fresh wheat bread to Canadian geese.

3. Cold creek water and stones on canvass clad, needy feet.

March 22, 2007

1. Setting out seed for the birds.

2. Taking a moment to breathe.

3. Rewarding the kids for a job well done.

March 20, 2007

1. Two kitties amicably sharing space with the dog. Ah....peace!

2. Still enough time to play after homework!

3. Getting another wall painted.

March 19, 2007

1. bright, red Cardinal singing at the tip of a tall tree.

2. Red bellied Robin who doesn't care if it's cold.

3. Loving to fullest capacity.

March 17, 2007

1. Painting the kids' rooms.

2. Tearing out old rugs.

3. Finishing 2006 scrapbook!

March 16, 2007

1. Counting up cookie money while outside, the rain....

2. Arranging baskets.

3. Pretty little girls eating bowls of Cheerios in the morning.

March 15, 2007

1. Celebrating six years with my honey!!!

2. Forget all that and find your common ground.

3. You don't have to be perfect but you do have to be active. Don't just talk the talk.

March 14, 2007

1. Two hours of homework that yields some success.

2. Taking care of business and bodies but not busybodies.

3. The smell of spring, even if it's just a tease.

March 13, 2007

1. Letting the dog out to the sound of singing birds.

2. Black cat poised on a homemade cushion.

3. A warm bubble bath up to the neck.

March 12, 2007

1. Finally, a date with my honey hubby! : )

2. Cuddling on the couch and watching a good movie.

3. Girls cuddling up and looking comfy while reading.

March 11, 2007

1. All day, the girls playing out in the little woods behind our home.

2. Spring fever that makes you want to work on the house.

3. Kind neighbors.

March 10, 2007

1. Being loony.

2. Bike riding on a balmy day.

3. Turning off the heat and opening the windows.

March 9, 2007

1. Getting caught up on "paperwork."

2. Wondering about this lag I get whenever I type these entries, and then realizing it makes me think twice about what I am posting.

3. Thinking about human beings as an eclectic collection of the living.

March 8, 2007

1. And yet, ANOTHER snow day!

2. A couple of hours at Chuck-E-Cheeses, yielding a true appreciation for the sound of silence.

3. Spending a good part of the day doing things for others.

March 7, 2007

1. Holding out for hopefulness.

2. The silence of snow falling.

3. When in the course of human events.....

March 6, 2007

1. Overcoming nerves enough to give myself a headache.

2. Clapping for those who deserve it.

3. A good day at school. Yeah!!!!!

March 4, 2007

1. The momentary visual escape.

2. Meow of our black cat.

3. Hope breathing through March winds.

March 3, 2007

1. My younger daughter asking to watch Persuasion at 6:45 a.m.

2. All us girls going on a bike ride.

3. Selling Girl Scout cookies at Safeway. (I can't believe it.)

March 2, 2007

1. Persuasion.

2. Buying a new bike.

3. The great sigh of Friday.

March 1, 2007

1. Visible productivity.

2. Stamping out the fires and only a moderately burnt sole.

3. Black history--it's everyone's history.

February 28, 2007

1. Realizing I have lived in this (geographical) state for 8 years. Guess what, VA? You're stuck with me!

2. Celebrating my previous life as a gay black man in the Victorian age.

3. Loving my family more than anything else worth loving.

February 27, 2007

1. Realizing that just feeling the feeling can be a whole lot better than fighting it.

2. Quaint shops in the middle of nowhere.

3. The hum of the wheels that help get the hum out of your head.

February 26, 2007

1. An official ten-year-old!

2. The fun of desktop publishing.

3. Enjoying thinking.

February 25, 2007

1. Heavy snow dressing up bare branches.

2. Salted cashews.

3. Thank you, the best of all prayers.

February 24, 2007

1. Roller skating at this advanced age and with so little skill : )

2. The sounds of celebrating a whole decade of childhood.

3. A day-long perfect play date for three!

February 23, 2007

1. Working at work that makes work workable! WOW~!

2. The soft way my hair feels after a good conditioning.

3. A day of healthy eating.

February 22, 2007

1. New, shiny fire engines. How cool!

2. A whole room full of Girls Scout cookies!

3. Killing the procrastination bug.

February 21, 2007

1. A surprising, mid-winter melt.

2. And yet more household organizing.

3. Shutting off the heat and opening the slider to the great enjoyment of an appreciative cat.

February 20, 2007

1. Remembering the White Deer.

2. Cleaning out the clutter.

3. Recognizing people who are towers of strength.

February 19, 2007

1. "Colorado" by Judy Collins.

2. My mom calling and telling me she is getting better.

3. Kids looking forward to returning to school.

February 18, 2007

1. At long last, a peaceful walk with the birds and the wind.

2. Seagulls contending for pieces of bagel out of our hands.

3. Senses awakening on the beach in winter: chill, red cheeks and cold in our mouths.

February 17, 2007

1. The way my desk gets after I've had a creative bout.

2. Admitting I'd rather be somewhere else than out in the cold.

3. Working for a few hours on my daughter's birthday invitation.

February 16, 2007

1. Our finicky girl cat who adores our eldest daughter.

2. An unexpected winter break from school.

3. Great expectations.

February 15, 2007

1. Planning a romantic get-away.

2. Looking forward to a weekend away with family.

3. Getting tickets to Phantom of the Opera. And like....The Kennedy Center??? How cool is that???? (Never been to a big production like that before....can't wait!!!)

February 14, 2007

1. A day just for love.

2. A snow day on Valentine's Day....what could be better??

3. Children with a new sled, one that holds four people!

February 13, 2007

1. Actually, this is cheating. I forgot to 3BT on the 13th. I am playing catch-up and writing this on the 14th.

2. Fresh bagels.

3. Finally getting the bedroom dusted!

February 12, 2007

1. Being married to your Valentine.

2. The whole kitchen smelling like roses.

3. Baby's Breath and red berries in my Valentine roses.

February 11, 2007

1. My daughter singing in the bathtub.

2. A break in this head cold long enough to get a few unobstructed breaths.

3. Recalling the stupidity of Monty Python and The Quest for the Holy Grail.

February 10, 2007

1. Clearance racks at Wal-mart.

2. Talking to my much-missed crazy friends.

3. Teasing the children. Because parents have earned the right to do that once in awhile.

February 9, 2007

1. My daughter's hard-won honor role award!!

2. Baubles. I just love shiny things.

3. The heady scent of scrapbooking supplies.

February 8, 2007

1. Tom Petty.

2. Watching my girls absorbed in and enjoying their reading.

3. A good, thought provoking, respectful argument.

February 7, 2007

1. The Muppets.

2. Thick, doughy pizza.

3. A family trip to buy a vacuum.

February 6, 2007

1. Missing a day and it being okay.

2. Indian food.

3. Good report cards!

February 4, 2007

1. Dressing up for a change.

2. A little girl's song.

3. Getting it out there as a way to move on.

February 3, 2007

1. A giant, plush, pink blanket.

2. Green jelly beans.

3. Oh, orange and yellow jelly beans, too.

February 2, 2007

1. Warm bath and a good book.

2. Grape Crystal Light.

3. Snow flakes large enough to see the detail.

February 1, 2007

1. Taking the time to heal.

2. Indulging in creativity.

3. Sporadically checking for snow.

January 30, 2007

1. My husband, my guardian angel.

2. My children, angels of a peculiar variety.

3. Doing whatever we can.

January 29, 2007

1. Weird Al.

2. Introducing kids to your hobbies.

3. Sorting stickers.

January 28, 2007

1. Deep sleep.

2. Peaceful dreams.

3. Brisk walks in the cold.

January 27, 2007

1. Learning and sharing.

2. Being part and parcel.

3. A moment's respite from fear.

January 26, 2007

1. Fuzzy PJ's.

2. Spa gloves.

3. Weekends.

January 25, 2007

1. A use for anger.

2. A use for scraps.

3. Sometimes, the cold.

January 24, 2007

1. Finding something worthwhile.

2. Finishing a quilt, even if late.

3. Finishing a painting and finding it "not bad."

January 23, 2007

1. Being employed.

2. Feeling like you can contribute something meaningful.

3. Doing whatever it takes.

January 22, 2007

1. Snow days!

2. Sledding with the kids and earning a frozen butt.

3. The evolving wit of a nine-year-old.

January 21, 2007

1. Our South American heritage.

2. The panflute.

3. Finally, the first snow of the season.

January 20, 2007

1. Ice cream with coconut and walnuts.

2. Never being too old to host a sleepover.

3. That terrifying, existential leap.

January 19, 2007

1. Shiba insisting on walking through the mud.

2. My husband's valor.

3. Remembering why you once loved a place so much.

January 18, 2007

1. Herds of January Deer.

2. Rapid-fire walking and talking in the cold with a good friend.

3. Laughter, the only worthwhile medicine.

January 17, 2007

1. Dreamless sleep.

2. A dog and cat vying for petting and a space next to me on the couch.

3. A warm fire.

January 16, 2007

1. Morgan Freeman.

2. Bubblegum blowing contests with the kids.

3. A flash of white-tail in the woods.

January 15, 2007

1. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Gilligan's Island.

3. Fried calamari.

January 14, 2007

1. Working on paper crafts with the girls.

2. Secure on the couch with a quilt, a purring cat and a spooning dog.

3. Elucidation--the word and the thing itself.

January 13, 2007

1. Warm bubbles on cold skin.

2. A good friend coming to visit.

3. Children worn out from swimming.

January 12, 2007

1. Chatty little girl in the evening.

2. Scrapbooking. Need I say more?

3. Impertinent cat-cow.

January 11, 2007

1. Little girls who wake up in the morning singing.

2. The ant who believed he could move a rubber-tree plant. And a bunny who believed he could take on a snake.

3. A prancing Shiba Inu.

January 10, 2007

1. Going through old school projects with the girls who seem to remember everything!

2. Portraits of their baby years.

3. Hubby's sleepy "Bye, I love you," in the morning.

January 9, 2007

1. A cotton tablecloth crocheted in Paraguay.

2. Remembering an old friend.

3. Pretty puppy lounging in a spot of living room sun.

January 8, 2007

1. And the sun returns!

2. A cat who purrs for no apparent reason.

3. Those in-between colors.

January 7, 2007

1. Girl asleep on her back, her hands openly over her head.....the peace of feeling secure.

2. Beads...on shirts, scarves, necklaces, purses...beads.

3. Hubby's crew-cut. Yum!

January 6, 2007

1. The smell of wet leaves.

2. Mist over a cornfield.

3. The heartbeat of Africa.

January 5, 2007

1. A steady, warm rain.

2. Children under umbrellas as they race to the bus stop.

3. A purring black cat nuzzling catnip.

January 4, 2007

1. The feel of hubby's stubble against my cheek.

2. Being able to breathe.

3. The girls' freshly shampooed hair.

January 3, 2007

1. The smell of woods in winter.

2. Starting fresh as of now.

3. A deer's gray coat.


January 2, 2007

1. Leisurely thinking.

2. Nowhere in Africa.

3. Tiny braids.


January 1, 2007

1. Poetry of Falcons.

2. Warm lips at midnight.

3. Small house parties with friends.

December 31, 2006

1. The click of two sticks together.

2. The last day of the year.

3. My mother's alto voice saying, "Hello, darling."

December 30, 2006

1. An Indian food buffet.

2. Meeting up with old friends.

3. A familiar cartoon of penguins.

December 29, 2006

1. Transcendental memories.

2. Giggling little girls.

3. Happy husband.

December 28, 2006

1. An organized closet.

2. Being caught up enough to enjoy hobbies.

3. Scrapbooking embellishments.

December 27, 2006

1. Crazy quilt in progress.

2. A quiet mind.

3. Gingerbread tea.

December 26, 2006

1. Family faces all around.

2. Reflections on gray water.

3. Walk in brisk wind.

December 25, 2006

1. My husband singing Silent Night at church.

2. "Wow!!!" in the pitch of the young.

3. A feeling of family.

December 24, 2006

1. Fruit-colored holiday plates.

2. The smell of sweet ham and music.

3. Feeling whole.

December 23, 2006

1. Fresh bagels.

2. My girls' long lashes.

3. Daddy's cowlick.

December 22, 2006

1. Warmth after cold.

2. Overcoming impatience.

3. Peace.

December 21, 2006

1. Moving closer to Christmas.

2. Second graders singing.

3. Paired socks.

December 20, 2006

1. Positive voices inside your head.

2. Positively voicing your head.

3. Voicing a positive head.

December 19, 2006

1. Knowing someone cares.

2. A big, stuffed bunny.

3. Rest.

December 18, 2006

1. The conscious act of thinking of beautiful things.
"Good thoughts, good words, good deeds."

2. Gingerbread houses.

3. Erika's smile.

December 17, 2006

1. A choir's power.

2. The common craving for peace.

3. Knowing our loved ones are safe.

December 16, 2006

1. A flash of blue.

2. True Wisdom.

3. Gratitude.

December 15, 2006

1. Feeling awake.

2. Self-absolution.

3. That "Thank God it's Friday!" feeling.

December 14, 2006

1. Good sleep.

2. Two cats on a couch.

3. Good sleep.

December 13, 2006

1. Righteous and just indignation.

2. Flavored coffee.

3. Courage.

December 12, 2006

1. After a great struggle to understand, succeeding.

2. Looking forward to a date with Hubby.

3. A child's good day.

December 11, 2006

After some consideration, I decided to make a kind of rule for this posting. The "beautiful thing" has to be something from the here and now, not a wish. Thus, I was going to write, "The feeling that a completely clean house is attainable," but I realized this was more of a desire than a truth in my reality. This kind of thing just leads to the understanding that most likely, my house will not be entirely clean; that is, sections of it are clean, and while it certainly isn't a public health concern, my house is never in that state I wish for, that kind of zen orderliness that one sees in homes of people far more organized, ambitious, and single-minded than we are as a collective living under one roof. In any event, enough of the rumination and on to better things, like those things that are beautiful here and now.

1. A pile of completed Christmas cards.

2. The girls playing "tookie" over their morning cereal.

3. An attainable plan for the day.

December 10, 2006

1. The sound of pebbles bouncing across a frozen creek.

2. The soft, top part of a horse's muzzle.

3. A sick child who suddenly feels well.

December 9, 2006

1. Holiday lights on a cold night.

2. The smell of coconut.

3. An electric blanket.

December 8, 2006

1. Blues Travelers, Track 11

2. Hope, that delicate thing with feathers.

3. Loving a child unconditionally.

December 7, 2006

1. The best husband anyone could ever hope for.....and he's MINE!

2. A warm Shiba Inu snuggled at the foot of our bed.

3. Two girls chatting excitedly on the way to the bus stop.

Started: December 6, 2006

1. The peaceful look on my nine-year-old's face as she is sleeping.

2. A cold nose.

3. Black cat perched on the back of my chair.


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