quiet, thankful breath.

It seems time to notice.

Some of my favorite things of late. . .

. . .

Django describing garbonzo beans (or rebonzo, as he calls them): "Bald, with mashed potatoes inside."

He also called me "yummy."

. . .

Lilley counts to 20 in French.

We are eagerly anticipating le dindon on Thanksgiving.

. . .

The smalls and I recently watched the original Star Wars Trilogy together. There is really no describing what it is like to watch children watch these movies for the first time. Big eyeballs.

After the first one, Lilley told me she had a new favorite movie, with the caveat that Snow White is still her favorite Disney movie. I was just happy that Princess Leia could compete for my daughter's affections.

I wish I had recorded the conversations we had after watching these movies. The smalls were not just entertained. The character of Darth Vader in particular provoked many questions about good and evil.

. . .

Michigan at the beginning of autumn. ArtPrize in the rain. Apple cider wedding by the lake. And time to be near.

. . .

In the car this morning.

Lilley: "Django, when we get to the movie theater, would you like to sit in my lap?"

Django: (pauses, considering the question) "No. But I love you anyway."

. . .

Lilley: "I have that feeling again. The one where I just need love."

If we could all ask so openly.