The happiest thing in the world
by chuckofish
Did you know that Saturday was the Harvest Moon?
The moon cycles don’t mean all that much to me, but I do love this song. And it does feel like summer has ended and we are settling into fall. (If only the weather would catch up — we had a couple days in the humid 90s last week!)
Well, I spent Saturday writing. I have been procrastinating an article deadline big time, so I finally set a time to just finish it already.
The essay is about Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, who is one of my absolute favorite nineteenth-century women, and how she depicts domesticity in heaven.
“A happy home is the happiest thing in the world. I do not see why it should not be in any world. I do not believe that all the little tendernesses of family ties are thrown by and lost with this life.”
From The Gates Ajar (1868)
I suppose the delight I take in my happy home is a little nineteenth-century, but I’m cool with that. We continue to make great domestic strides in our new apartment. At this point, all it takes is a bit of puttering around on Sunday afternoon to get another corner or two all set up. Is there anything better than puttering?
Well, the “tendernesses of family ties” are also up there. I am always happy to have a long phone conversation with my mom on Sunday, to think of my sister on her birthday, to see happy photos of the wee babes from each morning when they arrive to school. And earlier this weekend, we got a chance to see some of DN’s out-of-town relatives, which turned into a lovely evening of catching up and sharing stories.
His aunt also brought snapshots! Does it get any cuter than this?
DN always had great hair and a great polo collection
So here’s to a productive workweek — made more manageable by a return to a happy home each evening.
dual personalities 
I almost went went with Harvest Moon on my Friday post, but I thought it would trigger the OM too much…thus my choice of BD. Love the pic of DN–such a handsome brown-eyed bud. And Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is a keeper too. Can’t wait to see your article.
Thank you! Although “Heart of Gold” in particular is like a blackboard screech, yes, that one entire album reminds me of Joe White wearing desert boots, taupe Levis corduroys and a polo shirt, sitting Indian-style on the floor of Messing Gallery playing guitars. Just an image of the cover will do it. Arff.
Such an adorable pic of DN and I couldn’t agree more with Elizabeth Phelps — I also look forward to your article!
It was a revise-and-resubmit deadline, so it needs to get accepted first!
Your puttering vibe is a great lead in to my planned Wednesday post!