American Toad Concert

This toad, which I falsely accused of being a frog, was the best toad I ever met. It sang for us, posed for us, and turned profile without being asked. We happened upon in in a puddle made by a tractor tire in a field in Lincoln. Twas a great moment of contact with nature […]

Pavement Art

I wish to thank the people who do the pavement crack filling work for their efforts. I am not sure whether they are more inspired by Jackson Pollack or Chinese brush painting but either way their work always brings me little moments of joy in otherwise joyless locations. Keep up the good work!

Goslings

Here is a photo of goslings following a parent taken by the wonderful photographer Peter. J. Baumgartner.  (Go see his work!) I saw this image on Facebook and asked him for permission to use it. Because there is something about about the sight of a flock of fuzzy ducklings or goslings or other babies following […]

Signs of Spring

After the long winter in New England, the first signs of spring are often tiny, shy flowers that peep out from the forest floor.  They remind us that the whole cycle really will keep going, that the glories of spring and summer are on the way.

Feline Perfection

Having said in another post that dogs clearly experience joy, it is not nearly as clear that cats experience joy.  But what is clear is that cats, from tigers to house cats, inspire moments of joy in human observers. In this little case, my cat Daisy found her way into a previously closed room and, […]

Such Is Life

This might not strike you as a likely setting for a Moment of Joy, but it sent me into orbit for a good half hour. I was rushing to get the bus to Logan Airport from Woburn. I ran to the window and bought round trip tickets and then scrambled for the bus. The driver, […]

Gingeroo!

Stopped at the supermarket just to get some fresh ginger root. Feeling almost silly with just my piece of ginger I step to the cashier and say, “Just ginger.” She proclaims, “Gingeroo!” I fall instantly in love with her. Were she not young enough to be my grand daughter, plus several other complicating factors…