Since little one finally consented to leave my lap, I thought I'd pour a few strands of thought into this box (I realize how difficult it might be to pull off, but a spherical UI does have its appeal).

(I'm already being interrupted - and yes, I know she's more important, but she's also capable of entertaining herself for ten minutes. :-p)

It's very frustrating to have something to write, to be "in the moment" and not be able to actually sit down and write. I mean, you can come back to it later, but by then the thoughts are fragmented, the words stale; the moment has passed.

Anyway, while she was in my lap, little one insisted on playing with a small box. It's one of those $0.99 wooden boxes you can find in any WM craft section. I bought and painted several of them in college as stress relief. This particular box is one of two I kept for myself, and it is white with blue and pink butterflies (not of my own design) on it. The top has a silver glittery overlay. It's not the way I would have painted it for myself, but it stayed with me anyway.

Little one had the box in hand, and she suddenly looked up at me and declared, "Wish box!"

If she only knew what a profound concept that was...I could almost see various wishes jumbled together in there, angular words peeking out, thoughts cascading over the sides.

I wish you'd never know heartache.

I wish I could protect you forever.

I wish my first little angel--

Before it got too wistful in here, she looked up at me again and asked, "Color wish box?"

Now brown, purple, and blue adorn the white paint of the Color Wish Box. Feel free to silently add your own wishes, whatever color(s) they may be. ;-)

(Linebacker baby just woke up...he's content for the moment though.)

Now I'm wearing the "hee-haw hat" (one of DH's that little one seemingly randomly named). I'm sure it goes great with my pajamas. :-D

A post by someone else (Grape, maybe? I'll go back and find a link later) got me thinking about the best place to see the stars, and invoked a sharp ache. We have orange city haze here, but very few visible stars. You bet I miss the mountains - standing on the peak of one of the (relatively small) mountains that surrounded my university, shivering in my jacket about this time of year - and close to 10pm - I could see the whole lunar-lit world, it seemed to me. The small town glittered below me, but it was a poor mirror of the majesty above.

There were several nights when I was so awed that I felt like laughing with my face upturned and my arms spread wide, turning in joyful circles with that panorama miles above my head.

I did, on at least one occasion. :)

I've never seen the stars that way, never been so filled with wonder that I could barely breathe - much less speak - for the beauty of the night sky, since I left. But ohhh...

(I've spent my ten minutes and change. Darnit!)