These are just a few things that I have been doing this week and that have been on my mind.

I can’t stop thinking about these double exposure pictures. They are beautiful and remind me of the feelings of spring. Here is my favorite:

This is a picture including a quote of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s. I just happened upon it this morning and it struck me deeply as I just read “The Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway describes Fitzgerald in a way that I have never known. He was a writer that could not write, due to his drinking problems and his wife’s extreme jealousy over his work. He seemed like a tortured soul.

I love this Grimes song and her video.

I wrote down in a list of things to do the other day: “Remember to have a tee pee in your house”

I just started reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography and I pretty much love everything about him. He was so much cooler than they let on in school. Check out his list of the top 13 virtues to live by:

• TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
• SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
• ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
• RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
• FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
• INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
• SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
• JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
• MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
• CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
• TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
• CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
• HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

On my way to pick up some lunch today, I saw two friends run into each other on the street and go in for a pretty amazing high five.  It got me thinking about a spin on the classic high five that my brother and I developed, taking the five a little higher, straight to the middle of your forehead.

As it turns out, it hurts pretty badly when you both go in for this enthusiastic, head butt variation.  Nevertheless, the whole thing dials the smile up a notch.  So along that same vein, I thought I’d take another twist on the high five and stop to take note of five things I’m thoroughly enjoying of late:

1. Warm weather.  It’s mid-March and gorgeous in New York.  Despite the totally manageable winter we had here, there’s nothing better than these* first signs of warmer days to come!

Photo via here

2. Morning coffee.  I fall into the category of people who get excited about their morning cup of coffee as they fall asleep the night before.  It’s a good part of my day and simply makes me happy.

3. Guided meditations.  I’m loving my new iPhone for many reasons, not the least of which is the guided meditation podcasts I’ve been downloading.  My favorites come from here, here and here.

Photo via here

4. Secret messages.  I’m such a fan of this little trio offering creative ways to keep secret reminders or messages around your neck, your finger or on this awesome thumb drive.

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5. Lucky penny.  I’m a bit superstitious and am always on the look out for lucky pennies on the street.  I only pick them up if they are heads up.  I found one today on my way back from getting lunch.

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