Postcards from Home
Dear Lil Love Letters Readers,
Today’s post is something different. A slice of life. Via postcard(s).
There’s something about the cramped space of a postcard that forces the writer to be both concise and specific. It is an intimacy shared in the middle of some travel or adventure, far from the daily rhythms of the ones to whom you are writing. I love those moments, captured in messy scrawl. I feel as if I am there, watching the landscape roll from a train window, basking in the radiant vacation sun from a sidewalk cafe, tucked into the armchair of a city Airbnb.
Today, a story told in 5 postcards, all recent photos that I took. Read on below.
Dear,
I went for a walk yesterday along the frozen river. I’d never seen the ice make spheres along the banks and wondered if it was man-made somehow, if maybe the ice had been rolled up by some sort of ice cream scoop machine on wheels. But I could see no evidence of vehicular disturbance and am not sure the ice could have supported that anyway. I walked quickly, because despite my internal pact to ensure outside time every day, I was cold, and ready to be done with this walk as soon as possible. How are things in your world? Staying warm? I found pupusas at a specialty grocery store yesterday, the same brand I used to buy in Texas, that I haven’t seen since then. I bought them for the nostalgia.
Wintery wishes and warm hugs,
Lillian
Dear,
Sofia hurt her paw the other day, chasing something in the woods. I called her for about 5 minutes before she turned up, panting and looking immensely proud of herself. We found 2 porcupine quills on her later. She was forced to rest inside for a couple of days, a prison she quickly tired of. But she is back to her regular walks now and as sassy as ever. Despite (or maybe because of) her histrionics, I love having her around. She always gives me something to laugh about. I hope you are well and finding many things that make you laugh these days.
Lots of love,
Lillian
Dear,
I wish you could’ve seen the snow coming down all day and night, and the powdery mounds it left over everything. You wouldn’t have liked it. I woke up around 4am and took off downstairs, eager to see how deep it had gotten. It was like a fairytale, and significantly harder to take my usual route through the woods, with the drifts close to my knees in some spots. It’s a little better now. Not because the snow has melted (it still hasn’t risen above freezing), but because we’ve worn trails through the snow, and the roads have been plowed and salted. Though you wouldn’t like the cold, I think some part of you would be enchanted with the adventure of it all.
Sending love,
Lillian
Dear,
I painted my room (finally). It was a project I’d had brewing for 3 months. I procrastinated because I’d have to move all the furniture out and back in, and I didn’t really know what I was doing in the first place. Two days went by in a haze of fumes and pop music. But it’s done! I still need to hang shelves and am procrastinating on that now, too. But as a friend reminded me, it’s not worth stressing myself out over. I can take all the time I need to get it done. How are your renovations coming? I’m always so impressed with your handiwork. Want to do mine? ;) Just kidding.
Hugs from afar,
Lillian
Dear,
Did you know butters count as liquids? I didn’t, until TSA swiped the cookie butter I had tucked in my carry-on. I was bummed to let it go and asked if I could take a photo of it, to sadly show my friends that the treat I’d tried to bring them had been confiscated. I wonder what the agent would’ve done if I’d just grabbed a spoon and eaten the whole jar right then and there. I probably would’ve thrown up. But at least I would’ve enjoyed it for the first 60 seconds. Have you cooked anything you’re proud of recently? I always love hearing about your recipes and seeing how they turn out.
Hope to catch up soon,
Lillian