Tag: HDH

Hump Day Happy–Band of Angels Edition

Once upon a time–namely in December 2008 and November 2006–I talked about the tradition of the Christmas angels at The Compound. This year, the angels were put up by Tim, as usual, like so:

There were angels in the dining room:

Angels in the living room:

More angels in the living room:

Angels in Tim’s arms:

Wait; those are ears, not wings. Sorry, Puddles.

So many angels that it makes you ponder: How many angels can dance over the windows in The Compound? The answer is: MORE. Because there’s another angel named Marika who liked my story of the angels so much that she ordered some of the hard-to-find angel books. Then, in a gesture of the true spirit of Christmas, she sent the angels out far and wide to be adorned by friends…FOR ME!

Yesterday, these angels winged their way to Houston:

And from the back:

I couldn’t be happier that beautiful new angels from Lisa, David, Jeffrey P, Jeffrey R, Michael, Steve, Rob, Gary, and Chris will join all the angels from years past and become a part of all my Christmases future. You are all thoughtful and generous and so kind to share your energy and your COLORING SKILLS (amazing!) during this busy season. I’m so happy to know you all and can’t thank you enough.

One time when Greg and I were talking, I said that it’s a rare person who gives without expecting anything in return. And Greg said, “Marika does.” It’s true. Marika was so focused on making sure I got everyone’s angels before Christmas–both as a surprise for me and so that all their makers wouldn’t be disappointed–that she forgot to put the angel she colored in the package! It’s okay, Marika, the angel tin is never packed away with the rest of the holiday stuff. It stays available all year, so any new angel will always find a home there, whenever she arrives.

Also thanks to Marika, I now have several of the out-of-print books that feature these angels. So if anyone else ever wants to color one to join The Compound Band of Angels, e-mail me your address. Your work of art, like all of these, will always be as cherished as your friendship.

In the meantime, these nine angels stand ready to find something in the happy books for you, if you just provide a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25.


Happy Christmas!

Hump Day Happy

Oh no! It appears that someone’s bovines have found their way onto The Compound. They are not mine, but I hear their owners are looking for names for them. Any suggestions? While you’re pondering that, if you’d like to give the cows a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, they’ll find something in this book for you to be happy about. And maybe when they have real names, they’ll find their way to their real home.

Hump Day Happy–Early Edition

I was sitting on the front porch Tuesday afternoon after I dropped all the rose petals into the flower bed. I was thinking about John Lennon and Riley and their eternal connection in my heart while I sang to the dogs. The dogs LOVE it when I do this; in their excitement, they run to distant corners of The Compound, probably hoping I’ll sing even more loudly so the world can share in the thrill of it all.

I wasn’t singing a John Lennon or even a Beatles song, but one of my favorite Neil Young songs, “Birds.” I was sad, and it occurred to me how one of Riley’s gifts was that no matter how crazy awful our lives were (and 1980 delivered a ton of crazy awful), he could always make me laugh. As I sang, I remembered Riley telling me a story about a day he was sitting on his front porch, singing and playing his guitar. He was working on a song of his called “I Saw the Light” about the rotten luck of his alter ego, the Mysterious Vagabond Poet. Each time the MVP thought his life was taking a turn for the better, another awful thing would happen. And as Riley sang, he suddenly realized that across the street, his neighbors were sitting on their front porch and laughing their butts off. That’s when he knew he’d accomplished what he wanted to with the lyrics: He’d taken all the crazy awful and made it funny. He came to my house a couple of days later to make sure the song would get the same reaction from me. Remembering how I laughed back then gave me a much welcomed lift.

And then came magic.

Hump Day Happy

You know what makes me happy? Jingling bells. What you see on top of the happy book is a ring with tiny jingle bells attached ($4, Pier One). You know what makes everyone at The Compound happy? When I don’t wear the jingle bell ring. Bunch of grinches.

If you want something to make you happy, please comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and I’ll jingle my way through the pages of this book for you.

Hump Day Happy–Late Edition

I’m trotting out (get it? trotting? turkey trot?) last year’s photo because I’m getting such a late start today on Hump Day Happy. Blame Rex and an unplanned visit to the vet. (He’ll be fine.)

I’m changing things up a little for today. If you will please comment and tell me something you’re thankful for, I’ll find a random selection in the happy book to give you in return.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I’ll be spending it with people and dogs I love–can’t ask for better than that. I hope all of you who celebrate the holiday, as well as my friends across the globe, have the kind of love and friendship in your lives that I’m fortunate enough to enjoy.

Regarding my own happiness, this dress and wrap dazzle me. It’s a fantastic look for her.


AP Photo

Hump Day Happy


I’ve featured this cup before, but classics–like the Beatles themselves–are always worth another appearance. Today I’ll be checking in between sewing sessions, so if you want something from one of these books to be happy about, please comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and I’ll make sure you get answers during my coffee breaks.

Hump Day Happy–Whimper Edition

It’s not fun when you snip the end of your finger with your scissors. And I wasn’t even running with them!

In honor of Veterans Day, all you have to do is comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and my fingers will march through the pages of one of these books to find you some happiness.

Well, except for that ONE finger.


Thank you to all those who’ve served.

Hump Day Happy

Look! From the Land of Many-Colored Dinosaurs Who Can Only Stand in One Position:

It’s HUMP DAY HAPPY!
Please comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25,
and let the Many-Colored Dinosaurs Who Can Only Stand in One Position
find you something in this book to be happy about!

Or else it’s on your shoulders when happiness becomes extinct.

Hump Day Happy

Happy anniversary to Lindsey and Rhonda! Has it really been three years? In your honor, today’s Hump Day Happy assistant is one of the animals you’ve provided–who actually has humps. This camel also reminds me of our happy trip to the Renaissance Festival last year, where we saw this guy.


Anyone needing something to be happy about can comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and Mr. Humps will retrieve your answer.

(Is it just me, or do camels always look like they’re smiling?)