at home on a grey weekend of easter and my father's birthday, pennsylvania is here, as ever. a short stay, but memorable because of an increasingly engaging nephew -- equal parts adorable and trouble brewing.

i watch him and am reminded of recent declarations that i'll look a bit more for what's bright in life. i'm finding it in brooklyn, and finding it here at a dinner table i grew up at, watching jasper make the difficult, but simple decision between mashed potatoes [duh] and applesauce.

he manages both, and as i watch him weilding a tiny silver fork with mickey mouse on the end of it, i'm reminded of two things: that there are simple joys in life, and that years ago, that was actually my fork. so much abides.