I see strands of hair every day. Dozens and dozens of them litter my floor, I’m sure hundreds are in my hairbrush—not to mention the uncountable number I catch glimpses of in the mirror, still attached to my head.

But this particular strand, which fell off in my fingers as I ran them through my hair, caught the light and gave me pause.

As I looked at its deep orange sheen, I thought about how fascinating hair is. When it’s on someone’s head, it looks more or less uniform in color; but take a closer look at individual strands, and you’ll see a different story. On my own head I’ve seen blonde, brunette, and red strands in all different shades—I’ve even seen a few white hairs. I thought about how strong hair is, how beautiful it can be, and how it can contribute to each of our personalities. Like every part of the human body,  it’s a small miracle when looked at in the right light.

I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that I am quick to be dissatisfied with my body—my skin is too broken out, my posture too crooked, my hair too frizzy—but haven’t we each been given an amazing gift? Wasn’t each of us made exactly as we were supposed to be made? Doesn’t that make each of us a walking miracle, beautiful in the eyes of the one who made us?

I believe so; but that does not mean we will see it. Our world is filled with creations that ought to have us trembling on our knees in constant amazement, but which we daily pass by  (or walk around in) without so much as a thought. And I suppose that’s how it must be—that’s how we creatures live our lives here and now. But still… it’s worth taking a moment, now and then, to notice, and wonder, and give thanks.

After an embarrassing number of purchase-and-returns, I believe I’ve settled on these shoes for the wedding. (Purchased at DSW, a choice made even sweeter by free shipping and a significant coupon I had just received in the mail from them.)

This was the only photo I took on Saturday. Not the best lighting, not the best framing, but—what can I say—one of my favorite subjects.

A photo of my friend Savanna’s cat, on a visit to her house last Friday. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before, but I am definitely a cat person. And Gil, well… Gil can’t breathe if he’s around a cat for more than a minute. So it looks like I’ll have to get my fix from other people’s cats from now on. Oh well–it’s a sacrifice well worth making. And I have a number of friends with cats.

One of my closets. Please note the wooden hangers I got at Ikea last fall; I’ve wanted wooden hangers forever. I’m not sure why. Probably too much HGTV as a child.

My whimsical rainboots, yesterday afternoon on my parents’ back deck.

One of the lamps in my room.

Gil, in yummy late afternoon light.