Have I told you about the zebras?

(Side note: I tried to think of a clever subject line using the story I'm about to tell you about zebras in light of the garbage heap our world is determined to be right now. But "If Life Gives You Nazis, Look for Zebras" seemed unlikely to work for you as much as it did amuse me. If I made a bad call here and you'd like to see that on stickers and tshirts, do let me know. TeePublic is one click away...)

ANYWAY. Hi, hello, how are you? Okay. Story time.

Several weeks ago I was having a particularly bad week, so at the first opportunity, I took a drive. Taking a drive, preferably to the park or in the country, is one of my favorite ways to cope with the chaos and heartbreak that is so relentless these days that I cannot even remember what made that week worse than any other.

So, there I was, driving through the country to get to the park with the waterfall. As I passed by the acres of field and forest surrounded by the bizarrely tall fence, I paid special attention. That's because one time I was making this drive and I nearly had a heart attack when I SAW ZEBRAS. Just gallivanting in between trees, next to the road I was driving on in the middle of this country--zebras! It turns out someone living outside my small town owns an exotic animal rescue or some such place that supposedly has a valid reason for housing zebras.

When I drive that way, I always look for the zebras. Prior to the day in question, I'd seen them exactly two other times, and both times I spotted just a couple zebras.

But on this recent day, when I was having a very hard time and feeling very sad (or mad; mostly likely I was also mad) feelings, I looked to my right and saw seven zebras. SEVEN! ZEBRAS!

Well, I doubt I even have to tell you what I did next. Obviously I hit my brakes (nobody was driving behind me; it was fine), turned the corner, and pulled over onto the ditch. I then spent a good half hour trying to convince the zebras, who were curious but also a little skittish, that I was a good witch and not a bad one. I regretted my lack of socks situation and took dozens of photos (none of which turned out that well, but since you asked . . .).

And also? I cried.

I know, I know, of course I did. I'm a crier. It's what I do. But I cried those big stupid tears out of gratitude, because I didn't doubt for one second that God had shooed those zebras onto that spot of what seems to be an enormous farm just for me.

Things are hard right now. Things are hard for me personally, and for so many of the people I love. And things are hard globally. Just when I think that perhaps we've experienced all the unprecedented times any one generation can, we're hit with another blow (and another and another). It's constant, inescapable, overwhelming.

But the world keeps turning and life keeps happening, so we must keep functioning, at least at some level. So my closest friends and I have been encouraging each other (and, therefore, ourselves) to seek out and count small joys.

(Yes, we're also encouraging each other and ourselves to shop intentionally, read diverse books, call our representatives, get rest and drink water, and all the other good-but-hard things. But the joys and the sharing of the joys is what keeps us going!)

Now if I'm honest, a Wednesday morning zebra spotting feels too extravagant to be considered a small joy. But I also realize that you may not be quite as bowled over by striped horses, and something else entirely is your "zebra." And I also recognize that some days we get zebras and other days we get a perfect cup of coffee or a string of green lights (or a good, long red one when you still need to put on your makeup before pulling into work).

Neither zebras nor sunshine nor a funny movie nor a coffee date with a friend will permanently fix any of the things wrong in our worlds right now. But they help, yeah? They keep us this side of sane. They keep one nostril above water, one finger's grip on the ledge. And so, along with this month's watch guide, I'm giving you some small joys today.

• ​March 2025 Watch Guide - This is a free download with all the new movies and series I think you'll be interested in. And this month has A TON OF THEM. I give you my pesonal picks on the last page of the guide, but if forced to choose just one, I'm going with Mid-Century Modern. It looks delightful and don't we need delightful?
• ​I've Got Questions by Erin H. Moon - Every time I listen to an episode of Faith Adjacent or read Erin's newsletter or watch her IG stories, I think two things: 1. We'd be great friends if we got to hang out in person and 2. I want more. This book proves me right on both counts, plus it's an excellent companion and guide for anyone wrestling with any part of their faith tradition and beliefs.
• ​Tracker - This show is ridiculous. The main character is ridiculous. And yet, when faced with new episodes of all "our shows," this is the first one I tell my husband to play. *Insert shrug emoji here, because the heart wants what it wants and doesn't always have good taste or logic.*
• ​Summer Camp - This is the newest movie about female friends of a certain age that I've watched with my own female friends of a younger certain age, and I loved it. Pro tip: Don't be fooled like me and think it stars Bette Midler. It's really Kathy Bates doing her best Bette Midler impression. It's streaming on Hulu.
• ​This bop - I watch enough Instagram Reels that I often have trendy social media sounds and songs stuck in my head. This one takes the cake, however, because in times like these? When it's laugh or cry and the obvious answer is cry because what in the world is even happening? Well, something that makes me laugh, or at least bob my head and smile, is always welcome.
• ​This guy and his squirrel videos - I can't describe it. Just . . . watch . . .
• ​Starter Villain by John Scalzi - This book was so original, and so funny! If snarky sci-fi is your thing (or if you like talking cats and dolphins), you might love this one too.

I've thankfully experienced several other, more personal small joys this past month: a two-hour coffee date with a friend who said, "I have an hour at lunch time, which would be reasonable for other people but not for us"; realizing that a new friend at book club went to the same college I did and at about the same time; painting pottery with my daughter and letting her tease me for choosing the most boring piece and colors possible (it's a tiny bowl in a dark red and practical, okay?!); adapting a chicken recipe and having it turn out delicious. But again, your mileage to my joys may vary, as may your access or interest.

So rather than list out more of my faves and life-savers from recent days, I'd love to hear yours. What's keeping your head, if not on straight, above water? What's helping you sleep or fight against evil forces or anything in between? What are your small joys?

Wishing you whatever your zebra is today,