Rudi’s back in the hospital with pulmonary embolisms, so things have been a little stressed around here. No reading, although I’m listening to The Thin Man, and no knitting, which means there’s absolutely no chance of finishing the sweater I designated for my Olympic knitting. But, you know, that’s how these things go. He’s getting better and will be home again soon, and those are the important things.

In the meantime, three beautiful things from the last week of my thirties:

1. My parents send a box full of prettily wrapped and bowed birthday gifts to be opened throughout the week. I open at least one at the end of each day, and some I use as an incentive to get through rough patches. As I open the packages, I eat heart-shaped cookies my mother sent back with me when I was home last month and try to guess what each item could be. (Sparkle sugar was an easy one; funkily patterned tights not so much.) To be honest, this week would have been much more challenging without this box o’ love.

2. An online friend, reading of how hard I’ve been taking this last month, makes a donation on my behalf to Heifer International, one of the charities I support. So now every time I see a flock of ducks, I will think of Jessica and her thoughtfulness.

3. My car fails inspection — twice. After the first time, I take it to a mechanic recommended by a friend of Rudi’s, who also drives an elderly vehicle, and get it tuned up. After the second failure, I call the mechanic back and ask what our next step is, and he suggests it’s likely a catalytic converter problem. Turns out he was right, and he and two other mechanics were waiting to show me what mine looked like when I picked up the car. (Imagine one of those peekaboo Easter eggs, except it’s made of metal and filled with a scene of post-apocalyptic platinum rubble.) He finds me a new, less expensive converter, installs it for just the cost of the part, and sends me on my way. It is with great relief that I pass inspection on the third try.

How about you? What’s been beautiful in your world this week?