It is so foggy outside this morning that I am having trouble seeing the house across the street.  I love these misty sorts of mornings.  When our dachshund went out for her visit to the lawn, a large brown rabbit jumped out of the flower bed and then hopped off into the mist across the street. 

The Peanut woke up early this morning — as in crack of dawn early.  It is one of those days when I will be very grateful for coffee.  Very, very grateful.

Seems like it has been a long week, but not for any one reason that I can pinpoint.  Maybe it is just the lack of sleep talking, but bad behavior seems to be crawling out of the Beltway woodwork these days and I, for one, am suffering from a serious case of scandal fatigue.

Thought everyone could use a little something cheery this morning. 

Here’s something that made me smile:  kids are doing a lot of reading these days.  And thanks to the Harry Potter books and the concurrent publishing drive to find the “next big thing,” young adult and kids market books are getting quite a bit of attention from publishers.  Which means that kids have a lot of books to browse — and they are doing so.

From an early age, I always loved books.  Still do.  And we make a point to read to The Peanut every day, as well as read around her so that she gets the idea that reading is fun and something she should do.  There are always studies and articles about what you can do to help your child do well in school and enjoy learning.  One great way to help is to hook kids into the joy of reading and learning with the help of a great story. 

We’re hoping to get out a little bit this afternoon with The Peanut.  Maybe another little impromptu picnic at the park or a walk through the arboretum if the weather holds.  Something outside in the fresh air for a bit — just the three of us, a few birds and an ornery squirrel or two.  Now that is heaven.

So, that’s my cheery news this morning.  I’ll add in a link to the Saturday cartoons at Bob Geiger’s blog — Steve Sack is especially on point this week.  No matter how frustrated or angry or exhausted or whatever, you have to take a little time to laugh.  And to dream.  So, I’m wondering, what cheery little bit of news you might have to impart this morning?  Pull up a chair…

PS — And, because this just sounds so yummy and evil at the same time, I give you…Tonga Toast.

(Photo of the woods via Big Gray Mare.)