Dan’s Delights 2/17-23
February 24, 2025Marvelous Monday isn’t it? The sun is shining brightly in Salt Lake City this morning and if you overlook the haze that is trapped in the valley, it’s a wonderful day to start a week.
I started this morning after breakfast driving to a park I had never been to because it was just a short walk up from the library that I now sit at writing this. Reading my book and enjoying the warmth of the sun falling on my face, I was surprised when I heard a voice saying “Skittles! Skittles!” I looked up to see a figure biking towards me with apparent distress. My fantasy that this glorious day would be made better by someone offering me candy in this lovely park shattered. Heck. As he got closer he repeated his call and then parked his way next to me. “Have you seen a small black dog?” he asked. In the 15 minutes I had been at the park, the only thing I really had seen was my book. Feeling as if maybe though I could be of help, I gathered his phone number and told him I’d give him a call if I saw anything and he biked off.
5 minutes goes by and I start to hear a little rustling. I ignored it, I wanted to finish the chapter I was on, but the rustling got louder. I couldn’t quite tell if it was a metallic ringing or just some leaves in the breeze. Unable to focus, I put my book down and turned my head in the direction of the noise. Nothing. hmmm… I thought and went back to my book. Then again, the noise came up and again I looked up. This time it was clear as day. A small black and brown dog with a grey face just waltzing by the park bathroom. It was Skittles, no doubt about it.
I dialed the mans number to let him know I have found his precious dog and that he should return to the park, but the number he gave me was disconnected. Great… I guess I’ll go get the number off the tag. So i walked closer to skittles keeping my distance as I know many dogs are skittish to strangers. That’s when skittles looked up saw me and proceeded to dart away right towards the street. When I tell you I thought I was about to watch this little dog be splatted underneath the weight of an oncoming trash truck… Well, let’s just say I’m glad I averted my eyes. Cause it was too close to feel good about it. While Skittles made it to the other side safely I did NOT need this kind of drama in my morning.
I continued following skittles up the street and around a corner where I eventually saw him trying to wedge his way under a fence of a house. I got a little closer and skittles looked back and saw me so I stopped. After a short staring contest Skittles went back to trying to get under the fence in what almost seemed like a panic. I don’t think I’m that scary, right? Anyway after a 5 second attempt he squeezed his way under the fence and walked to the front door and straight inside. “Huh…?” I guess this is his home. Seeing a “beware of dog” sign made me wonder if it was all just a cruel joke or if Skittles was more willing to take on the unknown dangers of the house than me.
Anyway, I couldn’t do any more from here so I returned to the park. Sitting down once again to read my book. That’s when once again I heard “Skittles! Skittles!” I looked up and the man once again asked me if I had seen his dog. I asked him about what street he lived on and said I followed a small dog to a house. The man seeming confident it was his house bolted off for home leaving me smiling and confused as to what just happened.
I don’t know why the world seems to always put me in situations to help people. Maybe it knows I’m willing to act on that first impulse to help. Knows I’m willing to have my best friend yell at me that “I don’t have to be the hero to every situation” or pick up 50 hot sauce packets off the sidewalk. Either way, I’m glad I could help. It made for a delightfully interesting start to my week. Which reminds me I need to share about all the delightful things of last week.
- Monday I went to a protest and saw a community diverse in its identities yet committed to one thing. To fight for the rights of all. These times can feel draining with all that is happening, but to be reminded of the good fight was a pick me up far beyond what I could’ve imagined.
Also there was a dancer who did an improv to Wrabel’s “The Village” that had me teary-eyed from the start.
- Following my friend Sam’s recommendation I made Budae-jjigae and had the most amazing meal for the following 3 days.
- At bingo I won a shot of whiskey. Let’s goooo.
- Went to a concert to see Maro and Nasaya. While this album they are touring is a different vibe from what I have come to love, I was still entranced with her voice and intimate storytelling. Here is one of my personal favorites. And her tiny desk slays
- I called Ethan for about 2 hours as I walked around town and made some lunch. Love long form phone calls filled with silence and nonsense as if you’re just hanging out in the same room together. Crazy this photo from RMNP is 4 years old.
- After running 4 miles to the Capitol of Utah I reflected on what it means to be in power. I wonder “Do they feel a responsibility when they look out over the valley?”
- Spent a morning hanging out with BWUCE and then iked up a mountain with some homies.
- Saw a lovely lovely sunset while listening to some of my own tunes. Which oh yeah I finished recording my little EP that I will hopefully release later this week. :) more info on that later.
- Went to the Symphony and heard a lovely lovely performance of Mahler 5. The Horn section was Phenomenal and that piece is just a horn players dream.
-I have fixed my guitar (which is still hella cracked on the bridge) and have come up with a few new melodies and riffs that make me smile and that’s all i need them to do.
- Took an evening walk that was just like one does as kids where there is no real plan just walking. Ended up getting some Arizona and seeing some dude racing his car on a flat tire, went down a slide many many times, and sat on a bench pondering the real questions of life with Harrison. Like how much would you have to fart to go to space. Turns out others have already done the math. Which reminds me, please send me your questions I love having things to think about and Churn in my mind.
I’m probably forgetting some at this point but that’s just the nature of memory. I mostly use my photo roll to remind me of all the delights of my week. My journal is more a place where i hash out all the chaos of my mind which there is plenty enough to just stay locked away for now.
So yeah that’s my week. I hope your week was filled with many delights small and large. I would love to hear about them and your fun questions too! Send a note and may your week begin with as much fun and unexpected adventures as mine. Also if you want to sign up for what can hopefully become a way to get these writings emailed to you, you can do so at the bottom of this page. I’m working on updating everything it’s a slow process :)
I love you
Dan