Everyone is Nicer

Dear Optimists,

Is it just me, or are you noticing everyone is a little bit nicer these days? Is that everywhere or just where I live?

Yes, there’s a pandemic. But humanity is being so much more…human.

I’m raking the yard. A stranger walking by says hi.

A lady is pushing her son on a cart, and they both wave. My daughter has a conversation with them from across the street. Next thing we know, we have a play date “when this whole thing is finally over.”

I take the kiddo for a walk. Everyone we pass asks how we are and if things are good. Some even ask if we need anything.

All from six feet away.

Is it possible we needed to get farther to become closer?

Love,

Den & Nadia

P.S. Let us know if people seem nicer where you are! Tell us stories in the comments.

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If you miss us, dear optimists…

we apologize! We were finding it a bit tough to come up with content, what with the craziness of life and all. But if you miss us, here are some things to check out that Den has been up to:

Den’s blog, of course. Some of you probably already follow it, but just in case, he writes on there sometimes, and of course most of his stories are at least a little optimistic.

Children’s Literature: Den has been writing and self-publishing some kid’s books with his time off from D.O. He has been lucky enough to work with some TERRIFIC artists and has learned to create ebooks with some diligence. Here is some info on them:

A Day in the Dumps: the story of Joey, whose favorite toy is thrown out and his mom takes him on a quest to find the dump and locate the toy. It’s a nice bonding experience for mother and son, and Joey also learns of the importance of recycling. Artwork by Monica Minski. Available on Kindle and in the iTunes bookstore.

 

The Princess of the Land of Black: Princess Onyx is tired of her father, the king’s refusal to use anything that isn’t the color black. She knows there must be more out there, so leaves her father’s kingdom on a quest to learn about the world. Artwork by Lyndsaye Greke. Available on Kindle.

 

 

Even if you don’t have kids, they are fun reads. Or maybe you could recommend them to others! Either way, Den misses all of you and hopes everyone is well.

To do before I die #1

Dear Optimists,

Last night, I was thinking about what I want to do before I die. All sorts of crazy things came to mind: Scooba diving in Australia, bungee jumping, roadtrips with my future children, drive a Ferrari F40 (red, of course)(childhood dream); all things that won’t happen within a reasonable time frame.

Then I remembered.

When I was a kid, I tried building an igloo. It took forever and I never finished.

In other words, one of the things I want to do before I die is to gather friends and build that godforsaken igloo.

Building an igloo – have you ever tried that? Any pro tips?

Love,
Nadia.

P.S. Typical me realising such thing now the snow’s gone…

Nothing to Say

Dear Optimists,

I have nothing to say today. My lips are sealed.

Ha! My fiancee wishes!

Love,
Den

Today

Dear Optimists,

There’s nothing like defeating a video game, right? I just beat all of the zombies in Rebuild 2, an online game I happen to love. I saved 99 people and defeated every zombie in the town to make it safe.

I’m a hero.

What did YOU accomplish today?

Love,
Den
P.S. In case you missed it, this post was seething with sarcasm.

EBooks? EBooks!

Dear Optimists,

I don’t love Kindle, Nook or anything else. For me, an English major, my love of the novel, the feel of the paper and turning of the page itself are all romantic in some way. Sure I love playing games on my iPad, and using programs on it, but I just can’t bring myself to read on one.

As much as I don’t love e-readers, I found one wonderful use for them. It’s easier to carry one around than a book when you’re reading a Stephen King novel. 😉

Love,
Den

Early Work Day

Dear Optimists,
I love when my work day starts early. Is that gross to you? Disgusting? Unfathomable? Well, shut up because I like it.

This semester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I have an 8AM class. Yes, it hurts to get up. Yes, I have to plan ahead and try to fall asleep early.

But it’s so wonderful to get out of work and still have so much of the day.

Love,
Den

P.S. I love that Nadia actually captured what I’m like in the morning with one of my favorite things to say to people in the morning 🙂

An Odd Thing to See in a Car

Dear Optimists,

Driving home from the mall (yes the same mall trip I wrote about yesterday) I looked in the car next to us and it was full of old people.

No, that’s not the funny part. The funny part was that in the back seat a little old lady was sitting on another old lady’s lap. The look on her face was one of misery. Although the one on bottom was laughing.

Hilarious.

Love,
Den

Male Bonding

Dear Optimists,

If you read this blog at all, you already know I have a bit of an affinity – oh heck let’s call it what it is – an obsession with Legos. Well, this past weekend I had a $20 gift card to Toys-R-Us and wanted the cool Creator Log Cabin and was in the aisle looking for it when I saw a father/son by the little bagged figures. Do you know them? They’re in a bag and you have no idea which one you get. It’s fun and I definitely buy them when I see them on sale.

So I walk into the aisle and this father and his son have about twenty of the bags laid out on a shelf. I quickly figure out they’re going for the Feel the bag and guess which one is in it theory (which seldom works…I was trying to get the monkey trainer for the longest time but apparently the girl-hair part feels like a monkey), so Elle and I joined them. I wanted her to see the new series (she pretends to care because she loves me).

I said to Elle, “I really want the robot.” The little kid, who had thick glasses, looked up. The dad laughed. “That’s the one we’re trying to get!” “I can understand that…it’s the best one.” “We also want the leprechaun” the kid said to me. We had a little talk with them and I admitted it took luck to get the monkey trainer (yes, I did finally get it) and we had a nice talk with the kid and his dad. It really warms my heart, seeing a moment like this. The dad and son, working together and chasing down these toys, it’s one of those memories the kid will have forever. I hope to be that dad someday.

They ended up in line behind us as I was buying the log cabin (yup! got it!) and as we walked to our car I heard a voice say “Excuse me!” from the van next to our car. I look over and it’s the kid in the back seat.

“We got the robot!” he yelled. His dad and I both laughed, and I said “That’s awesome. I’m jealous now!”

What a trip to the toy store, huh?

Love,
Den

Hug a teddy

Dear Optimists,

Every day we struggle to find happiness and boost our self-esteem. We build optimism gradually, with willpower and, of course, smiles.

But years of work can be destroyed in a single night. A single phrase, commen or facial expression can shatter every self-confidence we have and drown our good mood into a storm of negativity.

Yes, it’s hard to stay optimistic. But it doesn’t mean we should give up. We should start to build everything again… but not without support and affection, which can effectively come from a hug – with a huge fluffy teddy bear!!!

So who said that lonely people could not have a hug as well?

In hard times, teddy bears (or whatever teddy animal you love) can really help. Believe a 16-year-old teenage girl. Haha.

So next time you’re sad, hug a teddy bear. It’s the next best thing to a hug from a loved one!

Love,
An Evil Nymph.