Wandered through a full little Wednesday today, the kind that stitches itself together from small comforts and gentle surprises. We started out a bit early for my trim, so we ducked into Sunnyside Market, my first visit and a pleasant one. Picked up a snack and a hit of caffeine, the kind that makes the morning feel like it is stretching its arms before waking up. Bright shelves, friendly smells, a nice soft ease to the place.

Then on to @misfitbeautyclub, where Michaela worked her usual hair magic and gave me a stellar midi cut. There is always that moment after a fresh trim when the air feels lighter around your shoulders, like someone opened a window in your head. My lovely companion and I stepped back out into the day feeling reset.

We wandered over to the 16 West Marketplace next, where @roaflags_downtown waits like a pocket universe of tiny creativity. RoaFlags, the Roanoke Free Little Art Gallery, did not send any finished pieces home with us this time, although a few certainly tried to charm their way into our hands. Instead, we explored the little supply drawer. Picked up a bag marked “art this house” with a chunky extruded pentagon shape inside, like a Monopoly house that got promoted. Also brought along a “make a rustic ornament” kit, a slice of tree branch with bark still clinging and a small drilled hole for hanging. Both projects are waiting patiently for paint, imagination, and maybe a quiet evening soon. They might become keepsakes, or maybe we will return them to another little art gallery for someone else to discover.

Vintage Vault was calling next, as it always does. Collected a small stack of CDs, some destined to become holiday gifts and most to become the soundtrack of future back road explorations. The clatter of jewel cases always feels like flipping through little memory tiles. Found issue number 3 of Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction as well. A time capsule from another hopeful timeline.

On the ride home, we opened one of the new CDs. Mary J. Blige’s Christmas album filled the car with warm vocals and early holiday glow. Perfect for a winding drive through late November Roanoke.

Now we are home, resting and letting the day settle. Pride and Prejudice is playing, all warmth and wit and familiar comfort. The kind of evening where the house feels like it is exhaling with us.

A haircut, a new coffee stop, tiny art treasures with potential, vintage finds, music for winter roads, Mary J. singing us home, and Austen closing out the night. A day of small delights, humming quietly, just right. 

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