Two fast things that make me smile: One, this photo of Marco shaking the lulov on Sukkot (thank you, Segalls!) and two, this poem from Visala, age 13 and a student at Writopia Lab, where I teach sometimes:

Recipe for Hope
By Visala Alagappan

Push your feet in the soft sand
let the water’s foam bleach your skin
Allow the embracing breeze to tickle your face
Smile, laugh, let your lips stretch
Sit in the water
let it kiss your skin
Now stand up
Look at the waves
Realize they will be back tomorrow