Looking for blue sky

Editor's Note: This essay appeared in Cognoscenti's newsletter of ideas and opinions, delivered weekly on Sundays. To become a subscriber, sign up here.

Every so often we put out a call to our readers to share their ideas and experiences. We’ve done this on many instances during my eight years at Cog, and we always get a generous response: 20, 30, 40 replies. It’s amazing what you’ve shared with us.

We’ve featured reader responses in our letters to Boston series and a piece about the gifts that stay with us for a lifetime. Just last year, we compiled readers’ favorite Thanksgiving traditions, including a homemade potato gun and an annual toast “To Ruby and Orval!”

After we published my short essay about seasonal depression last week, I got a bunch of heartfelt notes in response and solidarity (thank you!). But last week we also asked readers to tell us “what’s bringing you joy as we near the holiday season?” And to that question? Bupkiss. Nothing. Not one reply. We couldn’t believe it.

I don’t think it’s us. And I don’t think it’s you.

I’m chalking it up to a busy time of year, and also to higher-than-normal ambient levels of anxiety, fear, sadness and rage. The mood in the country right now is not good. According to the latest ABC News/Washington Post Ipsos poll, two-thirds of Americans think the country is "pretty seriously off on the wrong track.” Anecdotally, this tracks. The lady who checked me out at the optometrist was blasting holiday music because, she told me, she “needs… something.” The 30-year-old who cuts my hair confessed to hauling out her Christmas tree the day after Halloween for the same reason.

As your steadfast Cog editors, we track the darkening clouds. That’s the job. We also keep our eyes up for blue sky, because it helps. Mary Oliver’s “Don’t Hesitate” feels relevant:

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left.

So, herewith, some things bringing the Cog team joy lately:

Lunch. I’m an empty nester who works remotely and has a husband who lives in another city most of the week — my house is very quiet these days. So I've started leaving home for lunch on workdays. Eating out is a luxury, for sure, but it’s lovely. —Kate Neale Cooper

“Fairyland,” a feature film, produced by Sophia Coppola and based on the memoir by Cog contributor Alysia Abbott, is now streaming on Netflix. This is not a happy movie, but that doesn’t mean it’s without joy. – Cloe Axelson 

My 9-year-old made a “bee hotel” at an after-school garden club. It’s a flower pot filled with hollow shoots for bees to take up residence, and he added a sign that says “Late Night,” with blinking lights. I hope that means we’ll get some interesting bees. — Sara Shukla 

The West Wing. In the early aughts, I had three very little kids and a husband who worked long, inflexible hours. I didn’t have time for TV, so there are huge pop culture gaps in my life. I’m finally closing this one by streaming this show while I do chores and bake for the holidays. — KNC

Catherine Newman is out with a new novel, “Wreck.” (For all you “Sandwich” fans, Rocky is back.) I went to her event at Porter Square Books where I laughed so hard I cried. Plus the lady sitting next to me wished me happy holidays. That was nice. — CA

I had a driveway moment listening to Cameron Crowe’s interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air, about his days as a teenager interviewing rock stars and his ode to being “uncool.” In Crowe’s film “Almost Famous,” rock critic Lester Bangs famously says, “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool,” and it’s the title of Crowe’s new memoir. Santa, if you’re a newsletter subscriber, this book would look great under my tree. — SS

There’s much to be said about the promise of early spring daffodils and tulips. In years past, I haven’t planted enough … so I wind up with a few daffodils in a row, instead of a lush, dense patch. This year a friend gifted me hundreds of bulbs, but I haven’t planted them yet. I intentionally waited until late in the season, in an effort to outsmart the squirrels. But is it too late? Maybe I can use a drill to push through the frozen-ish topsoil? Please tell me I haven’t missed my chance to plant some bulbs!  — CA 

Hot yoga early in the morning. There’s nothing like working up a good sweat on a dark, cold morning. And by the time I leave the studio, the sun is up and I’m ready to tackle my day. — KNC

I’m rewatching season four of “Stranger Things” with my 13-year-old in anticipation of the fifth and final season. The main characters are, as ever, clever, loyal, hilarious, full of heart — and unquestionably uncool. I love it. Lester Bangs would approve. — SS

Will I actually use a drill to plant daffodil bulbs? Will I summon the courage to spatchcock a turkey? Time will tell. We’ll be off next week, but back in your inboxes in December. Take good care.