But the other day I was feeling generous and offered to make Zack his favorite meal: tortilla with beans, grated New York Cheddar, olives, sour cream, corn, lettuce and a glass of juice. His eyes lit up when I brought him the plate. The next day when he got home from a full day of gardening I did it again. He was grateful. 

My favorite sewing machine was getting sluggish. The feed dogs were more like feed turtles, and there was an increasing tendency to skip stitches. Finally I made the trek to the Bernina store for repairs. When I picked it up I felt a surge of excitement at the possibilities. I could piece, machine quilt, make buttonholes, use decorative stitches. All the things I could do before it was broken. Glorious. 

What I learned was that staying on a plateau of good is not nearly as rewarding as dipping to sub par and coming back up. I have heard that mountains that rise up from valleys get more points for tallness than those that merely start at sea level. 

I wonder about the ramifications for marriage. Maybe I could store up all my affection for one day a week, and exercise a modicum of grouchiness in the days before. That way it would be an even greater contrast.

But I am getting too old for that much change. I guess I will hover at medium friendly.