Things that make me smile Wednesday

A few wonderful things happened on the Internet this week.

These pictures from NYC's Jazz Era Lawn party make me smile.
(found via A Cup of Jo)

Inspiration for the saint's new wardrobe?

My (not so new) girl crush, Zooey Deschanel, makes me smile. Here she is at home in the rain...
(found via Dilly Dallas)

This last smile came to me today in the form of an old friend. Amanda is spending a year in Namibia with WorldTeach, and I so enjoy reading her blog about the significant struggle and beauty this life represents, both in abject poverty and abundant blessing. Today, she posted a poem by Rilke (of whom I've become a subject) and the last few lines grabbed me profoundly. I know they would do the same for others:

This is what the things can teach us:

to fall,

patiently to trust our heaviness.
Even a bird has to do that
before he can fly.
Rilke's Book of Hours

Mme. Bookling