The Little Things: 2018-2

[tweetthis]Mondays are for counting my blessing is small ways.  Before I get started on all that, there’s something big [/tweetthis] about which I want to pause, breathe, and take stock.

The children that spoke at the March for Our Lives, brought me to tears.  I mean I actually blubbered a little.  I looked over at Loved-One just in time to see him wipe a tear from his eyes.  I’ve already been impressed by what’s called Gen-Z because of the educators in my family and because of my own grandchildren.  My classmates and I got graded on “Citizenship.” That went away when my kids were in school. Now it’s back as “Civics Engagement,” “Community Involvement,” and other names. I see young people feeding the hungry, cleaning the waterways, and raising money to help their neighbors. My friend Sharni Montgomery posted a link on Facebook that got my tears jerking all over again this morning.  Here’s a link to Micheal Tallon’s “These Magical Kids,” for your pleasure.  Click here. I am so proud I live in a world full of people who are hell-bent on changing our world for the better. (I also teared up when Paul McCartney said that he lost a friend to gun violence, too.)

Now for a bit of the mundane.  Here’s a few things, in no particular order, that make me smile and say Thank you!

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Mom coming to visit.  She told me she was through traveling. Yet, my sister Bonnie is traveling to see my sister Julie and on her way she is delivering Mom to me.  Sisters and mothers are so wonderful.

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]    Squirrels planting crocuses where I least expect them.  Every spring I look for my crocuses to bloom.  Often there is still snow on the ground.  I look where I planted them.  This year they are showing up in the most unusual places.  What a delight.

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Playing my flute.  There’s something about playing music that takes any hint of stress away from me.  Even when I’m struggling with a piece, it still brings me peace.

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Our new washing machine.  I felt a little grumpy because the water saving feature means the washer is running for about twice the amount of time.  But…. the capacity is so much larger that I’m doing half the number of loads.  Wow!

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Sasha and Misha, our sister-cats.  Misha has finally forgiven me for insisting she take her medicine.  That was six years ago.  And they say elephants never forget.  Now Misha is happy to sit on the back of my chair and let me rub her foot.  In the meantime, Sasha proclaimed herself my office assistant.

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Sheet pan recipes.  I tried the Paan Chipotle Lime Shrimp Bake.  Next is the Pork and Asparagus.  I wonder what I can do with Salmon.  Maybe this? Each recipe fits well with my Whole30 diet plan. An extra bonus.

 

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  My friend Pat who sent me the kindest of get-well cards after reading my post last week.  I’m better, so much better.  My skin is still molting enough the Loved-One calls me an Iguana!  And my friend Krista laughed when I said, “Soon there will be a whole new me.”  It’s true, the rough, dry skin is giving way to baby softness.

[icon name=”sun-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Kelly, my massage therapist announced she is moving back to the area.  My muscles haven’t been the same since you’ve been gone, Kelly. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome.