Another Morning, Another Deer

 We've been seeing deer most every morning lately.  This morning, it was just barely off the trail (and early - about 5:40) and standing so still it looked as though she thought she could be invisible.  And very nearly was.  It's odd for us to be so close to them, although the city has sent out a communication for people to not approach deer, try to feed them, or take the little fawns home.  So apparently we're not the only ones seeing them when we're out and about in the morning.

Got the good news yesterday:  our granddaughter had her baby boy in the afternoon. 😍 About three weeks early, if I recall correctly.  Which I probably don't, not sure I ever really heard the exact due date.  Anyway for a bit early, he was good sized - over 7 pounds.  Fluid in his lungs necessitated some close care but the last I heard he's doing well.  Such fun for that little family.  Perhaps some not too distant future we'll get to meet him.

Dental checkups today went well.  Don't remember ever being so quick in there.  I have an ancient crown that will likely have to be replaced in the not too distant future, as well as the cracked crown that I try to be very careful with.  But so far, so good.  I despise dental issues and try to take good care of my teeth.  Not something I was raised to do, it's a late-in-life lesson.  The technician is getting to know me - I'm glad she is thorough but gentle and mostly doesn't try to talk too much while she's cleaning my ivories. She forgot that she'd already asked me about summer plans/trips.  It's hard to not have something to get excited about, not have something to look forward to, hard to not have plans.  It's a good thing I'm mostly ok with being at home.

Went with some friends for a quick dinner last night. We are so grateful for their friendship. I know our situation is totally different and can be a bit challenging for those around us.  But we'll take whatever they are willing to give. And enjoy it like we did last night.  We hadn't been to Culver's for a long time and I really enjoyed the fish sandwich. The frozen custard was skimpy in size, but that's basically what we expect these days.

Arbor Care was here this afternoon treating the bark beetle on the pines in the back.  I dread the day when the trees go.  We need the trees.

Grateful today that on the seventh try we were finally able to watch a movie on Amazon Prime that froze on us the first 6 times.  It was worth watching. Also grateful that I was able to pick up a book (or two or three or four) at the library, hope I never get tired of reading. Grateful for tree people, and yard people, and teeth people, body people, all the people that help us, we seem to need more and more of that kind of help as time goes on.  

Articles

I'm a reader.  Always have been.  Put something printed in front of my eyes and they are pretty much glued to the words. 

Came across a couple articles that I wanted to go back and re-read. This was from a few days ago.

Wade 

And then this one this morning, I've always respected Terryl Givens, wish I had even a small portion the brainpower he does.  And maybe even a smaller portion of the ability to articulate those perspectives.  

Script

We saw several deer this morning, one with quite a large set of antlers.  We might have seen him and his companion more than once, but it's hard to know with the speed they can travel (love to watch them boing, boing, boing). Seeing the urban deer (I'm aware not everyone is a fan of deer) somehow uplifts our walk, reminds us of the beauty our Creator has put on this earth - for us to enjoy. 

Ran into our friend on the trail this morning, a rare thing to see her.  I was focused on our conversation and getting home so almost didn't recognize her.  Which reminds me - we recently had occasion to stop and chat with members from the ward that ours was divided off of, probably nearly a decade ago. Their meeting is after ours in the same building, but we are generally long gone before they finish Sacrament meeting and head to their second hour.  That particular Sunday we had chatted and lingered long enough to say hi to a few people we know.  I kept shaking my head all the way home wondering aloud how all those people "look so old!!"  And of course the follow up wondering - did we look that old/changed to them?  Of course we did.  I find no disgrace in looking my age.  While life hasn't necessarily followed the path I expected, I feel like I've tried hard, conquered challenges and done my best.  If that shows in the color of my hair, the wrinkles in my crepey skin,  the sagging of my jowls I'm kind of ok with it.  Do I wish I looked better (thinner, stronger, more fit)?  Absolutely.  My personal opinion is that it is just fine to look like we've lived.  

I'll admit I still feel like we haven't had enough fun, and will likely go to my grave thinking that.  Joy is of more importance than having fun, but really, can't I have both? I guess I want it all.  :^)

The results of The Husband's biopsies came:  as expected, there are a couple spots of basal cell carcinoma.  Such a very common skin issue.  Since our dermatologist is moving, he's referred us to another one.  We are waiting for the call to schedule the Mohs. Which is a challenge - we don't generally answer calls from "unknown number", The Husband is also prone to putting his phone on the counter and leaving it there most of the time. We'll have to be alert and ready to get this taken care of. 

Grateful today, again and always for good air conditioning units.  It's hot out.  And grateful to think that I will always have things to read that enrich and enlarge my small world. Grateful also for good medical care and insurance to help with the costs. 

Time To Fix Lunch

 But I wanted to put a few thoughts down.

Our 4th of July was quiet.  Our holidays generally are. The Husband and I are grateful to have each other.  It's always been just the two of us, since we married, holidays included.  Life never turns out like you expect, right?  We didn't even drive anywhere to see fireworks, just didn't really care this year.  We did go see a movie:  F1 - I learned a few things about Formula One racing, and I really liked the movie.  I know it isn't really feminine to like cars, but I always have.

Church yesterday:  Sang "The Star Spangled Banner" our national anthem.  As is customary, we all stood.  As I glanced around the room I noticed one of our young men (he's 12) standing with his hand on his heart.  Impressive.  He's one of those very mindful individuals, he often bears his testimony, very thoughtful in his words.  He's careful when passing the Sacrament and always makes sure (which I see from my seat by the organ) the cloths on the table are tidy and smooth.  A fine young man, in my opinion.

The Husband was distracted by our neighbor friend - he didn't recollect that she's got a hearing issue and for years has "sung" the hymns in American Sign Language.  

Weather forecast:  hot, hot and more hot.  100 on Wednesday.  I think I'll be diagnosed with heat aversion and prescribed ice cream.  😋

This morning's walk:  The Husband was totally looking for deer.  Got about halfway through our walk and saw a momma and two little fawn - still had their spots.  So very cute.  I took several pictures but this was the only one that turned out well enough to put here.  Obviously cropped and cropped.

Got to have a meal with our daughter and her husband after their temple service.  Found out we get to have the daughter back for that one more time, next month. It's been lovely to see them on the regular. R & R still has great food, but this time (a really slow mid-afternoon time of day) they let us down on the food temp, and my loaded baked potato was more of a not-quite-loaded potato.  I love their toppings, wish I'd had enough to really taste, it was pretty skimpy.

Today I'm grateful to have a commitment to do my best to keep my covenants and follow the Savior.  I fail on a daily basis in one way or another.  But hopefully, no one looking at me will ever wonder who I am and what I stand for.  One of the things he kept saying in the movie the other day was that the press, social media, all that hype was "just noise".  I want to think that a lot of the trendy "requirements" (fashion, trips, things people do to have prestige, bragging, etc.) are all "just noise".  Not necessarily who you really are or want to be and can be ignored, brushed off, given no attention.  I'll never be popular, pretty, wealthy, prestigious, trendy or any of those things so common in our area that people aspire to.  But, if I'm remembered as kind or unselfish or generous I would feel honored and that I had - at least in some small part - succeeded in life.

Some Days....

 are anything but ordinary. 

Started our morning with a walk.  Stopped to chat with a neighbor out on his morning run, he was gracious about interrupting his exercise.  Saw a woman walk past - we know her.  She really refused to engage but headed down the trail. After our conversation with our neighbor we also headed down the trail and eventually caught up to her.  For the life of me I couldn't remember her name but The Husband had the perfect solution:  "it's been a long time since we've seen you, how are you doing?" Then he mentioned our names, she said yes, now I remember you and reminded us her name.  We lived in the same neighborhood / ward before we built this house.   

The interesting oddity:  she's been gone from that neighborhood (and been out of state) for a "very long time", we've been gone for roughly 25 years.  She's only here for a visit.  And yet, someone we knew from a different place and time crossed our paths this morning.  What are the odds?  

Neatly folded towels.  :^)

Headed off to the dermatologist, took a route I've never taken before, drove down a lovely tree lined street that felt almost like the country and we avoided the dreaded traffic that has overtaken the valley.  Got to the dr.'s office a few minutes early, paid the co-pay and didn't even have a chance to sit down before we were called back.  The appointment was for 11:00 a.m.  We were out of the office by 11:10.  Two biopsies, several freezing, bandaids all across The Husband's face and even had a bit of chat with the dr.  His first name and The Husband's first name are the same.  My name is a feminine derivative of the M.A.'s name - only two extra letters tacked on the end.   Another sort of oddity that was worth noting.  (We're going to miss him, he's leaving the state, don't know how we'll find another dermatologist we trust so much.  Finding new doctors is so hard, especially when they all look about 15 and not remotely capable to practice medicine.)

Ran a couple errands, visited our daughter at her work - I will forever love pretty much every single library.  Treated ourselves to a (lunch dessert) shake at Chick-Fil-A which tasted absolutely delectable.  I rarely indulge that way but today it just seemed necessary.

Watched an odd movie on tv.  A bit more language and crudity than we generally find acceptable, but both of us were invested enough in the characters to see it through to how it ended.  Got up to check on something in the laundry room and found my towels all folded nice and neat.  Had forgotten them in the dryer.  A kind, thoughtful gesture to fold another's laundry.  Made my heart feel warm.

Today I'm grateful for being able to have a dr. that's been great for us.  Grateful for a wonderful chocolate shake that totally brightened the day for my mouth.  Grateful for a good book (or three or four or....) to read.  Grateful for eye drops to keep my eyes from feeling prickly.  And grateful for our home.  I'd love to be able to fix up, paint and / or update the kitchen -
among other things.  But I'm actually so grateful to have a home to call our own I can manage to be content with what we have.