Outing

Improvement!

2 days.  The doctor said to stay down and off my foot (which I interpreted: as much as possible but not totallycompletely) for two weeks.  Friday will be the two weeks.  (Swelling - nearly gone. Bruising - finally in the green/black stage.  Improvement- noticeable.)

The Husband has hovered helpfully.  Carrying, opening, fetching- and always, always with a cheerful smile.

Today was a rare approved-by-The-Husband foray to the grocery for some stocking up. I found the grocery cart extremely helpful.

Before....

The guy back at the dairy section? When he noticed me, his pace increased and he headed directly over to the yogurt I can never reach.  Didn't even ask which brand or flavor, just how many. Too funny that he knows.  I guess I ask him to reach it for me a lot.

and yummy after!

We've been hearing about this particular store's cream-cheese frosted cinnamon rolls.  Today was our day to try them.  Yummy!  (And yes, I keep getting tempted.  I am going to complete the foot incarceration about a bazillion pounds heavier!)

Decided to try out a new-to-me recipe:  crockpot Mongolian Beef, complete with fresh asparagus, carrots and mushrooms.  I'm a tad nervous about it, but we'll see.  The Husband is always supportive of whatever culinary endeavor I undertake.  Hopefully he'll still be supportive after he tastes it.

And today:  I'm grateful for a summer day that's pleasant-not-burning-hot (haven't even turned on the air).  For library books delivered right to my hands. For tasty treats.  For gift cards.  And for what seems like a never-ending supply of hugs - they're good for my heart.

Cloudy Monday

Woke up this morning to clouds - a "summer cold front" is moving through and we've got cool winds, overcast skies and a delightful break from the usual sun-beating-down summer heat.

The Husband brought me the summaries from the insurance company for my visit to the Insta-Care. Since he works for an out-of-state company, places we can receive covered medical care are limited, and often inconveniently located.  Thus, I'm tend to be concerned about where we go / how much it will cost.

My bottom line (and kudos to the insurance company for their quick turnaround on this claim) is roughly $25.  Both of us dropped our jaw in astonishment.  If that is indeed all we'll pay for this visit, it was well worth not waiting until Wednesday to see the podiatrist.  He would have been much more expensive.

I came across this quote this morning from 2011.  I love these words.  They are encouragement for me.

In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26), and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45). (David A. Bednar)

I am thankful each day for a wise Heavenly Father who watches out for us with great love.  Often when we aren't really deserving of the blessings He sends. I so want to be worthy.

Still Annoyed

In spite of valiant efforts to the contrary, I'm still annoyed (and seemingly consumed) with this silly foot!  It's a problem.  And while it doesn't ache / hurt as much as it did, in some ways that's an issue all its own:  if it doesn't hurt then surely it's all better and I can fling the boot to the winds.  Nope, doesn't work that way.  I've got to quit whining about it!

To be frank, the boot does help.  When I take it off to sleep,  I feel instant relief from the weight and the way it makes my foot / leg hot.  But then the lack of support makes itself known; the morning finds me happy to wrap my foot in the boot again.  Figure 5 weeks at 7 days = 35 days.  Minus the 9 days already past and I've only a minimum of 26 days left!

The Husband brought me this climber rose from the front yard.  Looks and smells heavenly.

Yesterday we redeemed our Culver's Frozen Custard coupon (2 for the price of 1).  There are two more coupons to use by the end of the month.  Plus we have one for $10 worth of Rita's Ice that also expires the end of the month.  Doubt we'll be using all of them.  (And here I am on a crusade to eat l-e-s-s because I'm burning so fewer calories without my morning walks! I suspect I'll be 50 pounds heavier in 26 days!)

Today was a good church day.  The young man leaving on his mission did well.  The High Council speaker had us all thoroughly captivated by his words and the R. S. lesson by our dear friend had us absolutely immersed as well as intellectually vibrating.  I consider it a well-spent Sunday when the most notable occurrence is partaking of the Sacrament.  To have my heart and soul comforted, fed and happy is an extra bonus.

Right now I only use the right shoe!

And finally:  I have right shoes scattered all over the house.  I'm so off balance with the boot, it raises my left side an inch + higher than my right.  To save my hip I try to wear a similar height shoe on the other foot.  Difficult to find just the right one.  I'm not at all a fan of shoes in the house, prefer stockings so I'm always kicking them off, then needing them again.  So they're everywhere! Thankfully no one has tripped over them yet!

I'm so grateful today for words and their beauty and power.  Especially when they're used for good.  I'm grateful for the kindness of people who inquire about the progress on my foot.  I'm grateful for tomorrow.  (Saw some little thing the other day about never giving up on today because you never know what miracle (could be any size miracle) might occur tomorrow.  Liked the thought.) And for the Sabbath day.

Hard

I ventured out to the grocery this morning.  Every movement seems to require surprisingly more energy and effort.  I moved v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y so as to ensure to The Husband that I'm being careful. (Technically, I should be just completely down for another week.  I'm doing the best I can at that.)

Saw this cute little sign.

We all do hard things.  Sometimes the hardest thing is to just get out of bed in the morning and face another day of challenges.  Sometimes the hardest thing is to retain our hope, our determination or our momentum.

And sometimes the hardest thing is to simply smile.

So, I liked this encouraging little plaque.  I can do hard things.  I do them all the time.  Just like everyone I love.  Everyone I know.  All of Heavenly Father's children.  We not only can do hard things, we accomplish them, too.  Well done!  Don't give up.

(And, just in case anyone was wondering:  I did pick up another couple peaches.  And I didn't put them in the fridge!)

Peaches

Will they ripen?

For two days I've looked for the peaches I bought on Monday.  Or thought I bought. I remember standing in front of the display dithering over the purchase.

They'd have needed to ripen on the counter.  Nope, they're not on the counter.  I wouldn't have put them in the fridge.  Briefly checked the fruit / veggie drawer anyway, but nope, not there.

I feel like such a dufus!  Looking to see what kind of apple was in that other bag (yes, in the fridge) I found the peaches!  In the fridge.  Not ripening.  Not ready to eat.

And now I'm wondering if they ever will be ready to eat.

I Still Enjoy Thursdays

V-e-r-y C-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y  I hobbled out to take this picture of the growboxes.  The Husband has taken on some additional responsibilities at work - which he's good at, but perhaps won't last too awfully long, he'd rather just be coding. (Although we both are definitely grateful for employment - we never take stuff like that for granted.)

Working on these future vegetable producing containers gives him a much valued change.  He doesn't get an awfully lot of time all at once, but loves being outside working with his hands.  He's lined the middle one with the rabbit (hopefully gopher-proof) wire and is working on one of the others.

And tomorrow, I will have completed week one of the Big Boot Challenge.  The doctor said 4 - 6 weeks which I mentally interpreted as 4 weeks.  Period.  Then I did some internet research.  And am now determined to spend 5 weeks in the boot.  I don't want to short-change my complete recovery.

One of my long-term goals has always been to be healthy.  (Of course, that be-healthy attitude was what led to my being out and sliding on that rock and breaking my foot.)  This is but a hiccup along the way.  One extra in-boot week could be uber-beneficial.  I'm planning on it.

Another favorite A. A. Milne quote:

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 
― A.A. Milne

I'm grateful today for something to look forward to (besides being out of the boot) - Hale Theatre tonight.  For smiles on the faces of those I love.  For those who aren't afraid to work hard.  For prayers that will help someone for whom I pray every day.  For faith in Heavenly Father and His overarching plan for each of us.

Dull

Since I'm commanded to be mostly off my foot (translation:  mostly couch bound) my comings and goings are drastically reduced.  And my life much less interesting.

I don't get to get out in the morning for my walks.  Sigh....

But, I am lucky enough to have books to read, needlework to stitch, a computer (and television) to entertain me and a resident Hug Dispenser to help me feel loved.

I've enjoyed:  texting with oldest daughter, chatting with oldest son, visited with youngest daughter and received almost but not quite enough hugs (the hugs received will always be almost-but-not-quite-enough).

This orchid popped into bloom just this morning, as the last of the blooms on the other two orchids fell to the floor.  I so love blooming things in the house.

And I've been thinking about this a lot:  roughly a year ago a family moved into our ward and I was assigned (along with my partner) to visit teach the sister.  She's approximately my age, perhaps a few years older.  It was challenging in the beginning.  She came from an area where in-house visits by visiting teachers were only required every 6 months.  It was a whole different mental approach to have a visit each and every month.  But we persevered and now she mostly is available for us.

Last week she mentioned that in her whole adult life she had never had her visiting teachers leave her a message.  Whoa!  That's astonishing to me.  How can it truly be visiting teaching without a gospel discussion of some kind?  Some of my most meaningful religious conversations have taken place through visiting teaching.

And as I've sifted through this in my mind - over and over, how grateful I am that we continued to do our best to see her and leave the message. Her career demands a lot from her, exposes and involves her in much of the secular, with little spiritual.  She often has to miss church on Sunday because of her job.  If any of our discussions plants a teensy thought that springs to her mind at just the right moment, we will have accomplished a small task for the Lord.  How grateful I am for that opportunity that I didn't let slip away.  I shall continue to do my best.

And I came across this quote this morning and loved it.  A. A. Milne was very wise.

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

I'm grateful for a comfy couch and recliner (I bounce back and forth between the two).  For this darned walking boot - it isn't a cast and therefore removable for showering and sleeping. And for voices that sound like they're smiling.

Sunset

Last night's sunset was so spectacular I must have taken a dozen different pictures.  And none of them does justice to the real thing.

We enjoyed the Draper Days fireworks from our driveway.  And I didn't even get bit by a mosquito. (That's a rarity for me, I'm apparently mosquito-treat.)

The dr. told me a minimum of 28 days in the boot.  2 down.  It's going to be a long month.

I'm grateful for kind neighbors, for lovely piano music.  And for homemade popcorn.

Bruises

Took the bandage-wrap off my foot to shower this morning.  A close examination revealed deep bruising that wasn't quite so visible yesterday.  No wonder it hurts all the way through.

And since my foot isn't exactly pretty to view, I'll include a picture of the gladiolas I took before "the slip" yesterday morning.  I so love flowers.

I'm grateful today for owning some boot-cut jeans (makes the boot much more tolerable - I'm not fond of shorts / capris and wear them rarely).  For a good night's sleep now that The Husband is home.  And for kind emails from friends I love.

Again?!?

The lovely boot.

Went for a walk this morning.  Wasn't sure I'd make it the two miles home.  Slid down a curb on a rock.  Resulting diagnosis:  sprained ankle, avulsion fracture.  Treatment:  4 - 6 weeks in the boot. (It's a blessing I already had one, wouldn't have been able to walk into the Insta-Care office without it.)

Two weeks without my morning walks, and then only if I don't overdo and only if the pain isn't too bad.

I'll have to look at my sunrise pictures often (this one from yesterday reminds me how jaw-droppingly beautiful the morning was) since I won't be able to be out there watching them for a while.

The Husband arrived home in time to make sure I had the medical attention I needed. (I shed a couple tears at the uninterested attitude of the phone-answerer at my podiatrist's office.  I could see the dr. on Wednesday, not before.  I was hurting so much I knew I couldn't wait that long to be seen.) How grateful I am The Husband is here again.  I'm certain his absence was the reason I seemed to have more than the usual minor (and really, totally minor) issues all week long.  I just felt out of synch all the time.

I'm grateful this little issue is just that, a little issue that will heal (and heal best if I'm careful and follow dr.'s orders.)  I'm grateful that the x-ray technician on staff was their very best (who could spot the teensy fracture) and the dr. working that shift specializes in sports medicine.  I felt very confident in their care.

I'm grateful for airplanes to bring The Husband home.  For insurance to help with medical costs.  For the ability to rest and let my foot heal without having to worry.  I'm grateful for the sunshine today. And I'm grateful for this amazingly complex and wonderful body that Heavenly Father created for each of us.

What Day Is It Really?

7 a.m. looking NW across the valley

I got so used to The Husband's office trips being Mon. - Thurs. that when he goes Tues. - Fri. it really throws me off.  I feel off kilter.

Yesterday morning's walk had me being passed from behind by at least 15 bicyclists - none who warned me they were coming (I about jumped out of my skin multiple times!).  This morning - was similarly passed by about 10 or so bicyclists and all but one warned me.  That little thing greatly improved my walk.

7 a.m. looking east, anticipating the sun.

The sky out was lovely - I even caught sight of a rainbow.  Not super bright, and short-lived, but still fun to see.

Lots of apples on this tree.

I've got some things to do today - enough to keep me busy.  I might even treat myself to a mid-afternoon meal at Cafe Rio, I still have some money left on my gift card.

I loved reading this little article - I'm so glad for perceptive people.

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/thanking-the-thankless-a-little-praise-can-go-a-long-way/

I'm grateful for food gift cards, for air conditioning, for a sweet neighbor who responded to my text with warmth and love. For deer (and rabbit) sightings. For the blessing of uplifting music.  And for kindness. (I'm working on always being a purveyor of it!)

A Birthday

Tried to help our daughter feel important on her birthday.  She is.  To me.  Just like her sister and both brothers.

Yummy breakfast crepe.

The day included breakfast at Original Pancake House (they forgot to deliver her pancakes, in spite of reminders).  And we saw The Minions 3D (a rare perk of a summer birthday and vacation days from work - time to play just a bit. $5 Tuesday at the movie was an added bonus).  I came away with a strong urge to consume a banana, which I did.

She's heard from siblings and I hope has had a good birthday.

My breakfast crepe was unlike any crepe I'd ever had before.  It really was a pancake rolled around some eggs and cheese.  Good, just w-a-y filling.

Saw these signs in a store.  Love the sentiment.  Knowing I don't need anymore shoes doesn't keep me from practically drooling over some I saw.

And I miss The Husband.

I'm grateful for birthdays to celebrate (today is also my sister-in-law's birthday). For bananas and movie popcorn refills. For something that makes me laugh, for heartfelt hugs and hearing a loved one's voice over the phone.

Yes, I Have Thought This

Rabbit Wire, Pancakes and Watermelon

It'll get another chance next week.

After rehearsing again for tomorrow, and getting cleaned up, we headed over to IFA to check on some wire to line the growboxes.  (Those dudes that cleaned out the lilacs also dug out the sites for the growboxes for The Husband, saving him hours and hours of stress on his back.  YAY!)

Figuring we'd have to head across the valley to the b-i-g IFA, were pleasantly surprised our local IFA had some rabbit wire.  We hope that it'll be too much of an obstacle for the gophers to chew through and the veggies we'll grow will survive for our enjoyment.

Finished with the paying, measuring, cutting and loading we set off in search of some food. Gave The Original Pancake House another try.  I honestly can't say that I've ever before had a server assume what I wanted.  Ordered the Hawaiian pancakes (they're small, unlike some restaurants) - described in the menu as a stack of 6.  The Husband requested the Georgia Pecan pancakes with banana on top (extra $.95).  The table next to us that ordered tons of food (she brought out 7 plates for the two of them) were eating long before our two plates of pancakes arrived.

My plate held three small pancakes.  The Husband's a waffle.  True, his had the pecans and a few banana discs, but a waffle nonetheless.  And was assured that was what he'd ordered.

Decided to review the menu before exiting and yup, The Husband ordered pancakes.  And I received a half order of pancakes.  Somehow she assumed that's what I wanted, I guess.  There's no other explanation.  The manager (we only talked to him because he was hanging around) wanted to make a big deal out of it, I simply wanted clarification.  (If they aren't aware they've got a problem, they can't fix it.  If I were a manager I'd want to know.)

Before.

After a couple other stops we landed at the grocery for a watermelon, cantaloupe and a few fresh carrots for noshing.  The Husband has a thing about watermelon; always wants his partaking to re-play his fondest watermelon memories from his youth.  Which experience has been sadly lacking. He walked in, picked up a 21 pounder and nothing would persuade him to choose a different /smaller one. And I admit, he chose wisely.

After.  And YUM!

It took us no time at all to polish off some pieces.  We've a lot in the fridge waiting for our forks, and shared about half with some neighbors.  (I can't possibly eat all that in the next few days - The Husband is in CA this week.)

All in all, a Saturday of strange encounters:  waitresses, restaurant managers, grocery store clerks, tv salesmen.  I must be giving off some bring-it-on-I-can-take-whatever-you've-got vibe today.  I'm completely out of step.

But I'm still grateful.  For thoughtful and thought-provoking columns in the newspaper.  For perfect watermelon.  For someone that cares what kind of day I have.  And for hope.

I Confess, Again

I am a bit of a slob.  I try not to be.  I try to keep on top of the cleaning, wash my hands multiple appropriate times each day, vacuum a lot, and try to not keep things I don't use / need.

Tall shelf, now all clean!

I was astonished and somewhat appalled this morning when I was trying to find my replacement pair of walking shoes (I do wear them out!).  Pulled something off the tippy-top-way-up-high-never-see-the-top-of closet shelf, along with what seemed like 57 years of dust.  (Yeah, I know the house is only 14 years old, it just seemed like that much dust.)

After breakfast, etc.,  I spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning / tossing, wiping, vacuuming the closet, top to bottom.  I even got the step ladder - which I soon wearied of climbing.  And also moved the dresser that's in there for vacuuming under / behind.

And voila'!  It even feels clean!  Of course, I now need another shower.

Was treated to lunch out with The Husband.  Got the giggles when the eatery's owner came over to chat (which he often does, he's a super nice guy) and he did an impromptu comedy routine.

I always feel so, I don't know, accomplished?  Virtuous? Satisfied? when I've completed something that really needed to be done, even though this time I wasn't paying enough attention to know it needed to be done.  I like it.

I'm grateful today for a clean closet.  For ibuprofen for my aching back.  For ribs cooking for a scrumptious dinner.  For something to look forward to, and birthdays to celebrate.  Almost makes up for my curmudgeonly tendencies.  :^)

New View

He's standing between the lilacs.

Headed out this morning for a couple errands.  Returned home to find a couple strange guys working in the yard.  The Husband was on a phone call and couldn't chat, I'd have to exercise some patience. Decided to go get the mail, walked out the front door and realized the lilacs were gone!!!

Love the revealed window.

We've had more than a couple conversations this spring / summer about taking out the lilac bushes.  I've been pruning them every year.  But they just kept growing bigger and bigger.  I could no longer use the pruning shears to cut the thick branches.  I needed a chainsaw, which we don't have and I wouldn't have a clue how to use.  The bushes were pretty much out of control.  And much as I dislike dispensing with growing green things, I knew the time had come.

I figured we'd get to it "one of these days."

Looking down on the hollyhocks.

Unbeknownst to me, "one of these days" was today.  What an improvement!  We'll definitely have to find something pretty to put in that garden, but for now, I'll enjoy the openness and the bush/weed free view of the front of our house.

I'm grateful today for men willing and ready to do what we couldn't yet do ourselves.  They were hard workers.

I'm grateful for the knowledge that agency is part of Heavenly Father's plan.  Not only for me, but for for everyone.  We all get to choose.  Hopefully I'll choose wisely when it comes to actions (and reactions), words, judgements, kindness and the myriad other things within my choice-control.

I'm grateful for early morning walks, for blooming hollyhocks that make me smile, for a modicum of self-control and for prayer.

Weather

It seems I whine a bit about the weather.  (And I'm not alone, sometimes it seems like a national pastime.)

So I headed out to walk the south end of the trail this morning, which always is a different view of our mountains / valley.  Took this amazing shot just before the sun peeked over the tip of the mountains.  It was a lovely morning to be out on the trail - challenging though it was to dodge all the bicyclists.

Four hours later the wind had picked up, hurling the rain down on us.  The Husband had as many doors open as we could and still maintain dry conditions inside.  It took him twice as long to bring in the mail because he was so enjoying the cool (62 degrees) and storm. (He got that front gutter cleaned just in time!)

Had to run a quick errand with The Husband yesterday.  Since we were driving practically right past Culver's we stopped in for a quick flavor-of-the-day (raspberry cordial) mini-treat.  We do have fun when we're together.

I'm working hard today at finding gratitude.  I'm grateful for my early morning walk that feeds my soul.  I'm grateful that The Husband doesn't seem to mind all his hard work to provide for us.  He's unfailingly cheerful about his role, isn't afraid to put in whatever effort is required.  We are comfortable because of him.

I'm grateful for some temporary relief from the summer heat, though I'm counting down the time until we're able to get some fresh local-grown tomatoes, a favorite of ours.

I'm grateful for good books to read - currently I'm working on three at once.  What a luxury!

And I'm looking forward to a visit from our family when they come out to take our granddaughter to the MTC.  How lovely it'll be to spend a few days with them.

It's Been A Few Days

Since our national holiday was yesterday, The Husband had Friday off work.  We puttered around some in the morning, lunched at Cubby's, and he spent the afternoon working/playing on his computer, an opportunity he rarely enjoys.

Yesterday morning we cleaned out the front gutter.  Our gutters aren't super easy to reach (translation: tall ladders required).  Since the two ginormous cottonwood trees in the backyard (they were already on the lot when we built) are pretty happy, the gutters require an annual de-clogging after the cotton flies. We had forgotten about the gutter that runs across the front porch, most of the front roof drains down it.  I barely missed getting a picture of the muck that had blocked the downspout.  It really was spectacular.  (And isn't that sky above the house pretty?  It was a lovely morning.

I was so excited to see this blossom on the african violets!  I took a chance and re-potted my plants. An experiment for me.  The two other babies look content enough but so far no sign of their pretty flowers.  At least I know I haven't killed them yet.  (The mother african violet was probably 10 or more years old, still in the original pot, and amazingly enough still blooming.)

I thoroughly enjoyed Natalie Gochnour's column the other day, it has stuck with me.  Particularly this little excerpt:  "It's also a characteristic found in people who have a sense of propriety and consideration for others.  Kindness and compassion are twin cousins to this type of grace.  When you combine grace with patriotism - love of county - something remarkable happens."

Which leads me to my next thought:  we got to sing a couple of my favorite songs in church today (yep, I chose them).  These lyrics are among my most favored of all song lyrics.  I think Katherine Bates was a grace-bestowed patriot.

America the Beautiful

By Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929)
Music by Samuel Augustus Howe (1847-1903)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

I'm so grateful today to be a citizen of this wonderful country.  Yes, it has its flaws, the people who inhabit it are as imperfect as any people across the world.  I still love it.  

Another Thursday

And it seems like our days are just always on the odd side -nothing seems "usual" anymore.

Today has included haircuts (he got mine a tad too short this time, but I'll live) a kouign aman to split between the two of us, a trip to the DMV to renew the license plates on the Kia (I'm glad we already got the inspections / repairs completed) a visit from our friend, plans for Saturday afternoon, a teensy bit of piano practicing and finishing up a book (the one I requested from the library happened to be large print which I have to say I actually really enjoyed).

Finally received the call this afternoon.  Our granddaughter's mission call arrived. They kindly included us on the many-family-members-call-for-opening-the-letter: Des Moines, Iowa.  Home of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  Reporting to the MTC on 9 Sept.  It will be one of those tearfully sweet occasions.

She seemed excited and pleased, has desired this for ever-so-long. She'll do great.

I'm grateful for family that includes us.  For thoughtful actions. And for those who desire to serve.

July 1st

Woke up and changed my calendar over to this picture and decided I liked it - a lot!


Headed out on my walk over to return a book to the library, which is a whole different route than usual.  I was able to check on the peaches, pears and apples - those three trees right next to each other.  They're coming along nicely.  (So kind of that homeowner to leave those trees unfenced so I can enjoy looking at their fruit.)

Said good morning to the chickens.  And noticed several articles of clothing abandoned on the trail - including a pair of baby's knit pants and a single sparkly sandal.

Loved the sunrise. And especially loved that my favorite man walked out to meet me so we could share the last bit of my walk.

Now, I consider myself sort of a private person. I don't like to tell everyone everything.  Lots of things I keep to myself.  (At least I think I do, but maybe I'm not quite so private as I think.)  I think it's really important to pray before eating - to thank Heavenly Father for his bounty and ask his blessing on the food.  I'm quite comfortable doing it in the car in front of a restaurant or even before we leave the house.  Just not so comfortable doing it out in public:  it's a sacred thing to me, and it's hard to focus in a noisy busy environment.

So yesterday I went to lunch with my sweet visiting teacher.  Corner Bakery seems to be our go-to place.  When our food was delivered I picked up my fork and got ready to dig in (having blessed it just before she picked me up) when I noticed her bow her head for a quick prayer.  I was touched. She is a good example. (And we had a bit of a conversation about praying over our food in restaurants.)

I'm grateful today for sweet little girls who are so excited to get juice-boxes that they have to tell a complete stranger (that would be me) they met in the grocery store aisle all about it. (When I asked what they youngest's favorite flavor was, she proclaimed, "yellow!")

I'm grateful, also, for a refrigerator that's been re-filled with fresh produce and good things to eat that have been provided for our use by our Creator.  I'm grateful to know that I can (and do) talk with our Heavenly Father.  I'm grateful for good examples. And for a friend or two.