Scattered Thoughts

Love these pears.

I love these long, unscripted Sunday afternoons.  Next year our church schedule will be from 10:30  - noon, so we'll still have these long afternoons, and I enjoy them.  When we stay at home most of the day, doing our best to keep the Sabbath it has a whole different feel (as it's meant to) from any other ordinary day.

And this treat.

I had a need for some service.  Something I couldn't do that someone else could.  I had asked a family member to help me, and she did.  But not to completion (and after having gently reminded her several times, I just couldn't ask again, she's lost interest).  So I still had a need.  I reached out to a young woman in our ward.  The immediate answer:  sure!  Not only was the verbal response sure, my need was completed with the results in my hand in three days!  My heart was so warmed. I try to not ask people for help - think I'm independent and capable enough to do most things on my own.  But really, we all need each other. 

I've been noticing signs of the season change all around.  This particular tree is an example - it's surrounded by green, but it is ready to sleep for a while.  And the hawthorne?  Those berries turning red are a clear indication that it'll soon be ready for winter.  I'm not sad, I love the variety of the seasons. 

Almost fall colors.

We spent some time yesterday morning in the garden.  The bulk of the tomato plants have been pulled and are in the garbage bin.  We saved the little orange cherry-size tomatoes.  They are unbelievably sweet and are still producing.  I've so enjoyed them this year.  And we have pears!  The Nashi pears that have been grown around Draper for decades. Most of the orchards have been replaced with houses, but our one friend still has a few trees.  I don't know for how much longer I'll be able to buy the pears, but for this year, we are having them along with every meal and pretty much every snack in between.  We've shared them with those we are assigned to minister to as well as other friends. They are a little bite of heaven that we are so lucky to enjoy.

Fabulous book.

And there's been some discouragement.  The other night on our way home from the play (and that's a whole 'nother story) we came upon a whole phalanx of police cars by the entrance to the trail, again on the street we usually take to get home and on yet another street we drove down.  It appeared they had cordoned off a section of the town and were looking for something.  Late the next day we learned a woman had been attacked on the trail (she was alone on the trail at 8:45 p.m.) and had managed to thwart the attack with her pepper spray.   And no, they didn't ever find the man.

Another fall sign.

Now we're all a lot apprehensive about using the trail when we're alone. Which I always am.  And it's generally still a bit dark (and getting darker as the days shorten) when I'm heading out.  I have pepper spray.  It's usually safe at home in the drawer and likely long past it's shelf life.  I think I'll be getting a fresh canister to carry.  My morning walks are the way I greet the day, they set the mood, I say my prayers while I walk and rejoice in the beauty of the sunrise no matter the weather.  If I have to be inside on the treadmill my mental state will take a big hit. Not sure what I'm going to do.

I almost bought this, love the sentiment.

Today I'm so grateful for the touch of The Husband's hands - that touch is always kind and loving.  And always, always soothes my soul.  I'm grateful our (seemingly mandatory by the insurance company) annual physicals are done.  My blood pressure was fine (I didn't even have to show the printout from two days before when it was well within normal parameters - I think yoga has been helpful for that) and I'm hoping our bloodwork turns out equally fine. It wasn't even unpleasant, I'm so glad our previous dr. accepted us back as his patients, he'll be better than the one we had to temporarily switch to (insurance again).   I'm grateful to have some family names to do at the temple.  I'm grateful for birthday gifts of yummy treats that I've been portioning out over time.  What a luxury to be able to reach in the drawer and come out with something new to taste.  I'm grateful there were two open seats to switch to at the play - I already had missed out on so much of the play due to the non-stop loud chatter from the little girl (yes, she was really too young to be there) sitting next to me in our much better seats. Next month will be better.  I'm thankful we tried out the latest eatery here:  Shake Shack.  (Once is enough.  Over-hyped, way over-priced, and way under-cordial by the employees. ) It seems like I've lots to be grateful for.  That's as it should be.