Yesterday Was Busy

I'm so accustomed to being at home finding things to keep us busy and feeling engaged that it was a bit odd to have several things going.  I woke up early (as usual), dressed and was out the door within 15 minutes. I loved being out there early - the streets and trail were still mostly empty, that's my favorite thing about being out early:  most everyone else is still asleep.  So the peace and calm of the sunrise has a chance to permeate my soul.  I love it. 

I also love when The Husband gets up to walk out and meet me on the trail (when he hasn't actually been with me all along). It so brightens my walk to see the face of a loved one greeting me with a genuine smile and a hug.

I had made a goal to go for a porch visit to one of the sisters I minister to.  I took along a book to loan her - even though she's admittedly not really a reader. I left a note indicating there's no obligation or expectations, just am hoping that she'll find something to enjoy. I was glad that I had gone to see her.  It was good for me and hopefully, pleasant for her as well.  She's one of those really reserved people that is sometimes a challenge to feel a connection to. But I tried, and we both shared some laughter so maybe it was at least a teensy successful.

Then we had to see the attorney.  There was some issue with one of the forms for the updated wills/trusts that had to be re-done, took like five minutes and we were out of there.  And since we were out and had our masks, we stopped for some birthday cards at the store I always buy them from, then at the one store that always sells the apples we like, and then to the neighborhood Walmarket for milk (they are the only place that carries the small bottles of the chocolate milk I so love).  By that time I was ready to come home for a while.

Yesterday a.m. out our front door.

After dinner we headed over to our granddaughter's birthday celebration.  She's been campaigning for several years for a puppy.  This year she got a turtle - a compromise all around.  I've been wondering how long it'll live - it surely was held and cuddled (as much as one can cuddle a hard shell) a lot in the brief time we were there.  She had baked and decorated her own cake and it was definitely bakery standard. Three layers covered in smooth icing, separated by a softer white-with-fruit filling, topped with a ring of fresh raspberries.  So sad I didn't think to take a picture.  It was a bit of a stressful evening for me, though I am so grateful for some granddaughters who make me feel welcome and treat me as though I'm valuable. 

And today, we're at home.  Early morning 30 minute video for yoga and then we went out for a short walk which took nearly double the time because we kept running into people we know and had to stop and catch up via "distance-in-somewhat-close-proximity" chat.  Still, it felt good, even for this professed anti-social soul.

Here's another article that spoke to me.  I'm not one of the fan-girls for Ms. Freeman.  I tend to go the other direction when someone becomes so popular and treated with such adulation.  (Yes, I'm a brat.) But she is articulate and she does have a strong testimony of our Savior.  It was well worth the couple minutes to read this.

Which Name?

Today I'm grateful that we have such a comfortable safe home to shelter in. That's what it feels like - shelter from the storm of illness that has swept the earth.  I'm grateful for people who are kind and act like they're happy to see you.  I'm grateful for having lots of different paths to take on our morning walks, they're never boring and most often a delight (I'm excepting those walks when the trails and streets are over-run with runners and other people out in the mornings.  I prefer the stillness of the normal sunrise.)