Another Half-Week

 When there's a Monday holiday the days of the week get kinda jumbled up in my head.  Yesterday morning's walk was quieter than usual - I think most people were sleeping in after the festivities of the 4th.  

Three baby deer.

Within 5 minutes of leaving home we spotted a deer.  I had only last week mentioned that it seemed like it had been a while since we'd seen deer on our morning walks. Walked a little further, saw another one off in the distance.  Then came up to a field between our trail and 1300 east and there were two Momma deer and 3 little babies.  Just the cutest things.  I've long felt like it was a good omen to see live deer when out and about.  (The Husband remarked how glad he was that he was never a deer hunter.) There are three babies in the picture, the one one the right, the middle one partially hidden by the branches facing left, and one reclining in the grass.

As we walked through the nearby neighborhoods we scuffled through the detritus left from everyone's fireworks.  I kept stepping on the little white poppers trying to find an errant un-popped one.  No luck. Half an hour later coming through the church parking lot I about jumped out of my shoes.  I had found (without looking) an un-popped popper that exploded under my foot. Made us laugh for quite a while.

We picked up some equipment for an overnight sleep study for The Husband.  Not sure how accurate it'll be.  Hard to sleep when all of a sudden you're all wired up and things (fingers, chest equipment) are glowing in the night. (We really love a dark room for sleeping.) When we dropped the equipment back at the hospital this morning, the guy waved us off with a "sleep well".  Funny guy.

This morning's walk was the southern part (for us) of the Jordan River Trail.  It's one of the less-used areas that we walk so we often have it pretty much to ourselves.  We've seen lots of deer in addition to all kinds of birds.  Today we watched a magpie try its darnedest to dislodge a large hawk/falcon/raptor of some kind from its perch on top of a tall, tall wired pole.  The raptor just ignored it.  After several long minutes of trying, squawking all the time, the magpie finally gave up. We enjoyed that little peek into the nature of birds.

I think the strawberries are about done for now, maybe they'll pick up again later on.  I've sprayed (use Safer spray - potassium salts and sulfur, so safe for fruits and veggies without lots of harmful chemicals or poisons) the garden, though it seems like all the plants are struggling to find happy production this year.  The strawberries were great for a couple weeks but I fear it's now too hot for them.  The corn is getting taller, but the carrots and peas and melons are looking lackluster. I keep asking The Husband if he's tired of all the garden work, but we haven't had any tomatoes yet so of course, the answer is no.  

We're both trying hard to not eat much sugar, there's so many issues with that.  Since it's summer, all I want to do is have ice cream.  But then that's all I want in spring, fall and winter as well. We passed on the bakery treats this morning on the way home, regretfully.  But rationally.  One of these days I'll bake the pie that's in the freezer and the lemon bars that are waiting for me to put together.  And the ice cream will keep as long as it's unopened. 

Finally, I'm weary of coughing. It takes so much energy.  The actual coughing fits (what I call those episodes that have me doubled over, out of breath, sore throated and really annoyed) have diminished, though not as much as I'd like (and sleeping at night is still a problem - unless I remember to Delsym).  I remembered those sinus rinses had helped me in the past so have begun doing them again and frankly I'm certain they are cleaning out the gunk that is partially responsible for the coughing.  I want to go to yoga.  And the temple.  And a movie.  Those are pretty impossible to do with this cough.  In today's health climate anyone coughing causes a mass exodus away from the cougher.  Our Daughter has also had this nasty cough.  She's been a trouper, continuing to work and carry out her responsibilities and never complaining.  I've whined for thirteen straight days (who'd have thought this silly cold would last so long?)  I've been astonished at how many people find it acceptable to ask me if I have covid.  Such an impertinence.  And really none of anyone's business.  I'm careful around people even when they're not careful around me.  The best part of all of this is that so far I've avoided a sinus infection.  Not even had a hint of one. 

Trying to find gratitude today in the things that are often overlooked.  A hug from, well, anyone.  Mail that isn't bills.  Birds singing in the trees.  Preservative free eye drops. Fresh cool water.  Yes, lovely.