All Over The Place

I've a lot of different thought streams running through my head.  I've been reading a lot of articles (which is kinda-sorta-maybe the usual for me lately).  And we've had stuff going on.  So I kind of feel scattered.  Told The Husband the other day that sometimes I feel like I'm juggling w-a-y too many balls and can't quite keep track of all of them.

Pretty moon thru the trees.

We went for a walk along the Jordan River Trail (the north part of our usual) the other morning.  It was super dark out, except for the moon.  This last full moon (the snow moon?) has kept our bedroom bright when we're trying to sleep but when we're trying to walk in it, all the little bird sounds and rustlings in the leafless bushes are a bit disconcerting.  I have always loved the bare winter branches of deciduous trees silhouetted against the sky.  For some reason I find that very picturesque.  I took several pictures that morning, but deleted nearly all.  This one was probably the best.  I should take a class to learn how to take better phone pictures. 

We've put a down payment on the roof.  The guy seems to know his craft and hopefully will do a decent job.  I figure his reputation is on the line for every job he does, and he's probably aware of that.  Our concern is, of course, the weather (and the solar panels).  I'll try to be patient, but I'm pretty sure it will seem like a very long month.  The good part is that we no longer have strange men tromping through / around the house, climbing up through the very small attic access to assess.  Gave me anxiety.

I've been reading a book for a long time.  The authors are quite intelligent and educated and w-a-y above my mediocre mental abilities.  So I have to read and reread and kind of digest what they write so it makes sense - that's why it's taking me so long.  One section was about forgiveness and I found this quote that I loved. Something to aspire to.

It Demands Of Me...

I have long espoused the concept of contentment.  Have read a couple articles lately championing that very thing.  And I felt validated.  And while this article isn't about contentment exactly, I believe that some sort of thoughtfulness toward life helps us feel that contentment.  And anything any of us can do to relieve stress is worth some effort.

Meditate?

And finally:  when I first became aware of Mr. Collis' book that he references in this article, I got it from the library.  I remember thinking that these were five exemplary men who actually lived their basic goodness.  Which to me is just another way of their endeavor to be disciples of Christ even without stating it.  I enjoyed this article as well.

Selfless

And that's a lot of articles to read.  One of the main reasons I link to them here, is in case I want to go back and refresh my memory of why they were important to me. 

Today I'm grateful for a treat of some Chinese cuisine that I otherwise wouldn't have had - I enjoyed it.  Grateful for lunch out the other day with the neighbors.  They have a tendency to want to "pay" us for bringing in their mail and packages when they travel.  That's a super easy thing we're happy to do.  I dislike people paying for my food, but it's always fun to get together with them. I'm grateful that both The Husband and I just wanted a day at home today.  It's not often we both have the same need at the same time to just be homebodies.  That's mostly my general desire. And I'm grateful for the winter sunshine. Bright enough to help me feel a bit chipper, but not so hot as in the summer.  Just right.