Skies

Thursday morning.

This morning.

 I'm often gently chided for looking at the ground when I walk.  That's so I don't trip and fall, like I did a week ago.  Gotta see where those feet are being planted.  I do however, manage to still see the beautiful sky.  It is often stunning in the morning when I'm most often out.  Thursday's was the bright glow.  This morning's was the cloud ceiling.  I just love that I have a camera in my pocket to take pictures so I can remember the beauty. 

Last night was our symphony tickets. It felt good - sorta - to be out.  The Christmas concert is my favorite of all the ones we attend.  Last night was no exception. The guest singers' voices were beautiful and mellow and rich and clear.  The symphony, as always, was top notch.  We heard a version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" that I've never heard before and that particular one will always be at the top of my list of preferred Christmas music.  I've tried to find a recording online and there's just nothing that is even remotely as lovely as the one we heard last night.  And "Mary Did You Know" is perfect for focusing on the Savior.  I loved being there.

I didn't love being downtown Salt Lake City.  We rode trax, which isn't my favorite but is so much more convenient, particularly during the holidays when so many people are thronging downtown for all the events.  We had wanted to walk over to Temple Square to see the lights but it was raining and The Husband didn't even have a hat so it was an abbreviated attempt.  I am more easily overwhelmed with the crowds than The Husband so it was hard, not to mention that I always find crowds wearing/exhausting even when I'm feeling tip-top which I wasn't.  (Only five more weeks to go until I'm deemed fully recovered from the surgery.  Yay!)

We ate at Seven Brothers, were previously introduced to them by our son who loves them.  Me?  Not so much.  They're huge for one thing, and IMO overpriced.  The turn off for me was the fact that my burger was still very pink inside and worrywart that I am, I simply cannot abide uncooked ground beef.  I ate about half and then couldn't stomach any more.  The final item that will keep me from eating there again is the fact that they won't take cash.  Truly.  I know I'm old, but the currency used in this country should be acceptable at all places of business.  They just want it to be easier for themselves.  Nope, not helping them.  The food wasn't enough to tip the scales. And parenthetically, that particular location needs to work on their customer service.  They were busy - lines of people out the door.  But the person taking our order couldn't have been more robot-like.  Nary a smile.  Complete lack of interest in anything except hurrying us along.  He clearly wanted to be anywhere but there working. So I don't plan to go back to Seven Brothers.

This morning, I'm so grateful to have felt well enough to be out for what is a favorite holiday tradition of ours.  Fingers crossed we'll be able to continue our symphony tickets.  So grateful for the much needed moisture, though we need a ton more, especially in the form of mountain snow. I'm grateful for medication that can help my acid stomach, my dizzy inducing head congestion and the pain from arthritis.  I'm also grateful that Christmas is about wrapped up - in all definitions of the word.  Tomorrow will be the Sacrament meeting Christmas program - my turn on the organ - then Tuesday we'll run down to see our son in Utah County and by then all (very few) neighbor/friend gifts will have been delivered and we will have a quiet Christmas.  We are becoming accustomed to it being just us on Christmas day, life surely changes as one ages.  So grateful to be alive to see the dawning of a new day, a fresh try at being a better disciple of Christ.