Gratitude Friday

Oops, I did it again! At one point yesterday, I thought “oh yeah, it’s Friday, I need to write a blog post” and then I went about the rest of my day and totally forgot!

1. Morning walks. On one this week, it was only 37 degrees! It’s definitely cooler in the morning. I was making a list the other day of all the things we’ve seen on our walks, at places that are only a mile or so from our house: ducks, geese, herons, hawks, osprey, bald eagles, skunks, raccoons, foxes, deer, beavers, mink, muskrats, wild turkey, coyote, snapping turtles, owls, snakes, rabbits, bears, a bobcat, and one time there was even a moose (although I only saw pictures).

2. Wild writing. My Friday morning group led by the lovely Laurie Wagner started up again this week after the summer off. I missed the practice and the people and am so grateful to be back at it.

3. Being my own advocate, especially when it comes to my overall health and well-being. There have been a few times recently where I had to speak up for myself, make specific requests and set boundaries — things I honestly didn’t used to be able to do — and I’m very proud of myself for it, grateful for all those who’ve supported me and taught me that I’m worthy of care.

4. Good neighbors, good friends. Sharing the joy of our gardens, doing each other favors, saying hello to each other’s dogs.

5. My tiny family. Now that it’s not so dang hot all the dang time, we’ve been able to hang out in the yard together more often, (it was never too hot for Eric, but Ringo and I didn’t agree), one of our favorite things to do.

Bonus joy: catching up with Calyx, pictures of baby boy from Chloe’, how soft Franny is, laundry, clean sheets, my favorite sweatshirt, chrysanthemums, pumpkins, honey, taco salad, pancakes, how much Ringo makes me laugh, citrus, Dave’s berry bagels, Dot’s honey mustard pretzels, vaccines (got my flu shot today), reading, podcasts, TV, naps, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna with Eric, reading in bed while Ringo and Eric sleep.

1. Morning walks. Sometimes, if I beg and beg, Ringo will even look at the camera and let me take a picture. This week we had some foggy mornings and saw a heron, a few deer, a beaver and a fox. It really and truly is full on fall now, and I love it. The rabbit brush in bloom is one of my favorite things about this season.

2. A “new” tiny family. I haven’t been allowed to write about it here for legal reasons, but now I’m allowed to say something: yesterday one of my best friends officially adopted her baby. It’s been a long time coming and much of the process was so hard, heartbreaking, but he’s here, to stay, for good. I’m so grateful to get to be part of the village that raises and loves him.

3. Practice. I’ve had a consistent meditation practice for over 10 years, and this week I decided to add another 10 minutes to my morning sit. It was time.

4. Good food. This week was also my same friend’s birthday, so I made her some zucchini breads and she gave me some peaches from her garden that I used to make compote to spoon on my oatmeal in the morning.

5. My tiny family. Ringo had various vet appointments this week, for his chronic wonky belly and his arthritic elbows, and even when he had to have blood drawn, he did SO good. I love getting to spend lazy days at home with him, hanging out and playing and “singing” and cuddling and napping. And Eric, well, he’s my favorite.

Bonus joy: good health practitioners to support both me and Ringo — wise and kind and funny, clean laundry, cooler weather, chrysanthemums, other people’s dogs, good TV (especially DCI Banks), podcasts (in particular My Favorite Murder), good books (too many to list), good music, masks and vaccines, a clean desk to work on, bare feet on soft green grass, good neighbors, naps, aqua aerobics, sitting in the sauna, training with Shelby, hanging out with Calyx, texting with Mom and Chris and Carrie, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.