2022 Happy To Be Here

Very little sleep last night so here are some happy things from today: Coming home from work this spring has been nice since I planted so many things in the triangle part of the driveway last fall. Today there are irises.  This sparked me to look where I thinned the irises from last year and they are also looking quite lovely. There are still so many that I should thin more in the fall. I am hopeful for more flowers next year. The rhododendron is pretty much in full bloom now. Keziah and I went to the studio and she pinned the hem on my Viking dress. I should be able to get it done in the next few days. Well, unless I decide to embellish it. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently listening to: Seven Surrenders , by Ada Palmer Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

The walk I was planning on today was canceled so I instead walked with my friend, Amy. We met at Livingston Park and walked about three miles. Here are some other happy things from today: There is a plant that is often part of a wooded area's carpet. I knew it flowered and was happy to see it that way and be able to identify it easier. It seems to be a Canada mayflower. The stream that goes through the pond and park seemed happy. The sun sparkling off the water adding light to a partially shaded area. We were all in the living room and strange rustle and thunk sounds came from the kitchen. When I checked to see what was going on I found Nanni, our gray tabby, apparently trying to close herself into a box! ☮ Currently reading:  Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently listening to:  Seven Surrenders , by Ada Palmer Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

There were things that I thought I would get done this weekend that didn’t happen. Other things did though, nice relaxing things. Here are some happy things from today: There was a walk today with a friend. We had a nice time on our little hike. There were brooks to cross, ponds to see and views from a hill. One of the things we saw were some white water-lilies. Just a few were blooming. They are a very pretty flower in my opinion. Near a beaver lodge there was a gnarly tree that caught my eye. It makes me think of a tall campfire. After the walk I went to the studio and made straps for my Viking dress. Soon it will be done and I will take pictures. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently listening to: Seven Surrenders , by Ada Palmer Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Clouds can make some gorgeous formations. They can be huge, small, puffy, or flat. They can also resemble things– a dinosaur, dog, dragon, or dancing bear. I didn't get a picture but saw what seemed to be an upside-down shark and it got me thinking about teleportation. Would that upside-down shark look right-side up to someone five or ten miles to the west of me? Or would it just be a blob? Perception makes a difference.  Depending on the atmospheric conditions the clouds can be ever changing or seem to be standing still. But how different they may look to the person in the next town over is where teleportation comes in. A person could witness them from multiple positions with just moments between the viewing. And that would be cool. Other happy things from today: I only got a few things done but Keziah was very productive and I am proud of her for all she accomplished today. One of the things I worked on was pulling weeds in the flower beds. One iris is open. Last fal

May is almost over and I feel like I should have done more or something. The month seems to have flown by. Every day I look for things to be happy about. Today that included pushing myself to make phone calls that I didn't want to make. This was a small step that I need to follow-up with later, but the first step is behind me and that is good. My other happy things for today are more normal: I took a nap. I don't tend to sleep much on Thursdays and it means I'm tired on Fridays. I need to work on this by napping more on Thursdays, but the nap was good. I mowed some of the lawn. We have six or seven areas to mow and it is harder for me to keep up with it lately, even with Gideon's help. Whenever parts feel done, it is a good thing. Earlier this week I wrote about getting a Bluetooth speaker that I can wear on my wrist. It worked perfectly while mowing. I could hear the music over the sound of the mower and groove to a beat while I pushed. There is a plant

Every year before Memorial Day some members of the family get together to plant geraniums on ancestors' and friends' graves. Today was that day. We make a day of it. I left work a few hours early so we could join the rest of the family at the first cemetery. We normally go to five cemeteries, but a bridge is closed so we only went to four. Here are some happy things from today: Those of you that read my blog regularly may know that I have been trying to grow geraniums for some time. A few weeks ago I moved the plants outside to get more sun. I looked at them before we left today to find that one of the plants FINALLY has buds! It didn't go to a cemetery this year, but I have hopes for more next year. It was wonderful to spend time with family that I haven't seen in a long time. I was able to eat gluten-free at Skip's Snack Bar and I found that  Hodgies  has gluten-free ice cream cones. There was a hawk and a vulture on my aunt's property. And then there

Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Other times the best thing is to go to the studio. I hadn't planned on going to the studio this afternoon. I really didn't have anything planned except getting to bed early. When Keziah asked if I wanted to go to the studio, I said yes.  I won't get to bed as early as I'd like. I did take a rough inventory of the favors that need to be worked on and was able to finish sewing two up.  Ideally I will get all the favors that are started, finished, before the event we are having in June. Other things I am happy for today: Keziah found some fabric and she is thinking about making me some garb; a twelfth century bliaut to be precise. I'm not sure how I feel about the color of the fabric. It seems to look okay next to my skin though. Our studio is an attic space and so it has angled ceilings. Occasionally we hit our heads. It also serves as an easy place to provide support when a person loses balance while putting their

Last night I didn't get to bed as early as I'd like. I'm trying to do better today. I took a covid test before going to work and it was negative. That is a big thing to be happy about. Other happy things for today are: Keziah is planning on camping at an event this weekend. I helped her pull her pavilion out on the grass so it could get some sun. The pavilion looks good! That is important. Gideon and Keziah and Zed mowed some of the lawn today. Less for me to do! The rhododendron plant has started to bloom. There is a plant that came up in the yard that I let grow to identify. It seems to be arabis galbra (tower mustard). It is tall with little flowers on top. Keziah got some really cute new glasses .  They have multiple magnetic covers to change the look of glasses without having to change the prescription. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently li

The title for today is Lawn Day, but I have a feeling there will be many of those ahead.  It was only a tiny portion that I mowed and raked today.  I'm behind on the yard, but moving forward and that is all I can do.  This morning, when I worked in the yard I raked out the area where the butterfly weed grows.  It was about 1.5 inches tall.  I didn't take a picture.   I like to have at least one picture for my blog though so I made my way back outside.  Much to my surprise,  the plant has doubled in size!  They must have been having a hard time breaking through all the leaf litter and are now happy with the natural light they are getting. Other happy things from today: -We were out and about with people this weekend and today started the covid scares.  Keziah tested negative and I will test before work tonight.  We aren't really having symptoms, but are trying to be cautious and conscientious.  -My insurance covers the home test kits, up to four a month.  I didn&

It was another long day with sunshine, laughter, and people. Keziah and I spent the day at the NH Renaissance Faire helping participate in a demo for the SCA. I want to be with people but it is so hard. Hopefully it will get better the more I get out. We again saw people we haven't seen in a while and some we have. We did our best to make people who stopped by the tent comfortable and to let them know how much fun the SCA is. I must say that the person in charge of the demo was so very good at making people comfortable it was wonderful to see. Other happy things from today: I got to hold a baby. Not a newborn, but it was fun to get to hold a little one even for a short time. There is a small regional war in the SCA coming in July. This year the 'reason' has to do with a dispute over missing sheep. Someone decided to play along with this schtick by leaving little sheep where Keziah or I might find them. A friend had a booth there, Dragon Academy. Such talent to

It has been a long day with sunshine, laughter, and people. Keziah, Gideon and I went to an SCA event about an hour away in Massachusetts. Gideon had a great time playing with friends and participating in youth fighting. Other happy things from today: It was great to see so many friends that I have not seen for so long. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming too. Still glad I went.  For a little while I just sat under a tree in the shade. While waiting for their Baronial court to begin someone noticed a bald eagle flying overhead. It was a beautiful sight. The weather forecasters were thankfully wrong and the temperatures only rose to the mid 80's where we were. The original forecast I saw called for the mid to upper 90's. There was sheep schtick that is all leading to an event in July where we will have a local war over the sheep. The idea is for it to be fun and I think we are headed that way. ☮ Currently reading:  Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirm

 Walking through the backyard, it still smells like lilacs.  They are such a short-lived flower.  Other things that made me happy today: This morning started with an appointment for my yearly mammogram.  It is something that I avoided while the pandemic was more severe.  So I am happy that I got it done.  I am also very pleased with the person who took did the imaging.  She started off happy and joking around, made good small talk and we laughed. It was a studio day and I worked on the new Viking dress some more.  It needs straps and to be hemmed.  It doesn't look like much in the following picture, but it is so close to being complete. The lily-of-the-valleys are blooming! ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently listening to: Seven Surrenders , by Ada Palmer Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Rather than falling asleep while I type this, I'm writing while I pace so I stay awake. This needs to be short so I can get some sleep. It was a long day, but I didn't do much after work. There are some clean dishes now though. Other happy things: -Gideon snuggles are always a wonderful thing. It is more special when this ten year old of mine asks me for a hug and not the other way around. -Keziah heard from Bel today. The exciting news is that Folke has been accepted into grad school. Most of the classes will be online, but they will need to spend some time here in New Hampshire for some of them. I'm happy for them.   ☮️ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. Currently listening to: Seven Surrenders , by Ada Palmer Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

It was my hope to be in bed by three this afternoon. I didn’t make it, but I’m still hoping it won’t be too much longer. Here are a couple happy things from today: At work I was taught how to work in the unload area. I haven’t put this to practice at all so I don’t feel like I learned how to do it yet. Most of the information I absorbed had to do with being safe. I had a -what if- moment that resulted in a conversation with Gideon. Everything is fine but I suddenly couldn’t remember if Gideon knew what to do if he needed to call 911. Now I am pretty sure he does and that is a good thing. Bel and I had a nice little conversation today. They left Texas about two weeks ago, went to Colorado and are now in Kansas on the way to see friends in Ohio. RV life.  Yes, I am a little envious. Keziah picked some lilacs the other day and I put a sprig on the dashboard of the car. It has shriveled up a bit but I am loving the colors that it is so far.  The blue and purple are both lovely.

After work I took a short power nap. I thought it did me good but I am still really tired. Hopefully that means I'll fall asleep once I finish this up.  I feel like I have been tired for days.  Some happy things from today: Gideon found a book about plants that are edible and decided to look for some in the yard. We ended up identifying what we think is thyme-leaved Speedwell. That variety of Speedwell wasn't in the book he had, but we have a new plant identified. We are trying to press it and I hope that he will find a way to preserve what he is learning. Gideon and I also did some mowing and weed whacking a little of the yard. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. And Tracking & The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign , by Paul Rezendes. Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Mondays are usually the days that I walk with my friend Amy. Today we walked a popular rail trail near the airport. We saw a plane or two fly over that wasn't from a commercial airline. They were loud enough that we stopped to look. They reminded me of something the military might use but I saw no recognizable markings. It was a nice walk. Here are some other happy things from today: Spending time at the studio seems to always be a good thing. I worked some more on the Viking dress. If I have the energy after work this week I may do a little more tomorrow. The lily pads are budding on the pond we walked by.  The green circles with yellow buds poking up are hard to see in the photo. Since the last time we walked this trail someone has put up QR code signs to teach different things along the trail.  One also had the following cute sign. We didn't stay out as long as we might have because there were supposed to be passing storms.  When we got back to the cars and out from

Today turned into a self care day. There were many things that I hoped to accomplish. Most didn't. I'm happy for the things I did get done: The portable AC is back in my room for the season. The temperatures have been in the 80's already and now I'm ready to stay cooler. In the triangle part of the driveway some of the paperwhites that I planted last fall have bloomed. I'm thankful to my aunt for letting me have these from her yard. There were thunderstorms today and I was walking this evening when one came by. I got home wet and closer to my step goal. More pacing inside and I achieved it. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. And Tracking & The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign , by Paul Rezendes. Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.