The Little Pond

This grainy photo was taken from our bedroom window. We have a small flood prevention pond across the street.  Last year with Co-Vid some neighbors have gotten creative and on occasion I'd see some kids out there.  This year our next door neighbor spent hours clearing the ice on Thursday and again Monday.  And then another neighbor sent out a text to meet on the ice at 2pm today.  They had a little fire, music, beverages and cookies.  I had thought I should go over sometime to appreciate the effort our neighbor put into clearing the ice and it looked like the kids were skating pretty smoothly, so I headed over.

It was mostly the kids doing the skating, but eventually a few adults joined us. The guy who cleared off the ice was clearly a hockey player.  I think of hockey as an unappealing/brutal sport, but when I watch the skaters without the aggression I see such grace, that was on display today. 

One of the moms I know a little better than the others because Michael's daughters occasionally babysit for her kids.  I feel like when we talk at these little gatherings our conversations stem a bit beyond the superficial, as they did today, which I appreciate.

I really hardly know any of our neighbors, but overall I have the impression that they are a great group of people and I am so appreciative of that.

We may or may not be moving in the next year, and if we do, I know this pond will be one thing I miss, these neighbors another.

 

Grateful Decisions

 # 1 - I had a hard time falling asleep last night - going in and out of bed a few times.  After a couple hours I grabbed a book and went into the living room and read.  I had the string of holiday lights on and it was peaceful.  The only real problem was my thoughts, "I should be asleep," or "I am going to be tired tomorrow."  

The only problem was really my mind.

#2 - The book I was reading is The Best American Travel Writing 2018 edited by Cheryl Strayed.  I am enjoying the variety.  Last night's story took place in Canada, Prince Edward Island and was focused on foxes and the author's (then unknown) brain tumor.

#3 - I signed up yesterday to do an early morning yoga with the local studio on Zoom, so I still got up early and did something that felt good, once again enhanced by the string of holiday lights.

#4 - Seeing multiple neighbors clearing off the small pond across the street - for skating I assume?

#5 - Michael and I planned another Xmas holiday without extended family.  Last year the 4 of us went to a camper cabin at a state park because of Co-Vid.  This year some members of our extended family chose not to vaccinate, so we decided during the summer to just be the 2 of us (the girls will be with their mom), with the current Co-Vid situation I'm grateful for that decision.

Low Lights

Well I took advantage of the weird weather, and record high, and took a jog today -  and my knee is still holding up well.  It was foggy and warm and now the lightning has begun for this strange winter (but not winter-like) weather.

I felt a little light-headed late afternoon so after dinner I laid on the couch and Michael cleaned up the kitchen. He had also left the dining room light off while we ate which I appreciated.  I put up a string of holiday lights in the dining room, but usually he wants more light to eat.

Oh and this morning he came into the dining room and said, "I was about to pick a fight about the kitchen sink..." but then he had decided not to. The kitchen, especially in the morning, can be a room of stress/contention so it was nice to hear him recognize his annoyance at something, and then decide not to feed it.

We sat on the couch for a little bit after dinner, with just the string of holiday lights on in the dining room and the eerie quiet outside. I love low lighting in the evening - how it quiets everything - including the mind.

Booster

I got my Co-Vid booster yesterday and am a bit under the weather today. I've enjoyed a more low key day which includes working from the couch and watching the fresh snow out the front window on the trees and pond across the street. It's a gentle snow that muffles sounds and makes things feel peaceful.

I called my cousin when I needed a little rest/break and we talked about a fight she had recently with her sister (I'd already talked to her sister). She thought I took her sister's side. I thanked her for telling me that and reassured her that I loved her and that cared about her feelings. I think by the end of the conversation she understood that.

Oh and my knee which was really starting to concern me because it didn't seem to be getting better, took a turn for the better late last week. I hesitantly played soccer Sunday, fearful it might set the healing back, but it's two days later and it still seems ok.