Five things that made me happy today – 7/3/22

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

Thomas Jefferson

1. Another misty morning with cool temperatures – 57 deg. when I got up. It drizzled most of the early afternoon, and the temperature never got out of the upper 50s. Brrr…

2. Church on YouTube this morning, with communion. There was also a baptism of a teenager, followed by her Profession of Faith. I’m pleased that she elected to join us.

3. Big Al and I went to Royal Thai Bistro for lunch. I had Yakisoba Noodles and Al had Sweet and Sour Chicken.

4. I’ve been cold all day – this is JULY!!! (see #1). Everybody promises summer starts on July 5 in Seattle, so I guess they’re right.

5. I think I finished up all the business for the Potluck Cookout tomorrow evening for the folks at Gazebo Group.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 7/2/22

If I act and work and write as though a more just future will exist, perhaps I’ll be one step closer to believing in it. 

Nicole Chung

1. It was still gloriously cool when I woke up this morning in the upper 50s. The temperature clawed its way up to 65 this afternoon. “They” say it will get to 70 before dark, but I doubt it.

2. Spent most of the morning consulting with my tame IT specialist (aka son #2). My IP provider still hasn’t fixed the stuff they’ve said several time had been fixed. SNARL

3. Finished my story (that I promised you yesterday). You can read it here.

4. Salad with chopped peaches, cheese, and pecans with Honey Mustard salad dressing. I also had a few whole wheat Ritz crackers for added crunch.

5. One of the neighbors is having a big family party at the Gazebo, and Al and I have enjoyed watching them decorate, set up tables and chairs, and bring a barbecue down. I think they will have a good time. The best part is, they will leave the extra chairs and tables for us to use on Monday for the Gazebo Group 4th of July Potluck.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Who am I – REALLY?

A blogger friend of mine recently posted about her sexuality – for the first time. I can understand her reticence in these troubled times. (Note to family – No, I’m not going to suddenly reveal that I’m a lesbian – “Not that there’s anything wrong with that”.) I realized that, while I may actually reveal or inadvertently point to who I am in this blog, I try to keep some things out of it (notably politics and religion). But because she was brave, I decided that I would be better off if I was open about who I am and what I believe.

STATUS

White – Since I grew up in the south, I realize that, even today, the color of my skin makes me privileged. I knew there were areas of town where people like me lived, and other areas where people of a different skin color lived, and believe me, I never wanted to live in the other areas.

CIS Gendered – I never wished that I could be romantically involved with girls. I knew other girls who felt differently, but it was never for me. I also never wanted to be a boy or a man. I know that makes me privileged because society looks down on differently gendered people. (I know that because I have two Trans grandchildren.)

College Educated – I am massively privileged because my parents, and later my husband supported me through college and graduate school.

Female – I always thought that I was as good as anyone. I fought the good fight for Roe v Wade in the 60s, and (silly me) I thought that gave me bodily autonomy. I worked hard – politically – to be able to have my own money, my own credit card, and my own property. Imagine my dismay at the recent Supreme Court rulings and threatened further erosions of my personhood.

SPIRITUAL

Progressive Christian – I’m a Presbyterian from before the womb going back many generations on both sides. I am a Calvinist – and firmly believe in Calvin’s definition of predestination – chosen by God’s grace through no fault or action of my own. In life and in death we belong to God.

Because of this, I believe my faith insists that I feed the hungry, house the homeless, comfort the grieving, care for those who cannot care for themselves. In other words, love other people at least as much as I love myself.

POLITICAL

Progressive Democrat – getting more progressive all the time.

I believe the Constitution of the United States is an imperfect document, but that it’s better than anything else that has been created as a form of government. The best part of it is the ability to change it. The Amendments are there to expand our rights, not to decrease them. The laws made by the Congress should do the same things – expand rights.

When there are rights either explicitly stated or implied, the Supreme Court should be very careful about changing any of them – and generally err on the side of expansion. When the Court took away rights from the Congress (recent decision on EPA) or women (recent decision on Roe v. Wade) I believe the Court overstepped its bounds.

I don’t like guns, but having lived in Texas for many years, I can understand wanting to have guns for hunting and sport. I will NEVER understand having a personal gun for personal protection. If you’re worried about that, do a better job of funding, training and disciplining the police.

I’m trying to give a little (out of my privilege) to support causes that align with my beliefs. I set up a recurring donation to Third Act – an organization that works to ameliorate Climate Change. I also support as many Democratic Representatives and Senators as I have the funds to do. If/when I have additional funds, Planned Parenthood is at the top of my list to contribute to.

Now, I’m going to go do something for myself – exercise, and then play a game of Cribbage with Al.

Five things that made me happy today – 7/1/22

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

SAINT MOTHER TERESA

1. Cool and cloudy when I got up with temperatures in the upper 50s. The sun came out mid morning, and the temperature got into the mid-70s this afternoon. An almost perfect blue-sky day!

2. I spent most of the morning reading news articles that I didn’t get around to the rest of the week. My brain is stuffed.

3. I worked on my “story” for tomorrow (SURPRISE! I’m actually getting back to writing stories.)

4. Lunch was chicken, yellow squash, and tomato salad. Al preferred to have rice-a-roni instead of squash and tomato.

5. Today was the first Ice Cream Social on the porch of Lillian Pratt since the beginning of the pandemic. I had mint chocolate chip! Maybe the world has really turned.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 6/30/22

Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them.

Vincent McNabb

1. The weather this morning was cool and sunny – 57 deg. when I woke up.

2. I spent most of the morning updating my Intentions for June. You can read it here.

3. I wasn’t able to order my new glasses yesterday. The Optical Shop was closed by the time we finished with our appointments. This morning I drove down there and ordered a pair that will fit my face better, and will work well as sunglasses and readers, with my new post-cataract vision.

4. We had bratwurst, cucumber salad and boiled potato for lunch today.

5. I’m having internet problems, but I’m happy that son #2 is on it and hopefully being able to fix something.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Intentions Review for June 2022

My Star Word for this year is Solitude. I’m taking it as an affirmation that my introverted tendencies are just fine.

“We are human beings, not human doings:”. I set these intentions for who I want to BE not what I want to DO. As with last year I will hold these intentions loosely, and may add new ones or subtract some of these as the spirit moves me.

NOTE: *indicates intention added in June

1. Traveler – partially completed
   1. Train Trip to Upstate New York
      1. Summer of 2022
      2. Cost
      3. Start saving now
   2. Northern Washington with Bill
      1. Because of the weather and traffic, we opted to visit Port Townsend instead of Leavenworth. We got pictures of the sound, the mountains, the shore, etc.
      2. Cost – lunch for two
   3. Whale Watching with Al
      1. Early Fall
      2. Cost – minimal
2. Content
   1. Habits to keep
      1. Exercise 1 hour a day 5-6 days a week (see 3-C)
      2. Eat healthy food (see 3-C)
      3. Stick to regular schedule of noon meals – check
         1. Sunday – eat out
         2. Monday and Friday – meat, starch, fresh vegetable
         3. Tuesday – feed yourself (sandwich, salad, pre-frozen pasta)
         4. Wednesday – soup of the week, or salad
         5. Thursday – pickup Fast Food
         6. Saturday – finish off leftovers
   1. Habits to change
      1. Focus on how I feel when I’m exercising and eating right and try to ignore the numbers – Check
      2. Really listen to Al instead of thinking I know what he’s going to say – It’s a work in progress
3. Healthy
   1. Both cataracts are done. I’ll be getting new glasses in July (prescription written in June)
   2. I’m double vaccinated and double boosted, and so are all my family.
   3. *My new Primary Care Physician gave me a new prescription for healthy living
      1. 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily
      2. 1 hour or more of physical activity daily
      3. 2 1/2 hrs of aerobic activity a week
      4. 2 days of strength building activity a week
      5. 0 soda & sugary drinks – more water
   4. *Lose 2 lbs a month before my 80th birthday (will complete the goal I set in 2014).
      1. June 2022 – 3 lbs
4. Learner
   1. Great Decisions – first Wednesday of every month
      1. Changing Demographics – Interesting, but nothing earthshaking
      2. Outer Space – interesting perspective from others in the class
      3. Climate Change – I led the discussion and everyone seemed to enjoy the conversation
      4. Putin’s Russia – interesting history, but mostly overcome by events and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
      5. Myanmar and Asean
      6. Quad Alliance
      7. Drug Policy in Latin America
      8. Industrial Policy
      9. Biden’s Agenda
   2. MasterClass – I didn’t renew my membership. It felt like I wasn’t using it enough to make it worthwhile.
   3. Read at least 24 books this year
      1. Finish the Inspector Lynley series
         1. In the Presence of the Enemy – Elizabeth George – finished
         2. Deception on his Mind – Elizabeth George – finished
         3. In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner – Elizabeth George – finished
         4. The Sacred Bridge – Anne Hilllerman – finished
         5. A Traitor to Memory – Elizabeth George – finished
         6. A Place of Hiding – Elizabeth George – reading
5. Writer
   1. 5 Things that Made Me Happy Today – I’m definitely keeping up with this.
   2. Stories from my Life
      1. Publish a story at least twice a week – current events have sidelined me often this month
      2. Okay to use and/or expand other things I’ve written
6. Friend – Remember the only person I can change is me.
   1. Accepting Mindset
      1. Try to give other people the benefit of the doubt
      2. Ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions
   2. Introverted actions to take
      1. Send a kind message to distant friends at least once a month – done
      2. Keep up with friends on Facebook – done
      3. Send an email or text message to people who do nice things for me or for other people – done, but not as many as I should.

Five things that made me happy today – 6/29/22

I had not loved enough. I’d been busy, busy, so busy, preparing for life, while life floated by me, quiet and swift as a regatta.

LORENE CARY

1. Only 56 deg when I got up and the marine layer in full effect. The sun came out about noon and the temperature got into the mid 60s.

2. Exercised early, particularly since I didn’t do anything but sit in my chair and stare at screens (TV, iPad, iPhone) all day yesterday – glued to the Jan 6 hearings, HCR’s Politics Chat, Greisser Girls Gab, and MSNBC’s analysis of the hearings.

3. I had a cracked filling replaced in one of my molars this morning. Not fun, but I’m happy I’ve gotten it over with.

4. Cottage cheese and a tomato for lunch (being careful not to chew my lip since it was still numb from the filling.) Big Al had some of his noodles. More cantaloupe for supper, garnished with more cottage cheese. After blueberries on my cereal and grapefruit for breakfast – that made five fruits and vegetables today.

5. Trip to the ophthalmologist to get fitted for new glasses (HOORAY) that fit and work for far seeing and reading with my new after-cataract-surgery eyes. I think that polishes off all the medical/dental stuff that’s been hanging over me this spring.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 6/28/22

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

Henry Nouwen

1. The on-shore flow came through overnight with MUCH cooler temperatures and cloudy skies – 59 deg. when I got up this morning. High this afternoon was 64 – a BIG change from the last three days.

2. I skipped Bible study this morning to watch the January 6th newly scheduled hearing. I’m still flabbergasted about the mental picture of the ex-President wrestling with the driver in his motorcade because he wanted to go to the Capital, and the Secret Service refused to take him there.

Cassidy Hutchinson, former aide to Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, is sworn in to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

3. Al had his intake appointment with his new Primary Care Physician this morning. He’s fine – pending his bloodwork that he had drawn. He picked up lunch at McDonald’s on his way home.

4. We traded Thursday for Tuesday for lunch today. I had a Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Al had a Big Mac and fries. Grapefruit this morning, lettuce, tomato, and onion on the sandwich, cottage cheese stuffed in a tomato for supper, and a cup of cantaloupe pieces (counts as two) makes five fruits and vegetables for the day.

5. Greisser Girls Gab this afternoon. Lots to talk about.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 6/27/22

The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof. 

Barbara Kingsolver

1. The heat continues – it was in the mid 60s when I got up this morning. I had to close up the house about 3:00 pm because it was 90 deg. outside and the A/C came on. “They say” we shouldn’t have to worry about heat tomorrow as the on-shore flow will be back – “Nature’s Air Conditioner”.

2. I got the NYT crossword puzzle correct with no hints or help! Hooray!

3. Laundry day – The clothes are all washed, dried, sorted, delivered, folded, and hung up.

4. Lunch was pork chops, cinnamon applesauce, and asparagus. I also gave Al a boiled potato to round out his dinner. I had a sliced tomato for supper – that, with the grapefruit and blueberries from breakfast gave me my five vegetables and fruits for the day.

5. Gazebo Group this evening. Thank goodness for the breeze that always comes up as the sun is disappearing behind the trees.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 6/26/22

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced

MALALA YOUSAFZAI

1. Pretty day this morning. Blue skies, light breeze, temperatures in the mid 60s early. By the time we got back to the house from lunch, the temperature was in the upper 80s, but there was a nice breeze. I closed all the shades on the sunny side of the house, and it stayed pretty nice all day. The A/C came on about the time I went to bed, cooling the house off from 80 deg. down to 73.

2. Bethany had church service at Camp Soundview this morning. I’m too unsteady on my feet to deal with the paths and hills out there, so I skipped the service. They will post it on YouTube later, and I’ll catch it then. I would have loved to have gone. Maybe my balance will have improved by next summer.

3. I finished up an order at Safeway and we picked it up on the way home from lunch. Fewer trips…

4. We went to Boathouse 19 for lunch. I had steamers and clam chowder, and Big Al had a hamburger with fries. I’ll have a sliced tomato, a peach, celery stuffed with cheez whiz and some blueberries for supper. With the grapefruit I had for breakfast, that ought to get me to my 5 fruits and vegetables for the day.

5. Finally got some paperwork finished that FTJ had asked for at the first of the month. Not hard, just fidgety.

How about you? What made you happy today?