Five things that made me happy today – 5/12/24

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

Theodore Roosevelt

1. In the low 50s and bright and clear this morning when I woke up. A song sparrow greeted me with his trill before I got out of the bed. It’s been really cool all day – currently 72 deg with a high later expected to be 74 deg.

2. I settled myself with the iPad shortly after breakfast, and found that my on-line church service at First Presbyterian Church didn’t record. So I didn’t get to go to church this morning. A little sad about that.

3. We were able to go early to dinner, so we were avoided any potential Mother’s Day crowds. We went to Royal Thai Bistro – my choice because I wanted something to cut through the pollen-induced snuffles and cough that I woke up with. I had Holy Thai (spice level – 5), with lots of healthy veggies and chicken. Al had Sweet and Sour Chicken.

4. We drove down to Trader Joe’s so I could get blueberries for my cereal tomorrow. I also picked up some of my Sweet Apple Chicken sausages. Everyone in town seemed to be there buying flowers for Mother’s Day (apparently). I thought about getting myself some roses, but then I thought better of it. They’d be dead in three or four days.

5. I finally folded last week’s sheets and towels that have been in the dryer since Tuesday, and took the recycling out to the curb. All chores for today finished – the back porch birds are calling for me.

BONUS: Both boys checked in with Mother’s Day wishes.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/11/24

Clouds come floating into my life from other days no longer to shed rain or usher storm but to give colour to my sunset sky. 

Rabindranath Tagore

1. It was in the mid 50s when I got up this morning and blue sky with sun. It was gorgeous all day with temperatures in the low 80s this afternoon.

2. I discovered there’s a whole different set of birds out early in the morning – flickers, Berwick wrens, and a black-headed grosbeak. Now that it’s warmer in the morning, I’ll be able to go out on the porch and, hopefully, identify a few more.

3. I went over to the Wellness Center and spent over an hour on the NuStep. This was only the second time this week that I made it over there. I needed it the extra time.

4. I fixed cottage cheese, with carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes for lunch. I fancied the cottage cheese up like Mama used to with onions, Worcestershire sauce, and a dab of Miracle Whip. I also had a few Ritz crackers. Al warmed up the soup he made the other day.

5. I’ve really enjoyed seeing all the pictures of the aurora borealis. Maybe I can stay up late enough to see it for myself tonight (or maybe not).

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/10/24

Before you speak, stop, breathe, and consider if what you are about to say will improve upon the silence. 

Allan Lokos

1. Lower 50s this morning with sunny, clear skies. Beautiful weather all day long with a high of 80 deg,

2. We gathered up after breakfast and went over to Lillian Pratt to wait for the bus to take us out for Lunch Bunch.

3. Lunch Bunch was at Il Lucano’s in Gig Harbor. It’s a great Italian restaurant. They make everything from scratch and it tastes like it. I had steamed clams with a tiramisu for dessert. Al had a pizza and brought home a spaghetti and meatball dinner (to have sometime later).

4. We got back in time for Al to go to his creative writing class.

5. The birds are calling me to come sit on the porch.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/9/24

Something precious is lost if we rush headlong into the details of life without pausing for a moment to pay homage to the mystery of life and the gift of another day. 

Kent Neurbuen

1. Still cool (high 40s) but clear and sunny when I woke up. The sun shone all day with a light breeze. I spent part of the afternoon sitting on the back porch communing with the birds – an American Crow, a Western Flycatcher, and a Canada Goose, along with the usual suspects.

2. I fought the good fight and finally was able to correct my credit card number with the Neptune Society. They don’t make it easy to make simple changes like that.

3. I took Al over to Bristol View for a Creative Writing session right after breakfast. I came home, did some little chores, reviewed email, and then went to the Wellness Center where I did my exercises for the day.

4. I picked Al up (I timed it so I was finished at the Wellness Center just as he was finished with his class) and we drove down to Burger King to get lunch. Al had a Whopper, and I had a Crispy Chicken sandwich. I’m spoiled after being in Texarkana – it’s hard to eat Fried Chicken where people don’t have a clue what it’s supposed to taste like.

5. After I came in from watching and listening to the birds, I sliced the strawberries we got at the Commissary, and then I sliced the big cucumber and made German cucumber salad to keep in the refrigerator. Having those things makes it easier to stick to my Mediterranean diet.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/8/24

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees. 

John Muir

1. Lower 40s and beautifully clear and sunny when I got up this morning. It’s been blue sky all day with the temperature in the lower 60s.

2. Commissary Day – We drove down and did our major shopping for the next six weeks. We didn’t get everything on our lists, but we got the major things – meat, canned goods, bread, etc. I’ll still need to get fresh vegetables, milk, and eggs, etc., weekly, although I shouldn’t need to get much next week. I did get fresh asparagus, fresh squash, and strawberries.

3. On the way home we stopped and picked up Jersey Mike’s Subs. I don’t think I’ve had one since we lived in Texas. It still tasted like it used to. They are “breadier” than Jimmy John’s subs, but still very acceptable.

4. I got the car unloaded, and Al is still busily putting things away. I know there’s no blood relationship between him and my grandmother, but they were/are masters of the elastic refrigerator and cabinet.

5. Beautiful weather, so I feel a session with the birds on the back porch in my near future. I’ll leave them late in the afternoon to take Al to a Senior University lecture and then pick him up.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/7/24

Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. 

Anonymous

1. It was in the lower 40s when I got up with scattered clouds and blue sky. We’ve had mostly sunny weather all day – and the temperatures rose to the upper 50s. Should be even nicer tomorrow. If the number of squirrel sex parties are any indication, we should have a million more squirrels in a few weeks.

2. The housekeeper was here today and we have clean floors, clean bathrooms, and a clean kitchen.

3. While the housekeeper was here I went over to the Wellness Center and spent some time on the NuStep – over half of my steps for the day are done and dusted.

4. I finished off the last of the Gumbo that I made in early March. I’m so glad Bill’s recipe makes enough for me to have at least seven or eight times. It’s not a favorite of Al’s, but I love it, so it usually gets eaten on Tuesdays (fix-it-yourself lunch days).

5. Almost time for Greisser Girls Gab. I’m looking forward to a glass of wine with them.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/6/24

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief, and unspeakable love. 

Washington Irving

1. It was in the upper 40s and cloudy with fog hanging in the trees to the west after rain in the night. There were several sun-showers through the day – usually when I was trying to go somewhere. The temperature stayed cool – mid-50s.

2. Around and in between trips to the Wellness Center and fixing lunch, etc., I managed to get the laundry all washed, dried, delivered, folded, and hung up.

3. I went over to the Wellness Center (in a rain shower) shortly after breakfast and did my time on the NuStep. It quit raining almost as soon as I got inside. Then I drove home (in a rain shower), picked up Al, and took him back with me for our sessions with our personal trainer. I got wet scooting inside, but Al waited in the car until it quit raining (about 10 minutes). We came home, and I scurried down to check the mail (in another little shower) that quit as soon as I got back in the garage.

4. We had PF Chang’s Home Menu Chicken Fried Rice and PF Chang’s Home Menu Egg Rolls for lunch.

5. Gazebo Group is meeting on Zoom this evening. Thank goodness I don’t have to go out in it, or I would probably be rained on again.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/5/24

Solitude is for me a fount of healing which makes my life worth living. Talking is often a torment for me, and I need many days of silence to recover from the futility of words.  

Carl Jung 

1. It was another dreary, drizzly 48 deg morning when I got up. The weather continued drizzly and cold. The best the temperature could manage was the low 50s.

2. I went to church-on-line at First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas. The sermon was about everyone being welcome. We had communion today. I enjoy my lemon Oreo cookie and splash of Cabernet Sauvignon for communion. A perk for not being able to attend in person.

3. Because it was Cinco de Mayo, we decided to give the Mexican restaurant a pass. We figured everybody and his aunt’s uncle would be there. Instead we went to Harbor Lights. Even though it was cool and rainy I was still able to see a couple of seals.

4. Al had his favorite – chopped sirloin, baked potato and asparagus.

5. I had trout, rice pilaf, and asparagus. Yummy!

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/4/24

No! Try not! Do or do not. There is no try.

Yoda

Star Wars Day

1. 49 deg and cloudy with damp streets when I got up. We’ve had “light rain” all day long – not enough to spot the windows, but if you stay outside any length of time, your hair is wet when you come in. High temperature has been 54 deg.

2. I blew through the email, and played all the games I usually play in plenty of time to go to the Wellness Center.

3. I went over to the Wellness Center and used the NuStep. Nobody else there.

4. We had leftover Mexican casserole for lunch. Still tasty.

5. Planning next week – rainy weather is supposed to continue through Tuesday, but by Wednesday SPRING should return with temperatures in the 70s and sunny skies. I’m ready.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 5/3/24

Nor hell nor heaven can that soul surprise, who loves the rain, and loves his home, and looks on life with quiet eyes. 

Frances Shaw

1. Mid 40s this morning and sunny. It was nice until about noon when the clouds started to roll in, but it stayed reasonably warm – mid 60s. At 3:00 the breeze came up and it got cooler. This may have been the last dry, semi-warm afternoon for a while.

2. I got all of my email read after breakfast. That’s a first in a while.

3. I went over to the Wellness Center and used the NuStep, then drove home and picked up Al, and we both went back for a session with our personal trainer. I worked with him for about 45 minutes, and then Al got his full attention for the final 15 minutes of our hour. Al is doing better with his sit-to-stands.

4. Lunch was pork chops, cinnamon applesauce, Stovetop stuffing and fresh asparagus. Very tasty.

5. Because of the threatened weather change, I sat out on the back porch to listen to the birds before starting this. New birds this afternoon were a Purple Finch, a Red Crossbill, a Golden-Crowned Sparrow, a House Wren, and a Black-capped Chickadee.

How about you? What made you happy today?