Thoughts Disjointed

A few times a week Aesop, our dog, gets to spend the day playing with other dogs at a doggy daycare.  The daycare is about a mile from where I work, but today was the first time I have had the opportunity to pick him up from there.  He was so happy to be picked up.  I've been told that he is also very glad to get there.  I think he was the last dog so was probably bored.  

One of the nice things about working late at night until late morning is the general lack of traffic.  On the way to work I might see five cars.   There are more cars on the drive home, but still not the steady stream that goes down that road after five in the afternoon.  I took a personal day today so I could use that time before the end of the year.  Driving that way to get Aesop and seeing all the traffic was a nice reminder of the ease of my current commute.  Getting Aesop and my commute are happy things for today.  Other happy things include:

• TF and I took a few hours midday and tried to get closer to defeating monsters and finding treasure in Minecraft. 
• I also got out for a walk by myself this afternoon, before picking up Aesop.  It took me a little while to clear my head, but it was a nice walk.  Not everyone has Christmas lights on still, but I got a picture of one house from down the street.

• When I got home with Aesop, Winston, the orange tabby, gave me a look.  It wasn't quite an angry cat look, but it was close.  Then I got this puzzled look...

"Why?" asks Winston, "Why did you bring that dog back to the house?"

I'm not sure that technically falls under the happy category, but I thought Winston's looks were priceless.

☮

Currently reading:  The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Productivity

 Work was not as I expected this morning.  Things were so slow that they were letting people go home.  Since I am still not back to full health from my cold,

 I volunteered and went home.  Then I got productive.  Here are some happy things from today:

• This year I am trying to give very few gifts.  The ones that are here I wrapped this morning while the rest of the house slept.
• While everyone else slept I put away the clean dishes, loaded the dishwasher again, ran the dishwasher and washed the hand washable dishes.  By the time everyone awoke, the dishwasher had finished.
• It is my laundry day and I got my clothes into the wash before the house awoke.
• I went down to the cellar and did some plant supply organizing.  I set up a little space heater (which got repurposed after people woke up) to try to warm up the area with the plants.  
• When Aesop, the dog, woke up I gave him a short walk around the yard so that he wouldn't wake up the household.  The sun was up, but not over the hill yet.

• AFTER everyone was awake I went with Gideon and Zed's mom to do some Christmas shopping.  The few stores we went to weren't horribly busy on this Thursday morning.  
• Zed's mom has wanted an angel like is described in the Bible.  Keziah made one for her.  My daughter is very talented.

It even lights up!

It was a good and productive day.  

☮

Currently reading: The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Currently listening to: The Autobiography of Santa Claus, as told to Jeff Guinn.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

My Birthday

 It was a rough day.  Here are some happy highlights:

• First thing this morning I went outside with Aesop, our dog, for his morning quick walk.  I love the freshly fallen snow and Aesop seems to as well.

• It has been one year since we got our cats Nanni and Winston.  Of course I didn't have my camera when they were being cute this morning.
• I forced myself out of the house in the afternoon for a nice walk with Aesop.  Despite having a cold I really wanted to have more of a real walk in the snow.

Turkey footprints.

• Keziah colored Gideon's hair and he is super happy with it.  It looks great on him.

Christmas green!

• Keziah and I held an online court today where we officially gave out three awards.  After, we kept the Google Meet open and got to virtually visit with many friends from the Barony that we haven't seen in a while.
• Getting love and support from --K and other friends and family.
• The sun shone and now the Christmas tree is lit up.

• I took some coughing, sneezing, stuffy head, fall down on the floor and go boom medicine...

☮

Currently listening to: The Autobiography of Santa Claus, as told to Jeff Guinn.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Organization

 The decision was made this year to not have an indoor Christmas tree.  With the two cats (we got them December 19th last year) and now a dog it just doesn't seem like a good idea.  It will be stress producing, which we don't need.  The next problem with the pets is what to do with the gifts.  Zed got his wrapping mostly done the other day (about two weeks ahead of when he is usually wrapping) and came up with what seems like a perfect spot.  There is a shelf above the stairs that the cats sometimes go on.  There isn't much room now though because of the presents.

The sled is there all the time and attached to the wall.  That is my happy thing for today.  Next for me is sleep.

☮

Currently listening to: The Autobiography of Santa Claus, as told to Jeff Guinn.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Pets

 It was not the most promising beginning of my work week.  There was some computer malfunction somewhere and things didn't go smoothly.  My concern is that tonight we will be make up for all the things that didn't get done today because of the problem.  There are some happy things to share from today:

• Aesop, the dog, greeted me when I got home today.  He doesn't always do this and it was nice.

• Winston, the orange tabby, let me pet him at the same time as I pet the dog.

• Nanni, the brown tabby, has decided that sleeping in the catnip laced scratcher is her new favorite place to be.

• Keziah, not a pet, has a sewing project that she is excited about and that excitement is contagious.

☮

Currently listening to: Gilgamesh, translated by Stephen Mitchell, narrated by George Guidall.
        Finished!  After the story there was an essay that I think was longer than the story.  I finished that essay today and it was pretty good.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Friday

 Work is done for the week--unless I decide to pick up extra hours.  Other employees are doing many more hours than my 45 hours this week.  I'm undecided on the extra time, but I need rest.  I had a good four hour nap this afternoon before spending time with the family for dinner and TF for Minecraft Friday.  These are happy things for me.  Then there is Winston, the orange tabby.  Apparently he was cold today.  When he came downstairs and the gas fireplace was on he decided that was the place for him.

A few minutes later Aesop, the dog, whose bed was just to the other side of that box on the floor, carefully moved his bed a foot or two away from Winston.  No picture, but it was adorable and it is great to see them near each other without being loud or angry.  Progress is good.

☮

Currently reading:  The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Marvel-ous

 As I sit here, reflecting on my day, I thought I did more.  It felt like a long weekend and I think I got some of the rest I needed.  Other things I am happy for today:

• Sometimes Aesop, the dog, hasn't gotten along with Gideon, my grandson.  Today Gideon curled up on the Comfy Sack with his phone and Aesop curled up next to him with his bone.

• It is getting close to the beginning of the month and I remembered to pay my mortgage early.  That doesn't happen often.  Hooray!
• We watched the Captain Marvel movie tonight.  It was the first time for Gideon and he really enjoyed it.  His enthusiasm for the Marvel movies is infectious.  I love that this movie has a strong female lead.

☮

Currently reading: The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Mountain and River, Oh My!

 Somewhere along the road the rocky summit of Mount Chocorua seemed to start taunting me.  I could see it pop through the trees or hover over the road like a distant road block in front of me as I got closer to my destination.  My trip to REI took me past the mountain and the trails to it.  It reminded me that I was hoping to climb Mount Chocorua this year and didn't.  It was also beautiful.

Other happy things from today:

• I have new hiking shoes!  The trip to REI was for either new hiking shoes or hiking poles.  The nice employee must have pulled out six different pairs of shoes before I finally found some Merrell shoes that fit me the way I wanted.  I also got some EXOspikes that I hope will keep me from sliding around once things get slippery.
• I've been having a problem with the Bluetooth on my phone.  It will randomly turn off.  The road trip was almost two hours each way and it only turned off once.  Perhaps whatever is causing this problem is over.
• Before heading home I wanted to get my 10,000 steps in and reach my daily goal.  I found a trail, the Conway Rec Path, that was nearby.  

The trail followed the Saco River.  I set a timer so I could get out before dark and head home so I couldn't hike the whole thing.  It was a lovely walk.

Some trees had some interesting
growth patterns.

Saco River.

Proof of Life.

The rocks can be seen through the water
 and I thought it was pretty.

The branch on this tree starts in one direction
and then turns and goes the other way.
It has led a life full of turns.

Holes.

Sunset.

Foot Print.

Bridges.

• This morning Aesop, the dog, and Winston, the cat, almost got along for a little bit.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

If Cats Could Talk

 Gideon, Keziah, and I met some friends at a local cafe this morning to write and work on upcoming SCA things.  I added some words to one of my NaNoWriMo stories and worked on organizing a Yule event.  The food was good and the company, better.  Other happy things for today:

• There are things that we have been letting collect in the driveway because they needed the ladder set up to put them away.  Today we set up the ladder and put them away.  There are a few more things that need to be put away before the snow falls and we need to plow, but we are closer.  Yay!
• Keziah and Zed wanted a fire tonight.  I helped by building the foundation.  Then I went inside and had my accountability meeting with TF and then I made dinner.  I never made it out to see the fire.  I'm okay with that.  I took a picture of the indoor one to share instead.

• Before bed I still didn't have my steps for the day so I got ready to take Aesop for a walk.  Nanni was wanting attention.  After petting her for a few minutes she gave me this look:

What I think she is saying is, "Sure, just leave me here and go walk that dog!  I won't be here when you get back."   And she wasn't.  🤪

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Look to the Sky

 This morning Keziah and I took Aesop to a local dog park. ALL the dogs were much larger than Aesop. He would have fun, then seem a bit overwhelmed, have fun, overwhelmed. We brought him to the other side of the fence and he played with one of the big dogs through the fence. Eventually we took him for a walk on the trails near the park. They are brand new trails with big bridges near the river.  It is a beautiful area.

We let Aesop be on the long leash.

Deer prints!

Other happy things from today:

• Zed, Gideon and I got up before dawn to try to see the lunar eclipse.  The rain had stopped and the clouds thinned when we first went out.  We got occasional glimpses of the moon, mostly a dark orange color with a sliver of it bright and silvery.

As usual, the camera on my phone doesn't capture the moon well.
The batteries needed charging on the other camera.

• The moon had a magical look when thin layers of clouds would glide between us and the moon.
• The sky got clearer as the time passed.  We all saw at least one shooting star.  These were most likely part of the Leonid meteor shower that was at peak the previous night.
• The constellations were also big and shiney once the clouds went away.

Much of Orion.

• After Gideon went back to bed, Zed and I saw four different satellites.  I Googled where the International Space Station should be and it is unlikely that any of the satellites were it.
• While the sky was performing above, we performed a ritual below.  Zed decided to take an old shirt that he should have just gotten rid of and burn it.  So, I decided to burn something too.  There was a nightshirt of my mother's that I put into my rotation of night clothes after she died.  It was threadbare and tearing but still extremely comfortable.  I recently purchased some new nightshirts and was going to get rid of it then, but didn't.  It had a Halloween-ish theme, so maybe after that, nope.  Maybe it was more autumn and could wait until after Thanksgiving... I have a problem.  It is gone and before Thanksgiving because Zed wanted to burn his shirt.  These two items of clothing as well as some sticks and old mail are now ash.  Zed saved some of the ash, he has a plan.  The rest is for me and it will go to feed part of the garden.

Ash...

The nightshirt went up real fast.

Burn!!

• Another lovely sunset.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Work

 The work day today went really well.  Generally things flowed well and I felt 'in the zone.'  I was taught a new skill too.  Sometimes packages are missed in the scanning process and someone has to look for them.  It was like a little work scavenger hunt.  Yes, I'm weird.  Work has something called swag bucks that employees can get for doing things.  I was given some to hand out.  That was cool.  I started working there in June and I have had $10 worth of swag bucks that I have been holding onto, not sure what I wanted.  Today, in just this one day, I was given a total of $12.  I think they are just being a little more proactive in giving them out, but I think it is time I look at the swag a little closer.  Also, when the manager started an announcement with "Okay all guys, gals, and nonbinary pals," I just thought that was awesome.  So, work went well.  Other things I am happy for today:

• We had a consultation with the dog trainer.  She was very helpful and sent us away with homework.  Aesop has some anxiety issues and one of the things we will be doing is making sure he gets a nap/quiet time in his crate every day.  I'm happy we have plans going forward.
• Our friends, Kimberly and Dennis, gave us the outside tour of their RV.  We will have the option of using it while they are out of the country.  I suddenly feel like the world has opened up for me... or at least the country.  Funny thing is, I may not even use it.
•  Kimberly and I had a nice walk.  It is good to be able to catch up with her before they leave for Guatemala.  What an adventure it will be!
• There was rain this morning but it cleared up into a lovely day.

Leaves floating on the breeze.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.