Tired Thursday

 Working three days a week for thirty hours that are not 'normal' hours has me very tired.  Today is one of those days that I just need to remind myself that this is what I wanted for work.  It is active, ten hour days, long weekends, and good benefits.  Tonight I hope to sleep well, tomorrow I am hiking with friends.  Happy things for today are:

• The stars were bright when I left for work this morning.  I tried to take a picture but they didn't show up well.  Within a mile from the house it was foggy.  Such a difference with just a slight elevation change.
• There are yellow butterflies that I have been unable to get a picture of, until today.  According to Lens, it is an orange sulphur.

Orange sulphur on a purple clover.

• The dog, Aesop, was a bit unruly this afternoon.  I suggested we take him to the dog park.  He had a blast playing with the other dogs.  Running and chasing and doing the things dogs do. Aesop burning energy made for happier humans.

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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

Happy Birthday, Keziah

Happy things: 

• On this day, thirty-one years ago, I became a mom.  Zed took a break from work so we could do a little celebration before I go to sleep.  His gifts to Keziah were themed for the season and he had a pun to go with all but one of them.  

Things like, "Apple of my eye," and
 "Do-nut what I would do without you."

We sang and she had cake.

• Zed didn't come up with a pun for the apple cider he gave her.  The friend that is staying with us did though.  I don't remember exactly... something about being ex-cidered.  It was a fun little party.
• Earlier, I practiced throwing knives.  We have a thrown weapons range and the use of some of the loaner knives.  The knives landed on the ground either with or without hitting the target way more often than they stuck to the target, but it was fun.

• Aesop, the dog, smothered Keziah in birthday kisses!

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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

Flora

 Work was long, especially after not getting enough sleep last night.  I just couldn't fall asleep.  One of the things I tend to do when I get home from work is to take off the steel toed shoes and stretch out my back on my bed sideways, with my legs up against the wall.  Generally I fight the nap that wants to take over, today I didn't.  It was less than an hour nap and allowed me to have enough motivation to do laundry and think about working in the garden.  It also meant that Winston, the orange tabby, could sleep on my pillow.

Instead of working in the garden, I observed some areas and tried to make a game plan in my head.  Then I walked around the yard and some of the property and found my happy place for today.  

I tried growing zinnia, this is one that lived.

I believe these seeds are from wild lettuce.
I love parachute seeds.
Whether or not I like what they produce varies.
😉

We let these black-eyed Susans grow in
the section of yard they chose this year.
They are getting ready for winter.
More in the same area next year would be nice.

This aster plant was the place to go for a bunch of bees.
One could think it was the only flowering plant around!

Bee.

This sack is really a bunch of
parachute seeds from a thistle.

☮

Currently reading:  Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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

Baronial Birthday Oops

 Keziah and I visited a local park with Aesop, the dog, this morning.  It was for walking with a little bit of training.  From some of Aesop's behaviors, we think that the hunting/bird dog part of whatever mixed breed he is, is strong.  He really wants to chase ducks, geese, or turkeys.  

Aesop and some ducks.

It was a nice walk in the park.  Aesop is responding a little better to some of the training we are trying to give him.  Other happy things for today:

• There are huge Asian aquatic lotus in the pond at the park.  Although they are pretty, according to a Google search, they are also invasive.  I'm glad I got to see them before they go away.

• Today I went on three walks.  The one at the park, one by myself, and one with Aesop.  Outside can be a good place.

I'm noticing more foliage.

• For the last few days I have been thinking that the birthday of the Barony was on October 3rd.  Yesterday I looked it up and saw October 4th.  This morning Keziah and I made Facebook posts about the birthday of the founding of the Barony and then someone corrected us, it is really the 3rd.  Then Facebook went down and I have not been able to respond.  So I got a lesson in checking my sources.  I looked at the wrong site to check a date and assumed that my memory must have been off a day.  Guess what?  My memory was correct and that makes me happy!  Yesterday the Barony of Stonemarche turned 34 years old.  Happy Birthday a day late!  In less troubled times, we would have had a small event to celebrate.  I will have to remember to update the site that is wrong over the next few days or find someone else to.

More colors.

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

   -- It is believed that the first people summited Mount Washington in 1642 because the mountain was sacred to the Native Americans and they wouldn't climb it.   

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

Fern

 Around ten o'clock this evening I realized that I hadn't reached my daily step goal.  After much pacing around the house it was achieved so my thirteen plus month streak is not broken today by forgetfulness.  Other things I am happy for today:

• Keziah and a friend went to an SCA event yesterday and our friend crashed on our couch and not the highway last night.  This meant that she was safe and that we had a lovely visit this morning before she headed home.  
• One of the things that came up in our conversation was how the dog, Aesop, needed a bath.  He is finally out of the cone after being neutered and could use a bath.  After she left and Gideon and I took him outside, Aesop decided that rolling in what was probably turkey poop was a good idea.  Aesop got his bath.  The happy part is that the rest of us got a soft, fluffy, nice smelling dog.
• Prior to picking up Chinese food for dinner, Zed and I took Aesop for a walk near the Audubon Society.  Aesop is much better behaved when he isn't on a sidewalk or by cars.  This trail is very loud from the noises of the highway that it runs by, but that didn't seem to bother him like on a sidewalk.  Anyhow, we had a nice walk and saw a deer when we left.

Leaves are falling, but not an abundance of color yet.

Ferns are changing color.
I love the different shades in this one picture.

A side trail to explore another time.

☮

Currently reading:  Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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

Turkey

 Keziah and I split forces today when she went off to an SCA event in Maine and I stayed local and went to an archery practice with a friend.  I've never been a super archer, but my scores today were okay since it has been over a year since I shot and much longer since I practiced regularly.  My goal of scoring at least one arrow each time was achieved.  It was great to practice and great to get to hang out with people.  Other happy things for today:

• An additional reason for going to archery today was to invite some people who were there into the SCA household I belong to.  Another household member was there and we asked them together after practice.  We are giving them time to think about it.  I'm hoping for a yes from everyone.
•  After archery my friend and I went out to lunch and then a nice walk in Winant Park.  There are some lovely views.

Map.

Distant hills.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• The state capitol dome.

• When I got home there were a bunch of turkeys in the yard.

• The cats were quite curious about the large birds.

😀

• Clouds and colors...

A side note... I forgot about Inktober.  I'm too tired to start that tonight.  If I am able to start tomorrow I'll share then.

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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

Shopping

 Hearing the dog, Aesop, whine is what pulled me out of bed this morning.  It didn't keep me from going back to my room to get warm under the covers and avoid doing the long list of things to do that I had just created.  There were seventeen items on that list.  I had hoped to get through a bunch of them, or at least start some of the projects.  As the day draws to a close, I am happy that I took my time this morning.  Other happy things:

• Just when I was about to get up and motivate myself, I got a call from Keziah.  She wanted to go to the Spirit Halloween store with Gideon and would I like to go?  This motivated me out of my warm bed and to the store.  I'm not a big Halloween person.  When I was a paraeducator there was a student who LOVED Spirit Halloween.  These memories and wondering how they are doing now are a happy thing for today.

• Thinking of that student prompted me to text someone from the school and we texted a bit about school and my new job and would I ever go back into education.  A week ago I would have answered no.  Today I am very much undecided.  It was great to communicate with them again.
• We did more shopping after that and I was able to find a pair of jeans that fit.  My size seems to be popular and is seldom in stock.  Yesterday, I found a worn spot on the jeans I was wearing so replacements are in order.  I also found some pajamas that I like.  I'll be getting rid of some old clothes to make room for these.  
• After getting home and having lunch, I started on my list.  I managed to get through seven of the seventeen items.  Yay!
• Keziah found a sweater for Aesop with a llama on it.  I tried to take a picture but he is a very active dog.

The llama is wearing star sunglasses and
the top says, "Stargazer."
He doesn't seem to mind wearing dog clothes.

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

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