meganr's Journal
UntitledDec 01 2009 09:02
If the developer who reports to me weren't taking a day off today, I'd be home nursing this deathly illness cold. But one of us has to be at work to help with people's questions, so since he's visiting his dad in southern CA till tomorrow, it's me. I was up and down all night, probably because of all the water and tea I drank yesterday, ha ha. I didn't even consider a workout this morning. And not only that, but I had a very weird eating day yesterday. Bill was off in the Bay Area yesterday to help his sister Gwen, so I didn't have to cook him dinner. I blew off what I'd planned to have and chose instead: 2 big hunks of raisin toast with lots of almond butter, some leftover green beans, a bowl of yogurt, a large apple and to cap it, a second (for the day) protein bar, the latter of which clocks in at almost 300 calories. I put myself to bed around 7:45 so I could stay the hell out of the fridge. You can imagine my bafflement when the scale showed a drop this morning of 2 pounds. Obviously there's no point applying logic to it.
I should have enough pep to get to the bank at lunch today, and also see if I can find a birthday card I like for a friend.
Edit: the hawk expert at the bird web site thinks what we saw was a juvenile red-tail or red-shouldered. That would make sense. The juveniles haven't developed adult plumage, so since we're still learning our raptor identification, it's nice to have outside advice.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for the rich taste and sticky texture of my beloved almond butter.
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Fer Cryin' Out LoudNov 30 2009 10:08
I managed to come down with a cold. I was trying to convince myself yesterday that it was "allergies", but it became clear toward late afternoon that it wasn't. *** Feels sorry for self **** Well, it's not a bad one, or so it appears at the moment.
Yesterday's walk got us back after sunset, which presented a magnificent orange glow over the river just after we'd passed through the last gate into our place. We spent some time watching a hawk of a species that neither one of us recognized - a juvenile something. Bill's emailed someone at the ebird web site to see if we can narrow it down.
A moment on the fall Chowchilla River:
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful that no one has to hear me sniffling today in my little office here.
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Oddly Enough We're Going for a Walk TodayNov 29 2009 09:43
This morning I actually woke up after 7. I was shocked, although I did go to bed late for me. I was working on an image in Photoshop that was eluding me, still is, until I gave up around 11. Oh, that is way past my bedtime. I'll get back to that photo another time, I think I'll have to get the book out to remind myself how to do what I have in mind.
Chores got done yesterday. I scouted around for seasonal wrapping paper, but I think it either got recycled or misplaced during the move, because I couldn't find it anywhere. Once again, all of the gifts I've gotten for everyone seem to be books. Good ones, though. I will get some pretty trinket in the jewelry line for my son's girlfriend, she appreciates those. This week I think I'll go to one of the little art galleries up the road from the office; I saw some nice earrings made by local artists there.
I decided on Matter Paneer, but found out at the last minute that I had no peas, oops. But at that point, I really wanted that particular blend of spices so I made it with cauliflower instead. I don't know what that dish would be called then, but it tasted good. Bill wasn't as enthusiastic as I was, but he says it's just because we have cauliflower "all the time" and he wanted peas. At any rate, I've got two nice helpings of leftovers, so those will be excellent for lunches Monday and Tuesday. Tonight, it will be our favorite Asparagus Orzo - I like to save the pasta meals for days when we have our big walks.
The front yard was crawling with juncos and doves this morning. I hope that is a good omen for the walk.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for succulent combinations of spices, for cauliflower and abundance.
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This Four Day Weekend Stuff is GreatNov 28 2009 07:38
Last night, much to Bill's disappointment, we finished up a bunch of leftovers in the fridge. I was scouting around in there to see what I wanted to cook and found a big serving of curried red lentils and some zucchini mustard frittata. With the roasted beets and a big salad, that was plenty, especially after Thursday's blowout. Bill doesn't really like leftovers, but he put up with it, since I'd already made up my mind. No point wasting food. I did give Bill first pick of the two choices; he had lentils.
Today, just general house stuff. I have got to clean the kitchen floor. To the extent that I like doing laundry, I dislike mopping. Bill also picked a bunch more pomegranates, so I'll get those in the freezer today. After that, I dunno. If it rains (*hopes*), I'll get some reading done. I'm reading another Jim Harrison book, always a favorite of mine.
I got interrupted right there by the sight of Pelton coming down the hill, and where Pelton goes, so does King. I scurried out to the green shed and got the feed tub, and sure enough, by the time I got to the top of the circle driveway, there he was. I took the tub across the road and he started in with enthusiasm. Pelton showed up about ten minutes later and of course also wanted some, so I went and got about a quarter bucket full and held the bucket for him. Horses aren't good at sharing, at least King isn't. I did tell King that if he shows up at the house around 9 or so, maybe a little later, most likely he'll get his extra portion, at least until he's put on some weight. Ha ha, we'll see if they synchronized their watches.
While I was "supervising", in my bathrobe mind you, I watched a big flock of fifty or sixty juncos fly in. The coyotes were barking somewhere to the northwest and I heard quail, flicker, house finch and the ubiquitous acorn woodpecker. It became quite obvious that there will be NO rain today, as the overcast turned out to be fog that burned off during the feeding operation; I could practically see it dissipate before my eyes.
Tonight, I'm going to try a new recipe, although I haven't decided which one yet. I found some paneer at Whole Foods yesterday, and I'm going to make either Matter Paneer or Paneer Jalfrezi, from recipes I found on CC. Yum in advance.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for the sound of happy horses munching feed.
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UntitledNov 27 2009 15:16
I guess this will be kind of quick - I wanted to log the "damage" from yesterdays' meal. The total wasn't quite as appalling as I'd feared, although certainly well above my usual, but I must say I don't feel a shred of guilt. The pumpkin pie was especially worth waiting for, but Bill's sister also made some amazing stuffing with pecans that she'd baked separately in squashes, a vegetarian verision so Bill and I could enjoy some. At one point I did find myself at the snack table with a handful of Fritos (gasp!) so I forced myself to go outside and talk to the folks out there and get away from that little hell of a temptation.
Of course, Bill and I have been rehashing all of our observations about this person and that one, family dynamics being endlessly fascinating. One of Bill's cousins thought that it would be a good idea to bring out his laptop and regale us with a slide show (I can see you all cringing now) of his recent trip to China. When he started off saying that he'd winnowed down the number of photos from 1500 to only 600, I developed the opinion that doing useful chores in the kitchen was a much better alternative. Of course, Bill puts up with my family every Christmas eve.
There was a post-T day breakfast scheduled for everyone but we didn't go and got out of Dodge early. Since it was literally on our way back, we made a brief stop at Whole Foods. I've got some beets roasting in the oven that we'll have for supper, a load of laundry going and as soon as I post this, I'm going to do a weights workout. I do feel a bit sluggish at the moment, wonder why, but once I get started it will be fine.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for Bill's sister who went to so much trouble making something special for our meal.
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Giving ThanksNov 26 2009 06:33
I found a whole web site just about gratitude, and in it was this neat interactive gratefulness labyrinth with Interesting Surprises along the path.
I also reviewed my Thanksgiving post from last year and I still love this quote from Joanna Macy: "Thankfulness loosens the grip of the industrial growth society by contradicting its predominant message: that we are insufficient and inadequate. The forces of late capitalism continually tell us that we need more - more stuff, more money, more approval, more comfort, more entertainment. The dissatisfaction it breeds is profound. It infects people with a compulsion to acquire that delivers them into the cruel, humiliating bondage of debt. So gratitude is liberating. It is subversive. It helps us realize that we are sufficient, and that realization frees us."
Today I am grateful for:
CC, of course, all of my incredibly wise and wonderful friends here and all of the support and help we give each other.
The love of my life who I adore with abandon.
The abundance of food and material belongings with which I am graced. I do remember that many are not as fortunate as I.
My family - my son, mom and dad and sister.
The earth, the ranch, and all of the living beings who share it.
Today, we are driving four hours southeast to Paso Robles to spend the day with Bill's family at his cousin's house. We'll be staying at a motel overnight and then coming home sometime tomorrow.
And here are my Gratitudes of the Day since last Thanksgiving (this next part is a bit long):
I am grateful for wild bears.
I am grateful for a good partnership with my husband where work can actually approach fun. I am grateful for fine fall days and pumpkin pie.
I am grateful for clear skies, gorgeous fall days and good hiking boots.
I am grateful for wild turkeys who brightened my morning!
I am grateful for my mom and dad and today especially grateful for my wise sister.
I am grateful for good books.
I am grateful for crisp cold (almost winter) days, walks at lunchtime and a husband who is willing to let me take his truck for a couple of days.
Holy moly, I'm grateful I liberated my purse from my car!
I am grateful that I'll get my car back today. I'm grateful for the loan of the pickup.
I am grateful for all of my CC friends, for your honesty, openness, support and help.
I am grateful for efficient fireplace inserts and a husband that builds fires in the morning to take the nip out of the air.
I am grateful that another day went by without ending up as cat food. I am grateful for the turn of the seasons and the sunrise.
I am grateful for a warm mug of tea to heat up my typing fingers.
I am grateful for good soaky rainstorms.
I am grateful for living in California, I love California.
I am grateful for industrious husbands and minor household chores.
I am grateful for the sun's warmth and the continued travels of our little rock around it.
I am grateful for water ouzels and rainy solstice afternoons.
I am grateful for my family and being able to spend the holidays with them.
I am grateful for the Christmas rain, for the peaceful togetherness with my family and for my loving husband.
I am grateful for having a job and a paycheck to come back to and grateful for having had a paid week off.
I am grateful for warm blankets and soft bathrobes, and good strong coffee.
I am grateful for just about everything today. In this moment, I am content.
I am grateful for new skirts and matching tights.
I am grateful for warm sweaters.
I am grateful for having had a joyous and productive 2008 and having the opportunity for the same in 2009. I am grateful for my friends at CC and wish everyone a wonderful New Year!
I am grateful for the cup of chamomile tea I am currently drinking.
I am grateful for being pretty sure that I probably never will be required to read Rabelais unless I actually want to. I am grateful for my favorite coffee mug.
I'm grateful for that good feeling when chores are done and you've gotten things out of the way that you've been putting off.
I am grateful for herbs and the placebo effect.
I am grateful that we have this place and today I will be able to enjoy its beauty and take lots of deep breaths.
I am grateful for this patch of the earth.
I am grateful for nests and the Chowchilla River.
I am grateful for thrift stores and the color pink.
I am grateful for everything that I've learned from CC about calories, nutrition, fitness and community.
I am grateful for the ordinary days, for breathing in and breathing out.
I am grateful for the flicker I heard calling in my business park parking lot trees.
I am grateful for yummy bowls of breakfast cereal and frozen pomegranate seeds. I am grateful for car computers - oh god bless computers!
I am grateful for the nice bed of coals in the fireplace that sparked right up when I stuck a new log on it.
I am grateful for having an extra day off today.
Everything.
I am grateful for good friends and book swaps.
I am grateful for the rain.
Still grateful for the rain.
I am grateful for Spring Creek and the joyful sound of moving water.
I am grateful for rain, wild pigs, deer, amanitas and water tanks.
I am grateful for another day at work and keeping my job.
I am grateful for my cheerful tea mug.
I am grateful for a partner who listens and cares deeply.
I am grateful for CC.
I am grateful for my health and the ability to spend quality time with the treadmill in the morning.
I am grateful for friendship, having a companionable relationship with my son, for relative prosperity and for orange trees.
I am grateful for mockingbirds and Cedar Waxwings. And apples.
I am grateful for car heaters and the sight of a red-tailed hawk by the side of the road eating her breakfast.
I am grateful for those who pique my curiosity and cause me to delve further into understanding old thought patterns.
I am grateful for rain.
I am grateful for having enough to eat and a warm, sound roof over my head.
I am grateful for the ordinary, for the sun having risen again.
I am grateful for all of the feathered and furred critters that populate this little part of the planet.
I am grateful for being given the opportunity to observe life's profusion and complexity and thereby being taken outside my silly chatterbox of a brain.
I am grateful for the buzz of interconnectedness on the web, it seems infinite.
I am grateful for the rain we got last night and that I am still employed.
I am grateful for the flicker I heard as I walked out the front door this morning. Turned out to be sitting in the top of one of the birch trees.
I am grateful for there being such a beautiful spot on earth.
I am grateful for the opportunity to take deep breaths and walk the earth in one of her little paradises and while doing so, practice being a better person.
I am grateful for these rainstorms, which may be just enough to avert a drought this year.
I am grateful for almond butter. As I pointed out to Bill yesterday, a day with almond butter is always a good day.
I am grateful to be looking forward to enjoying a nice meal out with my sweetie.
I am grateful for my health and strength.
I am grateful for my new curtains, they sure do look nice.
I am grateful for the rain and a solid warm shelter in which I can stay dry and cozy.
I am grateful for rest days and rain in the gauge.
I am grateful for a warm drizzly rain.
I am grateful for coyotes.
I am grateful for the rich smell of coffee as I grind it every morning.
I am grateful for kestrels on telephone poles. I am grateful my budget can afford a gym membership.
I am grateful for all the signs of spring and the gentle rain that is falling.
I am grateful for hawks and rainfall.
I am grateful for quail tweedling across the canyon road.
I am grateful for the opportunity to once again examine my own head trips and deal with the emotional reality of eating.
I am grateful for all the nice things everyone said yesterday.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for the cheerful sound of the tea kettle whistling
I am grateful for having the good fortune to be able to spend time at the ranch. I am grateful for having a job to come back to.
I am grateful that my son is doing well and becoming such an intriguing person and all round nice guy.
I am grateful that my husband and I have split up our household chores in a way that is generally acceptable to both of us.
I am grateful for getting older. Consider the alternative.
I am grateful for the hard lessons.
I am grateful to be enjoying delicious fruit that was picked and prepared by hand.
I am grateful for the ranch and all its abundant variation.
I am grateful for a warm spring morning.
I am grateful for a little ray of hope that our jobs will be "safe" for a little while longer.
I am grateful for leftovers. And asparagus. Oh, and almond butter.
I am grateful for chamomile tea.
I am grateful for how green our back yard is starting to look. The carpet roses are getting bushy and glossy green and the fruitless mulberry has furry nubs now.
I am grateful for having found a little extra in my budget for a massage.
I am grateful for good wine, good food, good friends.
I am grateful for the sight of wild turkeys in Collier Canyon, first time I've seen them there.
I am grateful for vast yellow fields of wild mustard.
I am grateful for my new mouse. The old one had to be replaced because I spilled balsamic vinegar on it and it got so sticky, it would no longer click.
I am grateful for the Jackson Ranch roses which are starting to bloom now. Soon the backyard will be one wash of color.
I am grateful for the sound of the oak titmouse who certainly has a lot to say this morning!
I am grateful for quince blossoms and bees.
I am grateful to have the endurance to walk up hills and the good fortune to have access to the beauty of the Sierra foothills. I am deeply grateful for poppies.
I am grateful for those delicious vegetables, especially asparagus.
I am grateful for a day off work for some fun and art!
I am grateful for the skill and vision of the artists who bring the rest of us such pleasure.
I am grateful for understanding and indulgent bosses.
I am grateful for a Saturday with no particular obligations.
I am grateful that I do not have taste receptors in my feet. That sounds gross.
I am grateful for my toaster. Mmmm, raisin toast.
I am grateful for my husband.
I am grateful for a slow spring rain.
I am grateful for white crowned sparrows who still haven't headed north yet.
I am grateful for the prospect of baby birds to watch.
I am grateful for springtime at Dryad Ranch.
I am grateful for the warmth of the sun.
I am grateful for insects and spiders.
I am grateful for the small irritations and the little changes.
I am grateful for apple blossoms.
I am grateful for being able to live with uncertainty, most of the time.
I am grateful for the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees. And warm spring weather.
I am grateful for the Chowchilla River and black-headed grosbeaks.
I am grateful for the fragrance of roses.
I am grateful for warm days.
I am grateful for my job and having something resembling useful work to do.
I am grateful for the Earl Grey tea in my mug this morning.
I am grateful for seeing old friends.
I am grateful for a quiet day at home.
I am grateful for being able to take another day's rest.
I am grateful for bees and blossoms.
I am grateful for good medical care.
I am grateful for every sign of improvement!
I am grateful for a couple of really nice things that people have said to me over the last few days.
I am grateful for the sound of the mockingbird first thing at waking up.
I am grateful (and thrilled) that Bill is coming home tonight!
I am grateful for roses on the kitchen table.
I am grateful for mangos, my current obsession.
I am grateful for my job.
I am grateful for good medical care.
I am grateful for hunger.
I am grateful for roses.
I am grateful that in a couple of minutes now, I'll get a nice hug.
I am grateful for tractors and driveways.
I am grateful for wildflowers.
I am grateful for herb tea.
I am grateful for early rising mockingbirds. They do go on and on and on.
I am grateful for the discovery that mockingbirds like grape jelly.
I am grateful for modern conveniences - dishwashers, washing machines and the Internet.
I am grateful that the mockingbirds chased those doggone crows out of the backyard, at least temporarily.
I am grateful that I seem to have retained some semblance of sanity in this crazy job. Bwaahahahhha
I am grateful for my job.
I am grateful for the robin I can hear cheerriuping in the tree just outside my office window.
I am grateful for cherry season.
I am grateful for last night's good sleep.
I am grateful for getting two days off now. Also for Mom. And for cherries.
I am grateful for finches chirping and clear air.
I am grateful that my husband is back from the ranch and that next time he goes, I get to go also.
I am grateful for cherry season.
I am grateful for day lilies and scrub jays.
I am grateful for turkeys in the front yard and Bullock's orioles in the side yard.
I am grateful for this little piece of paradise.
I am grateful for swallows and mayflies and such.
I am grateful for weirdly wonderful underwater scenes. What lurks there?
I am grateful for the fresh blackberries Bill picked from our back yard. Yum.
I am grateful for whoever thought up those foam roller thingies, my new favorite thing to do.
I am grateful for the creativity of artists, photographers, musicians, writers and everyone else who just makes stuff up.
I am grateful for the new dawn.
I am grateful for bird TV.
I am grateful for the variety of nature.
I am grateful for the fruits of the season.
I am grateful for people who know how to fix cars.
I am grateful for silliness and word play. Specifically, my friend Karen has become interested lately in developing lists of words that can be typed solely with one hand or the other. For example, left hand words: breeze, reverberate. Right hand words: loin, joy.
I am grateful for physical therapists who actually have the time and inclination to answer questions and demonstrate form.
I am grateful for Bill's guy friends. It's fun listening to Bill chuckling in a guy sort of way and to hear his voice deepening and booming for these conversations.
I am grateful for weed patches that shelter those who live close to the ground.
I am grateful for big oak trees, just perfect for a shaded picnic.
I am grateful for having just a plain old regular unfashionable body that still manages to get the job done anyway.
I am grateful for indoor plumbing. Random, I know.
I am grateful for the exercises I can do.
I am grateful for good medical care.
I am grateful for being way out in the middle of pretty much nowhere with no company but the birds, the critters, the trees and my wonderful husband.
I am grateful for baby finches and early morning quiet.
I am grateful for the efficacy of bribery when it does not negatively affect morality.
I am grateful for the phrase "on a stick". Many things come on a stick, including chainsaws.
I am grateful for black coffee and gyms that stay open.
I am grateful for the prospect of a very fun evening.
I am grateful for the talent and creativity of musicians.
I am grateful for modern technology.
I am grateful for summer.
I am grateful for whichever version of reality I'm in at this particular moment.
I am grateful that we have the ranch to go to, could a person ask for more?
I am grateful for all the work we did two years ago on the house.
I am grateful for a positive goal, and the prospect of a happy move to the ranch.
I am grateful for fading roses and house finch fledglings.
I am grateful for fading roses and house finch fledglings.
I am grateful, once again, for this piece of paradise.
I am grateful for breathing in and breathing out.
I am grateful for the prospect of moving to paradise soon.
I am grateful for a good night's sleep.
I am grateful for strong black coffee and favorite coffee mugs. And stuffed bird toys.
I am grateful for the vision of a new phase of my life.
I am grateful for lists.
I am grateful for the gym and my usual routine.
I am grateful for last night's restful sleep.
I am grateful for foam rollers.
I am grateful for California Towhees under the bird feeder.
I am grateful for uncertainty and change.
I am grateful for scrub jays.
I am grateful for the golden rolling hills of California. (Kate Wolf)
I am grateful for professional and effective real estate agents.
I am grateful for rocks.
I am grateful for organizations that offer free electronics recycling.
I am grateful for pleasant visits from my son.
I am grateful for friends who let us borrow things, like trailers.
I am grateful for the electricity that is going to run the AC I'm going to turn on in a couple of minutes here. Whew, it's already hot!
Oh, just everything.
I am grateful for alarm clocks that go off right at the scheduled time, otherwise it would have still been zzzzz.
I am grateful for my trusty notebook wherein many of my lists currently reside.
I am grateful for blueberries.
I am grateful for termite abatement methodologies.
I am grateful for midsummer. Happy Lammas to those who celebrate it.
I am grateful for cleaner kitchens and another day to Get Stuff Done.
I am grateful for having a partner who works right alongside me.
I am grateful for all of the independent contractors who know how to do so many repair-type items for us and get the house done up and ready to go.
I am grateful for getting together with friends.
I am grateful for CC journals, where we can let it all out.
I am having a hard time feeling grateful today. I am grateful for the times when family pulls together.
I am grateful for breath.
I am grateful for my familiar and favorite things - my coffee cup, the copper tea kettle.
I am grateful for the bed I am going to fall into in another minute or two.
I am grateful for black-headed grosbeaks on the goldfinch feeders. Boy, those goldfinches look small in comparison.
I am grateful for another sunrise.
I am grateful for the garbage collectors who are at this very moment hauling away a big pile of our junk.
I am grateful for the big gray squirrel who was doing tail aerobics under the big oak tree.
I am grateful for my ingenious and hard-working husband.
I am grateful for this unseasonal moisture.
I am grateful for my husband and all of his wonderful qualities.
I am grateful for finding what was lost.
I am grateful for life's little banalities and settling into a routine.
Gee, I sure am grateful I didn't burn down.
I am grateful for gates and the ways through.
I am grateful for the crazy sounds of acorn woodpeckers.
I am grateful for the antics of the cutest ever oak titmouse who was exploring the front porch this morning.
I am grateful for a light-filled room and the sound of scolding scrub jays.
I am grateful for men who know how to put together machines (I hope)
I am grateful for morning sunlight dancing through the windows.
I am grateful for oak trees.
I am grateful for the the slant of sunshine on pine needles.
I am grateful for my husband and ****censorsed*****
I am grateful for another day off work.
I am grateful for bushy tails.
I am grateful for just another regular day.
I am grateful for pre-made overlooks at the vista points.
I am grateful for short weeks, it's almost the weekend again already!
I am grateful for the little public library.
I am grateful for a good night's sleep and a few early moments alone in the morning.
I am grateful for fall.
I am grateful for acorn season.
I am grateful for plums, with which I am currently obsessed.
I am grateful to be headed back home tonight.
I am grateful to be home and that home is the ranch now.
I am grateful for the promise of ripening pomegranates.
I am grateful for quiet mornings.
I am grateful for light and dark and the hours of our days.
I am grateful for having gotten to a place of knowing when I'm succumbing to fear.
I am grateful for having seen a coyote nosing around the front garden.
I am grateful for health and strength and a good husband.
I am grateful for wild things.
I am grateful for that email I just received postponing one of my meetings/conference calls. Heh heh.
There's a lot to be grateful for. I am grateful that I have a boss that can share outtakes from the "senior meetings" and for belly laughs. I am grateful for my job and the fact that I am working from my tidy little office out here in the sticks. I am grateful for my wonderful husband who I am purely crazy about.
I am grateful for all the critters who don't give two hoots for commuters and our foolish impatience.
I am grateful for breathing in and breathing out.
I am grateful for birds, oh my goodness, don't I just love to watch the birds.
I am grateful for being able to lean on someone.
I am grateful for fall migration.
I am grateful for my husband, who knows how to make green beans.
I am grateful for the beautiful sunrise this morning.
I am grateful for sunlight streaming through the blinds.
I am grateful for the amazing view from my favorite easy chair, out through the sliding glass doors, and up the driveway toward the meadow, for the sunlight slanting through the oaks and for scores of the feathered ones coming in to the feeders for their breakfasts.
I am grateful for early morning coyote choirs.
I am grateful for fall color.
I am grateful we got the creek crossed in time.
I am grateful for being able to have a nice day with my sweetie, running around in the rain, seeing my son and eating lots of yummy food.
I am grateful that's over with. I am also deeply grateful for all over your good wishes.
I am grateful to be home.
I am grateful for having this place where I can admit to some of my weaknesses.
I am grateful for quiet mornings and horses in the distance.
I am grateful for another day of rest.
I am grateful for green growers peeking up from the hillside.
I am grateful for CC. I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for getting back into my daily routine.
I am grateful for another couple of days off. Also grateful for spiders and hairy legs, in that order.
I am grateful for ripe pomegranates.
I am grateful for returning strength.
I am grateful for my job.
I am grateful for whoever thought of such things as glove and sock liners.
I am grateful for strong black coffee.
I am grateful for a cold clear fall morning.
I am grateful for another turn of the wheel.
I am again grateful for artists, musicians, writers, poets and creators of all sorts.
I am grateful for homegrown fruits.
I am grateful for what appears to be a non-dramatic day.
I am grateful for oak trees.
I am grateful for the flow of emotions, confusing as they may be.
I am grateful for the extravagant tail fur of the gray squirrels rascalling around the oak trees.
I am grateful for a whole day of puttering around the house.
I am grateful for our good fortune in having the resources to buy more than ample amounts of healthy, quality food.
I am grateful for sunny fall days.
I am grateful for the cold, logical functionality of the CC database and analysis tools. Can't run, can't hide.
I am grateful for having more than enough.
I am grateful we're living here now.
I am grateful for a working washer and dryer. I love laundry!
I am grateful for backroads.
I am grateful for beautiful sunsets.
I am grateful for working heaters.
I am grateful for our little island of paradise.
I am grateful for trees, nuts and fruit.
I am grateful for wide open spaces.
I am grateful for horse stories.
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King Showed Up for His HandoutNov 24 2009 08:50
Bill ran into King and Pelton on his forays into the Northwest Territory yesterday and took the ATV over there with the feed tub. King got his extra meal which he ate with relish, although perhaps not gratitude. If we can get him to come to the house for his meals that would certainly be more convenient.
King is one of the older horses our neighbors have, at least 30 years old. He's a blue roan who is starting to go very gray around the head and neck. He's friendly toward humans, but has a prickly temperament around the other horses, except for Pelton. Those two have been buddies for some time now, and are the last two left of the original bunch that used to hang out around our place. The others have either passed on to the great pasture in the sky or have moved into different groups. King looks a great deal like his father, a roan quarterhorse stallion (well, he was gelded later in life when they felt that there were enough babies) named Universal Bar, or Nibar for short. Nibar died about ten years ago, give or take.
Pelton is also a son of Nibar, a strawberry roan who is a bit of a loner. Even when hanging with his buddy King, he typically keeps his distance. He tolerates people at best, and according to Bill's cousin was considered "dangerous" or at least bad-tempered early in his life and then for some mysterious reason changed his attitude and became a good, reliable pack horse. Just not cuddly. I have discovered that in the springtime when the weather is warming up and the horses are shedding their winter coats, he adores getting long scratch sessions (from yours truly) that work the itchy hair up and off. These can go on for twenty minutes or more, until he's had enough and he walks away.
A photo of horsehairs tangled in a dried wildflower. I don't know the species of plant - in bloom, the little pods are interesting yellow balled-shaped flowers. These plants we've seen growing only by the river, but there is quite a healthy population of whatever they are.
Got the project finished yesterday, of course it took me a little longer to finish up, so I didn't get home till past 7. Even so, it was nice to feel that sense of accomplishment in completing a task.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for horse stories.
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UntitledNov 23 2009 08:54
I'm sure King is fine, there are over 700 acres for him to be hiding on. He's not skeletal or weakened or anything, he just needs a little extra. He's probably hanging around at the neighbor's getting fed up there, is my guess. It's just typical of them to know you want them around so they go elsewhere.
Also, pomegranates - you EAT the seeds, they're delicious!
After. I filled a big stainless steel colander. Most got frozen, the rest we'll eat this week.
Today, work work work. I'll have to stay a bit late today as we're putting a bunch of new code into production today, and some of the updates have to be done after 5 so we don't have to kick people off. Shouldn't be more than 30 extra minutes though, yay.
We rang into the same shootin' dingdongs as last week. This time, we were sitting on a log eating our lunch, obviously visible and they stopped in their pickup and waved and said Hi. So at least we know they saw us. Far be it from me to be sarcastic or anything, heh, but these are some honkin' macho big white hunters - there were three of them. One driving, two (snicker) sitting in the back of the pickup with their rifles/shotguns/whatever they were and shooting out the side of the truck. Bill figures they were "hunting" ground squirrels, because there is nothing else out and about the middle of the day. All the deer had fled, which we know because they were fleeing past us up the hill on the earlier part of our walk - we saw quite a few. The rest of the critters are mostly nocturnal. By the way, what they were doing was not legal. A) Not legal to ride in the back of a pickup B) Not legal to be shooting from a vehicle on a county road Nah, we're not going to do anything about it, we just walked a different way, but big raspberry to them. Too lazy to even get out of the truck and walk. Pffft.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for wide open spaces.
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Can't Find KingNov 22 2009 06:29
We promised Bill's cousin last week to help feed the horse King when we saw him, as he is too much on the skinny side and could do with extra to fatten him up. Karla brought down a couple sacks of horse feed, a bucket and a big red feed tub during the week. And of course, now he isn't anywhere to be found, even though the week before he was hanging around the house and we saw him (and his buddy Pelton) almost every day. Perverse. When I took my walk yesterday afternoon, I made sure to look for him in all but the most obscure hiding places, but found no equines anywhere. Saw plenty of horse poop though. Also four deer and five turkeys. If we can just get him to the place a couple times for a good feed, I know he'll start showing up for it. Sheesh.
I never did get around to working on the pomegranates yesterday, as I traded in that task for a nice nap mid-afternoon. I seemed to be feeling a bit draggy all day, and it was nice to lie down for an hour. I also tucked myself in at 9:15 last night and feel well rested this morning. I will start on the pommies soon, before Bill gets up, as I'd like to have some ready to put in my yogurt this week, as well as having plenty to freeze. I got everything else done yesterday I'd planned.
Mom and Dad want to give us a tree/trees for Christmas this year. We think we want to try cherries again. We are also contemplating another almond tree, or possibly a walnut tree. There is a big walnut tree on the next property over, by the abandoned houses, so we know they'll grow around here. Wouldn't that be something to have yummy walnuts? I don't know how many years it takes before the tree produces nuts, but the wait would be worth it.
Bill's family has a walnut tree story. Bill's mom had a walnut tree planted in their yard, and after some years, it started to put out nuts. Evidently, the squirrels though the nuts were intended for them, and naturally, ate them. Bill's mom was so disgusted with this that she had the tree cut down. Isn't that appalling? I think she never lived it down. I've promised Bill to be willing to share with the squirrels, as long as they leave us at least some, that will be OK.
In other tree news, our dwarf Meyer lemon is letting its fruit ripen. That poor tree had a very unpleasant ride to the ranch in the back of the pickup truck when we moved and lost a large portion of its leaves on the windward side, even though we did our best to protect it. Bill's been babying it over the last few months and it is starting to look healthy again, and the little fruits are starting to look yellow. The lemons are quite small, but I am grateful the tree didn't drop them entirely. When we were researching these trees, and how to help them recover, we discovered that they are actually a cross between a lemon and an orange. The fruits are quite delicious, not too tart, not too sweet.
Bird walk today.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for trees, nuts and fruit.
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Surrounded by MistNov 21 2009 08:34
I don't know why I'm so charmed by the fog this morning; I sort of feel like one of the druid priestesses in the Mists of Avalon, and I've passed through the veil to the island, aka the ranch.
I got back from the Bay Area around 8 last night following a light rainstorm that never did quite succeed in cleaning off all the dust from the back of my poor car. I was actually thinking on my way into the ranch that conditions were perfect for a good set of tule fog and let me tell you how grateful I was that I didn't have to deal with driving in it last night.
I had the day off work yesterday and did quite a lot of running around getting to appointments and purchasing little odds and ends that I can't get around here - like two more each: 10 and 5 lb weight plates for those smaller increments.
Started out with a killler workout in my old gym. I've kept my membership there so I can keep up with my workouts even when I do these Bay Area trips. It was fun to be able to use some pieces of equipment that are not practical to have at home in terms of room or budget.
I had a follow up ear doctor appointment in the morning, and although I've been experiencing a little drainage symptom lately that I was worried about, he reassured me that was part of the normal healing process with this type of surgery. He did think the tissues were a little swollen, so he changed the ear drops prescription to help that out. He was very pleased with how everything looked, so I was greatly relieved. He cleaned everything up - trying not to be too gross in my description here - and I found that the hearing in that ear improved a bit after that, another plus.
I stopped for lunch at a Fresh Choice, it was sort of second best to the Whole Foods salad bar, but I just wasn't in the vicinity. I was quite taken with what they called Watermelon Radish - when we finally get our vegetable garden started I want to grow some of these. They are pretty and also tasted good. I love finding new foods.
I capped off my trip with a massage which was great. I'd had dinner with my friend (and massage therapist) Michelle the night before so we were able to get all of the catching up done and could spend the hour focusing on the massage. Oh, she is a wonder, yes indeed. I love how she can go with the flow of what needs attention at that moment.
Today, standard weekend chores. Probably a short walk after lunch. Bill picked a big pile of pomegranates, so I'm going to be getting those in the freezer. There are still more on the trees, yay for having pommies in our future.
Gratitude of the Day: I am grateful for our little island of paradise.
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