Today’s Joy

It snowed yesterday, and living where I live, it will all be gone by tomorrow.  Warmer weather had been predicted, at least according to the app on my phone, but it’s too overcast and just darn cold for the snow to melt today.

I remember being thrilled by snow when I was young, and I see that joy in the faces and actions of the children who live around me today. As an adult, however, the fun diminishes. Reality sets in. You become nervous about driving and the heating bill intimidates you. Not to mention when the snow melts, it might freeze over, and all of a sudden there’s ice on the steps.

It got me to wondering, what does bring me joy these days? Is there anything that doesn’t have its dark side for me? I love pecan caramel rolls, but they are chock-full of calories and I have vowed to lose weight.

Pages Of A Book Curved Into A HeartThe first thing (okay, second, after those rolls) that comes immediately to mind is books. A good read still brings me joy, and the only consequence is that the story ends. But even that brings satisfaction. I have always loved reading, and the proof is in my apartment–I have five bookcases full of books, and boxes with more, ready to donate.

But thinking of reading brings me to writing. I love to write and can get lost in the process when I allow myself to. Whether it’s a short blog post or a novel, writing is a pleasure I hope I never lose. I am compelled to write.

mittensformimialpacaAnd I love to knit. There’s double joy in that. I enjoy sitting down with needles and yarn, creating something new and then showing it off to other knitters. Speaking of other knitters, I can go to my local yarn store and simply sit and knit with others, sharing our lives. I guess there’s triple joy in knitting, because I can make hats and mittens for those in need.

Which brings us back to snow. Kids need mittens to play in the snow. So what if winter weather doesn’t bring me joy any more? There’s plenty to replace it, and sometimes, it all ties together.


Image  Credits: Snow © mallinka–stock.adobe.com, Book © bigstockphoto.com

A Messy Home is the Sign of a Good Mom

My mom once said she wished she had spent less time cleaning when my brother, sister and I were growing up and more time hanging out with us. Actually, I don’t know that she said hanging out, but that’s the general idea. I turned her wish around a bit and told my friends who were embarrassed by their lack of meticulous housekeeping that a messy home is the sign of a good mom.

Often their response would be, “tell my husband that.” Oh well. Tell him to pitch in.

But really, I get what my mom was saying. Our home was always clean–save the kids’ rooms–but should that be what we remember most about growing up? I can’t say it’s my strongest memory, but I definitely would have benefited with a little more attention from my mom. And my dad, for that matter.

Still, every parent has regrets and every child–even an adult child–has his or her complaints. I’m leaving the rest alone. I am where I am, I love my parents and I’m too old to dwell on what should have been.

I can’t say I inherited my mom’s penchant for cleanliness. My home is sanitary and presentable, except for the storage room, which I’m still working on. It’s sanitary but hardly presentable. But my apartment  is not as clean as my mom kept things. It could do with a little dusting right now. I don’t remember ever seeing dusty book shelves when I was growing up.

I have no excuse. I only have cats. So I guess I’m going to start working on this storage room again. And to those of you with kids–relax and enjoy your children. The rest will get done.


Image Credit: © New Africa–stock.adobe.com

It’s Happy Mew Year to Cats Day

And to celebrate, I didn’t make the cats move when I wanted to make the bed. Happy Mew Year to all you cats and kittens out there! Stay safe and warm.

Happy New Year!

It’s January 1st. Am I supposed to make resolutions?

I think I’ve failed every year when I’ve done this, but there are a few things I’d like to accomplish, so here goes:

Bathroom scale isolateLose 10 pounds. I put this weight on about 3 or 4 years ago, and I’ve been vowing to lose it ever since. It hasn’t happened. But now I’m motivated. Will this motivation last? Probably not. But I’m going to lose the weight anyway.

Vintage VacuumVacuum every Sunday. You laugh, but I have the hardest time doing this. It’s not that I don’t like vacuuming–I don’t mind it at all–it’s that it scares my cats so much, and I feel terrible about that. But it has to be done.

AdobeStock_74229029 [Converted] c RetroClipArtWrite more. I have a novel I’ve been working on, and I have great resources for making it a decent read. In the last year I’ve had some back problems that make it difficult to sit for any length of time,  but those are pretty much resolved. I have a writer’s group that includes several published authors, and I have the means to take that writing class I’ve always wanted to take. So time to dive in.

There are plenty of other things I’d like to accomplish, but this is enough commitment for now. So here goes–2022. It sounds so new. Let’s hope this year we’re healthy, wealthy (relatively, anyway) and wise.


 

Image Credits: Happy New Year© cienpies design–stock.adobe.com; Scale ©roberaten–stock.adobe.com, Vacuuming–©studiostoks–stock.adobe.com, Writer©retroclipart–stock.adobe.com

Merry Christmas to You and Happy Blogging Anniversary to Me!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Walter, Mimi and I all hope you’re having a blessed day.

Walter and Mimi, two tabby cats, say Merry Christmas as they relax next to their favorite ottoman.
Walter and Mimi say Merry Christmas!

Today is more than just the Christmas holiday for me. It marks seven years that I’ve been blogging. I’ve learned a lot about myself in these past seven years through this blog and the more than 500 posts I’ve written. While I used to be much more consistent about writing regularly–two or three times a week, generally–I’m still growing with the help of my pen and ink (okay, computer).

Many of you have been blogging buddies for years and I appreciate your friendship. Some of you are more recent followers and I’m grateful for you, as well–make new friends and keep the old, right? Blogging is a gift for all of us.

If you’re alone this Christmas day, take heart. So am I and so are millions of others. If you’re with family, I hope your time together is gracious and kind, as well as just plain fun. If this is the first Christmas you’re spending without a loved one, God bless you. I hope unexpected blessings fill your heart.

Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, Merry Christmas!


Image credit: © Pasko Maksim–stock.adobe.com