Day 172; Footnotes of an Ordinary, Boring, Cookie Cutter Type Blessing

 I’m sitting here listening to the wind blowing outside, I know a cold front is coming. Well, cooler anyway. Instead of being in the nineties, its supposed to be in the eighties, Fahrenheit that is. The wind has been blowing fairly steady for hours. My dog Bella ignores it, Molly though, is afraid of it for some reason. Maybe because things tend to fall out of the trees when the wind blows like this. 

I went for groceries right around lunch time today. At one point, I have to cross over the interstate, a quick glance showed that there was no threat at that moment, of anyone getting a speeding ticket as north bound was a parking lot. It was only mildly better when I headed home. Even though I mostly needed pet food, trying to get groceries was a challenge. Not from other customers, but from employees who were doing the shopping for online orders. I thought it was difficult to get around other customers, try getting around employees with their big carts parked dead center of an aisle. But I managed and have that done once again. I remembered to get all the ingredients for those frozen smoothie type things I’ve been making. I may never eat ice cream again. I offered some to my son but he turned it down. He has no idea what he’s missing. Frozen fruit, almond milk, Greek yogurt and a scoop of protein powder. On a hot day, that is good.

Some time after that, I went down to my small garden and checked on how it was doing. I was a bit disappointed in that I only had one squash, I could have sworn there were more. There were not any zucchini either and I could have sworn there was at least one growing. I could very well be wrong, but I thought there were. I did get one medium size tomato-after I propped the plant back upright and secured it with stakes. Three cucumber, one bell pepper and a small truck load of cherry tomatoes. I shared the bounty with mom and dad.

I won’t lie in that I am a bit envious of my nephew’s garden, but he has much more room, and not to mention, a lot more energy. Plus the fertilizer provided by his chickens makes a big difference. But, that’s fine, he usually shares of his bounty as well so there is that.

 At one point, I was where I usually am, sitting here in front of the computer reading the gifts provided by other bloggers when I heard a cat fight in miniature. One of the kittens was very unhappy with one of its siblings. I couldn’t help it, I quietly walked through the house and eased open the back door. Cats scattered, all but the one who was angry. It was all bowed up, fur standing on end, and looking around as if wondering what had happened. Then I spoke, asking what it was so mad about. That kitten was kicking up some dust as it made for that pipe where they’ve been hiding. Yes, I laughed.

 I sat down out on the back steps for a short time before it got dark. I was watching mom cat watch me. Her kittens had gone into hiding. I had hoped to wait them out, but that didn’t happen. As I sat there watching the trees doing their crazy wind created dances, I heard something fall in the woods between my house and my parents. That had me concerned so I got up, walked through the house, grabbed my car key and moved my car into the carport.  Just in case. 

Now, both dogs are outside before coming in for the night. Since Bella is outside and Molly isn’t alone, she isn’t at the door crying pitifully. I can however hear Bella breathing very close to the door as a hint that she wants back inside.

Just another day. Another ordinary, boring, standard cookie cutter day. The thing is, and I realize this, my boring, cookie cutter day, is a blessing and a gift. I’m not struggling. Oh sure, I don’t have money to blow, but I have enough. But more importantly, I have a home that is safe. I have privacy. I have two prima donna dogs and one crazy, official cat. I am able to feed the not so strays, just enough I know they aren’t hungry. I have a vehicle that gets me where I need to go. I have family close and friends not too far away. I live on this dead end dirt road where I grew up, where my family owns just enough land that I can get out and hike a bit without fear. When the mood strikes, I can get in the car and go hike at a local state park. I don’t have to worry about incoming mortars or roadside bombs.

I can go where I want, when I want. Be that a restaurant, a store, hiking, church, or just for a drive.

I can go to the store, and while there may be shortages, I can still usually get most if not everything I need.

I have my physical health, and a much improved opinion of myself. I have been given the gift of reclaiming a person I left behind somewhere long ago. 

My boring days, give me the time and energy to do what I love, write and wander about taking photographs. I will admit that I do day dream a bit every once in a while, but then I realize that no day dream, could match the gift of the life I have. Because I know, that my ordinary, boring, cookie cutter type day is a blessing and I am grateful.