discipline and patience

 page 45, the picture of Bob and Sissy

I am grateful for two new tires, a reason to make cookies, the restoration of my tv/internet/phone system and finally, the book I've been meaning to read.

the rain tonight

 

I am grateful for a list, a heavy broom, the temperature in the room.

I ask for too much

 

I am grateful for coffee, water, chicken thighs, broccoli, celery, an orange bell pepper, homemade ranch made pink, pecans, sunflower seeds, mandarin oranges, messages and forgiveness.

work

 

I am grateful for help, Buggs the cat, a clean house, distractions, time to relax, plenty of raw food and the promise of work tomorrow.

chef

 

Christmas dinner was a perfectly fried salmon croquette, dried butterbeans cupped over a crumbled cornbread, her homemade banana pudding not hot but warm from the oven, and the stories we shared with each other. Your comment. Your music. This time, this place. I am grateful for all of it.

(Though sometimes I do admit to saying, "Is it over yet?" I think tonight I ate the perfect "holidays are done" meal but then she gave me the leftovers. So tomorrow. Earn it, me. )

grateful

 

It is the sweetest handwritten note, an evening and a day of love, photographs so we can remember and sunlight in December. 

what if I could have done better

 We get moments with each other. I am grateful for those.

in these last days of what could be bad (no. good.) for me

 

Today was grilled cheese (s) ((2)), Canadian whisky and a carbonated drink. 

I am grateful for the ability to attempt to rely on some used notion that its the holidays and once this is done and I'll start in the new year and oh please, me.

comfort food

 

Today I am grateful for a warm blanket, mama's biscuits, the return of Buggs and early sleep.

be more like Adriene, me

 

mamaw muumuu

 

Though I prefer go softly patio house dress.

Today I am grateful for a day off, a trip to town, milli vanilli and warm oatmeal cookies with a dark chocolate chip.

home sweet I love you, home

 

Today I am grateful for time and rest and a rolling thunder in what could be the perfect rain. I am grateful for the roof over my head and just one night when I can drink some fresh coffee after seven p.m.

Back to the program tomorrow, me.

headline: thank you

 

Today I am grateful for grapes, chicken thighs, cashews, pecans, almonds, broccoli, celery, orange peppers, dark chocolate and so many reasons to write thank you notes.

more to do

 

I did sweep and mop and push and pull and wipe and I wasn't finished when I got done.

Today I am grateful for a space and opportunity.

of whom I hope (today, like most days, I didn't train)

 

Today I am grateful for a snowfall, a night, that filet, those potatoes, the hostess with the mostest, early work, the people at mpix, happy birthday, merry grinchmas, Santa in the chimney and gifts and clean dishes and shiny sinks and mail sent and sweet sleep.

Be more efficient, me. No more holiday eating.

Sunday's playlist

 

the glory, glory

 

I am grateful for the visit, the party, the people, the game, their willingness to watch a movie, a bed to sleep in, a breakfast eaten, the hum of the dryer, warm sheets and food for tomorrow.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

 

Today I am grateful for great news, beautiful hugs, a baking show, the trip and a book.

wholeheartedly fact checked

 

She's a dancer, they say, and I agree.

Today I am grateful for an invitation, Christmas, tradition, lights, music, to see faces, to hug necks and the opportunity to be something for her.

favorite sweater

 

I am grateful for the hum of the heater.

work

 

Today I am grateful for heavy lifting, bending, throwing, sweeping and mopping. I am grateful for a cold snap and a thirty minute break at the table. 

Delirium by Lauren Oliver, page 210

 

Today I am grateful for time to read a shared book and time to prepare my food for the week.

14 Peaks

 

I am grateful that I can sit on my couch and comfortably watch the answer to the question, Who is Nims Purja? 

Wow.

the Memphis trip

 

Today I am grateful for a thumb up, a game, a trip, a circle of women and getting my head washed. That needed to happen, and I needed to get home.

all in a day's work

 

Today I am grateful for forgiveness, some good advice and a magic trick.

first day of training - I didn't even sweep but I did test a good pillow

 

I did go to Walmart. That counted. (No, I know. Not really)

And I bought more pumpkin bread stuff.

Tomorrow is day two and I have to make up for this one.

Today I am grateful for groceries, her voice, his number, those socks and yes, a beautiful nap.

But I can do better than that.

too much everything - back to training

 

There does come a time when the body revolts.

I am grateful for a big glass jar of room temperature water, the half a lemon squeezed in it, rest and that little voice inside claiming tomorrow is a new day with Goggins' help - a new four by four by forty-eight is scheduled, and I need it.

timing

 

Sometimes it is not in the baking of the breads or the notes I forced us to write. It is in the giving - the most selfish of all the acts.

Today I am grateful for opportunity.

thirty-three loaves in four hours math

 

Today I am grateful for a yard, miniature aluminum pans, pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, ribbon and conversations around a bread.

currently playing

 Today I am grateful for a fire, for how she laughs when I sing and for how Millie sings with me.

the downside of being first

 

is you have to stare at that plate until everyone gets to the table and mama says the blessing.

Today I am grateful for her brilliance.

how do I say thank you for everything

 

I am grateful for the barking of the dogs, the sweeping needed, another shot at the macaroni and cheese, the hum of the humidifier, the boots, the baby and gas money.

cold nights and warm socks

 It goes without saying that you only need one good coat and that coat can serve as the house one as well.

Today I am grateful for a good coat and a good meal and a home and a heater.

keeping it simple

 

Today I am grateful for a job, a book, a nap, a phone call, a visit and a laugh.

the ode to the genius sucked

 

"Have you seen it recently?"

"No. I can never watch it again."

"It's really bad."

Today I am grateful for how bad video can lead to a good laugh, the last six boxes of Libby's pumpkin bread, thirty-three mini muffin tins, twenty four eggs, sixty ounces of oil and math.

loaves of love, we'll say

The moment she walked into that huge room, looked at me, grinned and asked, "Can I mop?" 

Today I am grateful for a big box of Libby's pumpkin bread, the transformation of place and a time of year when we take on a project of giving.

there he was and I had no idea

It was this night thirty years ago at eleven, I think. Someone changed my universe.

Today I am grateful for that guy.

Dairy Queen is the crowd favorite

She is funny to the point that today you could hear us yelling at each other, "Peeeeeeennnnny," after listening to the McDonald's bit.

Today I am grateful to share a laugh and to be given strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and limes.

all to be a part of the girl gang

 

It was the toe touch. A Sunday morning impromptu, "I can do a toe touch, too," and that's the last toe touch I'll ever do. My lower back has spoken. And yes, they were, I am sure, traumatized by the sight of me falling from the air to my back on the floor. I think they just keep me around for entertainment, which is fine by me.

Today I am grateful for a decrease in the swelling, the lesson and to share the story with the girls and music.

going to the grocery

Yoga, me. 

Today I am grateful for a soreness in my back, a tiredness to put me on it, a short day and ibuprofen. I am also grateful for sleep, water, peppers, broccoli, celery and chicken thighs. Best thing I did yesterday was the hardest to do.

the young man to the right

 

There's this photo of his daddy on a trip in Arkansas when we climbed those rocks. 

Today I am grateful for past and future hikes.

in the nacho category, I am a cowboy

 

Today I am grateful for people, two fires, a river, a camp, a festival, freeze dried pickles and cowboy nachos.

in the near future

 

"Love this groovy bass," you said.

Fresh salmon from the coast. The sous vide is complete. Sea salt, pepper and olive oil went into the bag at 115 degrees for forty-five minutes. You and I will sear it in a skillet with that bad vegetable oil or even worse - real butter. Garlic, you think. There has to be a kick in the sear. 

Today I am grateful for work and rain and food and plans.

solid Monday

 

There is a legendary story of the hugest rat he has ever seen. The creature has a limp and is nested up in a closet.

Walter Anderson study on hold. Must read Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

Today I am grateful for a kind email, legendary stories, a return to work and a book she shared.

the guest blogger saw Metallica last night

"It was an amazing show. I only got one picture but I think it's a good one. The forty something Metallica kids with some random new high school Metallica fans. Both just heard the first few notes of Ecstasy of Gold, the song that begins every Metallica show. They know they are about to be amazed by a perfect metal show." 

Today I am grateful for the photo and the note and the music and the broom.

today's weather

 

Today I am grateful for a crockpot, hills to climb, warm oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and plenty of blankets in a house so cold she can see her breath.  

Which reminds me, Huberman on breathing.

travels

He does give it a final look and tells me to shut up because I shouldn't have to explain anything. It's just that when you've been alone with a project.

Quiet, me. 

Here, you.

Digital image of a small portion of the map Walter Anderson created.
It's located in the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs.

Today I am grateful to claim a victory and a defeat and for an idea of what could be up ahead.

 

phase two

Almost done. Maybe. But I do know that the moment I celebrate completion precedes an emptiness that I was successfully avoiding with the project which led me to him and then her.

Today I am grateful for feedback and edits and questions and answers and sweeping and mopping and canceling and creating and a book.

scene

 Today I am grateful for time to relax, the audio tracks and an afternoon hike.

audio

 

You want to score a video for me?

I am grateful for you.

the pomp and circumstance

 It's the thing she graduated to. We witnessed that tonight.

Today I am grateful for the smile on her face.

straight up thank you temps

 

Today I am grateful for help with a gathering, warm apple cake with caramel frosting, time to begin tackling phase two of the one and only video project, a long nap and this weather. I am grateful there is a Sunday every week and again 

with 

this 

weather.

 

passing through the Little Room

 

Today I am grateful for the brilliant folks at the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs,

Walter Anderson,

the Mississippi Plein Air Painters, 

and Angee Montgomery.

opening the windows to invite the ocean in

 

Today I am grateful for an address, a walk with the cat, a night without internet and exploring the beach.

singing

 

"This life is more than just a read through," sang the red, hot, chilli peppers.

Today I am grateful for blue skies, a drop in the temperature and the potential of a weekend video project.

catching up here

 

I am grateful for her music, the wig she wore, the five rules and the directions home. I am grateful for turtle soap and us and a porch and yes, that is where we'd like to go. I am grateful for a table, a ball chair to roll around on and running water for mopping the walls. And Buggs is back. I am grateful for that.

under the tin

 

There it is, the perfect rain.

This evening I am grateful that water still falls from the sky.

the pig

 

I am grateful for a huge image of the pig leaned up against some tin on the far wall, a quick stop at the store, cashews and an intense nap.

he knows she's out there

Buggs would be here if he was still around. Did he go find Millie?

Today I am grateful to have met a cat who shared his food with a dog and a possum.

girls soccer

 

"Astronaut in the Ocean," she says.

Today I am grateful for the season.

 

logistics of the primary reason

 

Shawnee Best from Oklahoma, bleached, enriched, pre-sifted and self rising - she can't tell us how much, but we can cut Crisco shortening into that, add some buttermilk and - with as much efficiency as we can master - form those three ingredients into a cathead biscuit and place into a gas oven.

Today I am grateful for the ingredients and the we of creating a meal together.

millie (vanilli)

 

Today I am grateful for an interesting invitation, a photo of friends, her paws on the floor again and a new pair of jeans.

Tomorrow's high is 70, low of 46. That's right.

Friday eve

 

Today I am grateful for skinny dipped cashews, weekend cards, the completion of a book and the production that is sure to follow.

love shouldn't have to be hard: handwritten thank you

 

I am grateful for how he simply checked on us this morning. I am grateful for conditioned air in a large, dimly lit room. I am grateful for kindness and understanding and the kind of forgiveness that somebody has to love you in order to be willing to give it though I should never purposely cause such a need. 

He always said, "The worst thing you can be is sorry." So I try on most days not to be.

good from this angle

 

Today I am grateful for his return, for the work to be done, for good news and the opportunity to witness the future professional soccer players of the world.

officially official

 

Today I am grateful for an upcoming date -> a particular happening -> a future event.

(be cool, me.)

texting

Today I am grateful for company.

chase me, Millie

 

Today I am grateful to watch her dance with the cows. I am grateful to hear them call those cows and watch those cows meet the bull. I am grateful for the number one, best ever cheese and sausage plate and chicken thighs with grapes and chocolate chip cookies and a picnic at her place.

I am especially grateful for the way she yells, "Food!"

since a while

 It's a pinot evening after I said I wasn't going to but she's here and I got a good nap and no, it's not as cold as I like but it's home and the first weekend I've had in these surroundings since a while. 

Today I am grateful to slide into home with plenty of groceries and running water and electricity and internet and pillows and blankets and cleaning supplies and a brand new spray nozzle for the hose and the couch and time.

controlling body temperature

 

Huberman recommends cold water baths.

Today I am grateful to be an apprentice, for my kid's and Kobe Bryant's voice and to find reason and place to climb.

planks for my core

 

I hereby declare two new goals of better posture and the solution to the problem of how to measure it.

Today I am grateful for time, pencil, paper and a clean floor.

things I keep

 People, including Mrs., must always remember the B when referring to or addressing Junie B. Jones.

Today I am grateful for a book, a 12 pack of chicken thighs, a clean kitchen, a warm shower, a yellow post it note in a worn ziplock bag and Netflix.

Watching children fall through her fingers

 without picking up my hands is inexcusable.

Today I am grateful for a reminder and a reason.

Alabama is not all about football

 

It was three years ago, a month after I stopped a twenty-six year smoking habit when I clawed my way up what we call the murder hills on section one of the Pinhoti. It was his second time, my first. He was going to attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and the Pinhoti Trail was where he was training on his days off.

"You're too slow," he said.

"You don't know what I can do," I said and began to train with him but not hard enough to join him.

He laughed, but our stellar crew of three redid the first two sections of the Pinhoti this weekend, and it was easier and we were faster but still those inclines just keep coming. Twenty-eight miles, at least five of which are torture but the other twenty-three and the finish are sweet.

Today and the past two days I am grateful for the very kind and generous people and dogs and horses and cows who surround the Pinhoti Trail. I am grateful for Friday night and Saturday morning comedy hours from the guy who assessed the situation and said, "No way." I am grateful for those who hike the trail and the beautiful stories they bring.

life is finding solutions to problems

 

He's calling an audible. I just need to know how many glass bottled yoo hoos to put in the cooler.

Today I am grateful that the trip has already started. 

creating a list of reasons to climb

The blue light coming from the creek at the angle which stopped us so that we would only move on once we agreed I could never capture it and the dusk on the pine straw floor before the peak which made me think of home - that night after it turned dark - the owls began to talk.

"Turn off your headlamp," he said.

Today I am grateful for ranch dressing, clean clothes, running water, good memories and safe travels.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

I am grateful for a good night's sleep, a busy day at work, protein disguised as a fish and how I can eventually force someone to at least pretend like they're listening when I read.

focus (catching up on the gratitude)

 

It is not the form or the perfect light or the proximity of her chin to the ground, though those are all proven scientific facts, and there are photographs from a particular study which conclude that the lady has a stare of intent so narrow - she inspires anyone fortunate enough to witness it.

I saw it, in person, over the weekend.

getfit_with_bethb

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to witness, a solid cut and color, a mighty fine steak and definitely that loaded potato, yeast rolls with softened honey butter and an interesting sausage and cheese plate along with some dang, dang shrimp in a gazebo. Great sauces. They even had a live band around a huge fire pit.

book

 Junie B. Jones is at least one of life's answers.

I am grateful for our teacher.

the feel of a look

 

She asked, "Are there any interesting pictures floating around of your earth installation?"

Today I am grateful for an assignment and the textures in our tree.

I spy Buggs, I'll say to them.

road trip weather

 Angee is getting her box out again.

Today I am grateful for the air outside and the blue of that sky. I am grateful for the start of a season.

outdoor dining

 

Today I am grateful for good rest, two art shows and reservations for three. 

judgmental

I am grateful for sleep and work and food and football by Yeti and getting fit with Beth and a steak (supposedly the best in the state). I am willing to have a say about that.

afternoon o' lazy

 The purr of a Sunday afternoon, her first biscuits, the directions, the stools, the conversations of if we ever tried to catch up on all the stories we'd never get up and the cake those babies helped create - grateful for every last crumb.

still is

 a good and heavy broom, a porch, lights, a new nozzle for the water hose, a breeze and Buggs who keeps calling on Shady.

Today I am grateful for place.

German chocolate weekend

Today I am grateful for the feel of the blues and some good news.

spooky feet

 

I am grateful for a mowed yard and a slow rain and how the orange in the sawdust deepens from the soaking. I am grateful for the music that played and the wind and the rain as he followed as far as he could. 

clock

 I am grateful for a long night that started late afternoon.

Tonight's movie featured Gus answering Jessica. 

stretch

 Buggs is giving Shady the rest of the bowl and the two characters for my week's story may make an actual appearance to end the Dremel party. We'll just have to be real quiet to see if Shady will come out from under the house.

Today I am grateful for this weather, have we mentioned the weather, and it's only getting better plans.

weird how expending energy creates more energy, or momentum

 I am grateful for two point five miles, the ultimate breakfast, lotion on my sad feet, a lovely hair coloring from the family beautician and a yoga week.

ultra

 We calmly decided that the fifteen point five six was not all we could do but all we were going to do in a place so laid out, well marked and containing kind people. 

He played chess later.

Today I am grateful for the air temperature, the well marked trail, how my body still reminds me, a hike with my kid and an afterparty with the cousins.

frying the bacon

There are limits to what one should carry in times like these. My pack will have one liter of water, grapes, bacon, nuts, an extra pair of socks, the Chap Ice from the race goodie bag, my buff and a dry shirt.

Today I am grateful for a number, a reason and an arrival.

no ice, no music - the numbers

 Goggins says that it is the music in Rocky I, round 14. He listened to that 2 minute clip for 17 hours while he was breaking the world record with 4,030 pull ups.

Today I am grateful for a 30 mile - 10 hour focus and the upcoming climb.

nobody tell Goggins

 It's the ten hour time limit making me sound like I'm already trying to find an excuse. I am mentally preparing for a loss. I watch him without sound mostly, but tonight I listen.

Today I am grateful for Goggins.

Slingshot Professionals from Kelly Joe Phelps

Because every now and again I'll need to figure out how to best file the confirmation number for my participation in the 2020 census and I still can't throw away the very last of my CD cover collection,

today I am grateful for a washer, a dryer, the electricity that lights this place and the good water that runs into it.

72 hours

 Today I am grateful for a three day weekend and a clean house.

the show

 

In honor of the upcoming reception at Meridian Museum of Art on September 25th, I pretended to be Kate Cherry by showing off our local creative talent using A Butterfly Trapped, The Tree, two Christmas Trees, A Tornado and A Ladybug.

Today I am grateful for the inspiration from Angee, a successful gathering and the gift of a Dremel. 

before the Dremel

 We will showcase the work we were able to do with the small damp chunks of the tree and the dirt and the leaves and the fruit rotting on the ground in the first ever but certainly not the last art show around her biscuits. 

Today I am grateful for another seven point seven eight and an opportunity to create with a crew.

name dropping: Angee on Robin when we were at Moon Hollow

 The last night we ever had dinner there it was she told the story and now she can't tell the story and all I can think is I'm tired and just want to go to bed. Weeks can be long so we'll lay off Friday night dinners for a minute.

Today I am grateful for regret and the energy and money it frees up to do what may be the more important stuff. We'll see.

She says, "Dremel."

hiking with new old glasses

 Today I am grateful for a clean waiting room, kind people, a new pair of glasses, those who allow me to just go on and on about what I think without telling me to take a hike, those who finally just say take a hike and the very few who remain to join me on a hike.

selfish surprise of an evening rain

In The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene, both men agreed that Blaise Pascal's "All of man's troubles come from not knowing how to sit still, alone in a room," should be included when writing about fearlessness.

I had thought to give this book to a friend, but now I want to keep it because I am grateful it is here.

philosophy of absurdity

He recommends Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life before asking, "What does it mean to have a sense of humor?" 

He suggests Oliver Sacks: His Own Life.

Today I am grateful for the documentary recommendations, the book reviews, the news of catastrophe and those moments when we break through all the noise and share a laugh.

in the hopes of a continuation

 There exists a lone bullfrog who sings through the rain as if he has been through a hurricane and he's just trying to let everybody know he is safe.

I am grateful for safety and groceries and running water and electricity and refrigeration and gas and a job to go to and the people I work with and how we can continue.

sassy face hurricane

She says, "You just wait. I got a story to tell at the table. It ain't good either."

Today I am grateful for the tools, the neighbors, the creeks and that trip with a futbol star when we swam till ten, bought art in the street and climbed on a log into some photos we'll keep.

chicken and cheese biscuits

 "Them asleep," she looks as ghostly as she ever has.

I turn and jump, "You scared me."

Plans out the window. There's nowhere that little clicking of her toenails does not resonate and wake and it's not her fault but still it's 4:30 in the morning and Aunt Shea just needed to go to the bathroom and now she's getting the clothes folded for the big day ahead - do we really have to wake up the entire place, Millie?

Millie says yes.

Today I am grateful for how Millie makes those babies start giggling then laughing then here they come then what's for breakfast.

no ice

 I am grateful for a briefly steamed thin flour tortilla, the wreckage of a skinless, boneless thigh chopped then seared and an extra sharp cheddar, shredded then sprinkled after the careful placement of a drained pico of onions, jalapeños and tomatoes. I am grateful for clean black seedless grapes and water in a heavy glass.

I am grateful for plans to nourish and be nourished.

And wow.

the ensuing of hilarity

 She wears the war paint of popsicle syrup on her face and tells fifteen elaborate tales while eating a sandwich within a five minute timespan. I am convinced that the amount of energy is the same - she just carries it around in that little frame.

Today I am grateful for plenty of work and the comedy club where she performs.

groceries bought, clothes and dishes washed

 Didn't train.

Today I am grateful for the pressure of tomorrow which should have been today.

Dear me,

You suck. You are going to regret this.

Love,

me

Wyatt Waters Gallery

 One thing which means one piece of jewelry, one book, one whatever their parents decide is best, but I'm saying $20 plus tax should get a lovely piece of jewelry each picks for herself. We'll have snacks, chairs and blankets. We'll get dressed up, put on our jewelry and eat out on a patio that night. 

We'll have a dinner read that evening.

Today I am grateful to imagine. 

making breakfast music

 She recommends Harry Styles, and the boy has a beat. We're getting good reviews on the biscuits. Everybody seems happy. Though he may be suggesting less butter in the eggs.

Noted.

Today I am grateful for grand entrances, the breakfast crew, that old tree turning into a balance beam and an evening hike.

seven point seven eight - ten lessons

1. Can get pretty slick and wet in places - sure my footing.

2. Do a night run, fall in love with those hills.

3. They do still trade Deet at the local Dollar General. Sprayed on the bottom of my pants and on good thick Mama gave me for Christmas socks in those shoes my feet have molded over many miles - took care of the toes and ankles today.

4. Treat everything as if its the trail. Pulling those limbs helps me get up those hills. The heavier broom is building a stronger center.

5. I love my trekking poles.

6. There will be people faster than me and they'll clear those spider webs. I'm saying that'll cut five minutes off my time - giving me a chance to break.

7. Don't just push myself up the hills only to slow up on the straightaways. Pick up the speed there.

8. It's hot.

9. I hate that I'm already complaining.

10. It is possible, but I am a mouth breather. (Huberman says that I should be doing that through my nose, but... and now whining.)

Today I am grateful for possibilities, the dang cows, walking up on deer, floating limbs over a fence, air conditioning and a good nap.

fueled on lemonade and sweet tea

 I love this book and those people who gave me a simple test and called me an hour later to say that girls dinner was on but nobody at that table believed the story about the beavers.

"It was Ray Mosley," she said.

Story of the night could've got us thrown out of the place, but we all got real quiet when that food was placed on the table.

Today I am grateful for them and you and the food and tomorrow's training.

"We're going to be okay," he says.

The scare was obviously me trying to get out of the training.

perfect night for a storm

 The bulb gives off a golden color. The only white light comes through the windows and the screen. Rain is pouring from the edge of the roof and pounding the saw dust and the fallen trees. I am in love with the thunder, the electricity, the flashlight, the candles and the music.

Today I am grateful for a good roof.

all the toads and the crickets

 In the lead of the Friday night story of the week 'cause you can't bring more than one story is that dastardly group of beavers who just today while I was at work came and took down some trees and I told him they got the big one. Surely we must find out how old it is.

Nothing fell on the house, and the cat was still here. So many days coming home feels like a gift.

I am grateful for home and story night and how trees can be placed nicely on the ground so sweetly.

participating in a group setting

 

These People

Finally I decided on an affiliation where I can totally stand behind and in front of and feel as if we're connected in some philosophical way. Now I can be in a group and herded into a generalization of whatever anyone is saying which may sound brilliant or absurd or cliche.

Yay.

Today I am grateful to be a part of a group who loves sunshine, a solid nap and a great art show.

precarious

 Today I am grateful for an office and coworkers and jobs and tasks and deadlines and changes in the schedule. I am grateful that I get to go to work. I am grateful for the soreness in my muscles.

(And clear fingernail polish.)

seven point seven eight

 I pulled the shoulder strap up my arm and over my shoulder. That somehow made my ankle hurt. My body may have suggested I not do it but it's got to saying that more lately. So I made one last call.

"What now?"

"I pulled my backpack on and my ankle hurt."

Today I am grateful for some laughs and two hours and thirty minutes of a loop. 

Today's lesson: It's hot, but doable. The third loop at noon will make me hope for a rain. Half a liter of water in a two minute break. Then a liter after. Pick my feet up especially when it gets hard to. Listen.

space

The Trickster and Honey Hole are on display.

Today I am grateful for groceries and a show.

don't call me a chic, she says

 We have to wait the whole drive there. Not for 13.6 miles can we talk about our week, but when we get to that table we find out everything. Honey barbecue on the wings, she says.

Today I am grateful for some chics. 

On replay this week.

claiming

It's the 10,000 hour mark. I mastered the preparation for chicken thigh consumption.

Today I am grateful for a skillet.  

dang

 Something begins to take hold on page 37 of The 50th Law.

Today I am grateful for a shower fix, a chance to say, red pepper flakes and a light rain.

the sweet spot is the honey hole

 

Today I am grateful for pinky swears, groceries and that moment after everything is washed and put up and nearly 48 hours post return when the crickets sing and there is a sweet stillness to home. 

no going back now dialogue

 At some point someone will have to recommit to something because that someone has a 50K.

He said, "Maybe we can just sign up for the 25."

"Are you trying to back out?"

"No. I'm just saying."

Today I am grateful for preregistration.

all in a day's work

 

I kept asking, "Who maintains this?" The place is immaculate.

Pristine. Whoever is in charge of Shelby Farms Park should get an award or something.

Same goes for her.

She just had to shower up after that quick five miles this morning.

Today I am grateful to meet the shining powerhouse that is Beth in such an amazing place.

meanwhile in Memphis

 

Today I am grateful for a large mob of kind people.