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.