rest

 

I am grateful for a kid with a smile on her face, one who says everything is great and all the nesting taking place.

table and floor

 

I am grateful for time with friends and family, biscuits as fluffy mama makes, muscle, music, a broom, a mop, and a day of prepping for the future.

incomplete

 

I am grateful for generous people and a long rain and a nice nap and the grand plan.

pop

 

Even with the proper amount of turkey hunting he was able to get this done.

Today I am grateful for a foreman and head laborer. 

preposition in the end

 

I am grateful for cooking, eating, the conversations we have around food, rest, a warm shower and one of those shows with characters I can fall asleep with.

here we are

 

I am grateful for a phone call, a plan and a purpose.

it's not about you, Rick Rubin

"Whatever the thing that makes the thing good is the thing that I'm drawn to - for me. For a long time lyrics meant very little..."

"Really? Fight for Your Right to Party - Beastie Boys?" 

"Yeah, it was fun. It was good lyrics but it wasn't what was important."

I am grateful for a podcast, a dialogue, a collection of ladders, a soreness and help.

didn't get done

 

I am grateful for a long day and more brick.

sorting bricks, buying flour and painting rabbits

 I am grateful for a smooth driveway, the town's grocery/hardware store, chisels, hammers, wheelbarrows, hoses, my spray nozzle, vinegar, good water pressure, a decent broom and little hands and large drama and the meal we will share.

remember

 I am grateful to clock out early, get a nap, visit, move some brick, say thank you again and again, reconnect and remember.

pay yourself first brick

 I am grateful for a hammer, a good coat and plenty of light.

place and food

 

I am grateful for clean bricks and home and stories and back porch and front porch and lemons and cucumbers and strawberries and celery and blueberries and skinless, boneless chicken thighs, salted, sous vide, patted dry, foiled, refrigerated and then seared in some bacon grease after a generous dusting of garlic and chili powder.

getting paid to learn

 I am grateful for a ladder, wood, a saw, a phone call, an email, a quote and teachers everywhere I go.

not or, but and

 I am grateful for a satellite dish, a headlamp and a good knife. 

Dear Heflin (part 2),

 

I am grateful for cell phones, second gear, kindness, good health and observation.

the planning

 I'm trying something new. I am airing my tent out after wiping it down with warm water and vinegar. 

Then Lysol.

I am grateful for the guides, the opportunity and the equipment to comfortably fall asleep on a mountain.

a near catastrophe

 

Power went out the morning after the evening I ruined a protein that I took pictures of, wrote about and obsessed over the best way to cook it and serve it and watch them eat it. I made inedible for human consumption the chorizo stuffed boneless two inches of straight protein that I massaged and promised to two people. I will not give up.

Today I am grateful for goals, those two, a pleasing enough tenderloin and whoever is out there helping my refrigerator hum again.

an electric sander

 The delivery will include two boneless chorizo stuffed pork chops. (Half of hers I hope she gives me, but I also hope she loves it so much that she tells me to go get my own.) I'll roast the asparagus with an olive oil, lemon and pepper on a preheated foil lined pan at 400 degrees (?) for ten to fifteen minutes maybe. The cauliflower will be similar but with garlic and cheese. Those baked beans will reintroduce that bacon, green peppers, sweet onion, brown sugar, Blackburn's syrup, black pepper, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Then those Sara Lee rolls brushed with a salted butter. A couple of halved green and black grapes on the side of the plate.  He'll have a fresh jalapeño, and I better be serving lemon pie for dessert. I wonder if they'll just let me watch them eat because that's not creepy.

I am grateful for loaners and an increase and home and spring and dinner for the both of them.

the guy

 He said, "I've never seen anyone wash a paintbrush out like that."

I am grateful for a roller and a paintbrush and a can of paint and if I'd only listen and how he said, "I reckon we'd done good working together if we'd done it about ten years." I am grateful for today.

tis the season

 I am grateful for a birthday and breakfast and stories and turkeys and prepping and planning for outdoor meals.

Memphis, 24 hours and returning with Como love

 

I am grateful for a road trip, onion dip, grandkids, old friends, her back porch, sleeping on a couch, my hair therapists, a good washing, a farm to table chorizo stuffed pork, the patty melt, the hamburger, those fries, the five dollar wine store and plenty of bacon for breakfast.

I think I am going to sous vide them, put them on ice for about 10 minutes, rub the seasoning on and then do a quick but effective sear in that bacon grease. 

Then earn it with a couple of mountains.

ohemghee

 

Did someone say early spring? It really is about the porches.

Today I am grateful for an outdoor room and time.

current and upcoming

 I am grateful for conversation, groceries, carpentry, busy, busy people, her time, their time and sharing space with each other.

pinot on the porch

 Yes, I was sanding a metal pole when the lightning struck with thunder immediately thereafter but quickly before admitting that powers greater than me thought it best I listen to the rain and forget the sanding for an evening.

Today I am grateful for porches, laughing till we cried, checking on each other, dinner plans, the drive and a toast to well being.

work, me

I am grateful for time and focus.

stretching a Sunday

 I am grateful for the early morning chirp, gathering around an old table, a walk, two meals, two hugs, a late afternoon purr and the place with more sanding paper.

slowly

 

It took over a year before I used any.

I am grateful for honey barbecue wings, french fries, a waffle, a call, a visit, finally hearing her, the excellent news, the muscle it took and two cups of vinegar per one gallon of water.

deconstruction of a Friday afternoon

 

I am grateful for the rain, the sun, the moon.

prep work

 

I am grateful for a quote, a job, a list, a guy and a tank of gas.

I don't want to wish a day away but the ending is nice

I am grateful for a smile, a warm shower, the cows, the cat, home.

interrupting the crickets

 for a short statement about the cows:

They're good.

I am grateful to finally warm up and the kindness of those who listened as I complained about being cold.

one day our paths will cross maybe

 

I am grateful for a little time to plead though it seemed to do no good.

slow morning light

 At some point I had to give up chasing that hour.

I am grateful for a slow morning, a single guitar, a blue sky, a proper hug and fresh air.

an object in motion

 Jimmy Dean ground sausage - one hot, one regular - fried in a skillet together. The grease of which is later used to wilt the spinach, sweet onions and white mushrooms on top of a homemade marinara cooked down into a thick olive oil, garlic, tomato, chili powder, sugar, basil and red pepper flakes over my first ever sticky yeast dough of which I needed to knead more. Mozzarella and feta because I vowed to not go overboard.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share the food I love.

the ultimate chocolate cookie

The recipe for chock-a-block chewy chocolate cookies is on page twenty-one in "Today in Mississippi" for members of the East Mississippi Electrical Power Association. In it, Martha Hall Foose may not mean to list half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. She doesn't include it in the directions. I left it out of the second batch while adding two tablespoons of expresso powder in replacement of the same amount of cocoa powder, a cup of toasted pecans and a cup of those Skinny Dipped dark chocolate plus sea salt baking bits.  Two of the eleven will be dessert after the Delta deep dish pizza tomorrow for brunch.

 I am grateful for good food, a fine broom, a proper mop and a reason to clean.

marshmallows and chocolate chips

 

I am grateful for a ride, vitamin C, a place to sit and reasons to cheer.

gluttony

 

I am grateful for gas, a nap, real cookie reviews, lemon, cucumbers, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, celery, chicken thighs sous vide with a garlic and chili powder sear, cashews, peppers in three colors, water and coffee. 

camera shy

 

I am grateful for plenty of work, his new photos and how he inspires us to imagine.

Chocolate cookies from the EMEPA magazine coming soon

 Three cups powdered sugar per eight cookies, I think it read.

I am grateful for the way she says his name, the soreness of muscle and bone, brand spanking new internet, a sweet phone call and a night at home.

soundtrack of the birds

 

I am grateful for three long walks with her as the head of the team and him trailing with his tongue hanging out, her approval, the text from him, the help from her and groceries from Cash Saver.

Dear Heflin,

 

Your Piggly Wiggly looks like the Perdido Key Publix and thank you, thank you for that spur off the Pinhoti along with the beautiful plate of meat from Si Señor and disc golf and sweet people. I am grateful for such a beautiful place to walk in what could not have been better weather. I am grateful for the creeks and the trees and talk of when we'll bring him with us.

I needed that time. It did my heart good.

tradition of the Yoo Hoo in the Goggins Challenge

  

Yep. It's time. I think he would approve.

I am grateful for gear and food and gas and good shoes and a meal we share.

work

 

Today I am grateful for a mentality.

music

 I am grateful for breakfast, a broom, a mop, a long walk, some rest and waking up to a sweet note.

brown bananas

 I am grateful for oatmeal, mashed bananas, ground cashews, strawberries, sweet butter, salt and salmon.

Jules J. Berta Winery

 

Alabama's wine tour

 

I am grateful for friends and time and muscadine wine.

good one

 

Loss of twelve pounds in six weeks with less belly. I need to take advantage of more outdoor light. Attempting to regulate mood.

I am grateful for a morning, an evening, a card, a signature, a name we share between us, cashews, a big pink bag, a song, a call, a visit, plenty of cupcakes to give, a butter dish, a CD, a candle and the plans to hike.

the intermittent interrupting of the internet

 

Another momentary pause of existence. Have to write fast.

Today I am grateful for an end to a year and a week.

groceries

 Twenty-two hours fasting - two hours eating has turned into twenty-two hours forty-five minutes fasting - one hour fifteen minutes eating and me wondering six weeks in if I should be concerned about lack of sleep and increase in fatigue - ugly combination unless it's a house that needs cleaning.

I am grateful to see an old friend, the lemon pie recipe, the ingredients for said lemon pie, the request, the peppers, the strawberries, the tomatoes, the cucumbers, the grapes and the celery.

go, team

 

I am grateful for place and time and warm breezy nights and lights when I can cheer and she can show me who I could only dream. I am grateful for games and kids and friends and fields.

that was a minute

 

It was at least a skip or a flutter - the sudden inhale of that moment when I realized I had left my computer at work on a Friday. Who could I call? How could I get it? And then - it's gotta be a gift.

I am grateful for some extra time to do some extra things for a woman who does and is love to all of us.

thunder

 

I am grateful for quality control, a team, a warm rain, a porch, a call, a story and an email that reads like an adventure.

they say it's not losing if you're learning

 

Who are they?

I am grateful for patience and forgiveness.

the score

 When I asked him about his tattoo he replied, "It's Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

Today I am grateful for help and kindness and work.

the day after Mia day

 

Today I am grateful for the girl who may love a morning hike as much as me.

overthinking it

 

What would I even say?

I am grateful for a day set aside for her.

color

 

I am grateful for a late afternoon hike and people who share their internet.

sweet Saturday

 

I am grateful for the sun and the fresh air and the family and the friends and the games and the dinner.

internet down

I am grateful for momentary flickers of existence, a pen and paper, cursive, the hum and the blow, the fog lifting, a day with such potential and coffee.

plenty of rest

 

I am grateful for a place to go to call, the nice guy on the phone, the reassurance that one day things will get better and how now they are.

23 days into this thing

 I am still not physically fully adjusted to this change, but the pros are outweighing the cons.

I am grateful for salmon and strawberries and lemons and cucumbers and little tomatoes and grapes and cherries and water. 

a horticulturist once remarked

 

"A horticulturist once remarked, 'the allegheny chinquapin makes your mouth water but to see it makes your eyes water,' obviously liking both the tree's beauty and bounty." Steve Nix

I am grateful for writers and projects and trees and people.

a dollar a square

 

I am grateful for a push, a muddle through, a focus and the drive home.

big day

 

I am grateful for coffee, a message, a table, a creek, the shadows of the pines on a blacktop road, the perfect shade of blue, the feeling that begins in that second mile, two pigs, two puppies and a calf.

clean sink

 

I am grateful for the opportunity to barter, running water, clean pillows and blankets and a kitchen prepared for the next meal.

that guy

 

Today I am grateful for the plumber I shouldn't ask to be a plumber, the chinquapin, the early leave, the late afternoon, the conversation, the cherries, the cashews, the walnuts, the wine, the lemon and the water.

listening

 

Today I am grateful for the kid, the plan, an email and the rain.

dang chestnuts

 

Two and a half weeks later I'm feeling like this fasting thing could maybe be a long term thing for me. 

I am grateful for a late rainy afternoon, stories and answers to questions that somehow connect us to the great chestnut tree initiative. 

scaling it back

 

Didn't forget the fruit. Ate too much. It's been a year.

Today I am grateful for her voice, a story about them, his video, their lives, groceries and sleep.

if a broom can be considered exercise equipment

I burned some calories and left the fruit at home, and that last thing won't happen again.

Today I am grateful for blue skies, a heavy broom, two large rooms and some word of people feeling better.

feeding

 

I am grateful for sunlight and food.

road trip music

I am grateful for a five dollar bottle of Syrah, when our giggle box gets turned over, Heddy, dinner, going grey, good road and getting home with a Sunday to spare.

the extra time we grab

 

Two ibuprofen but less water. Sleep was good. Energy is low but somedays I think our bodies need to just restore. Today has been that. 

I am grateful for light and road, the middle of the afternoon and being on time without all the rush. 

days nine and ten with a feast planned

 Plenty of sleep the past two days but not enough exercise though the opportunity existed. Extended the fast and realized a substantial drop in energy yesterday. Food from 11:00 - 1:00 today.

I am grateful for presence and presents and chestnuts and asparagus and onion and cucumbers and lemons and strawberries and cherries and yogurt and grapes and broccoli and eggs and cauliflower and water and wine and the square in Hernando and this.

safe travels

 

Today I am grateful for the return of my coworker/work son, how close we are to having a new working system, the time given to work on it and safe travels.

oh, the sun

 

I am grateful for help with breakfast, the table, our places, the dogs who lick the skillet, cucumbers for the cows and a visit.

optimum eating schedule includes Sunday's breakfast

 

One hour of beautiful morning light and fresh cold air matters. Slept 8 glorious hours last night. Cheated and started eating at 9:30. Shared three toothpicks, 5 skinless boneless thighs, cut pineapple, cheese, cashews, walnuts and one jar of our favorite sauce (hello, sugar).

Today I am grateful for sleep, sunlight, water, black coffee and another day.

slight alteration to hopefully help with mood

 

This guy is poetry level prose and he's telling me to eat less often which goes against everything I was taught, but I am his market. The two hour window will begin at noon today.

Day five was high energy ill which was not a good combination and resulted in a three hour save the world nap which goes against the 90 minute nap limit, but it was Friday late afternoon and a girl can sometimes party with math. Nobody tell Huberman.

Today I am grateful for a personal project, cold fresh air, sunlight and a sweet conversation with the kid.

he has me at hello

 

I grew up on the edge of a bush, he begins.

Day four contained more feelings of hunger. I walked past a pie and forced myself to drink 64 ounces of water and 16 ounces of black coffee which is less than half of what I was taking in last week. Too much protein and sauce last night. Cashews, grapes, peppers, broccoli, raw and cleaned. Did not work out but worked hard at a physical job. Great energy and focus but sleeping less which is a real problem but not recurrent at this point.

No excuses, me.

Today I am grateful for lemon water, music, home, a conversation and one of those lingering waves.

day three

Spending less on food, less waste, increased focus on efficiency, more water, less coffee, no creamer, half a glass of pinot noir, bed early, up early (this is a Huberman issue), and this fast is currently good for me like a system reboot. 

But am I going in the wrong direction? This blog has obviously turned into a thriller.

Got the book in yesterday. We'll see.

Today I am grateful for fresh air, time for a project, a voice on the answering machine and people around the picnic table.

day two's energy

 Did a quick mile outside of the miles I did on the job. Energy up. Hard to eat and easy to sleep. I need to pack the best I can in a two hour period.

Cheated and put some creamer in the coffee this morning.

I am grateful for a game, a chance, a gift, an old friend, and some girls.

first day of fast

 Thirty-one hours of nothing consumed but coffee and water and I cheated. I had the powdered creamer. My body revolted which I guess is to be expected when the last mouth to stomach conversation involved Sunday's homemade biscuits with butter and Blackburn syrup and venison and eggs and grits and cheese. So after thirty-one hours of room temperature water and that cheating coffee, my body said, "Hey!" but violently. Eating too much protein, veggies, fruits and nuts late yesterday afternoon into the evening was not as enjoyable. Energy level was low but how could it not be - I wasn't fueling my body.

Day two I am starting with a glass jar full of warm lemon water. We'll see.

Today I am grateful for an opportunity to decide if this is right for me.

Huberman -> Sinclair -> purchase of a book

 Today I am grateful for a snowfall which led to a couple of phone calls, the energy of the cows, the opportunity to pile up some sticks and a playlist which acted as a soundtrack for kicking off a fast. Breakfast was definitely the meal for it.

white

 

do it, me

 

Short two mile morning walk with no weight in the backpack. Training is currently on the decline, but sharing is up since I found some takers on the extra fruits and vegetables.

I am grateful for how pink turned to grey to a pinot and pizza and then more pinot afternoon. And the rain and a series called Love on Netflix and I had to get it out of my system. Now I'm ready. Nobody tell Goggins, please.

pink

 

the newsroom

 

He says, "Stop."

So I do.

"Do you have any symptoms?"

"No."

"Throat not sore?"

"No."

"Sniffles?"

"No."

"Coughing?"

"No."

"Fever?"

"No."

"Well, you know he's got it and he had it and now she's got it."

I am grateful to be allowed in the newsroom where we finally get to talk about a movie.

absolute glutton

 

Today I am grateful for a picnic table, laughter, cashews, walnuts, oranges, broccoli, celery, grapes, strawberries, cherries, dark chocolate, water and yes, coffee.

it's him

 

Today I am grateful for a group of photos from which I can choose one to put somewhere so that one day he will look at it and say, "First photo."

home things

 

I am grateful for warm, soapy water, clean dishes, a call and a list.

as the credits roll

 

"Did you make those cookies?"

Today I am grateful for a question.

days like this

 

The roll of thunder in a thick cloud cover with that light through those blinds. Then the porch and the mist caused by the pour and yes, I am grateful for time and place.

trail magic or trash

 

Today I am grateful for blue skies, fresh air and conversations on the trail.

listen

 

I am grateful for a chat, a hedgehog, a joke and a warm cup of coffee.

what I should've said

 

I am grateful for a heater, the last hundred pages of a book, a warm bath for the chicken, vinegar for the vegetable rinse, filled water bottles and coffee just a click away.

didn't I know that

 

No grocery shopping when I'm tired. It was a horrible display of fried wings and Yum Yum sauce though I did drink water. Am I asking for mercy?

I am grateful for food and the now practicing knowledge that I should not go grocery shopping when I'm tired.

Make a list, me.

5 miles, 15 pounds and a fix

 

When a moment, a meeting, a morning just seem like a gift or a connection you can't help but want to repeat. 

I am grateful for those moments.

cursive

 

Today I am grateful for an opportunity to work alongside a group of people.

on exertion - back to basics

 

Today I am grateful for breath, how the light cuts the dark, the cold daring me to use it as an excuse and the guy whose mind created the reason to push through - four by four by forty-eight.

happy ending/happy beginning and more leftovers

 

I am grateful for driftwood, a fireworks show, duck roll ups, baked beans, cream cheese smoked and chicken done two ways - both of which could be no better than the other, a hiking tradition on familiar trails, black eyed peas, tomato relish, pork loin slow cooked, cabbage and the people on the trail and at the table.

Four miles, me.