31 / 365 Farewell to January

Today after work I sat in my car thinking before starting the engine and heading home.  This is my view through the windshield.  The last day of January has been gray and rainy from beginning to end.  It’s nice to know that with tomorrow’s arrival of February we’ll be that much closer to Spring.



30 / 365 Drained for Maintenance

We live in a subdivision off Bishop Lake Drive, and I pass by Bishop Lake at least once a day.  Every year or so – at least it seems that often – they drain the lake for dock repairs and who knows what else.  While I always notice the lake, I don’t think I really “see” it until it gets drained.  By then it looks awful. (H ‘s language is a little stronger.)

It’s so easy to simply look over, around, through, or past things that we come in contact with on a regular basis.  Every time I see the lake drained, I appreciate anew how lovely it looks when it’s full… if only I pay attention.

29 / 365 A Preview of “Life at the Home”

H and I had dinner and celebrated a birthday with friends tonight, a group that H has been involved with for over twelve years.  We often joke that the older we get, the more the conversations focus on age-related topics, “geezer mode” as H likes to call it.  Tonight was a prime example.  Discussion highlights included Social Security, sleep number mattresses, good sleeping pillows, and health issues.  While the ladies were hard at work planning fun activities for the coming year, the guys had retired to the living room and were watching a program on Lawrence Welk, followed by a history of the TV Western.  H refers to such a sedentary evening as a preview of “life at the home.”

28 / 365 Lost Pets

H and I live in a neighborhood with strict guidelines when it comes to pets running loose.  And, although I may have observed a few cats tiptoeing by, I rarely see a dog that is not on a leash leading its owner.  I mention this because I know the neighborhood must be brimming with pets, but I just don’t see them.

But goats?  I would never have guessed that we have a goat in the neighborhood.  I was totally surprised to see this notice taped to a stop sign two streets over from our home.  Not that I have anything against goats, but I think I need to start paying closer attention to my neighbors’ backyards. 

(Sorry for the picture quality: It was snapped as my left hand held the steering wheel and my right hand aimed the camera across the front seat and through the windshield, all while driving slowly through the stop – traffic was starting to back up behind me.)

27 / 365 Quiet Time

Many years ago I used to get up early each morning and spend a little quiet time mentally preparing for the day.  I usually spent the time in prayer or reading something inspiring.  Sometimes, I simply sat still just pondering the moment.  I don’t remember when or why I stopped, but I feel the need to get back into the habit.  It was a great way to welcome a new day.    

I started setting an earlier alarm this week to begin the process.  So far, I’ve succeeded two days out of three. 

26 / 365 Little Happies

A girlfriend of mine has a family member who refers to giving a small, fun something – nothing expensive or of big worth – as giving “a little happy.”  I love that.  Just a little something to make someone smile.  These are some of the “little happies” that I’ve received at work over the years.   They make me grin every time I look up from my computer.

25 / 365 Facility Management

This day was filled with plain ol' facility management duties.  The highlights included the distribution and set up of 100 new chairs, elevator inspections, plans for office remodeling, and troubleshooting with the heating system.  My cup runneth over today.