Life is Good

We had our first snow yesterday. I dutifully rummaged for my beeswax candles to mark the occasion. It was a wet and frigid day. Watching the squirrels shiver in the snow was heart wrenching. I watched the full moon until the smoke of my breath was fogging my vision. The clusters of snow atop my pumpkins made me think they’re wearing powdered wigs.

I pulled out this picture of a tree leaning over the icy cold water in Vancouver; it spoke to me somehow. I think it’s saying, “Life is good.” The little bit of blue in the sky reminds me there is hope. I am thankful for living in a beautiful place on this earth and amidst much bounty. I’m thankful to live in a place where I’m not afraid to stick my neck out and speak up and be seen! Even if there are icy cold days, it’s all good.

Curious Tree in Vancouver

Like most people, I’m not traveling much these days. When I say that, I mean I’m not even going to the grocery store as much as I used to. When I do go out, I wear a face mask and keep my distance from people. I am alert for those who aren’t wearing face masks or keeping their distance from me. I interact with those who think my behavior is risky and those who think it is useless to take any precaution. It’s all quite prickly, just part of the Covid blues.

I may not be traveling but I am moving in different ways. I pickled watermelon rinds this year. I don’t recall even hearing about pickled watermelon rinds before this year. I used Alton Brown’s recipe. They were delicious. Without the pandemic, I don’t think I ever would have ventured to pickle anything. 

Pickled Watermelon Rinds

When I feel like the world is becoming a stifling place, it helps to consider just what I’ve been doing lately that I wouldn’t be doing if I weren’t stuck at home. Staining a fence, painting a room a new color, revamping a drum set, stuffing more insulation into my attic, the sort of tasks my father would describe as fine for those without anything better to do! Life is good.

TATTOO—Journeys on My Mind by Tina Marie L. Lamb is available at Amazon and BarnesandNoble and iBooks and Audible.

Buy it. Read it. (Or listen to it.) Let me know what you think. –TMLL