Monday, May 7, 2018

It's The Little Things


Today has been the most pleasant of days. I took that picture this morning when I went out to let the big chicks out of the big coop and let the little chicks out of the little coop and into the big coop. This all involves sliding doors and screen lids and shuffling of food and water. I love watching the young'uns when I open up that lid to their night time coop. They flutter up and out, eager as they can be to stretch their wings and go about exploring their space again. Mr. Moon and I just went out together to collect eggs (or in this case, egg) from the hen house and look at the chicks. There's one that looks just like a bald eagle right now although that will probably change. And the jungle fowl still look so different. I swear, some of them have necks like anhingas. So interesting. The more I know about chickens, the more I like them. This batch has been incredibly healthy and lucky. Not one has shown any signs of illness or weakness. No paste butt or infections, no little feet that need splints made of scotch tape. Just happy, healthy, active little birds. And every one of them makes his or her way back into the little coop at night for bed. Such smart babies!


My mood this morning was one of deeply anxious despair but I decided to walk it out. And I did. Seven more miles and I saw crows and hawks and blue jays and a large beautiful doe who jumped a fence in front of me. A little puppy pretended I was chasing him on a dirt road. He'd stop and look at me and then run, run, run and stop again and we played this until he reached his driveway, his floppy ears flying. I think that at this point I probably need to start working on increasing my pace rather than just trying for more milage. I'm not unhappy with my pace, considering it's sustained for that many miles and there are a lot of hills and I do take breaks to stop and pee, but it would be nice for it all to take less time out of my day. I realize how damn lucky I am to have this time to spare. I crossed paths today with an actual human who was also walking and he recognized me from walking in Lloyd and he wanted to stop and chat about this and that which I hate to admit I really resented. I kept thinking, "Hurry up! I have so many more miles to go!" and when he finally finished telling me everything he wanted to tell me, I took off like a shot as he continued his stroll along the shady path.

When I got home I had a message from the TV repair guy and I called him back and he came over and fixed my internet connection problem. He looked like Wilford Brimley and wore a pair of black pants and a checked button-up shirt stretched over his belly and that was somewhat disconcerting in that he looked more like an appliance salesman than a technician. I tried not to hold that against him.

I had a nice little visit with my across-the-street neighbor and she gave me some egg casserole and grits leftover from a party they had for her grad students as well as vases of pretty little flowers. She and her husband are about to leave town and she didn't want either the food or the flowers to go to waste.

And then I ironed which wasn't that pleasant but it was okay. And as I keep saying- there is something quite satisfying about lining up clean, ironed shirts in the closet knowing that they will make my husband happy when he goes to get ready for work. This may sound horribly fifties-housewifely but he does a lot for me and after thirty-five years together, we've mostly figured out what works for us and a lot of that is the recognition of what we do for each other. He always thanks me and I like sending him off into the world looking taken care of and handsome. He's liking his new location a lot and has straightened out some zoning issues which looked to be a problem and they are treating him so well at the credit union.

And then my Lis called and told me about a truly peak-life experience she'd had last weekend playing at the Gamble Rogers Festival in St. Augustine. We both cried and oh! how I wish I'd been there! And it just made my heart so happy. I sure do love that woman.

To top it all off, it's still relatively cool with very low humidity and yet, warm enough to go to the beach, which is what Jessie and Vergil did today.


Can you see August and his daddy in the background? What a great selfie-shot! 

And that's pretty much that and once again, I am glad to be here. Shrimp and avocados will be involved in tonight's supper and you can hardly beat that. 

Love...Ms. Moon


20 comments:

  1. Mary, look! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786892677/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

    I ate a whole avocado today. It was delicious.

    The last shot is so great. How lovely to trust someone to lift you up so high and know that you are safe.

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    1. Birdie! I copied and pasted and it said that didn't match any documents. Can you try again?
      And I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be so safe in a mother or father's hands but it makes me so absolutely happy that my grandchildren do.

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    2. It’s Matt Haig’s new book, Notes on a Nervous Planet. Yay!

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    3. Oh! Hurray! I'll check that out.

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  2. My Mama always told me that if a man's shirts aren't ironed it's because one of two things..he's either single or he has a wife who doesn't love him. Totally old school, but they're words I've lived by all my married life. She ironed on Wednesdays, and my job was to refill the Pepsi bottle with water when she sprinkled the clothes. My Dad was a blue collar worker, but she ironed every piece of clothing we all had. She even ironed sheets! She sure enjoyed it....I suffer through it.

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    1. I remember those soda bottles with the corked sprinkle top. I used one when I was given the chore of ironing. It was mostly okay. I tried to iron sheets once not that long ago.
      Not for me. And not worth it.

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  3. That is such a wonderful photo! Good for you on the walking, too.

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    1. Isn't it? The contrast of the two different parents with the two different children. It's really sweet.

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    1. I'll let Jessie know she needs to read these comments. Thanks, Yolie.

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  6. That is an absolutely perfect family photo! Another one to frame! And I'm so glad the day went well for you overall. I am picturing you and Mr. Moon walking out to look for eggs together. It's lovely in its togetherness.

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    1. We do hold hands when we walk out to see the chickens or check out the garden. It is a very sweet time for us. So absolutely prosaic and yet- a little celebration of this life of ours.

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  7. I love that picture of Jessie and family! And I know EXACTLY what you mean about being resentful of the talkie guy on your walk. I get resentful if other people are even NEAR me when I'm taking a long walk. I like to be in my own little world without feeling the need for social skills. You are racking up some serious mileage! I feel like I've accomplished a lot if I do a seven-mile walk just once a week!

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    1. Dang, Steve! You do ten plus miles on your Loop walks! You inspire me.
      And yeah- do NOT mess with my walk. That's not what walks are all about, is it? I'm in my own little world when I'm out there on the roads and trails. And that's how I want it.

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  8. That is the best selfie EVER!!!

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