Caught in the Middle

I was just driving by and thought I'd stop in for a quick visit.

Despite all appearances, I've not fallen off the edge of the earth.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.

We extended our weekend to 4 days.

That was the most consecutive days we've taken off since autumn 2018.

We went to the Salmon River with some friends who have a cabin

where the only access is by plane, boat, or a 15 mile hike.

It was wonderful, but very active

so by the time we returned Sunday evening, I needed another vacation.

We woke up early Monday morning and went back to work.

Hubby worked over 14 hours and I over 10.

The past two days, he has worked just over 12 and I have worked about 10.

I'm the one who has been getting laundry done,

mowed the yard, cooked the meals, etc.

If I didn't leave a little earlier, we would be walking around

starved, 'neked', and filthy (no mental images please.)

I've been sleeping like a rock the past couple nights!

In addition, I've been tending the garden and pulled our garlic.

I love home.

Those of you who have been around here a while already know that.

I feel torn at times wanting to be home and take care of things

and having to go to work and take care of things.

And here I am - right in the middle.

I can't help but think that there must be others out there 

in similar situations.

I have to have a day at home now and then or I just don't function.

Hubby is the opposite and loves to be on the go.

We know this about each other and 

both try to compromise and be mindful of each other's needs.

We are each capable of getting stuck in our own thoughts

and it only takes a reminder of

"I need a day at home," or "I need to go fishing."

The thing is, 

we need to feed our souls ~ all of us.

I'm working on a few things that do just that,

feed my soul.

And this week hasn't allowed me those little morsels of time

that I usually capture for my own pleasure.

That's when I start getting all wonky inside.

I will get to stay home Saturday and not sure about Sunday.

I am focusing on that while I work on quarterly taxes

and other things work related.

I think we all need that balance.

Believe it or not, this blog is a release for me.

I enjoy it so when I don't get to post for a while,

I guess I miss y'all. 😊

I have 2 posts nearly complete.

One of my goals for this weekend is to get those two posts

rounded out and ready to go.

And hopefully a third post to let you know just what I have up my sleeve~

So until next week,

many happy smiles.

PS~ I drive by this old rig somewhat often.

It looks so content just taking a break under the shade of a locust tree.

To me, it's a peaceful scene.

Rhythms~Routine~Ritual

The flow of rhythm~

The dependability of routine~

The harmony of ritual~

(Baby thyme sprouting - so hopeful.)

There are times when the waters get rough

or the road gets rocky.

I suppose it depends if you are sea faring

or a land lover.

Usually those rough and rocky times are due

to the unknown and all the "what-ifs" presented.

When there are situations out of our control,

it serves as a comfort to do those things you can control.

Many folks have lost sight of Home.

Not of their house or the avenues that lead

to and from the places they go,

but a real Home.

I prefer to see our current times

not as a time to panic,

but as the straightening a crooked picture

or righting an upturned vessel.

Perhaps the pendulum is moving a little bit back towards center.

That's a good thing, right?

It's not enjoyable to see people upset,

but it might be like when children don't understand

when something good is coming from the current unpleasant situation.

It might be difficult to begin a new exercise routine,

but after a time

we come to find comfort in the routine of it.

We are creatures of habit

who have veered far from healthy norms.

Perhaps Home will once again become our center.

There are things we can count on

and we should focus on those things

when life gets shaky.

We know we need to eat.

This is nothing new.

We've been doing it all our lives.

What might be new is how we go about providing

for that necessity.

Think first of what you know and build on that.

What meals do you know how to make?

What other meals do you enjoy?

Also, see what you have in stock

and build on what you have there.

If you have grains or beans,

what might you need to go with those things?

Not to worry, it will work out.

Another thing we can depend on 

is that we will need clean clothes.

Again, we already do this.

Just work it into the schedule.

And a clean and comfortable Home~

Awe yes,

there's that word again.

~Home~

Look at what you are making.

It's beautiful really.

 You are providing for yourself

and those you love if that's your situation.

We can now find that the seas are calming

and the roads are smoothing out.

What's happening in the world outside

becomes a little less significant

when we can depend upon those things

we know so well.

What happens when we do these things

is we become more aware of what is important to us.

The minutes of our day become uncluttered.

We'll appreciate the rhythm of the washing machine 

sloshing back and forth knowing the clothes are being cleaned.

We'll appreciate the routine of preparing meals

according to time of day and family needs.

We'll appreciate the ritual of caring for our surroundings.

And when we do,

we will once again feel 

at ease. . . .nah,

at Home.