I wake up before the alarm and walk out into the dark early morning air with my dog, under a canopy of stars so great in number I stand in awe. I hear rustling and turn to see deer--I count six of them, swiftly leaping across the street from one neighbor's yard through the next and into the woods. Grateful that the dog did not become aware of their presence, somehow get away from me and end up getting lost in the woods with no one having the time to patiently look for him, I go back inside.
Realizing I have no pictures of items to sell to post on my Facebook page, since I had not yet finished them, I find a comforting quote, one that I need to ponder over a cup of coffee, and then another.
While driving into town I listen to the soundtrack to O Brother to get me in the mood for the farmers' market. I sing the harmony to You are my Sunshine and I'll Fly Away. Soon I am at my table already set up for my customers to find me sewing. Friends stop by to chat and though it is a very slow day at the market, I end up making some sales which encourages me to come back next time.
Home alone, I partake of a Saturday afternoon nap--the best kind.
I spend some time online researching, watching a lecture, reading. There are so many ways to spend a Saturday: taking a walk, going for a run--which I do not do often enough, catching up on my reading--if there is ever such a thing as catching up since there will always be more reading to do. I decide to go to the gym for a swim.
Settling into a hot whirlpool bath of swirling, bubbling water, I realize it is the first time I have felt completely warm all day. I try not to breathe too deeply as the amount of chlorine used to keep the water safe is seemingly quite high since the odor of it permeates the air. Somehow I am able to relax even in the midst of mostly men walking by often glancing over at me in my least attractive swimsuit that is now faded and falling apart thanks again to the chlorine. I stare straight ahead sometimes averting my gaze to the rafters. I am like the person in the Bible waiting at the Bethesda pool for someone to help him in so he could be healed. I trust I am in the right place. I await my healing.
My latest swimming routine goes something like this: three laps kicking with a noodle (they got rid of all the little kick boards) followed by three laps doing a side stroke and then repeat both sets so I do twelve laps in all. I know the exercise would be more effective if I did the crawl like a normal person would but I become out of breath more quickly and cannot go as long. I also am unable to see without my glasses--anything, and running into the side of the pool head-first is not a good idea. I do have, however, prescription goggles which leaves no room for excuses. I make them anyway.
Driving home I see deer standing in a field--I count six of them, and wonder if it is this same group reconvening for a night out. Rounding the corner toward my home, as the sun sets behind the trees painting the sky a breathtaking orange-red, I experience a rush of gratitude for my life. Walking in the door to the wonderful aroma of salmon and rice being expertly prepared by my husband who is happy to greet me, my youngest son pretending to shyly look away as I will try to make him laugh like I always do, I wonder if that water did have some healing properties. For at this moment, I feel all is right with my world.
Realizing I have no pictures of items to sell to post on my Facebook page, since I had not yet finished them, I find a comforting quote, one that I need to ponder over a cup of coffee, and then another.
While driving into town I listen to the soundtrack to O Brother to get me in the mood for the farmers' market. I sing the harmony to You are my Sunshine and I'll Fly Away. Soon I am at my table already set up for my customers to find me sewing. Friends stop by to chat and though it is a very slow day at the market, I end up making some sales which encourages me to come back next time.
Home alone, I partake of a Saturday afternoon nap--the best kind.
I spend some time online researching, watching a lecture, reading. There are so many ways to spend a Saturday: taking a walk, going for a run--which I do not do often enough, catching up on my reading--if there is ever such a thing as catching up since there will always be more reading to do. I decide to go to the gym for a swim.
Settling into a hot whirlpool bath of swirling, bubbling water, I realize it is the first time I have felt completely warm all day. I try not to breathe too deeply as the amount of chlorine used to keep the water safe is seemingly quite high since the odor of it permeates the air. Somehow I am able to relax even in the midst of mostly men walking by often glancing over at me in my least attractive swimsuit that is now faded and falling apart thanks again to the chlorine. I stare straight ahead sometimes averting my gaze to the rafters. I am like the person in the Bible waiting at the Bethesda pool for someone to help him in so he could be healed. I trust I am in the right place. I await my healing.
My latest swimming routine goes something like this: three laps kicking with a noodle (they got rid of all the little kick boards) followed by three laps doing a side stroke and then repeat both sets so I do twelve laps in all. I know the exercise would be more effective if I did the crawl like a normal person would but I become out of breath more quickly and cannot go as long. I also am unable to see without my glasses--anything, and running into the side of the pool head-first is not a good idea. I do have, however, prescription goggles which leaves no room for excuses. I make them anyway.
Driving home I see deer standing in a field--I count six of them, and wonder if it is this same group reconvening for a night out. Rounding the corner toward my home, as the sun sets behind the trees painting the sky a breathtaking orange-red, I experience a rush of gratitude for my life. Walking in the door to the wonderful aroma of salmon and rice being expertly prepared by my husband who is happy to greet me, my youngest son pretending to shyly look away as I will try to make him laugh like I always do, I wonder if that water did have some healing properties. For at this moment, I feel all is right with my world.
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