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Ten Things of Thankful: Father's Day Edition

I thought I would be organized and get this posted on Friday. Friday came and went, as did Saturday, so here I am posting on Sunday afternoon.  I'm just happy I can post.


1.  The home internet is working again!  I have a love-hate relationship with wifi, I think.  On the one hand, it is so convenient. On the other hand, when it is down, I can't be tempted to get on the computer for a minute (only to emerge hours later), and consequently, I accomplish more non-computer-dependent work. But today I'm choosing to be thankful for wifi.  I missed the TToT last weekend, and am happy to be back.

2.  The snake in my house was not venomous, nor has it reappeared since slithering out the front door.  I'm thankful.  I did get a photo, but I didn't manage to get a good one.  


Photo:  A young gopher snake slithers on my wood floor

3.  I'm also thankful for a dad who knows his reptiles.  A quick photo, phone call, and email later, and I was reassured that I wasn't harboring a juvenile rattler in my home. 

4.  I'm thankful for the relatively cooler temperatures we had this week.  This is stated in anticipation of some VERY hot weather. The newspaper says we'll be at 109 on Monday.  Anything over 105 is legitimately hot here in the desert.  

5.  I'm thankful that I've been able to run again.  As some of you know, I've been battling with plantar fasciitis.  I hadn't run since my last 10 K, which was the day before Mother's Day.  I've signed up to run my first half-marathon in September, and I was getting nervous that I wouldn't be able to train properly for it.  I've been doing everything I can think of to let my foot heal (not running at all, stretching throughout the day, never going barefoot, new inserts and good shoes, ice, tape, buffing, etc. etc. etc.), but I knew that if I didn't start training soon, I would risk further injury by increasing my distance too quickly.  So, this week I did three runs:  a quarter-mile, a half-mile, and a mile.  My foot survived, and doesn't feel any worse than it did the previous week.  My goal is to increase my "long" run distance one mile each week.  If I can do that, I should be ready for the half-marathon in time.

6.  I'm thankful for the dead-and-dying bargain plant rack at the local stores.  I've scooped up some good deals over this past couple of weeks, and have had fun planting.  Granted, not all of the plants I purchased were on the bargain rack, but many of them were.  

7.  I'm thankful for dads, and mine in particular.  He's good for more than just snake identification.  Dad taught me through example that political (or otherwise) agreement is not necessary to get along with someone.  He also taught me that answers to problems can be found by careful thought and study.  He acts patiently and is pleasant, even if he doesn't agree.  (Not too many years ago, I was shocked to discover that he really doesn't like beets.  He had me fooled as a kid!) 


Photo:  My mom, me, and my dad

8.  I'm thankful for my grandchildren.  We had the chance to visit with them this week, and when we had to leave, youngest granddaughter gave me her big pouty face and whispered, "I want to go with Grandma."  It feels pretty good to be loved.  

9.  I'm thankful for my children.  Babies and little children get lots of attention, but I must say that adult children are pretty cool, too.  

10.  I'm thankful for John.  He is a great husband, father, and grandfather.  He is a huge blessing in my life.

Photo:  John holds all the grandchildren on his lap
What about you?  What are you thankful for this week?  

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Comments

  1. you're right... I'll stick with the local fauna here in New England.
    We do have snakes (saw one in the grass just the other day (yeah, life imitates art) but it was small and, fortunately I have no feelings (negative or positive) for snakes.

    hey.... I had a dream once, where for reasons lost in the waking from the dream, I ran faster by making my steps bigger... (hey, it was a dream)... maybe if you went for longer strides, you'd have less impacts to endure.

    no, I didn't think so.... lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I imagine that there is discussion among professional runners regarding advantages of different stride lengths. You've probably got a point, there.

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  2. "Anything over 105 is legitimately hot." That sentence just boggles my mind. I'm thinking legit is way lower than 105! :)
    While I'm not generally afraid of snakes (we don't have many venomous ones around here), if I saw that sucker in my house, I would have flipped my lid!
    I'm glad you have been able to get back to running again. I pray your feet continue to work with you instead of against you.
    I got several plants off the dead and dying rack last year. They are doing marvelously in my flower beds this year! Best way to do it, I say. Well, except for free from friends. Donna's plants were the big score last year. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, but it's a DRY heat here. :-) Believe it or not, it makes a huge difference in ability to survive the high temps.

      I agree that sharing plant starts with friends is even better than the dead and dying rack!

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  3. Ninety-five and higher are HOT by my standards! Certainly glad the snake was harmless, but I would not welcome anything that slithers in my house. Sending heeling thoughts your way. You training plans sound realistic.

    Love the photo of John and the Grands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there's hot and then there's HOT! I used to agree with you about the 90's, but after living in triple-digits, the 90's aren't so bad anymore. :-)

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  4. WOW 109 HUH....not sure about 105 being hot around here some would say 85 is hot me on the other hand love 90 and above.
    your grand-babies getting so big. so so cute.
    and yes when a snake is slithering out of your back door i'd be thankful too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I generally prefer cooler temps to warmer ones, but one thing about getting older is that the time seems to pass more quickly, so hot summers seem shorter than they used to! :-)

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  5. Love the photo of John and all the kids. So sweet. And of you and your folks, too!
    Glad the snake wasn't poisonous - that would've scared me silly.
    I suffered from a round of plantar fasciitis years ago when I was running. It was awful so I am very glad to know that you're able to work through it and train for your next run. I ditched running as a result of it - just wasn't worth the pain - and switched to walking and it's never returned. (knock wood, I guess) Looking forward to hearing about your running success!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard of other people who also had to stop running because of plantar fasciitis. I'm hoping I don't turn out to be one of them, but only time will tell, I guess.

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  6. First of all, that photo of John and the grandkids is TOO cute! My hub and I are big fans of the clearance rack at the plant section - we rescue plants, not pets. With a little love and care they become their beautiful selves, as God intended. Yay for our relationships with our adult children. Good luck with your training.

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  7. That picture of John with all of the grandchildren really is wonderful. You are lucky to have so many! This week I am grateful for the first week of school break and getting to spend almost everyday with Jenna and Amara! A trip to Target can be a lot of fun with the right people.

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