Ten Things of Thankful: Two Weeks, Six States Edition

 

A puzzle of the United States of America

The past two weeks have been busy. We drove from Oregon to Utah (staying overnight at the halfway point in Boise, Idaho.) After one restful night at home, we drove to California (passing through the tiniest corner of Arizona and then Nevada). After a couple of nights there, we returned to Utah. I get to be home for a week before I fly out to Oregon next weekend. It's all good, though.

I'm thankful:

1. My mom's recovery continues to go well. Next weekend's visit is a planned-before-her-injury family reunion: just my parents, siblings, and myself. It should be lots of fun! I should be reading the Scrabble dictionary in preparation, because I know there will be at least one game. 

Scrabble tiles (A, O, I, F, E, blank, E) on the rack. I was wishing that first names were valid Scrabble words, and sent this photo to my friend who has a daughter named Aoife. 

2. The weather in Oregon, unlike the first January visit, was sunny and dry. There's nothing quite like the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and when the sun shines one can sometimes forget the amount of rain that falls to create such beauty. 

Multnomah Falls, as seen from the freeway. Though the tall falls are flowing, ice clings to nearby rocks.

3. My parents have the cutest wild "lawnmowers" (though the award for most unusual grazer has to go to a neighbor's zebra!)

A cute little deer takes a break from grazing to look at the camera

A zebra munches on grass in a field

4. We got to spend time with grandchildren!

A grandchild made this original drawing of John and me

5. While we have the best sunsets in Utah, California has some pretty nice sunrises.

A view from the car of the early morning sunrise shows a pinkish/orange glow on the horizon

6. For the beautiful moonrise on Friday. 

The view from my driveway of the moon rising over the mountain

7. For Drexel. As a 13-year-old lab, he's definitely a senior dog. He had his annual vet exam on Friday. He's starting to develop cataracts, and his hearing isn't what it used to be, but he's still getting around OK and is a happy guy. I continue to get his 3-year dog license (as opposed to 1-year) because surely that is the one we will need. 

Drexel, the yellow lab, rests on his dog bed.

8. For friends. In Oregon, I was able to visit with a friend from high school. In California, we went out to dinner with a couple we've been friends with for close to two decades. In Utah, my neighbor and I resumed our walks. ♪Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.♪

9. For observational humor. I'm not necessarily funny, but some situations tickle my funny bone. Some observations from the past couple of weeks:

For about the past mile (or more) we are seeing onions (picked, not growing) on the side of the freeway. Some semi carrying onions must not have secured their load very well. At first I thought they must have spilled a load, because there were a lot of onions when we first noticed, but then we kept seeing onions sporadically for the next mile or so. 

Overheard in the vet's office when a tiny, apparently nervous dog was called back: "She had to be in her sensory deprivation sweater." 

Also in the vet's waiting area: a "WET SEAT!" sign on a bench. My text: "I think upholstery might have been a bad call."

In the grocery store, where a song was playing the same refrain over and over: A woman commented to me, "I think their record is broken." I smiled and as she walked by me, she said to her husband, "I don't think she knows what a record is." My first reaction was to think, "I DO TOO!" but then I thought, "Wait! How young does she think I am? I will gladly take that compliment!" 🤣

10. As always, for John. Did you know he likes to cook? I'm sitting here blogging and he's in the kitchen whipping up Japanese food for dinner. (AND he helps me with blogging at the same time--offering tech support and proofreading my posts.) 

What are you thankful for this week? 

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