E is for Effort
The ham is in the oven. It is Thanksgiving Monday. I am a little tired. I had trouble laying down to sleep last night. It’s that time of year of allergies and dry air. Time to get the humidifier out soon. But I’m none the worse for wear. I’m keeping on top of my goal for October. I’m still looking for the gold in everything. It’s day 12 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. I’m almost halfway through.
Some days it is more of a struggle with everything. That’s just life. That’s how it is. So you just have to give it a little more effort. I miss my daily walks with Sheba. They have been part of my every day for almost 14 years. The guy misses them, too. So this morning we walked each other to the park, along Sheba’s route. We passed her sitter, Carol’s house. Carol doesn’t live their anymore. But we still think of it as hers.
It’s a bit of sad affair. The yard is full of weeds and overgrown shrubs. We saw a chair lift, something recently added, by the front door. We knew that the man’s wife has MS. We’ve never seen her in the 2-3 years they’ve lived there. We’ve only seen the dogs in the backyard that was full of their poop. The man was seldom seen. The lift is a reminder to us that we know nothing of their circumstances or challenges. Keeping up the yard is probably very low on their priority list. Let us not be their judges.
On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m reminded how much I have to be grateful for. Being healthy and physically independent is huge. So I am tired. I can rest. I didn’t sleep well last night. I will sleep better tonight having had a morning walk and raking the front yard. So ends another day and effort. It’s not fancy. And it is not great or profound. I showed up. Mary Oliver sums it up nicely in her poem, Praying.
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”
onethousandandtwo 
Happy Thanksgiving. This time of pandemic affects us all as we try to keep a positive outlook in such unusual times. Stay safe.
Thank you, Virginia. The pandemic is taxing.
I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day, in spite of whatever else transpired. Every activity in life requires some kind of effort. Somehow, with a positive mindset and an attitude of resilience, we make it through the days. Keep hope alive and always trust God.
Thank you, Florence. Very wise words.
Happy Thanksgiving, The one in the states is a little over a week away. Here in Mexico, They do not have a Thanksgiving but there are three or four local “American Style” restaurants that do offer Thanksgiving dinner on the American date, this year it’s Thursday November 26th. We have tried two of the restaurants but it is so much better to enjoy it at home with friends and family, then have leftovers the following day (if your lucky) so this year, because we raise our own turkeys, we will probably cook at home. As for those nights when you find it hard to sleep. I have them if the room is too warm. I need it a little cool and very dark if I want a full nights sleep. Enjoy the ham and the side dishes and stay warm.
Thanks William. We mostly cook at home for holidays occasions. We’ve been busy of late with our greenhouse and I thought it would be a treat for my parents to have Chinese food from our favourite Chinese restaurant. We and they haven’t been since January. Yes, we’ve been having trouble with too much lighting all night from neighbour. However, I think, hope it is solved. Your Instant Pot mashed potato recipe was a success.
What a lovely reminder from you and Mary Oliver. Just showing up is good for me too. Some days yes everything is an effort. I was saying to someone last night that I still feel very lonely sometimes living here on my own. Even after two years and with a more positive mindset, change is hard. You must miss your Sheba very much indeed.