Joy Finds Me Again

As is my usual for the week, I try my best to keep up with some of the daily joys I experience, and freely admit the some days during the past year, joy has been terribly hard to find. Still I look for it each day and manage to find something joyful or joyous each day.

 I am fully inoculated and am taking baby steps to rejoin the world, however, I am doing it at my speed, fully masked. Sue me.

Each week now, I intend to do something I would have done pre-covid. I have put my toe in the

world and will try to safely go out among the living again, reserving the right to retreat if I feel uncomfortable. 

Now here is my list of joys for the 19th week of the year, including my big leap back into the world. I have actually worn real clothes and make-up three times this week. That is more than I did the entire month of March. Look out world, I am taking a walk on the wild side!

 Friday: A dear friend had called me and asked if I would meet her for coffee and conversation. Like me she has been contained in her small bubble and was in desperate need of socialization. There is a relatively new Mexican bakery/coffee/ice cream shop near us. TheHub and I had dashed into it before and bought some pastries and I had noticed it was a very large shop and the coffee/ice cream side had always been virtually vacant. It was the perfect spot for both of us to test the waters, since neither of us had been seated inside anywhere since March 2020. I can't begin to tell you how much I needed it, and plan to meet another friend at the same place next week. 

Saturday: For the first time since the beginning of the year TheHub did not go into the office at all on the weekend. We decided to get up, get dressed and run a few errands, including one to get my Mother's Day present. You have to understand I am pretty practical and have asked for paint, new garbage cans, hedge trimmers, etcetera, and TheHub is happy to oblige.  And this year's winner was a 2x2x6 foot galvanized horse trough. I know it sounds like an odd gift for a horseless house, but I have great plans for it. 

We continued our errands, then went on The Great Lantana Hunt. I don't know why it is so hard to find lantana this year. (I had lantana that came up in the same planter each year, but for some reason TheHub "cleaned" the planter and threw it out. I guess its was the same reason he "cleaned" the mint and parsley planters)

I kept telling TheHub we needed to go to Myers first. It is hands down the best nursery in town and they have absolutely everything. Yes, it is a tad farther and a little pricier, but driving to the four other places we went to looking for it cost gas and time, and we wound up there anyway!  Even though my "I told you so" remained silent, there was a certain glee knowing I could have said it!

Sunday: Mother's Day grilled lunch with Son2 and DIL2. I love seeing them and spending time with them!

Monday: Occasionally, when Son1 is taking Pip to school, they call me. Monday they called and I got to   join in her early morning  (10 o'clock here) silliness.

Tuesday: I had a wonderful phone conversation with a friend I have not heard from in quite a while. Sure friendships are beyond joyful.

Wednesday: Mom's accountant called and her taxes were finished. I was able to run by his office, sign them and have them filed electronically. It was bittersweet, because it is the last time I will ever have to do that for her, but there is joy knowing I will not have to keep up with her tax documents again.

Also, the SEC women's softball tournament was on TV. I love watching them play, and wish it had been around  as a sanctioned sport when I was younger. 

Thursday: Produce should not cause such great joy, but our local produce stand has real honest to goodness freshly picked tomatoes and strawberries. According to the farmer/market owner all of his crops are at least two weeks ahead of their normal schedule. Oh my goodness! It tasted like putting summertime in my mouth!

Alabama played Kentucky in the SEC softball tournament. It was a great game. Roll Tide!

Have a great week finding you joys wherever they are or whatever they might be!