Etcetera ! Nature

As a few of my family and I were enjoying outside this past weekend, a critter was spotted in the yard next door.
After a few minutes of debate, we determined he was a groundhog.
We named him Gregory.
Something must have caught Gregory's attention because he kept venturing out of his cozy quarters to check it out.
He had a pattern.
Gregory would waddle out, look around at the world, hang around a bit, then go back home.
Waddle. Look. Hang. Home.
Waddle. Look. Hang. Home.
Family and I decided he was either shy, lazy or Mrs Gregory kept beckoning him back.
After awhile, Gregory decided his hideaway was the better place to be.

wink wink

I was talking to my new neighbor recently.
She had moved in during Winter, so this was the first time we had a chance to really chat.
My new friend informed me that she is very frightened of insects and critters.
I told her she sounds like me thirty years ago and if she needs any help or advice, just ask.
I've literally seen it all living here
& what used to scare me now intrigues me so.

As Neighbor and I parted ways, I came across an ant hill.
I can't tell you the last time I took notice of an ant hill.
WoW.
I'm so glad I used that moment to watch those busy little creatures.
Talk about working together.
Go Team.
We should all take a lesson from that teeny tiny production line.

And I'm not sure why I do this but, I do this.
I wake up every morning between 2 a.m. and 3:15 a.m.
No biggie.
I wake up, think about stuff and eventually go back to sleep.
zzzzzzzzz
But, that's beside the point.
The point is the time.
I always know if it's before or after 3:15 a.m. by what the birds are doing.
If it's before 3:15, I hear crickets and other night noises.
After 3:15 always, always brings me a wonderful symphony of chirping.
But it's always 3:15 a.m
Not before
& it's always the same guy that gets the chirping started.
He wakes the others up with his beautiful tune.
I've often heard that the early bird catches the worm but, I never realized until recently how early.
3:15 a.m.
Like clockwork.

Awwwwww.
Nature.

Lessons to be learned, songs being sung, busy, curious, lovely, awesome, etcetera ...etcetera ...etcetera ..  nature.
It's truly an everyday gift.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

 :)

I Am My Feelings

The Water Cure

That's what Mom called it.
It was her go to for all things grumpy
& it worked like a charm.

Anytime one of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren had a case of the whimper whines Mom would put them in water
& although a pool was her ideal choice, whatever happened to be available would usually do just fine.
A sink, bathtub, hose or bucket.
Didn't matter.
Once that child came in contact with water, their crabbiness would fly right out the window.
Poof !
Like magic.
Every time.

As I was walking my trail walk yesterday, I came across many a puddle.
It has been raining on and off, pretty steadily for a whole lotta days now.
There were quite a few raindrop gatherings to maneuver
& each time I dodged, I wondered if children still stomp through puddles.
As if on cue, along came a mom and her two daughters.
Mom and older daughter were walking ever so slowly so that younger daughter could enjoy those puddles.
Seriously enjoy those puddles.
Stomp Stomp Stomp.
Giggle Giggle Giggle.

& I thought ...
How awesome is that ?!?

weeeeeee

Before I finished my yesterday's walk, the sky opened up, once again.
A steady, misty rain came a tumbling down on all who had ventured to the park.
Everyone adult began to scramble, grab their things and run for cover.
The children ?
They preferred slow motion.
No hurry, no worry.
Those little bodies were enjoying that warm, wonderful feeling of gentle rain.

awwwww.
The water cure.
That thrilling, delightfully mystical water cure.

Works every time.

:)

I Am My Feelings

Waffles

Google tells me there are more than 1,500 Waffle House restaurants in the U.S.A.
Each restaurant is opened 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Google also informs me that this American icon has been around since 1955.

That's a lot of waffles.

The reason I mention these Waffle House tidbits ...?
Because every time I travel somewhere by car, I see them.
The restaurants are everywhere.
In fact, I would make a fairly good size wager that there is a Waffle House at every exit I've ever exited on the highway
&
Every
Single
Time
I see the legendary Waffle House sign, I think to myself  'I should go there'.

I. Should. Go.There.

I swear sometimes I think Waffle House is calling my name
"Ooooooo Jacki ! Stop. Enjoy !"

Sadly though in all my years of travel, each time I have heard my Waffle House mantra, I have ignored it.
Next time Waffle House.
Next time.

But then along came yesterday.
YaY.
Yesterday, Daughter and I decided to walk our bodies down to a nearby Waffle House for a good morning breakfast
& I finally ate a waffle at Waffle House.

! ! JOY ! !

Maybe it's because I've always wanted to but never did ...
Or maybe it was the friendly people inside that happy little restaurant.
Maybe it's because the food at Waffle House was absolutely heavenly
Or maybe it's because life's simple pleasures really are the best

But that waffle I consumed at Waffle House ?
It was Sooooooo Goooood.

Yep.

Life's simple pleasures.
They don't cost much
You don't have to search high and low to find them
& no far away travel is necessary.
Because they are right there every single day.
Patiently waiting to be found
& enjoyed.

Seek and ye shall find your simple pleasures, my friends
& a whole lotta happy too.

:)

I Am My Feelings