2026 Happy Blog Challenge

 Some happy things from Friday: Since I am in Texas, I was able to get the motivation to go out for a walk this morning, before it got too hot.  It was just around the neighborhood.  The following are some pictures of plants people are growing around here. TF and I spent some time just chatting before we decided to do some deep cleaning.  She lives alone and there are a few things that having someone else help with can mean a lot.  So that was our big thing for today and will be working on it Saturday, too.  I am happy to be able to help. The soap dispenser in the bathroom is a cat.  It isn't just a cat though, when the top is pressed down the foam soap comes up and out like a paw print.  The moon and Venus were visible.  They were the only lights, other than the occasional plane, that I could see in the few minutes I was outside after dark.   ☮ Continued listening to: Paladin's Faith , by T. Kingfisher. Thank you for being here and...

 June 11th Some happy things from today: Perhaps it was yesterday's realization of how little sleep I tend to get.  Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion.  Either way I was able to get just over eight hours of sleep even with getting up for nature's call more than once.  My back was sore and my eyes still burned, but I got more than eight hours of sleep! Concerning the interim safety position I applied for, the rumor is that they are down to three candidates and I am one of them. In the yard I noticed what Google Lens thinks is some kind of spiraea, perhaps Reeve's spiraea.  On the side of the driveway are some multiflora. Spiraea. Multiflora  ☮ Continued listening to: Paladin's Hope , by T. Kingfisher.  Continued to read: No Time Like the Past , by Jodi Taylor.  Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

 May 28th Happy Thursday things: It was my last day of the work week and it went well.  Next week I will be interviewing for the interim position I applied for a few weeks ago.  I learned that there are a total of eight people that applied for it.  I'm not holding my breath, but will try to continue to do my best and hope that is enough.  The hours would be 3 AM to 1:30 PM.  My work day would start a little later and that really appeals to me right now.  I'm happy this work week has come to a close and that I have made the decision to not try to pick up any extra hours over the weekend. It took me a while, but I was able to take a short nap after work and before going out this evening.   With an attempt at planning for Pennsic I met some friends at a local diner for dinner.  The couple is who I am hoping will someday be able to take over the Pennsic encampment so that I won't have to do it every year.  She has been doing the cooking...

 May 27th Here are some happy things from Wednesday: This was the second day in a row that I stayed a little bit late at work to finish clearing out the hazardous materials area.  Some days working in Haz Mat things go fast, other days there is research that needs to happen so that a product is disposed of properly.  On those days things take longer to do.  Today was a high research day.  I'm happy that things were completed. During a walk around the yard I noticed Irises blooming next to the driveway.  The geraniums that go most of the way around the front yard are starting to bloom.  There are some lilacs that are almost finished blooming and others that will be soon.  There are many lovely flowers, in different varieties, around the yard. Iris Geranium Lilac Lilac ☮ Continued listening to: Paladin's Strength , by T. Kingfisher.  Continued to read: No Time Like the Past , by Jodi Taylor.  Thank you for being here and being part of my d...

May 12th Happy things from a tired Tuesday: There has been a person at work that I have been trying to train in Hazardous Materials for over a month.  Today I finally was able to work with her and at least get her started with all the processes. The IronCross Shamrock Oxalis that I planted a while back have some blossoms! ☮ Continued listening to: Paladin's Grace , by T. Kingfisher. Continued to read: No Time Like the Past , by Jodi Taylor. Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

 May the Fourth be with you. Here are some happy things: One of the side effects of a physical is the blood test that inevitably follows.  This morning I had blood drawn and I had to fast for the test.  Eating after was wonderful.  What I am most happy about is that the phlebotomist was able to do what needed to be done on the first try.   Amy, Stephanie, another friend, and I met for a walk this afternoon.  It was a lovely day to be outside and catch up with friends.   Here are a couple things from the yard that are starting to bloom. ☮ Continued listening to: Paladin's Grace , by T. Kingfisher. Continued to read: No Time Like the Past , by Jodi Taylor. Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

Not so happy stuff first… As I write this there is a search going on in the state for an active shooter.  We are seemingly far from there, but a friend who works at DIY Craft & Thrift is not.  She is sleeping on our couch tonight.  Hopefully all will be well in the morning. Here are some happy things from today: Bel & I, with a little heavy work help from a housemate, got the wire mesh stuff under the chicken coop.  There is more to do before the chickens can stay outside, but strides were made.  In order to cut the mesh Bel and I rigged a way to hang the roll from the Baja car.  It was then super easy to measure it out. The book I am listening to, I See You've Called in Dead , is basically about someone's trials and tribulations learning how to live a fulfilling life.  I'm enjoying the story.  At one point the main character helps fulfill a friend's dream.  Then he asks a question that I will try to paraphrase and hopefully not lose ...

 March 26th Happy Thursday things: My work week is over and I'm very happy about this.  I may pick up a short shift if one comes up, but for now I'm looking forward to the weekend.  On the way home from work I took a detour and went by our old house.  I picked up a few things and got pictures of some crocuses there that I planted in previous years.  At the new house I noticed some green and yellow in the yard by the pool.  After closer examination I found yellow flowers and some of purple ones.  After taking pictures and not having luck with a possible identification, I meant to go outside again for an even closer look, but I got distracted.  I feel like I have seen something like this and should know what they are.  However, more spring flowers!! The book that I have been listening to, Nettle & Bone , is over.  The author created a truly magical world that I very much enjoyed.  I'm considering trying more of her books.  ☮...

February 25th  Here are some happy things from today: Due to the storms south of here, work started late today.  It made for a weird feeling day with times being a little off in my head.  We made it through and the company treated us to Pizza Hut pizza after work.  Yay, free food! There were messages on my phone after work and people hanging out.  I sat there for about an hour texting on the phone and talking with people sitting near me.  This was good. There were fun things I wanted to do when I got home.  They didn't happen.  I had business calls and dishes to do and distractions that happened.  However, I also visited briefly with a member of the house that I don't always get to see and that was really nice.   The flower I was given on Valentine's Day still looks great!   ☮ Finished listening to: The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging , by Charles H. Vogl. Continued reading: A Trail Through Time , by Jodi ...

 Wednesday  Here are some happy things from today: Work was rough, but I made it through, yay!  I was assigned to stow which meant lots of bending and lifting.  The end result is that I am tired and achy.  I'm thankful for the friendly faces of some of the people I've met there. Pretty much the first thing I did when I got home was stretch out on my bed and stretch out my back and fall asleep.  I set a timer, so I didn't sleep for long.   After doing some dishes and eating I decided to finish the Lego flowers.  When the flower I was given for Valentine’s Day is gone, I'll see how they look in a vase.   ☮ Continued listening to: The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging , by Charles H. Vogl. Continued reading: A Trail Through Time , by Jodi Taylor.   Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

Sunday,  February 15th In tention for the day (I'm going to try again): To do my best to joyfully move through the day.  If things become stressful I intend to retreat somewhere and find something to do to relieve the stress that is not always my cell phone.  Here are some happy things from today: The sunrise was pretty with some shades of peach in the clouds. One of my goals was to organize my desk some.  In the process of doing that I came across some window crayons I have had for a while.  I decided to draw on the bedroom window.  It didn’t come out very well.  I was at a weird angle reaching over the desk to draw.  It was fun though. It says, "Everyday is a treasure." I tried to see it from outside, all glare. I found some slides in my desk drawer.  After some trial, error and an internet search I figured out how to take a picture of them.  The slides are of my Aunt and Uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary back in the 1980’s.  I mad...