Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

groundhog day

Saturday smiles: Back in the swing edition

I’ve been on a sort of self-inflicted protest from this particular weekly post. The last couple of weeks have found us settling back in to the humdrum of life, and frankly, I didn’t have the emotional energy to pay attention to the things around me that are worth smiling about. We’re still in a tight spot financially. We’re not sure what to do about it specifically. The future doesn’t look all that bright or hold much promise. All that to say I’m feeling kind of stuck right now.

But this week offered some reasons to turn my grumpy attitude into a reluctant gratitude. Here’s a short list:

  • My husband taught our kids how to eat crackers off the table using only their mouths without touching the table. This is a trick he’s been sharing with future generations for years, and it makes me laugh to watch our kids try to imitate his antics.
  • I got to have coffee and baklava at the best coffee shop in town with a friend. A couple of hours out of the house is always good for a mood change.
  • A friend called just to check in. Adult interaction, even if by phone, reminds me that I’m not in this alone.
  • I had some meaningful online interactions this week, too. I know it’s no replacement for face-to-face, but in desperate times, it’s a connection to the outside world.
  • A stack of good books I’m currently plowing through.
  • Time to write. And a story I can’t get out of  my head even when I’m nowhere near a computer.
  • My artistic and creative children.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHer brother did this to her.

Also, it’s Groundhog Day, which is a silly holiday but still makes me smile a little. I still want to visit Punxsutawney sometime before we leave Pennsylvania.

It’s not a lot but it’s enough to get me through.

Here’s hoping for many more smiles in the week to come.

 

Saturday smiles: groundhog edition

We’ve been talking groundhogs in our house for a week now. Last week at the library storytime (which is a recurring smile that I don’t mention often enough) Isabelle learned about groundhogs, heard many stories about groundhogs and made a groundhog craft. She’s been eager for the day since then.

© Luckynick | Dreamstime.com

Watching a bunch of old guys in hats and tuxedos pull a scared and innocent-looking groundhog from a tree stump early in the morning to tell us we have six more weeks of winter is not necessarily my idea of a good time. I’m not normally sympathetic for the rodent types, but the poor thing looked pathetic. Actually, the kids’ commentary made it all better: Isabelle said, “Corban, it’s called Punxsutawney Phil.” And Corban responded in song: “Tawny Phil, Tawny Phil.” For the rest of the day, they danced around the house to this song. We watched the drama unfold on TV. Maybe if we’re still in Pennsylvania in the coming years, we’ll make the pilgrimage to Gobbler’s Knob in the western part of our fair state.

Other smile-worthy moments this week:

Having friends over to play.

Receiving confirmation that a piece I wrote will be published by a local church for a Lenten devotional.

Surviving the first day/night of my husband’s last seminary semester.

Singing with my husband in church. And with my kids when they go to sleep.

Playing outside. When it’s almost 60 degrees. In February.

Zumba.

Long walks by myself around town.

A good book. This one particularly. (Stay tuned for a review and interview with the author in a couple of weeks!)

Hearing our almost 4-year-old use the word “apparently” like it’s her job. “Apparently, I do know how to do this.”

Our 2-year-old’s response to almost everything right now is “oh-kay,” kind of drawn out but not sassy yet. Just cute. What can I say, I kind of love my kids a lot and mostly think they’re adorable.

A clean house. (Not that I ever really see this, but I did a fair amount of cleaning this week. The thing is, the more you clean, the more you find to clean. At this rate, I’ll have a perfectly clean house when I die.)

God speaking a similar message to my husband and me, offering us some comfort about the future.

A cumulative 10.4 pounds lost since the first of the year.

Sleep. Which is what I’m off to do soon. For me, there’s not much that beats a good night of sleep. Except maybe a great cup of coffee. And if I have the former, I don’t so much need the latter.

Good night, and keep smiling.