Things That Make Me Smile #1

I feel like I’ve been immersed in negativity lately – I’m blaming it on Covid, people who swallow conspiracy theories whole and refuse to get vaccinated, or still believe Trump won the election, or think that red car that’s been seen in their neighborhood is the government casing the neighborhood so they can come in in armies to force you to be vaccinated and take all your guns while they’re at it – I do not lie, that was really a post on our town’s digital bulletin board this week. This makes me tired. And negative. And frustrated. And wonder where on earth we are headed – can we survive the stupidity that runs rampant?

I must also acknowledge that the people that believe those things I’ve mentioned above and that I think are leaving a lot to be desired in common sense and levels of intelligence probably also think the same about me. Because that’s how it works.

So – I have decided to start posting photos of things that make me smile. When I came up with this idea a few days ago, this was going to be a daily endeavor but then life got in my way – life, and my increasing negativity, which is exactly what I’m trying to combat. I did, however, manage to get a few photos, which I shall now share.

A view from the port on the river in this little town – the lagoon coming in off the river, the railroad tracks and highway, on the other side of which is a lovely little park. I’m blaming the blurriness of this image on the heat – it was 105 degrees when I took this photo – and maybe my very dirty windshield of my car, because I was not wanting to actually get out of my air conditioned car.

This little cat, who can be such a sweetheart, but has been giving us fits lately. Did you know that female cats can regrow ovaries if all of a certain tissue is not removed during the neutering process? And when this happens, they can go into heat and become unbearable little furry beings? The vet prescribed a pheromone collar, which does seem to help. Thankfully.

This bigger cat, who joined me as I was weaving and parked himself in an empty yarn bin – empty because we’re moving, and most of the yarn has been packed.

These little feathered girls, along with their two sisters who opted not to be photographed, who reliably provide us with an egg a day each – giving us four eggs a day. And yes, we do find ourselves searching for recipes that use eggs.

The sunflowers I planted, which provide sunflower seeds, which the Jays have been happily feasting on.

Looking at the photos of our trip to the coast last month, the walk on the beach with my son, the sight of the ocean

The calming influence of the sounds of the waves lapping on the sandy shore

My last share for this post, taken yesterday evening – the northwest is burning, and the smoke from the fires made its way into the Columbia Gorge yesterday, providing not only a reminder of the devastation and hazards the fires cause, but also the beauty of the setting sun in the smoke-heavy skies.

Reminders, these photos, that in my life, I have enough. Sad that sometimes I lose sight of that.