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Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say.
– Samuel Johnson

It kind of amazes me how quickly the days go by when I don’t do something I intend to do. That make any sense? Last Friday I was sick again – stupid tummy – and I didn’t get around to posting. Then somehow, the rest of the week ran by and here it is Thursday again and there seem to be no posts in between. Well, that was February as advertised, right?

During that time, I did not forget my daily gratitude project. It has become really, really hard to come up with three new things to add daily, however. Still, I am trying to appreciate the small things and spend less time focusing on the negative stuff that I can’t control anyway. It’s a good lesson to learn. Here are some of the things from this week.

• Indoor plumbing. Sometimes I fantasize about living in simpler times. Then I consider what it would be like to have to go outside to the dunny or not have hot water instantly at my fingertips when I do laundry or dishes or take a shower. And isn’t a hot shower one of the best things ever? My friend Lel had hot water on her list last week, too, so we think alike.
• The kitty being silly. I think I’ve had too many kitty things on my list but it is just so entertaining to watch her turn somersaults while chasing her catnip mousie. Or to suddenly stop to play with another toy while she is playing soccer with a ping-pong ball. “Oh, gosh! I forgot about that toy! I must play with it right now!” And my, does she have a sweet tooth. How else do I explain Zoe drinking my margarita flavored crystal light?
• Having a car that does not leak when it rains. We had quite the storm the other night, as you may have heard, and I did not have to take a pile of towels out to the car to sop up the water.
• The storm, however, did not really do much damage here. An old fruit tree fell over and I suppose I will have to get that taken care of soonish but it is not hurting anything at the moment. I am sad for the folks who were hurt or killed north and east of here.
• The internet. I’m grateful for Netflix and Rift and being able to read blogs and get to know people from around the world. I’m glad for instant communication and staying in touch with old friends.
• The mild winter. I may not be glad for the bugs later this spring but do you know that my parsley never did completely die? It’s been an easy winter and now that…
• …I have a car with air conditioning again, I am going to try hard not to complain about the heat come summer.
• Digital photography. Okay, I may flood the internet with stories about Zoe but I enjoy having many, many pictures of her and Stasia and Petee. I have some good pictures of previous pets but it’s just so easy now. I once gave a little frame to a friend whose dog had died and she told me she didn’t have a single picture of the dog. Not me! Though of course I never have the camera handy at that funny moment but still, I have lots of pictures of my post-digital pets. And I can share them so easily!
• Gummy vitamins. I really love not having to try to swallow pills the size and shape of suppositories.
• Watching the world green up in February. No, I still haven’t taken pictures of the daffodils or crocus, but I sure am enjoying watching them!
• I think they may be done, or almost done, with replacing the water mains around here. I’m sure I’ll be grateful for having nice new water mains but I’m mostly grateful for the roads not being constantly blocked with heavy machinery.
• Microwave meals. They make my life easier because Dad will heat up stuff in the microwave and I know he eats without the stress of trying to make stuff for him and get him to come down here or me having to haul it up there. Ditto Meals on Wheels which brings his lunch.

I am going to continue to try to notice and appreciate the little – or big – things. I don’t think I’ll be writing it down every day but perhaps I’ll toss some in now and then.