It’s come to this: I’m “checking in”.
First: How are you? I sincerely hope you’re doing well, or at least coping.
Life is a series of challenges, isn’t it? Luckily, there are also blessings. And I’ve found that when I’m thankful, the hard times seem a little less daunting. Though the truth is that some weeks, the blessings and challenges are so close together that I can’t always tell where one ended and the other began.
Today is a snow day – a seriously snowy day, in that it fell and piled up for hours on end and the photos you are seeing were taken this morning. Much respect to people who have to shovel, drive or walk in it – I’m enjoying it from indoors. A big blessing: I can do this from a safe, warm house.
Plus, I know the importance of snow and rain, and even cold temperatures, to our natural environment. So no complaints.
I’m not writing much these days, and I know I should return to it. My excuse is that I decided a few years ago to make my family and health my Big Priority. When I write, I spend hours at the computer (I think slowly, and through my fingertips, so don’t suggest audio recording), and that makes the pain worse – which then hobbles my ability to attend to my Big Priority. Not good.
Too busy to write a regular post, I seem to either visit blogs I follow OR produce a new one of my own. Then I visit with each blog for a while (trying to catch up with that blogger), so by the time I get to them all, months have passed.
Oh, dear. I hope you’ll forgive me for being a slouch, a slacker, a slug and a sloth.
Meanwhile, I’m indulging in gratitude for a healthy family. Good health is not a thing to ever take for granted.
In a few weeks, I will seriously miss the garden – gardening is my hobby and a great way to exercise during the warmer months. But our focus has been on the interior spaces lately. We had some repairs done on our house – long overdue. The contractor and his team did a great job, affordably. We’re so thankful.
Much more has happened, but that’s all the news I have enough time to share right now.
My very best wishes to you,
Cynthia.
Top 3 photographs by Hamlin Grange.
Cynthia Reyes 
Take care, Cynthia. 💕
Thanks, Jane. You too.
Always nice to read your posts!!
Thank you.
I hope you are feeling better soon,
Thank you, Cindy. Good to hear from you. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well.
Well, I took a rapid test 2 days ago and am negative.
I discovered that the grand-child I adopted informally (not having one of my own like some people!) is graduating from HS.
Have you shopped for your dress for Hamlin’s Order of Ceremony? this takes time.
love you Cynthia,
Rita
Glad you didn’t have the virus, Rita. Congrats on the upcoming graduation. That’s a big deal. I haven’t shopped for a dress. I’m so bad at these things.
Thank you! You have let me know that someone else is also slug, slacker, slouch, sloth…or feels like all of the above at least. I have had all this time…and so little writing done! Apparently we are not alone, but it still feels unpleasant, doesn’t it? However, yes, roof over head, food in fridge, songs to sing, music to play, good people not far away, exercise class on line! I’m blessed. Now to pick up foot in direction of backside…
Be well Cynthia. I hope to see you soon.
How good to hear from you. The writing will come when it does. You’re a gifted writer. Meanwhile, you are enjoying your music!
As always, it was good to see your blog, Cynthia. I smiled at the alliteration: a slouch, a slacker, a slug and a sloth. 🙂 And I doubt it seriously. Take care. –Curt
Thanks, Curt. Great to hear from you. I will catch up with your blog as soon as I can. Stay well.
Dear Cynthia: It’s not the quantity but the quality and you always give a quality post like this one. No sloth either. How about ‘self-care’ which comes in all forms, including fewer posts.
Thank you for checking in, Cynthia! It’s good to hear from you. I’m doing okay. We’re in the process of cleaning up the yard after a very heavy and windy snowstorm. Power out, internet out, tree limbs all over the place.
Hi Cynthia. It’s good to hear about you and your life. I’m glad you’re tending to your priorities. I’ve been feeling less motivated to blog as well, but I try to keep a somewhat regular routine. The photos of your home and snowy gardens look wonderful. Gratitude is a great practice that I could do more. take care
Good to hear from you. It sounds as though you are making the right decision about how you are using your time and energy. Smart. After all, we can’t do it all, no matter our age. Admittedly, we could do more when we were younger. 😉 Anyway, it took a while for me to realize this.
It’s amazing how many things take so much effort! Glad you faced reality. Even with all the injuries etc. I guess I thought one day I’d return to being hale and healthy with all my energy! Silly me. I hope you and your family are all well.
Hi Cynthia, I’m so glad you checked in! I so enjoy your posts, and it is kind of reassuring to know that other people also feel this way ( slouch, a slacker, a slug and a sloth). I think that’s ok, if that is where we’re currently at. Enjoy your beautiful garden from the comforts of your home, and I look forward to your next post, whenever that will be. 🙂
How lovely to hear from you. Thank you. I will be sure to visit when I get a bit of time. Meanwhile, stay well.
It is always good to see a post from you. I always enjoy snow photos. Stay well.
Thank you. Same here!
Indulging in gratitude for a healthy family is a very healthy thing in itself, and I am glad you are taking time to do things that keep you healthy, too. You are no slacker, slug or sloth, dear friend. The writing will come when it is time again. I have been slowly learning I can’t do everything, every day. Things have to take their turn, some things I let go of, for now. That is part of living.
Thank you my friend, for this reply and for your wise self. I hope you’re all doing well.
HI Cynthia, I am sorry writing causes you pain. You do have to put your health first. It is funny to think of you having all that snow when it is so terribly hot here.
I hear you. Hard to believe that our seasons are so opposite at any given time. Lovely to hear from you.
Hello Cynthia, the house interior work looks very good. As we’re halfway through stripping out bannisters, seeing your wooden ones gives me some inspiration.
The snow looks beautiful, too. I doubt we’ll get any this year but the frost a few days ago made up for it.
I’d take frost over snow most days – you don’t have to shovel. But snow has its benefits too. Bannisters bring a unique look to a house. Ours are not a modern style but I like the warmth of the wood.
I hope your winter is nearly over 😊
Your not a sloth at all….i too spend less time blogging these days too. Life is busy. Family and health are the most important things, i absolutely agree. Hope you get back to the garden soon….my fingers are itching to get back to it too
My fingers are itching too! Good to hear from you. Take care.
True that “Good health is not a thing to ever take for granted.” Keep well, Cynthia!
You too, Khaya. Thanks for visiting.
No worries, I’ve only done one post on my blog since November. I think sometimes other stuff just has to come first. You have family and a grandchild to enjoy. That’s very important. I’m kind of in the same boat. No grandchildren of course but wanting to be there for my lad and looking after my Mum. McOther has also dropped his working hours to two days a week so in theory, we can do more stuff together. I want to be around and available for day trips, walks and the like if he suggests them.
Sounds like great priorities, MT. Take care, my friend. You have a lot on your plate.
As do you! Hugs …
Hi Cynthia. I’m checking in, right back at ya! I get it. I’ve had a lot of things going on as well, pulling me in any number of directions, and my blog writing has fallen behind. On the up side, I have been involved more on the visual side, and am being inspired on a very regular basis on Instagram. Almost done building a new website, and about to jump in to the deep end of the creative pool. Happily, I’m in good health, too, something to be grateful for.
I’m glad to finally come visit after being absent myself. Do what you can, my friend, and I will, too!! ❤️
Great news on the up side! Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Cynthia so good to hear from you! Look after your lovely self …I’m long overdue again for another Frog Pond update … big hugs xx
I always enjoy your updates, Julie – words and pictures. Stay well.
Oh yes Cynthia! For various reasons I too no longer have a regular blog and sometimes struggle to keep up with others I follow. But do keep writing as your posts are always enjoyable and like this one with a wry sense of humour. Thank you. Keep well, safe and happy. And you know Spring is just around the corner (really!).
Thanks so much, Clive. I hope Spring gets here soon!
I am with you regarding the amount of time that blogging, and following blogs can take. I avoid subscribing in order to avoid the sense of obligation to respond to e-mail reminders and pings. I would rather come check in with cyber friends when I am not distracted elsewhere. Nice barn door style inside. We have a friend who has also done this in a place where a standard swinging door would create an obstruction. We have been doing loads of remodeling since Fall. Keeping the economy rolling. BTW, it should be 70F today here! February? We will have our April gardening chores done before March.
Great to hear from you as always. We have a way to go yet for gardening chores – major snowstorm here – but can’t complain as we enjoyed nearly a week of mild weather. Best to you and the family.
I’m glad to see you checking in Cynthia, I find I’m not writing as much and having a hard time keeping up with checking in on others to. Take care xx
I hear you. Take care of yourself and keep in touch, you beautiful writer-person you. Hope you’re still going on walks with your canine companion.
You are the furthest thing from a slug, sloth, etc, Cynthia! But it IS good to hear from you and know you’re doing ok:). Love the statue with all the snow–and love that you’re spending time with your loved ones. Hugs to you . . .
Love you use of the sl-alliteration to slowly slip suggestions of where you may be slacking. Now it’s March. Let the Spring Commence!