Hi!
I know it may seem like a strange grouping of photos, but each one represents a pretty significant amount of my time during the past week.
You see, the first, is a shot taken as we entered Prairie Lake Regional Park. We traveled there for a service call after closing time, Wednesday. Neither of us had been before, and were taken aback a bit by the view. These little jewels are hiding all over the place.
Once there, we had the privilege of meeting some very nice people who were having a bit of trouble with their hot water heater. They have a pretty nice set up. They've actually taken the wheels right off of their camper, and have built a lattice enclosed, covered deck that is basically attached to it's side. They are but a stones throw from the boat launch, and take full advantage with their pontoon boat. Mister had a bit of a stroke a few years back and is getting a little forgetful, which worries Missus enough to take the twinkle from her eye while she tells the tale. The grandkids don't come to the lake as much as they used to, as they have jobs and such, but Mister and Missus have great neighbours that come back to the lake every year, so it's never too lonely. Once the summer is over, it's South they go like the geese, they don't much enjoy our harsh winters as much as when they were younger. In fact they don't plan on experiencing another one until the day comes, when traveling so far is more worry than fun.
Nice people.
Now, the second shot, well, I mean, if you're going to put a photo of yourself out there for all the world to see, you might as well go for the glamour shot, right?
This photo was taken as I was gearing up to clean a trailer that mice have been partying in. And by party, I mean trying to turn it into a mouse version of "hoarders", only poopier. It's an insurance claim, and needs to be made safe to use, if at all possible. After removing all of their belongings, and getting a good start on the cleaning process, I think it will definitely be salvageable. It's about a 6 step process, by the time all is said and done, but will be worth it when the family gets to take it on this year's first camping trip, next weekend.
The third and final photo? Well, we had a bit of excitement in our tiny little sleepy town yesterday evening.
After scrubbing and scraping mouse poop all day, I was looking so very forward to hitting the shower when we got home from work. As we were about to turn on to our street, we were waved down by our next door neighbour. She told us we would need to take a alternate route to our house. Why, you may ask? As it turns out, the man down the street, we'll call him Mr. Farmer, was driving his tractor home from his farm, and failed to correctly assess the height of the implement he was pulling.
This miscalculation resulted in taking out our power, phones, internet, and cable. Luckily, no one was hurt. Our power was restored this morning around 2am, the phones and internet, about 6pm, today, and the cable? Well, I'll have to let you know on that one.
One power pole landed smack on another neighbour's roof, a street light was basically ripped in half, the still lighted end dangling upside down, the only thing keeping it from hitting the ground were a few fragments of wood and wiring.
Thankfully, we managed to go around a back alley and park in our back yard, to gain entry to our house. I was even able to sneak a very quick shower before all power was lost.
With no power, no cable, no internet, and no phones, the evening's entertainment consisted of watching the police and power guys do their job. It was getting dark pretty quickly and those power lines and that tractor needed to be removed from the street.
We had power lines strewn across our front yard and driveway, the neighbour, as I mentioned, had the line and the whole pole draping his house, and yet another neighbour had lines laying across their entire roof. It wasn't exactly a situation in which they could just wait until morning to do what needed to be done.
My thanks to the ones out there until all hours, climbing power poles, messing with massive lines and poles, in the dark, to keep us safe.
Then tonight, we are having an impromptu sleepover guest. Our daughter and her hubby-to-be came out to give us a hand in spring cleaning our yard. (Big yard-no time) After they were calling it quits for the evening, Jake decided he just wasn't ready to go home. As they are back in the morning to finish the job, Mom and Dad agreed.
I'll take it. How much longer is he going to want to "nuggle" with his Grandma?
I'll blink, and the grandbabies, won't have time to come to the lake as much as they used to, as they'll have jobs and such.
On the book front? I am not so patiently waiting for the finished illustrations for "Alfred". I'm trying to keep myself from checking my email incessantly. I'm not very successful.
So, my friends, that about does for this week. Until then......................
May worry never rob you of the twinkle behind your eyes, if it has to, may it be for a moment so very fleeting.
May you enjoy every day, celebrate, be present, for every "nuggle" every visit, every chance meeting.
May you experience the joy in putting a smile on a stranger's face, be it through duty or through deed.
May you know the contentment brought by a life of intentional kindness, not the constant dissatisfaction of one driven by greed.
May you always be aware of your footprint on this life, conscious of all you touch, in-tune with everything around you.
May you see, if you walk as though alone, stomping through, not thinking of the ripples of your steps, the sadness caused will surround you.
Until next time, have a great week!
www.margyreidbooks.com
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