How did you find JOY today?
 

Letting this special needs youngman in a wheelchair know that he mattered......I got a fist bump and a smile. Random kindness is a very rewarding thing.....

Sorry to hear about your mother....big hugs.....

I was able to place a homeless female Veteran into permanent supportive housing. That was a long time coming for her.

I was able to find laughter with co-workers after a long hot hard week.

I visited my father in his nursing home and he said some things that showed me that he still remembers some important things about our family. He's such a mystery right now but sometimes is so grounded.

Nectarines for a snack

My mom and I are enjoying watching the Olympics in the evening. Last night we practiced looking like the swimmers by slapping our arms and chest before doing anything :superfunny: But seriously. The athletes just are astounding. You think about all of the work and commitment behind those moments and ... can't imagine.

My joy today
 

and every day is spending quality time with my wife and our two rescue pups. My wish for everyone is to have someone not just to live with, but whom you can't live without.


I just reread this post, it's damn sappy! Who cares? lol

I've lately begun a "joy journal", with things that might be really small but gave me a little "ooo!" in a tough time. My mind just has to take a break from situations. So I think this thread might become a favorite haunt!

At work I take a slip of paper or a card and whenever something joyful happens, no matter how small or maybe meaningless to anyone else, I write it down. I'm shocked when I read my card over and find I can clearly remember bullshit and aggravation but forget the joys I wrote down just hours before!

Today, for instance, I filled up the hand sanitizer bottles on the registers. They are a kind of cobalt blue. Since it was 7:30 AM, the sun was just coming up through the windows and turned the sanitizer to little glistening drops of blue. It struck me as beautiful, so onto the card it went!

Watching the Democratic Convention gave me joy - and hope - from beginning to end.
Smooches
Keri

Before i moved to Florida, I lived in cold country (Michigan and Ohio) except for two short sojourns in California, where I fell in love with Palm Trees. From that point on I dreamt of, longed for, strongly desired , a palm tree lined driveway. I tried a couple time to plant palm trees here, but for one reason or another they didn't take.


I decided to go a little bigger. I bought 6 queen palms which were about 5 feet tall, and planted them all right away, along the west side of my driveway. I had the idea they would grow better in pairs so I planted three pairs. Four lasted for years and grew so much quicker than I thought they would They are about 30 feet tall now. Three are left. I have the almost daily joy of watching the sun go down behind them. People say Montana has the most beautiful sundowns in the Country, But I can't imagine anything more beautiful that these Florida sundowns which literally light up the whole sky. Joy. Joy. Joy!
Smooches,

Keri

Rowing team tonight. I rowed in a 4 person boat tonight for the first time. It's much more tippy than the 8 I usually row in. We held it down and did well. Next week is the last week of rowing with this team for 2024. I sure am going to miss it until we hit the water as soon as we can in the spring.

Also I was in an older wooden boat tonight that I'm positive my late brother rowed in when he was on the team. I felt him strongly there.

There was a beautiful sunset when we docked. I had enough time to catch a picture after we put the boat and oars away.

Yesterday I climbed Mt. Moxham. My first time on that one. Wow was it spectacular. The weather was perfect. 70 degrees and breezy. There were 4 summit points. When I saw the very top one from the second to last I got a little nervous but the path to it was strong and steady and lead from the inside of the mountain to the outside. The views were worth every step x 10 and I got to pet some really sweet big dogs on the way up and down.

I'm going out to dinner with my son and granddaughter tonight I haven't seen her in a couple months, so the anticipation is joyous indeed.
Smooches,
Keri

Tonight was the last night of the season for the crew team I'm on. That ending does not bring me joy, because it's a long time until spring when we can get on the water again. However, coach put together an all woman quad to row and put us through some great drills together. We made a powerful team and it made for a sweet closing night.

Watching a video of my nephew scoring his first touchdown. I was unable to go today. He also made a good tackle. As good as it could be in flag football. He's just a little guy, no pads or helmet yet

Petting every dog I saw on my hike. Bonus Pit bulls. My favorite.

1. Watched a "Captain America" movie with a friend after work, just flopped in my living room. We didn't have to say anything or talk about my day. It was so pleasant, even if the movie was kind of silly.

2. Re-found an old favorite song after many years: David Cicero w/Sylvia, "Live for Today" Gospel rendition from "The Crying Game". I've forgotten how to make a link.

3. The "oof" feeling of cold Ponds cream first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I love how it wakes up all the pores, or leaves me tingling when I go to bed.

Find JOY today?
 

My wonderful brother came to visit and we went out to dinner and did a little shopping. It was so nice to see him after what seems like forever. We talked a lot about how things are and should have been. Lots of family memories, mom, dad, our sister, our dear cousin. It brought back some wonderful memories. I found lots of joy.

Stone-Butch, that sounds like a really nice visit. I know you were looking forward to it.

I found joy applying for a facility dog for work. If we make it through the process we will have a fully trained facility dog at work (domestic violence and homeless services facility) to help clients through testifying at court, entering emergency shelter, filing papers with police, and day to day comfort for people experiencing and living with trauma. And the dog will come live with me and come to work with me every day. (but be trained to have other handlers at work to work off-site) Fingers crossed!