We Are The Silver Lining

 “We are the silver lining in any and every dark cloud we could ever find. There is no need to go looking for the light when you bring it with you.” - Tyler Knott Gregson

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been sheltering at home for a month. I leave the house for essential tasks and to take my dog Riley for runs. During this time it would be natural to focus on the dark clouds surrounding us. Instead I am focusing on the silver linings in those dark clouds. Over and over I have observed people bringing the light with them.

The light came when part of my sister's family showed up the day before Easter in my front yard and read an Easter scripture, sang Easter songs, and brought us cookies. It was hard to stay inside for Easter and be away from family. They provided a silver lining.

The light also came when my sister-in-law decided to take down the curtains in her kitchen and sew masks for family members. My brother provided assistance by doing the ironing. When we had to visit a doctor out of town the mask provided a silver lining.

Light came to our porch in the form of comfort food, homemade dinners, and a poetry book from Silver King School (where my mother taught and I attended first grade). Light came in the mail with encouraging cards from friends. Light came in texts and emails as friends and family checked up on us and providing support.

Silver linings are all over The Silver Valley. One business sets out food for families in need, a restaurant owner makes lunches to deliver to students at home, people are showing support for restaurants by picking up food to go, and customers have brought bouquets to put at the checkout stands to honor the workers at a local grocery store.

There are teddy bears in windows for children to hunt for, teachers driving by students' houses to wave hello and show how they miss them, and a special Friday night parade through town honoring our high school seniors. I love where I live.

It is the worst of times, but I am going to continue to look for the light. 

For Such A Time As This

Such a month.
It has been filled with thinking, journaling, praying, stressing, talking, worrying, and silence.

We have been sheltering in place during the first month of this covid 19 virus. I leave the house to grocery shop, pick up food to go, and take Riley for runs. Everett has only left the house for three medical appointments. We have stopped Sunday Family Dinners, book club, water aerobics, birthday parties, family visits, going out to favorite restaurants, and hanging out with friends.We want to stay safe.

We are blessed. We have a home that is warm and cozy. We have food to keep us sustained for months. We have a dog and three cats that bring comfort every day. We shelter inside well. We have spent hours reading, keeping up with the news, talking, laughing, sneaking in a cocktail, preparing good meals, baking for others, and keeping a weird schedule that works for the two of us. As it warms up we are heading outside to our backyard gardens.

I don't like surprises. I want to know what will be around the corner. I want to be able to count on what is coming next. I can't do that anymore. We don't know what will happen  now. We don't know what is around the corner. I can't control the events around us and that is okay. Right now I am being cautious. I am being safe. Our health is my first concern. I am enjoying our house.
More later. Be safe. Be well.

Grateful For the Land and Robert Frost

 CdA River at the Cataldo Mission

When I drive down the freeway, cruise up the river, move through town, or walk along the path I am reminded of the beauty of the land that surrounds me in northern Idaho. I have never taken it for granted. I work each day at trying to capture this beauty in photos. I was reminded again of this poem by Robert Frost today. I went back and reviewed favorite photo images of the land where I live. Enjoy.

The Gift Outright

The land was ours before we were the land’s.
She was our land more than a hundred years
Before we were her people. She was ours
In Massachusetts, in Virginia,
But we were England’s, still colonials,
Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,
Possessed by what we now no more possessed.
Something we were withholding made us weak
Until we found out that it was ourselves
We were withholding from our land of living,
And forthwith found salvation in surrender.
Such as we were we gave ourselves outright
(The deed of gift was many deeds of war)
To the land vaguely realizing westward,
But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,
Such as she was, such as she would become.

winter tree

fall up the river

514 Sunset

fall on Hill Street

Priest Lake

Today I Am Thankful for Our Dogs

Today I am thankful for my dogs. Tucker and Riley bring so much joy into our lives. They get along famously. They play funny chase games outside that make us laugh. When I am sick or need to take a nap both of them join me in the bedroom and always stay close. We know Tucker would protect us if our lives were in danger. We know Riley would just assist. They are loyal, they love us inconditionally, and they are one reason I get out of bed every day, Here are some of my favorite photos of the two of them.

Today I Am Grateful for Our Cats

This is Grayson

Our cats have a unique life at 514. They all came with us when we moved from Kettle Falls, but then when we rescued Tucker we were told he may not like cats. We didn't really work with him enough with the cats. We just came up with a new living arrangement. All day every day the cats can come and go from the basement kitty door. Their food and water and sleeping areas are in the basement and we come and go and see them during the day.

Every evening the dogs are tucked into their dog carriers (which they love to run to) and the cats come inside and upstairs for the rest of the evening and throughout the night. This has worked well for all of the animals in our house. The cats get quality time with us in the evening. The dogs get quality time with us during the day.

Things have changed recently. Two of our female cats died and we now only have three cats left. They don't seem as concerned about the dogs. Riley gingerly crept down the basement stairs a few weeks ago and William didn't even seem bothered. We will see how it goes with the other two cats and Tucker also. It would be wonderful if all of them could get along in one room at the same time. The last three are also much more affectionate now that they are the only ones left. They brighten up every one of my evenings. I am so grateful for each of them.

All our pets are spoiled and well-cared for. They just have different schedules. I am grateful for the love our cats show me every day and how they can calm me down and destress me just by sitting in my lap. At the top of the post and below are our three remaining cats.

Meet Winnie

Here is William

Here is Riley working on getting acquainted with the cats in the basement.

I Am Thankful Today: No More MRSA

On November 22, 2018 while preparing the Thanksgiving table I took a fall to the floor. I seems fine, just a bit sore. A few days later I went to the ER and learned I had cellulitis. The next day I went in an ambulance to Kootenai Health. I needed a specialist to provide wound care. I also learned I had MRSA. Since that week I have had been on strong antibiotics, struggled with secondary infections, and had to postpone knee replacement surgery. I was no longer contagious, but was a carrier and it was wrecking havoc on my body.
Since March I have worked to rid the MRSA from my body. I can't say what really worked, because I tried so many things. Last week I got the best news this year. The MRSA is now gone from my body.

I was so relieved. I am thankful, grateful, blessed, and happy. I am moving forward to even better health.