#gratitudeNow: A dear moment

Last night, I got home and was grilling up some burgers out on the deck, when a deer ran through the back yard.

It was one of those perfect moments of mindful contemplation.  The deer had run across the yard before exiting up the hill.  He had moved quickly, with purpose, and then once safely under the trees, slowed to a meander.

I saw and recognized this pattern, having just done it myself.  I had made my way home on the highway, at speed, and now that I was home, I could slow down, stop, and move at a more sedate pace.

Then I let go of even that pattern, and just watched him.

So peaceful.

#gratitudeNow: Sometimes, I am a good boy.

It's funny how a good night's sleep sets you to rights.  I had an excellent one last night, getting to bed on time, lights out.  I got 7 hours and 20 minutes of gorgeous sleep.  

I struggle with bedtimes often.  I don't want to go to bed, or have a ton of things on my mind, or busy myself with unimportant things.  There's no video game that needs 20 more minutes of playing, no facebook post that needs replying to, more than I need my sleep.

But I rocked it last night.  Then this morning, I woke up feeling ready to take on the world.  Missy got me out of my diaper, and into the shower, and got on her way.

After I got out, I got nice sweet text messages from her.

These, specifically.

Intellectually, I know I'm generally well behaved. and a good boy.  But it sure is nice to be told so.

#gratitudeNow: Still in love

Here’s a gorgeous video of a curious mako shark checking out some divers.

I fell in love with sharks when I was 15. It’s been 32 years and my love for them hasn’t faded one bit. 

#gratitudeNow: Lapcat

Today, I'm doing some writing and hanging out with Missy in the living room.

Yang is with me

My boycat Yang is sitting on my lap, insinuating himself between me and the laptop.  It's adorable.  It's a pain in the ass.  It's both!  

Cats are such funny, entitled, loving agents of chaos.  At first I wanted to push him off my lap, and really get to work.  But he's got me realizing it's important to go slow, and pay attention to love.

It makes me think of Andrea.  She was a cat person too.  Her babies, Abbycat and Daddycat, look, weirdly like my Yin and Yang.  She has expressed to me many times how they're lovely pains-in-the-neck, too.

I COULD be writing in my office, at my desk. without company (cat or spouse).  But it's better this way.

I know Andrea would approve.

#gratitudeNow: No mis-steaks

For lunch today, I grilled myself a ribeye steak. and some zucchini.

They were delicious.  

I've been doing the keto diet for over a year now.  I'm down a little over 50 pounds.  It's not been horribly difficult, but it hasn't been a piece of cake either.  When I go shopping, the supermarket is like 90% stuff-I-don't-eat-anymore, and 10% the good stuff.  Sometimes, I do cheat, and when I do it's generally not a little thing.  (It's amazing how you can't seem to eat just a few french fries.)

But for the most part, I'm not regretting the choice.  Some of the things I do get to eat are fantastically delightful.  

The other day I renewed my gym membership, and started swimming again.  Wow, I sure have lost of lot of fitness!  But, when I went to put my swim suits on, they fit just great.  I'm actively looking to add exercise back to my regimen, too now.

I feel like this past year has taught me a lot.  I'm going to keep sticking with keto for the duration.