It's Still Life

1) I am thankful that when he woke in the middle of the night, hungry, and prepared an apple—leaving the core and knife on the kitchen countertop overnight—that it was an apple rather than ice cream.

2) Never turn your back on the dead. That orchid that I declared dead a few weeks ago, is now setting new leaves in a last gasp panic. I’m thankful that I didn’t throw it on the frozen compost heap.

3) For the heron that landed on my neighbour’s roof ridge. Thankful that I looked up just in time to see it fly off, and remind me that falling when earthbound is preferred to falling from the sky.

4) Thankful that I’m not afraid to complain. The manufacturer sent me a new food processor when I wrote them — complained that the bowl of my appliance (out of warranty) had cracked, and mentioned danger of eating sharp shards of plastic. 

5) I am thankful that my life is peaceful. Nevertheless, I never sniff at extra help. Like my evil eye wind chimes  from a curandera in Colombia. I love the sound of my wind chimes — just like Swiss cow bells. 

6) They’re culling deer in my forest (that’s not really my forest) with high power rifles, so the forest is closed until the end of March. But I am thankful that I live in a heavily wooded area, and I can still take myself on a walk and open my lungs for a few hours. This is a beech tree with autumn leaves refusing to let go. (iPhone)

7) A friend told me to change the resolution on my photos to see the detail of frost on a windowpane. Do you see the phoenix? Thankful for this tip, and also to discover that frosted patterns are called ‘frost flowers’. Who knew!

8) Thankful that our local water reservoir in Ardingley is full again (2 months of rain!) and the aquifers are almost back to where they should be. I’ll be really thankful for a few days of sun though. Today the temperature is expected to hit 17℃, but just for today — back to normal tomorrow.

9) Nature in all its various forms. (iPhone)

10) I was running a bit late for an outpatient appointment, so I was relieved that the motorway was free of traffic and that it wasn’t raining (for a change!). All went well. I am thankful. Yes, I am.