I’m thankful today for potential rain and clearing air. And for homemade cherry brownies. And for chatting with neighbors and old friends.

On another day of lousy air quality, I’m glad I didn’t have to be outside doing any labor, such as painting our house. That’s why I’m grateful Patrick got it started and didn’t have a lot of sinus issues afterwards. We decided to change the blue to a dark green, and I think it looks good! Later this summer, we plan to fix our wonky sidewalks, and it will be nice to have the painting done by then.

Our air quality deteriorated again, which might explain why I felt like it was hard to breathe all day. I didn’t realize it until after about 1/2 hr outside when my nose started running again. I can’t imagine living in an area where the air quality is terrible all the time. Here we at least know that things will be better again soon.

I’m thankful my quick foray outside was at least productive. The raspberry bushes are really producing fruit right now, and the blackberries aren’t too far behind. Yay!

We went to a flea market this morning where I found a cool vintage coat and some old medals that I’m not 100% sure what I’m going to do with. Then we had lunch by the lake. It was a lovely morning and afternoon. I’m thankful for the fun, for the rain we had overnight and intermittently today that we really needed, and for a quiet evening rewatching a Downton Abbey movie.

It was so hot today. But my head was better. I’m thankful for that. I’m also thankful for the farmers market, for a barbecue lunch outside, for potential rain, and for getting a little bit more done on my painting.

Our air quality spiked to an orange alert today, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. I had a runny nose this morning, but I was fine until I left work and spent some time outside. Then I started feeling like I had a head cold. Grrr.

I’m thankful we have working air conditioning and can stay inside for a while. I’m hopeful the air quality is all that’s affecting me, and it’s not an actual head cold. And I hope it improves quickly.

Today I’m thankful for a better night’s sleep, eating lunch in the sunshine, making backyard plans, talking with friends, and enjoying a glass of wine.

Oh man, I was so tired today. Last night it seemed as if I was up every hour and a half and not for any good reason either. Well, except for listening for the dogs. Since Barley’s opossum murder spree (the last one in our room was the third one he had caught so far), we’ve been locking them in at night, but he frequently needs to go to the bathroom before morning. I have been getting up to let him out.

So I was tired all day and glad it wasn’t crazy busy at work. Tonight, this is my motto:

It’s Juneteenth, the day we observe when slavery ended in the US. It’s been observed by the African American community since slavery ended, but it became a federal holiday in 2021. Typically, the day is celebrated with cookouts or barbecues. Our town hosted some speakers and a music celebration in a park, but even though I had the day off work, I barely left the house. Still, I’m grateful that we recognize a significant part of our history—one worthy to celebrate.

Instead I started a painting for our bedroom. I’ve been wanting to do one inspired by poems written by a friend of mine. Now that I got our bedroom painted, I figured it was time to start the fun painting. I’m not done, but I’m thankful to get started.

Today was also a celebration for Patrick’s grandmother who passed away. I wasn’t able to go but Patrick said it was a lovely memorial. I’m grateful he was able to go, see his family, and pay a final farewell to his grandma. I’m also thankful he made it back home safely.