small joys – Natural Musings

“The best laid plans of mice and men aft gang agly”….my mother’s often spoken version of a bit of Robert Burns 1785 poem “To a Mouse.” (check out link to original words at end of post)

It is Monday August 31st and I have felt extreme fatigue since Saturday the 29th. Took a covid test a bit ago and it turned up negative. I have lost my energy and here it is at the end of the month and my blog deadline. So, here I go with a slightly muddled brain.

When Dolly Parton died last week I cried off and on throughout the day as I watched news reports. My strong reaction surprised me. I have always been a fan of hers, but her passing is a gut punch ( I hate that phrase, but can’t think of anything more appropriate).

Other losses this past week that have brought tears and anger. The horrific flooding in Nepal brought the tears and the beginning desecration and destruction of Big Bend National Park brought the anger.

I like to be an optimist and look for the good in the world and so that is what I am doing. Amidst the world’s woes and personal stress I take pleasure in the other bits of life that bring us positive energy. So, here are a few found joys:

Toad in our pond. I had about given up on ever seeing one again when one evening I heard a male calling. This went on for 3 nights and then in the morning I found strings of eggs in our pond and this sweetie nearby (momma toad?). Others who have come back after months are the owls. One night I heard a barred owl and the next night I heard a screech owl. Saw a giant luna moth on the back porch and yellow warblers in our trees. These all lift my spirit.