I Do Desire What I Have

Day 8. Still sick. After a visit with the wonderful but snotty nosed grandson two weeks ago, we have been going down the viral hill. Each morning since last Friday, I have been enthusiastic that today will be the day that I feel much better. After coughing and blowing my nose for the next two hours, I am exhausted, and not optimistic. It's only a cold, for goodness sake!! I should be able to fight thru it. So on a few warm days, I have taken my usual walk, only to end up in bed asleep in the middle of the afternoon. On the cold days, I don't even bother to walk to the mailbox.
Joe must have played 1000 Sudoku games. I stick to Solitaire. We started a jigsaw puzzle, but runny noses hinder the closeup work leaning over the table. We've monitored the march to Dow 20000, and sadly, the latest terrorist activities. We have quarantined ourselves from the rest of our wonderful neighbors. No need for them to get this bug. At least we got the benefit of the sweet snotty kisses that brought us down. Our neighbors would have no such "colds with benefits."
I am beginning to get a little cabin fever. I am missing our evenings together (without all the coughing, snoring, nose blowing, can't breathe, can't sleep hours) . I suppose I could go on and on. But really, I won't.

Instead of grumbling, I have spent some of my "down time" reflecting on and acting on small things as Christmas approaches. I not only made a picture Christmas card, but wrote individual notes to each recipient. I haven't even gotten around to Christmas cards for many years, much less had the presence of mind to write a personal note. I hope my friends and family enjoyed them half as much as I enjoyed thinking about them and wishing them well.

I spent about a day and a half making two photo books; one for each of the grandchildren. It was pure pleasure to revisit all the fun we had with each of them over the past year, and so I had one each made for us, too. It was so much fun that I plan to make one each year that recounts our visits and special times. I couldn't have been more excited to send them, except to get their precious feedback.

 I've done a little "experimental" cooking, with varying degrees of success.
I've done more house cleaning and decorating than I have done in years. I've taken more pictures, I've listened to lots of new music (see below) and even done a little painting.

And best of all, even when feeling crummy, I have watched the sky and the water, in all their subtle and glorious iterations.

I am lucky to have the time I have now; lucky to have the friends and family I have. If I am honest about it, I am lucky even to be sick in the most beautiful place in the world. I saw a little sign in a shop recently that said "If you are lucky enough to live on the water, you are lucky enough." Amen. Merry Christmas to me.

ONLY DESIRE WHAT YOU HAVE (K Rusby)

 https://soundcloud.com/purerecords/05-only-desire-what-you-have

I was not born a Queen or King, 

I have no house nor anything, 

In comfort none can equal me,

I'm what they all would die to be. 

  

CHORUS: Walk in the sun stay in the light, 

And when we're done we'll take flight, 

Only desire what you have, 

Only desire what you have. 

My altar is the breath of life, 

For wisdom grace and love I strive, 

While evil games the greedy play,

 There's only nature I obey. 

 Chorus

 I'll have no check upon my glass, 

Let the hours of joy and laughter pass, 

Let night into the morning fold, 

Let a whole new day of life take hold. 

 Chorus 

I'll journey on I'll sing and dance,

 And the greedy ones can make their stance, 

With pockets for souls they'll never fill, 

With happy heart I'm smiling still.