The sun also rises, and other 'bright spots'

Instead of just posting pretty pictures to Instagram, I decided to do another blogpost.

My new mantra when it comes to my son is "Victory belongs to the Lord" (Proverbs 21:31). When I am tempted to despair as Brian engages in self-destructive behavior,  I repeat my new mantra with conviction. The change of focus from the burden to the Burden-Bearer is making a big difference in me, which is, after all, the only thing I can control. So this post is about the 'bright spots' in my life, starting with this morning's sunrise:

Followed by both dogs seeming to feel a little better, and eating better.

I feel better, too. Several weeks ago I read something about collagen supplements for joint problems. I did some research. Most collagen supplements are comprised of ingredients this vegetarian doesn't want to ingest, but I finally found eggshell membrane and ordered some to try. I've been taking it for a few weeks now, and can say with confidence that my knees and even my problematic right foot are all feeling more comfortable. I've even jogged short distances without pain, which I haven't been able to do for a long time.

This morning, our sidewalk got wider.

Today is our monthly trash pick-up day. After emptying all the trash cans in the house, there was still room in the bin, which I take as a landscape clean-up opportunity. Today I decided to whack back the candytuft, sedum, and overgrown Japanese maple that encroach on our front walk. There's great satisfaction in the visible improvement this relatively small project makes! And the weather was dry, making the work so much easier and more pleasant.

Animals are the best entertainment.

Chuckie found me working at the front of the house, and proceeded to stalk me from the maple trimmings, climb to the top of my laceleaf Japanese maple, and gallop around the yard. Oh, and the ewes enjoyed those maple trimmings, too. 😊

We have a great group of hens.

Their total production in September was 115 eggs – just shy of four eggs a day. That's pretty good for ten middle-aged hens; they're all early 2016 models so not 'spring chickens' anymore. And there's been no attrition from this black and blue group (three olive-eggers, three Australorps, and four blue Wyandottes), so they are healthy as well as pretty and productive.

I'm so thankful for a handy husband:

It may take him awhile to get to things, but there's not much he can't do. He recently fixed our ceiling fan, and is working on troubleshooting our washing machine.

Counting blessings one by one at . . .