Philosophizing*

*speculate or theorize about fundamental or serious issues, especially in a tedious or pompous way.

Every day is a juxtaposition of positive and negative in a changing combination of balances; as a realistic optimist I long ago learned to focus on the small (or big!) happy moments, even on days when the weight of the bad was overwhelming. In other words, even an A++ day like Sunday can have some F in it, like the death of a relative. I lost two younger brothers in my twenties, so I'm matter-of-fact about not "If I die..." but "When I die.." I understand that I will lose more loved ones or they will lose me. That's the uncomfortable truth. The realization of mortality doesn't mean that I haven't excised toxic people from my life and that includes my cousin and her family. However, in spite of everything going on with her and with other people, I tend to cultivate a sunny outlook and lots of love for many people. I try not to obsess on looking backward to what I can't change or forward to what I can't control. Of course, that doesn't always work. I'm human.

Today has been a mostly boring day, filled with word puzzles, lots of sun (a run and walk too!), and a long visit with my mother. You can see how thrilled Mari is with the morning warmth and light. 78 degrees and blue sky is a Washingtonian's ideal day, including this Pacific NW cat!

"Old Copper" is on its downward spiral but the grass still looks good...for now. It will be desiccated dried out soon since we're expecting high 80s this weekend. I won't whine to Older Daughter though as they are suffering through 96 degrees and a very high dew point in Iowa. Still, they appear to be having an excellent time with her in-laws and Little Guy is enjoying himself greatly with Nana and PopPop.

See, I'm not even sweating!

I'm a little concerned about my begonias which don't like the heat. I have them in the back yard under the shade of the fence and the dogwood, so I hope that'll help. 

My sun-loving petunias always thrive! 

This dianthus, which looks completely dead in the winter, comes back with a vengeance in June. It smells so crisp and clean!  Last night I started watching Season 8 of "Endeavour" (the penultimate season); I've been fascinated by the character and the mysteries over the years. Without going into any spoilers, they're starting to gradually turn him into Morse--the hard-drinking, abrupt and misogynistic character in the original series. Instead of the eager young guy he's been in "Endeavour," he's showing the dark moodiness that came to define him as older Morse. It's made me think how much I've changed in the past 10 years or so, losing much of my naivete and simple optimism. Unlike Endeavour Morse though, I haven't lost my joie-de-vivre, not yet anyway. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[DrumMajor Linda in Kansas]

What a funny photo of Mari. She looks like she's in prison. The flowers are beautiful. I'll send my worn-out Tropical hibiscus to you for rehab. Linda in Kansas

[Luftmentsch]

I don't think you're tedious or pompous!

[Ed]

Yes it has been kind of oppressive here lately. A storm went through last night bringing some high winds but not much else. This morning it is only 70 but the humidity is 87%. If feels like a warm washcloth when you step outside. Your daughter better take the little guy to Grahams Dairy to cool off. However my preference is a small yogurt shop downtown called Polar Express. Their toppings for the yogurt are to die for.

[Arkansas Patti]

Hope they have A/C in Iowa. That is really hot with the high humidity.
Good to look for the positives and on those A++ days, not to let an F bring you down. Way to go.

[Susan]

You know the drill. Such is life... Your potted plants look so good and a bit of water during the heat will keep them in good form. There's been no significant rain in MA for a week so I water my urns and pots daily. As for the grass, like you, I let it wait for the next rainfall.

[Maureen]

"... try not to obsess on looking backward to what I can't change or forward to what I can't control." Oh I'll keep this thought in my back pocket. I love its unspoken Zen - be in the now. Enjoying the flowering garden is certainly one way to stay in the now!

[Pixie]

I know what I should do but I tend to focus on the negative and it always drags me down. On the outside I look fine but on the inside I hurt, even when I'm laughing and I do love to laugh. I said to a coworker the other day, I feel like a shit magnet but in reality I think I'm just a doormat. One day at a time.

[AC]

Here’s to both Endeavour and Morse. I do consider Morse to be the standard by which other shows are measured although some may actually surpass Morse. Morse will, however, always be loved as the irascible curmudgeon that he is (or was). Why is he so appealing?

BTW 78 with blue skies is perfect anywhere IMO, but you probably get them more than most places.

[Tonya Watkins]

We are currently immersed in "Endeavor" (season 6? or 7?) and I think we have a love/hate view of it. We're not enamored with the writing. So many of the plots are convoluted, and it's sometimes difficult to keep track of all the characters. But we keep watching, I suppose because all of the main characters are supremely flawed and human. I've never watched the original Morse, and I'm not sure (?) if we will.

Yesterday was so beautiful! I watered my deck flower pots for the first time since planting them in April! John had squirted them once since then, but they just haven't needed it with all the rain. Today is back to clouds and gray.

[Jenni Elyse]

I'm glad you have such a positive attitude about life. I have such a hard time doing that. I know it's because of my mental health issues. I'm trying to be more positive.

[Steve]

That dianthus is amazing! I just threw ours out it was looking so terrible. I didn't know they lasted more than a couple of years. Maybe I should try to put it in the ground? (It's in the yard waste bag.)

I liked Endeavour a lot but I haven't seen more recent seasons. I should catch up.

[Pam]

Ross watched "Morse" and "Endeavour" but I never did. Sorry about your cousin's son - how dreadful. Still, joie de vivre is the way to go, if possible. xx

[Joanne Noragon]

I've become the family elder, though that job has pretty much gone to my younger sister, who may or may not fill me in on the news. And having been privy to the several deaths in the family without wills or last instructions (men can be so pig headed about that!), I made the title to my new car to be transferrable on death to my granddaughter, to keep it out of probate.

[Ally Bean]

Mari doesn't bother the vertical blinds? Our cats couldn't be trusted with them, a fact I found out after we purchased the blinds. I don't know of Endeavour-- of course I'm rarely up-to-date about anything. Your dianthus is inspiring.

[Matt Shifley]

I am glad you still have your joie-de-vivre.
Also glad that you found something to help you stay positive and make the best out of it.
Cutting out the toxic folks helps as well.
It took me a long time to get where I am at with my mental health and some days are a struggle but it has made things a lot better.
Writing a gratitude journal and using mantras like "never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat" has really helped.