Of course you are. I would be lying if I didn't admit that this household is feeling a bit strained from time to time as we continue in isolation. We're both planners and doers - Bob especially is a planner and he had a plan that started with us driving back to Iowa in April - that's not going to happen now. When we travel depends on state and federal officials, who are doing their very best to keep us safe while keeping the economy going where possible. I am definitely a doer...I love my adoration time on Friday afternoons at Our Lady of the Valley Chapel, making sandwiches for the poor, planning for company, golfing, gardening, crocheting and reading.

This week we have to concentrate on gratitude for what we can do, what we have, and what we can control.

1. I am so grateful for Bob, Tux, our families, and our friends both in the US and in Australia. Connecting via FaceTime, What's App, Facebook, Texting, and email is a daily activity and always brings a smile to our faces and warmth to our hearts. As you can see from today's featured photo, Tux brings joy to us daily. He gets us up and going in the morning and he's always ready to cuddle at the end of the day. In between he enjoys the outdoors - today's he has been in hot pursuit of a fly that snuck inside while we were enjoying the great outdoors.

2. I am very grateful for my Green Valley friends who gather weekly to enjoy the great outdoors while playing golf - this week we figured out a way to play golf while maintaining social distancing. We adjusted by playing at a smaller course that accomodates walking and we play in groups of 2. We can maintain about 80 percent of what we do weekly - but sadly for the short-term postpone the social time at the pub.  We may have to create a virtual happy hour via FaceTime, What's App, or Zoom...There's no time like the present to think outside the norms of what we have all become used to.

3. I am grateful to have hobbies that I enjoy and can pursue without leaving home. Yesterday I completed a "Bunny Lovey" which has been on my to do list for the past year. It's the combination of a stuffed bunny and a small blankie - all made with scraps of yarn already on hand. The most enjoyable part of this was sharing a photo of the finished project with my sisters who commented: "That's adorable...makes me happy to look at it." I have at least 2 books going - and have come to enjoy sitting down in the afternoon and reading rather than saving reading for bedtime - no reason not to do both so I can plow through more books!

We have our health, we have a lovely place to live, we are financially able to maintain all we need to do. We can control how we help others who are in need - we can control taking the "isolation in place" regulations seriously and supporting local, state, federal officials and medical experts - and we can control taking our troubles to the Lord in prayer...Leave It There

Stay well!