Yesterday, at long last, the audiobook for The Screaming Staircase, by Jonathan Stroud, came to the library. Such fun!
This reminded me how blessed I am to have essentially unlimited access to audiobooks. It makes my fairly long commute a joy instead of a chore.
Okay, I told myself when I restarted this blog that I will focus on being grateful for present blessings. However, this evening I played the game “Castles of Mad King Ludwig” — and that reminded me of several things I love.
First, I love playing games. And I love that I have people in my life who also love playing games and that we can get together now and then to do it. (These are different people than the regular Friday Night Gaming Group I was already thankful for.)
And it’s fun to win every now and then. And that particular game is fun even if you don’t win, because you get to build a “castle.” Which is a silly thing to be happy about, but it makes me happy.
And of course that also reminded me how much I love castles, and how blessed I am that I got to visit 167 of them while I lived in Germany, including some Castles of Mad King Ludwig.
It all just made me happy. I have had and continue to have a wonderful life, with plenty of rather silly blessings. Life is good.
Who’d have ever thought I’d own my own home?
We never did when I was married, since we were always moving with my husband in the Air Force.
After my son graduated from high school, so I didn’t have to worry about school district, the time was right, and my Dad gave me a down payment, and I bought a lovely condo.
Earlier, I had put an offer on a condo not nearly as nice, much farther from work and church — but that I thought was the best I’d be able to come up with it. That fell through — at exactly the time this one came open.
When I walked into this home and saw the lake view all across one wall, I was overwhelmed. It was more than I imagined for myself — a gift from God.
The lake outside my windows motivated me to start walking, and that first year, I got my fitness back to a decent level, which my stroke had taken from me.
I regularly see a great blue heron, and there are ever-changing wildflowers by the lake.
I’ve got a balcony with flowers. And a garage. The condo association takes care of the yard work.
I’m surrounded by my books, games and yarn. The things that make me happy. And I’m close enough to church to host a small group in my home.
I can play my music and sing along.
My home is such a blessing.