Maintaining our infrastructure

I know money is tight in all walks of life, but I'm heartened to see it's not all gloom and doom and decay in our neighborhood.

As I cycled home from work this evening, I met a sign advising that the trail ahead was closed off. With some trepidation, I ventured onto the adjacent (and busy) highway for two kilometers to the next intersection. Along the way, I looked over the edge of the road to see what they were doing. Nice new cycle path under construction, looks like double the width of the old one.

I am thankful for little signs like this that, despite the squeeze we are working under, there is still time for enhancing the amenities around us.

Seasons

Much as I enjoy long lazy days in the sun, lounging on the deck with a book and a beer, I would not wish to live in perpetual summer.

As I walked the dog around the neighborhood today, I was reminded that right now we are in the season of change, of rebirth. Cherry blossoms briefly graced our streets this month, such fleeting beauty. The lawns need mowing. Trees are in leaf. Green things are growing, some welcome, some not.

Everywhere, people are starting to tend gardens and embark on the year's chosen landscaping project.

What is life without contrasts? Who can truly appreciate the burst of spring without the contrasting thirst of summer, or the kiss of the sun without first knowing the bite of frost?

Thanks goodness for seasons.

The neighborhood grapevine

I came home from work this evening to some welcome news after an anxious few days.

One of our newer cats, who has only recently gained his freedom to roam outdoors as well as in, decided to go walkabout on Friday. This was a sudden departure from his behavior up to that point, because for the previous weeks he'd always been close to home and came running when we called.

No longer.

Saturday, no sign.

Getting worried.

Scoured the neighborhood and put up posters on post boxes and hydro poles.

Sunday, no sign.

Monday, still nothing, but someone phoned from up the road saying they thought they'd seen him. We went up and called for him. Nothing.

Today, though, someone else from near there called to say she had a stray cat who'd been popping in and out of her house since Friday. She was about to put up flyers of her own to track down the owners when she saw ours.

He is now safely back.

Thank goodness for the neighborhood grapevine.

Modern communications

A dear friend of the family died this week. Today, my wife and daughter drove to where he lived (3 hours away) to help with some arrangements.

It is late, dark, raining, and they are driving back home.

Some sections of highway are treacherous accident black spots.

Of course I'm worried, and won't stop worrying for their safety until they are back home. I am thankful to get occasional check-ins by phone, letting me know where they are on the road and when they expect to arrive.

Sure, we managed before without all that, but there are times when it's good to know. And I can have a hot meal waiting for them when they get here.

Leftover firewood

It's June, nearly July, and my daughter & I are cold and damp from volunteering at a nearby charity event. The wind and grey clouds outside tell me it's not going to improve today. Luckily there's still half a barrowload of firewood left over from winter (and that in itself shows you what a long winter it's been).

Thank goodness for log fires. Even in June ... nearly July!

The blessing of sleep

Sleep. Something many of us take for granted.

I had a few very sleepless nights recently. Nothing bad happened to cause me anxiety or anything, I just woke up in the middle of the night and lay awake for several hours, desperately tired, but not sleeping. The following days were long torture of fatigue.

It made me realize what it must be like to suffer from insomnia.

Last two nights I've dropped off to sleep again with no problem, and it made me appreciate what a blessing a good night's sleep is.

Elbow room

It often gets taken for granted, but every so often some unconnected observations in a short space of time remind me how blessed I am to be living in an uncrowded, relaxed environment.

This morning, I dropped my wife & daughter at the ferry terminal. I drive straight up to a drop-off parking spot near the doors. No booking required, they just strolled in and bought walk-on tickets. No crowds. No waiting.

I picked up pet food. Stopped right outside the door. No waiting to be served.

I shopped for groceries. Parked near the door. Shopped. Walked up to the checkout and started unloading my cart while a customer in front of me was paying.

All the while, I drove on uncrowded roads, with minimal need to stop.

Despite life's other woes and worries, silly things like this go a long way to relieving stress in a busy world.

Now, I won't pretend that all of these things happen all the time. Sometimes I have to look for a parking spot, or wait in line to be served. But these things happen more often than not. And I have to remind myself that all of these things would have seemed unattainable luxuries in my previous home.