For the last few years I have been working to incorporate the following into my life. With the events of the last few days, it seems appropriate to share my thoughts about these guidelines for living a healthier life.

Just for Today

• I will not get angry
• I will not worry
• I will be filled with gratitude
• I will show devotion to my duties
• I will be kind to others and myself.

Here are my thoughts for each part of this verse.

Spring continues, with changes in weather and temperature before we  settle into summer. Clouds roll by in the sky as a storm flows through, then the sky clears and hot weather holds sway as a literal warm up for summer. With our rains this year we have new growth, which is getting trimmed down before it overtakes the yard. Wild flowers continue to grow, adding new color after the drab tones of winter.

Every few weeks I write down topics for my blog articles and share them with my son. He uses the topics as guides for taking pictures which I pay him for.  When I write, I may follow the topic but it depends on my mood and events in my life at the time. This week’s topic is abundance and I’ve been struggling with what I could write about this topic.

As I write this blog, I find myself attempting to write an entry that deals with normal events, such as the harbingers of spring, small celebrations and other activities that I took for a granted just a little over a month ago. Yet in the background, the presence of this virus, the changes in my life are still there and I have struggled with a post this time.

This week the COVID-19 virus is still keeping us at home. There are signs that our efforts are making a difference and giving us more time to prepare our health care system for the shocki. I am also grateful to live in a time where many people have access to quick and easy communications that allows us to stay safe in our homes while doctors and researchers learn more about COVID-19 and how best to handle it.

Here are some practical tips I’ve thought over the last few weeks.

Men’s haircuts - I wanted to share that cutting men’s hair at home can be pretty easy, with the right equipment. I have cut my  son and my husband’s hair for the last 25+ years and it’s mostly worked out. I use a Wahl kit and they have some tutorials on their website. By using guide combs, you can cut hair a consistent length. If just starting out, I recommend using a slightly longer length and you can cut shorter if needed. Worst case, hair does grow back, eventually. :-)

Along with everyone else, my family and I are adjusting to the new world with COVID-19 in it. The couple of weeks have been chaotic as our family adjusts to a different way of life. I was busy at work for my day job setting up computers so people could work from home and worried about getting the task done as soon as possible. The next challenge is focusing on that job to keep our tiny business going while the world also deals with the pandemic.

A Sunday evening very different from others in my life. My family is fortunate, our life hasn't changed much for the moment, yet I look at the world with different eyes. Only a few weeks ago I took it for granted that I could go to a store to pick up a few items. I worried about our bills and juggling funds. I groaned about getting up for work.

It is the middle of March and we are experiencing a rainy spell this week. Our weather has not been bad this winter, we’ve gotten some rain, mixed in with sunshine. Our hills are very green with all of the new vegetation and I see more wild flower blooming each week, along our trail and the highways. On the clear days, I notice the flowers, and buds and blossoms on trees as plant life soaks up the rain and sunshine.  Little reminders that spring is starting, at least in our part of the country.