Sunday, February 21, 2021

peaceful sunday

Hello and happy Sunday! If there's one positive thing I can say about early morning, it's that the sunrises through the bare tree branches are spectacular. They only last a few minutes, but at least it brings a smile to my face first thing in the morning as I raise the blinds and greet a new day.


I'm purposely having a peaceful day today, as this weekend was actually a little busy with errands, visiting with a friend (one in my COVID bubble), cooking and housework. And my next couple of days are busy with contractors coming to give estimates and taking Clem to the vet. (More on that later.) It was nice to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with the Sunday paper. I normally drink jasmine green tea in the morning, but once a week of so, I enjoy a cup of coffee. My tummy can't handle coffee every day anymore. Breakfast today was my usual: overnight oats with fresh fruit, toasted walnuts and pecans, raw pumpkin seeds, a little flax meal and hemp hearts, a smidgen of pure maple syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. 


Yoga is part of my everyday routine, even if I only have time to just do a few stretches and poses. Otherwise, I enjoy doing Yoga with Adriene. She has so many choices, including gentle ones. I bring the video up on my phone and cast to the TV in the living room. Monkey loves when I do yoga, for whatever reason. See him waiting for me? He walks all around me, purring, rubbing up against me and sometimes even trying to climb on my body. Clementine's in one of her usual spots - lying on the heater vent under the table. Poor baby is always cold in the winter. I just ordered her a heated cat bed from Amazon.


A short journaling prompt for the day...it's called 12-6-3-1 and was designed by my First Best Friend, Cin, who is a poet. Sit in a quiet place and take a few deep breaths. Maybe light a candle. Just let your mind and body relax. Write down 12 words that come to you. They can be any kind of words...how you feel, what you see out the window, what is on your mind. You don't want to overthink this. When you have your 12 words, look them over and then whittle the list down to six of those words - whichever words jump out at you. Keep them in the order which you first wrote them. From the six words, choose three words that resonate with you. Again, in order which they were written. From those three words...choose one. What's behind that final word for the day?


I am still in love with this writer's medic bag from Galen Leather that Brian gave me for Christmas. The leather is so soft and buttery and gently worn, and the case unfolds to hold notebooks and journals and pens and all kinds of other materials a writer might need.


Even though it's a peaceful, relaxing day, general house upkeep has to be done. Seems like the laundry is never-ending around here, even with just the two of us. Brian produces a lot of laundry between his workout clothes, work uniforms, and everyday wear. This is just two days worth of laundry for us.


Clementine found her afternoon napping spot on top of some warm-from-the-dryer laundry. Speaking of her previously and taking her to the vet...I've mentioned in earlier posts that she has kidney disease. It's quite common in cats, especially as they get older. She is young to have it though. She was diagnosed over two years ago when she was 9-10 years old. Her illness has progressed to where she now goes to the vet twice/week for subcutaneous fluids. At her last visit, the vet detected what he called a "significant" heart murmur. She's having a chest x-ray tomorrow after her fluids. She also had blood tests done last week to check on the progression of her kidney disease. I have a feeling the news all around isn't going to be good. Fortunately, she doesn't act sick at all yet. She's still very spunky and playful as usual, eats all her food, and uses the litter box. Of course, if things change and she starts showing any signs of distress and/or suffering, we know we have to do the right thing and give her a compassionate end to her life. In the meantime, it breaks my heart to think about it and I am relishing every moment spent with her. When she cuddles in my lap and purrs, I let her stay there for as long as she wants.


Monkey has found his afternoon nap spot, too.


And so have I. The winds are howling, the sky is gray; the guest bed, a warm blanket, and a good book (Hamnet) beckons.


I hope that you're having a peaceful, relaxing Sunday, as well.
💓

16 comments:

  1. Hi Melanie. I love this post. We are having a peaceful Sunday here too. I love your kitties. We used to have cats. We had a cat that had the same problem as your Clementine and when we had to put that kitty to sleep it just about did all of us in. I have a really hard time losing pets, especially when they have to be put to sleep, and that is big reason we haven't had any more cats for a while. We just get too attached. I hope that Clementine can be kept comfortable for a very long time. It is about time to start dinner here. Hope you have a good week. I love that writer's medic bag. See you again soon!

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  2. My Sunday included grocery shopping and several different walks. Gotta enjoy our mild weather while it's here. Being outdoors always involves some sort of kitty interaction which helps me deal with the fact that Jingles is no longer with us. One little scrawny kitty has taken up residence in our parking area where I've made a cozy space for him. He sure loves his treats and let's me do anything to him. I hope Clementine is able to continue to be okay with treatment. Interesting way of journaling that you've noted here. I always wonder what other people write. I started a gratitude journal the beginning of the year and already I've forgotten to write in it many, many times. :/ I seem to have a hard time with consistency. Still trying to get through Adriene's 30 day BREATHE challenge from February. Did you do that?

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  3. I hope Clementine enjoys her heated cat bed from Amazon when it comes in. Prayers for only good news from the vet regarding her health. I can't drink coffee daily either. But I will treat myself at least twice a week. I can remember drinking 2-3 cups a day no problem. Getting old is no fun at all. I make overnight oats once in awhile but most of the time we like them warm. Mine aren't as healthy as yours. We like them with dark chocolate chips, bananas, pecans and cinnamon. Healthy enough I guess and so good. Have a good week.

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  4. Aww, love the cozy Sunday. Saying prayers and love for Clementine. I want a heated bed too. That sounds lovely. Your breakfast sounds so yummy. :)

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  5. Your breakfast sounds delicious and nutritious. Love pics of your kitties! Hope things are okay with sweet Clementine. I can manage one cup of coffee per day. More than that and I get acid reflux.
    Brenda

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  6. Love seeing the kitties all comfy. I bet Clementine will love that bed from Amazon. Have a great week ahead. xoxo

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  7. Your Sunday sounds well spent. I keep hearing good things about Yoga with Adrienne. I need to try out one of her videos. The desk where you do your journaling looks so nicely set up. I hope you get good news at the vet.

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  8. I remember still when Clementine found you and came to live with you. I hope the news is better than anticipated.

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  9. I have a 13 year old cat with lymphoma plus a bone spur and arthritis in his lower spine and a grade 3 heart murmur. He loves heat, I think mostly for his arthritis. I bought a heated throw and leave it on the bottom half of my bed. All 3 cats sleep on that, it stays on most of the day. Otherwise, he sleeps in a cat bed when sun comes through the window.

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  10. Thanks for mentioning Yoga With Adriene. I just peeked and subscribed. I have a few yoga DVDs that I love, but it can be boring year after year, this looks great. Can't wait to give it a try!!

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  11. Both your cats are so pretty, Melanie, and I know how hard it must be to know what you're facing ahead with your darling Clementine. She has people who love her so much that they're doing everything possible to make each day loving and comfortable for her. And that's about all anyone can do. I'm so glad you "purposely" had a peaceful and relaxing Sunday. It takes a lot of determination to do that. It's hard to say you'll do just so much and then tend to your own personal needs but we all need that so badly. I like your 12-6-3-1 idea! I hope that sometime you share some of your thoughts on that with us, if you're comfortable doing so. Your pictures with this post are all lovely and that handsome writer's bag must bring you such pleasure. He did good with that gift!

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  12. Such a beautiful post, Melanie. I enjoyed hearing about your peaceful morning routine, and would like to try the writing exercise. Your writing bag is just beautiful. My thoughts are with Clementine.

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  13. Melanie this is a mixture of loveliness and sadness . . . your home is so warm and charming and you have created a haven for the two of you and your sweet cats. I'm sorry to hear the news about Clementine, but isn't she blessed to have someone that loves her and cares for her as you do. Good wishes for a pleasant week and I hope that all the love you show for others comes heaping back your way. You'll need the strength from your yoga to support it all.
    Bless you dear friend.
    Connie :)

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  14. Hi Melanie! That is a VERY cool writer's bag! I love your spotty kitty!

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  15. I sure enjoyed this look at your peaceful morning! Mine are quite similar, with my own personal touches of course. I hope Clementine is okay.

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