A Week

Last week was difficult. Work was overwhelming. I’m training a new worker in my department during one of our busy times, and I still really don’t know when I’m going to get my own work done. It seems mathematically impossible. On top of this, we had a plumbing crisis at home that needed professional assistance. That was the morning I did what I absolutely never want to do – I cried at work. Ugh. As someone who always wants to project a calm, professional image, crying in the workplace feels unprofessional and humiliating.

I spent this weekend clawing my way back from all that awfulness. Yesterday I did some garden therapy – I bought some edging and mulch at our local Ace Hardware and gave a makeover to a little garden patch by our front door. I pulled weeds in my hummingbird garden and between the stones of our patio.

Today I drove 45 minutes to a park that I also visited last weekend. It’s worth the drive – 500+ acres of wetland and wildlife preserve with an amazing variety of birds. Dozens of egrets. Sandpipers. Eagles. Great blue herons. Cormorants. In all, over 250 species have been observed there since the park opened in 1999. I spent about 3 hours there this morning and when I left to drive back home I felt…better. Not perfect, but better.

And better is better than worse. I’ll take it.

Before I go, I have to tell you about my crows. At the end of my street is a park with two baseball diamonds, an enormous play set for children, and a lovely nature trail. There is a gang of four crows (I know a group of crows is called a “murder” but I’m not a fan of that term) that hangs out by the baseball diamonds around 7:00 each morning. For the last week and a half I have been walking to the park every morning with a baggie of unsalted peanuts in the shell and hazelnuts. I make three small piles of nuts between 2nd and 3rd base, then I retreat and watch the crows eat from afar. This brings me great joy. 🙂

Have a wonderful week, friends.

Love,

Michelle xoxo