Enjoy the Summer Sunshine

I will, I will, I will … enjoy these long days of summer in peace and tranquillity.

I will, I will, I will … sit back, relax and watch the breeze flutter through all these gloriously lush green leaves.

I will, I will, I will … be gratefully present for each and every new day.

As another bright blue summer day gently eases towards end of day, I watch clouds gather on the horizon. I can find joy in clouds.

At 10:00 pm, the sun continues to stream through the trees here in south-central Alaska, not yet prepared to admit defeat to the short night ahead. The blooms in my annual RV mosquito-repelling pot sitting strategically next to the steps are basking contentedly in the late evening sun. Even my citronella plant is blooming!

Those delicate pink petals don’t usually make an appearance until the end of July, if at all … but then, I have been watering regularly, and with a happy blend of shade and sunshine, the whole pot seems to be thriving.

I wish I could remember the name of these pretty orange flowers – the nursery said it was compatible with the needs of the citronella plant, and that it was low-growing with a tendency to drape, which was just what I wanted. Anyone recognize it?

We need rain badly in Alaska right now – the whole state is one big tinderbox – so for tomorrow, I will consider giving up my desire for sunshine by adding rain to my mantra.

Unless the coming barometer drop causes a truly miserable fibro flare-up, I will, I will, I will enjoy and be grateful for rainy days. Oh, alright – even if my fibro gets the better of me, I WILL be grateful for any and all rain over the next couple of weeks.

Besides, there is almost nothing that relaxes me more than the sound of rain on an RV roof. I will enjoy rain on the roof.

I will, I will, I will … appreciate every time Rhonda tells me she needs to go outside to potty or just to play and sniff. I don’t know what I’d do without this cheerful little bundle of attitude, especially after Baxter decided RVing was no longer fun for him.

So, even if it’s 6 am (which admittedly rarely happens), or while I’m taking a nice afternoon nap, or just after I’ve taken my shoes off for the evening, or when I’ve already gone to bed for the night – I will be grateful for Rhonda being so well house trained. 💗

Anyway, I DO already appreciate every time Ronni insists I take her for a long walk (which we both need and I really do enjoy), or lays defiantly across my ankles when I’m trying to do leg raises (she’s cheaper and lots more fun than ankle-weights), or demands we play tug-a-war or fetch when I’d rather stare at my cell phone. Ronni is good for me as well as being a stellar buddy and navigator.

I will, I will, I will … set aside more time to spend with friends. I haven’t prioritized that as much as I should. I like my quiet alone time, but there is such a thing as too much of even a good thing. Thank goodness for nose work and barn hunt practices and trials!

I will, I will, I will … encourage myself to walk at least an hour a day. Heading to the walking track or a nearby trial would be ideal, but I don’t want to pressure myself. I know that finding time to drive somewhere for a long walk won’t happen every day. Maybe two half-hour walks with Rhonda along the utility-easement trail by the house on days I don’t want to venture further. I can do that.

I will, I will, I will … be grateful for my ability to ride my stationary bike daily (when I’m home), and that I’m able to ride for a longer time/distance than I could last month. I have the resistance set at 5 now, and the seat at its lowest height setting for maximum knee bend while I peddle. Go me!

And finally, I will, I will, I will … enjoy the occasional Alaskan July sunset that Mother Nature offers up way too late at night for me to witness, much less appreciate most of the time. On summer nights when I am awake for sunset this time of year, it’s because for one reason or another, I’m unable to sleep.

So, as another beautiful, balmy summer day ends, I will, I will, I will … sip my [decaf] Chai tea, sit in a comfortable chair and with all the gratitude I can muster, watch a spectacular sunset over the trees framing the western horizon.

Sleep will come, and tomorrow I will wake up and enjoy another long summer day. Perhaps it’s time to plan another travel adventure. I am sure I’ll enjoy that.