Gratitude 220721
This is day 2 of my week of writing down things I am grateful for. Today and tomorrow will likely be difficult for me, because it is superhot outside, and my apartment gets equally hot – with nowhere to escape, which is extremely annoying when your body cannot regulate temperatures at all.
Power (electricity)
In summer, I am more than grateful I do have power to run my fans. Like I said on top – my apartment gets extremely warm in summer, especially when it’s extremely hot outside. It is not uncommon with 28 – 32C inside, which is far from pleasant. It took perhaps ten years of living here before I got my hands on a larger floor fan. Now, I have a total of five floor fans – two which can be filled with water to cool the temperature of the air pumped out of them. Unfortunately, they don’t lower the temperature inside, but at least the air coming out of them is cooler.
But – without power, there would be no fans at all. And for that reason alone, I am ever so grateful I actually do have power, and that I can afford it. There was a time in my life where I couldn’t pay my bills at all for longer periods of time, which means I was close to eviction several times a year, and lost my power for periods of time.
Being at another level, more balanced and thereby able to control my life, I am soooo grateful to have a roof over my head, cool water – and my fans.
My hobbies
I have a number of hobbies. In all honesty, all of them demand more space than I have. Sure, I have arranged my apartment so it works, but I’d really appreciate a bit more space.
Regardless of the space, though – I love my hobbies. I sew my own clothes, which is a blast. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy with what I wear, as I’ve been for the last perhaps five years or so. Couple of years ago, I learned to knit (basic knitting), and being bored out of my mind in summer I have spent couple of weeks knitting for fall. Three pair of mittens and a (sort of) hood.
Being retired from work, I am extremely happy to fill my days with things that are meaningful to me. Sure, I don’t sit by my sewing machine 24/7, nor do I knit, photograph, edit photographs, blog or whatever else the entire time. I spend loads of time doing nothing.
But my hobbies really are something that fills me with pride and fulfilment. And I love being creative – that’s one of the things I do best.
My freezer
I’m big on freedom of choice. Being retired from work, with a limited economy, I don’t have much of a choice when it comes to most things. But – I did get myself a huge freezer about six or so years ago, and that has changed my life when it comes to how I buy food – and it gives me lots of more options to what and how I eat.
Instead of buying groceries several times a month, I do my grocery shopping once a month – and I get everything I need. And I really do mean everything. I don’t have to go get anything for the rest of the month, unless I want/need something specific. And I like to know just how much money I can spend on other things than the rather boring issue of food.
Buying my freezer is one of the best things I’ve done for myself, yoga aside.
My ex
Before I let my ex boyfriend (it’s been 18 years since he moved out) move in, I never really wanted pets. I’d begun wanting a dog, but he’s the reason I have cats in my life. We brought in his mom’s ex’s cat, and since then there has always been at least one cat in my life. Presently, I share my life with Molly who is 10 years old. When I lost my other cat, 3 years ago she was very clear that I was not to bring home another cat. She wanted to be the only one – and who am I to force a new cat on her when she doesn’t want company.
So for the introduction of cats in my life, I am forever grateful to my ex.
…
Ok, so it was a little easier than I thought. If I don’t have to direct my gratitude towards specific things today, I think I may be able to pull this off – hopefully, even tomorrow when the temperature is supposed to reach 34C. I don’t look forward to it, and I plan on sleeping through as much as possible of the day.
We’ll see how it goes.
But for now, this is my gratitude for today. ♥