The thing I like best about mornings is that each day is a chance to try out a new frame of mind, or do things a bit differently, based on wisdom gained from mistakes.
My last blog post ended up more “ranty” than I like- it was definitely influenced by my state of mind (which was greatly affected by the kiddos’ screaming fight waking me up early!) By Friday night, I had debated about deleting that post, but I read a comment from someone that something I had written in another comment response helped.
That post will remain. It’s part of my imperfect (mostly happy, but flawed) life. Perhaps others can find comfort in that. I avoid rants because I like to keep things positive- that hasn’t changed.
I’m writing this on Saturday night, while I can still move. You’ll understand that statement shortly.
Saturday morning, I decided it was time to get some much needed yard work done. I also thought it would be a good time for the kids to practice teamwork. For a couple hours, I worked solo, but then I got the boys helping.
It wasn’t all harmony though. They began to fight (as they do 95% of the time.) I told them that if they couldn’t work with me to get it done, the two of them would have to finish up on their own. They stopped bickering- and fast!
To keep them distracted, I started singing: “I love raking leaves, so put another bag in the pile now, baby” to the tune of Joan Jett’s I Love Rock and Roll. They actually laughed (not sure if they laughed at the singing or the words, but does it matter? :)) Then they started making up their own raking leaves songs to the music they listen to.
My older son and I were able to put the hard feelings from the day before behind us, and in the process, we raked up fourteen bags of leaves. My muscles already ache (yes, all of them) and my back and knees are stiff.
Now you know why I may not be able to move tomorrow. But I will still find joy in the opportunity to grow in a new day, adding to the wisdom gained from my days before.
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16)
JannaTWrites 
Good yard work – the bags show all your efforts – one less chore. Hope you get a good night’s rest and sleep 🙂
Oh, I’m not even close to done with the leaves, but my body is telling me that the rest will have to wait 🙂
gorgeous post. Thanks for letting me start my day with it.
Thanks, Lance! I appreciate you taking time to read it. I had hoped it would be an uplifting post 🙂
First photo is just captivating!
Before you know it those boys will be tackling (perhaps not willingly) the yard work all by themselves!
Thanks, SuziCate! I took the photo last year, but it’s still one of my favorite sunrise pictures that I’ve taken. If the kids ever willingly tackle yard work, I’ll become paranoid wondering what they want from me 🙂
Enjoyed the positive attitude. 🙂
Great! That’s exactly what I hoped would happen, Yarnspinnerr 🙂
Strong writing.
Thanks so much for reading, Postmoderndonkey!
I love making up silly songs . . . yours is terrific.
Glad you channeled your inner Joan Jett.
For what it’s worth, I didn’t think you sounded like you were ranting and raving, or even venting your spleen, in that post. And, best of all, you didn’t sound like a whiny cry baby throwing a pity party. You just sounded like someone faced with a recurring challenge who shared a few of the frustrating facts with her adoring fans.
Too bad I don’t sound like Joan Jett 🙂 I always enjoyed Weird Al Yankovic – he’s very talented at making up parodies.
I’m relieved that it didn’t come off as a cranky rant. I don’t want to be that kind of writer. Perhaps I colored it that way because I was actually quite annoyed still when I wrote it. I am surprised, but pleased, at the responses to the post. There was some good discussion and commiserating going on and if nothing else, I’m glad for that. Thanks for your continued support, Nancy!
Even if you deleted that post, it’ll still be out there on the interwebz somewhere – and for all eternity! …blogs that are only about the happy-joy-joy stuff get really boring really quickly … and your snarky voice is just as authentic as all your other voices.
Thanks, Widdershins! I laughed at the ‘all your other voices’ – I do have many in my head 🙂 The permanence of the internet is a bit scary – thank goodness I don’t post anything too wild and crazy!
I’m glad to hear Saturday was a better day. Singing has a way of making things fun and memorable. Hope you’re able to move again!
Oh, it was a fun little game, Patti! I’ve been moving very slowly today. Pretty much everything hurts, but am hoping tomorrow will be a bit better 🙂
I’ve always liked that Proverbs verse. Very hopeful. 🙂
I thought it conveyed hope as well, Michael 🙂
I absolutely love the way you sang the song (and now I’ve got it in my head). What a great day you must have had and then sat back to enjoy all that clean yard. Gardening always brings out pain in muscles I never knew I had! 😉
Haha! I get songs stuck in my head by mere suggestion, too, Dianne! You aren’t kidding about muscle pain…my hamstrings are still killing me 🙂
Your writing always make me think life will always get better. And the lead-in photo is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the very nice compliment, Diane! I appreciate you reading so many of my posts 🙂
nice work on the yard work and collaboration w/kids
love the young pine cone pic
Thanks, Patty. I took the pine cone picture in our yard. One of our trees has bunches of pine cones forming, so I couldn’t resist.
Great post! Yes, it would be nice to delete our flaws, but usually something comes shining all the same.
There’s not an eraser big enough to get rid of all my flaws, Agjorgenson 🙂 You are right though…no matter how much we try, there will always be soemthing.
How wise you are, Janna! What is it they say, Many hands make small work. Your boys are learning what it means to be part of a family, to share the work and the fun. Good for you!
My legs are still sore today – three days later! I ought to rake leaves more often so my muscles don’t get so lazy. Thanks for stopping by, Debbie!
Wow, go you and your boys! That’s a lot of yard work! It’s so great of you to make the chore fun for your kids by singing to get them laughing. Laughing is such a great part of life–it just makes your heart smile. I’m glad that you were able to put the disagreement behind you and carry on. Keep looking up, Mama! 🙂
We did get on a roll. We also haven’t done anything since…I’m just now moving without a whole lot of pain, so maybe we’ll do a couple bags tomorrow. I appreciate you spending some time on my blog tonight and sharing your thoughts, Sandra. I hope you have a good week!