Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Life and Sky Updates & Thoughts on Happiness


Hi friends,

The rain, gray skies and coldish weather has continued all week so far. It means I didn't get out for new photos.
I'm sharing some from a few weeks ago when I baked some bread and took some photos of the sunrise.

I'm kept fairly busy with trying to ration the food stuff in the home so we don't need to go out to shop that often. I  also kept busy trying to find something to plant in the garden. This wasn't as easy as in years past due to the line ups to get into stores and also just the fact that there seems to be less on offer or things are sold out.  At least the things I want. I spent an hour in line on Friday to get what I hoped was the last of the things to put together a semblance of a garden. I may need to go once more to find the rest of what I'd like but I'll try to make do.  Here at home it looks like some restrictions will ease soon.  Personally I will continue to take great care until we are more assured of the future outlook. In the meantime I've got plenty to keep me busy.

In addition to being busy baking, cooking and tending the garden  I'm also spending a lot of time in contact with people in Kenya that I try to help.  The end of the month keeps me very busy in that regard. Many had difficult lives before Covid - 19 but the restrictions and curfews make finding daily bread even more difficult, very difficult. If any of you would like to help with a donation toward the Kenyan needs kindly be in touch at the email on the right side bar. I know not everyone can help or even wants to help. But if you do then the option and opportunity is available.





 I am often awake at sunrise.  This is usually the best time to get my sky shots.  
I love it when the gulls are flying around in the morning before the day gets busy. 
I always wonder what they are doing, seeing and even whether they think about what they are seeing. 
They seem to enjoy circling around in the air before everyone else comes out to make 'noise'.
I get the sense of their enjoyment by the way they fly and glide around and make a lot of bird calls. 
They seem to know exactly when it gets busy with traffic and people because they abruptly stop flying around until next morning returns.

 


It is also a joy for me to see a sky full of different clouds and colours.
This is one of the
more beautiful ones I've captured in awhile.




I found this little graphic that lists 10 ways to be happy. 
  I've employed many of these strategies in my own life though I hadn't seen this graphic, lol.  I have to say that I very seldom suffer from unhappiness.
I know some people find it easier to be unhappy than to be happy.
Unless one has a serious mental disorder or is grieving the loss of a loved one, I think happiness is a choice one makes and an effort to do certain things to avoid feeling down and depressed.  Happiness takes some effort because many people, including me,  are not chipper by nature.  I don't roll out of bed each morning and greet the day eager to get at it.  But I am thankful for each and every blessing including the simple act of waking up each day.  The alternative of not waking up and having another day to enjoy on this earth is one I hope remains in the far distant future.
Being happy takes effort but at the end of the day I think it is well worth it.



 

I will link up with Skywatch Friday later this week.
Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to stop by and visit my blog.

 Stay safe and be happy.
♥♥♥

13 comments:

Red said...

You baked some awesome looking bread and I'm sure it tastes as good as it looks.

Jeanie said...

Your bread looks just fabulous! Oh, so good!

I finally have some seeds. I was just about ready to order online but was able to bypass that. Still, it might be worth a try for you.

Susan said...

I think an attitude of gratitude is very imperative. I liked all the happiness suggestions listed on the graph. Your rolls and bread look wonderful. Nice post. Stay safe. Susan

R's Rue said...

Yum.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, your bread looks delicious, I am sure your place smelled heavenly while the break was baking.
We have had a lot of rain lately. Pretty sky images. Take care, stay calm and safe. Enjoy your day and week ahead.

Mari said...

That bread looks so good!
I agree with you on choosing happiness. I liked the suggestions you shared.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Like you, I'm not chipper by nature, but well worth the effort to keep an upbeat attitude. My that bread looks delicious!

Tom said...

...those who live difficult lives normally must be experiencing extreme hardship now!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow ~ Beautiful sky shots and delicious looking bread ~ ^_^

Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Bernhard said...

I like the last sky image

Best regards

Bernhard

rupam sarma said...

Amazing skies, Yummy bread.
Stay well.

magiceye said...

The bread looks inviting!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, I love your photos today. Especially the sky next to the big clock in the tower...that is fascinating. And your bread and cinnamon rolls look SO good. I love homemade cinnamon rolls. Now I am wanting some of those. I did bake a loaf of brown bread yesterday, and it is so good. (Not wheat bread, but Brown Bread with molasses and oatmeal in it). Really good. There is nothing better than the smell of bread baking, unless it is the smell of cinnamon rolls baking! LOL. Glad you have been able to get out some. I believe things are starting to lighten up here as well. We are getting anxious to get out and see friends again. I know we still have to be careful, but we are really missing our church and the fellowship. Praying for your dear friends in Kenya. May the Lord protect them and care for them. Thank you for sharing their needs with us. I may not be able to help financially, but I can pray and know that God has the resources and will provide in ways we never expected. Praying. Please take care and God bless you abundantly.

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