A note to take note

I sat outside today in my favorite spot for the first time in what feels like forever. I moved furniture around to be fully in the sun, and wow, it was amazing! It's only 50 degrees outside, but in February in Illinois—translation: I'll take it!

I have been craving the sun's warmth, and I've really missed sitting outside in the quiet of the porch. Our dog, Winnie, was with me, sniffing the things that need to be sniffed and settling in at my feet (also in the sun - she's no dummy).

Outside of temperature extremes, I generally prefer to be outside, especially at our home here in the country. Growing up as a suburban girl, I never had a clue how much these many years living "in the boonies" would change my overall perspective.

I love the sounds. They are the opposite of "noise": the breeze rustling leaves, the whoosh of a car going by, and the train horn a mile away. It's all extremely calming.

I love the sights. Things are mostly still. The crazy of life seems far away out there in that little haven. There's movement, but it's quite the opposite of "busy": one of the dried up leaves still on the ground fluttering a bit, Winnie's floofy hair blowing in the wind, the giant catalpa tree (how ancient is that thing?!?!) keeping watch over the yard as always, and movement in the distance across the field - a train heading south. Those gentle movements center me.

It's often a struggle to get my Type A brain to mellow enough to relax and really enjoy much of anything. I'm getting better at that as I age, but it's a fight every single day. So much to accomplish, something to organize, a to-do list continually running through my headspace, everything is dirty all the time—must clean...it's endless.

However, today, for a tiny little wedge of time, I was calm and comfortable and oh-so-cozy in the sun.

I took a picture because I felt so content. I don't usually like pictures of me, because I'm way too critical of every little thing. Even here—my hair's a little too out of control, my forehead too shiny as part of a makeup-free face, I know I have coffee breath (did I brush my teeth this morning?). However, I love that I had to squint my eyes up just a bit against the brightness of the sunshine. I love that I can see that I feel relaxed and at peace in that time on the porch.

I'm taking note of what that feels like. On difficult days when chaos reigns supreme, maybe I can revisit this photo, take a breath, thank God for a bit of sunny warmth, and look forward to more sunny days to come.