We have been blessed with rain lately. We also have had massive cloud formations and beautiful sunsets.
The cloud coverage had kept the high desert temperatures confined to a very comfortable temperature for our summer.
Hubby and I were in town. When we walked out of the health food store and headed for our truck, I was taken aback by the sight of the mountains. I realized how beautiful they were.
The clouds had spilled over the mountain tops and were ever so slowly sliding down the side of the mountain facing us.
The clouds obscured the familiar contours of the mountain and that is why the mountains caught my attention – they looked different.
Because of the clouds covering the tops of the mountains, my perspective of them changed.
Taken for Granted
I had taken the mountains for granted – so I asked myself, “What else have I taken for granted?”
My own answer surprised me.
We become familiar with our surroundings – so much so that we don’t even notice them unless something changes.
Unfortunately for some of us, it’s not only our surroundings, but can also include the people and animals in our life.
The Regulars
The regulars at the house include barn swallows, king birds, mockingbirds, white winged doves, ravens, owls, cottontails, jack rabbits, and the occasional quail covey will show. Oh, and lots of toads and some frogs after a really good rain.
We also have the Oryx, mule deer and coyote that pass through.
In the “neighborhood” (we really don’t have a neighborhood), we have rattlers, hog snakes, and corn snakes. We have different kinds of hawks, as well as the American Kestrel, vultures, kangaroo mice, chipmunks, ground squirrels, horned toads, lizards, etc.
And yet, all of that had become the “norm”…part of the visual picture relegated to being just the landscape and overlooked until something changes.
Taken. For. Granted.
And then something changed.
Newbies
We recently had two newbies pop up at the house – a female Chukar and a Mexican Box Turtle.
The female Chukar (she’s been laying eggs) had arrived with a mate, who disappeared shortly after they arrived here. That’s when the female adopted us.
Really.
She checks out anyone who comes here and she’ll inspect their vehicle, watch them watching her, and if satisfied, she’ll meander off.
When she’s lonely, she’ll come to the patio to be closer to the voices in the house.
We don’t approach her, and we do respect her.
The Mexican Box Turtle welcomed us one day after we came back from town. The turtle was literally sitting in the middle of the driveway.
We discovered it is very rare to find Mexican Box Turtles outside of Mexico. We aren’t sure how it got here, but we figured it was merely passing through on it’s journey to who-knows-where.
Get Reacquainted
So maybe, as part of living in the “now” and part of our practicing appreciation, we can work on not taking our surroundings for granted.
As I sit in my favorite area in the house for writing, I am thankful for my comfy spot and the cool air coming from outside – as well as being thankful for my home.
I am grateful for my husband who is just fine with me being one hundred percent myself – quirks and all.
When is the last time you really looked at your loved one(s) and/or your critter companions?
Do you appreciate them, or are they merely part of the scenery? Do you need to get reacquainted?
Be Aware
As I look outside, I see that the clouds had moved to hovering behind the mountains, and I thank them for reminding me to be aware of all that is in my life.
by Jan Toomer
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