Seeds of Optimism

-14 to start the day but the forecast promised mercy later. Happy cake day to Riley Jo!

Somewhere in the middle of the night — during one of those wide-awake stretches — I listened to a podcast about the 30-30-3 health rule: 30 grams of protein first thing, 30 grams of fibre throughout the day, and 3 probiotic foods. So this morning I attempted virtue in a bowl: cottage cheese piled with frozen fruit. Apparently raspberries and kiwi (with the skin on — Dale was right) are fibre powerhouses. And cottage cheese? Protein queen. No wonder people are sneaking it into scrambled eggs and everything else these days.

With coffee in hand I did a bit of marketing before moving into full pet-care mode, including the dreaded kitty litter after sending them all outside. Ranch glamour at its finest.

S woke up in pain after going off his painkillers yesterday, so back on they went. Sometimes you think you’re ready… and then your body votes otherwise.

By noon it was bright and beautiful, so when B asked if I could pick up Cooper I happily obliged. Dump run first — trash tossed — then into town. I stopped at Home Hardware for shop towels and of course got completely sidetracked in the seed aisle. Came home with vegetables and sweet peas seeds. Because clearly February is when optimism blooms.

Grabbed Cooper next, and on the way back home,  I stopped to pick up Opa. This led to a visit with Kristy, Bonnie, and Jaylene who were there having lunch. It turned into a lovely little catch-up. Onward home with a Tim’s tea detour because why not.

Back at the ranch S was in bed watching TV, so I started a new puzzle before I went stir crazy. After a bit of sorting pieces I convinced him to walk the dogs out to the gate. By then it had warmed to zero and with the sun shining it felt downright glorious.

Home again, S settled into big brown with his reading, and I worked away at the puzzle. Mom called and I walked her through booking flights to Vegas for Robby’s wedding — tech support daughter on duty.

Kitchen help hard at work

B showed up before 5:30 and I teased her asking if she’d been fired. Turns out she’s just sick. Quick feed, then she took Cooper home to rest.

Seems the downstairs thermostat quit working. He was online pricing a new one when I suggested maybe the original upstairs thermostat might still be around after we swapped to the Ecobee. Lo and behold — in a box in the garage. We do not throw out working things. Ever. He replaced the downstairs thermostat while I cooked supper. Supper was healthy salmon and S's beloved mini wontons. 

We tried to finish Peaky Blinders tonight but came up an hour short. One episode left for tomorrow.

Cold start, sunny middle, productive finish. Not a bad little winter Tuesday.