“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky is hardly a waste of time.” – John Lubbock 

Yesterday I took a much-needed day off from work. While I didn’t lie on the grass, I did rest, listen to the murmur of the water and watch the clouds in the sky above from a lounge chair at the pool. And it was perfect.

This lends itself nicely to a new gratitude list for the week. Today I’m feeling so, so thankful for:
1.) A three-day weekend.
2.) Sunflowers.
3.) Beautiful weather.

4.) A strong, long run along a new route with an amazing view (shown above).
5.) The company and support of a training partner/running buddy.
6.) Random goodies that remind you of childhood. Pig (shown below) had a spiderweb in the fence under him that had me looking for the message, “That’s some pig!”

7.) Watching this squirrel (below) enter the gate on the opposite side of the pool from my lounge chair, look at me, then make his way around the pool to me to say hello.
8.) Fresh peaches and blackberries from a local farm.
9.) Searching for new recipes to use said fresh peaches and blackberries.

10.) Summer. Historically, this is not my favorite season, but I am truly savoring this summer.