I Spied: Two

The 3rd came and went without my usual Monday post because I was trying to savor a couple of precious days off from work. Now I've returned to my post, har har (no pelting of rotten veggies, savvy?--and the "har har" is in honor of the new "Pirates" movie, which Becoming Aly's author hopes will be worth more than the price of two matinee tickets).

I bring you the second edition of "I Spied." Appropriately, I have two sightings to report (however, I reserve the right to report only one sighting for I Spied: Three, two or fewer for I Spied: Four, and so on).

NO. 1: Late Sunday morning, at the gated entry of my apartment complex--an ARMADILLO rooting around the hedge! A LIVE one! This was a small miracle for three reasons: 1) armadillos are nocturnal, 2) most of the time, if an armadillo is in plain sight, it is already freeway fodder, and 3) I have lived in Texas more than half my life and have never ever EVER seen a live armadillo before (at least, not that I can remember). Since I have been struggling with a few concerns lately, I took this as a sign of hope. My only regret, which couldn't be helped: no camera on my person!

NO. 2: Last night, and Saturday night, my roommate T and I were able to see fireworks from the highly convenient location of our very own apartment windows. Saturday night we were watching a movie and just as the end credits began to roll, we discovered we could see fireworks from our balcony window. Then last night, we had the privilege of watching at least three or four distinct shows from my bedroom window. This may seem like shut-in behavior--I mean, my GOSH, it's the Fourth of July, shouldn't we have been painting our faces with the American flag, getting out our fifes and drums and joining the nearest parade?? Well, T and I actually preferred the comfort of our home over the weekend for two reasons: 1) I was seriously fatigued (stress + battling my IBS) and 2) it rained on and off throughout the weekend, threatening the cancellation of numerous Independence Day festivities (however, the show at Austin's Zilker Park made its 31st anniversary last night without a hitch--we Texans are used to unpredictable weather). So our viewing spot worked out very nicely. I love our apartment! As newlyrenters, we are still in awe of how blessed we are to be living in our own place, and of how conveniently located our complex is to freeways, grocery stores, movie theatres, great shopping, and now (at least once a year)...fireworks!

When I'm plodding through adversity, I can live on one small miracle a day--and I count both of these sightings as the real deal.