It’s been smoky here. Like ash falling down from the sky and collecting on the leaves-type smoky. Apocalyptic. It fucking sucks. I’m stuck inside and I’m grumpy about it.

The Boss hasn’t missed a beat in the garden. He’s out there in the smoke cultivating the corn. And I noticed he’s not nearly as grumpy as me. But I have neither the ability nor the desire to brave the smoke. Since I’m stuck indoors for the foreseeable future, I decided I needed to try and shake the apocalypse blues by cultivating a little gratitude.

The Great Lakes are always at the top of the list when I’m trying to grow a little gratitude. We are surrounded by two of the largest lakes in the world. Fresh, cold water is good for the soul in many ways. Salt free, shark free, beaches for miles.

I’m grateful for my neighbors (you know who you are), who have come to our rescue many times. Thanks to them, I am sitting here next to an air purifier that they dropped off. Not only that, this very same neighbor delivers homemade bread FRESH from her oven on a regular basis. It is the best bread I’ve ever had.

I’m grateful for the sense of community that they have cultivated in so many ways that are helpful when you live in the middle of nowhere. When we help each other out, it has ripple effects. Living in community provides us the capacity to help others. I share my veggies with friends down the road, they help other friends who had to evacuate due to wildfires. And so it goes. It really does.

I could just stop right there in my gratitude cultivation process. But wait, there’s more.

I’m grateful for the Boss and his stalwartness. Someone’s gotta keep feeding the world, even during, especially during, the apocalypse. He’s been out there keeping the garden growing, cultivating the bean fields, keeping a steady disposition in the wake of my smoky funk.

Here’s a little advice for those of us stuck in the smoke. Take a few moments to revel in gratitude. Think of three things that you are truly grateful for, notice how that makes you feel. It’s a perfect practice while stuck indoors.

And Ice Cream. I’m grateful for ice cream.

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