Dear friends who read my blog, I think of you often, sincerely I do. I apologize I slipped away. I know you understand.
Today is nearly the end of July and I am enjoying another ordinary, simple day. My days are in the middle, neither highs or lows, and I like it here.
I washed my car today, and cleaned it. I had a slow leak in a tire yesterday and got it fixed. I bought some cucumbers and made a salad. Ordinary life events, small and they fill my life, just as they fill yours.
On Sunday I swam in the Okanagan lake – it felt great. I felt hesitant, only my second time in the lake this summer and it was shocker to my tummy at first! But the coolness quickly turned to refreshment that I felt grateful to appreciate.
I ride my bike nearly daily, so I hardly mention it, but it is important to me that silent rolling walk. I walked around the block this morning and had a coffee at Starbucks.
Ordinary life events, small and not newsworthy but they are the events that I value.
Pretty tame eh? Life in the middle is probably tame or maybe tranquil but it’s a nice place to cherish.
It’s my life in the middle, doing the ordinary, finding the extraordinary in happy occurrences like meeting friends on a walk.
I am content and happy with salad – I don’t need steak. Lobster doesn’t really like hot water.
I have it said that most of us spend our lives here, in the middle. Not the highs of overseas travel, and concerts and special events and not time spent sick, or facing tragic times.
Most of our lives are in the middle, changing lightbulbs and emptying the dishwasher kind of duties.
If we can inhabit our daily lives in the middle with a smile and be content – that’s an easy joy and the majority of our lives♥
Smile and be happy in the now instead of wishing for something else.
Perhaps that’s the perspective I gained due to my illness over the years – I soak up just being able to feel a breeze and not be in a room in a hospital.
A glass of water tastes great when you are only allowed an ice cube when you are on kidney dialysis.
Thanks for reading.
The flowers of the Starry Starry night plant are amazing (above); huge blossoms even though they don’t last too long – many blossoms on it now, and more buds are promising to explode.
The flowers and the name have many meanings to me. I love starry starry nights in the winter, and the blossoms quick burst of colour reminds me of life as well. This bush was a gift from special friends who live at the top of a mountain and we planted it so it keeps on blessing us.
Starry nights is also a beautiful song by Don McLean that reminds me of how some people struggle, invisibly.
The song asks us to listen because the painter is trying to share his message.
My lunch today was blueberry pancakes and I loved it.
Soon my wife and I are going for a walk in a shaded garden and buy some honey from a beekeeper friend.
Nothing too exciting, just life which is quickly blossoming and moving forward like the flowers on this Starry Starry Night plant (above)
Thanks for reading, and commenting ♥♥♥ Dave
Life and Random Thinking 
Thanks for a great post, always like to hear how your doing. Bob
Sent from Mail for Windows
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Thanks Bob. It is so nice to hear from you, I hope you are doing well and your family. It’s been too long since we have chatted.
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Those marmots feel like they are living the high life Dave!
Balance is sustainable. Too much is as bad as too little. Balance grasshopper!
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Hi Wayne ! (wave) Yes, the marmots are cute and love the carrots and cabbage. Balance is important, I agree. I hoped to say that life is more than the high points, that most of our life is in the middle. If we can happy in the middle where we live 75% of our lives, then we will be happier.
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Oh, I love this David, “If we can live our lives in the middle with a smile and be content – that’s great! ” As someone in the middle, I totally relate and appreciate that! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Dear friend Wynne – thank you, hugs. Enjoy the butterflies, and the breezes and finding a parking spot in the shade. It’s the middle and to be enjoyed ! ♥
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It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of your posts but WP is always playing with the algorithms so I never know if you’re writing less or I have to go in search of your blog. So good to hear you are doing well and living in the “middle.” I love that. It’s a good life. Love the song and sun set. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, C
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Hi Cheryl, last night I rode to the opposite lake (the south end) and wanted to include a picture of that but the photo eluded me. Next post ♥ instead. Life is full – enjoying the season, picked our cherries, painted boards for another section of fence. Sophisticated stuff 🙂
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A lovely message, David. Life in the middle is a very good, satisfying life of contentment. Beautiful pictures.
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Thank you Jane. You always put so much knowledge and thought into your blogs. I value your comment.
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That sounds pretty special to me.
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I think you say so because you are a happy in the moment person – thank you for commenting – it is so nice for me to read the comments
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I’m glad you are living in the middle—it’s a great place to be. Your post was a relaxing read!
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You make it sound like an ideal time, ‘Life in the Middle.
I have just become a grandfather for the first time, the little boy is now 11 months old and lights up my life every day. Keep smiling.
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Hi James, so excited to read about your grandson. That is because I can really relate as I became a grandpa last year also. My grandson was born last August 30 so he must be close in age to your little guy. I can certainly understand how you feel when your grandson gives you a simple smile and your eyes light up!
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The little one was born 21 August 2022. Almost ready to toddle.
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Love that word “toddle”♥ – they are almost the same age!
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Sounds lovely. No need for drama. I think this is what heaven will be like.
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In general, or do you mean bike riding along a lake, :), that’s an interesting thought and I am sure you are right. Will heaven be a joyful ‘high” or a deep sense of contentment and relaxing? I often tell people not to look forward to retirement too much, don’t rush life – enjoy every step. Make sense?
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Lovely post. I’m glad you are living life in the middle!
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Thanks Linda. I am truly happy in the middle, I won’t turn down a trip but I don’t need one to find joy in my everyday and ordinary.
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Such a lovely, satisfying post. One must remember to be satisfied in the middle! Thanks.
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Thank you Darlene, I always look forward to seeing and hearing from you – it’s easy to see why because you are so encouraging.
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Thanks, David. That is so kind of you to say.
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Glad to hear that you’re doing okay and enjoying life. I was wondering…
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Thank for wondering…. I tend to wander away when I have a lot on my heart. Maybe a bad habit. But being outdoors and feeling the wind and even the rain helps.
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I think as time passes, in the not too distant future, I’ll be doing the same as you. I need to be outdoors more and appreciating our environment.
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Thanks Debra, I do like being in contact but I need the exercise and fresh air – all about balance I guess.
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I’ve never seen a marmot in the wild before!! 🤭 Hugs to you for sharing!!
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So much wild life here in my city, I had two deer born in my yard last year. Hugs to you
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Hi David,
What a wonderful post and wonderful pictures. The excitement of life are in the simple details.
Thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite songs!
Blessings to you!
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It is the simple details that I enjoy the most also. Today we went for a drive and went for a cool dip at Antler beach about 25 minutes away – it’s a special beach because very few go there because it’s rocky. We went prepared with water shoes that have like tire bottom and loved the clear water at this beach.
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I am retiring soon (my last couple of months are being completed remotely, so no travelling to the north) and we are comfortably settling into what some might describe as a boring life, but it’s as you describe – in the middle. I can do without the intense highs and lows. Middle is good. 🙂
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You totally get it. 🙂
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Sounds like you are having a wonderful summer, taking it easy and enjoying nature. I listened to that song, it is just beautiful. Makes me think of walking in creation, listening to the sounds around me. 🙂
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It is a beautiful song and has so much feeling. I listen to it in the car, and sing along (but only when I am alone, no point in torturing anyone of course) Be safe and enjoy your weekend. I am loving being a grandparent now, an added joy in life.
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haha, I also cannot hold a tune. I envy those that can,
Enjoy being a grandparent! I hear it is better than being a parent – you can return it when you get tired lol
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