"Check Engine"

Last Wednesday I sent a big check to the bank to pay off my car loan.

Not long after, the "Check Engine" light went on in my car.

We checked the gas cap, cleaned the air filter, and went to AutoZone to have the computer codes read.

We finally gave in and brought it to a shop a block away from us. They told us that they could not diagnose the problem because there are aftermarket parts on my car (performance suspension and exhaust) that they were not willing to touch because they do not have the expertise. They went on to inform us that they did find an unrelated problem. My left rear brakes were no longer working and had not been for some time and the rear right brakes were near to giving in, too.

I felt incredibly negligent. I mean, I drive my car rarely and go very easy on it. I never heard any squeaking or felt anything amiss when braking. How could this be?

We told them to go ahead and fix the brakes. Roters, pads, and calipers. Lots of time. Lots of money.

Now, without explanation, the check engine light is no longer on. Let's hope it remains this way.

Wouldn't it be nice if people came with "Check Engine" lights? We would all be a lot more healthy physically and mentally.

Moments

Mr. B&B has been sick with congestion, coughing, fever, headache since last Thursday. So sick that he actually didn't go to work on Friday when he was on his business trip in New Mexico.

So, he flew home to me sick and it has been tissues, cold compresses, tea, and basically waiting on him hand and foot ever since. Yesterday I brought him to the Dr. who gave him meds (Praise be!)and to grocery store to pick out his own tea and juice and nasal spray.

After much tea making and errand doing and chore completing, I collapsed on the couch last evening. With a deep sigh, I closed my eyes just for a minute reveling in the act of doing nothing.

And thus spoke a nasally voice from the other end of the couch,
"You are beautiful...with your hair spilling out all around you."

And I gave thanks for the small moments and the little gestures.

Fresh as a Baby Pinecone Bud

When I was undecorating Kendrick the Christmas Tree this weekend I noticed all these little greenish yellow bits on his branches. At first I thought they might be mantis or mantis larvae or some such, maybe because I am always thinking of NieNie the amazing lady I do not know (she is home now, but please keep sending positivity her way), but they weren't. Upon closer inspection of their intricacies, I realized they were baby pinecones or baby pinecone bud thingies! I have undecorated fresh trees in my childhood and never noticed these amazing ittie bitties.

Awestruck, I insisted my husband come have a look. He humored me, but was decidedly less impressed. So, I grabbed my camera and, as grateful as I am to have a camera at all, snapped away wishing I had a more professional camera with a crazy lens that could capture all the little details up close, no blurring.

Blurry Baby Pinecone Buds




Then I held them in my hand...

and marveled at how after being
chopped down,
brought to a store,
set outside in the cold without water waiting to be bought,
wrapped in plastic netting,
tied to the roof of a car,
driven to my house,
shoved into a tree stand,
decorated,
and put on display for two weeks
(though I did talk to him & we watered him several times a day)
Kendrick the Christmas Tree was still fresh and fragrant, and producing new life.

Talk about resilience and miracles of nature.

I would like to be like Kendrick the Christmas Tree when I grow up.