Today was a day of unplanned joys. You can’t plan such a day. Well, you can I suppose, but too many things have to come together, and some of those things — such as the weather — can’t be counted on. But today, the weather was perfect. Truly a joy.
Despite the lovely weather, I wanted a change from my typical morning of weeding. Not that the weeds were all gone — they’re not, and may never be gone, though come winter, they should go dormant along with almost everything else. But I needed to do something different, so I decided to clean my house. There was only a thin veneer of dust, but once that veneer was gone, it became apparent just how dingy the floors and furniture had become. But now, what a joy! Everything sparkles like new, or as new as a 94-year-old house can be.
Still charged with energy, I took a brief walk — also unplanned until the very minute I put on my walking shoes and headed out the door. When I came back, a friend came to visit. Admittedly, the visit had been planned. Because of her health issues, I hadn’t seen her for a long time, and we needed to catch up. We sat out in my gazebo, enjoying each other’s company, the lovely day, and the cool breeze. It was great seeing her, and even greater seeing how well she’s doing. (That part was one of the unplanned joys since I had no idea what to expect.)
After she left, I took a brief break for lunch, and then I got a text from another friend who wanted to know if this was a good time to visit. She and the woman she looked after had been wanting to come see my yard and try out my gazebo, but the weather has been a problem — too windy or too hot or too rainy. Well, today was none of those things, and so they finally were able to come.
I enjoyed showing off my yard and flowers, trying (but not succeeding) to disregard the areas of dead grass. I know I’ve said I won’t let those brown spots bother me, but it’s hard not to notice the dullness in comparison with the bright emerald green of the healthy areas. Luckily, my friends only looked at what was there, not what wasn’t.
Before they left, I showed them around my house. Which makes me wonder — did cleaning the house today somehow put all these unplanned joys into effect? Or was it merely a happy chance that today of all days, I felt like cleaning? Not that it matters — it just felt good to know the house looked its best.
And now, here I am, visiting with you. That, too, is a joy, though a planned one.
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Pat Bertram is the author of intriguing fiction and insightful works of grief.
Bertram's Blog 
August 1, 2022 at 10:50 pm
It’s always a nice feeling when our home happens to be its shiny best when someone drops in. It sounds like your day was indeed perfect!
We’re in the process of trying to clean every surface and nook and cranny in preparation for random visitors because our realtor will be posting the listing on the market this weekend. I don’t welcome trying to keep everything in a constant state of clean and tidy readiness for the next while, but….
August 2, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Best of luck! I hope your house sells fast.
December 18, 2022 at 1:45 pm
What a happy day. Now that winter has set in todays unplanned joy was how the snow clung beautifully to the trees. A new puppy in my house means there is nothing neat or clean to report here. In fact more wet spots and torn toys abound. Thanks for sharing.
December 18, 2022 at 2:28 pm
A new puppy? Who cares about wet spots and torn toys when there’s such a joy to behold.
December 18, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Yeah. He’s a cutie