Early morning Owls

           

                                          

A Hoot in the Morning

There’s something special about early mornings in the country. This morning, as I stepped outside to get into the car and head off to work, I heard something that made me pause for just a moment — the soft, steady hoot of an owl somewhere out in the east field behind our house. It caught me a little by surprise, and I just stood there for a second listening. There’s something almost magical about that sound, especially when you aren’t expecting it.

Moments like that remind me just how blessed we are to live out in the country. The sights, the sounds, and even the scent of the air are completely different from what you’d experience in town or in a big city. Out here, you notice things more. The quiet feels deeper. The air smells fresher. And little things, like an owl greeting the morning, feel like a small gift to start the day.

I tried to take that moment in before getting into the vehicle and heading to work. Sometimes those simple pauses are exactly what we need before the day begins.

I can hardly believe it’s already March 10th. Time seems to move so quickly, especially after being sick last week. Missing several days of work really throws things off, and now it means I need to buckle down a bit and focus on doing better and making more saves at work. Getting back into the routine always takes a little effort after you’ve been down for a while, but I’m determined to get myself back on track.

Part of that effort includes trying to get back to healthier eating habits as well. I packed a simple but sensible lunch today. I brought one of those little individual cups of chicken salad along with about five or six crackers. I also packed a chocolate pudding that has 15 grams of protein in it — a little treat that still helps with protein. For breakfast, I brought a small container of berry yogurt, which honestly sounded pretty good this morning even though I haven’t eaten it yet.

To drink, I have a sugar-free beverage and two 20-ounce bottles of water. I’m really trying to be mindful about not consuming extra calories or snacking on things I don’t actually need. Will I eat everything I packed today? Probably not. But I’d rather have it with me than end up hungry and wishing I had brought a little more.

After work today, I’ll need to stop by Walmart and pick up a few things. Then I’ll go by Brody’s to pick up Mr. C. He’ll be there babysitting Sophie this afternoon so Brody can take Landon to his speech appointment. It’s always nice when family can step in and help each other like that.

Once we get home this evening, we’ll settle into our usual routine — making supper, winding down for the night, and getting everything ready for tomorrow. Nothing fancy, just the comfort of a normal evening at home.

But honestly, I think the highlight of the day may have already happened before the sun even came up — standing quietly in the morning air, listening to an owl call out from the field. Sometimes the best moments are the simplest ones.