july gratitude

I feel inclined to write a gratitude list, since my last post was sad and stuff.

besides, it's been a while since i've done one of these.

-fresh water

-great books

-ginger peach tea

-wifi

-bookstores

-thunderstorms (we got one today, lightning included :] )

-this adorable kitten i've had the absolute pleasure of playing with lately

-my newfound appreciation for my little pony, thanks to my niece (no shame here- that show is cute!)

-the greenbelt

-personal progress

-my absolutely loving and devoted boyfriend

-sunshine, the sky, and white fluffy clouds

-the internet and the ease of accessibility of innumerable, valuable resources

-my parents

-music

-time with friends

-yummy fruits

-the yard game known as cornhole (it's not perverted, i promise)

-pillows and blankets

-the library

-helping people out where and when i can

-candles that smell nice

-knowing i have people i can count on when i need help

-the ruffling of skirts in the breeze

-life

Meet Leo

I love this cat. He's adorable! Just look at that fur! I call him feral cat because he'll perch himself in the tree and harass squirrels. It's one of the most hilarious things I've seen.

But man, is this cat sweet. His fur is so incredibly soft, and he'll let you cuddle him. Sometimes when I'm giving him pets he nudges my nose with his. If I'm doing a seated meditation he'll rub his body against my open, resting palm. And the other night I was in dolphin pose and he thought it would be fun to "go under the bridge" and then he got annoyed when I came out of the pose. I've never seen a cat enjoy yoga as much as he does.

He's constantly doing unbearably cute things. Like when he falls asleep under the desk in my room.

the simple things make you feel alive

I'm not used to completing so many of my tasks quickly [see here for my change of habits], so I have lots of time to relax and do what makes me happy. Here are some simple pleasures I'm enjoying today:

*delicious orange spice tea

*a hot bath infused with tea tree and lavender oil [my skin is so soft!]

*the leaves rustling in the wind

*gallopinto with eggs and avocado for breakfast

*reading a good book next to the window

*a bike ride around the river with my brother

*sleepy kitties

Abby

She makes me happier than I've been in a few months.

She doesn't care if I'm doing research;

she nudges her way onto my tummy

and encourages me to take a much needed break.

Years ago she would nap with me.

It's like time doesn't matter to her.

She doesn't mind that I've been away for a while.

She cuddles me as if I've always been near her,

as if I never left.

Time doesn't matter to her.

She still naps with me.

I love bunnies!

Bun love

chomping fresh herbs

broccoli assassin

furry lump of love!

these furry babies are not mine.
i wish they were!
these cuties belong to my best friend,
so i've had plenty of time to spoil them rotten when we're all lounging about.
they love green stuff, so obviously, i love feeding them greens picked fresh from the garden.
there is nothing cuter than a bunny's mouth chomping on over-drive to get ALL of the green goodness!
most of the time they lounge in their magnificent bunny-castle.
but if it's quiet they get adventurous.
like when we're practicing yoga, or quietly reading...
all of a sudden they come sniffing around to see what you're doing.
it's so cute.
especially if you're lucky enough to get bunny licks.
or have one prop itself up on you with their tiny, stubby, furry front paws.
i've even woken up to bunnies on my tummy and chest while i nap on the couch.
no joke. it's absolutely the most adorable experience in the world.
i really love being able to interact with bunnies.
they are so different from cats and dogs.
not quite as social or demanding,
but definitely still able to give that warm fuzzy feeling!
being natural herbivores, bunnies bring me back to the earth whenever i feed them.
they can't survive off of manufactured goods.
neither can we.
they need fresh greens and sun.
so do we.
animals and humans have such a beautiful relationship
and i think caring for bunnies brings out our most tender and nurturing qualities.
so, revel in the glorious cuteness that is the bun-love!
i hope these pictures pushed some cute-buttons
because these bunnies are the cutest part of my indoor/homework ridden summer.