Trying to remind myself of the good things that do happen, I decided to make mental notes of small, happy things.
1. My pumpkin patch is growing like mad! I have 1 that’s about the size of a baby’s head right now, & at least one more possible that’s the size of a kiwi…
2. I finally saw a monarch butterfly yesterday! I’ve been wondering where they were this year, with everything I’ve read about the troubles they’ve been having…and I saw one! It gave me a smile, and a happy memory of the kids & me taking care of one a few years ago, then releasing it into the park.
(Sneaky Pete from a few years ago when we released him)
3. I found some new series to watch on Netflix. The Shanarra Chronicles (already hooked on this one, & can’t wait for the next season to come out), Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Penny Dreadful (these last ones I haven’t started yet, so have no other comment). I finished Gilmore Girls again, and I’m eagerly (rabidly) waiting for the new episodes to start in November!
4. I have a lone daisy growing wild in my yard. It popped up out of nowhere, it’s small, & not perfect… But, it’s tough, and determined.
5. Onlyson started his senior year today. He is also turning 18 in 2 days! My youngest, my baby, will be registering with Selective Service in just a few days. Oy. Where did the time go? I want to do something nice for this big day, but he’ll be going to his dad’s this weekend, so I won’t see him till Sunday.
I’m trying to be more mindful, more open to recognizing the happier things that happen from day to day. Some days, it’s easier than others.
Brea's Air 
I should take a page out of your book on this one…some days are definitely better than others.
It is definitely a work in progress.