My Definition of Contentment

 (I understand that there is a real possibility that no one will see this post, as we are now distracted by the other newsfeed at downforthecouch.blogspot.com, but this topic seems to suit Postcards better, so I am using this outlet this time.)

Current conditions that lead to contentment:
Deciding to make soup in the late morning because it is snowing on March 12 and it is not a day to go outside.  We knew this weather was on the way but it should only be a brief bump on the road to spring. We did nothing in this household to prepare for a snow day. No shopping, no nothing. So when I got out my favorite cast iron pot that Jim McDade gave me when I was wishing for just this pot, I did not yet know what kind of soup I would make. There were some scraps of onions and celery and a few sprouting potatoes and a cooked cob of corn, plus some milk I had left out on the counter overnight by mistake.  All of those were pointing in a good direction.  Twenty minutes later there is a very satisfying pot of corn/potato/fish chowder on the stove.

Two of our kids are on vacation together in a lovely warm place, enjoying a much-needed break.  Our other kid, the one with the baby, lives just a brief golf cart trip away and that baby comes to visit regularly. This baby is charming and cheerful and chubby and not challenging. Her parents are also lovely.

We feel that we have done all that we can to be ready for our brief absence from the ongoing work at the farm. Jon has pushed very hard to check things off his list, I have made many plans.  We are leaving everything in good working order and there are so many people to keep everything moving along.  I am not worried.

Right this minute there is a truck that is prepared to go to market tomorrow morning (it will be 18 degrees at 6 AM -- ugh) and the whole load is packed and waiting in the cooler.  Ordinarily this work would happen today, but we moved everything up by one whole day so we could have soup and lie on the couches. If that doesn't add to a general feeling of contentment, I don't know what does.

There are of course many things going on -- a terrible war in Ukraine with no end in sight, a bone marrow transplant in about a week -- and it feels like a gift to be allowed to feel cozy and comfortable and healthy and safe.

Stay well, everyone.