Aguirre

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
If turnips were swords, I'd wear one by my side
If ifs and ands were pots and pans,
There'd be no need for tinkers' hands.
- Scottish proverb

Herself, Offspring the Second, Offspring the Third, Beloved Husband, and Cherished Friend spent much of yesterday in Aguirre Springs.  The scenery was excellent, with many interesting trees, unusual flowers here and there, and a plethora of lizards, one of which jumped promptly onto Offspring the Second's pants when he sat down for breakfast.  It was a tad hot; there was an unusually large number of other people; and bright, bright sunshine on the trail. Nevertheless, the hiking was pleasant. A few sandwiches, a bit of rock climbing, and a couple of minutes' rest reclining on the bench of the picnic table rounded out the afternoon nicely.

Herself was pleased when Beloved Husband took charge of the bacon and eggs for breakfast. She likes to cook for the Menfolk and to look after them, and is usually quite happy to have an opportunity to prepare food for them. She was tired, though, and nursing the remnants of the previous evening's migraine.  She was glad to have him take care of the meal.

Herself also found the hiking surprisingly strenuous.  She felt slow.  Her hip, which continues to be a bit difficult, did not handle the trail nearly as well as she would have liked it to do.  The heat of the day caused her to perspire far more than she normally does, as well as to need more rests and water than usual. While Beloved Husband and Offspring the Third managed to ascend the path quickly and were soon lost to sight, Herself lagged behind.  Offspring the Second and Cherished Friend kindly kept pace with her.  Their presence was motivating and reassuring, for she knew that if she struggled, they were there with her.

She felt a bit frustrated and cranky.  So difficult to want to do things and not to feel up to the challenge.  She wishes she were more patient, more energetic, more adept.  More capable. More agile -- physically and mentally. More disciplined. And while she's at it, she wouldn't mind being thinner, wittier, or smarter, either. She feels tremendously imperfect these days. She hopes that others are not as aware of her glaring failures and weaknesses as she is -- and that when they see her imperfections, they will understand and forgive her.

Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections. - Saint Francis De Sales