Husband Paul and I have been together a long time…into our fourth decade. He likes to keep a low profile and although I mention him from time to time here in blogging-land, he’s not one for limelight or recognition. He’s a man of quiet talents. My Mr. Fix-it who detours into his thoughts – solving problems of all sorts. Like a good engineer, he sees the world in dimensions. All the angles. Left to my own devices, I’d be a card-carrying member of the flat earth society.
Thank goodness our grown daughter, Delaney, inherited her dad’s capacity for understanding how things work. She’s got the knack…and it’s all Paul…a million percent Paul.
Delaney popped over to say hello and have breakfast yesterday, drawn in by the allure of her dad’s epic croissant creation – scrambled eggs, cheese, peppers and onions. Oh – and bacon.
As my two favorite people on the planet noshed, I tinkered in the kitchen – attempting a new recipe for a “high protein cake” (doesn’t that sound improbable?) using cottage cheese. All was well until I tussled with the new hand mixer. For the life of me, I couldn’t get the beaters into their sockets. Grateful that I had two helpers on hand, I gave the mixer and contentious beaters to Delaney and two seconds later I was back in business.
Paul smiled. He didn’t need to say why. The look he gave our girl was all love and admiration for her fix-it skills. A moment of paternal joy.
Which reminded me of a recent win this week. Stick with me. I want you to hear this…
Paul built a planter – specifically to attract hummingbirds and proudly placed his new, five-foot long creation on the deck railing. In the most awkward place possible. Not equidistant from two other planters; not balanced – visually – with the planters below. It looked out of place, and I frowned as soon as I saw it. Not because of poor craftmanship (it’s lovely) but its location.
I felt Paul’s grimace when I moved the planter to a more visually pleasing spot – closer to other hummingbird-attracting blooms. I expected to hear him mutter that his location was better, but instead, when I turned around, he was ten feet away. Assessing my alternative as if he was a patron at an art museum. Contemplating, as he stroked his chin.
I jumped into sell-it mode: “See? It looks GOOD here – better for the hummingbirds, too!”
My man of few words smiled and said:
“I really hate it when you’re right. But when you are, you are.”
I chuckled and made my way inside and left him to continue his deck-scaping. No hummingbirds yet, but I suspect I’ll find him watching and waiting and he might be thinking about me…and the fact that we’re still grinning after all these years. Made complete by our sweet daughter who carries so many of her dad’s skills within her.
Little moments…big smiles.
-Vicki 😊
Lagniappe? A little more? This is a favorite about my dynamic duo, Paul and Delaney:
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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