A list:

Seeing more livestock than people in your average day

Baby plants and garlic bulbs in the now frozen ground, burrowed in for their long winter’s rest

noticing distinct lines in the seasons from hot, dry summer to windy, colorful fall, to snow covered mountains anticipating an ever darkening winter.

watching and syncing to the moon and sun cycles, knowing which stars to look for as seasons pass from one to the next

A deep appreciation, for all of these things that I neglected to notice living in the city

Daily and weekly rhythms, caregiving and kid activities that attempt to ground me

A dog that relentlessly pushes me to walk at least 5 miles a day, for her health as much as my own

Three little kitties that follow us around the yard with their little mew mews and their playful spirits, their tiny paw prints in the snow

A neighborhood bald eagle perched in one of our old trees, as well as two hooting owls in the next

A lingering Quiet and being comfortable being with myself, this must be peace

Cooking nourishing food nearly every night of the week, the removal of convenience replaced with hearty preparedness, knowing that there will always be more than enough

That feeling of coming home, whether from a day spent errand running in the city or from the long sense of drifting we experienced before landing in this place, we are here, right where we are meant to be, in this moment and with these people. And that is contentedness.