Well, no pondering on the porch today. Too cold and dreary. My pantry was bare, my fridge had no milk, my wallet had no grocery cash, so I did what any self respecting woman would do. Took my jars of pocket change to the coin machine at Wally World. Have not set foot in Wally World since late October due to my addiction to their grocery pick up service. And usually I shop once a month on Social Security day — pick up at Wally World then go to WM and shop for meat. This Wednesday is SS day but without bread and milk and more importantly, coffee creamer, we can’t make it.

The coin machine counted 48 dollars and 7 cents so off I went to fill my cart. A gallon of milk, some cheese, coffee creamer, and a loaf of bread later, I was checking out and broke again! Man, the prices of groceries these days. Could not believe the prices! I was in sticker shock! How on earth are young couples feeding their children. Maybe I need a cow and a flock of chickens! And a bigger garden this spring! Let’s add some goats for cheese, too.

Had a ray of sunshine and a rainbow appear this afternoon when I saw my handyman and handywoman at my ringing doorbell. She’s pretty! He’s cute too! She has such a genuine, sweet smile and he’s a great storyteller. I love them! The brought me a library of books to read and we sat in the lady den and laughed and swapped stories. The first time we met we had an instant rapport. They are Chief’s kind of folks. He’d love them and talk them to death if he was here. Stew and I talk them to death, too.

I had the doldrums before they came. Weekend days depress me specially when it’s bleak and cloudy outside. My mother-in-law always said Sundays were lonely. She missed her husband too. Saturdays and Sundays seem to pass slower and make for more reflection. Maybe that’s just a retirement issue. Weekdays pass quickly with their routines.

Funny how something as simple as finding a friend on your doorstep transforms the day. Was just thinking if you have friends you are never really alone. Friends support us and have our backs in good times and bad times. We share our intimate moments with those who know us best. When something unexpected or troubling happens close friends help us weather the storms.

A little kindness and understanding from a close friend with no judgement call can bring sunshine on a cloudy day. Webster’s dictionary defines a friend as someone who you know well and like, but who is not related to you. Disagree with the not related part. I consider my sister-in-laws and cousins my friends. I think cousins are our first buddies. The children in our family have great relationships with their cousins and rally around each other in a crisis. They even have a group chat where they text with each other.

I have friends of all ages. I consider two of my little day care students my friends. Hunter and Margaret Ann will always be special friends to me. Never watch a wildlife documentary that I don’t think of Hunter. Margaret Ann is sharp as a tack and will change the world one day. And I think our pets can be our friends, too!

Because of our friends, we laugh little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.