This week, I am thankful:
for flowers that I didn’t have to plant
Sometimes I choose to take a walk in the historic downtown area instead of on a wooded trail, and when I do, I always enjoy seeing the lovely flower-filled plants people put together.
I’m not much of a plant-person myself, but I’m glad other people are!
for the fun of looking in shop windows
When I do my downtown walks, I always like peeking in the windows of the little shops.
They’re starting to be filled with Christmas-y things now! Aren’t these little guys so cute?
This bear made me giggle because here he is from the front:
And his schnozz is SO big from the side!
that I am fast at writing
This BSN class would be even worse if I were not well-practiced at typing out my thoughts! Since I have been typing here for so long, though, I’m fairly quick at getting writing assignments done.
Of course, the school writing is way, way less fun than blogging. Here, I get to decide what I write about, I can be informal, I don’t have to follow fussy APA guidelines, and I make the rules about how long or short my posts are.
Writing with fewer rules = way more fun. 😉
that my friend “made” me take a break from homework
My friend Jena suggested that PERHAPS it would be a good idea to not spend every single second of my non-work days doing homework. Ha.
So, I took a break midday and met up with her for coffee, and I’m glad I did!
that I only have three more weeks of this class left
Week five finishes this weekend, and I already submitted all of my week five homework, so I’m counting it as done.
That means I just have to survive weeks six, seven, and eight, and then I’m FREEEEEEEEE.
that it’s kind of cold on my walks now
I know the fans of summer will never understand this, but I actually do like walking in the crisp, cold air, all bundled up.
To me, this is vastly preferable to a humid summer morning walk.
Amazingly, this honeysuckle has survived some very cold nights
for crunchy leaves to walk in
Even in these, my middle-aged years, I still dearly love walking through a good pile of crunchy leaves.
I will probably enjoy this as long as I’m alive, honestly!
that I never have a problem falling asleep
I know this is an issue that plagues many people, but for whatever reason, it is not a problem for me.
I am almost always so tired at night that I am asleep within 10 minutes of hitting my pillow.
How do I know?
Well, I have been trying to use a breathing/meditation app every night when I go to bed, since breathwork does have some proven health benefits.
A number of the little daily sessions are only 10 minutes, and I still sometimes fall asleep before they’re over.
I think I need to sit up while I do my breathing exercises. 😉
Regardless, the point remains: I fall asleep easily, and I appreciate that!
(Note: I know falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow can be a sign of a problem, but my thyroid is fine, my watch says my sleep score is good, and I experience almost no daytime sleepiness. I just conk out fast when I lay my head down at 9 pm. 😉 I’d blame my current anemia, but I’ve been a fast-to-fall-asleep person for quite some time.)
FJB
Thursday 20th of November 2025
Being a fast sleeper is something I'd very much like to work towards, though I'm not sure how I could do that. I didn't realize it could be a sign of a health issue when it occurs at normal bedtime.
1) I am grateful for the ying yang of my relationship. My spouse is a change the world, always has an excess of ideas-type. I, on the other hand, am the sit back and let the chaos burn itself out-type. They are both important, and I'm grateful that his "ideas" serve to pull me out of the house when I'd otherwise prefer to hole up. 2) My remote job. 3) That we've been able to save money and still enjoy experiences while living overseas. 4) Everyone involved in cultivating and logistics-ing my food to me, every meal. 5) This planet and the natural world, which is always plodding along, despite help or hindrance.
Ruth T
Thursday 20th of November 2025
This week I'm thankful: * that we had a dry day today! I was one of the chaperones on my son's third grade field trip to a nature center and it included a mile-hike plus some other outdoor activities. They made it clear when we scheduled it that we were doing it rain or shine! In this case, it was clouds. Yay! * that my work was willing to flex my work day so I could go on the field trip, even though they had an event today. * that my daughter is thriving so much in theater. I'm glad she's found something she loves! * for insight into my kiddo's personality this week. Also that she was able to take an aspect of her personality that can make relationships harder, and use it for good. I'm proud of her. * that my son is still so sweet. I know he's nearing the next developmental phase and that things may be different someday, so I'm soaking up this time right now.
Linda in Canada
Thursday 20th of November 2025
Hi Kristen, this is especially for you: I am just back from the hospital where I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I cannot put into words how kind, helpful, thoughtful and amazing all the staff were, from the nurses to the anaesthesiologist and other staff who were in the room who's roles I did not know. They went above and beyond in making me feel not anxious and explaining things as they went along.
The colonoscopy prep was not a good experience, my mouth is not ready for such vile stuff at 6:30am this morning; it was a challenge, though I did discover that if I drank the prep through a straw it was more manageable. (thankful for that).
My results are not too bad, I was expecting the worse. The doctor does not think that there is any cancer in the stomach or the bowels, but we have to wait for the pathology to come back. (feeling much relieved).
So, for today's procedures I am most thankful, and extremely grateful for all the hospital staff, including the volunteer who walked me through the self-serve registration.
Kristen
Thursday 20th of November 2025
Awww yay! I’m so glad everyone was so kind.
Lindsey
Thursday 20th of November 2025
I love my husband beyond all reasoning. However, there are nights when I am awake hour after hour, and he, like you has fallen asleep pretty much instantly. By hour 3 or 4 of listening to his gentle breathing, I have to restrain myself from punching him for being so blissfully asleep while I am lying right beside him miserable. I am so envious of him, and now you.
Anyway, I am thankful for: 1. Shorter days. This time of year I am sorry we no longer live in Utqiagvik, at the very top of the state. The sun went down there yesterday and will not rise again until mid January. I am not a big fan of sunlight and wish vampire life was really available. Not the sucking blood part, just the living in darkness part. 2. Persimmons, which have finally appeared here. I don't cook with them, so I have to wait until the ones for eating out of hand show up every November. 3. The friend who makes a delicious Caesar dressing and give me a repurposed wine bottle full of it every year as my Christmas gift. She delivers it before Thanksgiving so it is available for that meal. 4. oxygen machines. I am sorry that I resisted using one for so long because life is easier when you can breath without struggling. I have to say it does not seem fair that my father smoked for his entire adult life and I have never smoked, even dope, yet I am the one with the shredded lungs. Not that I would wish this on my father, but on days when I am feeling sorry for myself and want to wallow in the unfairness of life, this thought returns... 5. the husband, always the husband.
Blue Gate Farmgirl
Thursday 20th of November 2025
@Lindsey, You made me laugh so hard I snorted picturing you punching your hubby for blissfully sleeping. I am glad that you found relief with the oxygen. How are your magnesium levels? That may factor in to your insomnia. Wishing you well.
Kristen
Thursday 20th of November 2025
Haha, yep, you would definitely be wanting to punch me. ;)
I'm so glad the oxygen machine is helping but YES it is super unfair that your non-smoking lungs have to use one!
Jen
Thursday 20th of November 2025
@Lindsey, I know your pain of lying next to a sleeping husband. He can sleep through anything as well. I only hope that age will change things for me!
Carol
Thursday 20th of November 2025
I'm thankful for your flower photos. We're starting to get ice on the streams here in northern New England.
Like you, I am enjoying these crisp, cool days for walking. This will continue until the snow and ice fly.