Thankful Thursday | SOME things are well
I was chatting with a reader on Instagram last month after she'd made a thankful list in the midst of personal hard times, and I said, "Yep! When you make a point of hunting for blessings, it does not mean you pretend that ALL is well. It's just that you purposely notice that SOME things are well."
It's not denial; it's an effort to see the whole spectrum of what is there.
And on that note, this week, I am thankful:
for peonies
I think peonies are among the most lovely flowers ever.
I do wish they lasted longer, but then again, if that were the case, maybe I would not appreciate them as much as I do.
for a free ironing board cover
Someone from church had an extra ironing board cover, so she dropped it by and it's working great on my Facebook Marketplace ironing board.
(the cover it came with was worn and had stains and rips in it.)
shady woods to walk in!
It was over 100 degrees here yesterday, so I am thankful for shade. Also, today the heat is breaking a little, so that's making me happy.
Hot days always make me thankful for air conditioning too. And cool showers.
that my dishwasher stopped leaking
One night when I ran it, water leaked onto the floor. I let my landlords know, of course, but it was gonna be a few days before they could get to it.
I decided to run it again one night while I watched it, so I could see where in the cycle the leaking started. But amazingly, it didn't leak. And I have run it multiple times since, with no leaks.
So, yay!
for my front window
My parents have a window like this, and my mom has always had it filled with plants. I've never had such a good spot for growing houseplants, so perhaps my black thumb will become slightly less black while I live here. 😉
for more neighborly kindness
I keep meeting more and more of my neighbors, and they keep doing more kind things, like inviting me to get-togethers, giving me open-ended offers of help, and last night, one of them brought me a loaf of fresh bread!
The people here are seriously making me rethink my neighbor game; I am going to do a better job of welcoming next time I'm the established neighbor and someone new moves in.
for a healthy body that can move
I walked over 105 miles in May (and 114 miles in April), and I am feeling so thankful to be able to do things like that.
that Zoe and I are making good driving progress
She's now to the point where she can drive on regular roads (not just neighborhoods and parking lots) and whenever my kids get to that point, it is SO much easier to get driving practice in, because they can just drive all the regular places we'd be going.
This is good news because Zoe and I got awfully behind on our driving hours because of, you know, life upheaval.
But we have 2.5 months until she's eligible to take the test, and I think at this rate we will get the hours done in time.
(relatedly, a reader asked how I teach my kids to drive, and I answered.)
that there is a Buy Nothing group here
At my original house, there was no Buy Nothing group available (I did check, of course!).
I joined the one in my parents' neighborhood while I lived there, and I thought it was awesome. So when I moved to my rental, I was delighted to see that there is a Buy Nothing group for this area. Yay!
You can only be in one Buy Nothing group at a time, so I unjoined the one in my parents' neighborhood and I am officially part of the local one here.
for time to read books for fun
You all had recommended so many good medical memoirs to read, and they've been sitting here taunting me all semester.
But now that school is out for the summer, I get to read whatever I want (basically: not my Anatomy and Physiology textbook. Ha.)
So, every night before I go to sleep, I hop into my bed and read a few chapters; right now, I'm reading Baby Catcher, which I am loving.
(Here's a list of all the medical memoirs I've read so far, with tiny reviews)
As a teacher, I am thankful for the fast approaching summer break!
I have read the first four books on your stack, also being a lover of medical memoirs and science in general. I just finished reading "Written in Bone" by Sue Black, who is a Scottish forensic anthropologist. It is a fascinating look at how the minute details in bones are used to help solve establish identity in murder victims and recovered skeletons.
Today I am thankful for my library membership, our new adopted kitty, my sweet family, the continued calm of my summer work assignment, and this beautiful almost summer day.
1. My new renters should be moving in soon and the renovation of my guest cottage is coming along quite well. It looks really nice, not trashed.
2. I found enough of the extra flooring for the cottage I stashed away 11 years ago to patch the areas where the former renters rotted out the subfloor. Leaving windows open, overflowing the bathroom.
3. My son brought me three big slabs of cheese from France. He knows the way to my heart is not chocolate but cheese.
4. I guess that's it for now!
Speaking of "some things are well," I wanted to share the words of Julian of Norwich, a mystic, anchorite, and the first known female English writer: "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well."
Used to help me a lot during my really bad periods after my divorce and my kids' problems.
@Rose, I like this.
@Rose, Louise Penny uses this quote through out one of the Inspector Gamache books, the most recent one maybe? I love it.
@Jenn, I love Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache mysteries! Such good reads!
1) That school is almost done! Today is the last day, and finals have been really challenging for my teens this year.
2) That today is my last day of work, ahead of a vacation.
3) That I have carpool friends! I seriously can't imagine parenting without them.
4) For a few pieces of gym equipment at my house. It makes getting in a workout so much easier.
5) For the flexibility to WFH has needed. I'm supposed to be in the office Tuesday-Thursday, but due to a surge in COVID numbers, and because my husband is traveling for work, I opted to WFH this week, and there's not problem whatsoever with that. It makes my life so much easier to have this flexibility.
Thankful that my husband drove me 9 hours - one way - for a bridal shower for my special nephew's fiancé. Even for a multiple day trip, 9 hours of driving one way is a lot for me. And there was a horrific accident on the way home, so I am glad there was another person driving. Prayers to that family.
Thankful to family that I got to spend time with this past weekend and meet some of my sister's co-workers. Now I understand why she likes to laugh with them. They were hysterical and made for an even better time.
Thankful that my nephew found such a wonderful girl who will fit in with our family so well. And that we all enjoy each other's company. Even our nephew's friends, who he has known since 2nd grade, are part of the family now too.
That we found a rail trail for bike riding relatively close to our new home that we can ride. There are no shoulders around here for bike riding on the roads, so I am glad there are a lot of rail trails. However, driving to them with the bikes does defeat the purpose a little. But I am glad I am getting out and riding.
Thankful for health of everyone I know. My daughter's family all had covid the past 2 weeks and are on the mend. Thankfully they were all vaccinated and it wasn't that bad.
1. Thankful for summer break. I am not in school but have a little one who is and it is nice to have a break from the rigorous schedule and have time to go swimming, garden, eat popsicles and do other fun summer things without having to fret over bath time, bedtime and homework.
2. Thankful that my garden seems to be doing well. My neighbor has bees in his backyard and they are pollinating all the plants in my yard - hooray! I am looking forward to a bountiful harvest and making plans for all the things I will use the veggies to make.
3. Thankful that I know young people that I can pay a bit too for help putting out tons of mulch and dirt in my yard. This is hard work and having some young folks to help out makes the task go much more quickly and gives them money to help pay for school. win-win.
4. Thankful for batch cooking. I know I say this a lot but when you have a list of tasks/projects to get done in your home it is such a blessing to be able to cook a large meal that provides leftovers for your family and enables you not to have to cook every day. Summer is great for this since we tend to eat a bit lighter in the evenings and salads & such are welcome main courses.
5. My chiropractor, good sleep, coffee & cool showers after long days of yard work and gardening. Life is good.
Happy Thursday!
1. That hubby's COVID test was negative. Yay!
2. Our neighbors. I'm sure yours are lovely, but ours are the best. 😉 We've been here almost 12 years and they were here when we moved in. They came over Saturday night for a game night and had me over to swim last night and sent home chicken soup for hubby.
3. That we have really good veterinarians. Half of our pets are seniors and are starting to experience significant health issues. I truly hate this part of having pets, but our wonderful vets and their amazing staff make it so much easier.
4. That I can work from home some and change my work-from-home days when needed. Our kitty has to go back to the vet today for bloodwork and I'm able to work from home, which makes it so much easier.
5. For a coworker who will call and give me important office news when I'm working from home.
@Danielle Zecher, I have a great veterinarian and staff as well. They were so thorough and caring of our last senior dog's issues and when we had to put her down, they were so supportive. He and the staff were excited to meet our new rescue dog 3 years ago, and have cared for her just as compassionately. I have threatened to kidnap him if we ever have to move away!
@Stephanie D, I'm so glad you have a rescue! Aren't great vets the best? It's never easy to put an animal down, but it helps when you trust the vet and know they care. The dog I had when I met my husband was very fear aggressive due to past abuse. I'd found one vet who she loved and when I moved to NC with my husband we just started making the hour-and-a-half drive to stay with that vet. It's not bad with a dog, and we were fortunate enough to find a great local vet for our cats.
Thankful for getting work hours again. After months of being off due to low census, it's good to do what I love again. Thankful my son is home for the summer and for his "can-I-help-you" attitude. Thankful that the school year is winding down and we can anticipate summer fun. Thankful the weather cooled off and the humidity has dropped. Thankful for my friend who enjoys many of the same activities that I do!
You do have some awesome new neighbors, Kristen!
Some things are well, that's true. Many things aren't well in a lot of ways, but some things are!
1. I'm thankful that the fierce storm that was very localized over my town didn't do all the damage promised, at least at my house. There were damaging winds, flooding rain and some hail, but my home and yard were spared the worst of the winds and missed the hail altogether.
2. I'm thankful for the little dance of joy my dog gives every weekday morning as I stuff her Kong with treats and give it to her before I leave for the day. It makes me feel better about having to leave her there alone.
3. Thinking back to yesterday's little things, I am thankful I opted to choose my late grandmother's little blue Fenton glass bowl when my siblings and I selected a few keepsakes from our late parents' house. It always reminds me of her kind, gentle presence in my younger life.
4. I'm thankful that we are starting the half of the year with holidays. We go from January 1 till Memorial Day with no holiday off from work. Starting now, after our Memorial Day off, we will have four more holidays in six months, and two of them are for a minimum of two days each.
5. I'm thankful for that quart of quality trim enamel I bought a few years back for some minor touch up work. I have repainted so much baseboard and trim plus three doors so far with it this year and it's not empty yet.
I fully second you on the peonies. I have a plant that came down in my family and originated with my great grandparents. It always blossoms (same colour as yours!) in May around my brother's birthday. Whenever I see the flowers from my kitchen window, I think of my parents and siblings.
This week is very hectic as I am going on a holiday. My gratitude is mainly focused on going to have time off, and spending that time with my husband.
Hoping for sunny days of course!
Now back to work-
@J NL, here's another vote to add to yours and Kristen's for peonies. There are none in our yard, but the former convent on our corner (now housing an educational nonprofit) has three large bushes. The person who mows that yard nicked one of the bushes a few days ago, and I rescued the fallen flowers and brought them home, where they are now perfuming the kitchen.
Oooh, what a good find! What color are these peonies?
My Mom would say peonies are a sign of a settled neighborhood. They might take a few years to settle in, but once there, they are there for good! A very grounded plant.
@A. Marie, Alaska peonies don't bloom until August, long after they have died off in other places. In the last decade northern Alaska has become the main supplier of peonies brides want for their late summer weddings, shipping them all over the lower 48. I have tried to grow them in our yard but don't seem to have the touch and end up buying them. How fabulous to have free rescue peonies!
@Heidi Louise, It's true. In my previous house, I had dozens of peonies which were planted by my neighbor's aunt in the 1920s.
I adore peonies. I fell in love with them when I briefly lived in Oregon, but now I'm back in the desert of So Cal. I have been nursing one along for a couple of years in a tiny bit of shade. About six inches high now. Has never had a bloom, but I live in hope.
These are blooms from a peony root I bought at Aldi many years ago; it took a lot of years before it actually produced any blooms. Mr. FG was out of town all last week, so when I stopped by the house to pick up some of my things, I cut off the blooms and brought them to my rental house. I figured someone might as well enjoy these beautiful blooms!
One day when I have a house of my own again, I will buy some peony plants.
@Kristen, the rescues from the ex-convent are pale pink. Heavily and heavenly scented. Also, one of the rescued branches had just buds, and now these are opening just as the full-blown flowers are starting to drop petals.
And here's a funny story about the ex-convent: It's right across the street from another big white ramshackle house, which until recently was occupied by a Jewish lady with a quick wit. (She died 2 years ago at age 96, with all flags flying.) One day, someone looking for the convent knocked on her door by mistake and asked, "Is this Our Lady of Solace?" Our quick-witted friend replied, "No, this is Our Lady of Tsuris."
@A. Marie, LOVE IT. I should call my house House of Tsuris.
@A. Marie, love it.
@A. Marie,
I love this story!
I am thankful that I received a surprise reimbursement check for overpaying home insurance.
I am thankful for a thoughtful birthday card.
I am thankful that my mother-in-law had gluten-free treats when we visited this weekend.
I am thankful that we were finally able to get our solar loan account activated and can start paying off the solar panels.
I am thankful for the pleasant weather. We have not yet been in the 100's.
Is The Psychopath Inside on your list of medical memoirs? Pretty fascinating.
I am very thankful the heat broke here today. I often get bad migraines on hot days (or so it seems) and when the rain moved in last night, my migraine cleared. Yay for no pain!
Thankful that we are really, finally, moved into our new place (and cleared out of the old place).
Thankful that my desk is right by a window where I can see a mama robin feeding her babies in a bush by the patio. We also have seen rabbits in our yard, cardinals, and a hawk came down and perched in one of our trees--it had a squirrel in one of its talons, which was kind of neat to see! The kids are loving seeing all the suburban wildlife.
Just a quick suggestion to make sure the filter on your dishwasher is clean. If not, it might clog up and stop the water from draining properly and cause the water to leak intermittently...
Hmm, I will have to see if I can figure out how to access this one. I knew all the ins and outs of the dishwasher at my other house, but this one is a new mystery to me!
@Kristen,
My last two dishwashers had them in the floor of the dishwasher, by the heating element. They either unscrewed or popped out.
Also, if the drain line is clogging, that can be detached at the plumbing end and sucked out with a shop vac.
Today I am thankful that the last school lunchbox of the year has been packed and the kids are off to school (it's the second to last day today)
Thankful that my family pitched in with the housework this last weekend. It was crazy busy for most of it so I went into Monday in catch up mode. I thought there would be no relax time and it wouldn't feel like a holiday at all. But then after seeing my to-do list, my girls wiped down all the sinks and my husband took care of our shower. That freed up enough time and mindspace for me to go on a bike ride later in the day
Thankful that my nephew is graduating high school today and that due to all of his hard work, he's on the path to a bright future. As valedictorian, he's giving a speech and I'm so thankful that he is who he is and for the future opportunities ahead of him. I love graduation season.
Thankful that the summer is upon us. It's my favorite season.
I guess I'm thankful that I'm aware of these seasons to appreciate them for what they bring and how they feel.
Thankful all my medical working relatives are safe and accounted for. So sorry for the families who are not. Thankful for the excellent response by all.
As I'm sitting here, well North of you, I am thankful that my peonies are starting to make buds. Our Miss Kim lilac put out some flowers, and I'm looking forward to an iris blooming soon.
If your window is sunny, ivy would be a good choice. It doesn't require much in the way of a green thumb. Just water it.
Do you know about the Overdrive app? I believe that most libraries subscribe to this digital book programs and millions of books are available to download. For free, so you never have to pay for another book. My library uses both Overdrive and Libby apps. I read on my ipad but you can also read on a kindle, other tablets, your phone or even a laptop. I haven't bought a single book in over 15 years and I read 1-2 books a week.
Yes, I have heard of it. Alas...I hate reading ebooks. I will when necessary, but I always choose a paper one if possible.
@Kristen, I used to really resist e books, but then I got a Kindle. It doesn't feel like reading on a computer screen; it looks like paper and is much easier on the eyes. I figured out how to get my Libby books onto my Kindle and I liked e books a lot more. I still buy books I want to study, but for just reading my murder mysteries and things like that, I use the Kindle.
I LOVE Baby Catcher! Also check out A Midwife’s Story by Penny Armstrong. I think you’d love that one, too!
I am thankful that the two-month vacation we have planned in Sacramento next winter just happens to coincide with the birth of my niece's baby. She has a toddler too, so my husband and I will be able to help her family in lots of ways. Yay!
What is the app you are using to track your walking miles? That’s quite an accomplishment!
Thankful for rain and cloudy days this week. We get a lot of sun and heat in the summer, so I’m glad to have some cooler days.
It's the Withings app, which goes with my Withings watch. 🙂
Kristin, my peonies are the same color! I am so grateful to see them, if only for a brief time, every Spring.
Thankful for the profession I'm in, and looking forward to the summer break so I can catch my breath.
Thankful for a wonderful family, we enjoy each other's company.
Thankful for the colleagues i work with, they are supportive and chatty and they "get me"
Thankful for my journal, I love writing everyday, spilling out little and big thoughts everyday. Sometimes I use a prompt to get going, other times it just spills out. Looking back at years and months gone by is really helpful when I feel stuck in my problems today.
Coffee
Karen
@Karen, I just started journaling, but haven't reached the point of writing everyday. I tend to write more when I'm feeling upset or vexed about something. Maybe it's better than venting onto my poor husband!
I've been having a rough go with a lot of things so here's some things that are well with me.
* That some manga I ordered months ago finally came in so I have some trash to read.
* That my vacation is fast approaching
* That I was able to spend a few hours with a friend of mine who was in the area visiting. First time I hung out with a friend since 2018 or 2019 (I forget which.)
* For my "new" laptop. I can now play games or watch a video without it turning into a space heater and shutting off. I guess 11 years is the maximum for a laptop.
Yay for friend time!! May there be more in your future!
Can I recommend three more medical books (which I also like to read)?
1) Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In the End by Atul Gawande (he has written several good books related to medicine)
2) Heart: A History by Sandeep Jauhar
3) Doctored: The Disillusionment of An American Physician by Sandeep Jauhar (very personal, but a good look at the current American medical system)
Thank you for sharing your life with us, the ups and downs, the joys and disappointments, the small things, the reminders to be thankful.
Ooh, I have read Being Mortal but not the other two!
I am Thankful for school being out for the summer so I can spend more time with my grandchildren and great grandchildren, for colleges to be open normal so they don't have to strugle with learning on line, loving my Peonies as well. Very thankful you are getting settled and getting a more pleasant routine and your girls are with you. Teaching driving will always keep you focused on something else. 🙂
Enjoy your summer!!!
Today, I am thankful for language and poetry and how they can describe and reveal the world. Specifically, because I am living in it this week, "What is so rare as a day in June?" by James Russell Lowell. I am old enough that beautiful summer days shouldn't surprise me any more, yet they do.
I would love to know more about the app tracking your steps. That is some impressive walking.
It's the app that goes with my Withings watch, an activity tracker!
So good to hear you are settling into your new neighbourhood.
I’m thankful that my first performance with my choir earlier today went so well. My BFF and I were so nervous beforehand but we needn’t have worried, it was exciting and exhilarating all at the same time. We ate lunch afterwards at a local vegan restaurant which was super tasty (I’m usually a carnivore).
I’m thankful that my eldest son is recovering well from ACL & meniscus surgery and his rehab is on track.
I’m thankful that my youngest son has decided he wants to study architecture at Uni and we are able to visit a couple of campuses in person in the next few weeks.
I’m thankful that my new job at the library (making me 4 job Joanne 🙂 🙂 ) is going well and the pay is good. I’ve managed to clear 2 small cc debts with my first pay check so that’s a big achievement.
I’m thankful that my parents and in-laws are able to come to us on Sunday for a celebratory Jubilee Afternoon Tea, it’s forecast rain which means we will be indoors but it’ll still be a good afternoon.
@Joanne in the U.K.,
Ooh, following the Jubilee fun, and how lovely a Jubilee Tea sounds. What will you serve?
@Erika JS,
I’m planning on serving:
cucumber sandwiches
Smoked salmon sandwiches
Devilled eggs I’m going to dye the yolks red & blue.
I shall make a Victoria sandwich cake as well as a trifle.
I shall serve Prosecco on arrival with a raspberry or two floating in it. Then a good old cup of tea later on.
@Joanne in the U.K., how clever of you to make your deviled eggs red, white and blue.
Americans, take note, a great idea for the 4th of July next month.
Thankful:
1. That I finally got the entire garden in. (Sometimes I think it is idiotic to spend so much time and energy for three months of summer weather. And, really, we can't plant outdoors until June 1 due to frosts, things look good and start producing in July, and then in August colors start fading and sometimes we have frosts by the third week of that month.)
2. That I opened a box that somehow has followed us for 20 years without us ever opening it. Inside were 12 brand new t-shirts for the husband, who had just been saying he needed to buy some new ones to get him through the summer. We ordered them when we lived in one of the remote northern villages, but they arrived as we were moving back to Fairbanks, so we just taped the box back up and somehow it ended up in the crawl space of this house for the last 10 years.
3. That the husband is so good at fixing things. I complain about something and next thing I know, it is fixed like magic. This week the hose, the screen door the spring winds ripped off the greenhouse, and a broken window in the garage, all were repaired and only the windowpane cost us any money because the rest of the repairs used things he'd saved from other projects.
4. That someone who has done work for us before is available to replace our roof. He is efficient, competent and charges a fair price.
5. That there are people who step up to help store employees who are being targeted by angry patrons. This week I was at the grocery store when someone started screaming at the produce guy for the lack of corn on the cob, if you can believe that. Moments after it started two guys intervened and made it clear it was not acceptable. It would have been easy for them to turn away and leave the employee to be bullied. It also made me a little sad because years ago, when I was young and fit, I had times when I inserted myself into situations like that. Now I am decrepit and often in a wheelchair so I have become more fearful about having my clock cleaned if I intervene. When you are 25 and over six feet tall and pretty athletic, you are not afraid. I miss those days.
Your #3: that's how my dad is!
And your #5: I do not understand why people basically "shoot the messenger" at stores. Like...it is not the produce guy's fault that there's no corn. GEEZ.
@Lindsey, as a 73 year old woman, I don't take on third parties who are in a rage, BUT I always make a point of saying in a low voice to the clerk, "That guy was such a jerk." I want them to know I'm on their side.
It is sooooo hard to serve people all day long. And not just in stores. I worked in medical offices for ten years and when people didn't get what they wanted, or get it fast enough, they sometimes complained to your boss. I finally threw in the towel, couldn't take it any more.
I'm thankful that I was hired as a seasonal worker in my local state park. Working outside is amazing! I'm thankful the hot weather broke very quickly.
I'm thankful for all the lovely wild things blooming in the trail that I walk into work on each morning.
I'm extremely thankful that my family and I all recovered from covid quickly and fully.
I'm thankful that my daughters wisdom teeth were extracted pretty easily and her insurance covered almost all of the expense for her.
Hi Kristen!
I love peonies too! We have some in my garden here in Michigan, just about to open up. When I was little my mom would never let us bring them inside, full of ants, but now I'm the grownup..... 🙂
Just a thought about the dishwasher, it could be that there was a little plug in the hose. My plumber told me to run ours every couple of weeks to keep it clear. Maybe your's hadn't been run for awhile? Just a thought.
Take care,
Donna
I read that Quackery book. Really enjoyed it!
1. I'm thankful for my healthcare providers! My primary care provider is a Nurse Practitioner, and is sooo receptive to my input and questions. AND she just transferred to another practice within the system which is closer to me geographically and the physician she works under is a firm believer in plant-based diets.
I saw my endocrinologist last week and although she is not familiar with the diet I am on, she was very excited about the changes in my labs, supported my decisions to decrease some of my meds ("exactly what I would have done" she said) and congratulated me no less than 5 times on the changes.
Yesterday, I had my scheduled skin check (had a skin cancer removed 8 months ago), and the dermatology PA found a pre-cancerous spot near my scar and froze it with liquid nitrogen. Nipped it in the bud!
2. I am also grateful for my new church. It has been over 20 years and 2 states ago since I have belonged to a church, but God has been working on me, and I felt the need to search for a church family. I have been visiting this one church for 5 weeks now, and I fully believe this is the one for me. I feel so at home there, the pastor's sermons are Bible-based, and the people are so friendly. I am ready to be involved.
3. Thankful for a neighborhood I can walk in. I live in a decently large subdivision, and there are lots of lovely yards to watch change with the seasons, some inclines, lots of other dog-walkers and families who walk, and drivers who not only give us a wide berth, but always wave as they pass us. I can feel safe when my granddaughter visits and rides her scooter while I'm walking the dog.
I really need this exercise today. So let's see, today I am thankful for:
-My sweet kitty. I am so grateful for all my critters but today I am particularly thankful for the cat. He sleeps on my chest while I read and is just the perfect weight to help calm me.
-Speaking of reading, I am thankful for literature. Reading is one of the main things that keeps me sane. I'm always amazed when I look up only to realize 4 hours have passed and suddenly I've almost finished a book. It is my most welcome distraction.
-In the same vein, I'm thankful for the library. I go about twice a week to swap books and it's such a joy. I've also taken to listening to Harry Potter on audiobook as I get ready for bed nightly and that is a new kind of enjoyment for me.
-Garden time. All my seeds and starts are in the ground (that's not quite true, there is a cucumber plant on my counter and some asparagus starts in a bowl, but we WILL get there). I cannot wait to really begin harvesting garden produce. The lettuce is almost ready, there are flowers on the strawberry and raspberry plants so definitely looking forward to that.
-Peach season! I don't have fresh peaches yet but peach tea is biding my time.
-Jumping on the awesome neighbors bandwagon. I just love my neighbors. They are so kind and caring towards me and my animals. I was nervous when I moved in as I have two rather large and intimidating looking dogs (a pittie and a doberman) but I noticed that they also have two pitties and to say I was excited is an understatement. I was SO relieved. And on top of that they have turned into wonderful friends. We have dinners together, talk about our gardens, share pet and plant care as needed, and on and on. I am thankful for them every single day.
Excellent list! Little Matches is an incredible memoir. Hope you're able to get to it soon!
Yes! That one is on my completed list. 🙂
I am thankful for new friends here at a new condo.
Do you use your DSLR much anymore or just your iphone?
A combo! In fact, the photos in this post are about a 50/50 combo of the two.
Today, I was able to attend my best friend's father's funeral. After living away from my hometown ever since I graduated from HS, it is so nice to be here for the people I love. The Pastor also spoke about her father's military service and how proud he was to be a Veteran and an American, and this is something that I am profoundly thankful for also.
Rain--we have had a little bit. I had planted some seedlings last weekend and was watering each one by hand.
Monday Morning walking group. There are about 16 people on the email list and 5 of us walk. I have no idea why, but the 5 of us have enjoyed some great walks.
Library networks. Because I was replacing a book that I had damaged, we had to go to one of the libraries. They have a wonderful children's room. After I did my business, I took my grandson to the children's room and he enjoyed himself. We'll be going back. Nearby are walking trails; and with the children's room, it will be a day of entertainment.
Today we went to another park. Children just join together and play.
I found Five Days at Memorial just gripping. Heard about “Maladies of Empire” on the This Podcast Will Kill You podcast and it sounds really interesting.
Just to let you know, if you cut peonies before they open fully, then roll in newspaper and refrigerate, they can be saved for later.
Every time I see peonies they have ants all in the petals-how do you get the ant free ones? I’m grateful for medicine, friendly parents on my son’s baseball team and the fact my school has electric locks and a portico as do my sons’ schools.
I am thankful to be back in my own house, after spending six months in South Louisiana being the caregiver for my mother-in-law. (She was 96 yrs old and passed away in April)
I am thankful that I was able to help provide her care, along with hospice caregivers.
I am thankful for good health and being able to walk six miles every morning.
Number one of thankfulness this week is handing in my thesis! And I'm so thankful for all my family and friends who supported me with it.
2) My friend is coming to stay and celebrate this weekend
3) I did well on a practice Danish exam
4) That people were able to lend me some things I need so that I didn't have to buy them
5) This is a small one, but My So-Called Life, which is one of my favourite shows, came onto a streaming service and I can watch it again!
Thankful for our beautiful weather this last week. Several hot days and I needed them.
For our awesome neighbors too.
For my vet.
For my co-workers who are really funny and fun.
For a flexible work schedule.
Regarding seeing the whole spectrum of what is there during hard times:
Prelude to Spring
When I consider how this frozen field
Will hold within its harrowed breast
A seed which shall in time
Yield bread for hungering mouths
I am at peace
Earth has her need of rain,
And I of tears.
-Pauli Murray
I love this!
@Tarynkay, This is beautiful!
* My 12 years old DD is struggling with mental health issues lately and has been hospitalized for the past week. I’m grateful that she is where she can get help
* My MIL is bringing food, my friend-neighboor is babysitting my youngest, friends are offering their help and support, school staff is supportive. We are well surrounded.
*My gym routine, which contributes to keeping me sane
* the free calories counting app Lose it! I registered yesterday and it’s really well done. I have what I’m looking for with the free version.
* for the perfect temperature today: sunny and windy, not hot but warm enough to wear a summer dress
- I've also been enjoying walks lately and am thankful for the health and energy to do so.
- For flowers. I'm thankful God chose to make them beautiful and in such a huge variety!
- For color. I love big bright happy colors!
- My kids are going to camp next week. I'm nervous, but so thankful they get this opportunity.
- For our house.
- For the book Évidence Not Seen that I'm currently reading.
- For encouraging Scripture, like Psalm 16
I recommend the book "Walk on Water" about pediatric heart surgery
Two weeks ago I used the "Quackery" book as a reference in my history paper I wrote for a class on how the original coca cola had cocaine (I believe this is common knowledge) but what I talked about was the fact that despite the presence of cocaine the drink was connected to the temperance movement as an alternative drink to have over alcohol. Interesting read! I love the Quackery book.