Thankful Thursday | a lifeline
I was emailing with a reader yesterday about thankfulness in the midst of hard times (she's facing some challenges of her own), so I was thinking again about how important gratefulness has been to me in tough times.
When life is going smoothly, gratefulness is sort of the icing on the cake (like in the form of really noticing the awesome.)
But when life is hard, gratitude is my lifeline. When things feel like they are crashing down around me, that's when a gratefulness hunt is the most life-changing; a reminder that there is still good around me, even if I have to look a little harder.
This week, I am thankful:
for a midweek, midday hike in the woods with my sister-in-law
You know the sister-in-law that rescues things from the abandoned house with me?
She and my brother live in my parents' neighborhood, so on a day that she was working from home, we met up for a lunchtime walk on the trails in the woods here.
I love walking on the trails, and I love my sister-in-law. So, win-win. 🙂
for ferns
I already told you guys that I am kind of obsessed with all the mosses by these trails, but this week I have been loving the ferns.
I think they're beautiful all curled up:
and they're also beautiful when they've uncurled themselves.
for a good grade on my last exam
I think I only got one wrong (I'll find out for sure at class today when I get to see my actual test) so I'm pretty happy about that.
I'm guessing I got dinged for possibly spelling "teniae coli" wrong. Words with tons of vowels are a little hard to remember!
for all the free furniture I got
I mentioned this on Tuesday, of course, but I'm including it here too.
What a nice blessing that this house my brother bought has some things that I can use.
that my dad has room to store the furniture
My dad has two stand-alone garages here, with plenty of room for my furniture, and plenty of room for me to work on rehabbing it.
And of course he has sanders and plenty of stain; I just will need to go get some paint.
for kind people who are helping me
Sometimes I listen to stories of women who find themselves in my position, and I realize just how blessed I am to have people around me to support me.
Some women are almost all alone, and I am SO not alone.
This is a reminder to me: one day, when I have moved through this phase of life, I should keep an eye out for opportunities to help women who are alone.
for an upcoming pair of glasses
Most of the time I wear contacts, unless my eyes are irritated. But I do wear glasses some of the time (not when I have to wear a mask! Glasses + a mask = a special kind of foggy torture.)
I have slowly been noticing that I am not seeing well out of my glasses, so I went in for a check. And sure enough, my eyes have gotten a little worse since my last checkup (less than a year ago!)
So, I have a new pair of glasses on order, and I am so excited at the prospect of better vision.
for spring weather
It's been a bit chilly over night (33 degrees when I woke up yesterday!) but here's the nice thing about spring days: a cold start can quickly turn into a pleasant day.
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. I was on the Best of Both Worlds podcast with Laura Vanderkam and Sarah Hart-Unger this week! Click here to listen (or you can find it on whatever podcast player you use.)
I'm thankful I am part time so that I have a bit more time in my day for other things like my kids, grocery shopping at less crowded times and sleeping in.
@Becca, I have always worked part-time. I consider it a luxury. I was always home when my kids got home from school, yet earned enough money to feel like I was contributing to family finances.
@SandyH, As a nurse I always have worked PT. I worked enough for benefits. Then I would schedule another day if I wanted to.
Hi Kristen, I've been wanting to send you a pm but since I am not on social media I can't. So here is the abbreviated message, that I am thinking of you and your family a lot and wish you all support and love and courage and confidence while you are exploring the options for your life ahead.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the post from lawyer K and the FFT this week. Thank you also for the pork tinga recipe, I may give it a try! Your granola recipe is shared around here, accompanied by the recommendation to visit your blog. I really like that our eldest son' s friends are interested in the recipe as well!
This week I am grateful that we got to meet my brother and his fiance over Easter as we had not met face to face for nearly a year. Covid, etc. We were able to catch up while sitting in our sunny garden, because the weather was just perfect.
I am grateful for a small but very practical kitchen. It strikes me as odd that people spend less and less time cooking, when most likely our kitchens have never been better equipped before (running water! reliable ovens! kitchen utensils galore!). Of all the recurring household chores I like cooking best and I have made it my firm resolution to cook our own meals for as long as I can. I am grateful that my efforts are appreciated by my family and that I can find joy in a task which is in a way a necessity.
I am grateful too for a promotion I got this week. I've doing the job for several years already but I still feel rewarded that I am now getting the job level and the pay rise.
Warm regards! J NL
@J NL, I agree about Kristen’s recipes. I have made the clam chowder several times, mostly for company who have really enjoyed it.
@J NL, I'm so glad that I am not alone in my appreciation of my small kitchen. My kids are all grown and own their own homes. The child with the most massive, expensively outfitted kitchen...does not cook. I grew up appreciating the homemade food of my great aunt who did most of her meal preparation in her pantry.
@cc, Me too. Some of them have become firm family favorites, such as the red sauce chicken enchiladas. I make mine very spicy, though.
@J NL, I agree about modern kitchens. You can also likely cook in your kitchen without breaking a sweat, which is another modern marvel too.
Ah, and I forgot to and specifically wanted to say a thank you to you people who recommended "Being Mortal". It is such a thoughtful read and it has made me more appreciative of some remarks by my dear MIL. It has also opened up worthwhile discussions with my brother when he was visiting, about our late mother and about a sibling with mental health issues.
@J NL, Thanks for pointing this out about the kitchen. It made me realize how thankful I am to have a kitchen with working appliances and tools so I can nourish my family so easily.
@Lauren L., my mother often comments about how her mother used to can vegetables from their garden every summer, in an un-air conditioned house, in Houston, Texas. Those women were strong, let me tell you. If our a/c ever goes out, I turn into a whimpering mess, consider a hotel room, willing to offer any and all bribes to whatever repair person can get here fastest.
@SandyH, my family is near the Houston area too. I agree with you on those women being tough! Life was so hard back then. My grandparents are still alive and how they appreciate modern conveniences has really impacted me. They all grew up having so little and I have grown up with such an abundance in comparison. It is really humbling to think about the sacrifices they made.
My mastiff who turned 11, which is kind of old for that breed. He is the sweetest dog who likes to lay wherever we are, even if it’s hard for him to get up. Which is an inspiration because sometimes I’m feeling very old and don’t want to do anything. We just have to keep going.
For the internet where I can find examples of projects I would like to do. Recipes I want to try. Encouragement and understanding. All this and more without leaving home.
Wiggle room in my budget even when everything is priced higher.
Right now I’m enjoying the open windows and the fans.
These lists are so easy in the spring:
--Rhubarb
--Asparagus
--Daffodils
--Tulips
--Potatoes
I could go on, but those were the things I was most excited to see. Yay, spring!
@kristin @ going country,
I grew in the midwest and loved seeing tulips and daffodils. I have lived in Los Angeles for 30 years and really miss them. They don't seem to grow here. I love your list!
@kristin @ going country,
My asparagus peeked their heads out today for the first time!! Eeeeeek! I'm so excited!!
I was very glad when you said "when I have moved through this phase of life, I should keep an eye out for opportunities to help women who are alone."
Yes. Women (and humans in general) are stronger together. They will benefit. You will benefit.
I hope that there will be someone like you around me as I age. It will be a blessing.
@Kim S.,
Kindness and love make the world a better place.
1. I did something not-good to my lower back while I was cleaning out my closet yesterday, and while I'm not happy about that, I am so thankful to have older kids who are willing and able to step in and keep things going when I need to just rest on the couch.
2. I have a lot of stuff wrapping up this week. It's my last week leading women's Bible study (three of us take turns), my last week teaching Sunday school, and the last week of classes for the course I adjunct. I enjoy all these things but also enjoy a summer break from them!
3. We now have (at least) two bunnies, a groundhog, and an endless number of adorable birds who have made their home in our yard.
4. Chewy Earl Grey Sugar Cookies. Going to make a batch today to bring to some friends who recently move into our neighborhood. And then another batch for a women's ministry event on Monday. And one for my neighbors when they get back from their Passover trip to NYC. And at least one for my family. I brought these cookies to an event a few months ago and they amazing and the most-requested thing I make: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022535-chewy-earl-grey-sugar-cookies
@Lori, Earl Grey sugar cookies? I'm in (and I hope you're paging Captain Picard)!
@A. Marie, Earl Grey always makes me think of Captain Picard!
I enjoyed listening to you on the podcast! I am thankful for healthy children, for beautiful weather where I am, for our well-stocked public library, where I recently discovered a (prolific) author that I look forward to reading more of, and for wonderful fellowship at our church.
Loved your post today!! Praying for you and your family!
Let’s see…..thankful for my family. Always❤️. Thankful for our move last year to the south and near the ocean. It’s been a dream for a long time….and walking by the water and taking a dip even in April is lovely! Thankful for life, to be able to live it in all its forms.
Love the fiddle ferns in spring and the blue of the sky against the backdrop of the bare trees.
Monday we went for our usual walk in a new locationthat is local but really unadvertised. I coordinate the walks. I had no idea what the walk would be like. It started out well but as we walked along we found a lot of water and mud. But it was so pretty along the pond. It got muddier and muddier. Then my daughter asked if someone would be home at 10:45 to be with the kids because she had an appt. I thought no problem, I am only about 5 miles away. We tried to take a shortcut to avoid more mud. It didn't work, we came upon a small pond, then we had to make our own bridge across a stream, we had to fight man-eating brambles and briers, and had to cross over a downed tree over another stream. Then age came up--our ages are 69, 72, 75 and here we are climbing through the woods.
We have decided our kit is going to include bramble cutters, protective eyewear, bug spray for the upcoming season and I need to remember the binoculars. There were 10 swans at a distance in the pond. There was some beautiful moss and tiny little flowers blooming.
We track our walking. Monday we did a mile an hour--not our best time; but it was a good time with my walking friends
All in all, I am thankful for my walking friends, who enjoy an adventure.
It is an especially wonderful post today.
I'm thankful for some nice spring days. Yesterday was picture perfect. There are so many flowering bulbs, trees, and shrubs and the green of spring is beautiful.
I'm thankful that while food prices are rising there are no major shortages and we are able to afford to buy healthy food.
I'm thankful that DH took tomorrow off, our wedding anniversary, and we will take a day trip to vet our summer vacation location.
I'm thankful for family and friends. A good, but very busy, friend had time to get together for lunch on Monday. It was good to catch up in person.
I'm thankful for this weekly exercise.
I love that picture of the two of you. 🙂
I spent a chunk of the night up with a sick kiddo, so this morning I'm thankful:
* That my husband got my oldest child up and was able to take her to school today.
* For an L-shaped couch that my sickie and I could both sleep on easily.
* That we weren't up ALL night long. It gives me hope that it'll be a quick bug for her.
* That if she had to get sick, it fell on the perfect day. We didn't have to cancel any appointments or meetings or miss Bible study or Awana. I'm missing my exercise class but I already knew that my friend wouldn't be there today. My two littles and I can just rest at home.
Kristen, thanks for sharing the link to your interview! I really enjoyed listening to it.
1. All the beautiful blooming plants and trees!
2. Long walks with my dog-enjoying it while the weather is still relatively cool. Apparently, pugs cannot handle humid weather, or very hot weather, or even super cold weather. Or maybe it's just our spoiled dog?
3. For a husband who enjoys similar hobbies (exercising, hiking, gardening).
4. That three members of my extended family have started attending church (and bonus, they are attending church with us!).
5. That I get to start packing for an upcoming trip (which I typically loath, but I am beyond blessed to be able to take a vacation).
@sarah, any brachycephalic breed--pugs, bulldogs, boxers--can't tolerate too much cold or too much heat.
1. I am grateful that we had a household fund to cover the all new pipes that have to be installed in our home (on Monday). Pricey but necessary.
2. I am grateful for the warmer days this week.
3. I am grateful that Kristen has a large group around her for support.
4. I am grateful that my dh’s new remote job is a great fit for him.
5. I am grateful for simple decisions.
You can eat the fiddlehead ferns, you know! Saute them in butter with a little lemon juice and garlic.
This week I am grateful for kind people helping me.
I am grateful to my brother for treating us to Easter brunch, which turned out to be long, expensive and boozy. My mother was so happy. Planning to repeat for Mother's Day.
I am thankful my long rental nightmare is almost over.
@Rose, I was going to mention this about the ferns, too! They don’t grow where we live and I’ve always wanted to try them.
My thankful things tend to be the same, mostly, week to week. Always at the top of my list are my home, health, kids, and job. But this week also:
That the sprinkler system is fixed and my yard can start improving
That I got my taxes done with a huge to me refund, in part because I am a widow... Whomp whomp.
That I have a daughter who feeds my dinner on Wednesdays and listens to me rant.
That I have friends who I can text and they usually respond kindly.
For my little 5 cup coffee maker - a solid win every morning.
These thankful items keep me going.
I am so grateful for your blog. And today I am especially grateful for your appreciation for and photos of ferns. I am teaching my 4th graders today about the lifecycle of ferns. Last week the kids discovered ferns at our meeting place and many had fiddleheads. Such joy!
Wasn't it nice of your brother to bring you a new dear friend?!
1. I'm thankful for a lovely Easter service on Sunday, sitting with much of my family and enjoying a nice visit with my husband after the service. And I know, because senior care staff at any facility he's been in tell me, that the sight of our four youngest grandkids pattering down the halls was welcome to many of the residents there. They see children so rarely in senior facilities. It makes me doubly glad the kids are no longer barred due to Covid, (they are still masked).
2. I'm thankful that the brightly colored snake on our walkway was a harmless king snake, not a venomous coral snake, with which they are often confused.
3. I'm thankful I can start eating solid, if soft, foods again. A liquid diet gets dull, fast. I am hopeful the gastro issue will be completely resolved by this weekend.
4. I'm thankful that the family farm where I used to get purely grass-fed organic beef is now delivering to the town where I work. I had quit buying there because I had to make a long drive to pick up the cuts. Their prices, which aren't cheap, have not jumped nearly as much as those in the store, so the store prices for pastured or partially to fully grass fed beef aren't any better than the farm prices now, except for the rare sales.
5. I'm thankful that the newest native honeysuckle I planted is taking hold and starting a new flush of blooms. Although they are there for the hummingbirds, I have always liked honeysuckle vines. Did anyone else learn as a kid to pluck a bloom, pinch off the calyx and get the drop of nectar out of them?
@JD, Yes, what a memory you brought back!
Yes. I seriously appreciate his wife-picking abilities. 😉
@JD, yes. Honeysuckle, yellow and white, grows wild here but I've planted pink and white in my garden too. I love June because my town smells like wild roses, honeysuckle, and seaspray.
@JD, I know what you mean about the benefits of child visitors in senior facilities. Same goes for friendly dogs. Some day when the COVID dust settles (if it ever does!), I'd like to get the adorable Australian Shepherd I still walk twice a week for one set of neighbors into DH's ward, with the neighbors' cooperation. They're already on board with the idea.
And I hope your GI issues are resolved soon. Once I get this dental implant I'm going to need under way, I may be spending some un-fun time on a soft diet myself.
@A. Marie,
A caseworker told me a local hospital works with a therapy dog group, so I called the hospital - a dog (and his person) is going to go visit my husband tomorrow or this weekend for free. You might ask around about that.
1. All of the beautiful wildflowers that are blooming! The bluebonnets are about finished but the Indian Paintbrushes are so vibrant right now.
2. For my Bible study groups. Getting together with these people is the best part of the week and I love learning with them.
3. Our new home is coming along. The outside is being painted this week and we are so happy with the colors!
4. For my hubby who works so hard, even when his job is tough. He is constantly looking ahead and is so creative. I just love him!
5. For my parents and grandparents who taught me frugality from a young age.
Thankful that I continue to test negative for COVID, and that DH is "tired and sleeping a lot," but apparently otherwise asymptomatic.
Thankful for the in-house friend at the senior complex who's been able to find out a bit more about DH than I have, and will keep me informed (since neither of us knows yet when his ward will reopen for visitation).
Thankful as always for the Bestest Neighbors. I broke my self-imposed quarantine yesterday by using Dr. BN's ticket (he couldn't go) to accompany Ms. BN to a matinee at our local professional theatre. (Masks were required for entry, or we wouldn't have gone.)
Thankful as always for my other neighbors. I have no family nearby (my three siblings all live in distant states and all have their own problems), but the neighbors keep me from feeling that I am alone--which, as Kristen notes, is important.
@A. Marie,
That's great that your husband is basically asymptomatic, and great that you have an in-house person to help you keep up with him when you can't!
Yes! Having other people around is so, so important. I'm really glad you have great neighbors.
Thankful that our move went smoothly except for a few small issues. But we are here and so is our stuff (and me noticing after moving all that stuff that I have too much!) We are very blessed to be together and closer to family.
Thankful that my husband is finally worried about money since he is not working and I am the sole bread winner (only took 39-1/2 years!). He will be looking for a job, but right now, he is organizing the house and his shed. A huge help since I am working. He starts SS in September, and we have enough saved, but we like to spend. Have to keep our hands out of the bank!
Thankful that town is 20 min away in any direction, so the food choices are costly. Have to remember that we have plenty at home and to plan ahead. Going to work on that so we can make sure we plan dinner and shop accordingly. Gas is too expensive to be going out to dinner!
Thankful for really nice people where we moved to. Makes it comforting to know that. And they are all more than happy to help anyone, which is nice.
Thankful that we can hear the birds sing in the AM when the sun rises and hear the neighbor's chickens also. Thankful to see the spring blooms in the area. Makes for a good feeling living in the country. We both definitely missed it as there is no spring in Florida.
Thankful to Kristen to remind everyone that we should see the good even at the most difficult of times. Sometimes we all need a reminder. And it is hard to find it when you feel at your worst, but it is there. Thanks Kristen!
@Maureen, I married a man who is frugally challenged. We manage to balance each other.
What part of Florida are you in? I know it must be a huge adjustment.
Spring is subtle in Northeast Florida, but it comes. The azaleas bloom, the trees are a beautiful shade of green, the air is light, the birds differ, the ocean is quieter.
@Maureen and @Bee, my DH too was frugally challenged at the beginning. (When people ask if we ever argued, my answer is "Not very often--and then it was usually about either money or crunchy versus creamy peanut butter.") But like your DHs, he came around in time. And as it usually does, setting an example worked a lot better than having arguments.
@Bee, South Florida in Palm Beach County. We were there for 8 years. Originally from all over NY with the longest time in the Capital District. So we were not used to no spring or fall and are welcoming it back. Vegetation is way different in South Florida, that's for sure.
I think I would really miss having the change of seasons! Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we get about three months of each season (maybe a little less of spring and fall), so the weather never feels too much the same to me.
@Maureen,
Yes, it is much more tropical in Palm Beach County. You know it’s winter when the iguanas fall from the trees. My sister moved up here from Boca two years ago. I laugh when she complains about the cold.
Last week, I skipped this exercise. I was feeling down. I wish that I had spent some time trying to re-center myself and escape the bonds of negativity. I have so much to be grateful for.
This week I especially thankful that I was able to attend Easter sunrise service. There are few things so beautiful or moving. In spring 2020, I actually had to sneak down to the beach and hide from the police to see the sunrise on Easter Sunday. I’ll never take this tradition or my freedom for granted again.
I am thankful that my younger son was selected for the job of his dreams in Alaska.
I am grateful that my eldest son and his bride who live locally share so much of their lives with us. We help each other and enjoy one another’s company. I know this is a true blessing.
I am also be thankful for the 9 1/2 pounds of leftover ham ( somewhat reluctantly) and making 15 bean soup tonight for dinner.
Most of all, I am truly thankful for Rescue Pup, Calico Kitty, my dear husband, my family and friends. Without them, my life would lack love and meaning.
Wishing everyone a week of blessings, peace and good health
@Bee, I'm sorry you've been down. Your consistent messages of kindness, love, peace and good health always uplift me.
Kristen, welcome to the age when your vision is going to change more often. It settles down in a few years. You won't notice it as much with your contacts because contacts naturally give sharper vision.
Today I am grateful for the drizzly rain that is washing tons of pollen out of the air, for the last calm days at work before we have the huge rush of students going home for the summer, for my husband getting a raise, which was unexpected but wonderful, for good old dogs, and a quiet life.
Thankful for thrift-store jogging pants for my son. And that he wears out the knees of pants so fast...because he just loves to be outdoors playing.
Thankful for Magic Bags (those bean-filled sacks you heat up in the microwave).
For internet.
For signs of spring.
For finally being able to wear sneakers for my daily walk; I was so tired of winter boots.
For that first cup of tea in the morning that feels like balm to my weary soul!
1. Finally seeing my eye doctor today. It's been since before the pandemic and I know my vision has changed a bit. So grateful I have insurance as well, always grateful for that actually!
2. My husband's egg salad, so yummy, and uses up the Easter eggs.
3. More sunshine. Although I am not a fan of late sunsets due to daylight savings, (makes it hard for me to wind down and get ready for bed on time), I do like that it is still light out when I leave the office.
4. My office plants are flourishing. They give me taste of nature on the days I can't step outside on my lunch hour.
5. Was finally able to go to the hairdresser safely and get a proper, professional haircut. My husband did a really good job with the clippers, but he's not a professional. (I know he is relieved not to have to do it anymore.)
Hubs 30 day PSA test deemed him cancer free so yay! He also had a spot in his lung that disappeared, doctor thinks it must have been an enlarged lymph node so ok there too.
With his previous health history, he clearly has 9 lives.
First time since covid most of my family met for Easter dinner. Dad is now almost 100 (June) and he is looking good! We had a pastor come over for Easter blessing and to go over his end of life details. He has no immediate health issues so just covering his wishes.
Thankful for his elderly hospice workers who have so far enabled us to keep him at home. It's a LOT mentally for my sister but he does not require a lot of care. His meals are delivered every weekday.
Thankful for the ability to leave work when the fire alarm and strobes were malfunctioning. Most of us left to work from home. Prior to Covid this was not possible.
That we could and have scheduled a family vacation in WV. Going to see the New River Gorge.
Your first item: YAY!!! What a huge relief.
@Mar, I understand and empathize with you on the PSA! My hubs was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in June of '17 and went through 6 weeks of radiation and then 2 years of hormone therapy. He got labs yesterday and we'll get the results tomorrow, but so far, so good. He also has a plethora of other health challenges and issues, so we don't take his health for granted.
@Stephanie D, I hope his number is 0! Mine had prostate removal, it was his only option. They were already watching his numbers. It’s so important for men to get it checked.
I am thankful for good feedback on my thesis, for possible job opportunities and encouragement. I am thankful to live near the sea, for a stretch of good weather and most of all that my mother is visiting me soon!
1. I am grateful for a Chiropractor that is helping treat my wrenched back and help me to feel better and move better even with the arthritis issues I seems to have. It will be a long process but the prospect of living life without pain when I am doing the average tasks of life.
2. I am so thankful for the diagnosis of a family member. I won't go into details but this information explains so many things and will help us to take better care. Modern medicine is such a blessing.
3. I am grateful that we were able to have some trees cleared from our property and will be able to get new grass installed and a garden planted. This is something that was delayed several months due to broken equipment and gardening is such therapy for me that I can't wait to get started.
4. Grateful for several days ahead of sunshine and highs in the low 80's. We need this good weather so that we can get things planted and plan the space.
5. Grateful for lots of Easter leftovers giving me a break in the kitchen this week, an upcoming vacation, iron supplements, good sleep , hearing donkeys in the early morning hours from our neighbors down the road.
Happy Thursday all!!!
from Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey—a quote from Dr. Paul Brand’s father:
"God means us to delight in his world.It isn’t necessary to know botany, zoology, or biology to enjoy the manifold life go nature. Just observe. And remember. And compare.And be always looking to God with thankfulness and worship for having placed you in such a delightful corner of the universe as planned earth." (Jesse Brand, missionary)
I am thankful one Christmas cactus explode with blossoms in time for Easter, and my birthday, while the other did not.
It is so wonderful that you have such a great support system to help you through this phase of you life.
Today is our son's 25th birthday and I'm so thankful that he's here to celebrate it. A few years ago he was hospitalized with self harm thoughts so I'm thankful every day he is with us and that his mental health is so much better.
I'm thankful that DH and I will get to take our son out tonight to celebrate his birthday. Our daughter is out of the country on vacation so we'll have a family celebration once she returns.
I'm thankful that our daughter is sending me pictures from her European vacation. It's like being part of the adventure with her.
I'm thankful that my tennis elbow is improving after 3 week of PT.
I'm thankful that my husband and I both have good jobs that provide us with financial security.
@Beverly, So glad to hear about your son. I get it. I've been through the mill with both my kids. Just this week my stomach is knots about my daughter's self hatred. It's so hard to cope when your baby isn't well.
@Rose, It is so difficult to cope when your kid isn't well. We lost a nephew to suicide, a niece to drug overdose, and another nephew to an accident. I live in fear that we will lose our son too.
@Beverly and @Rose, hands across the Internet to you both. One of my nephews literally drank himself to death in August 2020--and although I know that doesn't equate to having one of your own children at risk, I can imagine what you both are going through.
@A. Marie, You are so kind to extend your support. I appreciate your kindness
@Beverly and @Rose, I'm very sorry for your pain and fear.
We are RV'ing alongside both ocean and open land this week, so that will be reflected in my five thankful things this week.
- Spring green. Our SoCal hills will soon turn to their summer and fall 'brown,' so I try and take in the beautiful, spring green carpeting they are currently covered with while it's here.
- Spring wildflowers. I am never not amazed by the beauty of nature, but I take particular delight in the profusion of wildflowers visible right now pretty much anywhere we hike. And the excitement of seeing a wildflower I've never seen before always delights.
- Ridge hikes alongside the ocean. It's hard work to hike up to the top of any one of our many, many hills, but oh the beauty of endless ocean below once you do.
- That the snake that gave a loud warning rattle from its hiding spot as we hiked by it yesterday did not follow up on it's threat. Nothing gives quite the jolt of adrenaline that a rattlesnake warning does. It's the second of my lifetime, and I'd really like it to be the last!
- Waking up to a warm travel trailer and a hot cup of coffee. I have many RV'ing 'loves' but on a morning when we awaken before the sun, such as today, it moves to the top of the list.
@Tamara R, your snake story reminds me of the long-ago time when I was doing a hike up a small mountain in Kentucky with a long-ago ex-boyfriend. As we rounded one curve, he pointed casually under a rock and said, "Look, Marie, a copperhead." I was halfway back down that mountain so fast you couldn't have seen me for dust.
You were already a kind and loving lifeline when I was going through it, so I have no doubt you will continue blessing others in tough situations when you have come out the other side of this challenge. 🙂
Aww, thank you Mia. 🙂
The rolled ferns look like fiddle heads. When we lived in Maine my Mom collected them, they are edible. We only lived there a few years and long ago. So, I think she boiled them like a vegetable, but not sure.
I am thankful for my husband who spent hours weeding with me on Saturday. I set an overly ambitious goal and was determined to finish and he just worked with me (instead of complaining that the goal was ridiculous).
I am thankful that we had a chance to attend an Easter concert.
I am thankful for the Black Locust tree in the front yard. It has a terrible sounding name but is full of pink blossoms right now.
I am thankful that my husband is cooking this week. (It's hamburger week at our house.)
@Rebekah in SoCal,
I forgot to add that I am very thankful for the friendly man from the gas company who spent an hour inspecting our house (fireplace, oven, attic furnace and dryer) when I walked into the kitchen and smelled gas. There was no gas leak (likely I had not turned a burner off all the way) and I am so grateful to know we are safe.
I’m grateful for the nice spring weather we’ve had this week. 8 degrees celsius/46 degrees fahrenheit and sun today, lovely to walk to work! We had so much snow this winter so we thought we would have it until June, but the mountains of snow everywhere is melting so fast you can see the difference from day to day this week.
Super grateful for the locker at work I inherited from a co-worker. Now I don’t need to carry everything with me in the backpack to shower after my walking to work.
Also grateful that my partner suddenly had to travel for work, so I can rest after the easter holiday without feeling guilty ☺️
Spring weather is just the greatest. So glad you are enjoying some up there in Norway. 🙂
Love those "fiddle head" ferns!!!
I am grateful for being back from vacation to see my students well rested, excited and communicating so well with me!
Thankful for my deeper sleep, I am dreaming again, some tough dreams, some wonderful dreams, but to dream means I am sleeping better.
Thankful for laughter, it just feels so great to laugh with people, many are choosing to not wear masks (I still do) but to see people really laughing together again is wonderful.
Thankful for the garden waking up, the grass is getting greener, the peony shoots are showing through, the promise of spring brings me such happiness.
Thankful for the gorgeous views, hikes, sunshine while on vacation, it was so rejuvenating to feel warm sunlight on my skin, the hikes were long and filled with fresh sights.
As always, Coffee.
Just got back from a trip to Utah with my kids (who are on spring break) and my parents and my gratitude cup is overflowing:
-For my husband who not only plans these trips but has no qualms about traveling with my parents. He so patiently drove us around, answered the gazillion questions from all five of his travel companions and most importantly, values the interactions between our parents and our kids.
-For my kids who kept themselves entertained despite long drives. They're such good sports and have such good attitudes.
-That my dad, despite being 76 still is so energetic and enthusiastic about the adventure of being somewhere new in nature. I see his eyes start to twinkle when he sees a rock that he could maybe climb to get a better view. He's learning his limits and is trying to accept them. I'm so glad that he and my mom could do the short hikes we chose.
-For my body. I have been critical of it lately but you know what? It took every step I wanted it to, it raced back and forth between my parents and my kids to make sure everyone was ok, it carried bags so that parents and kids didn't have to...I'm proud of it. It's not what it once was but that's ok. I'm still strong.
@CrunchyCake, Your #4 reminds me that I need to be thankful for my body as well. At 70 it Definitely is not what it used to be, but it's still here and is strong enough to do what my husband and I need it to for now. So many of my friends and family have not made it to this age.
This post contains some of the most beautiful words I’ve read online. Please, Kristen, never stop writing. You have a rare gift that combines thoughtful ideas with then drawing interesting comments from an equally thoughtful and kind community.
You are going to be one fantastically caring nurse! And doing so much good in the world in the midst of a very sad hardship is beyond amazing. You turn the old expression “Hurt people hurt” on its head, healing those among us who need it (we all do, at times) instead. The very definition of a caregiver.
So, while I have tons to be thankful for, today I want to make room to just thank you, Kristen.
Erika, thank you so much for these kind words! I feel so encouraged after reading your comment.
Always thankful for my four kids and six crazy grandkids.
I’m thankful for Medicare. I have had pain issues for years and finally am being tested for rheumatoid arthritis and the possibility of psoriatic arthritis. The tests were Tuesday and I am waiting on results. I have been a dog groomer for 26 years, and osteoarthritis in the hands is an occupational hazard. So I always thought it was “just that”. Hopefully, it is.
So thankful of your posting and sharing you life with us , have a nice rest of your week !
I too need new glasses. My script is the same but my 5(?) year old glasses are getting to be a little too worse for wear so it's time to get new ones.
Thankful for:
The fact that the snow we were supposed to get was just rain
A functioning sump pump (and a backup just in case!)
For some nice organizing boxes I got from Michael's. They are helping to make my day less hectic. Ditto for the backpack I now carry instead of my laptop bag and my man-purse (which has been retired now.)
A lot of good music I found in some boxes. I was able to rip it and put it on my phone for car listening.
That my daughter is a good kid in spite of all the troubles of parenting. I see how some other kids act and while she misbehaves at times I never see the straight up malice I see in some other kids. Could be biased but I don't know.
This week I’m thankful:
For these posts. My natural bent is more toward pessimism/worst-case scenario, and these help me work on that.
My sister’s girlfriend. Not only does she make my sister happier than I’ve ever seen her (the most important part), but I genuinely enjoy spending time with her.
That the azaleas are in full bloom.
That the lilac bush is starting to bloom.
For my husband, who loves me even when my anxiety makes me very unpleasant to be around.
Reading this made me think of a time when I was homeless and car-less walking across three states to get to a place with a waiting job. I made about 30 miles a day and at the end of the trek I knew exactly what I missed most and what I was very thankful for when I had it again.
1. A door I could close and lock with any size room behind it.
2. Running water.
3. A bathroom with toilet sink, and shower.
4. Any type of kitchen to prepare and store food. For a while it was a toaster oven, microwave, and dorm size fridge.
I'm thankful I have all these things and more now but also thankful to know how little you really need to survive.
@Tiana, Wow! I am humbled by your words.
@Tiana, I had the same reaction as Stephanie D. Thank you for sharing.
I am thankful that my husband and I have managed to save up quite a bit, which is allowing me to take some much needed time off to reevaluate what I want to do with my career. I am also double thankful that a potential (and very cool) new job opportunity is presenting itself and even though it will require a lifestyle shift, my husband is really supportive about me taking it.
I am thankful that I do not have an attachment to "stuff." While I like being surrounded by things that give me comfort or beauty, I do not have trouble decluttering, throwing our or donating once something has served it's purpose. I have been using my sabbatical to go through our storage room, my office and our closet and I have found a lot of mental clarity in throwing out things.
I am thankful for cool spring mornings. I live just outside of Los Angeles and I will be waking up to 80F at 8am before I know it, so I am thankful for these lovely mornings.
I am thankful for my creativity. I firmly believe that everyone is creative in their own way and I am thankful that I have the time to explore mine and the different outlets I can use right now to express it.
I am thankful for
My friends. At 41 years old I find myself with the deepest and most rewarding friendships of my life. I think it is because in my 20s I made the conscious decision to chose people with character and invest in my relationships with them. It brings me so much joy to spend time with these folks.
The end of the semester in sight. My class just meets once a week, so I have one more class next week for which I have to prepare. Then the final class meeting I can just sit back and learn because my students will be presenting their class projects. Then I'm done! Schools out fools out! Time to party.
My daily bike rides. They feel so good mentally and physically.
Even when it seems impossible, there always things to be grateful for. I have to remind myself of that when I start to grumble about something or feel deprived(I'm not). I just have to shift my perspective! You definitely have empathy for others when you have gone through similar things, and a smile or kind words can really lift them (and you) up!
Thankful for:
1. Discovering a new mystery series set in Victorian England. There are 13 books out, so I have a lot of fun reading in front of me. I alternate serious and fun books but lately have had trouble finding fun books that really engage me, so I am really glad to have found this new-to-me series.
2. The baby chicks we have been raising in the kitchen will soon be large enough to go into the coop. They are fun to watch when tiny, but they are starting to sound and smell like real chickens...
3. An electric blanket that gets extremely warm while my husband's side stays cool. I am always, always cold so this blanket helps me sleep better.
4. My seedlings are all thriving in their garage nursery. It will be about six weeks until they can be transplanted outside (four weeks for the greenhouse plants) but I am enjoying playing with them until I can garden outside.
5. The husband, always the husband.
@Lindsey, what is the series? That sounds like something I would love.
@Danielle Zecher, Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas. It is the first of his 13 books in the series. Another Victorian series, if you like female detectives is The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden (A Laetitia Rodd Mystery) by Kate Saunders. There are only two so far in this series.
And, of course, there are the Anne Perry series featuring Charlotte Pitt and her husband. Anne Perry is the writer who, as a 14 year old, helped her best friend kill the friend's mother and spent some years in a New Zealand prison. Her childhood crime was the subject of the 1994 movie Heavenly Creatures, starring Kate Winslet.
@Lindsey, thanks! I'm adding all of those to my TBR.
It's been a rough week emotionally. I made a mistake, and am now on my daughter's blacklist, so not able to see her or my granddaughter for a while. She has to work through things and discuss them with me before there is forgiveness, and it has made it more vital to find things that remind me to be grateful.
I'm grateful for my husband. He drives me nuts sometimes, but he has been very supportive this week--and without trying to "fix" things.
We had some unexpected snow the first part of the week, and there were no appointments, no groceries to pick up, and nowhere we had to be other than home in our warm house.
I am grateful to be retired. The lowered income is not so much fun, but we have what we need and a few things we want, and lots of time to enjoy them!
I am thankful for my dog. She is a quirky thing, but she makes us laugh, she loves the 2 of us equally and unconditionally, and she insists I take her out in the fresh air for a walk instead of sitting and moping.
I'm grateful for wind chimes. We get a lot of wind in our area--sometimes TOO much--but it's a rare day that I don't hear my wind chimes.
Big hugs to you, Stephanie. I hope things can be mended with your daughter and granddaughter soon. Family issues are SO so hard.
I was so excited to hear you on the Best of Both Worlds podcast! I think I knew most things you said but I still enjoyed it.
I am thankful for having a healthy child that brings me so much joy, for my safe, warm home, for a new recipe we tried this week which will become a favorite.
I found you thanks to The Best of Both Worlds and I’m grateful for that! I have been looking for blogs with the old school feel and TA DA!
I am grateful for
Absolutely wonderful warm sunny weather today. We went for a long walk to the park and played outside and ate dinner outside and it wa a wonderful.
On a related note I am thankful for sunscreen. Now I forgot to wear any today and am red as a tomato but I am so very grateful it is there and available to us when I actually remember to use it.
Thankful for Kristin’s pizza blog post! We had Hawaiian pizza with our leftover ham from Easter and it was very tasty. I shutter to think about how bad my pizza was prior to reading her well crafted instructions.
Plants blooming in the garden. The crocuses bloomed and now the hyacinths are starting to. Also we almost have enough asparagus to actually eat with a meal.
Black coffee. It’s such a simple comforting daily ritual that brings a lot of enjoyment despite the simple thing it is.
Today was hard, but I'm thankful:
1. The day is done.
2. We got a lot done today.
3. Good health, energy and strength.
4. I can talk to God any time and anywhere.
I'm grateful too for people in life to help me or help those I love if I can't, get through tough times. Your walk in the woods reminds me I need to connect with " my girls."
I am so thankful for being a nurse and working part time. I love my work, but I am so grateful to have time at home with my kids too.
I am also thankful for the Libby app and audiobooks through the library. I really enjoy listening to books when I do chores or exercise.
Loved hearing you on Best of Both Worlds podcast with Kristen. What a great listen.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the podcast episode! It was funny to open my podcast player last week and see, oh, there's my episode.
I heard you on the podcast and I already love you to pieces!
It has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life because my Daddy is dying of cancer. He’s been in hospital all week and I’ve been home with a MAMMOTH stomach virus, and was unable to be at the hospital. But here’s what I’m thankful for:
* I am thankful that I am 53 and I still have both loving parents.
* I am thankful for the wonderful doctors and nurses who are taking care of Daddy.
* I am thankful for my weird little sister, who always comes through when the times get tough.
* We won’t be able to go to church this morning because I’m still as weak as water, but I am thankful that I can sit on the back deck and see God’s mighty handiwork in this beautiful spring. The ligustrums are about to bloom, there’s a gentle breeze and the colors are vivid. All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres…this is, after all, my Father’s world.
Blessings to all!
Hello, Robin! Thanks so much for popping in to say hi after hearing the podcast interview.
I hope that you are feeling stronger soon, and that you can go see your dad.