Hi, everyone! It’s a wild and windy Thanksgiving weekend with storm surges in my corner of the world, so I thought I’d share a few photos that show weather that is more, shall we say, temperate.
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” – Henry Ward Beecher
“I’m grateful for always this moment, the now, no matter what form it takes.” – Eckhart Tolle
Happy Sunday, all, and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and followers! ♥♥♥
I know 2020 has been a year like no other, but still . . .
I’m thankful for my health. I’m grateful for my home and who I share it with. I’m thankful for a world of diverse cultures, colours, and wonders. I’m grateful for the people who fill my life—and have filled my life—with love, sunshine, and warmth.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” – Willie Nelson
“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” – Mary Davis
Vivian K. Perry here, sharing a pic of me sneaking a catnap during a busy afternoon at the office.
I’m pleased to report that my sutures were taken out on Tuesday—thank you, Nurse Marilyn—the dreaded Elizabethan collar/cone has been tossed, and life has mostly returned to normal.
My sister Maisie and I don’t get to go outdoors nearly as much now; that’s the only downside.
But I have bounced back from my vicious attack last month, and I’m more than grateful to resume my usual workaday routine.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” ~ Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Philosopher
Smiley Cat
Thanks for the wake-up call, Vivian. But first let me wipe the sleep – and the cat hair – from my eyes!
To all the cats we’ve loved before
you beautify our wall decor
both with us and long gone
our love goes on and on
to all the cats we’ve loved before.
Our cat wall includes several images of Maisie and Vivian, our grandkitties Moochie, Ginger and Joey, as well as Padmé, Smoki, Sandy, Mitzi, and Timmy.
Missing from collection: Puff, Jinx and Tiger. Sorry, my kitties, I couldn’t find any photos of you!
Happy Sunday, everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and followers!
Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way; Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day; Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do, For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.
Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom, The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom; Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet, The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.
Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blessed you are, How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar! And what if rain shall fall today and you with grief are sad; Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.
~ Edgar A. Guest
Edgar Albert Guest was born in Britain but grew up and spent most of his life in the U.S.A. He was a product of “small town” America and the values and lifestyle he had as a boy permeates his writing both prose and poem. He worked most of his adult life as newspaperman, syndicated country-wide and is reputed to have had a new poem published in a newspaper every day for over 30 years. – AllPoetry.com
When most adults spend quality time with youngsters, they usually think of what they can share with them and teach them about life and the world around them.
While I spent a sizable chunk of April taking care of my two grandchildren, I did plenty of that, but – surprise, surprise – I also learned a few things about myself.
1. My addiction to jigsaw puzzles is alive and well. I had thought my love for putting them together (and the harder the better) had faded over the years, but helping and then pretty much taking over our grandson’s Skylander collection of puzzles turned out to be fun and surprisingly absorbing.
google.ca
2. It is actually possible for me to like a Justin Bieber song without being fond of the Biebs himself. My granddaughter feels the same way, so I know it’s entirely acceptable.
3. I’ve taken a shine to the Wii Just Dance video games. Great uptempo music, effective aerobic exercise, having fun like a kid with the kids – what’s not to love? And who cares what I look like bopping around with them?
4. I always thought I didn’t like Brussels sprouts, but turns out I do! They can be delicious when you don’t boil the sh*t out of them (sorry, Mom). Five to ten minutes with a dash of salt: perfection. Thanks for the tip, granddaughter! Would you believe she was the one who wanted me to buy them?
5. Apparently and according to my granddaughter, I smile whenever I check my appearance in the mirror. I had no idea, and she finds it “creepy”.
6. I believe five bucks is too generous a gift from the tooth fairy. I don’t care if she is an Immortal Guardian.
7. I no longer think there is anything wrong with wearing your pyjamas around the house all day – my grandson totally encourages it. I still draw the line at wearing them out in public. That’s a trend I will never embrace.
8. According to this little fellow, the skin on my neck is very soft and “crinkly”, and he won’t let me forget it…well, I am his grandma, after all.
9. I adore having the opportunity to indulge them. And such fun to live in the moment with them! 10. I am profoundly grateful for having these little people in my life to love.
In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~ Albert Schweitzer
Nearly twenty years ago, I met my person. He came into my life at a time my “inner fire” had gone out, at a time I didn’t think I would ever be truly happy again. He gave me back my smile, made me believe in myself, and has been my best friend ever since.
Sixteen years ago today, I married him.
Thank you, Paul, for everything you do for me, everything you mean to me, and everything you are. I love you. Happy Anniversary to the man who rekindled my inner spirit and will always be the love of my life.
Do you have a special person in your life you are grateful for?
In today’s age of high-definition PVR’s and the luxury of watching television on demand to fit into my schedule, I rarely watch commercials anymore, and that suits me fine. But there is one ad I have seen recently that I think I could watch every day.
I won’t reveal whose advertisement it is; let’s just say it is for a financial company sharing the benefits of a home renovation loan. In this particular case, the son in the ad has just renovated part of his home to make a self-contained apartment. We see the son showing his aging father around the apartment, who appears very impressed with what his son has done. The father touches the new kitchen cabinets and remarks that the apartment should fetch good rent.
It is then that the son reaches in a box bearing the financial company’s logo, and comes out with a set of keys. He then gives the keys to his dad, telling him for the first time, “The apartment is yours, Dad.”
Then follows his father’s reaction of surprise, and he reaches out and hugs his son.
I swear, my heart gives a little leap and a flop each time I see this ad. Of course, I know why; I lost my dad nine years ago to ALS, when he was 69. I never got to see my father anywhere near as elderly, and yet healthy, as the gentleman in the ad. My mother didn’t fare much better, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in her sixties, and now in the latter stages in a nursing home.
I didn’t write this post out of self-pity. I just wanted to impart to those of you who read this, the fortunate ones who still have a parent or parents who are loving, healthy and of sound mind, to treasure them. Please don’t take them for granted. You have something, and an opportunity that I will never know: the ability and the joy of giving back to those who brought you up and gave you their all.
For me, watching that commercial reminds me, and lets me dream – just for a few minutes – of what could have been.
Hi, everyone!
Jennifer's Journal 