Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Wednesday, 31 August 2005 - A normal summer's day

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a normal summer's day.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.
One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,

or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself taut,
or raise my hands to the sky and want,
more than all the world,
your return.
~Mary Jean Iron

Sometimes, I just want a normal summer's day, Nothing extraodinary or newsworthy. No superstar opportunities or record setting temperatures. Just the familiar chain of activities I complete to make a life, to earn a living. Just the opportunity to live my day and attend to business as usual.

Just a regular 24 hours where I awaken, walk and feed the dog, read the newspaper, eat a little breakfast, take a shower, work on marketing and writing projects, eat lunch, wipe the kitchen counter, do crossword and Sudoku puzzles, check Ebay, open the mail, water the plants, read the Bible, watch television, brush my teeth, refill the ice cube trays, answer e-mails, bake a peach cobbler, sweep the kitchen floor, fold the laundry, say my prayers ...

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.


Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Tuesday, 30 August 2005 - Higher ground

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for higher ground.

We'll never experience anything like Hurricane Katrina that has ravaged the Gulf states. Yes, we have our weather challenges in Colorado, especially during the winter and summer monsoons. But, our house sits at an altitude of 6,800 feet in a land-locked state. Hurricanes will never affect us directly.


While working for a start-up company in the late 1990's, I had the good fortune to visit New Orleans five times for trade-shows and meetings. I fell in love with the people (they are the quintessential hosts to visitors), the French Quarter (fabulous antiques and the best shopping), the Garden District (such lovely homes and incredible gardens), and freshly-made beignets with chicory coffee. I pray that this multi-cultural city will recover quickly from this latest disaster.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Monday, 29 August 2005 - Beautiful yarn

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for beautiful yarn.

I've been buying yarn all year long on Ebay from a woman in California who hand spins and dyes wool fiber in the thick/thin style that I love.

This afternoon, I rolled the skeins into balls. The colorways are quite lovely, ranging from spring pastels to deep and vibrant winter tones. I'm in a knitting mood so now's a good time to begin making Christmas gifts for family and friends.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Sunday, 28 August 2005 - My feet

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my feet.


I've had the same pair since the day I was born and intend to continue to use them extensively until the day I die. Mine are nothing special - size 7M, low arches, in need of a pedicure.

Mile after mile - I've walked, run, hiked, danced, skipped, hopped and jumped my way through life. Although my feet never complain too loudly when I wear high heels in the name of fashion, they prefer comfortable shoes and sandals. My shoes wear out but not my feet. They determine, in large part, my daily mood (no one is happy with blisters or sore feet).

I do take them for granted - my feet, my constant connection to the earth.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Saturday, 27 August 2005 - Late summer flowers

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the flowers of late summer that turn my heart towards spring.


People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us. ~Iris Murdoch

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Friday, 26 August 2005 - Imperfections

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my imperfections despite my perfectionist tendencies.

Only in grammar can you be more than perfect. ~William Safire

No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers. ~Author Unknown

For these blessings, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Thursday, 25 August 2005 - A small handful of fresh basil

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a small handful of fresh basil.


This year, I made one exception to my "don't grow vegetables because I don't want to battle the bugs" rule. I planted basil seeds so I could enjoy my favorite herb without paying the $25.00 per pound price at the natural foods store.

The seeds spouted quickly. Within weeks, tiny leaves appeared on the inch high stalks. I couldn't wait to harvest the leaves and make a cup of fresh pesto.

Then, the bugs discovered my treasured herbs and snacked nightly on the tender leaves. My heart sank. Not wanting to resort to pesticides, I sprayed the plants with a diluted soap concoction I read about in an herbal book - to no avail.

Recently, I've begun plucking the leaves each morning before the bugs spoil them. The leaves may be small, but they're still fragrant and flavorful. I no longer flirt with the idea of making pesto. Instead, I'm using the basil to flavor my fresh tomato and feta cheese salads. Well, someone did say that it's the quality not the quantity that counts.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen
.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Wednesday, 24 August 2005 - The moon at mid-morning

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a rare sight - the moon at mid-morning.

I like to think that the moon is there even when I am not looking at it. ~Albert Einstein

Life is to give, not to take. Forget not the moon, when the sun rises... ~ Unknown Author

To behold the wandering moon,
Riding near her highest noon,
Like one that had been led astray
Through the heav'n's wide pathless way;
And oft as if her head she bowed,
Stooping through a fleecy cloud.
~ John Milton

It's 10:30 AM. I'm patrolling the backyard with T and inspecting my rejuvenated flower gardens. Although, technically, it's still summer, the bright sunshine paired with dry, cool air reminds me of early fall.

As I survey the mountains that loom above the neighborhood, I witness a rare sight. High above the jagged ridgeline sits the setting moon - an ethereal white body against the deep blue Colorado sky. My goodness! It's almost noon and the moon still lingers overhead.

I'm not a student of astronomy so I'm ignorant of the moon's diurnal behavior. So, with my right brain spinning, I let my imagination drift a little to the left of reason and my romantic tendencies wander.

Here's what I think. The moon is simply visiting our patch of earth while summer reigns in its full glory. Always the artist, she is carefully studying the landscape's brilliant colors - the lively hues and varied textures she's only seen in Monet paintings - before the lovely blooms and green foilage fade into autumnal tones and winter grays. And, she's as delighted to see me as I am to see her.

Welcome, Moon, to my party.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.



Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Tuesday, 23 August 2005 - This most amazing summer day

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for this most amazing summer day.

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes. ~ e. e. cummings

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Monday, 22 August 2005 - A simple prayer of forgiveness

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a simple prayer of forgiveness.


If anyone has hurt me or harmed me
Knowingly or unknowingly
In thought, word, or deed,
I freely forgive them.
And I too ask forgiveness
If I have hurt anyone or harmed anyone
Knowingly or unknowingly
In thought, word, or deed.

May I be happy
May I be peaceful
May I be free

May my friends be happy
May my friends be peaceful
May my friends be free

May my enemies be happy
May my enemies be peaceful
May my enemies be free

May all things be happy
May all things be peaceful
May all things be free.

~ Buddhist prayer

I rue the fact that I still hold grudges - not too many but enough that I'm annoyed by my inability to let go and move on. I found this Buddhist prayer on the web and adopted it as my own. I subsitute the word, friends, with a person's name during the recitation. I like the prayer's simplicity. Furthermore, in the short time I've used it, I am amazed at its ability to dissolve my bitterness towards myself and others.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Sunday, 21 August 2005 - A new plan of action

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a new plan of action.

Someday is not a day of the week. ~Author Unknown
The best way to get something done is to begin. ~Author Unknown
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. ~Spanish Proverb

When procrastination is the crime, I must plead guilty. Recently, I've rewritten my "action" list and elevated several "one of these days" activities to A-priority status. I want to add meaning, not busy work, to my days.

To me, life is a marathon. Unfortunately, I've already passed the half-way point and am heading towards the finish line at a faster clip than I anticipated. Time to get busy doing those things that really matter to my heart.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Saturday, 20 August 2005 - A bounty of peaches

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a bounty of peaches.

During Colorado peach season, I always join the waiting list for a 20+ pound box of Austin Farms' organically grown "canning" peaches - ones with imperfections and small bruises. Some years, my name never makes it to the top of the list so I just buy the premium fruit. This week, however, I finally hit the jackpot.


So, what does one do with 20 pounds of peaches? I originally planned to freeze most of them so we'd have peaches during the winter (I actually studied the various techniques). But, after reviewing my recipe collection, I may end up baking my way to peach heaven.

This morning, I made one large peach crisp with a walnut/oatmeal/cinnamon topping - was delicious served warm from the oven. Next on the list: peach bread, peach cobbler and peach pie.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Friday, 19 August 2005 - Chocolate covered cherries

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a handful of dried cherries drenched in chocolate.


Okay. The world isn't fair, I still can't find a job that's interesting enought to sustain me for a while, my stomach isn't as flat as it used to be despite 1000's of sit-ups and crunches, gasoline prices are obscene, my studio is cluttered again ...

So, at the natural foods store, I buy the perfect antidote for my terrible day - a small sack of dried cherries covered in milk chocolate. When I get home, I put the candy in the cupboard with my stash of "emergency" foods (dried Calmyra figs, honey-roasted almonds, gorp bars and licorice drops). If things don't improve soon, I'll have to eat at least two or three chocolate covered cherries to ease my depression.

The cherries will delight me with their chewiness and slightly tart flavor. The chocolate will be exquisite - rich, creamy and not too sweet. Yes, I'll savor each bite before the guilt of eating sugar sets in and overtakes my pleasure (yes, my craziness has no end). Oh well, I'll just work out harder and longer to burn the extra calories.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Thursday, 18 August 2005 - All the time in the world

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for all the time in the world.

The greatest poem ever known
Is one all poets have outgrown:
The poetry, innate, untold,
Of being only four years old.
~Christopher Morley, To a Child

This morning, T and I watch Sam, our favorite four-year-old, learn to hit a baseball off a T-ball stand. He's a switch-hitter with a perfect swing (thanks to his dad's excellent coaching).


In the beginning, he hits the stand more often than the ball. Soon, however, his bat connects squarely with the ball, producing a parade of line drives and grounders. Sam giggles and laughs amid our praise and applause.

Then, tired of baseball, he runs to the play area for a good swing and several rides down the slide. He reasons that he can practice again tomorrow. After all, he's only four and has all the time in the world.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Wednesday, 17 August 2005 - A generous friend

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a generous friend.

My husband, S, is a bicycling fanatic (a.k.a. a "spokehead"). To the neighborhood kids, he's the "bicycle man" - the one who encourages them to ride their bikes and also adjusts and fixes their bicycles. If we had the money, we would buy each child the perfect bicycle for his/her needs. Instead, my husband is constantly looking for used bikes he can fix up.

Fortunately, he didn't have to look too far for a mountain bike for Hayden, a very talented young man who lives next door. S told his riding buddy, Rob, about his search for a used bike. Rob said that he would give his wife's older mountain bike to Hayden. My husband cleaned and adjusted the bike and gave it to Hayden tonight.

One down and many to go. Next on the list, a bike for Jamell. I'm praying for another cycling friend with a bicycle to spare.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Tuesday, 16 August 2005 - Zucchini

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for zucchini.


Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. ~Jim Davis, "Garfield"

When our neighbor complained that the zucchini plants have overtaken her garden, I happily accepted a gift of several of the largest specimens. Guess it's time to bake zucchini nut bread.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Homemade mashed potatoes

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for homemade mashed potatoes - steaming hot and perfectly seasoned.

I used organic Yukon golds and flavored the dish with crushed garlic, celtic salt, olive oil, fresh basil, and soy milk. It's the perfect comfort food for an unseasonably cool, wet day.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Sunday, 14 August 2005 - Silver linings

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for silver linings.


Barn's burnt down --
now
I can see the moon.
~ Mizuta Masahide (1657? - 1723)
(In 1688 Masahide's house burnt down, prompting him to write his most famous haiku.)

Many years ago, confronted by difficult professional and personal issues, I sought help from a therapist. One of her lasting gifts to me was this variation of Masahide's famous haiku: My barn burned down. Now I can see the moon.

For years, I posted the saying in my office - a timely reminder that my greatest challenges have silver linings and golden opportunities.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Saturday, 13 August 2005 - Rules for Writing

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the following rules for writing:
Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that
a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
~William Safire, "Great Rules of Writing"

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Friday, 12 August 2005 - Idea and title for a new book

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for an interesting idea and intriguing title for a new book.


Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler

I wasn't looking for another writing project. Honest. I was just hiking along the trail with T and thinking about my latest poem. Then, from out of the blue, a book title settled on my brain followed by the story line. Voila - the sprouting of the seed of a new a book.

An insightful friend advised me not to stress over this recent revelation/obsession. She said I should be honored. After all, the same rule applies to writers and readers alike: you don't find the book, the book finds you.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen
.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Thursday, 11 August 2005 - My garden's second season

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my garden's second season.


My backyard flower gardens flourished during spring's perfect weather but wilted quickly under the stress of July's long and intense heatwave. So, for the past few weeks, I've patiently deadheaded the daisies and dianthus and other plants. Last year, these same plants delighted me with huge bouquets of healthy, beautiful flowers well into September (sigh).

Now, it's mid-August. Much cooler temperatures and afternoon showers rule the day. This morning, I happily discovered tiny flower buds on the daisies and dianthus. To facilitate the new growth, I fed the plants a generous dose of Miracle-Gro fertilizer. Now, I am crossing my fingers and saying extra prayers for favorable weather as my garden prepares for a second season of growth.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Wednesday, 10 August 2005 - Perfect sushi rice

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for sushi rice, perfectly cooked and seasoned.

You might think that because I am a fifth generation Japanese American (on my dad's side), that I know how to make perfect sushi rice. Not true.

Well, at sea level, I never had problems cooking rice. But, at our current altitude of nearly 7,000 feet, I have never mastered this basic culinary skill. The rice was either undercooked or soggy - neither condition makes good sushi.

Now, thanks to Alton Brown and his Good Eats show on Food Network TV, I have mastered the technique. The secret, I've learned, is to cook the rice in a pot on the stove; in other words, get rid of the automatic rice cooker. I also flavor the rice with a simple dressing of rice vinegar, organic sugar and Celtic salt.

My "secret recipe" vegetarian sushi smeared with wasabi is now better than ever. Actually, it's to die for according to the critics: my husband and our gourmet-food loving friends.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Tuesday, 9 August 2005 - Artistic friends

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for artistic friends.


An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one. ~Charles Horton Cooley
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso
Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. ~Leonardo da Vinci


I am very fortunate to have in my circle of friends artists, musicians and writers. I am one of the poets and writers, although I also create interesting jewelry and knitted items. Because we travel different paths, we don't compete with each other. We do, however, share the artist's life, complete with self-doubt, frustration, empty bank accounts and big dreams. We're hopeful that one of these days, wealthy benefactors will adopt us so we can work on our projects full-time.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Monday, 8 August 2005 - A good cry

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a good cry.


Sometimes, when all else fails to assuage my down-in-the-dumps feeling, a good cry works miracles.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Sunday, 7 August 2005 - The last two weeks of summer vacation

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the last two weeks of summer vacation (written on behalf of the neighborhood kids who are counting down the hours to the first day of school).

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen
.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Saturday, 6 August 2005 - Clean, safe water

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for clean, safe water.
Got water?
$46 billion - Amount spent per year globally on bottled water
$1.7 billion - Amount needed per year beyond current spending to provide clean drinking water to everyone on earth
More than one billion - Number of people worldwide who lack reliable access to safe drinking water
80 - Percentage of world illnesses due to water-borne diseases
(Source: The New York Times)

Although I've lived my life in drought-prone California, Arizona, Texas and Colorado, I still take this precious life-giving and life-sustaining resource for granted every day. I should but don't give thanks each time I drink another glassful, boil a potful to cook the pasta, water the plants, clean fruits and vegetables, run the garbage disposal, take a shower, wash the dishes, brush my teeth, flush the toilet, wash the laundry ... Shame on me for this transgression.

For this blessing, I am very grateful.

Amen.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Friday, 5 August 2005 - My husband's Red Green moments

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my husband's Red Green moments - those occasions when his do-it-yourself inspirations yield good or even excellent results. (And, yes, today he successfully diagnosed and then fixed my car without using duct tape.)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Thursday, 4 August 2005 - Weathering the weather

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for our ability to weather the weather.


The morning surprised us with cold temperatures, fog and rain - quite unseasonable for August and the middle of summer. I just checked the weather report - the high didn't even hit 60 degrees F. If I've done the math correctly, today's high is over 30 degrees cooler than the 90+ degree highs reached during the past few weeks.

Now, in winter, we celebrate a 50+ degree day as a welcome break to the usual sub-freezing temperatures. In summer, however, we're closing the windows and scrambling to find warm clothes. Comfort, after all, is relative.

Whether the weather be fine,
Whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
~ Anonymous
For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Wednesday, 3 August 2005 - Watermelon

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for thick wedges of ripe, sweet, thirst-quenching watermelon (in case you haven't heard, today is National Watermelon Day. )


"When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat." ~ Mark Twain

Nothing completes a summer picnic better than slices of ice-cold watermelon for dessert! The real trick, of course, is selecting a ripe one at the grocery store. Each person I meet has his or her own technique for choosing the best one in the bin. My dad, an experienced produce man, told me to look for a heavy melon with a creamy-colored stem end and bee sting marks - the bees instinctively attack only sweet melons. Easier said than done.

Alas, no technique is 100% foolproof as my results will attest. However, when I hit the jackpot, we all enjoy the delicious reward.

One last thing. Please don't perpetuate the old wives' tale that haunted me during my childhood. Tell your kids not to worry if they swallow whole watermelon seeds. The seeds won't sprout or grow in their stomachs. I am living proof of this fact.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Tuesday, 2 August 2005 - Water fight in the park

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the fun of watching neighbors engage in a major water fight in the park. It looked so refreshing on this hot and stuffy evening.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Monday, 1 August 2005 - A long walk to nowhere in particular

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a long walk to nowhere in particular.


I can tell it's going to be a difficult Monday. I'm having trouble being productive. Anything and everything distracts me. I've already read three newspapers twice through. I also finished three crosswords and the Sudoku puzzle before noon. Now what am I suppose to do to salvage the day?

Go for a long walk to somewhere else - my tried and true remedy for chronic writer's block, stale ideas, and poorly worded sentences. The walk will also cure the restlessness that creeps into my bones whenever I want to be anywhere but at my desk writing. Of course, T, our chocolate Lab will accompany me on my trek. He doesn't mind the wandering as long as the trail supplies a plethora of good sniffs.

And so, I'm off. See you tomorrow.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. ~Raymond Inmon

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.



About My Grateful Journal

Dear Reader:

Give us thankful hearts ... Let us seize the day and the opportunity and strive for that Greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities, and let us ever remember that true gratitude and appreciation shows itself neither in independence nor satisfaction but passes the gift joyfully on in larger and better form. ~ W.E.B. DuBois


A few months ago, I read that high school students who keep grateful journals are happier and less prone to depression when they make daily entries (as opposed to writing less often). What a great idea, I thought. I could ward off my own depression and develop a daily writing habit that would help me fulfill my dream of writing a human interest column and publishing a book of personal essays.

My format is simple: I write to God daily and tell Him about one thing for which I am grateful and why that "thing" is important to me.

I chose "gosei_girl" for my username because I am a fifth generation Japanese-American woman. I've also modified some names to protect the innocent. "S" is my husband and "T," our chocolate Labrador Retriever. Although S and I are native Californians, we have lived in Colorado since 1987.

Thanks for visiting me each day.

Best regards,

gosei_girl