Friday, 30 September 2005 - Rest

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for rest.

I am feeling a bit under the weather - probably due to the change of seasons. So I'm planning a quiet day followed by an early bedtime.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 29 September 2005 - Sense of well-being

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a sense of well-being - a feeling I haven't had for awhile.

When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird

When I fall
let me fall
without regret
like a leaf

~ Wendell Berry

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 28 September 2005 - Pay our bills

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful that we can pay our bills.

I recently learned that one of our neighbors is struggling financially. After job changes, they're having trouble paying bills on time. I realize that, even in my family's worst financial moments, we've been able to meet our obligations without dipping into savings.

S, T and I are planning ways to assist our friends. We're not wealthy but our resources and hearts overflow when people we love need a helping hand.

For this blessing, I am very grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 27 September 2005 - Recognition

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for recognition.

This morning, I finished a rush project for a client. He was very pleased with the customer presentation I created for him. His "thank you" made my day.

I don't expect compliments on my work - my strong internal compass tells me whether or not I've done an "A" job. I do, however, like a little positive recognition now and then. It can get boring listening to "one hand clapping."

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 26 September 2005 - Jack LaLanne

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Jack LaLanne on the occasion of his 91st birthday.

When I was a mere youngster, my mother watched The Jack LaLanne Show everyday. He opened the show by asking the "girls and boys" to run and get their mothers. Of course, my sisters and I ran to get Mom. We also joined her in the exercises including the face grimaces and jumping jacks.

Now, Jack always demonstrated an exercise prior to a commercial break and told the audience to continue the reps during the break. I always wondered if he actually exercised during the break like we did. As a youngster, I believed that he did. As an adult, I know that he probably did not.

Anyway, Jack LaLanne inspired me to lead a physically active life. I guess that if you begin the exercise habit early, you keep it the rest of your life. Thanks, Jack.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 25 September 2005 - A congregation of butterflies

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a congregation of butterflies.

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.
~Rabindranath Tagore

This morning, as I inspect my front yard garden, I'm greeted by dozens of Monarch butterflies. 'Tis the season for their mass migration to Mexico and South America for the winter. I'm glad that they stopped in my garden for nourishment and rest.

See how they feast on tasty nectars (I'm glad the flowers are still in bloom). See how they congregate on the lilac-hued catmint and deep purple salvia (they must like the color, purple). See how they rest quietly on the soft and soothing patches of thyme. See how they insist on dancing recklessy around the feverfew. And, see how they ignore me as I water the plants.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 24 September 2005 - A "perfect" fall day

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a "perfect" fall day.

Perfect weather - high 60s, breezy, partly cloudy/sunny
Perfect drive - a 100 mile round trip into the Colorado high country
Perfect scenery - the leaves of the aspen trees at their golden peak (spectacular!!!)
Perfect hike - a 5+ mile trek on Horse Thief Trail
Perfect dog - T, of course
Perfect sighting - my husband and T met two bighorn sheep on the trail (I was about 50 feet behind them so I missed the event - darn it!)
Perfect after hike meal (sort of) - Quizno's subs
Perfect music - Sheryl Crow's Greatest Hits

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 23 September 2005 - Blue days

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for blue days.

If you have to be blue, be a bright blue. ~ greeting card message

When I read this quote, I knew it was meant for me. Now, when I feel down and out, I imagine a luxurious cashmere shawl in a color that would rival the bluest Colorado sky. I drape the shawl over my shoulders like a queen's mantle. My Guardian Angel assures me that I look quite stunning even if I don't feel better immediately. Some problems take time to sort themselves out. And, that's okay.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 22 September 2005 - cyclingtv.com

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for cyclingtv.com's free live webcast of two World Cycling Championship events taking place in Madrid - today's elite men's time trial and Sunday's elite men's road race. When you're a cycling junkie, any live telecast in the United States is a welcomed event.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 21 September 2005 - One extraordinary moment

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one extraordinary moment in an otherwise ordinary day.

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 20 September 2005 - Great advice

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for some great advice.

Early evening. T and I are walking around the park. It's a busy place tonight. Soccer games on the field and a dozen children having a raucously good time on the playground.

As we walk by the sandbox, a young boy waves to us from atop the jungle gym. "Don't step in the dog poop!" he yells to me. Great advice for the moment and for life in general.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 19 September 2005 - Autumn's eye candy

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for autumn's eye candy.

Fall in Colorado means aspen leaves changing from green to gold. As we tour the high country to view the transformation, we discover that we're a week or two early. Most of the trees still wear their summer green leaves.

Still, my heart skips a beat each time we sight a patch of brilliant gold against the dark pine forest green background. Think pumpkins, asters, and sunflowers. Then, intensify the color ten-fold. Autumn's eye candy at its very best.

I burn the image into memory - will need it in a few months when the winter's dreary landscape demands a bit of color.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 18 September 2005 - Privacy

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for privacy especially when it comes to talking to You. Some things are best kept just between the two of us.

Follow diligently the Way in your own heart,
But make no display of it to the world.
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front;
Keep out, and you shall be kept in.
He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire.
He that bends shall be made straight.
He that is empty shall be filled.
He that is worn out shall be renewed.
~ Lao-Tzu

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 17 September 2005 - Neighborhood children

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the many children in our neighborhood who are part of our diverse extended family.

Not having our own human children (we do have T, our Chocolate Lab son) doesn't mean we don't like kids. We do. Furthermore, we think it's important to be accessible and generous.

So, it's no wonder that on any given evening when we're out front with T, the neighborhood kids congregate near our house. Tonight, Dominique stops by to ask my husband to fix his bicycle. Several elementary school-aged kids ask us to support their school's fundraising project (I always buy something). Everett updates S on today's football game (his team lost) while Hayden demonstrates a newly-mastered mountain bike maneuver. The girls run across the street to hug T and help me tidy the garden.

Yes, it takes a village.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 16 September 2005 - Fresh vanilla beans

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the intoxicating aroma of fresh vanilla beans.

I just received the pound of fragrant and moist organic beans I ordered on Ebay from a small supplier in Breckenridge. The aroma is intoxicating! This weekend, I'll begin brewing vanilla extract and flavoring organic sugar for Christmas gifts.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 15 September 2005 - Half-way

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for making it to the half-way mark of my 51st year in great health and good spirits. I think my depression has taken flight. The evidence: when I looked this morning, my glass was definitely half full.

Say you are well, or all is well with you,
And God shall hear your words and make them true.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.
~Emory Austin

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 14 September 2005 - Refreshing chill in the air

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the refreshing chill in the air (must be autumn).

When the bold branches
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves -
Welcome wool sweaters.
~B. Cybrill

Fall has arrived a week or so early. I like the cooler weather and dressing in jeans and my beloved wool sweaters. I have more energy throughout the day and need less sleep. Even T is perking up. He's picked up the pace during our morning and evening hikes.

Brrrr. The nighttime temperatures have dipped into the mid-30s - perfect for sleeping. We keep the window open and sleep beneath warm blankets and quilts. I do hope, however, that the season's first hard frost delays its arrival. The flowers in all of my gardens are still quite lovely. And, I just planted a dwarf Barberry bush in the front yard (was a gift from our neighbor, Kathleen).

This weekend, if it doesn't rain, we plan to drive to the high country to view the aspens (they should be a glorious gold by now) and take T for a hike along a favorite trail.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 13 July 2005 - Fresh chili peppers

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for fresh chili peppers.

I know that chili pepper season is here when vendors set up shop on vacant lots to sell peppers by the pound or bushel. Some will even roast your peppers in large cages that rotate over hot fires.

Last week, I bought several pounds of fresh chilis at the natural foods store. This morning, I made my famous green chili enchilada casserole that features Anaheim and jalapeno peppers that I carefully roasted on a dry grill. It was the perfect dish to spice up this unseasonably cool Colorado day.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 12 September 2005 - Paycheck

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the paycheck that arrived in today's mail. With bills to pay, food to buy and dreams to finance, every dollar counts.

For this blessing, I am very grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 11 September 2005 - Tears, hope

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for tears for the lost that nourish my hope for the living.

For Whom The Bell Tolls
John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 10 September 2005 - The completion of an unpopular task

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the completion of an unpopular task.

I love to sew but I hate to alter store-bought clothes. During the past year, I've shopped the very best sales and bought eight pairs of pants and jeans that fit me perfectly except in length (I'm 5'2"). So yesterday and today, I bit the bullet and spent about 6 hours fitting, measuring, pinning and sewing. Yes, a reputable alterations shop could have done the job, but I am so picky about fit and quality that it was worth doing the work myself.

With 8 new pairs of perfectly-fitting pants joining my favorite jeans in the closet, my wardrobe is just about ready for fall. I am still looking for the perfect autumn sweater. I think I'll have better luck finding one in my knitting books. Custom made sweaters are better for me anyway since I am so picky!

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 9 September 2005 - One grilled hot dog

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one grilled hot dog on a toasted bun, smothered in mustard and pickle relish (a tasty treat leftover from Monday's neighborhood block party - only eat it a couple of times each summer - had to eat this one before it spoiled!)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 8 September 2005 - A very good year for peaches

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a very good year for peaches.

This summer, my husband, S, and I ate about 50 pounds of organic Colorado peaches. I originally intended to preserve at least 25 pounds for winter, but decided it was better to eat the peaches in season. After all, winter brings fresh apples and citrus fruit to our table.

I've never eaten so many peaches in a single season. I preferred to eat them raw or mixed into smoothies. S sliced them over cereal. And lucky T, our chocolate Lab - I gave him a few choice slices whenever he caught me at the kitchen sink eating a juicy specimen or slicing several for baking. And, of course, we ate peach crisps and cobblers. I must have baked about a dozen this summer. Very yummy from the first bite to the last.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 7 September 2005 - Letting go, letting God

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for "letting go and letting God."

Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway.
~Mary C. Crowley

While sorting through some papers, I found an old note from a friend in which she encouraged me to "let go and let God." Now, for someone like me with a controlling nature, letting go is a struggle.

Although I've "let go" publicly and privately, the gesture is still not automatic. I have to think about it before doing it. So, to faciliate my surrender, I've started a new list entitled, "Things for God." Whenever I encounter a "letting go" situation, I add the issue to the list. I've discovered that the mere act of writing down the concern eases my anxiety. I also sleep better at night knowing that my most powerful ally is working on my behalf, 24x7x365.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 6 September 2005 - The change of seasons

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the change of seasons as I bid adieu to summer and welcome autumn.

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly
~ John Bailey, a haiku year, 2001

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.
~ Yoko Ono

Evidence of autumn's early arrival:

• Cool, crisp mornings.
• Daily rain showers punctuated by thunder and lightening.
• Air that no longer holds the sun's heat in the evening.
• Faded flowers decorating the garden.
• A few yellow leaves on the Aspen trees.
• I sip hot green tea in the afternoon.
• I wear a sweater to keep warm at night.
• I begin to knit wool scarves and sweaters.
• I crave homemade chicken soup, baked butternut squash and garlic mashed potatoes.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 5 September 2005 - Meaningful work

Dear God:

Today, Labor Day, I am thankful for meaningful work.

God give me work, till my life shall end
And life, till my work is done.
~Epitaph of Winifred Holtby

Without labor nothing prospers. ~Sophocles

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 4 September 2005 - Sunrise

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for this morning's beautiful sunrise (and the fact that I arose early enough to witness it).

Upon the sadness of the sea
The sunset broods regretfully;
From the far lonely spaces, slow
Withdraws the wistful afterglow.
So out of life the splendor dies;
So darken all the happy skies;
So gathers twilight, cold and stern;
But overhead the planets burn;
And up the east another day
Shall chase the bitter dark away;
What though our eyes with tears be wet?
The sunrise never failed us yet.
The blush of dawn may yet restore
Our light and hope and joy once more.
Sad soul, take comfort, nor forget
That sunrise never failed us yet!!
~ Celia Thaxter, "The Sunrise Never Failed Us Yet"

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 3 September 2005 - Basic necessities for a decent life

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the basic necessities of a decent life.

I am troubled by the human suffering wrought by Hurricane Katrina. I am also humbled by the displaced people, who, after losing their homes and possessions, are so grateful for the mundane provisions I take for granted.

One woman, after taking her first shower in days, expressed her gratitude to the people of Houston for their generosity. In my mind, it's the least we can do - to help our neighbors regardless of the distance between our homes. This is one of those times when the golden rule should prevail.

The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey
"I must do something" always solves more problems than "Something must be done."
~ Author Unknown

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 2 September 2005 - A strong back

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a strong back so I can bear my share of the responsibility to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 1 September 2005 - My own troubles

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my own troubles.

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.
"So it is."
"And freezing."
"Is it?"
"Yes," said Eeyore.
"However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."
~A.A. Milne

I will take my own troubles over anyone else's today. My worries and needs seem to pale in comparison to the devastation facing my fellow citizens in New Orleans and other cities hit by Hurricane Katrina. We are giving what we can to the relief effort. And, I am praying for restoration of lives, rejuvenated spirits and miracles.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.