Tuesday, 28 February 2006 - An early start to spring cleaning

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for an early start to spring cleaning.

I am on a roll and no one can stop me. Spring cleaning began today. My closet is in good shape, but my studio/office needs a major makeover.

Oh, Lord,
Give me wisdom and discernment so I know what things I need to keep for this leg of my journey.
Release me from material burdens that hinder my travels and clutter my space.
Please help me discard my nagging "just in case" excuse for keeping things.
And, help me see that the things worth having in this life are already at home in my heart.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 27 February 2006 - The color, yellow

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the color, yellow.

While growing up, I never liked the color, yellow. Probably my reaction to yellow's racial connotations since I am Japanese. "Yellow peril" is the negative phrase I remember best. I never wore yellow because it was too bright for my conservative style and didn't complement my complexion's golden undertones.

Today, I think differently about yellow - it's now a color I adore.

Yellow is:
the sun's life-giving energy
the sunflower's regal crown
a candle's hopeful glow on a cold winter's night
ripe corn on the cob
a patch of spring daffodils in full bloom
a basket of fresh, fragrant lemons
the Tour de France's maillot jaune
a sparkling canary diamond
anonymous wildflowers that grace my summer garden
how sunshine feels from the inside out

Thanks to my knitting adventures, my once drab wardrobe now includes bright yellow accents - a bulky cardigan sweater, a long scarf, a felted wool handbag. And, I never leave the house without wearing a "livestrong" wristband (yellow is Lance Armstrong's favorite color).

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 26 February 2006 - Elbow grease

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for lots of elbow grease.

We washed, waxed and polished our vehicles today - my husband's Ford Ranger truck and Mrs. TC (my Toyota Camry). The weather cooperated beautifully - mild temperatures and very little wind. I did most of the work on Mrs. TC while S went for a bike ride. Then, I helped him wax and polish the truck (a big task for one person). T sat or lay on the driveway the entire time, supervising our work and keeping an eye on the neighbors.

Can spring be far away? Everyone was out and about this afternoon so we had the chance to catch up on the latest news. I think it's time to organize the year's first BBQ.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 25 February 2006 - The small things

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the small things.

Things like ...

• My daily wake-up call courtesy of T's cold wet nose touching my cheek
• Irish cream liquor (homemade)
• The sweet-tart taste of blood oranges
• The tips of bulbs breaking through the frozen earth (a sure sign that spring is near)
• Email
• The prayer of Jabez
• A large bowl of very spicy homemade tortilla soup laden (my own recipe)
• A freshly ironed pair of jeans
• Flannel sheets
• Circular knitting needles
• Spider plants
• Wool yarn dyed in a vibrant colorway
• A new tube of lipstick
• Mint dental floss
• Red Teva boots
• Mechanical pencils that use #7 or #9 lead
• Sharp chopping knives
• Towels made from microfiber
• New batteries
• Online bill paying
• Staples
• Ott-Lite lamps
• Sparkling clean mirrors
• The just-in-case safety pin I carry in my wallet
• Cell phones
• The smell of damp mulch
• Perfectly cooked brown rice
• The newspaper's plastic sleeve (we use it to pick-up T's poops in the park)
• ...

For these blessings, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, February 24, 2006 - Gardening dreams

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for gardening dreams.

The mild temperatures have returned and so have my gardening dreams. I've been so busy working and knitting that I haven't studied the stack of seed and plant catalogues that began arriving in December. Nevertheless, my list of gardening chores grows longer each time I survey the various plots. Needs trimming. Needs mulch. Needs to be hoed. Needs to be repotted. Needs to be reseeded.

I managed to order three Goji berry bushes last fall (they're suppose to be easy to grow in arid conditions). I expect them in early April. I also received a High Country Gardens gift certificate for Christmas so I can buy some of the "must have" perennials on my wish list.

This year, I'm considering growing some edible plants. Nothing exotic. Just a few items that I use repeatedly in my summer cuisine. Jalapeno and habanero peppers for salsa. Basil for pesto. Gourmet lettuce for salads. Raspberries for dessert.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 23 February 2006 - Learning new tricks

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the ability to learn new tricks.

I have much to learn this week - the critical how to's of the Toyota Camry (like how to turn on the heater and fill the gas tank) and how to use my new Sony-Ericsson Z520a cell phone.

Learning about the car is easy since it's similar to other cars I've driven. Learning how to use the new cell phone with it's myriad capabilities, settings, customizations and "cool" features is an Olympic-sized challenge.

My husband, eager to master his new "toy," has already spent many hours learning about his complex pocket PC-phone device. In sharp contrast, I am content just knowing how to answer the phone while wearing a Bluetooth ear piece. We both love technology but I dread becoming a slave to its possibilities.

(Ask me a month from now about how I'm doing with my cell phone. By then I should have learned at least five new tricks!)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 22 February 2006 - The scrub oak

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the scrub oak.

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools. ~John Muir

The construction workers are back at work, clearing the last section of our neighborhood's open space to make room for some luxury homes. Their work involves removing more scrub oak - the venerable trees that have graced the land for many decades, providing nesting sites for the birds, shelter for the rabbits, camouflage for the deer, coyotes and foxes, and scenery for local hikers who frequent the trail (includes S, T and me).

We tearfully said our good-byes last fall when the earth movers began to level the land. Now, in the midst of winter, I am saddened again as I watch more of my old friends succumb to a developer's greed.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 21 February 2006 - Mrs. Jeep

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Mrs. Jeep.

Mrs. Jeep, a silver 1987 Cherokee Laredo, was my car, road companion and faithful servant for nearly 19 years. Recently, we discovered a problem that made her undriveable (i.e., too expensive to repair given her worth). So, I had to find another car to replace her. I am pleased with my "new" car, a 1994 Toyota Camry that runs beautifully and looks great for an older vehicle. With some TLC, it should serve me well for the next few years.

I admit that I was sad to say good bye to Mrs. Jeep. I didn't cry but my heart ached a bit. Now, she's off on a new adventure. I pray that her new owner treats her well.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 20 February 2006 - Technology

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for technology.

I feel very lucky to be living in the age of technology. I am old enough to remember the "old days" when I used a slide rule to solve complex equations and had to go to the library to conduct research. I am also young enough to be adept at using computers and to appreciate the value of the Internet (I am an expert online shopper).

I love technology even though I don't own the latest and greatest laptop, phone or home entertainment system. Although the devices I do own feature older technology, they meet my needs. I am very practical and frugal when it comes to buying machines. My husband, S, loves high tech gadgets but buys only what he really needs to do his work.

So, today, when we bought new cell phones, we each chose devices that reflect our styles and requirements. My new Sony-Ericsson phone has a digital camera and Bluetooth technology. S chose a device that combines state-of-the-art telephony with a pocket PC (very cool device - now he won't have to carry a laptop each time he travels). My favorite accessory: the Bluetooth ear piece (when I wear it, I feel and look like a very hip baby boomer).

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 19 February 2006 - Hearing

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my hearing.

I'm listening to a favorite program that airs on the local public radio station. This week's topic is "loss" and "living without." One story discusses hearing - compromised in one person due to tinnitus and diminished in another due to a birth defect. As I listen intently to the discussion, I am suddenly very aware of my ability to hear normally.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 18 February 2006 - Shelter from the cold

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for shelter from the cold.

This afternoon, in the heat of the day, the temperature barely reached the low single digits so I was perfectly content to stay indoors. Though drafty in spots, our home keeps us safe and sound during the worst winter weather.

T and I ventured out around 2 PM for a quick romp in the park. He did just fine although the icy sidewalks irritated his front paws (I think he'll have to wear snow booties for protection). I wore expedition weight clothes and was comfortable except when walking into the headwind. Just before we left the house, the radio announcer proclaimed that it was a frigid 1 degree downtown - definitely sub-zero with the wind chill.

Relief is just around the corner. Sunday's high temperature is suppose to reach the 30s (a good thing since I still need to pick-up my "new" car).

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 17 February 2006 - A wish come true

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a wish come true.

Be careful what you wish for because wishes do come true.

I guess I need to be more specific when I wish for a winter day. The current storm brought snow and sub-zero temperatures (much colder than I wanted but I'm happy about the snow). T and I finally made it to the park this afternoon after the wind died down - one extremely cold lap was all we could tolerate.

The weather service reported a high of 9 degrees in the city (a record low for February 17). I know it was colder in our neighborhood since our altitude is about 600 feet higher. Right now, the "feels like" temperature is -10 degrees. We expect a sub-zero low as the deep freeze continues.

I'm staying warm and comfortable inside the house by wearing four layers on top (all made from high-tech fabrics - otherwise I would look like a stuffed bear), fleece pants, heavy wool socks and Ugg slippers. We keep the thermostat at 60-62 degrees during the day, 58 degrees at night.

My current wish: that we get lots more snow so we can snowshoe along the local trails or cross country ski in the park.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 16 February 2006 - Our good luck

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for our good luck in finding a new car.

Well, I think we found a car to replace Mrs. Jeep thanks to a good friend who owns a used car business. If everything works out, I could be back on the road this weekend driving a 1994 Toyota Camry. The best part - MB gave us such a good deal on the car that we'll be able to pay cash. The last thing I need is a monthly car payment.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 15 February 2006 - A piece of chocolate

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a piece of chocolate.

When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. ~John F. Kennedy, 12 April 1959

This week has been really tough (and I'm not talking about Americans at the Olympics). I need to turn some very sour lemons into lemonade (including buying a reliable used car to replace Mrs. Jeep).

What I really need right now is comfort, the kind that chocolate, alone, can offer. My favorite: Chocolove's Extra Strong Dark Chocolate with 77% cocoa content.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 14 February 2006 - Falling in love

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for falling in love.

I have fallen in love with people (my husband, S) and canine companions (currently T). I have also fallen in love with places, especially France.

So, in honor of Valentine's Day, I am sharing three Haiku that I wrote after visiting France in the summer of 2001. We traveled to Paris, the Loire Valley, Normandy and Giverny.

French Triology

Their gold crowns wilting,
sunflowers answer summer's
last call for prayer.

Monet's garden is
not my garden's twin. Oh well.
The weeds still love me.

In Paris, I kissed
the soft summer sky. Now I
know what blue tastes like.

(please note that my poems are copyrighted materials)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 13 February 2006 - The neighborhood children

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the neighborhood children.

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

I appreciate the fact that the neighborhood kids - including the middle school and high school boys - feel comfortable talking to me. So, over the weekend, when R and his friends told me about some "strange" happenings in the neighborhood, I believed their concerns and acknowledged their fears. I also promised to call the police department and relay the information. Which I did.

Since we don't have our own children, my husband and I make it a point to be friends with the young people in the neighborhood. These days, it does take a village to raise kids.

When we see someone we know, we go out of our way to talk to the person and find out what's going on in his/her life. We show genuine interest in their activities and note their talents and interests. When our schedules permit, we attend their extra-curricular activities including concerts and sporting events. We pay them well when they shovel the snow or take care of T. S helps them maintain their bicycles. I teach them about recycling, gardening and respect for the environment. And, most importantly, we try to set a good example. After all, you never know who is watching.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 12 February 2006 - Clean mountain air

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a deep breath of clean mountain air.

I admit that I take the mountain air for granted. But I shouldn't. I spent nearly 30 years of my life in Los Angeles where I breathed my share of car exhaust and smoggy, lung-irritating air.

So, this morning, as T and I walk to the park, I consider the quality of our lives in Colorado. My assessment immediately focuses on the air we breathe. Yes, in winter, the air is often very cold. But it's also very clean.

My husband and I are considering moving to a larger city in another state (we miss the diversity and energy of urban life). He's worried, however, about the higher housing prices while I'm concerned about clean air. So, after discussing the pros and cons, we usually end up tabling the matter.

We are willing to live in a smaller house. But, compromise on clean air? I'm not sure I'm ready to go that far.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 11 February 2006 - Homemade kimchi

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for homemade kimchi.

Our palates prefer very hot and spicy ethnic foods. So, when I bought a packet of ground habanero chili pepper, I expected to use it in nearly every dish I cooked. Well, I soon learned the hard way that ground habanero chili pepper is extraordinarily hot. A pinch here and there is all we can tolerate.

Today, I made a batch of kimchi from fresh, organic bok choy. We both love this spicy, fermented Korean relish. Although I am Japanese, I grew up eating kimchi. My husband ate it daily during his Peace Corps stint in South Korea. Since kimchi is so expensive at the natural foods store (over $5 for a pint jar), I began making it from scratch.

To "kick it up another notch" (as Emeril would say), I added a generous 1/2 teaspoon of the habanero powder to the salted bok choy, red chili pepper flakes, ginger, minced garlic and thinly sliced green onions. After mixing everything together, I tasted the concoction. Wow. It was very hot, spicy, salty and delicious.

Unfortunately, the kimchi must ferment for about two days before it's ready to eat. We're counting down the hours.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 10 February 2006 - A good night's sleep

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a good night's sleep.

It's winter, and I am getting older! Why else would I be sleeping 9-10 hours each night, regardless of my bedtime? Many mornings, even T rises before me, and he's a champion canine sleeper! I must really need the rest.

I'm lucky to be able to sleep in (working from home affords me this small luxury). I regret, however, that for the first time in decades, I consistently miss sunrise - one of my favorite times of the day.

If I'm ever offered a full-time job outside the home, I will have to negotiate a late starting time. I don't think I could keep my former insane schedule of up at 5 AM, in the office by 7 AM and home by 8 PM.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 10 February 2006 - A winter song

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a winter song.

Antisthenes says that in a certain faraway land the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible, so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer. ~Plutarch in Moralia

In my Colorado neighborhood, winter is a quiet season. During the day, the only certain sound is the low rumble from the trucks that travel the side road to and from the rock quarry.

The song birds - those that stay the winter - seldom visit our yard, saving their high-spirited concerts for the warmer seasons. Children stay indoors, depriving me of their shouts, screams and laughter that tell me school is out. Since the gardens and lawns are dormant, the lawn mowers, weed-eaters and edgers hibernate in garages and tool sheds.

Snow falling is silent, though beautiful to watch. Cold air is mute while it embraces me with a bone-chilling hug. Even T is very quiet, having found a sunny spot in the backyard for his nap or curling up on the braided rug near the sliding glass door for a peaceful snooze.

For me, winter's song belongs to the wind. Violent gusts that shake the house, rattle the windows, whistle eerily through the chimney, thrash the trees and bushes, whip the old cedar fence and create utter havoc on trash day. More percussion than melody, I would say.

"Cold front approaching, " the wind bellows.

In my studio, I brace for the cold spell. I wrap a blanket around my legs and turn on the space heater. Then, I await the wintry weather with high hopes that Mother Nature will finally answer my prayers for snow.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen

Wednesday, 08 February 2006 - Forgiveness

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for forgiveness.

See everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little.
~Pope John XXIII

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
~Lewis B. Smedes

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.
~Harriet Nelson

I tend to be intolerant because of my innate critical nature (a negative attribute of my Myers-Briggs NT personality type). But, when I'm able let it go (especially when the irritant involves my husband or family), I feel so much better. The act of letting go involves my forgiving others for their trespasses against me, a difficult task that is becoming easier with daily practice.

I learned a long time ago that when I point the finger at someone else, three fingers point back at me. This leads to the hardest part of forgiving - I must learn to forgive myself.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 7 February 2006 - Apple cobbler

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for apple cobbler.

Made fresh this morning (by me) from Colorado-grown organic apples. Topped by a golden brown biscuit crust. Lots of cinnamon. A handful of toasted almonds. Served a la mode. A very delicious breakfast when accompanied by a mug of green tea.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 06 February 2006 - A new skill

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a new skill.

I am learning to negotiate prices. In my pre-online buying days, I was an expert at finding things we needed or wanted on sale. At the mall, I was the 75%-or-more-off queen.

Now that I buy nearly everything (except groceries) online, I am learning to negotiate prices with individual sellers (you can't haggle with most businesses). My husband, an experienced negotiator, reminds me that if I don't ask for a discount, I won't get one.

So, I ask for discounts, usually on multiple purchases or on expensive items. To my surprise, the sellers often say yes to my requests. A few dollars here and there may not seem like a lot of money when you consider single purchases, but, over time, the savings add up. Not enough for a new car (something I really need), but enough to help fund our charitable gifts and political contributions.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 05 February 2006 - Sore muscles

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for sore muscles - a sign that my new exercise routine is working.

When it comes to getting fit, I believe in the no pain - no gain rule (I speak with some authority since I have a degree in Kinesiology from UCLA). So, I'm lifting weights regularly and adding jogging to my aerobics routine (T likes to run so jogging will be good for both of us). I'm hitting the heavy bag every other day and working my abs like there's no tomorrow. Pilates. Yes. Callanetics. Yes. Yoga. Yes.

The reason for this boost in activity? Well, it's a vanity thing. My 52nd birthday is next month, and I refuse to look or feel my age.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 04 February 2006 - A wish and a prayer

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a wish and a prayer.

I have a lot of wishes for this year - mainly for good things for people I know, the environment, our business and financial future and the righting of wrongs. But, they are only wishes.

Someone once said that you can tell a lot about people by how they spend their time and money. So, I'm trying to make my actions and money speak for my mind, heart and spirit.

Time. Money. Passion. Dedication. Persistence. Faith. Maybe I can make a difference.

I am also praying. When you're trying to move mountains during one lifetime, it never hurts to ask for help from the most powerful sources in the Universe.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 03 February 2006 - Healthy knees

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for healthy knees.

For about a dozen years of my life, I lived and breathed the sport of long distance running. It was the 1970's - the sport was just beginning to capture the imagination of fitness-minded people. I was a member of the UCLA Running Club - an eclectic group of faculty, staff and students dedicated to road racing.

In those days, we had lousy low-tech shoes and rarely lifted weights to increase our strength and protect our bodies from injury. We simply racked up the miles, day after day, week after week. I ran lots of races, preferring the half-marathon distance. I wasn't fast enough to place in 10-K races, but did well in the longer ones since I had great endurance and a strong will.

The sport took its toll on my right knee. I stopped running around age 29. Too much pain. Besides, I wanted to be able to walk when I was 80.

It's been over 20 years since I hung up my old Nikes. I still miss the training, the comradery and the sense of personal accomplishment especially when I set a PR (personal record). I really miss the notorious runner's high (it's real and addictive). Sometimes, I run/walk around the park with T in a vain attempt to recapture the elusive "running with purpose" feeling I experienced years ago.

At age 51 (nearly 52), I am fortunate to have healthy knees. I owe my recovery to rest, weight lifting, cycling and daily walks. I've also kept my weight in check.

I figure that if I can continue my current fitness regimen for a few more decades and avoid serious injury or illness, I may still achieve a goal I set for myself when I was 20-something: to run a marathon in my 80s.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 02 February 2006 - A mild winter

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a mild winter.

It's February 2 - Groundhog's Day. To no one's surprise, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning.

Oh well. If we were suffering through the worst winter weather in memory, I would be concerned. Instead, we're still enjoying mild, dry conditions. Six more weeks of winter. Doesn't bother me a bit as long as the current weather trend continues.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

P.S. Please remind the trees that it's still winter. I noticed leaf buds emerging along the bare limbs of every deciduous tree in the park. I cringe when I think of what might happen to the new growth during March and April. We usually get damaging spring storms complete with cold temperatures, hail, very wet and heavy snow, and ice that encases every tree branch and plant.

Wednesday, 01 February 2006 - Hair

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my hair.

When it comes to our hair, we women always want what we don't have. I have very straight hair and craved curly locks for years. My friends with naturally curly hair covet my straight tresses. I have always loved red hair yet I am stuck with dark brown and gray. For the cut, I have settled on a chin length "bob" that suits my square face shape, fine hair texture and busy, no-fuss lifestyle very well.

One concern of mine is how to describe my hair on official forms like my driver's license. This year, thanks to my stellar driving record, I was able to renew my driver's license by mail. On the renewal form, I was given the chance to confirm and update my information.

I lowered my height to 5'2" and changed my weight to 107 pounds. My eyes are still brown, so I selected that box. Next, I considered my hair color. The choices were very limited so I checked the box next to "brown."

Now, if the Department of Motor Vehicles really cared about my personal features, the form would have had more options for my hair color. For example, my license would show my "natural" hair color (I would have checked dark brown and gray). Then, it would reveal my "actual" hair color (I would have checked medium brown with interesting blond and red hightlights and gray along the hairline.)

Oh well. At least my photo on file still looks like me. I was 47 at the time. I hope in five years, people who examine my license will still remark, "Great picture. You haven't changed a bit!"

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.