Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for T's progress.
Just because T has to wear the Elizabethan collar doesn't mean he can't join our climbing adventures. How could we leave our best buddy at home? Anyway, the small wound on his nose is healing nicely so I still hope to remove the collar this weekend.
On this springlike day, we load the truck with backpacks and gear and head to Red Rock Canyon. There, we hike the wide dirt trail to the familiar climbing area. This time, we decide to climb the harder routes in the top rope area.
T does very well. He's pretty much business as usual, exploring grassy areas and sniffing at will. S helps out when the collar catches on a rock or scrub oak branch. When we meet people along the trail, I explain T's surgery - just want them to know that T isn't hurt or dangerous. All the while, T strides confidently with his trademark swagger, very pleased to lead his "pack" to today's adventure.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2007 - Another potential bird tenant
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for another potential bird tenant.
This afternoon, as T and I leave the house for our walk, a finch flies from the Christmas wreath that decorates the front door. He/she is not the first bird that has inspected the currently vacant nesting site. Several have shown interest during the past few weeks. I can't blame them. The wreath offers a prime location to build a nest and hatch eggs - just ask the finches that have done just that over the past five years.
I am, however, surprised by the early interest. Surely the birds know that it's still winter and the wet, sloppy Colorado spring snows lie ahead.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for another potential bird tenant.
This afternoon, as T and I leave the house for our walk, a finch flies from the Christmas wreath that decorates the front door. He/she is not the first bird that has inspected the currently vacant nesting site. Several have shown interest during the past few weeks. I can't blame them. The wreath offers a prime location to build a nest and hatch eggs - just ask the finches that have done just that over the past five years.
I am, however, surprised by the early interest. Surely the birds know that it's still winter and the wet, sloppy Colorado spring snows lie ahead.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - Patience
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for patience.
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The hardest thing about T's ordeal is that he doesn't understand what happened to him - the tiny tumor on his nose, the Monday morning surgery to remove the tumor, the annoying Elizabethan collar that he must wear for several days. And, because we can't explain the situation to him in proper canine language, T is rightly frustrated and depressed.
So, we urge patience. You must be patient, T. The wound will soon heal. Before you know it, we'll embark on new climbing and hiking adventures.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for patience.
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The hardest thing about T's ordeal is that he doesn't understand what happened to him - the tiny tumor on his nose, the Monday morning surgery to remove the tumor, the annoying Elizabethan collar that he must wear for several days. And, because we can't explain the situation to him in proper canine language, T is rightly frustrated and depressed.
So, we urge patience. You must be patient, T. The wound will soon heal. Before you know it, we'll embark on new climbing and hiking adventures.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008 - T's successful surgery
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for T's successful surgery.
First, the good news.
The ordeal is over. T is fine and recovering from surgery. He returned home thirsty, hungry and annoyed.
S and I are especially grateful to Dr. S and his staff for understanding T's needs. T literally shakes and shivers from nervousness whenever he visits the veg. We didn't think he could endure a long pre-op wait time. After S conveyed these concerns, Dr. S graciously agreed to do T's surgery first.
Now, the bad news.
Although he doesn't need medication, T has to wear the dreaded Elizabethan collar until the small wound on his nose heals completely (up to two weeks according to the Dr. S). This will definitely try my patience.
As T walks from room to room, he whacks and scrapes the transparent plastic "cone" against furniture, walls, door jambs, appliances ... you get the picture. I will do everything I can to expedite his healing. In any event, I pray that the collar will be ready to come off by the weekend. T may get used to it but I know that I won't.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for T's successful surgery.
First, the good news.
The ordeal is over. T is fine and recovering from surgery. He returned home thirsty, hungry and annoyed.
S and I are especially grateful to Dr. S and his staff for understanding T's needs. T literally shakes and shivers from nervousness whenever he visits the veg. We didn't think he could endure a long pre-op wait time. After S conveyed these concerns, Dr. S graciously agreed to do T's surgery first.
Now, the bad news.
Although he doesn't need medication, T has to wear the dreaded Elizabethan collar until the small wound on his nose heals completely (up to two weeks according to the Dr. S). This will definitely try my patience.
As T walks from room to room, he whacks and scrapes the transparent plastic "cone" against furniture, walls, door jambs, appliances ... you get the picture. I will do everything I can to expedite his healing. In any event, I pray that the collar will be ready to come off by the weekend. T may get used to it but I know that I won't.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday, 24 February 2008 - A hiking adventure
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a hiking adventure.
Well, S and I are very disappointed that the weather people got it so wrong last night.
Today is not warm and springlike with temperatures in the mid-50s. Rather, it's cool, overcast and windy. We had hoped to climb in Red Rock Canyon with friends and give T an extended outing before his Monday morning surgery. Plus, after sitting inside all day Saturday, S and I crave an outdoor workout (although we did boulder pretty hard for a couple of hours on Friday).
S suggests that we drive a short way up the pass. When we arrive at Waldo Canyon, we'll park near the trailhead. Then, we'll cross the highway, hike the Ute Trail and explore another local bouldering area that boasts granite rocks (T will like the steep, rugged terrain). Then, we'll recross the highway and hike the Waldo Canyon trail so T can expend the last of his energy.
I think it's a good plan. Not the climbing adventure we had hoped for. There's nothing wrong, however, with a local hiking adventure. Anyway, we don't have time to debate the issue. It's getting late. We have to get going if we want to hike during daylight hours.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a hiking adventure.
Well, S and I are very disappointed that the weather people got it so wrong last night.
Today is not warm and springlike with temperatures in the mid-50s. Rather, it's cool, overcast and windy. We had hoped to climb in Red Rock Canyon with friends and give T an extended outing before his Monday morning surgery. Plus, after sitting inside all day Saturday, S and I crave an outdoor workout (although we did boulder pretty hard for a couple of hours on Friday).
S suggests that we drive a short way up the pass. When we arrive at Waldo Canyon, we'll park near the trailhead. Then, we'll cross the highway, hike the Ute Trail and explore another local bouldering area that boasts granite rocks (T will like the steep, rugged terrain). Then, we'll recross the highway and hike the Waldo Canyon trail so T can expend the last of his energy.
I think it's a good plan. Not the climbing adventure we had hoped for. There's nothing wrong, however, with a local hiking adventure. Anyway, we don't have time to debate the issue. It's getting late. We have to get going if we want to hike during daylight hours.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Saturday, 23 February 2008 - Grassroots Presidential politics
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for grassroots Presidential politics.
The Colorado Democratic Party currently uses the archaic caucus system to determine its preferred Presidential candidate. The caucus system, though initially less expensive to run than a primary, requires additional citizen participation on the County and State levels.
The County and State conventions are actually caucuses - just large scale ones. About 1,600 people will attend the County caucus while over 10,000 will attend the State caucus. At our February 5 precinct caucus (attended by 27 people), our neighbors elected S and I as two of the three Obama delegates to the County convention.
So, today, S and I spent nearly 11 hours sitting in a stuffy high school auditorium while the County Democratic Party completed its business: selecting delegates in support of state and national candidates to the State convention. We sat, listened and voted with one goal in mind: to support Barack Obama's candidacy and to ensure he got at least 65 percent of the votes in the Presidential preference poll.
The local Obama leaders worked hard to organize their County delegates: holding a special pre-convention information meeting last Tuesday (attended by over 500 people), calling delegates and alternates at least twice, sending information-rich email messages. Since our County earned 4 delegates to the National convention, our ultimate goal was to secure 3 spots for Senator Obama.
Well, we did our duty. Senator Obama received nearly 70 percent of the preference vote, earning 3 precious National delegate seats. Now the goal is to preserve those 3 National seats by sending a full Obama delegation to the State convention.
What a great feeling! For the first time in our lives, S and I see that our local votes and actions directly affect the selection of the Democratic Party's Presidential candidate. Of course, we hope the candidate is Barack Obama.
I am fired up ... ready to go!
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for grassroots Presidential politics.
The Colorado Democratic Party currently uses the archaic caucus system to determine its preferred Presidential candidate. The caucus system, though initially less expensive to run than a primary, requires additional citizen participation on the County and State levels.
The County and State conventions are actually caucuses - just large scale ones. About 1,600 people will attend the County caucus while over 10,000 will attend the State caucus. At our February 5 precinct caucus (attended by 27 people), our neighbors elected S and I as two of the three Obama delegates to the County convention.
So, today, S and I spent nearly 11 hours sitting in a stuffy high school auditorium while the County Democratic Party completed its business: selecting delegates in support of state and national candidates to the State convention. We sat, listened and voted with one goal in mind: to support Barack Obama's candidacy and to ensure he got at least 65 percent of the votes in the Presidential preference poll.
The local Obama leaders worked hard to organize their County delegates: holding a special pre-convention information meeting last Tuesday (attended by over 500 people), calling delegates and alternates at least twice, sending information-rich email messages. Since our County earned 4 delegates to the National convention, our ultimate goal was to secure 3 spots for Senator Obama.
Well, we did our duty. Senator Obama received nearly 70 percent of the preference vote, earning 3 precious National delegate seats. Now the goal is to preserve those 3 National seats by sending a full Obama delegation to the State convention.
What a great feeling! For the first time in our lives, S and I see that our local votes and actions directly affect the selection of the Democratic Party's Presidential candidate. Of course, we hope the candidate is Barack Obama.
I am fired up ... ready to go!
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Friday, 22 February 2008 - Ongoing lesson
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for an ongoing lesson.
If you realize that you have enough,
You are truly rich.
~Lao-Tzu (translated by Stephen Mitchell)
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
~Eric Hoffer
This is my ongoing lesson: to make do with what I have (and, I have a lot). I simply tell myself, "enough already" when I'm tempted to buy something I want but don't really need. Two simple but magical words that work for me.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for an ongoing lesson.
If you realize that you have enough,
You are truly rich.
~Lao-Tzu (translated by Stephen Mitchell)
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
~Eric Hoffer
This is my ongoing lesson: to make do with what I have (and, I have a lot). I simply tell myself, "enough already" when I'm tempted to buy something I want but don't really need. Two simple but magical words that work for me.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thursday, 21 February 2008 - T's good health
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for T's good health.
T, despite his age, remains a very healthy and active dog, demanding minimal veterinarian care. But, as he grows older, we take seriously any change to his physical state.
A few weeks ago, S and I noticed a small inflamed "bump" on his nose (looked like a new pimple). We couldn't discern its origin and decided to see if would heal on its own. Unfortunately, the bump did not recede.
So, this afternoon, S took T to the "veg" (our code name for "veterinarian" - a take-off on "vegetarian"). The veg said the bump is probably a small tumor, most likely benign.
S scheduled the surgery for Monday morning (we hope to climb on Friday and Saturday, giving T two more outings). I'm praying for a good result, that T will be back to normal in a few days.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for T's good health.
T, despite his age, remains a very healthy and active dog, demanding minimal veterinarian care. But, as he grows older, we take seriously any change to his physical state.
A few weeks ago, S and I noticed a small inflamed "bump" on his nose (looked like a new pimple). We couldn't discern its origin and decided to see if would heal on its own. Unfortunately, the bump did not recede.
So, this afternoon, S took T to the "veg" (our code name for "veterinarian" - a take-off on "vegetarian"). The veg said the bump is probably a small tumor, most likely benign.
S scheduled the surgery for Monday morning (we hope to climb on Friday and Saturday, giving T two more outings). I'm praying for a good result, that T will be back to normal in a few days.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wednesday, 20 February 2008 - Youthful enthusiasm
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for youthful enthusiasm.
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
~Henry David Thoreau
During yesterday's rock climbing adventure in Ute Valley Park, S and I worked on a very popular but difficult boulder problem.
Soon after we began the session, four young people approached us. One young man asked if he could join in. He told us that he had climbed the route about a year ago and wanted to try it again. We were more than happy to let him take a turn - gave us a chance to rest and watch someone else climb.
Then, one of the young women stepped up to examine the route. We urged her to try the moves she mapped out. And so, for a while, the four of us took our turns on the boulder.
A spectator might have wondered what was going on for here were S and I, the "old folk" baby boomers working with two young people on a boulder problem. That's one more thing I like about rock climbing - as long as everyone has similar skill and experience levels, age doesn't matter.
I want to mention that the young people were very polite and helpful and didn't seem to mind sharing the boulder with people old enough to be their parents. I guess that S and I have not yet outlived enthusiasm.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for youthful enthusiasm.
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
~Henry David Thoreau
During yesterday's rock climbing adventure in Ute Valley Park, S and I worked on a very popular but difficult boulder problem.
Soon after we began the session, four young people approached us. One young man asked if he could join in. He told us that he had climbed the route about a year ago and wanted to try it again. We were more than happy to let him take a turn - gave us a chance to rest and watch someone else climb.
Then, one of the young women stepped up to examine the route. We urged her to try the moves she mapped out. And so, for a while, the four of us took our turns on the boulder.
A spectator might have wondered what was going on for here were S and I, the "old folk" baby boomers working with two young people on a boulder problem. That's one more thing I like about rock climbing - as long as everyone has similar skill and experience levels, age doesn't matter.
I want to mention that the young people were very polite and helpful and didn't seem to mind sharing the boulder with people old enough to be their parents. I guess that S and I have not yet outlived enthusiasm.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008 - One more day
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for one more day.
One day at a time.
That's how the man on the PBS documentary describes how he lives while he endures tri-weekly dialysis and prays for a kidney transplant. He says that after he receives the transplant, he will finally be able to plan his life beyond the current day. He is in his early 40s.
That's how an acquaintance who suffers from severe osteoarthritis says she lives. She just learned that her right shoulder joint has deteriorated further, matching her left. More shoulder and back surgery is inevitable. Still, she insists on doing as much as she can by herself. As long as she paces herself and rests frequently, she can still do light house and gardening chores, bake cookies for her grandchildren and run errands. She is 62 years old.
And now, that's how S's colleague, George, lives as the cancer advances, the pain intensifies and organ failure begins. We learn that he has less than two weeks to live. George calls S and tells him that he's nearing the end. S tells me that George doesn't sound badly - must be the morphine. S will visit him tomorrow, to say a final good-bye. Of course, I am saddened by the news. George is a true Renaissance man - engineer, musician, inventor, athlete, and all around good guy. He is only 68 years old.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for one more day.
One day at a time.
That's how the man on the PBS documentary describes how he lives while he endures tri-weekly dialysis and prays for a kidney transplant. He says that after he receives the transplant, he will finally be able to plan his life beyond the current day. He is in his early 40s.
That's how an acquaintance who suffers from severe osteoarthritis says she lives. She just learned that her right shoulder joint has deteriorated further, matching her left. More shoulder and back surgery is inevitable. Still, she insists on doing as much as she can by herself. As long as she paces herself and rests frequently, she can still do light house and gardening chores, bake cookies for her grandchildren and run errands. She is 62 years old.
And now, that's how S's colleague, George, lives as the cancer advances, the pain intensifies and organ failure begins. We learn that he has less than two weeks to live. George calls S and tells him that he's nearing the end. S tells me that George doesn't sound badly - must be the morphine. S will visit him tomorrow, to say a final good-bye. Of course, I am saddened by the news. George is a true Renaissance man - engineer, musician, inventor, athlete, and all around good guy. He is only 68 years old.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Monday, 18 February 2008 - A temptation resisted
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a temptation resisted.
For Lent, I gave up eating dessert and chocolate (even though I lost my sweet tooth a few years ago, I still occasionally bake and indulge, especially when Mike visits). So, when our neighbor, Debbie, gives us a plateful of her famous chocolate chip cookies, it takes everything in my power to resist eating one delicious crumb. Of course, S assures me that it's okay to eat just one cookie. But, in my heart, I understand the power and significance of personal sacrifice and successfully resist temptation. Instead, I eat a really juicy tangerine.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a temptation resisted.
For Lent, I gave up eating dessert and chocolate (even though I lost my sweet tooth a few years ago, I still occasionally bake and indulge, especially when Mike visits). So, when our neighbor, Debbie, gives us a plateful of her famous chocolate chip cookies, it takes everything in my power to resist eating one delicious crumb. Of course, S assures me that it's okay to eat just one cookie. But, in my heart, I understand the power and significance of personal sacrifice and successfully resist temptation. Instead, I eat a really juicy tangerine.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sunday, 17 February 2008 - Confirmation
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for confirmation.
Yesterday's decision to rock climb was more than good - it was excellent. I admit this as T and I embark on our morning walk. Last night, while we slept, at least two inches of dry, dense powder, the kind that skiers love, fell on the valley.
Since it's Sunday, the neighborhood streets remain unplowed. No one has dared shovel the sidewalks - yet. Who wants to fight a losing battle? Minutes after you clear the pavement, the wind blows more snow onto the sidewalk, porch or driveway. S suggests that we wait until tomorrow to clear our property.
T and I are the only brave souls circling the park. As the head wind intensifies, T stops and looks back at me. I don't think he likes the wind's sting. I urge him to hurry along. I think we'll head for home after finishing one lap.
Snow continues to fall, swirling and whirling around us, dancing wildly on the North wind's cold and mighty breath.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for confirmation.
Yesterday's decision to rock climb was more than good - it was excellent. I admit this as T and I embark on our morning walk. Last night, while we slept, at least two inches of dry, dense powder, the kind that skiers love, fell on the valley.
Since it's Sunday, the neighborhood streets remain unplowed. No one has dared shovel the sidewalks - yet. Who wants to fight a losing battle? Minutes after you clear the pavement, the wind blows more snow onto the sidewalk, porch or driveway. S suggests that we wait until tomorrow to clear our property.
T and I are the only brave souls circling the park. As the head wind intensifies, T stops and looks back at me. I don't think he likes the wind's sting. I urge him to hurry along. I think we'll head for home after finishing one lap.
Snow continues to fall, swirling and whirling around us, dancing wildly on the North wind's cold and mighty breath.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Saturday, 16 February 2008 - A good decision
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a good decision.
Do we or don't we go bouldering today?
It's cold outside - probably 40ish at best - not unbearable as long as the wind stays calm. Anyway, we'll wear layers and try to work out on west-facing boulders. Besides, the sun is shining brightly, the winter storm isn't due for several hours, and T is begging for another outing.
So, I guess the answer is "yes." Yes, we will go bouldering.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a good decision.
Do we or don't we go bouldering today?
It's cold outside - probably 40ish at best - not unbearable as long as the wind stays calm. Anyway, we'll wear layers and try to work out on west-facing boulders. Besides, the sun is shining brightly, the winter storm isn't due for several hours, and T is begging for another outing.
So, I guess the answer is "yes." Yes, we will go bouldering.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday, 15 February 2008 - A biscotti tradition
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a biscotti tradition.
I am not the best baker on our block - that special honor goes to my next-door neighbor, Debbie. But, I will admit that I make excellent biscotti. S and I love the popular "twice-baked" Italian biscuits, especially my home-baked creations. I now bake them during the holidays and when Mike, our Air Force Academy cadet, visits.
Biscotti from the Italian deli and local cafe are very hard - almost break your teeth hard - and rather grainy and rough textured. One year, based on my experience with ready-made varieties, I consider making biscotti as Christmas gifts for my sisters in California. Flavorful, sturdy confections that surely would not crumble en route - the perfect gift from my kitchen.
I test a popular recipe for pistachio and dried cranberry biscotti. The dough is very easy to make and handle, but the twice-baking steps are time consuming.
After the first batch cools, I try one. To my surprise, the biscotti is fragile with a dry, fine, crumbly texture - melt in my mouth delicious. This is not the rock hard, "please dip me in coffee" biscuits served at the local cafe. What a culinary revelation! I wonder how many people won't make biscotti because they don't like dry, hard biscuits.
Long story short, I send my sisters other gifts for Christmas and give biscotti to local friends and neighbors. And, joyfully, a new holiday baking tradition begins in our household.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a biscotti tradition.
I am not the best baker on our block - that special honor goes to my next-door neighbor, Debbie. But, I will admit that I make excellent biscotti. S and I love the popular "twice-baked" Italian biscuits, especially my home-baked creations. I now bake them during the holidays and when Mike, our Air Force Academy cadet, visits.
Biscotti from the Italian deli and local cafe are very hard - almost break your teeth hard - and rather grainy and rough textured. One year, based on my experience with ready-made varieties, I consider making biscotti as Christmas gifts for my sisters in California. Flavorful, sturdy confections that surely would not crumble en route - the perfect gift from my kitchen.
I test a popular recipe for pistachio and dried cranberry biscotti. The dough is very easy to make and handle, but the twice-baking steps are time consuming.
After the first batch cools, I try one. To my surprise, the biscotti is fragile with a dry, fine, crumbly texture - melt in my mouth delicious. This is not the rock hard, "please dip me in coffee" biscuits served at the local cafe. What a culinary revelation! I wonder how many people won't make biscotti because they don't like dry, hard biscuits.
Long story short, I send my sisters other gifts for Christmas and give biscotti to local friends and neighbors. And, joyfully, a new holiday baking tradition begins in our household.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
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