Wednesday, 14 May 2008 - Jim Sheeler

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Jim Sheeler.

I owe my early writing career to Professor Bauer in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. When he urged Jo to write from her own experiences, I knew that he was also speaking to me.

In recent years, Denver journalist, Jim Sheeler, has inspired my writing. After he won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for feature story writing, I sent him a congratulatory email. Long story short, my email was one of four that later appeared as a "letter to the editor" in the Rocky Mountain News.

Mr. Sheeler turned his winning story into a full-length book with the same title, "Final Salute." Last night, his book tour brought him to Colorado Springs. I attended, of course. I don't have many opportunities to meet a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Here's my letter to the editor and the link to the prize-winning story.

When I read that Jim Sheeler and Todd Heisler of the Rocky Mountain News had each won a 2006 Pulitzer Prize for their story “Final Salute,” I just had to write to say, “Congratulations! Well done!”

In particular, I am one of Sheeler’s most loyal fans. I’ve studied his writing and use his articles as models for my own essays and poems. He is one of the reasons why I continue to subscribe to the News.

About his writing, I love:
-The quiet undertones of emotion and empathy.
-The concise yet elegantly worded sentences; the language never flowery or forced.
-The telling of a compelling and often memorable story no matter the topic.
-His compassion for the person or subject — I can feel it, yet it doesn’t interfere with the facts or event.
-The delicate balance of objectivity and intimacy.

Thank you, Mr. Sheeler, for your marvelous pieces. They’ve changed my life and view of the world.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/special-reports/final-salute/

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - Living strong for others

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful that I can "live strong" for others.

LiveStrong Day 2008.

In Colorado, we awake to cold, wind, rain and snow. Serious weather, I suppose for a solemn day. A striking contrast to yesterday's blinding sunshine and 80 degrees (was perfect for our bouldering adventure).

I study the names on the list of people (and pets) for whom I live strong, for whom I wear a yellow bracelet, the one that Lance Armstrong popularized a few years ago. I shake my head. Most are dead. A few are still fighting cancer. Only one is a long term survivor.

I sigh. Too many. And, most, too young.

If prayers help, I will pray.
If tears help, I will cry.
If smiles help, I will smile.
If a yellow bracelet helps, I will wear one.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 12 May 2008 - One aluminum can

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one aluminum can.

Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a television for 3 hours or the equivalent of a half gallon of gasoline. ~www.recycling-revolution.com

During my daily walks with T, I collect recyclables that litter our path. I also rescue items from the park's trash cans and culvert. My prized finds are aluminum cans because I know the value of recycling them.

Recycling one aluminum can won't save Mother Earth, but it's a good start. If every American recycled just one can a day or one can a week ... well, that's an entirely different story. I hope I live long enough to tell it.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 11 May 2008 - My mother's garden

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my mother's garden.

In search of my mother's garden, I found my own. ~Alice Walker

I don't recall my mother ever having her own garden. Rather, she helped my father maintain his. Weeding. Watering. Warning (i.e., reminding us not to play near the plants or trample the lawn).

Sadly, my father never invited my sisters and me to help him garden. Actually, I don't think it ever crossed his mind or, if it did, he didn't want to bother. Of course, we didn't dare ask if we could help. We were girls, after all.

So, my father never invoked the paternal privilege of teaching us how to plant shrubs, prune roses or thin seedlings. He never got to share his horticultural knowledge by explaining the optimal time for planting or fertilizing or watering or harvesting. He just did his thing in his garden, excluding us every step of the way.

So, then, where does my gardening knowledge come from? Clearly, not from a traditional handing down of information, father to daughter. My gardening knowledge comes from direct get-your-hands-dirty experience and a careful distillation of advice from books, friends, online resources and nurseries.

Now, back to my mother's garden. If she had one, I think she would plant a lively cottage garden that bursts each spring with fragrance, color and joy. A garden that attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. A garden that invites daughters to join the fray, welcoming my sisters and me to make a fresh batch of mud pies any time we like.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 10 May 2008 - Seedlings

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for seedlings.

New seed
is faithful.
Its roots deepest
in the places
that are
most empty.

~Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.

Gardeners everywhere know that starting plants from seed requires faith, patience and prayer. I sowed tomato and pepper seeds on April 27. I check my improvised "greenhouse" often for signs of life. I think its location - the west-facing kitchen window - provides adequate light and heat. Proper moisture regulation is also essential - not too dry, not too wet (the latter is usually my downfall).

This morning, to my utter delight, I find tomato sprouts standing proudly above the dark brown peat pots. I'm especially pleased that 11 of the 15 sungold tomato seeds germinated (sungold tomatoes are my favorite variety; I bought these seeds from another gardener).

Now I must give the seedlings time to mature before I transplant them in pots or my garden. For me, this phase requires even more faith, patience and prayer. I hope I'm up to the challenge.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 09 May 2008 - Mother Nature's fashion week

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Mother Nature's fashion week.

What a difference a week makes.

A week ago, deciduous trees, with their brownish gray bark and bare branches, still reminded me of winter. It snowed on May 1. Today, the trees invite a new story. After all, it's Mother Nature's fashion week.

Listen to the commentary as the trees swagger down the runway.

"These trees wear multitudes of tiny leaves tinted every possible shade of green. Think spiky clusters of shiny chartreuse brightening the drab winter brown palette."

"Covered head-to-toe in blossoms, graceful flowering trees show off their spring finery. Pastels blend beautifully with deeper shades of pink, peach, white and red. Think Hawaiian leis covering each branch. Think traditional cherry trees in full bloom. Think spring breezes carrying delicate petals near and far. "

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 08 May 2008 - A hopeful voice

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a hopeful voice.

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

I'm trying to block out the negative self-talk that's usurped the airways and listen only to the tiny voice within that tells me things will be all right. This takes tremendous effort. The negative voices shout loud, hostile, bitter words.

Still, I try to imagine that they're the thunder, wind and lightening of a very noisy storm. Mere background noise. Pure bluster. Nothing worth my constant attention.

Only then can I concentrate on the tiny voice within, the one that speaks of hope.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 07 May 2008 - Rain

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for rain.

The early morning rain soaks my garden, muddies the path, settles the dust.
A welcome watering after a rather dry April.
Perhaps we'll see May flowers after all.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 06 May 2008 - Healing prayers

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for healing prayers.

Oh, Great Spirit,
I pray for myself in order that I may be healed.
Oh, Great Spirit,
I pray for my close friend who is sick and needs help.
~Ed McGaa, Eagle Man

I'm still upset by my friend's stage 4 lung cancer. Actually, I feel helpless and angry. Sorry, but I can't hide my selfishness. I just thought he would always be around, somewhere, somehow. After all, aren't we suppose to outlive our parents but not each other - at least not by decades?

When we were in college, the three of us once talked about getting together when we were much older. At that reunion (which seemed so far off in the future), we would tell our life stories, recall shared memories and celebrate our long friendship. We would share a bottle of excellent wine as we laughed and talked into the wee hours of the morning.

If only we could go back to the first day we met and start again. This time, with more feeling. And kept promises to stay in touch after college.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 05 May 2008 - My sister, E

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my sister, E, as she celebrates her birthday.

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert

This quote describes my favorite sister, E, perfectly. Except that she has never done anything to make me wish I were an only child. And it doesn't mention her inner and outer beauty, artistic talents and heart of gold.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: T wishes his Aunt E a very happy birthday.

Sunday, 04 May 2008 - More courage

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for more courage.

Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart
you were meant to do. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

The odds are definitely against me right now. Few are betting on my success. But that doesn't mean I won't keep trying. Being who I am is challenging. Doing what I want to do is tough business. That's my life in a nutshell.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 03 May 2008 - HerbFest

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for HerbFest.

I attend this local event for the second consecutive year. Sadly, my neighbor, Sherry, can't accompany me. Osteoarthritis now prevents her from walking or standing for more than a few minutes at a time. And, S has no interest in herbs or gardening. So, I go alone.

I thoroughly enjoy my outing. For nearly two hours, I walk the exhibit floor where vendors sell everything from products infused with Amazon rainforest botanicals to homemade soaps, salves and lotions to Himalayan salt scrubs to specially blended detox tea. Of course, I love samples. I nibble on organic cocoa bean concoctions, sip energy drinks and dab essential oils on my wrists.

My main mission is to buy live herbs for my garden. Fortunately, a local nursery is selling organically grown plants near the entrance. I select an assortment of culinary herbs to plant in pots, three jalapeno pepper plants and two pelargonia (one cinnamon, one ginger) for my small scented geranium collection.

I'm especially fond of the eight sweet basil plants. When I sniff the fragrant leaves, I can taste spoonfuls of homemade pesto. (sigh) I can't hardly wait for summer.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 02 May 2008 - A reprieve

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a reprieve.

After a hectic week, I don't feel like playing hostess so I'm relieved to learn that we won't have company after all. That means a guilt-free weekend working in the garden, potting plants and decluttering my studio. And, yes, with S back home, we'll climb or boulder each afternoon.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: T enjoys the cool but sunny afternoon.

Thursday, 01 May 2008 - A good traveling companion

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a good traveling companion.

As predicted, the spring blizzard hits this morning, bringing lots of wet snow and cold temperatures to the neighborhood. This is unfortunate. As someone who dislikes driving in inclement weather, I have a busy schedule today - appointments to keep, places to go and people to see.

My biggest worry? What to do with T.

S is out of town this week so no one is available to "dog-sit" on a moment's notice. And, I can't leave him outside in the storm - at age 11, he doesn't tolerate the cold or isolation very well. So, I decide to take T with me. It's cool enough with the windows cracked open so he won't roast in the Camry while I make my rounds. Plus, he likes riding in the car, settling readily on the cozy fleece blanket protecting the back seat. And, don't forget about the treats. I give him several each time I leave or return.

At day's end, T tells me that he's glad I took him with me. He really liked visiting the post office, beauty salon, natural foods store, library, charity shop, nursery and World Arena (where, before my meeting, we took a brisk walk along the greenbelt).

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.