Thursday, 28 August 2008 - First fruits

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for first fruits.

I don't know why, but I am elated when I discover the first evidence of anything edible in my garden. It doesn't matter what grew last year.

The year's first fruits are always a welcomed sight. They prove that, despite environmental challenges and my incessant complaints and worries, I've succeeded.

Here it is, the end of August. Some of my prized edible plants are finally bearing fruit. Finally!

I'm especially pleased to see the sungold cherry tomatoes, eggplants, jalapeno and mariachi peppers, mint and basil doing so well despite the late date. Now I'm praying for one more month of intense sunshine to guarantee the harvest.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: The season's first ripe sungold cherry tomato is a sight for my sore eyes.

Wednesday, 27 August 2008 - Another redpoint

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for another redpoint.

S, T and I are climbing on the Solar Slab at Red Rock Canyon. One route, an athletic 5.10a, challenges me every time I attempt it. In fact, I have yet to redpoint it (i.e., climb it cleanly) - I always manage to slip on the crux.

During my first attempt, I again struggle on the crux. The hand and footholds are very small and smooth so if I don't move precisely, if I don't balance perfectly, I'll fall. I map a possible route over the crux but can't link the moves successfully. I fall, regroup, and try again. I eventually finish the climb, glad that it's over but unhappy about my mistakes.

After S completes his climb, I get my second chance. During this attempt, I approach the crux thoughtfully, carefully considering my intended path, rehearsing the movement series before I begin it. This time, on a warm August afternoon that wears just a hint of autumn, I get my redpoint. S agrees that it's my best climb of the season.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 26 August 2008 - Good neighbor deeds

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for good neighbor deeds.

One of our young friends confesses that whenever her school has a fundraiser, she regards me as her top prospect. She knows that I will listen to her spiel, ask questions about the purpose for the fundraiser and, most importantly, buy something. This time, she's selling Entertainment Books.

Personally, I don't know why our public schools burden young students with fundraising responsibilities. They probably count on the parents and relatives making purchases.

Selling door-to-door is a daunting activity for anyone, let alone children. I remember my own unpleasant selling experiences. Most neighbors answered the door and listened to my spiel. But, in the end, very few bought anything.

So, many years ago, S and I resolved to be good neighbors and do our best to support student activities. If this meant buying magazine subscriptions, tubs of cookie dough, boxes of candy or coupon books, then so be it.

In doing so, I know that we are helping even the shyest children write a small but significant success story, building their confidence in dealing with adults and showing that we care about them and their future.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 25 August 2008 - A return to normalcy

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a return to normalcy.

Now that the Beijing Olympics are finally over, our lives can return to normal. Well, as normal as things can be around here with the Democratic National Convention convening in Denver, the US Open Tennis Championship underway, the Vuelta a Espana (tour of Spain cycling race) set to begin on Saturday and the start of football season ... collegiate, high school, middle school and pro.

Sports and politics. We'll be living and dying both for the next few months. How normal is that!

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 24 August 2008 - An August climbing adventure ... finally!

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for an August climbing adventure ... finally!

The mid-summer monsoons delighted my gardens but ruined our August rock climbing schedule. So, today's adventure in Red Rock Canyon is a welcome one.

Two Air Force Academy cadets join S, T and me - M, who climbs with us whenever he can, and his friend, A, who is sport climbing for the first time.

Yes, the nearly six-hour session is busy, very tiring and lots of fun. An incoming storm alarms us. Fortunately, it brings only sporadic thunder and lightening - no show-stopping rain, this time.

The four of us take turns climbing and belaying (yes, even I take my turn belaying the 6-foot tall, 185 pound climbers). Twenty-five pitches later, S finally takes down the ropes. We carefully repack our gear before heading slowly down the trail.

T is the only one with any reserve energy. He sees the return hike as his chance to sniff, mark and jog to his heart's content. I can't keep up with T (I fell twice due his fast pace down the steepest part of the trail) so I hand S the leash. Back at the truck, M takes T on a bonus hike up the steep trail to the east (one of T's favorites).

I think I know of at least one chocolate Labrador retriever who will sleep very well tonight.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: While we climb, T chews on scrub oak bushes.

Saturday, 23 August 2008 - Laughter

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for laughter.

Remember, men need laughter sometimes more than food.
~Anna Fellows Johnston

A rare dinner out with friends. The food is delicious, European-inspired, exquisite flavors and just right portions. But, the food is a minor detail because Brenda is seated at the table. The day's gloom vanished the moment she walked into the lobby and said hello. And, her wonderful laugh. Contagious, of course.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 22 August 2008 - A change in scenery

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a change in scenery.

Inspiration is wonderful when it happens, but the writer must develop an approach for the rest of the time ... The wait is simply too long. ~Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

I'm struggling with writer's block again. My strategy between those rare inspirational moments is to keep on writing, one word after another.

S wants to go bouldering later this afternoon at Ute Valley Park. I'm sure that a change in scenery will do me good, that the act of climbing large boulders will anchor some of my ideas and thoughts in a well-written sentence or poem.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 21 August 2008 - A way out

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a way out.

The best way out is always through. ~Robert Frost

So, I've taken Robert Frost's road not taken many times and not regretted my decisions. Now, I will follow his advice and walk through - through this storm, through this desert, through this forest. I hope the way out is a well lit path and the exit sign, close by.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 20 August 2008 - Another gardening lesson

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for another gardening lesson.

The watering of a garden requires as much judgment as the seasoning of soup. ~Helena Rutherford Ely

Another gardening lesson: The art of watering involves knowing just how much and exactly when. Plants, even xeric ones, need adequate water to thrive. In arid Colorado, a little goes a long way.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photos: The recent spell of cool, rainy weather has revived the backyard. Looks like S will have to mow the native grass lawn for only the second time this season.

Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - Hindsight

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for hindsight.

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward. ~Margaret Fairless Barber, The Roadmender

20-20 hindsight.
Experience.
If only I knew then what I know now.

I glance backward for clues, an understanding, a new truth. Then, intrigued by what I see, I ask why this and that happened instead of something else, but reach no conclusion. I painstakingly dissect good and bad decisions, analyzing to death their tiny fragments.

I replay major themes and find new lyrics sung to the same old tune. I sense overt warning signs, detect subtle first hints and relive embarrassing slaps in the face. I find a fragrant rose here, a sunny daffodil there and bothersome weeds everywhere.

I succeed. I fail. I grieve. I reconsider. I learn. Then, I decide to move on. Sometimes willingly, other times reluctantly. Destination, unknown or nebulous at best. But at least I move on.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 18 August 2008 - More courage

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for more courage.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell

I've given up planning my life. Well, not entirely. I still need to plan a little. Just enough so I can get through the day. Just far ahead so my weekly grocery list makes sense. But, not so much that I damage dreams and relinquish hope.

But letting go completely. That's a real challenge. To get rid of a planned life and welcome destiny. I don't know if I have the courage to do it.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 17 August 2008 - A repaired fence

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a repaired fence.

When a brown bear toppled the same section of fence a few years ago, he/she tore the gate from its hinges and broke two posts. S spent a full weekend digging out the old posts, setting new ones in concrete and building a new gate.

Last night or early this morning, the bear merely ripped the section from the posts. And, despite the rain, S repaired the damage in less than a hour. Now, T is safe and sound again in his fenced yard.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, 16 August 2008 - Impossible dreams

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for impossible dreams. Like Lance Armstrong winning the Tour de France for seven consecutive years and, now, Michael Phelps winning eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing.

The impossible can always be broken down into possibilities. ~Author Unknown

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 15 August 2008 - Dara Torres

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Dara Torres.

U.S. Olympic swimmer, Dara Torres, inspires me with her "dreams have no age limit" message. At age 41, she consistently beats women half her age.

As an athlete, I will never be in her league. But, I can do my best with what I have - some natural talent, fitness, determination and passion.

When I took up rock climbing two years ago at age 52, I knew I had a lot to prove to myself. The sport clearly attracts teens, not baby boomers.

Still, I think I've done all right given my late start. Not exceptional according to the world's standards, but good enough for me.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.