Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a bowl of guacamole.
For some reason, I am craving guacamole. Must be my Southern California heritage and love of Mexican food and an honest desire to live closer to my parents and sisters.
There's not much I can do about homesickness - after all, we've lived in Colorado for over 18 years and have developed our own sense of family and place. When I look out the western facing windows, I see the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. We can hike into the National Forest without driving to a trailhead. I breathe clean air and drink mountain water. But, I miss the goings on of family life and helping my parents and watching my niece and nephew grow up.
To fill the emptiness in my heart, I feed on memories - the good ones - the ones that make me smile and giggle. I also eat a snack - a generous scoop of fresh guacamole heaped on a corn tortilla chip (all organic, of course).
Delicious.
Hits the spot.
Closes the door on regrets.
Opens a window to possibilities.
Tells me I can when I say I can't.
Rewrites the ending to my fairy tale life gone awry.
If only. Perhaps. What if. Why not.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
Monday, 30 May 2005 - Memorial Day
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for the thousands of men and women who died in service to our country. Like other Americans, I will pause at 3 PM local time to honor them with a minute of silence - a short but necessary tribute meant to put the memorial back in Memorial Day. The weather is appropriate for a day of remembrance - gray, wet, cold. The angels' tears fall gently to earth - rain showers that water my garden with life's elixir. Oh God, I wish we weren't at war.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for the thousands of men and women who died in service to our country. Like other Americans, I will pause at 3 PM local time to honor them with a minute of silence - a short but necessary tribute meant to put the memorial back in Memorial Day. The weather is appropriate for a day of remembrance - gray, wet, cold. The angels' tears fall gently to earth - rain showers that water my garden with life's elixir. Oh God, I wish we weren't at war.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Sunday, 29 May 2005 - One step closer to optimum health
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful to be one step closer to optimum health.
My internal cleansing crusade continues with a parasite cleanse (yes, killing and purging unwanted creepy crawly things that live in my body). Since I ate a lot of dirt as a toddler, I know that my body harbors parasites. So, for the past two weeks, I've been taking anti-parasitic herbs. If you have any doubts about the effectiveness of the treatment, put them aside. It really works! My overall sense of well-being has improved, I've tamed my horrible sugar tooth and I no longer bloat after eating. And, judging by the loose fit of my slimmest jeans, I must have lost those 3-5 vanity pounds a few days ago.
My health is an "A" priority on which I work daily. I've already added the parasite killing herbs to my weekly regimen. Next week: looks like I'm due for another liver cleanse.
For this blessing, I am very grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful to be one step closer to optimum health.
My internal cleansing crusade continues with a parasite cleanse (yes, killing and purging unwanted creepy crawly things that live in my body). Since I ate a lot of dirt as a toddler, I know that my body harbors parasites. So, for the past two weeks, I've been taking anti-parasitic herbs. If you have any doubts about the effectiveness of the treatment, put them aside. It really works! My overall sense of well-being has improved, I've tamed my horrible sugar tooth and I no longer bloat after eating. And, judging by the loose fit of my slimmest jeans, I must have lost those 3-5 vanity pounds a few days ago.
My health is an "A" priority on which I work daily. I've already added the parasite killing herbs to my weekly regimen. Next week: looks like I'm due for another liver cleanse.
For this blessing, I am very grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Saturday, 28 May 2005 - A quiet day
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a quiet day during which I witnessed an afternoon rainshower (although the sun was shining brightly), marvelled at how fast my garden is growing (so many new flowers appear everyday), watered the perennials that live in the front yard, watched Paolo Savoldelli hold onto the Maglia Rosa in the Gira d'Italia, and took T for a very short morning walk.
We are also thankful that Mama Finch is still sitting on her nest. The men who delivered our refrigerator on Friday had to remove the front door. S carefully removed and rehung the Christmas wreath, saving the tiny, fragile eggs from falling out of the nest.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a quiet day during which I witnessed an afternoon rainshower (although the sun was shining brightly), marvelled at how fast my garden is growing (so many new flowers appear everyday), watered the perennials that live in the front yard, watched Paolo Savoldelli hold onto the Maglia Rosa in the Gira d'Italia, and took T for a very short morning walk.
We are also thankful that Mama Finch is still sitting on her nest. The men who delivered our refrigerator on Friday had to remove the front door. S carefully removed and rehung the Christmas wreath, saving the tiny, fragile eggs from falling out of the nest.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Friday, 27 May 2005 - Many things
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for many things:
Today, I am thankful for many things:
- our new refrigerator that was delivered this afternoon
- my new haircut that I love
- the four tiny eggs that Mama Finch is trying to hatch
- T's amazing recovery from his knee sprain
- S's fast recovery from dental surgery
- the flowers that grace my gardens
- a sunny but not too hot Friday following a gloomy Thursday
- an inspirational book to read (I Told the Mountain to Move by Patricia Raybon)
- a chance for rain this weekend (our region needs more moisture)
- an exciting Giro d'Italia (the cycling race concludes Sunday)
My cup runneth over.
For these many blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Thursday, 26 May 2005 - Only a knee sprain
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful that T only has a knee sprain.
T's condition worsened yesterday evening, so S and I took him to the emergency animal hospital. The vet diagnosed a right hindleg knee sprain and prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug with a pain killer. He's also confined to the house for 5 days - I hope I can survive the confinement. It could have been worse - possibly an ACL tear that would require surgery to repair.
T, as you would expect, was a very good patient, though very anxious and nervous in the exam room.
The good news: the medicine worked its magic, calming T and giving him pain-free mobility.
The bad news: T's itching to run outside and jump at the fence again. He bounds up the stairs as if nothing's wrong.
He also misses his walks - keeps looking at me with sad eyes as if to say, "When do we go for our walk, Mom?" He acts like we're punishing him ... if only we could explain the treatment regimen to him in Labradorese. Maybe then he would understand that we're doing this for his own good.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful that T only has a knee sprain.
T's condition worsened yesterday evening, so S and I took him to the emergency animal hospital. The vet diagnosed a right hindleg knee sprain and prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug with a pain killer. He's also confined to the house for 5 days - I hope I can survive the confinement. It could have been worse - possibly an ACL tear that would require surgery to repair.
T, as you would expect, was a very good patient, though very anxious and nervous in the exam room.
The good news: the medicine worked its magic, calming T and giving him pain-free mobility.
The bad news: T's itching to run outside and jump at the fence again. He bounds up the stairs as if nothing's wrong.
He also misses his walks - keeps looking at me with sad eyes as if to say, "When do we go for our walk, Mom?" He acts like we're punishing him ... if only we could explain the treatment regimen to him in Labradorese. Maybe then he would understand that we're doing this for his own good.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Wednesday, 25 May 2005 - A good patient
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a good patient.
T is suffering from an overuse injury. The injury occurred on Monday when S and I left him alone for a few hours while we shopped for a new refrigerator.
During our absence, T allegedly jumped and raced along the fence while the neighbor boys played catch. He knows only one speed - all out!
Yesterday, we went on our usual morning hike. T walked slowly but managed to finish the loop without complaint. Later in the day, however, he starting limping and refused to lie down (since rising was especially painful).
So, we put our active companion on the DL (disabled list) for a few days. We expect his full recovery by the weekend.
The patient is in excellent spirits, eating up his parent's abundant attention and affection. He hasn't complained once about his injury or home care. I think that S and I are suffering more than he - we hate to see our buddy suffer.
Right now, T is resting quietly in my studio atop a cranberry hued blanket. I will give him another hip massage and healing energy treatment in a few minutes.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a good patient.
T is suffering from an overuse injury. The injury occurred on Monday when S and I left him alone for a few hours while we shopped for a new refrigerator.
During our absence, T allegedly jumped and raced along the fence while the neighbor boys played catch. He knows only one speed - all out!
Yesterday, we went on our usual morning hike. T walked slowly but managed to finish the loop without complaint. Later in the day, however, he starting limping and refused to lie down (since rising was especially painful).
So, we put our active companion on the DL (disabled list) for a few days. We expect his full recovery by the weekend.
The patient is in excellent spirits, eating up his parent's abundant attention and affection. He hasn't complained once about his injury or home care. I think that S and I are suffering more than he - we hate to see our buddy suffer.
Right now, T is resting quietly in my studio atop a cranberry hued blanket. I will give him another hip massage and healing energy treatment in a few minutes.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Tuesday, 24 May 2005 - Roasted garlic
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for the wonderful aroma and taste of oven roasted garlic spread thickly on a French baguette.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for the wonderful aroma and taste of oven roasted garlic spread thickly on a French baguette.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Monday, 23 May 2005 - A new refrigerator
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a new refrigerator.
Our current one (less than 10 years old) is dying so we had to buy another one - an unexpected yet necessary expense . Delivery is scheduled for Friday. I hope I can survive for a few days without ice cubes.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
P.S. Never buy a Maytag refrigerator - ours is a piece of junk!
Today, I am thankful for a new refrigerator.
Our current one (less than 10 years old) is dying so we had to buy another one - an unexpected yet necessary expense . Delivery is scheduled for Friday. I hope I can survive for a few days without ice cubes.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
P.S. Never buy a Maytag refrigerator - ours is a piece of junk!
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Sunday, 22 May 2005 - A spring bouquet
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a spring bouquet.
"The earth laughs in flowers." e.e. cummings
This week's hot, dry weather transformed my garden into a delicate spring bouquet. This morning, I found blue flax flowers next to pastel columbines, purple violets and yellow daffodils - a very lovely sight indeed.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a spring bouquet.
"The earth laughs in flowers." e.e. cummings
This week's hot, dry weather transformed my garden into a delicate spring bouquet. This morning, I found blue flax flowers next to pastel columbines, purple violets and yellow daffodils - a very lovely sight indeed.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Saturday, 21 May 2005 - Snow dreams
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for snow dreams.
Whew! We're in the midst of a heat wave - it's nearly 90 degrees at 5:45 PM.
Poor T. Although he's shed much of his dense winter coat, he is very uncomfortable in the summery weather. I've already soaked him with the garden hose four times today - will do it a few more times before the sun sets this evening.
I see from the forecast that cooler temps should prevail next week. In the meantime, I am hot and bothered and wondering how I could ever complain about the winter cold. Tonight, I shall dream of snow.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for snow dreams.
Whew! We're in the midst of a heat wave - it's nearly 90 degrees at 5:45 PM.
Poor T. Although he's shed much of his dense winter coat, he is very uncomfortable in the summery weather. I've already soaked him with the garden hose four times today - will do it a few more times before the sun sets this evening.
I see from the forecast that cooler temps should prevail next week. In the meantime, I am hot and bothered and wondering how I could ever complain about the winter cold. Tonight, I shall dream of snow.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Friday, 20 May 2005 - Trusty sewing machine
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for my trusty sewing machine.
I learned to sew on a Singer treadle sewing machine when I was 10. For someone who loved clothes, the skill was a necessity. After all, I had four sisters and no money for store-bought clothes. As the second daughter, I was also tired of wearing my older sister's hand-me-downs. For years, I sewed everything - prom dresses, school clothes, bikinis, suits and coats.
These days, I sew on my tried and true Viking machine that was top-of-the-line when I bought it in 1985. On this machine, I've fashioned hundreds of items including my wedding dress, outfits for my niece when she was little and not brand name conscious, Hawaiian shirts for S, curtains for the bedrooms, pieced quilts, dolls, toys, and an extensive career wardrobe (once upon a time, I wore tailored suits to work everyday). It was professionally cleaned and serviced only once - last year when, in the middle of a quilting project, it stopped picking up the bobbin thread. I hope my sewing machine remains in excellent health for years to come.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for my trusty sewing machine.
I learned to sew on a Singer treadle sewing machine when I was 10. For someone who loved clothes, the skill was a necessity. After all, I had four sisters and no money for store-bought clothes. As the second daughter, I was also tired of wearing my older sister's hand-me-downs. For years, I sewed everything - prom dresses, school clothes, bikinis, suits and coats.
These days, I sew on my tried and true Viking machine that was top-of-the-line when I bought it in 1985. On this machine, I've fashioned hundreds of items including my wedding dress, outfits for my niece when she was little and not brand name conscious, Hawaiian shirts for S, curtains for the bedrooms, pieced quilts, dolls, toys, and an extensive career wardrobe (once upon a time, I wore tailored suits to work everyday). It was professionally cleaned and serviced only once - last year when, in the middle of a quilting project, it stopped picking up the bobbin thread. I hope my sewing machine remains in excellent health for years to come.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Thursday, 19 May 2005 - A bird family in progress
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a bird family in progress.
After a week of frantic nest building, the Finch family finally settled in the Christmas wreath that hangs on our front door. This morning, as T and I leave for our daily hike, I peek into the wreath's center and discover two or three tiny eggs. This is wonderful and exciting news!
Throughout the morning, I peer through the door's peep hole to spy on Mama Finch as she sits on the nest. Her ongoing presence means we have to use the garage door to exit and enter the house - a small sacrifice on our part.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a bird family in progress.
After a week of frantic nest building, the Finch family finally settled in the Christmas wreath that hangs on our front door. This morning, as T and I leave for our daily hike, I peek into the wreath's center and discover two or three tiny eggs. This is wonderful and exciting news!
Throughout the morning, I peer through the door's peep hole to spy on Mama Finch as she sits on the nest. Her ongoing presence means we have to use the garage door to exit and enter the house - a small sacrifice on our part.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Wednesday, 18 May 2005 - My friend, BBJ
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for my friend, BBJ.
We haven't seen each other for quite a while. Today, I ran into her while doing errands. We spent an hour catching up. No apologies required or guilt allowed. We simply continued our conversation - the one that began a decade ago.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for my friend, BBJ.
We haven't seen each other for quite a while. Today, I ran into her while doing errands. We spent an hour catching up. No apologies required or guilt allowed. We simply continued our conversation - the one that began a decade ago.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
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