Halloween Visitors

Dear God:

Today I am thankful for Halloween visitors.

In case you're keeping track:

• This year's count: 11 young trick-or-treaters, one parent dressed as Tom Brady (the New England Patriot's quarterback) and several other parents not in costume. I bought goodies for 20.

• My manager and her husband had nearly 350 visitors at their home. They eventually ran out of candy.

• Finally, my team at work won the first annual Halloween decorating contest. The company is buying us lunch at the restaurant of our choice.

(Sadly, unlike past years, T did not run to the door whenever the door bell rang. He got up only once, when across-the-street neighbors, Bryson and his dad, stopped by.)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

The power of ten

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the power of ten.

I am celebrating 10.10.10 with:

10 thoughts

1. It's already late Sunday afternoon - where did my weekend go?
2. Fall has finally arrived in Colorado Springs - the chill in the air says it all.
3. I am still harvesting jalapeno and cayenne peppers from what was my best vegetable garden to date.
4. T is sleeping, dreaming of the best days, the best moments of his life (I wonder if he will make it through the winter). 
5. I miss my dad who died nearly 5 months ago. I think he would have loved my gardens this year.
6. A colleague died last weekend from cancer (very sad for all of us at the office - you could have heard a pin drop when the email arrived in our mailboxes). 
7. This morning, I baked rich and buttery cranberry scones for breakfast and focaccio with fresh rosemary (to accompany the pork shoulder roast that cooked all night in the crock pot).
8. I need to assemble my cool weather wardrobe - time again for cozy sweaters, hand knit scarves, cashmere gloves and my favorite boots.
9. I wish I could live parts of my life over because I would do many things differently.
10. I'm glad that I'm a rock climber - rock climbing is much easier on the knees than my first love, long distance running.

10 dollars

My budget when I shop at the thrift store is $10.00. I usually visit on Saturdays when most items are half-price. My rule is that I only buy clothes from well-known brands like Banana Republic, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Gap, Patagonia, North Face and Prana. I'm lucky that I wear small sizes - the "small" racks are rarely picked over. Yesterday, for $9.10 (tax included), I bought a lovely pale blue rayon blend cardigan (Ann Taylor, needs new buttons) and two pairs of black slacks in stretch fabrics (Ann Taylor and Talbots - modern, low waist fit, no alterations needed). My favorite finds in the past year include a Lands End coat for $7.50, a new pair of Prana climbing pants for $5.00, and the complete collection of Robert Frost poems for $1.50. 

10 more minutes

This is what I ask for all day long - just 10 more minutes, please. Today, I am giving myself 10 more minutes. For all the times I needed them but was denied or couldn't find the extra time. 

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

My Dad: July 19, 1925 - May 15, 2010

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my dad.

My dad died this afternoon. He was 84 years old.

I last saw him in March when the family gathered in Manhattan Beach to celebrate his and Mom's 60th wedding anniversary. It was his most ardent desire to live to see March 18, 2010.

I don't know what else to write so I'll share the poem I wrote for him for Father's Day 2002.

I Am My Father's Daughter
For Dad on Father's Day 2002

My father is in me.
You see it, don't you?
The raw elements of
Strength, courage and purpose.
The black and white
Of right and wrong.
The "never say can't" attitude.


I wear them like skin,
Breathe them like air,
Drink them like water.
I cannot shake them off,
Or shed them,
Or wish them away.

His gifts to me
Are not seasonal or
Ruled by the tides.
See how he and I
Think the same way,
Act the same way,
Dream the same way.




All that I do
He does with me.
He is my watchman,
My protector,
Peering over my shoulder,
Stirring my conscience,
Knocking on my heart.

As I travel here and there
And accomplish this and that,
Others watch me.
They nod their heads and whisper,
"She is just like her dad."




They think I don't hear them,
But, I do.
And I smile.
For above all things,
I am my father's daughter.

For this blessing, I am eternally grateful.

I love you, Dad.

Amen.

Photo: Daffodils in the front yard garden. Here is a quintet - five lovely sunny yellow blooms representing five grieving daughters.

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 - Last days of winter

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the last days of winter.

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

Daily, my gardens remind me that it's time to prepare the plots for a new growing season. I vow to begin the chores only if the sun is shining and it's warm enough to break a sweat. And I don't mean a few hours of glorious weather on a Saturday morning followed by several days of freezing temperatures and wet snow.

I really want a lovely spring this year, maybe even an extraordinary one. Not for me, but for T and for my dad. I fear that Spring 2010 may be their last.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 - Confessions

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for confessions.

No more excuses coming from my tiny corner of the world. I no longer offer excuses for anything, only confessions ... as in:

I confess that:

• I let life get in the way of my writing.
• I let work get in the way of my writing.
• I let doubt and fear get in the way of my writing.
• I let writer's block get in the way of my writing.
• I let television get in the way of my writing.

Please forgive me. I know what I have done, and I was wrong. I'm ready to wipe the slate clean and begin anew.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

15 March 2010 - Birthday Number 56

Dear God:

Today I am thankful for one more year - number 56 to be exact.

My birthday.
Not a cause for jubilant celebration.
Rather, a time for quiet and intense reflection.
Past, present, future.
All three have great and grave importance when you're 50-something.

I dream, ponder and philosophize.
I learn, create and change.
I act, decide and progress.
I share, mentor and collaborate.
I work hard at building a small legacy of good works. 

Be generous to a fault.
Follow the Golden Rule.
Be kind.

I know that I am well past the half-way point of my life, unless, of course, I live past the ripe old age of 112.

I'm not planning anything special. I have to work today. My colleagues who know about my birthday will whisper their good wishes. They know my preference for privacy.

No gifts, please. I think I already have most of the things on my wish list:

• A husband and (canine) son who love me
• Respect and love from my beloved niece and nephew
• A sister who is also my best friend (too bad she lives in California)
• An extended Colorado Springs family that includes kind and generous neighbors
• Membership at the new climbing gym (S and I know the owners)
• Hours to spend writing and reading (Charles Dickens and Jane Austen are on this year's list)
• Longer days so I can take T for a walk when I come home from work
• Visits from our Air Force cadet "sons" - they're juniors this year
• Gardens and landscapes that crave my attention
• Delicious cooking adventures that involve my favorite Le Creuset cookware 

Happy Birthday to me. I think this is the year I will finish writing my book.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 01 November 2009 - Eight trick-or-treaters.

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for eight trick-or-treaters.

Last night, the number of costumed visitors to our house didn't reach double digits. We expected crowds between 7 and 8 PM. None appeared. Just after 9 PM, I blew out the candle in the pumpkin lantern and turned off the front porch light.

Despite S's generosity, (he gave out handfuls of miniature Hershey's candy bars), we have three unopened bags plus what's left in the bowl (lots, last time I looked).

How disappointing. I know that some of our neighbors went over-the-top decorating their porches and yards with scary and gruesome props. I wonder how many children actually made the rounds. Even T seemed disappointed that none of his human buddies rang the doorbell - most of them are now in high school and went to parties.

Still, eight trick-or-treaters made their way to our house. Each proudly wore a carefully thought-out costume and shouted "Trick or Treat" when S and T opened the door. S complimented each Storm Trooper, ghoul and princess on his or her costume. And, each child politely said "thank you." Halloween, after all, is about them, not us.


For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, October 31, 2009 - The end of the month

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the end of the month.

It's been one of those months - the ones that try one's patience and test one's endurance. S had three surgeries, winter storms ruined too many commutes to the office, the Swine Flu epidemic kept me at home on weekends (my apologies to the local shops I regularly frequent), my dad had neurosurgery, Halloween arrived with a vengeance at work, I received a Jury Duty summons ... Yes, just another October of record.

I don't want to repeat my October experience. I want to accomplish something of note. That's why I'm starting November with two important personal goals.

1. I will participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and write a 50,000 word manuscript (this means almost no TV watching - sorry Project Runway). 
2. I will be back in the climbing gym at least 3 times a week.

There. Let the new month begin.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Saturday, October 17, 2009 - Cool weather greens

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for cool weather greens.

My vegetable garden still feeds me. The cool weather-loving chard, kale and beet greens continue to thrive. Tonight I added a small harvest to my tofu-Japanese eggplant-Anaheim chili stir fry with a very spicy black bean/red chili sauce. I served the dish over a mound of quinoa. Very yummy.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, October 16, 2009 - A novel in waiting

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a novel in waiting.

I am thinking about whether or not I will participate in November's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

After "winning" in 2007, I skipped the event last year. Now, as November 1 quickly approaches, I am uncertain about my participation.

50,000 words. All written in one month. Conceive a novel then give the story life in 30 days. Can I do it again?

Somewhere in my imagination, a novel waits. It's storyline is clear and compelling, it's characters insightful and memorable. Perhaps this year, I will find it.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 - A community of rock climbers

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a community of rock climbers.

The 2009 Reel Rock Film Tour came to town tonight, a big deal for the Colorado Springs climbing community. This year, the tour featured previews of two episodes of First Ascent: The Series, from National Geographic/Sender Films and the highly-anticipated, just released DVD, Progressions, from Big Up Productions. In Progressions, my climbing hero, American Chris Sharma, finally redpoints his Clark Mountain project, Jumbo Love (5.15b).

S and I attended with one of our Air Force Academy cadets. After Lacrosse practice, he rushed over to our house where we had pizza and orange juice waiting for him. We left on time and arrived at Colorado College's Armstrong Hall with time to spare (I'm a stickler for promptness).

As the crowd settled down, I looked around me, observing only a handful of baby boomers. No matter. For some reason, I didn't feel out of place sitting among a few hundred college kids. I actually felt that I belonged in the audience. After all, I am a rock climber and I support climbing events. And, despite my age, I laughed, groaned, cringed and applauded with everyone else as each film's story unfolded.

Many years ago, a man asked me to name the tribes to which I belonged. Only 30-something, I didn't really understand what he meant. I could only think of three "tribes": my birth family, my work colleagues and my neighbors.

Today - 20 years later - if he asked me the same question, I would answer with ease. I belong to many tribes - each one embracing an essential aspect of my identity. Of these, I am most proud of my affiliation with the tribe of writers and, of course, the tribe of rock climbers.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - A simple prayer

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a simple prayer.

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,

and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.

Rest your weary ones.

Bless your dying ones.

Soothe your suffering ones.

Pity your afflicted ones.

Shield your joyous ones.

And for all your love's sake.
Amen.
~Saint Augustine of Hippo

The prayer is a gift
from someone I do not know.
She whispers it in my ear.
Softly,
but loud enough
that my heart can hear each word
above the drip, drip, drip
of my tears.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - Anonymity

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for anonymity.

For 364 out of 365 days of the year, I'm relieved that I've attained non-celebrity status in the world. I am no one to nearly every person now living. And, I like that. For the remaining 24 hours - divvied up over the course of the year - I crave just a teeny bit of notoriety. Maybe someone will notice me - just for a few minutes.

One of these days, I know that I will have my proverbial day in the sun. And, my writing will be the reason for my good fortune.

Over the past few months, I've been working on ideas for new writing projects. Very exciting stuff. I guess I'm fortunate that demands on my creativity are at an all time low at work. I'm free to devote my time, imagination and energy to writing my own stories.

But then again, does anybody care?

Oh, yeah. I forgot. You do.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 07 June 2009 - Dirty fingernails

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for dirty fingernails.

Dirty fingernails are proof that I worked in the garden for hours, planting nearly all the "treasures" I bought yesterday, weeding and mulching. They're also proof that I prepared meals for a week: homemade pasta sauce with garden fresh herbs for two pounds of linguine, two baking-sheet sized loaves of "perfect" focaccio (I've finally perfected my recipe and technique), two fresh fruit tarts a la Barefoot Contessa (pluot and apple/pear) and Greek coleslaw (my own recipe).

For this blessing, I am grateful .

Amen.