Ten Things of Thankful

It has been a busy week, but I am grateful for  all that I have been able to learn and experience this week and for the connections I have had with people far and near. Although most connections were not in person, they meant a lot to me. I hope that you are feeling thankful too. Dyanne of Backsies Is What There Is Not is the host of this Ten Things of Thankful blog hop. Be sure to click the link to learn more about it.

1. Having the stamina needed to tackle computer issues this week, some of which just required relearning a few things I once knew but hadn’t used for a while or had been typically doing them on the Mac instead of the iPad such as the following:

• How can a person switch from horizontal view to portrait view on the iPad?
• What is the procedure to send a document to a printer from an iPad by using the printer app?
• How can all the sources for an ancestor in your Ancestry.com tree be transferred to the same ancestor in your familysearch.org account?
• How do you take a screen shot on the iPad? Although I had only done this by accident a few times, I never knew exactly what I had done to take that screen shot. HaHa
• I  also learned for the first time how to send a graphic document from my iPad using the printer app. 

Some of the answers were found in the manual (imagine that!), others in YouTube videos, and in one instance through a little trial and error. It is nice to know that I am still able to learn and relearn things.

2. Finding a site that sells shoes that will be a comfortable fit for my husband’s feet

3. Measurable rainfall last night and this morning

We only had a trace of rain in June one day and then a heavy mist one morning in August. Perhaps the dream I had at the beginning of the week of the grass on our property turning green again will become more than just a dream.

4. Having a very low gutter on the back side of our home makes cleaning it a very easy job as well as a safe one which I was able to do a couple of days ago in anticipation of the rain that was forecast.

5. A package of very lean bacon

When someone brought us some fresh-picked green beans this week, I was able to buy this package of bacon at the store later that day. IMHO, nothing tastes better with green beans than some diced bacon pieces thrown into the pot with them. The BLT sandwiches are quick and easy and delicious too.

Very lean bacon 

6. The sound of turkeys gobbling and a surprising adventure

Occasionally in the past we have had some wild turkeys go traipsing through our property, so when I heard their sounds off in the lower portion of our property, I decided to stop my watering of some shrubs to sneak up on them and take a photo. First I asked my husband to step out and listen to the sound to see if the sound we were hearing was that of wild turkeys. We both agreed that was what we were hearing, so off I went to try to sneak up on them. Image my surprise when I discovered the source of the sound wasn’t turkeys, but two grey squirrels  which explains how quickly the sound was changing from one area to another, without any sound of the fluttering of wings. HaHa. Note: In the YouTube video link at about 1:24 and at about 6:46 the squirrel is making the sound that we thought sounded like turkeys. 

Living proof that we have seen
turkeys here in the past
and that green grass can grow
with the help of some rainfall

7. Zoom meetings

Having the option of watching gatherings via Zoom or webcasts that I don’t  feel safe to attend is a real blessing considering the rising cases of the Delta variant.

8. The clerk who carried a heavy, awkward package to our car from the FedEx location where it was being held

We had taken a luggage cart to use, but he was able to just carry it out of the store and to our car faster than it would have taken us to navigate the cart through the store. (Apparently FedEx doesn’t like driving up our lane, so we had to tell them to hold it at a nearby FedEx location.)

9. Hearing good news from different family members this week that Covid tests taken were negative

10. Feeling like I am kind of on a vacation when I receive wonderful photos via text messages

This week I was in Alaska via photos sent with a text message.

An extra thankful for my husband, our family, and our  friends

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Ten Things of Thankful

For many this past week has been a week of remembering, reflecting, and in some cases writing and sharing those thoughts. Like some other times in my life when there was a news flash reporting some shocking horrific thing that had just taken place, I remember in great detail where I was, what I was doing, etc. when I  heard the news. With all the memories that gushed forward from my mind this past week when I saw and heard again exactly what took place on 9/11/2001, I know it is minor in comparison to that which people who were directly and personally affected by the outcome of the events of that day.

While  some may choose to avoid watching and recalling scenes from the past and question why it is important to do so, I choose to remember not only what took place, but to consider the people we were then compared to the people we are now. Is it possible to learn from the past? I believe it is, but it takes desire, determination, work and a good dash of humility to recognize the humanity of each person.

As I considered the things that transpired in my own life this week, I am thankful that I was able to appreciate the paths I traversed this week and the thoughts that came to my mind as I did so. I have included some of those in this post being linked to the blog hop Ten Things of Thankful hosted by Dyanne of Backsies Is What There Is Not. 

1. Being able to have our son and his daughter visit before she heads off for her first year of college

2. Exploring territory we had not seen in our state that caused me to consider what it would have been like for the first people inhabiting it

I am thankful to have been able to see this rugged area dotted with high mountains and deep ravines not that far away.

3. Realizing that sometimes getting a late start is exactly what is supposed to happen and it may mean the difference between life and death

The poignant scene we came upon mid week was a huge punctuation mark in the life of my family this week, but not meant to be shared here. I will just say that there are times when I believe people are placed in a given place and at given time to be an instrument in someone else's life because they may have the eyes to see a dire need, a willingness to help, and the skills to know what to do.

4. Beautiful sunsets

Sunset above a rim of silhouetted trees below

5. Covered bridges

Harris Covered Bridge

6. To be able to discover possible answers to questions about the things I see such as this big old tree

Do any of you know what kind of tree this might be? I think that it may be some kind of chestnut tree, and a very old one. It isn't a tree often seen in these parts.

7. Honey bees 

I am thankful that we have a few flowers blooming for the honey bees to enjoy.

Honeybee on a lavender crocus petal

8. For a chance to play a game of Scrabble with my son and granddaughter

9. Being able to see creatures other than birds at the national wildlife refuges, such as otters playing in a muddy stream and a slew of garter snakes on the shore and in the water where they were feeding on bullfrogs

10. Vic, family and friends

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Ten Things of Thankful

Once again, it is time to reflect. I have found it helpful to do so. It is difficult to read and watch the news from this past week and know that some of you may have been in harm's way, or have loved ones or friends who were, because of the various storms and tragedies that have transpired throughout the earth. Many of the scenes were one's that brought me to my knees. Is it wrong to consider what almost seems such little things when writing about the things for which one is thankful when others are suffering? Perhaps, but then again, life is full of ups and downs, and we as people kind of take turns having these experiences, so for this day, I am sharing this list of ten. Thank you Dyanne of Backsies Is What There Is Not for hosting this blog hop Ten Things of Thankful. 

1. This doe who has found the perfect place to blend in with her surroundings and seems to wait for me to return from errands

Camouflaged doe among many hues of
browns and grays

2. Bouquet of sweet peas from a neighbor

Bouquet of pink, white, and 
maroon sweet peas in a
jelly jar sitting on a round
lattice metal stand

3. The crocuses are beginning to bloom, so fall is on its way.

Cluster of lavender crocuses
with white stripes on the
center of each petal

4. Clouds and the hope of moisture from the skies when their cousins show up on the scene

Blue sky dotted mostly with white
cumulous clouds of various shapes
and sizes floating over the sundry
trees below

5. The benefits of certain sound frequencies

If you have ever had acupuncture treatments or had massage therapy, you possibly have listened to very calming music being played in the background during your session. It seems some of the music being played actually may promote healing.   

6. A local business that can replace all kinds of batteries 

This week I got a new battery in my iPad and new batteries in both of our smart keys for the car. In addition I learned that they could replace the very maltreated cover on Vic’s key, so now his key looks good as new.

7. The peacemakers

IMHO this world is in need of more people willing to show kindness, and civility if we are to have hope of a peaceful sphere of existence.

8. The faith and hope I have that when a person completes his life on earth, he will live again

A friend passed away suddenly this week, and that faith and hope brings comfort to those left behind as well as to the person departing.

9. Nourishment

I am thankful for not only food to eat each day, but for the nourishment that I receive to my mind and my spirit. Just as food doesn't usually magically appear, neither does knowledge about every topic under the sun come without effort and experience. Although there are many modalities in which a person's spirit may be nourished, many of them require at least a desire to know why and how many claim to have come to know there is a God and seem to have felt a connection to Him. Am I perfect in remembering to properly nourish myself each and every day? No, but I am trying.

10. Life and all the experiences that bond me in so many ways to my family and others

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Six Sentence Stories - Nebulous

Help me through this by staying awake and keeping your eyes geared toward the edge of the road so I don’t go smack dab down the embankment, or into the marsh that they told us about in their last letter. As I understand it, we will know when we are approaching it, but to be honest my vision is kind of nebulous from all the hours of driving.

It is too bad the couple driving that old faded gold car with all the bumper stickers plastered all cattywampus on it decided to call it a night and stop at that little lodge. Through that deluge the taillights on their car were helpful in guiding us along this curvy road dotted with potholes.

If we hadn’t told the folks we wouldn’t be able to arrive until late, I would have liked to have stopped at that rustic inn and ventured onward in the morning in the hopes that our route might be more visible then. 

Your folks are going to be so surprised when they hear we wanted to try out their new retirement tradition when we finally reach the pullout by the marsh, and attempt to count spring peepers crossing the road. . .that is, as long as we are able to keep our peepers open!

Linking this Six Sentence Story - Nebulous
to a blog hop
Hosted by
Dyanne, of Girlie On The Edge's Blog 

Ten Things of Thankful

Why do I keep coming back, even when I miss a week or two? The reason is because it is an exercise of thought, as well as a reminder that all is not doom and gloom in the world. Thank you Dyanne, the host of Backsies Is What There Is Not for her encouragement to participate in this week blog hop, Ten Things of Thankful.

1. Those who rescue

2. Those who protect

3. Those who heal

4. Those who encourage

5. Those who teach

6. Those who share

7. Those who care

8. Those who listen

9. Those who are thankful

10. Those I call family

I am guessing that each one who reads this list of ten can think  of someone they know who exemplifies one or more of these attributes. 😊

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Ten Things of Thankful

Depending on the one's week and all that has happened, a Ten Things of Thankful post may sometimes be quite short and to the point and at other times filled with a lot of detail. Fortunately for the readers' sakes, they can choose to perhaps just read the first line and skip the elongated version or go along for the ride and read every word. I welcome whichever type of reader you choose to be this week and hope that you will at least take a minute to consider some of the things in your life that have caused you to reflect on why you may have reasons to be grateful. Dyanne of Backsies Is What There Is Not, is the host of the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop. Please consider writing a thankful post on your blog and linking up. The more the merrier.

1. Ways to get rid of a lot of yellow jackets using things you have in our kitchen

With the rising temperatures, the yellow jackets have been thirsty and frequent visitors to the tub where the deer come and drink. That made it easy for me to set up a trap for the yellow jackets and monitor it daily. Early each morning I dump out all the soapy water and dead yellow jackets and refill the pan with soapy water and attach fresh meat or rehydrate the existing meat under the board if necessary. The board is placed meat side down over the pan of water. (The soapy water needs to be as high as possible but not be so high that the water or bubbles touch the board or meat on the board.) I learned recently that yellow jackets will use existing holes in the ground to make their nests. We have a lot of existing holes, thanks to the critters who have made a maze of tunnels in the ground, so I am thinking there is an endless yellow jacket population on this hill, and if we are lucky maybe they will sting some ground squirrels, voles, moles, gophers, etc. while they are at it.

One day's trapping of yellow jackets

2. Knowledge gained in unexpected ways

After putting out the bait for the yellow jackets, I discovered the the bait (left over pieces of skinless chicken pieces) was covered in sugar ants. I wondered if the yellow jackets might be deterred by the ants or if by chance the yellow jackets would not only eat the chicken pieces but also the sugar ants. After googling, I discovered that yellow jackets do eat insects, among other things. The next morning there was nary a sign of any sugar ants on the board. I don’t know how many of them were eaten by the yellow jackets and how many of them just fell into the soapy water with all the activity of the yellow jackets flying under the board to get to the chicken or to the ants. It was kind of like killing two birds with one stone, or in this case two pests with one trap. Perhaps there needs to be more study done to determine whether or not yellow jackets eat sugar ants, but this link indicates that they do eat at least one kind of ant. 

3. Water

Although our water is from a deep well, I am thankful that it continues to provide that precious commodity that many in certain  parts struggle to have due to the drought like conditions, the drying up of reservoirs and rivers, and the ways the watersheds have been damaged by the wildfires making drinking water unsafe for many.

4. Entering another year of life and lots of birthday wishes

5. Generosity and going the extra mile

When I received a call from a friend who had garden produce including green beans that she wanted to share with us, I said, “Oh, I should have bought some bacon when I was at the store this morning.” She handed me two pieces of bacon when she gave me the produce.❤️

Fresh green beans cooked
with pieces of bacon

6. Being able to watch characters in movies portrayed by great actors and actresses 

We watched Maggie Smith in The Lady in the Van this week. We missed seeing it when he came out in 2015. 

7. Movies based on true stories, such as the one mentioned above, and the fact that Vic discovered that it was available for us to watch and knew that this would be a movie I would like

8. Being able to feel somewhat safer from being possibly exposed to COVID variants because masking in all indoor public settings is being required again in my state 

Since we are fully vaccinated, it would be my hope that if for some reason I did get sick with one of the variants my case would be lighter, but I still just don’t want to be sick or to be one of those who might be asymptomatic with a COVID variant and expose someone else to the disease, so I am more than happy to wear the mask.

9. Lessons and lectures available via youtube

There are so many opportunities to learn and ways of verifying  the validity of what one is being taught. I am thankful for the chance to seek truth, and to learn from the past as we venture forth into the future. As I was preparing to participate in the blog hop Six Sentences Stories - Grip this week, I googled to learn how to correctly say “la grippe.” That venture led me to watching a fascinating lecture available through https://oyc.yale.edu. I watched Epidemics in Western Society Since 1600 (HIST 234). (La Grippe wasn't the topic of my Six Sentence Story but I was thankful to listen to the lecture, AND to learn about the open classes available at Yale.)

10. Vic and our family and the many people we care about and who care about us

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Six Sentence Stories - Grip

 

The grip of a Crane Fly

As she drove slowly by the garage sale, she spotted three old stools which weren’t exactly what she had in mind for their recently remodeled kitchen, but the price was right considering they still needed to cut some corners here and there.

With a little bit of paint and some matching duct tape to cover a slight crack on one of the legs, they looked almost good as new and strong enough to combat any damage a growing family might throw at them.

Over the years they had served their purpose, and it hadn’t been her intention to replace the sturdy old stools the day she saw a posting online that a friend  was getting rid of her kitchen counter stools, but then again how could she resist such an offer.

The seats on the newer stools were quite a contrast to the ridged waterproof seats of their predecessors which would have been actually more fitting for use at an outdoor bar by a swimming pool than in the kitchen.

Being able to twirl while seated had some advantages, as did having a back to rest against, but she found herself wishing she had actually tried sitting in the stools before bringing them home.

Slip sliding away on the glossy seats made it difficult to stay put as well as to stay focused on mealtime conversations until she discovered that a repurposed plastic placemat laid on the seat was just the grip she needed for her derrière.

Thanks to Denise of
Girlie On The Edge's Blog
for hosting the blog hop
Six Sentence Stories-Grip