Ten Things of Thankful

This my effort to post my Ten Things of Thankful closer to the time the link opens instead of being one of the last bloggers to post to this wonderful blog hop hosted by Kristi Brierley of Thankful Me each week. 

Things that are interesting to me - Some plants react in the same way regardless of whether they receive too much water or not enough  water. The tips of the leaves on a peace plant will turn brown whether they are watered too much or too little. This is kind of like tears in humans. An absence of attention and love may cause a person of any age to cry, but on the other hand, an abundance of attention and love may cause a person to also tear up. What interesting thing did you consider this past week?

Walls with pictures - Until we owned our own home, I didn’t hang any pictures on the walls. Once we were able to live in a home we owned, that changed. Being able to hang photos and pictures that remind us of family, places we have been, and of beautiful scenes helps make a house a home. Do you prefer blank walls in your home, or do you prefer hanging things on your walls?

Teeth - I am thankful to live in a time when people who have been able to take good care of their teeth may be able to keep their own teeth, or most of them, the majority of their lives, if not their entire lives. There have been so many advancements in the field of dentistry, that even if one isn’t able to keep their own teeth, the options are so much better now. On a side note, my mom is drawing close to 102 years of age and still has most of her original teeth.

Food - I don't take lightly the fact that we have food to eat, especially given the fact that not everyone is that fortunate, due to their own circumstances. Being able to contribute in whatever manner one can to helping improve the situations of those who are starving can help in a small way to take away the guilt that arises from sitting down to your own meals each day.

Letters and cards with notes - I look forward to the letters and cards that we receive this time of year, or at any other time of the year for that matter. Sometimes we learn of happy things that have happened in the lives of our friends and relatives, and other times the news mentions things that are sad, but we appreciate that these people are comfortable enough to share these intimate details of their lives with us.

Part of life is mourning with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15  says "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” KJV New Testament
Here is a link with a quote from Mosiah 18:8-9 in the Book of Mormon that also mentions the importance of mourning with those who mourn.
Click to read this article about differences in mourning practices around the world. The article was written by a 14 year old girl in 2012 and was originally published in KidSpirit. It was recently reposted with permission in the Huffington Post. It is very well written.

Podcasts - Just about every time I drive to see mom, I listen to a podcast in the car. I love using this time to learn. This week I listened to NPR Radio Lab, TED Talk, Circular that presents new ideas to consider about regenerating and reusing what we already have. Some interesting concepts were shared.

Being able to feel warm even though the temperatures have dropped - Especially in the winter, having warm soft socks, sweaters, and large sweatshirts that I can layer over other clothing is a blessing. It isn't just clothing that makes me feel warm. Music that has a wonderful message and that is beautifully played and sung warms my heart.

Those who rejoice in the greatness of the hearts of others, and give them the benefit of the doubt - This is such an important attribute in any relationship and in society as a whole.

The many people who help children and adults have better lives - Teachers, counselors, health care workers, those who work in law enforcement, those who work in fire departments or work on fire suppression crews help society immeasurably and at times at the expense of their own health and well being. I appreciate the hours my husband spent as a teacher for so many years. Before we were married he spent some summers working for a fire suppression crew to earn money to pay for his college expenses.

It is not just adults who can help others have better lives. This young man has a desire to help too.

Those who share their experiences of what it is like to travel to far away places - There are many people who have the means to travel to other countries and to serve the people there in some way. I appreciate being able to experience their travels vicariously through YouTube, Facebook, etc. and to have my mind and heart opened to those things I might not have been able to begin to know and understand short of being there myself. Recently Kristi Brierley, our host for this blog hop, invited a friend to be a guest blogger on her site, Thankful Me. Click here to read about her friend Krista's experience of traveling with her family to Ethiopia to serve the people in that area. What a memorable trip she and her family had that Christmas. Click here to read more about the Korah Kids they met and served.

Ten Things of Thankful

It is a beautiful sunny December day and I am thankful for that. The temperatures will dip below freezing again tonight, but the stove works, and we have plenty of pellets for the stove. A few things for which I am thankful and am posting below and linking to the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hosted by Kristi Brierley perhaps will spark some thoughts of your own about what makes you feel thankful. I hope so, because keeping those things in mind helps one over the hurdles of life, and who doesn't need some help in that regard on occasion.

1. Church services on Sunday where people are free to express themselves regarding their testimonies and faith, their understanding of the scriptures being discussed, and their ideas on how to better serve others

2. Celebration of Life for my husband's uncle where we were able to see some relatives we hadn't seen for years and to meet people who had witnessed first hand how my husband's uncle had impacted so many people not only within his church family in this land but more specifically in various parts of Africa where he shared his faith and tried to make life better for the people there

3. Snow that waited a day to cover the roads over the pass we needed to travel to get to the Celebration of Life

4. A remarkable transition (for the better) in the health of one of the residents at the nursing home

5. The times when pain subsides, whether for me or for others I know who are struggling with pain issues

6. Giving a ride to someone after church and then receiving some much appreciated recipes from her that I think I can prepare with some adaptations and eat on my new diet

7. Doing a jigsaw puzzle that appeared to be brand new except for the fact that a few pieces had dropped out of the plastic wrapped pieces inside the box that I bought at a thrift store.  I can’t even remember doing a jigsaw puzzle, unless I helped one of our little children do one many years ago, although our child no doubt helped me do one. LOL. Jigsaw puzzles are not my forte, but I know that by trying new things we stimulate our brains and promote new kinds of learning, an important thing to do at any time, but especially so as one ages.

8. When I saw the picture on the puzzle box and saw the size of the pieces I knew it would be just perfect for some of the residents in the assisted living section of the multi-care nursing home where mom lives. Thanks to my husband’s help, we were able to verify that none of the pieces were missing by completing the puzzle before donating it to the nursing home.

Jigsaw puzzle

9. What a difference light makes in our perspective when painting or taking photographs, of our perspective of the world, and of our perspective of the individuals in it and how we view ourselves when others have touched us in positive ways.

A previous inhabitant of the Bush House,
which is now a museum, was a photographer
 and put up a white sheet near a window and
 near a lamp to get the right  kind of
lighting that was needed for her photos.

Although the sun was setting, there was
just enough light shining through this
Grand Canyon area to allow the beauty
of the wall to be seen in detail.

Picture yourself in this space

as you reflect on a time someone

lit up your world by his or her actions

or words. 😀

10. Opportunities to change, to grow, to learn, to overcome, to reflect, and to be.

Ten Things of Thankful

How quickly the time flies during the last three months of the year!

It seems as though when there is more to do, there is less time to accomplish everything, but giving thanks should never be one of those things to let slide by. The thoughts and the prayers have been there, but wrapping them up for a Ten Things of Thankful post hosted by Kristi Brierley has been slow going after the company left. 

1. Cozy, lightweight down-filled duvet. Some people like heavy blankets, and that was me as a child sleeping under several layers of wool blankets. Now a lightweight duvet feels better on these old bones.

2. Wood. We enjoy the look and smell of wood inside our home. There is just something comforting in being able to see knots in the boards and to see the grain of the wood.

3. The sound of the wind rushing by outside when one is safely gathered inside one's home.

4. Tears of someone when she received a gift that was lovingly made with by a group of friends.

5. The tight clasp of my mother's hand on mine that reminds me of how I might have grasped my mother's hand when I was very young. Life comes full circle and may it never be unbroken.

6. Eyes with which to see and to be seen.

7. Occasions that bring families and friends together. Sometimes it is a holiday. Other times it is a memorial service followed by what is like a reunion of sorts. Other events might include birthday parties, planned times to serve someone, or vacationing together. 

8. Honest, heartfelt communication.

9. A jar full of written memories. Last week I opened up a jar of memories about me written by one of my daughters when she was in college. How time goes by, and how easily the tears came as I reread these.

10. Vic and for the person he is and the couple we are.

Ten Things of Thankful

It has been a beautiful week here in our area, and because of that I think my energy levels rose to the occasion. That is something for which I am thankful. In a few more days we will have part of our family here to visit before, during and after Thanksgiving, and that is yet another thankful item. 

I have a few photos to share for my post for the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hosted by Kristi Brierley of Thankful Me. I'm looking forward to seeing what others share this week. Click the link and you will be able to read their posts too. Better still, give some thought to what you are thankful for and write your own post and then link up. This blog hop Thanksgiving table welcomes all who want to join.

1. "We jobs," although more like "he jobs" and not always "wee jobs." With sunshine and seeing more leaves on the ground than still on the trees, we decided to clean the gutters on the house. The picture shows my husband cleaning the gutters on the back side of the house. I did a little helping, but he manned the hose. The front side requires using a ladder, and again he had the harder part of the job, but it did require both of us to get that part done. "We" also cleaned some of the windows. It is nice to be able to get a clearer view from the inside again.

Having gutters fairly near the ground
makes for easier cleaning.

2. Shrub beds wearing their new fall coat. Although there are still some leaves falling, the time was right to get a load of bark dust. We are thankful for the crew which came and quickly did what we are not able to do. Vic spent a good portion of the morning using his tractor to dump the bark dust near the various areas. The crew did the raking, etc. They were using a wheelbarrow, and he knew it would be much quicker for him to use his tractor to get it to some of the beds.

Even as the bark dust was being spread, a
few maples leaves were anxious to adorn
the ground.

3. Trees decked out in cones.

Pine cones 

I believe these are spruce cones.

4. Color of plants and of blossoms.

This looks a little like a barberry
bush which couldn't decide
which color it liked best.

This pink rose blooming in the
middle of November looks
beautiful with the backdrop
of the weathered fence.

This assortment of shrubs and trees
displaying various fall colors caught my eye.

5. Surprise discoveries. Years ago Vic purchased a little coffee plant for an indoor plant. It has had its ups and downs, and came near dying at times, but I finally found the right spot for it after moving it several times. As I was turning the plant just a tad the other day, I saw what appeared to be a couple of coffee beans in the making. 

Ripening coffee beans

6. Creative inventions. When I was at a quilting bee this week, one of the women showed us the needle threader that I believe was made by her grandfather. He made it out of the lid of a tin can. It is considerably sturdier than the little thin needle threaders that one can buy. This one is well suited for threading yarn through the eye of a needle. As is quoted in the well-known proverb, Necessity is the mother of invention.

Needle threader made from the
lid of a tin can

7. Senior discount, finally! For years I have enjoyed using senior discounts, when I remember to mention it. Most businesses do not ask if a person is eligible for the discount. When I took our car in to be serviced this week I was asked if I wanted the senior discount! (My immediate thought was, "What, you mean you have a senior discount?") We have had some fairly expensive work done there on occasion, and never once did I see in print, nor did anyone mention that the senior discount was an option. Now on the other hand, I suppose that I should feel good about the fact I didn't look like a senior before now. LOL Besides the senior discount, my punch card was filled, so part of the work done that day was free!

8. The Supreme Court. After watching the documentary, RBG this week, I came away with a greater appreciation for the Supreme Court of our country. One of the things that I felt most appreciative of was seeing how the members can be on opposite sides of a situation but still be civil and even friends with one another! We need more of this kind of behavior.

9. Protein lunchboxes. Because of the diet I am on, it is very difficult to eat out. This week I found myself between errands and unable to go home to eat. I stopped at a little health food store where I sometimes shop to see if just by chance they might have something in their deli area that I could eat. I was very happy to see that they had protein lunchboxes available. Everything in the box was exactly what I could eat!

10. The many ways people all over are reaching out to help friends and strangers in their hour of need. It is heartwarming and faith promoting.

Ten Things of Thankful

Today I am going to deviate somewhat from my usual numbering of my gratitudes. After all our host of the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop, Kristi Brierley, is really more interested in people taking time to think about those things for which they are thankful. Please consider taking part in this blog hop, whether it just be a line or two, or ten or more. Click the link above to share your post.

Because putting thoughts into writing have a way of  solidifying things in our minds, as well as giving us a place to return and remember as we read our thoughts of yesterdays and yesteryears, whether it be reviewing pages in our journals or reading our blog entries, who knows what impact the written word will have in our own life or in the lives of others. Just do it.

The most recent article I read about bells ringing was about the wave of bells that will be taking place in Canada on Sunday evening at dusk in remembrance of the armistice of WW1 100 years ago. The news of the war ending was spread via church bells ringing. I can just imaging what a joyful sound that must have been at that time. I am thankful for all who have served and who have made sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy.

There are times when there is a monkey wrench that gets thrown in our everyday tasks causing us to take much more time doing a relatively simple task. This week I was thankful that when I balanced the checkbook, all went smooth as glass. There were no debit card entries that I'd forgotten to enter and no mathematical errors. Yeah!

I'm not sure how I missed hearing about a 200-year-old tradition in Georgetown, Delaware called Return Day, but what a brilliant custom this is that seems to bring a degree of unity to the community on a day that more often than not ends up a day of discord in other places. Anything that brings peace and unity is something to be celebrated.

As I was driving homeward one day this week, a red tail hawk did a dive-bomb across the three lanes of the southbound traffic. He was so focused on his intended meal awaiting him in the median strip that he literally crashed into the cement barrier. I'm not sure if he snatched his prey beforehand. I appreciate these lessons we learn from observing the actions of wildlife. Maybe if he had considered all his options, he might have chosen a different course of action. 

There are many "firsts" to explore. Today I watched my first ever webinar. It proved to be extremely helpful, and I know I am going to be viewing it more than once in order to understand more of the information that was presented. (It was for practitioners as well as other interested parties.) The Q & A after the presentation was just as helpful. I am thankful for those who share their knowledge.

Silence invigorates me and I need time to be alone with my thoughts, time to observe, and time to be still. Others are invigorated and reenergized by action, loud activities and being in large group settings. While I can enjoy that for a little while, there comes a time when it is no longer as enjoyable. I am not saying that one is better than the other, just that what is enjoyable for one isn't always what suits the other. Silence is golden, and I am thankful for some golden moments in my golden years.

Some years our Christmas cacti are blooming by Thanksgiving or sooner. Today I can see the beginning of some buds, but I don't know if they will be blooming by Thanksgiving. They may living up to their name this year. Either way, I am thankful to see indications that their flowers will brighten our home sooner or later. Just another lesson in patience. Life is oft' a waiting game.

I am thankful for the thoughts and prayers of others and for kindness and offers of help.

This time of year flickers return to our little hillside area and at times to our house instead of our trees. I am thankful to be able to hear when they begin to peck on the house, so I can go shoo them away! Fortunately we don't have to contend with the problem this homeowner has.

Vic and I are a team, one that works together and shares the load. Getting older does indeed require teamwork, and I am thankful for the many ways he helps out and keeps life enjoyable. Besides, he is just fun to be around!

Six Sentence Stories - Knee

With the cue given to us by Denise Farley of the Girlie on the Edge's Blog at her blog hop, I decided to use the plural form of this word because of a childhood memory it prompted. With the beautiful fall sunny day here as I am writing, the setting of my SSS seems a little out of place. Actually, there were several ideas that came to mind for using the prompt, but I'll save them for another time. Click the link to see what form of the prompt was used in the other Six Sentence Stories - Knee.

The down-pouring rain seemed to bounce off the puddles which had filled the many deep potholes in what had  been a smooth graveled lane in the summer.

When she’d walked over the first wooden bridge on the lane, she noticed that the creek water was slapping the underside of the boards and was the highest she had ever seen it.

She felt the sting of the rain against her bare legs and she wished that her jacket was longer so her skirt would stay dry. Her red and blue plaid, woolen-fringed headscarf was now completely soaked. 

During most of her walk home from school it had been just lightly sprinkling, not pouring like it was now, and had been most of the last few weeks.

At the final wooden bridge now undetectable under the rushing waters, she was met by her father wearing high rubber boots up to his knees ready to seemingly walk on water to assist her in making it safely home.

Source

Ten Things of Thankful

With Thanksgiving arriving later this month in our country, people often consider all those things for which they are especially grateful. On the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hosted by Kristi Brierley each week, we have an opportunity to keep thankfulness in mind every week, write a post and link up where others of like mindedness will be linking their posts. Even if you don't write a post and join us, we hope reading our comments will stir your thoughts toward your own blessings. Be sure to click the link and see what others are sharing.

1. Pain-free days. For the last six years I have been on a medication that has kept me pain free from pain in the connective tissues of my back. The cause of the pain is believed to be Myofascial Pain Syndrome. After years of flare ups of pain, the doctor put me on a medication that was discovered to help subdue the pain. The medication had been created to treat something completely different. To me it was like a miracle drug to be free of the pain. For whatever reason, the drug no longer works for me and the pain has resumed. The doctor is slowly weaning me off the first medication while gradually having me take low amounts of the new one. Apparently medications after continued use can sometimes no long do what they were intended to do. I am so grateful that during the past six years I haven't had flare-ups of that particular pain.

2. Sunshine. 1)During this time of the year the rays of sun shine through the windows of our home and strike certain areas that don't see the sunshine at other times. It is a good thing because otherwise I might not ever see the cobwebs on vaulted ceilings, and remove my quite naturalist Halloween decorations. 2)Sunshine this time of year makes all the fall colors of nature's landscape look so vibrant. 

3. Live online classes. Today I registered for an online class being held this coming Saturday. This is the first time I have done this kind of thing, but I hope it will give me a better understanding of SIBO.

4. Someone offering to do something I'd offered to do for her. When I made an offer to help someone it was with the hope that the pain flareup would have subsided by the time I needed to do the errand. When I discovered that just because one day might be a good day, it didn't mean I could count on the following day to be good, she relieved me of having to do the task. I appreciate her being so understanding.

5. Sharing and caring friends. One day a couple of friends came to visit, and during our conversation about possible reasons my  pain medication might not be working, they each shared a personal experience that caused me make an appointment to see my doctor and explain what was going on. While discussing health issues isn't always the most entertaining topic, sometimes sharing and caring friends and provide helpful insights.

6. Appreciation for the complexities of how the human body functions or doesn't.

7. Music as a source of distraction from physical pain. One day when I'd driven up to visit with my mom in the nursing center, my back pain had increased in intensity, so by the time I was making the 40 minute trip home, I wondered about a way to distract my mind from the pain. I began singing and humming hymns, one after another. The ride was much more enjoyable and truly did divert my thoughts from the pain.

Has music ever been used to help divert your mind during a surgical procedure or to distract you from pain?

Just listen to the following for a minute or two. If you click the link it will explain more about the sound. Is this a relaxing sound to you? Just wondering. . .






8. Serendipitous occasions, or God is in the details of our lives. I had enjoyed the singing/humming mentioned in #7 so much that I thought how wonderful it would be if the church class I would be attending that afternoon could just be an hour of singing hymns about the topic being addressed that day. Imagine my surprise when during one of the classes I attended, the teacher said she was going to do something a little different from the way she normal would teach the class. She asked for a number of people to choose a favorite hymn and a line from it that addressed the subject of the lesson. As a class we sang one verse from each of the hymns that had been mentioned! She no doubt had planned her lesson sooner than the thought that had crossed my mind, but maybe not. . .

Have you had a serendipitous happening recently?

9. My jade plant is growing! This might not seem like much to some people, but I have over watered a number of jades over the years and apparently just drowned them. This time around I have not even been watering my jade when the soil appeared dry to me. I wait several weeks before giving it the tiniest bit of moisture. This is a tiny little plant, but the leaves are looking healthy, not mushy at all. LOL

10. My husband and our family. They are always in my thoughts and prayers and they mean the world to me.

Six Sentence Stories - Up

No one else is going to write this post for me. It is up to me to share a story consisting of only six sentences. Why would I want to do this, you may ask. Well, Denise Farley of Girlie on the Edge's Blog has opened the link so blog hop bloggers can join in with their weekly six sentence creations. Click Six Sentences Stories - Up to see the other stories.

A decision would have to be made soon, but she had so many questions, some of which seemed to have no answers up to now.

While some people grew impatient with her inquiries and need to know the details, she continued to doggedly seek a final conclusion. 

It appeared to her that nothing had prepared her for this kind of challenge. 

She knew that fear of failure was most likely one of the deficits of her character, but there was just a desire to do something in the best way possible.

Even considering that superlative, it opened many doors of thought, i.e. most economic, entertaining, enjoyable to all,  physically possible, you name it.

She knew from past experience that after a good night’s rest, praying about the situation, and being patient with herself and others, the answer would come. . .sometime, hopefully soon.

Source

Ten Things of Thankful

It is that time to reflect and to write about being thankful, not just because in another month it will be Thanksgiving, but because every Friday the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop link opens and until Tuesday bloggers can express gratitude. Kristi Brierley of Thankful Me is currently our host who reminds us that it is time and encourages us to participate.

 1. Good news from my family and something to anticipate. There is nothing more to share about that now, but you will no doubt read more in the future.

2. An increase of registered voters. To read that more people are wanting to participate in the election process and are will to consider and study the measures and the background and experience of the candidates is encouraging.

3. The boxelder bugs are nearly nonexistent at our place after a week of sweeping the walkway morning and evening where they fell to their death. One less chore to do.

Dead boxelder bugs

4. Signs that more rain is coming. We had a day or two of light sprinkles, but when I saw this little banana slug near our house one morning I figured he was our new weatherman. During wet weather we might see a few, but rarely beside our house. The next couple days after seeing him, we had rain, not just sprinkles.

3-1/2" banana slug

5. Plenty of wood pellets so we could start the stove one morning this week. We had stocked up last spring, so we were ready for that one cooler day.

6. Help from a dietitian trying to figure out what type of foods I should be eating the next 10 months. Normally I would just resort to the Internet to help me out, but the doctor had encouraged me to meet with the dietitian. I did try googling, but soon realized there was more I needed to know before assuming what recipes and foods were going to work for me. She was able to show me the SIBO test results and clarify what I would need to do. What one can eat following a positive result with this test varies from person to person. Now I am able to find recipes that I can modify to meet my requirements. My breakfast this morning was an omelet (pictured below), half of a banana and a very small clementine orange.

Omelet (6 T of liquid eggs, 1 T shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 piece crumbled cooked bacon)

7. New wall hanging. On our trip to the national parks recently we took a plethora of photos. My husband had one of his printed so we could replace a large photo of a praying mantis on a rose that had previously hung in that spot. I like that when we decide to use the tread mill we can gaze upon this beautiful scene. Let's see, praying mantis or Bryce Canyon. . .

Bryce Canyon National Park

8. Waking up to a phrase in the middle of the night. There was a day when I had a lot of concerns on my mind. Out of a sound sleep that night, I awoke with the phrase "strength beyond my own" running through my head. I thought that rather strange, but I have learned from some past experiences that it is good for me to pay attention to these occurrences because there may be a message there for me. Because phrases from music have helped and encouraged me and sometimes come into my mind, I got up and tried to locate the source. After locating a song by that title, I listened to it several times before returning to bed. The message was very comforting to me. I may have heard this sometime in the past, but it wasn't a piece I knew or remembered having heard.

Source

9. People who helped a musician with Alzheimer's make sure his music was retained for posterity. He had composed music over the years, but it was all in his head. What a kind gesture!

10. Messages from plants. I love the message of this peace plant that I found almost hidden from sight this morning. Sometimes with plants and with people, one needs to look deeply to discover the all their hidden talents and the beauty they have to share with the world. 

Tiny, but perfect, peace plant blossom

May your week ahead be peaceful and happy.

Six Sentence Stories - Classics

She who hesitates as to which way to go with a prompt, isn't the first to post to a blog hop link. Such is my situation this time around for responding to the cue given by Denise Farley of Girlie on the Edge's Blog for the Six Sentence Stories - Classics blog hop. Be sure to click the link after reading my post to read some more posts on this subject.

The sound emanating from the speakers in the car wasn´t what one might have expected to be the choice of some teens while riding in a vehicle with their mother, but she didn't complain about this piece from one of the classics played by many high school orchestras. 

Music was a part of their lives, theirs and hers. 

She was enjoying the drive, having taken the old highway with the slower speed limits instead of the freeway on this sunny day. 

While some moms struggled with how their children squabbled and fought over the least little thing when they were experiencing an inward bout with their hormones, she was thankful that didn´t seen to be the case most of the time in her own family. 

The communication between them was amicable while she was lost in thought enjoying the quickening beat of the music.

It wasn´t until her son said loudly, with great surprise, ¨Mom, you´re  speeding!¨ that she realized how her foot on the accelerator had been responding.

Source

RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #224 Art&Compass

Thanks to Ronovan Hester of RonovanWrites bloggers have an opportunity to participate in a haiku challenge each week. To join in, click the link to read the guidelines and to see what others share each week. I'm linking my haiku to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #224 Art&Compass.

foggy mist o'er head

geese compassing nature's art

on canvas below

Click here for source

Ten Things of Thankful

This is a catch up post for my past few weeks of absence here on this site. First there was a trip, then just some time away from social media. Both were good healthy adventures and experiments in so many ways. That being said, I have missed my interactions with my fellow blogging friends.

I am linking this post up to the Ten Things of Thankful blog up hosted by Kristi Brierley of Thankful Me. She has motivated me in many positive ways over the years, including encouraging me to participate in this blog hop.

1. Travel adventures. We had only seen some of the scenic areas in the Utah in the past, so we drove to Utah and from there spent a wonderful week with our daughter and son-in-law seeing four national parks in four days and tacked on seeing a state park at the end of the trip.

Bryce Canyon National Park

2. Watching General Conference. Each year there are two General Conferences held in Salt Lake City by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where the Prophet and other leaders share inspired messages which give direction and counsel to all who listen. It is broadcast via satellite throughout the world and translated into many languages, a fascinating feat within itself. When I became a member it was only possible to listen to the audio transmission of conference at one of the chapels in the area where I lived.

3. Improvement using electronic devices. During our trip, thanks to our daughter, I was able to get some help getting up to speed using my iPhone. This is much faster than reading through the online manual or just experimenting. 

I also took some time after we got home to reorganize my desktop on the iPad, and learned to use some additional features of my Gospel Library app that allows me to make notes and put the notes into a Notebook within the app. 

One day when I was using my iPad, it all of sudden was not displaying the correct keyboard symbols I'd keyed! I was beginning to think my keyboard case was going to have to be replaced. Here is where google came to my rescue. I found a forum where a few others had addressed this problem. Apparently I'd accidentally bumped two keys at the same times which caused the problem I was experiencing. This was a much easier fix with no expense involved.

4. Good results on an every-five-year's health procedure. Yeah!

5. Discovering that the new farm very near us is producing organic vegetables. While I do not eat totally organic food, I think that there are benefits to doing so.

6. Eliminating as much as possible the boxelder bug population around our home. Little did we know when we planted maple trees on our property many years ago that the trees attract boxelder bugs! These pests, more because of their numbers than actual damage to anything, are particularly annoying in the spring and in the fall when they emerge. Since maple trees are quite common in the valley here, many are plagued with the presence of these bugs. By the way, these creatures are bugs not insects. If you ever wondered what the difference is between the two, click the link.

7. Beginning the day with laughter. One day when taking apart my CPAP attachments so I could clean them, the end of the hose fell into one of those sticky spider traps I'd placed in the corner. When I pulled the hose up, the trap came too, as did the electric cord that it knocked loose which also got stuck on the trap. What a picture that was! Fortunately strength prevailed and I was able to free both from the sticky goo and get them both cleaned off thanks to one of those products made specifically for such jobs. I also found a much better place to put the trap. :-)

8. Being able to attend the temple with a friend. Since the temple is about 50 minutes away, depending on the traffic, it is a great time to visit. I enjoy these moments of conversation and reflection prior to and after the time serving in the temple. 

9. A long handwritten letter from a friend and former neighbor. It had been quite a while since I'd heard from this friend, so it was a delight to read a five-page letter from her. (Not everyone is computer savvy and able to keep in touch via social media, so a handwritten letter is to be treasured.)

10. My husband. We rely on each other in so many ways. I'm thankful that is here with me, and I with him to support one another.

RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #223 Rise&Fall

It is time to get back to blogging after some time away. Ronovan Hester provides a haiku prompt each week for those bloggers enjoying this creative expression. I'm linking my haiku to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #223 Rise&Fall. Click the link to visit his site and read more haiku using the prompt.

coal black birds homebound

with moon’s rising, fall waxes

as summer passes

Click for source

Six Sentence Stories - Requirements

After a hiatus from the blogging world, I am back again. I'm starting up again with the Six Sentence Stories blog hop hosted by Denise Farley each week. Week after week bloggers participating in the blog hop link their creative endeavors to her site, Girlie on the Edge's Blog, and that is where you will be able to read their six sentence stories and make comments if you choose. I am linking my fictional post to Six Sentence Stories - Requirements.

She turned off the news and later the same day the computer, refusing to listen or read the bantering between the candidates on the news reports and the statements flying off the cuffs. 

Becoming a registered voter had been important to her, but relying on anything other than the voter’s pamphlet and maybe a few flyers that came in the mail from her party of choice seem inconsequential to her. 

Right will reign she thought. 

Though world history classes were requirements when she was in school, somehow many of the details, if ever absorbed by her mind, had faded with time and weren’t stirring up any concerns until one week before the election. 

“How can they do that!” she wondered. After scouring the internet, she found the information answering her question, but now it was too late and she wasn’t going to be able to vote this time.

Sunday's Whirligig - Whirligig 180

Sometimes it is a poem, a short story or some other piece of writing that comes to mind when I see the 12 new prompt words on Magical Mystical Teacher's Sunday's Whirligig blog, but today my post would be more aptly described as some other piece of writing. I'm linking this to Sunday's Whirligig - Whirligig 180.

THIS WEEK'S WORDS come from "Lakes Rivers Streams" by Michael Dickman: fish, tap, lamp, dream, roof, night, swirl, call, water, dishes, bucket, ask 

tap turned on

hot water swirling 

in a sink full of dirty dishes

days are past 

that she can ask for help

housework is her’s only

as long as she is able

an artificial fish aquarium 

with lamp aglow

helps her see her way

if she awakens in the dark

invites a restful night’s sleep

maybe a dream or two

about something on the bucket list

owls hooting in the distance

forlorn calls of coyotes

raccoons scampering

over, through, and under 

to get to the overripe apples

in an overflowing bucket 

inside the garden fence

opossums staggering

on feet resembling hands

across the roof