Ten Things of Thankful

The link has been open for a day over at Josie Two Shoes site at the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop, so I'd better take a look at my notes and see some of the mentionable items for this week. Can you believe that I actually made note of some things as I recognized them at the time? Of course, there probably will be some things that will come to mind as I move my fingers over the keys right now. Writer's inspiration or the great unlocking of the mind, who knows. Being thankful is something that if we keep our hearts and minds open can be felt and seen every day in small ways or in large ways. With time and practice it becomes easier to do, like so many other things in this sphere of existence.

1. Organ music - I discovered university radio station that plays organ music every Sunday evening at 6 pm. Did you know that there is a beautiful organ at the Disney Hall concert hall in Los Angeles?

2. Tissue rather than handkerchiefs - With the advent of the cold and flu season and hopeful the disappearance of such soon, I am so grateful for tissue. An interesting fact is that tissue (washi) was first 

first used by the Japanese in the 17th century, but in the United States of America tissue wasn't introduced until 1924 for the reason of using it to remove makeup. By a couple of years later 60% of the people were using it for blowing their nose.

3. A movie to look forward to - I am already looking forward to a movie, You Are My Friend, about Mr. Rogers with Tom Hanks playing the role of Mr. Rogers.

4. Performing arts - My hubby and I along with a friend were able to attend a toe tapping, hand clapping, and head bobbing show this week at The Shedd Institute. We saw one of Chico Schwall's American Roots shows. This time it was American Masters: Uncle Dave Macon & Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I can't be still when listening to this kind of music, and I wasn't the only one.

5. Beautiful sunsets - Apparently some outdoor burning was allowed this week, because we had some gorgeous sunsets.

An orange and yellow sky seen at sunset from the Willamette Valley as we looked toward the the coast range. The bottom half of the photo is almost black, but the outline of a few buildings are showing against the grey/black mountains.

6. Daffodils - The signs are there and it won't be long before we will see some in bloom. That splash of yellow will likely make its appearance a little sooner this year.

7. Friends to join for meals out - An Empty Nesters lunch and lunch with a friend on a day we explored the merchandise at a large craft store that opened in the area. I mostly looked, but it was fun seeing what they had. In some ways it was like stepping back in time, since in the merchandise world there is that trend to make what once was "in" look improved and brand new.

8. Safe travels - A parent is always a parent. Although I don't worry now about the travel of my grown children, or I would be worrying all the time, I am always glad to know that they had safe travels. Even my own mother at 101 years (only rarely now because of her memory loss) shows concern when I just drive to my house from the nursing home.

9. Mystery photos - Among some old photos that belonged to my paternal grandparents are a few which have people who remain unknown to me. Because DNA tests can indicate others to whom you may be related, I learned of a couple of people this week who are related. One is a descendant of my great uncle, George Alfred Pierce, born 1874 and his wife, Regina Angela Smith. I am  hoping that perhaps she or some other relative may be able to identify the people in this photo as there are quite a few photos of my great uncle's family. Mystery photos keep me searching and keep me discovering about my family. 

10. My husband who has done more than his share of work this week for me and for us - What would I do without him? I don't want to know, although deep down I do know. I will always love him.