Ten Things of Thankful

It is that time again when some thankful people begin showing up at the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hosted by Kristi of Thankful Me. Why do they go there week after week you might wonder. Only the participants can tell you and they do. Click here to discover what made them do it this week. I must warn you that sharing your gratitudes is addictive and catching, but in a very good way. Maybe we will see your TToT blog post there sometime soon. Sure hope so.

1. A tour of an alpaca farm and gift shop

At Christmas we received a gift coupon to tour an alpaca farm. The giver, (the host of the TToT blog hop), knew of my fascination for these animals, so it was sure to be a hit. This a breeding farm with the goal being high quality fiber. They raise huacaya alpacas. Their fleece varies in color just like the hair on humans varies in color. Another interesting thing about alpaca fiber is that it is hypoallergenic because there is no lanolin in the fleece, unlike the wool of sheep. I was surprised at all the various facial shapes and personalities of these animals, AND that the babies (cria) are born during the daytime most commonly between 10 am and 2 pm. Now that is some kind of planning!

A side profile of two white huacaya alpacas
at the Marquam Hill Ranch 

2. Things to consider

Since I have not ever taken a yoga class, although I have done some yoga by myself at home, taking an alpaca yoga class would be out of my comfort zone. I think it wouldn't be too much different than doing yoga when our yellow lab was trying to figure out what I was doing down on the floor. LOL

3. Mountains

There is nothing as striking as a snow covered mountain peak on a spring day.

Green spring pasture with snow covered
Mt. Hood off in the distance

4. Daffodils in bloom on our hill

Although daffodils have been in bloom for a week or more at slightly lower elevations in our area, the buds on ours had not opened up yet, so I am glad that the several days of sunshine this week enticed them to show their faces.

A cluster of daffodils blooming 

5. Beautiful sunset that miraculously showed up at the end of what had been an overcast day

Beautiful pink and orange colors from the
sunset cast upon blue and grey clouds above
fir trees on a hill 

6. Early evening walks

7. A change in diet
For over five months I have been on a very strict diet per doctor's instructions, which has limited my consumption of a lot of different foods. I have diligently followed the instructions. When my husband recently received a coupon for a free frozen pie redeemable at a wonderful pie shop in our area, I took advantage of it. Not only that, I baked the apple pie and bought some vanilla ice cream. We both ate a piece and then we gave the rest of the pie and ice cream away to someone who can either eat it or serve it to guests . . . without regrets. It tasted delicious and I enjoyed every bite, but I know avoiding sweets is a good thing for us to do.

8. Newspapers articles that make me laugh
My grandfather was the barber that was mentioned although not by name. It was a small town. Everyone knew everything about anyone in the town, or if they didn't, the newspaper passed on the news and the gossip, as was the custom with a lot of newspapers at the time. In 1900 he and my grandmother were not married yet.

The Chanute Times, 22 Jun 1900, Fri,  8

It never even occurred to me what barbers did for fun over a hundred years ago. My grandparents were in their sixties when I was born. I never saw either of them drink alcohol.

Parsons Daily Eclipse, 17 Nov 1903, Tue,  4

9. Having something fun on the calendar for next week

10. Reading my husband's memories of his life and our life together brings a greater understanding of the person he was, is, and is becoming. (Thanks to StoryWorth assignments which we each write every week.)