Someone did something for me recently that was so kind, so generous, so supportive, so loving, so unexpected, and so incredible, that I quite literally don’t have the words to thank her.
She knows who she is, and the world—my world—and my life is a better place for her being in it.
Thank you, dear friend. For loving me, for trusting me, for supporting my dreams. Always.
I love you!
xoxo
This puts an entire new spin on the term, ‘craving chicken.’
I’m appropriately humbled. Grateful all over again for the many blessings I’ve been given. And grateful for a new twitter-contact, @AngeliasArt . It was a link on her site that led me to this short, but powerful film, winner of the ‘Most Popular Short Film’ award at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.
Chicken a la Carte: http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081?pf=rate:1081
Today’s Day 12. Maybe I will try for 40 days.
Just because.
I had a really rough night after an odd day. I finally gave up around 5:00 am this morning, got up, and went frantically ricocheting around the dark house for a couple of hours (opening windows, among other things, to let in some still-cool, fresh air). All of a sudden I noticed that something had changed, and I stopped dead, panicked in mid-bolt, to figure out what .
Then I realized that, despite my fears that the world is crashing down around me, outside the cold, dark, scary night was lightening as the sun rose slowly over the mountain. The first few rays lanced across the Valley and hit the Range on the other side. What had, all night, and until just a few moments before, been menacing shapes , looming in almost impenetrable darkness, turned into mountains, and trees, and houses. Houses where other people live, and work, and worry. And draw together in times of need.
And I pulled myself together—just a little—and remembered to breathe.
So today I’m grateful:
1. That the sun comes up every morning. No matter what. And that I have nothing to do with it. That “God is in His Heavens, and all is right with the world.” Even if I can’t see it right now from where I’m standing here in the dark.
2. For waking up in California: the sky is unbelievably blue, the air is fresh and clean (love those sea breezes!) and, in the middle of September, it’s over 80 degrees, and climbing. For waking up each morning, period.
3. For having clean water to drink—a BILLION people on this planet don’t.
4. For having clean water to swim in. I know it’s an incredible luxury, and I’m incredibly grateful every time I get the chance. The chances increase with the temperature: another reason to love Indian Summer.
5. And for my little dog, too.
What five things can you be grateful for today?
ps: Here’s something, if you haven’t seen this yet this summer: Mars is still giving away FREE chocolate bars (your choice) every Friday @ https://secure.realchocolate.com/ They’ve extended it until October, and you can get one coupon each Friday, 4 per household. I’ve already eaten mine :)
Took some of the Franken-lemons off the tree on Sunday.
Debated:
1. Throwing them all away—most of the neighbors around here already have more lemons than they can use—and their lemons are nicer.
2. Squeezing and freezing the juice.
Option #2 won out—naturally. But only temporarily. We piled them into boxes and bags, schlepped them around the house, and filled my mom’s car before she headed back home.
By noon the next day, her friends, neighbors, the entire staffs of both her bank and my bank, and the ladies at the thrift shop where she volunteers had relieved her of ALL of ‘em.
She did manage to keep a couple of the little ones for herself. And called me to make sure I didn’t mind that she’d given the rest away—there’d always be more, right?
Absolutely.
I’m pretty sure now that the Frankenbush started out as TWO separate lemon trees. The little ‘normal’ ones grow on the right side (this is the first year I’ve had any one those); and the big ones on the left. None came close to the GIANT ones we had last year, but they’re big enough. And they’re HEAVY – there were a number of branches that looked like they were ready to break. And this year, under that inch-thick rind, they’re pretty darn good. Which is where we got the idea for juice…
So instead, now a whole bunch of people are enjoying them. Not even discounting the novelty factor!
And I still have the lovely ones from my neighbor, and am still thinking about that new lemon bar recipe…
So go out, and have a bright yellow day! Think about the riches that you take for granted, that someone else would be happy to share.
And if there’s a little bit of sour, that just makes the rest all the sweeter.
Sorry it’s been so long again. I’ve been having serious computer problems, grrrr! And keeping busy with my etsy shops. I ‘ve been listing new items like crazy in both shops, and was rewarded this morning with a big ArtTile order. I’m SO grateful! And still always a little amazed :)
In the meantime, I wanted to thank Michele from By Your Side for the suggestion to use LiveWriter. I started using it with my last post and it’s already been a huge improvement. Thanks, Michelle!
More soon, I promise. Hope you’re all enjoying these beautiful, late summer days. We had crazy hot weather Friday and Saturday (104!), coolish Sunday in the 70s, then 80+ Monday, a smidge over 90 on Tuesday…who knows? Gotta enjoy it while it lasts!
A special prayer of safekeeping for all the firefighters battling horrific blazes across the state. And compassion and healing for all those affected. ♥
It’s a beautiful morning, bright and blue and clear, with just a little hazy smoke around the edges and just the slightest scent of smoke in the air. A day full of hope, of promise, with just a hint of the fall soon to come. A day to count blessings, and be grateful.
For a time, I used to keep a sort of journal where each night I would write down the five things I was most grateful for that day. A nice reminder to notice, and appreciate the good. And attract more in the process! So today--
1. I’m grateful for a beautiful day, in a beautiful place, on a beautiful planet.
2. I’m grateful that Trader Joe’s sells good German and Swiss chocolate for a reasonable price, and that I have to go in to town today and right by there anyway...
3. I’m grateful for the new (to me) little toaster oven from my friend Emily, that I can use to make myself dinner, without heating up the big oven & the entire kitchen. While I’m at it, I’m grateful for my wise and wonderful friend Emily and her calm, clear take on life.
4. I’m beyond grateful for my wonderful, loving, supportive-in-spite-of-all-the-stupid-things-I-do mother. I love you, Mommy!
5. I’m grateful to alive, to be healthy, to feel (even when it hurts), to be given the opportunity to do better.
It’s hard to believe that just up the coast the fire has doubled in size again. A special wave of gratitude to all the firefighters and the incredible work they do to keep us all safe.
Have a wonderful weekend! Laugh, love, play, pray. Life is good.
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