Gratitude

Light and shadow

The sun rose bright red over the mountain this morning, ruby shades filtering through the dense tree canopy greeting me as the dogs snuffled around the backyard. Yawning and stretching sleepy stiff muscles, eyes closed, reaching for the light I was reminded of my many blessings. One blessing is the golden afternoon light that filters through plants on my front porch, casting shadows of mystery.

Peaking through my hanging ferns.

Silver edges glow, and more shadows.


If you are bothered by spiders you may want to stop here.

This cute little fella was dangling in a potted plant. Very tiny, around a quarter of an inch long, maybe a tad bit longer. He was content and obviously well fed.





A surprise visitor - a painted box turtle. I moved him out of the backyard into the the wilder area on the other side of the fence. He didn't need the complication of Baylee. The photo is awful, sorry. Forgetting completely about the high humidity I dashed out and snapped this through a foggy lens. Doh! What a nice surprise!

What's Truly Important

This holiday we count our blessings on all the fingers and toes we can find. We have been given an extraordinary gift. Bob came close to leaving us permanently on August 3rd, 3pm, but found spiritual blessings via a personalized epiphany that appeared nearly non-stop while under trauma care in SICU. I can't share details of something so personal but it has indeed been life changing for him, for us. That is Blessing Number 1.


The teenager is growing up. Now a first year college student she is spreading her wings, discovering herself, and learning how to be in Real Life. This ain't Reality TV, baby! She is maturing like a rocket, taking nearly a full load while working and living in an apartment. The blessing is just how well she is handling everything. Our daughter is growing up and pursuing her dreams - that's just the way it's supposed to be. Congratulations daughter - this is Blessing Number 2.

Okay, I just had to highlight our dog, Baylee. She was supposed to be a cat. "No More Dogs!" I said, stomping my foot, nose high, leaving the room. That eventually became "I'M not taking care of her - YOU'RE taking care of her!!!!" However, today? Who's dog is she? She's MY DOG and I'm NOT giving her back! She is the bestest, most wise, funniest, smartest, lovingst dog ever in the history of dogdom. Baylee is my touchstone. When I need a hug she is always there with her perfect doggie scent and warm licks to my face. Baylee is Blessing Number 3.



Marrying Bob opened my world to a family I consider one of my finest blessings. We all have shared many a Christmas together, and other holidays as well. We've celebrated in Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Iowa, Nevada, North Carolina, and of course Alabama. Our family is scattered all around the United States, and some even live in England. Yes, there are celebrations going on over there, too, this year. These two photos, above, represent Blessings Number 4.



Blessing Number 5 has to be my mother. Known as Mur, Mimi, Mimi-Monet and Miss Betty - she goes by many monikers but she is always Mother to me. She has all my life been there for me in more ways than I can count. While we had a good relationship in the early day, today she has become my very best friend. Time spent with her these past few years have been a gift to us both. Now that she is married we see each other less often but our love for each other hasn't diminished. We will find a "new normal," as someone I love often says. This woman is my mentor, my personal angel, sent to me straight from God. Blessing Number 5.

There are of course other blessings in my life but for this post, today's purpose, these blessings are speaking to my heart. I am missing Bill and Elgin deeply this year but feel them here with us. Several visions of Elgin appeared at the hospital during Bob's darkest days. They are here, and I am so pleased to feel their presence.

Houses go away but people remain. This is a reminder to me, to my soul, of what is truly important. Merry Christmas my friends. Please remember to give lots of hugs this season. Oh, and special thanks to Jerry Jones of Shadowhouse Creations for the lovely textures.

Blessings

Brown Thrasher

I hereby announce an end to the pity party. Put away the party hats, take down the banner, throw the streamers into the trash. It's over. I'm very appreciative of everyone's kind comments, your encouragement and positivity. I've missed being here, frankly, and my absence is showing. What a dowdy, drab place it has become. Old music, stale graphics, doom and gloom. Ick and ach! A pox on doom and gloom! As of today I shall once more begin counting my blessings, which are in abundance. Let's start with some creatures from our yard and have a parade.

The brown thrasher, above, is easy to hear scrambling through the leaves and brush of our house, but has been hard to spot. Until this day, when he poked his head out and stood for his portrait. Isn't he gorgeous?

Cedar Waxwing

The other day I was playing frisbee with Baylee in the backyard and I hear this trilling high overhead. There's no song quite as distinctive as a Cedar Waxwing's, to me anyway. There were about 20 or so high in the trees snacking on some berries.

Cedar Waxwing

These are some of my favorite birds, the cedar waxwings. Their coloration and markings are strikingly beautiful, and their trilling song warms my heart.

Is this a white crowned sparrow? My bird book is still packed. There were about 5-6 of them one afternoon snuffling in the leaves, getting worms and seeds.

Yellowhammer

The State Bird of Alabama, climbing up a tree in the backyard.

He jumps down to the ground, grabbing hickory nuts and other snacks.

What a handsome, gorgeous fella.

This summer two black swallowtails of some sort were making babies,
fluttering around like this for quite some time.

Rufus Sided Towhee, I believe.

Elfin?

Love the bumblers....

Skipper of some sort, all these on the blooming autumn sedum this fall.

Mockingbird.

I'm crazy about sycamores. They're messy, I know, but they are beautiful.

So, I'm back and I'm once again embracing Life and Adventure and Starting Over and New Beginnings and all that good stuff. Now that I have some pretty photos up (some which require help with identification) it's time to spruce up this blog and decorate for the holidays. Season's Greetings, ya'll!

Little house in Mooresville, Alabama

"What is Christmas?
It is tenderness for the past,
courage for the present,
hope for the future.
It is a fervent wish that
every cup may overflow
with blessings rich and eternal,
and that every path may lead
to peace."

~ Agnes M. Pahro

Peace sounds good about now. "Blessings rich and eternal" perfectly phrases my thoughts today about Christmas. If we could all just sit still that day in quiet repose and reflect on our blessings, count each one, write them down on a piece of paper and recite them to our loved ones - I believe our individual worlds would shift and each of us would feel rich and loved and blessed beyond all imaginings.

Counting Blessings

Randy Cole, my Random Stone buddy, commented recently on how he and I have been unable to post regularly on our blogs. His silence has been primarily due to work assignments while mine has been primarily due to major changes in our family situation. We now own two homes: one on the lake and one in the city. I won't go into the why's and wherefore's here, but suffice it to say that I was the Queen of Denial when it came to leaving the lake house for any length of time. At one point we "knew" we were going to have to sell it, but as of today we now think differently. We are literally taking each day as it comes and dealing with it.

My emotions have swung from depression to anger to sweet oblivion to curiosity. I admit that I've been whining. I hate whining and whiners. Of late my JOB has been to concentrate on recognizing my disease (whining), changing my attitude and finding my gratitude. This morning I'm heading back to the lake house, staying through the weekend. Waking in the softening predawn darkness this morning I began to count my blessings, just like my friend over at the Blessing Counter has always done. So here are my blessings today:

1. At the city house there is a network of streets lined with sidewalks making morning walks with Baylee such a treat. We can go many directions, and we head out knowing our walks will be SAFE as all dogs here are on leashes or in fenced-in backyards. I cannot tell you how much more enjoyable our walks are.

2. Baylee has her own fenced-in backyard!!! She can run and play, and the previous owner left all manner of doggie toys that she inherited....and is annihilating one by one - LOL!

3. Kayla LOVES her new school and her classes. Her former school had 12 students TOTAL in the 11th grade, while her new school has over 400 in her senior class! She loves loves loves the excitement, the energy, the creativity, the studies, everything.

4. We have family and friends close by. Two close couple friends, my dad and step mom, my stepbrothers and their family. And I'm running into all manner of people with whom I used to work so it's been like a reunion.

5. There is a beautiful mountaintop park not ten minutes from our home. We went there Sunday morning for a walk and I took a few photos. (I cannot post photos until I get to the lake house - I'm not set up here to do any photo work) (yet)

6. The Greenway is 5 minutes from our house. One can park in their safe parking lot and walk all the way down to the Tennessee River and back. I intend to do that this autumn and winter and spring - a LOT. When Baylee is ready she'll go with me some of the way. She has a bum leg as you know and can't walk that far.

7. I can schedule my doctor and dentist and other appointments to coincide with my time in the city.

8. The lake house remains and is our vacation home. Driving there I feel the excitement rise up deep within. When I arrive the first thing I do is go out on the deck and breathe deeply.

9. The Giraffe Head Tree is still there, waiting patiently for my return.

There are more blessings but these are big and meaningful to me today. I leave soon for the lake house and will post the mountain park photos, hopefully. Unless I didn't leave them on the flashcard....wait...I think I deleted them. Drat. I'll get the hang of this double duty gig but in the meantime just know that I'm here and will check in as often as I can. I'm behind in my blog reading and miss everyone very much.

Reflections

I adore hearing from friends. One friend I've not e-chatted with in a while sent an e-mail last night. Her brief prose acknowledged the struggles each of us are facing within our little group of pals, and then she proceeded to compile a list of everything in her life there is to be happy about right now, this minute. I'm borrowing her idea and posting my list here in hopes that writing it and reading it will remind me just how fortunate I am.

1. This hot cup of coffee in my hand
2. Music
3. Great, wonderful, loving, supportive friends
4. Amazing family - here and all over
5. Food in the fridge and pantry
6. Nature
7. Camera and accompanying gear
8. Hot showers
9. Sunrises and sunsets
10. Migrating birds
11. Ample clothing to wear
12. Roof over my head
13. A good heat pump
14. My cookware
15. All my senses intact
16. Good health, my own and my immediate family's and friend's

Feel free to compile your own lists of blessings and gratitude's.

Giving Thanks

The family, except mom who's taking the photo

This week I celebrate the love of family and the miracle of continuance. You may recall that Elgin recently left us to be with Bill, which in my mind is yet another reason to celebrate. The family came from all over to attend Elgin's memorial service. The service began on a somber note, but as we all got up to talk about her and share stories we laughed through our tears at the funny tales throughout their lifetime of love.

One of the funniest stories was of Elgin right after Bill's passing. She was in the hospital and I had to stay with her for 2 days because she wouldn't stay in the bed and I didn't have the heart to have her restrained. So, I sat and we talked for two days. On day 2 at our weariest, Elgin began to talk about Bill as though he'd just left the room. "He's gone down the hall to play poker with the boys," she said. "Well, I'm sure he'll be home on time," I responded. She began to share with me her opinions about these particular men, which grew less flattering as the hour went on. She became more and more distressed, wanting Bill home - I was wondering how to handle it. Suddenly, she gave me this conspiratorial look and motioned for me to come closer. I did. She whispered to me that she's suspicious of Bill's actions. "....what?" "I'm suspicious of those other men," she confided. ".....why?" "I think they're taking Bill out and smoking marijuana!" she blurted.

You have to know Elgin to understand why that's so funny. She was the consummate lady who never had a harsh word to say, never raised her voice, always wore matching clothes, and had her hair and nails done in classic fashion. She was A Lady. Both she and Bill were the epitome of "gentile." Bill had a stroke before his passing and I believe that was the only way she could process his odd behavior at that time. Her mind tended to blur the past together as one big movie, but occasionally her mind was crystal clear. Amazing.

As I processed the photos and burned CDs for all who attended I became quite touched by each face, remembering their words and laughter and tears. Remembering old times and anticipating times ahead already noted on the calendar. I've been blessed, and I give thanks for each and every one of them. This humble Thanksgiving novella is dedicated to them.

Jessica and Kayla

Baylee, Monica & Jeff

Sister & Bro-in-law Linda and Mort and their daughter, Elizabeth

The sibs - Laurie, David, Jeff and Elizabeth

My husband, Bob and me

Sam & Ben

Jim & Laurie, plus little Evie (Sam & Ben's folks)

My sweet mother and Jessica

Mom and me

There are a few family members who could not come to the memorial services. Their presence was greatly missed and I give thanks for them and their love: Lance and Shannon, Glenn & Robin & Madison, Kym & Steve & Kids, and the spouses who kept the home fires burning - Joel & little Owen, Crystal & the kids. These are the main family but others revolve around like bright satellites. I repeat - I am blessed.