 These croci are blooming in the front yard of the white house. They are naturalized there under the crabapple tree. I just discovered them this afternoon. They were presumably planted by a former resident of the white house. I took this picture with my new camera. It is part of my preparing for retirement. To have a hobby. I am determined to have my hobby ready so that when the STP and I retire I will have something to do. It has taken me 3 months to take a picture on automatic mode and move it to my computer. I was feeling quite bad about my slow progress until the CorVID-19 virus ate up half of my retirement savings.Next adventure--Instagram. Seems I have plenty of time now until I can retire. |
Friday, March 13, 2020
What if I Survive Corona Virus Pandemic
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Gratitude Interrupted
I started this month of thankfuls off quite well and then I got a little lost. But in the hopes of actually documenting 100 things I am thankful for I am pressing forward.
81. Thankful for my dog.
82. Thankful for perspective. And that I can choose my perspective. We are selling our house. I am sad to see it go. I am sad that it is selling at a lower price than I paid for it. Discouraged in general. But thankful that it will be sold. Thankful that we had it to live in and minister from for 11 years. Thankful for the memories.
83. Thankful that movie theaters are dark. Went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood last evening with my two favorite guys. I think it afforded us all a well needed cry.
84. Thankful for tears—and the ability and freedom to express emotions.
85. Thankful for prayers. Dr. Tingle used to pray before meals a heartfelt ‘Thank you, Lord, thank you.’ A simple three word prayer for when I don’t feel like praying. Thank You , Lord.
85. Thankful for wood projects well begun and the chance to work together with the STP.
86. Thankful for the start of a new week. Thankful for a week to focus on thankfulness.
87. Thankful that Abi and Amanda and Alex will be here this weekend. Been quite awhile since we have hosted a family Thanksgiving. Thankful for this house.
88. Thankful for my new bench for the dining room table.
89. Thankful for a sewing project completed.
90. Thankful for slow quiet days.
81. Thankful for my dog.
82. Thankful for perspective. And that I can choose my perspective. We are selling our house. I am sad to see it go. I am sad that it is selling at a lower price than I paid for it. Discouraged in general. But thankful that it will be sold. Thankful that we had it to live in and minister from for 11 years. Thankful for the memories.
83. Thankful that movie theaters are dark. Went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood last evening with my two favorite guys. I think it afforded us all a well needed cry.
84. Thankful for tears—and the ability and freedom to express emotions.
85. Thankful for prayers. Dr. Tingle used to pray before meals a heartfelt ‘Thank you, Lord, thank you.’ A simple three word prayer for when I don’t feel like praying. Thank You , Lord.
85. Thankful for wood projects well begun and the chance to work together with the STP.
86. Thankful for the start of a new week. Thankful for a week to focus on thankfulness.
87. Thankful that Abi and Amanda and Alex will be here this weekend. Been quite awhile since we have hosted a family Thanksgiving. Thankful for this house.
88. Thankful for my new bench for the dining room table.
89. Thankful for a sewing project completed.
90. Thankful for slow quiet days.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Thank Full, Gluten Free
76. Thankful for gluten-free flour mixes that I can substitute one to one in recipes.
77. Thankful for gluten-free lasagna noodles that are good enough to eat.
78. Thankful for new recipes. Skillet spinach lasagna. I thought it was yummy. Even gluten-free. The Goob did not try it. He was offended that I would make lasagna in a pot on the stovetop. He is a cooking snob.
79. Thankful the Goob has learned to cook. Although his soul sucking job schedule precludes him from cooking very much and he has regressed to eating a lot of pop tarts, pizza, and Mac and cheese.
80. Thankful for old recipes. Pumpkin bars ready for tomorrow when my favorite sister and my mom come to visit.
77. Thankful for gluten-free lasagna noodles that are good enough to eat.
78. Thankful for new recipes. Skillet spinach lasagna. I thought it was yummy. Even gluten-free. The Goob did not try it. He was offended that I would make lasagna in a pot on the stovetop. He is a cooking snob.
79. Thankful the Goob has learned to cook. Although his soul sucking job schedule precludes him from cooking very much and he has regressed to eating a lot of pop tarts, pizza, and Mac and cheese.
80. Thankful for old recipes. Pumpkin bars ready for tomorrow when my favorite sister and my mom come to visit.
Super Thankful
Traveling is good for the soul, but put me behind on recording my thankfuls. Thankfuls may not actually be a word, but it should be.
61. Thankful for my phone maps and GPS technology. Travelled by myself to see the littlest grand babies. A little over 4 hours non-stop. No problems.
62. Thankful for my car. Because I am still irritated by its lack of heated seats, adjustable intermittent wipers, and fog lights, I have to remind myself to be thankful for it. Such is the sad spoiled person that I am. Forgive me.
63. Thankful for forgiveness and the ability to forgive. Glad I don’t have to carry around a load of guilt or a load of bitterness.
64. Thankful for my oldest daughter and the quality time we got to spend together last week. It is a joy to see the beautiful person she is. And to reminisce about her childhood.
65. Thankful that she thinks I was a good Mom. Selective memory has its rewards.
66. Thankful to spend time with the little ones. Two and four year olds are delightful creatures especially if you deal don’t have to deal with them 24/7. Thankful to be close enough to really spend time and the opportunity to get to know them. Really.
67. Thankful for tickles and giggles.
68. Thankful for projects completed. Sewing room valances and pumpkin pie banners.
69. Thankful for my number 1 son-in-law.
70. Thankful to be home.
71. Thankful for my church. Felt a little more like home this week. Thankful that I can greet people by name. The Goob said that ‘Good morning Doris’ was the most Pastor’s Wife thing he has ever heard me say.
72. Thankful for the Goob. He keeps me honest. And humble.
73. Thankful that the Former King and Queen of Queens turned left instead of right on Rt. 17. Such a serendipity to have Sunday supper with them. Thankful for spontaneity.
74. Thankful for my number 2 son-in-law. Thankful he knows that 2 is simply ordinal.
75. Thankful that we will see each other again in two weeks. So thankful.
61. Thankful for my phone maps and GPS technology. Travelled by myself to see the littlest grand babies. A little over 4 hours non-stop. No problems.
62. Thankful for my car. Because I am still irritated by its lack of heated seats, adjustable intermittent wipers, and fog lights, I have to remind myself to be thankful for it. Such is the sad spoiled person that I am. Forgive me.
63. Thankful for forgiveness and the ability to forgive. Glad I don’t have to carry around a load of guilt or a load of bitterness.
64. Thankful for my oldest daughter and the quality time we got to spend together last week. It is a joy to see the beautiful person she is. And to reminisce about her childhood.
65. Thankful that she thinks I was a good Mom. Selective memory has its rewards.
66. Thankful to spend time with the little ones. Two and four year olds are delightful creatures especially if you deal don’t have to deal with them 24/7. Thankful to be close enough to really spend time and the opportunity to get to know them. Really.
67. Thankful for tickles and giggles.
68. Thankful for projects completed. Sewing room valances and pumpkin pie banners.
69. Thankful for my number 1 son-in-law.
70. Thankful to be home.
71. Thankful for my church. Felt a little more like home this week. Thankful that I can greet people by name. The Goob said that ‘Good morning Doris’ was the most Pastor’s Wife thing he has ever heard me say.
72. Thankful for the Goob. He keeps me honest. And humble.
73. Thankful that the Former King and Queen of Queens turned left instead of right on Rt. 17. Such a serendipity to have Sunday supper with them. Thankful for spontaneity.
74. Thankful for my number 2 son-in-law. Thankful he knows that 2 is simply ordinal.
75. Thankful that we will see each other again in two weeks. So thankful.
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Thanks Be To God
Heard on the radio today that gratitude involves humility and dependence. Because in order to be thankful for something or someone I have to admit that I was not capable of meeting my own needs. Interesting thought.
Philippians 4:19 says, “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
No one I would rather be counting on to meet my needs. Just sayin’
51. Went to prayer meeting this evening. Thankful that I have access to my Heavenly Father, Who is the Almighty Creator God.
52. Accepted a job offer today. Robert Packer Guthrie Hospital lab. Thankful that I will not have to wear olive green scrubs—unless I want to. (Which I won’t.)
53. Went to Joann’s today to buy 9 pieces of fabric. Found two more pieces that I didn’t go to buy, but they were 80% off so I bought them. Thankful for sales and coupons.
54. Thankful for flamingo print fabric. Even though I do not collect flamingos, they make me happy.
55. Thankful for washi tape. Because it is repositionable. And colorful. And 50% off.
56. Thankful for hot tea on cold evenings.
57. Thankful they sell stamps at the grocery store. I told the STP and he said good thing I didn’t have to drive all the way into the ‘city’. I think he was making fun of me. I guess I will put ‘learn to parallel park’ on my things to do in 2020 list.
58. Thankful for google maps. With the help of google maps I got to Joann’s and ALDIs today. And back home.
59. Tomorrow I am going to load the grand babies address into google maps and have lunch with them. Thankful to live just one state away from them.
60. Thankful my blog is still here
Philippians 4:19 says, “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
No one I would rather be counting on to meet my needs. Just sayin’
51. Went to prayer meeting this evening. Thankful that I have access to my Heavenly Father, Who is the Almighty Creator God.
52. Accepted a job offer today. Robert Packer Guthrie Hospital lab. Thankful that I will not have to wear olive green scrubs—unless I want to. (Which I won’t.)
53. Went to Joann’s today to buy 9 pieces of fabric. Found two more pieces that I didn’t go to buy, but they were 80% off so I bought them. Thankful for sales and coupons.
54. Thankful for flamingo print fabric. Even though I do not collect flamingos, they make me happy.
55. Thankful for washi tape. Because it is repositionable. And colorful. And 50% off.
56. Thankful for hot tea on cold evenings.
57. Thankful they sell stamps at the grocery store. I told the STP and he said good thing I didn’t have to drive all the way into the ‘city’. I think he was making fun of me. I guess I will put ‘learn to parallel park’ on my things to do in 2020 list.
58. Thankful for google maps. With the help of google maps I got to Joann’s and ALDIs today. And back home.
59. Tomorrow I am going to load the grand babies address into google maps and have lunch with them. Thankful to live just one state away from them.
60. Thankful my blog is still here
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Things to be Thankful Four
41. Lunch invite to Phil’s Chicken House. A local favorite. Not sure I am impressed by the place but it is very fun to say. Phil’s Chicken House. Try it.
42. Stories. Thankful for people to share their stories and listen to ours
43. A job offer.
44. A visit to a cemetery. That conversations and contemplations of death are not fear filled
45. Monuments. Because some things are worth remembering for generations
46. Project ideas. And living close enough to stores that sell things I need for projects
47. Prayers. And answers to them
48. Reminders that revenge is not mine. And not necessary
49. Colored pencils
50. Quiet evenings
42. Stories. Thankful for people to share their stories and listen to ours
43. A job offer.
44. A visit to a cemetery. That conversations and contemplations of death are not fear filled
45. Monuments. Because some things are worth remembering for generations
46. Project ideas. And living close enough to stores that sell things I need for projects
47. Prayers. And answers to them
48. Reminders that revenge is not mine. And not necessary
49. Colored pencils
50. Quiet evenings
Monday, November 04, 2019
Great, Full
Had a good full day today. Let’s just work our way through it together.
Let’s just number as we go.
31. Up early and spent some time with my love bible project. Thankful for my ‘I am’ study. Today I was reminded that I am not alone. Hebrews 13:5b
32. Hair cut appointment. Finding a good hairdresser is a scary challenge associated with moving. I think I found a good one. Happy with her personality, conversation, and capability. Thankful for a good experience and a good haircut.
33. Baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies. A little crunchier than I like them, but they have a great taste. Thankful that I had all the ingredients on hand and for a house that smells like fresh baked cookies.
34. Thankful for leftover potato soup. Had some for lunch with the STP. Thankful for time to spend with the STP. Love that guy.
35. Thankful for laundry done today. Some is still unfolded on the bed, but it will be folded and put away before bedtime.
36. Second job interview today. Went better than first job interview. Thankful for possibilities.
37. Cooked some venison steaks for supper. Thankful for recipes from Spring Creek, deer meat from the freezer, and the instant pot.
38. Thankful for my girls. Talked/texted with them all today. Going to see them all this month.
39. Cleaned up the kitchen before supper. The STP cleaned up after supper. Thankful that we will wake up to a clean kitchen.
40. I’m singing in the community choir Christmas concert. Practices on Monday evenings. This is a new thing I have never done before. I am not any good at it. I will never do it again. But every once in a while I hit a couple of right notes in a row. Thankful to sing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving.
Wrote out a few thank you cards this evening. It’s good to be grateful. And it’s great to express it.
Sunday, November 03, 2019
Thinking Thankfully
Today we had a guest speaker at church who shared his testimony. An amazing story of an African refugee who traveled through 8 nations to arrive in Buffalo, NY, and the part an Operation Christmas Child shoebox played in his story. Truly amazing and inspirational.
I was reminded of my own story. Not nearly as remarkable. No war, abuse, rebellion, drug use, or trauma in my story. I have what a pastor once described as a ‘good girl testimony.’ But it's really no less miraculous that I once was lost, but now am found. (In Owego, NY.) That there is a God that saves from sin. A God that changes lives and hearts.
Thankful to have been raised in a stable family
Thankful I have never been hungry
Thankful I have always been loved
Thankful for a generous church family
Thankful that God knows my past, my present, and my future
Thankful for electricity, clean running water, heat
Thankful for health
Thankful for the promise of a new week—this week I am getting a haircut, licensing the SLD, going out for lunch, and having a job interview, getting my car serviced
Thankful for plans
Thankful that Kelsey D. taught me so many years ago that I need to be open to changing my plans
That’s 30 things I am thankful for this November. Just in case anyone is counting.
I was reminded of my own story. Not nearly as remarkable. No war, abuse, rebellion, drug use, or trauma in my story. I have what a pastor once described as a ‘good girl testimony.’ But it's really no less miraculous that I once was lost, but now am found. (In Owego, NY.) That there is a God that saves from sin. A God that changes lives and hearts.
Thankful to have been raised in a stable family
Thankful I have never been hungry
Thankful I have always been loved
Thankful for a generous church family
Thankful that God knows my past, my present, and my future
Thankful for electricity, clean running water, heat
Thankful for health
Thankful for the promise of a new week—this week I am getting a haircut, licensing the SLD, going out for lunch, and having a job interview, getting my car serviced
Thankful for plans
Thankful that Kelsey D. taught me so many years ago that I need to be open to changing my plans
That’s 30 things I am thankful for this November. Just in case anyone is counting.
Saturday, November 02, 2019
Thank you, Thank You
...for sunshine
...for slow days
...for long days
...for good hair days (even though today wasn’t one of them)
...for haircut appointments
...for ideas and plans
...for dark chocolates
...for coffee and that it only took me 60 years to try it
...for promises made
...for promises kept
...for slow days
...for long days
...for good hair days (even though today wasn’t one of them)
...for haircut appointments
...for ideas and plans
...for dark chocolates
...for coffee and that it only took me 60 years to try it
...for promises made
...for promises kept
Friday, November 02, 2018
The Return of Giving Thanks
It has been almost a year since I have posted here. Truthfully, I miss myself. So November one and I have returned to document things I am thankful for. (I have a nagging sense that I should not end a sentence with a preposition but I’m not sure how to rephrase that last sentence, so I’ll just forge ahead.) I am following a Scripture plan for November that suggests things I may be thankful for. (Again) Today’s suggestion? Life and breath.
I can get behind that.
1. I am thankful to be alive.
2. To be breathing through two nostrils.
3. For the rain that washed the dust out if the air today.
4. For brand new windshield wipers to clear the rain off of my brand new windshield.
Last year I was thankful for heated seats. My brand new car doesn’t have heated seats.
5. I’m thankful that I am a living, breathing grownup who will soon get over that.
6. I’m thankful for lists. I am working on a big list right now. That is, a list of big things.
7. Thankful for the energy to work on big things.
Here is a big thing I have been working on. Willy Wonka’s factory wall. This is not on my list, but it is just super fun. It is scenery for the Dodge City musical. It is like a big Sip and Paint time but the real joy is that it only has to look good from far away and I don’t have to take it home when I am done and decide what to do with it. 8. & 9. Thankful for both those things.
10. Thankful for a month between Halloween and holidays to take a deep breath and reflect on how good it is to be alive.
I can get behind that.
1. I am thankful to be alive.
2. To be breathing through two nostrils.
3. For the rain that washed the dust out if the air today.
4. For brand new windshield wipers to clear the rain off of my brand new windshield.
Last year I was thankful for heated seats. My brand new car doesn’t have heated seats.
5. I’m thankful that I am a living, breathing grownup who will soon get over that.
6. I’m thankful for lists. I am working on a big list right now. That is, a list of big things.
7. Thankful for the energy to work on big things.
10. Thankful for a month between Halloween and holidays to take a deep breath and reflect on how good it is to be alive.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Hoping for Favorable Outcomes
Home after a few days away. Nine days off that flew by and seem like a short eternity. Back to work tomorrow morning. This has been day one of gluten/dairy free. The STP, who has been gluten free since before it was cool, is eliminating dairy for a month to see if it will clear up some symptoms he has been suffering with. I, the good wife, am going gluten and dairy free for the month in support of him. The joy is that starting today we can complete a month before Christmas. Honestly, I can taste those Christmas morning sweet rolls. The STP unfortunately will still be gluten free regardless of the dairy experiment. I'm sorry for that, but not sorry enough to eat gluten free sweet rolls. Not sure what I'd like the outcome of the elimination month to be. So I am choosing not to think about it. Just do it. I've lasted one day. Only 30 to go.
Favored today that I have to spend more time thinking about things I have that I can't eat, instead of thinking about things I don't have to eat.
Favored that I have plenty to do this month to keep my mind off of cheese.
Favored that I have located several GF/DF recipes to make Thanksgiving food. Maybe lemon bars will be the new pumpkin pie.
Looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving.
Favored today that I have to spend more time thinking about things I have that I can't eat, instead of thinking about things I don't have to eat.
Favored that I have plenty to do this month to keep my mind off of cheese.
Favored that I have located several GF/DF recipes to make Thanksgiving food. Maybe lemon bars will be the new pumpkin pie.
Looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving.
A picture of me in Colorado with a little pot. Because that's legal there.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Best Four Weeks of Summer
As part of the catching up process for this year, I present a few pictures from the month Claire Marie spent visiting us.
It's a Wonder
Didn't feel like I accomplished much today. Feeling fat. And just not on top of things. The STP took me out to dinner and a movie. Because the way to cheer me up when I am feeling fat is to feed me. Went to eat Italian and see 'Wonder'. The STP wanted to know what the movie was about. I wasn't sure, although I had seen the trailer and several previews. Hoped it wasn't going to be depressing. Because I wasn't about that. Good food. Good movie. Can't really tell you much more. Because maybe you will want to see it yourself.
Favored this evening to have someone who loves me enough to notice a funk when I'm in one and endeavor to lift me out of it. Favored to have 'restaurant money' so I can order a stromboli. Favored that the waiter brought me tirimisu for dessert. On the house. Favored to have half a stromboli in a box for lunch tomorrow. Favored to have a husband and a son who have shared their wisdom about predictable plot twists--So I was a little prepared. Favored to have emotions--I cried anyway. Thankful for happy endings.
Favored this evening to have someone who loves me enough to notice a funk when I'm in one and endeavor to lift me out of it. Favored to have 'restaurant money' so I can order a stromboli. Favored that the waiter brought me tirimisu for dessert. On the house. Favored to have half a stromboli in a box for lunch tomorrow. Favored to have a husband and a son who have shared their wisdom about predictable plot twists--So I was a little prepared. Favored to have emotions--I cried anyway. Thankful for happy endings.
Path of the Flood Memorial Day Weekend
Let's record this event as well. Because I wanted to run another half marathon this year, and because the STP was not interested in taking his vacation to support my running, I chose a race close to home. As in close to my childhood home. And then I talked several family members into running with me. And I talked some of them into doing it while wearing tutus.
This is the crew that ran the half.
Too bad I'm not good at running and I don't really like running. But I love finishing.
Love each one of these women. Proud to call them family.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Some Moments Missed
So here is an event from this year that you may have missed.
We had a new grandbaby.
Not that we had much to do with it, unless you count giving birth to his mom (35 years ago today!!) and keeping her alive. Which come to think of it was not an easy thing, so we rightfully take great pride in Caleb Arnold Henry.
Here are the grandkids to date.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
The Story of My Day
Today I completed 18/25 of a little project I am working on.
I made a pot of vegetable soup.
I took a bubble bath.
I read a few chapters of Vanishing Grace.
I wrote a few things down.
I listened to some Christmas music.
I shopped online.
I relaxed.
All in all a very good day.
I made a pot of vegetable soup.
I took a bubble bath.
I read a few chapters of Vanishing Grace.
I wrote a few things down.
I listened to some Christmas music.
I shopped online.
I relaxed.
All in all a very good day.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Just This One Favor
Day three of my nine days off. Day one of our time away. Started the day by stopping at the dentist for the STP to have a crown replaced. Then we re-routed through a small city with a mall, a Kohl's, and a Hobby Lobby. And we bought a new vacuum cleaner. And a small metal black bird. Just to prove that we really know how to get away. And we topped off lunch with a Frosty, because we are not diary-free until next week. Then in our excitement we left the city without refilling the gas tank.
And this is where things get dicey. Because we drove about an hour and a half into the great open spaces of Wyoming before the STP noticed the gas gauge. Which had a little picture of a gas pump lit up. As in fill up immediately. When we plugged in the GPS it initially said the nearest gas was 165.2 miles away. Which seemed reasonable when I surveyed our surroundings. As it turned out we were ONLY 15 miles from the nearest Shell station. No worries. I assured the STP I could run 13.1 miles in under 4 hours. I could not, however, run back. So we prayed. Like for a miracle. And we coasted down the hills and held our breath and lifted our feet going up the hills. And we pulled into the gas station and pumped 15.5 gallons of gas into my 15 gallon gas tank. And we thanked God for showing favor to stupid people.
So let's review: Dental care, vacuum cleaner, S'awesome sauce and a Frosty, 80% off fall decor at Hobby Lobby, safe travels, a car running on gas fumes. This favor this day goes to me. Yes indeed.
And this is where things get dicey. Because we drove about an hour and a half into the great open spaces of Wyoming before the STP noticed the gas gauge. Which had a little picture of a gas pump lit up. As in fill up immediately. When we plugged in the GPS it initially said the nearest gas was 165.2 miles away. Which seemed reasonable when I surveyed our surroundings. As it turned out we were ONLY 15 miles from the nearest Shell station. No worries. I assured the STP I could run 13.1 miles in under 4 hours. I could not, however, run back. So we prayed. Like for a miracle. And we coasted down the hills and held our breath and lifted our feet going up the hills. And we pulled into the gas station and pumped 15.5 gallons of gas into my 15 gallon gas tank. And we thanked God for showing favor to stupid people.
So let's review: Dental care, vacuum cleaner, S'awesome sauce and a Frosty, 80% off fall decor at Hobby Lobby, safe travels, a car running on gas fumes. This favor this day goes to me. Yes indeed.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
God Loves You, but I'm His Favorite
Started a stretch of nine days off today. At the end of day one the house is not cleaned and the laundry is not done. But the STP and I picked up some wood at the Dodge City Building Center and if well begun is half done, then that project is well....begun.
We borrowed a truck to haul the wood because the STP's truck was too small for the job. Oh, yeah. The DCBC owner helped load the wood, and put it on our tab. The building center is like my Cheers. Where they know my name and I'm always glad I came. I am favored to live essentially across the street from the DCBC. And to have a generous friend with a big truck. And to be trusted enough to have a tab at the DCBC.
Teaser: The word HUGE is in the title of the plans for the new project. My plan is to paint it red.
Did a little baking this morning. Thankful for Krusteaz gluten free/dairy free brownie mix and I was favored this morning to find two rotten bananas on the kitchen counter. Just squeezed them out of their greasy black peels and turned them into a dozen gluten free/dairy free muffins.
Thankful we are not really being dairy free until next week. Made a pizza for supper to try and use up the cheese in the fridge. Thankful an abundance of cheese covers a multitude of gluten free pizza crust. I will miss pizza when we go dairy free. Guess I will just have to eat more brownies.
We borrowed a truck to haul the wood because the STP's truck was too small for the job. Oh, yeah. The DCBC owner helped load the wood, and put it on our tab. The building center is like my Cheers. Where they know my name and I'm always glad I came. I am favored to live essentially across the street from the DCBC. And to have a generous friend with a big truck. And to be trusted enough to have a tab at the DCBC.
Teaser: The word HUGE is in the title of the plans for the new project. My plan is to paint it red.
Did a little baking this morning. Thankful for Krusteaz gluten free/dairy free brownie mix and I was favored this morning to find two rotten bananas on the kitchen counter. Just squeezed them out of their greasy black peels and turned them into a dozen gluten free/dairy free muffins.
Thankful we are not really being dairy free until next week. Made a pizza for supper to try and use up the cheese in the fridge. Thankful an abundance of cheese covers a multitude of gluten free pizza crust. I will miss pizza when we go dairy free. Guess I will just have to eat more brownies.
Friday, November 10, 2017
Returning the Favor
Chapter 4 of Philip Yancey's book Vanishing Grace starts with this quote from Lewis Hyde:
While I ponder....
I am grateful for a bathtub, a bank, and a bowl of salad.
I am grateful for heat, hot water and combustion engines.
I am grateful for skin, sight, and sunshine.
I am grateful for faith, hope, and love.
I would be willing to share most of these things with you. Except maybe the bathtub.
Between the time a gift comes to us and the time we pass it along, we suffer gratitude.I'm not exactly sure what he means by that, but it has made me think. And brought me to this thought later in the chapter:
Grace dispensers give out of their own bounty, in gratitude (a word with the same root as grace) for what we have received from God.So I am thinking that merely to feel grateful, or even express that gratitude verbally (or in writing), falls short of the mark. And indeed, when I experience God's favor the proper response is to pass it on. To share the blessing. Which brings me to Raffi's words of wisdom:
It's mine, but you can have someWhat exactly does suffering gratitude mean?
With you I'd like to share it.
'Cause if I share it with you,
You'll have some too.
While I ponder....
I am grateful for a bathtub, a bank, and a bowl of salad.
I am grateful for heat, hot water and combustion engines.
I am grateful for skin, sight, and sunshine.
I am grateful for faith, hope, and love.
I would be willing to share most of these things with you. Except maybe the bathtub.
Favor of the Day
Tonight Mr. Prager spoke at UW. He said ingrates are mean and unhappy. Since I have no desire to be either mean or unhappy, I will instead be grateful. Seems like a trade in my favor.
Today I am grateful for live streams. And mountain streams.
I am grateful for spell check. (Greatful looked right to me.)
I amgreatful grateful for a successful deer hunt for the STP. Deer season ends tomorrow. I will be even more grateful for the end of beard season.
I am grateful for sisters and daughters. Especially the ones born in November.
Since I always give thanks in November, I often record my thanks for these sisters and daughters, so today I would like to say how grateful I am for my other siblings and children. This year I sent them and their spouses each a birthday card somewhere around their actual birthday. This is not typical, nor will I repeat this feat next year. So I hope they appreciated the card, and the sentiment, and the effort. Otherwise they could end up mean and unhappy.
Just sayin.
Today I am grateful for live streams. And mountain streams.
I am grateful for spell check. (Greatful looked right to me.)
I am
I am grateful for sisters and daughters. Especially the ones born in November.
Since I always give thanks in November, I often record my thanks for these sisters and daughters, so today I would like to say how grateful I am for my other siblings and children. This year I sent them and their spouses each a birthday card somewhere around their actual birthday. This is not typical, nor will I repeat this feat next year. So I hope they appreciated the card, and the sentiment, and the effort. Otherwise they could end up mean and unhappy.
Just sayin.
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