A fine WordPress.com site

Archive for the ‘giving thanks’ Category

my heart!

dec.2_001

What started out as a very nice day, time with a friend, finding a stamp I needed for a series of cards I’m working on.  Asked I would have said, life is good.

dec.2_003.png

A short time later, we got a phone call, one that changed the “colour” of the day. A clerk from the hospital, left a message that due to what they saw as a heart problem, the scheduled surgery (coming Tuesday) was cancelled, lots to discuss, please call>?? You can understand, this was a rather startling and disturbing message.

dec.2_004

We called back, only to discover, that the young lady, had not really gotten her information all updated and ready to dispense prior to calling.  For months now we have been going for treatments, followed and taken every required tests asked for. Now 5 days away from the 1st surgery, they had found a heart problem. Never had we even had an inkling of a heart problem, not even a murmur of one.   Needless to say, it was not a very quiet inducing conversation.

dec.2_005

What we discovered was that, at the time my husband was there for the tests, they should have asked for a cardiologist right then and there to have a look.  With a week-end looming, we are on hold.  That a heart problem would surface over night, is rather puzzling.  Anyway, we wait.

dec.2_002

My head tells me that if his entire life, he has not had one symptom, or whisper of a heart problem…then… I have to trust that precaution is important.  this is a very serious, major operation, the positive, is that they are making every effort to cover all bases.

Please join me in prayer and positive thoughts.  His main surgery date of Dec. 13th. is still in place.  There is an urgent request that he been seen as soon as possible. We wait. We pray.    PL Precept #11  Always be with God.

Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 17  Grasp what is most essential..

PL Precept  # 16  All things progress and develop

PL Precept #18  Each moment is a turning point.

across from Wagner home NY state

chop suey Sunday 26th

Today, was a day of errands.  After church I was busy gathering ingredients for a soup, and then to a craft supply place that still had their special sale on.  With the holidays around the corner, I have once again, begun to work at my “work table.” I want to finish cards that I have promised for a few “retail” outlets, and want to make a few personal greetings that need to be posted soon.

To accomplish this, I wander and look at everything that I discover along my path, one never knows when an idea or a creative moment will present itself.  Funny I go into a shop looking for a very specific item or theme, and come out with way more than I had anticipated.  Anyone else, know this curious “happening” it is as if an elf is putting things in our basket when we aren’t looking.  When we do see it, we realize that ..”wow! that is a great ^whatever^ guess I will keep it.”

Fortunately, more often than naught, these are the items that will be the first to be consumed or used in the creative process.

If you are someone who delights in homemade soup… then you are likely familiar with the above utensils… maybe not these, but a strainer of some kind.

I start my soups with bones, for me the most delightful of tastes is the meat that is closest to the bone. Exquisite flavour can be obtained by combining the oddest ingredients, then after hours of slow simmer, straining the broth, only returning to the liquid ambrosia, the jewels you want to feature.  Sometimes they have absolutely nothing to do with the making of the broth.  But their taste, harmonized perfectly to offer up a feast not only for the eyes, but for your taste buds … not to mention the aromatic teasing of your senses

All this to say… I’ ve got a soup on the back burner, and I steamed my veggies to put on my rice, in a Pad Thai sauce.  Hmmm must be time for me to eat.

Hope you all had a great week-end.  Tomorrow we start a brand new week! Soon a new month will appear too…  YAY!!!!

Make every moment count, and enjoy all that life has to offer.. The more you succeed, the merrier life will be.

Oyashikiri

Thanksgiving

IMG_4276

Cranberries and turkey ….stuffing and mashed potatoes ….gathering of friends, sounds like holiday cheer.  My sister was telling me about her menu, for today’s Thanksgiving feast (she lives in the States).  It was interesting to learn that mashed potatoes were not just “mashed potatoes” as I know it, but, how she specially prepared the potatoes for guests on this special evening of sharing.

Potatoes being carefully peeled and cooked, so they could be mashed and presented in a certain consistency etc.  The care and thought she has put into serving up a dinner for her friends I found heart warming.  Just listening to her explain the shopping for, and the prep done days in advance, the settings, the placement of chairs to accommodate the gathering so that all would be comfortable and feel welcome, was all “new” to me.  Our family has our own “Martha”… I was impressed.

My long time personal friends, will all chuckle and know that “yours truly” does not share my sister’s flare. I felt really proud of her, as she went on about her dinner today.  These were/are her friends, and she for years now, has them over to share in a now, “traditional” Thanksgiving in appreciation and love for their part in her life. My little sister, gave me a warm glow of love and appreciation for HER, I am still basking in it today.

LOL she will be busy today, and seldom reads my blog.. so I can get away with saying nice things about her today…hahahaha

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends…. let us ALL embrace and share the meaning of Thanksgiving, in our lives today and always.

PL Principle #3   I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

retreat 10.7.17a

wordless Wednesday &

IMG_4275

IMG_4275

having fun =^_^=


Thank you everyone for your kind wishes, and the healing healthy vibes you sent our way today.  Meeting was a good one, surgeries will be early December. Approx. 2 weeks apart.  There will be a lot of scheduled planning done.  The team of doctors  practitioners, therapist and educators is impressive.  They work together to keep us informed.

Your prayers and ongoing support is very appreciated.  Thank you.  We feel very blessed.

IMG_4277

 

jingle happy

OK this is a happy sound, but for me, I found recently a pair of these at a thrift shop so I was very happy.. The jingle of change to acquire them, pleased me big time…

bell bottom pantzOh happy days, get to wear bell bottoms again.  Great in winter when you want your boots to find under them.. and really, fashion or not.. they are comfy, slimming and just plain, me. tra la la, la la la laaaaaa….

Happy Monday everyone…. be happy & merry… have a brilliant day!

IMG_4282

The clerk at Nordstrom, held up this evening bag for me, it was on sale for hundreds of dollars, I bought the backpack (purse) in her right hand.  I’m silly, but not “there” yet… for a “lark” maybe, but not at that price.  =^_^=

tra la la la la la la laaaaaa

jingle bell rock, Bobby Helm

true, sometimes I am just plain silly…. join me?

choices

IMG_2125

Today is a new day.  Yesterday was the past.  Once I live today, I will have crossed another time zone.

and  yes………. bus pass is still missing..

some days, just happen.

Smile on everyone! race the sun, it can be fun.

Oyashikiri

 

orange tree

orange tree xI loved this little orange tree.  Every year I would prune it back and bring it inside so it could survive our Canadian winters.  Circumstances were that it grew very big, and we simply were unable to bring it back in.

Fortunately, our niece knew of just the right home and the little, now larger orange tree, went to live somewhere new.  Happiness is letting go, knowing when it is time to say good-bye so that life can continue to grow and bring joy to someone else.

For months now we have been trying to declutter.  We have been finding things we forgot we had.  They are leaving to begin their lives again. Going where they can be rediscovered, and enjoyed and used in the light of day.  Not stored away and forgotten.

When I see piles of this and that.. I’m heartened knowing it is temporary, every day a  bag or box leaves for somewhere else.  It is a work in process.

What are you working on today? Strive towards a positive outcome.  Life is good!!!

“Happiness is giving it away”

Oyashikiri

PL Precept #15  All is a Mirror

 

 

Monday – reflection

 

IMG_4257

I came home from church yesterday to find out that Keeper had gone missing.  She had slipped out the door before my husband could close it. He tried to follow her, but in his weakened condition, she proved to be more determined then he, and for his efforts he landed on the curb while she ran merrily on her way.  Of course, new to the area, she got lost.

As fate would have it, I had gone out without my cell.  He had no way to reach me, I was doing errands on my way back  home.  In brief, I was devastated, crushed beyond measure, every death in the last year, every parting that have visited my life this year, came crashing down on me.  The damn opened and I have never in my life known such emotional ripping apart of my “soul”  I cried, screamed, wailed, I scared myself.  Never in my life have I had such immediate pain and felt so ripped apart.

All I could think of was NOTHING, the grieving in my total being had taken over and all I could do was allow the emotions to express themselves.  Prayer, Pray Pray, Pray… in the  quiet spaces before the wailing began again & again, I called the church, the Humane Society, the Police…. my common sense prevailed, I did not use 911.. but called their main number.  my voice cracked I could barely speak my vocal chords were in shock, I’m sure.

Keeper is home.  Someone called animal control, they came brought her back to the shelter, checked her microchip, called the breeders*, who like knights in shining armour from days of old, jumped into their car and did their best not to speed into the city.  They  got the call at 3:15 or so,  the shelter closed at 4 pm.

It was a harrowing day, Keeper and I were in bed very early,  we slept till this morning, glued together in relief.  Poor Velcro, didn’t know what was happening around him, he is such a patient, and caring soul. The dogs commiserated happily when they met up.  Big brother was welcoming to his delinquent sister, he didn’t scold for the anxiety she unwittingly caused, in all four of her humans.

I don’t know why it was deemed necessary that I experience such a torrent of emotions, but… it did certainly allow for an emptying of any and all emotions I may have been holding back.  Life IS.

I am so grateful and thankful for the kindness of the strangers, that due to their caring  and good intentions, made the choices that brought Keeper home.

PL Precept #18  Each moment is a Turning Point

Oyashikiri

 

*Hounds of Freckashpeng

 

Reflection

Darren 2015 Monterey Bay Ca

quiet reflection

a moment of silence

a prayer for peace

a prayer for understanding

join in prayer today

reach out

show you care

kindness, love and compassion

communications that come from the heart

is how we start

to do our part

world peace

begins with us

we can make a difference

Believe, have faith

it can be done

seasons come and go

“life is art”

Oyashikiri

 

top photo – Hillwalker (D.Su)

Friday – Happy Day!

Pippa in backpackGood morning,

Meet Pippa, she is a female Whippet who lives with her human parent(s).  You can see that in her very short time with them, she knows how to handle them so that life is extra good for her.  I’m told that she is a very patient and willing model, just look at that face.. her eyes are wise beyond her years.  A ride to work in a warm cozy wrap with a fall coloured whimsical cap –    she’s got style.  What better way to get around  and keep her pedicure and paws perfect for her lazy sprawl on the living room couch after a hard day.

Her owner graciously allowed me to share her pictures, Pippa can be found on Instagram, she is a raising star in the “diva dogs” on Instagram    pippa_g_thats_me  Pippa was born, in the spring of 2017 and lives in Austin TX.   If you enjoy a smile from time to time, she is a whippet you might like to follow.  She already  has a lot of followers, the numbers grow everyday.

Pippa young whippet 11.17

This is the picture that caught my eye.  I call it the Gatsby look.  Pippa is really good, if I tried to get Velcro or Keeper to sit and model, sigh, let’s just say, ” have you ever chased a hound when its got another place to be??”..Pippa you are a super model already, I look forward to following your career.  Your wardrobe attendant is going to be one “busy” gal.

You all know that this has been a very challenging year for me, I am so grateful and appreciate so much the kindness of you have shown “us”   The Thursday Door posts yesterday were just so varied and so interesting.  With cancer now part of our lives, we are home of course, much much more.  There will be no wandering the back roads, for a while, but I get to visit such fascinating places, and see so much through “your” eyes.

I wanted to share Pippa with you, because when she pops up on the screen, there is always a smile being shared.

Life is good, we are very blessed, the seasons give us blazing colours, shades of gray, brilliant whites and our views, stories and photographs all come together in a cornucopia of blessings, different for everyone, but there non-the-less.

PL Principle #3   I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

PL Principle #4  I will live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others.

“Do your best to live in harmony with the world around you.  Life will flow easily and gracefully  along with the current, gently caressing each adventure along the way.”  Q

Oyashikiri

 

Pippa’s pictures (her human)

Tag Cloud