I Did It!

This makes my thirtieth post during the month of November. I can't quite believe that I did it. I have only posted twice this year. There were times this month where I thought, I just have nothing to say, but I had challenged myself to do this so quitting, for me was not an option, though I thought about it... But each night that I completed a post I felt strangely satisfied...so who knows. I hope to continue...

I was looking through my copy of Stillmeadow Calendar by Gladys Taber. I have quite a few of her books, and I usually like to pick one from the bookshelf at this time of year and reread her descriptions of her life in the country with her friend and her dogs. It occurred to me as I was looking at the writings for the month of November that they are like little 'blog' postings. This book was published in 1967 so how one felt or how one saw their life in relation to everything else had to be written out in long hand in a diary or pad of paper or of course use a typewriter...sometimes others read it but usually not unless it was meant to be published. Now we blog and the world can read what we are writing...almost instantaneously. What would Gladys think?

The photo is what is left of the flower garden...for just a time, it will be back.

Have a good evening. Thanks for reading. Peace.

Thanksgiving, Take 2

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, a time of darkness and a time of preparation while we wait for the Light, Christmas...



Today was the Annual After Thanksgiving Thanksgiving held at Karole and Al's home, a lovely old home built in 1860, in what I believe they call Federal style. The reason for this gathering arose because Karole has 7 married children all with families with varying plans for the holiday. So it was decided we would all get together the Sunday after...and a wonderful time it is. Tables and chairs are set up in every possible room because the dining room will not accommodate everyone. Today's weather helped by being pretty mild which allowed some of the older children to eat on the deck at the picnic table. A great day of good friends, good food and good conversation...a satisfying day, one in which one sees tangible reasons to be grateful. The photo above is her beautiful dining room that is cozy and lit with many hand dipped candles...it just envelopes us with love.

"My friends are my estate."
~ Emily Dickinson

Thanks for reading...Have a blessed evening...Peace

Think Like A Tree

Think Like a Tree

by Karen I. Shragg

Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.

I thought I'd share a favorite poem...I love trees in all of their states. Right now they are at their most beautiful, most interesting... especially against a Fall sky. And as the poet, Karen I. Shragg, states in her poem, we have a lot to learn from trees. I tend to agree with her.

Thanks for reading and , yes..."be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling." Peace

Quiet Days...

I spent a very quiet day, with no agenda...nothing. I am not a shopper, so I did not nor have I ever participated in the Black Friday ritual. I think it is stupid myself. I prefer making my gifts or at least put a little more thought into them. I can't stand the mall during regular hours so I can not envision me getting up at some unnatural hour to go there. I also don't buy the pumping up the economy spin either.

Instead I painted for a good amount of the day and really enjoyed myself. I ate, had tea, talked with my friend on the phone, had pie, found my Christmas books( purely because I was searching for something else) and finally had popcorn and watched a Christmas movie, The Family Stone. I worked on my sleeve knitting and finally on the 3rd of 5 repeats and finished increasing, so humbly, I am on my way. Read previous posts to understand the humility...

When I opened my Christmas book box the top book was a gift from my friend Karole last Christmas. Last year she was excited about a book of readings for advent, Watch For The Light, and easy to see why. The authors of the writings were some of the best spiritual thinkers and writers, such as C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Annie Dillard, and Dorothy Day to name a few. My copy is special because she gave it to me for Christmas last year, during Advent. A few of us received it because she so wanted us to share in the gems she was reading...Anyway I pulled it out tonight and I had to thank her again. A book is like that...I felt like I had just opened the gift again.

Have a good night and thank you for reading. Peace...

Thankgiving Night

It is almost midnight and I am thinking about the day we had and my heart is full. The food was plentiful. We were together with love and cooperation. No one felt overworked. There was even a little backlog for the oven in order to heat things up, but no problem, no one became impatient. Julie even had a grease fire in her oven which meant some things had to come back here to finish heating. Good thing my home is only 5 houses away from hers...but it all came together and we were are seated and eating, talking and as usual, laughing together.

My grandson graced us with a little music today. He is a senior this year and thinking about college. The plan is study music and teach. So tonight his dad, my son called after we had all gone home to let me know that they had started the application process online with three colleges here in state. It is exciting to hear their plans and watch as they carry them out.

One of my grandson's started college this fall and he is studying art. It was so cool when he asked last night if I wanted to see his work so far, as he had brought home his portfolio to finish a project for his design class. Are you kidding me...of course I want to see it all! So yes, it is great to be able to share their lives. Six grandsons and one grand daughter and I am very proud of them all. Rachel announced tonight that she is going to audition at a local theater for an up and coming production. Theater has always been her passion. So maybe that is what I am so pleased about, thankful for... that they have passions and they are going after them. Another in college exploring and has mentioned some interest in engineering another just beginning high school who loves sports and has already asked me about college and sports. Then there is the one leaving in January for the Army. We will be listening closely Tuesday evening when the President speaks from West Point...He tried Magic Cookie Bars and loved them so you know one of the things I'll be shipping regularly. My oldest grandson is still trying to find his own way. So there are seven people I am thankful for...but then I have a very long list.

I am a grateful woman tonight, as I said, my heart is full. We were missing a few people at the table but prayed for them and our gratefulness for what we did have this year...That is all one can do.

I get to do this again on Sunday. My friend holds Thanksgiving II her children, friends, children of friends, for all of us to be together as everyone does so many different things on Thanksgiving Day. So let the season begin...
Thanks for reading. Peace...

Thanksgiving (complete)

Happy Thanksgiving...

Grateful ...

This morning as I was beginning to wake up my best friend came up beside me quietly and leaned against me. What a moment... a peaceful sweet moment. My mug of hot coffee and my dog...it was all I needed. It perfect way to start this busy day. Simplicity...


Well, it is almost upon us and I have put the farm table to use as is. I have been pretty busy all day cooking and my assistant never left my side. She has finally given up and gone to bed. I still have two pumpkin pies in the oven and still thinking about what I want to eat. Tonight when my daughters left I went out and bought my protein part of my plate and vegan gravy mix. I have had the Quorn turk'y roast before at someone's home and it was very good. I only have the roasted vegetables to do in the morning. I am the only vegetarian in my family so it falls on me to take care of what I need for a holiday or cook-outs in the summer. My family and friends know and are usually pretty accommodating when I am invited to their homes for a meal or I simply bring
something, it's not a big deal.

Maggie tried singing for anything that resembles food and Amy tagging along just in case there is some action. My daughters are singing with her.


That's it for today. Have a great day tomorrow. Thanks for reading...Peace