Thursday Thirteen

 Thirteen Beautiful Things 

1. a five week old baby girl, looking intently into her mother's eyes

2. first snow

3. the sound of a pebble whizzing across frozen water

4. fresh eggs from happy chickens

5. birds at the feeder

6. a cup of delicious creamy coffee

7. freshly baked cake

9. classical music to write by

10.  chatting with a friend in a coffee shop 

11.  library books awaiting pickup on the holds shelf

12.  words on a page, finally completed

13. a phone chat with Mom

Thursday Things

I've been wracking my brain about what I could possibly post here that would get me out of the funk I am in lately. Today I've been reminded of the importance of gratitude, even and especially in dark times. So, instead of writing about it, I'll add some photos of what I'm grateful for today.

road trips with stunning views

carefree, laughing children and happy pets

tasty, wholesome, homemade

yellow flowers!

autumn and its changing colors

words to pray when I am faltering (thanks to Lectio365 app)

rainbows and incredible sun breaking through (no filter!)

I hope you are all keeping in mind that there is still so much good in the world. 

Five Good Things

There is much today to be to be saddened about, to be frustrated about, to be anxious about, and yes, even to fear. I could probably write a long post about all of those things. But... I'm not going to, at least not today!

Instead, I'm going to think of five good things that have come out of social distancing and the other circumstances that have arisen out of the CoVid19 pandemic that we are all now facing.

1. I've become more appreciative of store employees. For some of them, their job description has changed and they are managing line ups of potentially anxious people in mostly a friendly manner. I've stayed away from stores (many have closed now)  more than usual lately, so heading to Costco this morning suddenly made this CoVid19 threat feel a whole lot more real.

We waited 40 min to enter the store. Implemented: Social distancing, cart handle wiping,
and a minimal number of shoppers allowed in at one time 

2. I'm learning new skills online, like video editing. Mind you, I'm talking about simply cutting a video up into smaller files so they will send! But maybe I'll learn how to add music too!

3. I've sent my  almost 3 yo grandson a Storytime with Oma episode. I talked to him, and read a book aloud, showing him the pictures. I realize there are MANY book reading sites online, but when OMA does it, it becomes more special. Apparently, he enjoyed it! I might bring my puppets out for the next episode ;)

Back a week or so when we could still visit regularly!

4. I've connected with a few neighbours that, honestly, I hardly know except to chat with over the back fence each gardening season (starts in May usually) or to buy honey or eggs from. This month I've had a simple chat on the phone to check in on a widow in my neighbourhood, and dropped off some fresh baked goods. I know it's important and necessary and simply the right thing to do. We all need to know someone out there is watching out for us, especially if we're elderly and housebound. I've have to push myself to do this, because I generally don't tend to go looking for strangers to visit with. But it's been good. At this time, we really can't visit in person, except to stand outside the door a safe distance away.

5. I'm showing my face a little more online. I usually like to stay quite anonymous or at least I don't put my face out there too much. But now I'm using FB Messenger Video, FaceTime, and Marco Polo more often. I love to text, but at this time in history, it just makes sense to see the faces of the people I'm communicating with. And I think that's a good thing for now! Makes us all feel a sense of community a bit more, don't you think?

What good things have you noticed in this unique time we are living through right now?

G is for Grateful

"What do you say?", my son gently says to his little toddler after giving him a treat. And little C kisses his chubby little hand and sends it away. Such a sweet little gesture meaning 'thank you'. 

We are all tempted to take so many things for granted, but being grateful keeps us aware of all of the good things in our lives. I know I often focus on the hard things that happen, the 'what ifs', and what I lack. Keeping a gratitude journal is one way to remind myself of all I DO have in my life. I don't write in it every day, but when I do, I think of at least five simple (or profound) things I'm thankful for that day. It changes perspective! 

Do you keep a gratitude list? 

~Influence~ (Five Minute Friday)

Influence

My parents’ love and care for animals when I was growing up, has influenced me to value them and see them as an important part of creation. My dad was a gentle man who was always kind to animals. He never kicked a dog or was rough with any animals (or people). My mom has the softest spot for animals. I’m sure she gives them human qualities without even thinking about it!

This past week my husband and I were away for a week, visiting my elderly mother and other family and friends in Alberta, about an 8 hour drive from where we live. I had asked a good friend in my semi-rural neighbourhood if she would watch our little chihuahua Enzo. She happily agreed. She is a kind and caring person, so I had no qualms. In fact, this isn't the first time she’s helped me out in this way. As everyone in my family knows, Enzo is a big part of our family. He was a rescue dog at one point. It’s a long story, but let’s just say, we love him to bits and he’s a little coddled, haha!

Midweek, my girlfriend called me on my cell.  I knew something was up. “Enzo is lost!”, she said, obviously quite upset. Enzo is not an outdoor dog by any stretch. He wouldn’t survive long in our Canadian winter. “He bolted when my son let him outside, after I left to go to yoga”. She had scoured the neighbourhood.

Now, Enzo has never bolted before. He was obviously distressed at my friend leaving without him, I surmised.  I gave her the name of our vet clinic (which was on the dog tag), and asked her to call them.

My mom was with me when I heard the news. “Oh no!” she gasped. I felt sick.  My first response was to quietly pray and then text other family members as well, via WhatsApp (they all know Enzo). Her first response was to pray audibly, right then.

Happy Ending! Within minutes, my friend texted me back and said that she had called my vet. A kind soul in our neighbourhood had found Enzo and taken him to the clinic, where he was waiting to be picked up.

My mom and I hugged (and I may have shed a few tears).

My mom’s influence in my formative years has given me a firm foundation that God is interested in all that goes on in our lives, including the ‘little things’ like little lost pets, lost keys, or an available parking spot.

a loved dog

a tiny dog! 

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday community.   (I'm a day late, I know!) You are welcome to join in, too!

Thursday 13- the Gift Edition

How can it be Thursday already?! December 27 at that!

Did you have a wish list this Christmas, or maybe you just added items to one that was only in your head. Did you  walk into a store shopping for someone else, and then spot something and think "I'd like that!" Yes, that was me. I refrained from actually buying for myself, though (although my hubby and I were shopping and he bought me something on the spot!) 

Gift giving and receiving has come and gone. I so enjoyed watching my little  20 month old grandson help to open presents this year. I think he enjoyed that more than the actual gifts he received!

For this Thursday Thirteen, I've decided to list 13 things I have already that I am very thankful for.. gifts that weren't under the tree. It puts things in perspective when we all sometimes get caught up in the "I really wanted" or "I wish I had received" vortex.

1. Running Water. When I turn on the tap in the kitchen, both hot and cold water are available.

2. My Kitchen. One that most would agree 'needs an update'.

3. Kitchen Gadgets.More than I need.

4. Friendly Neighbours. I actually do have a neighbour I can call at anytime and I know she'd be there to help out, if needed.

5. Safe Transportation.

6. A warm cozy bed to fall into each night.

7. My sweet little pet, Enzo.

8. Health Care when I need it.

9. A family that loves and cares for me.

10. Wonderful children and their loved ones.

11. The internet - keeping up with friends and family!

12. More food than we need.

13.  Our public library - so many books, so little time