Haiku to you.

Pear preserves on toast

Last year's harvest with coffee

Coupled with butter.

For my daily bread. 

Thank you, Lord.

Forgiveness.

Confession: I over extended myself this morning.

I made two committments. And. Didn't do either very well. I stressed, unnecessarily. Went from one event to the other in a rush. And in a downpour. Got soaked up to my knees. Sat through a speaker that spoke to the other side of the room.  Missed 3/4 of what he said.

Then came my redemption. A nice emotional lunch with two of my best girlfriends.
It is okay to be thankful to just get past a thing.
And.
I am forgiving myself.
This morning is over.
Thank you, Lord.

Connectedness.

At the wally-store. Again. Visited with two friends. One - familiar. One - simply an acquaintance. Checking out there was a round robin discussion about back surgery among 4 of us. Three customers and the cashier. 

Time. 

Time to connect. 

With old friends. 

And even strangers.

Thank you, Lord. 

La primera palabra es "patience".

There will be greens cooked this afternoon. I love to mix 'em up. Collards, mustards, kale, and spinach will all go into the same pot. And. Be delicious. I'll put in onion and garlic, a spoon of sugar, and chicken broth. Come on over. I am also cooking chicken breast and the last little plastic container of cornbread dressing from last year. It's gotta go. Time to make a new batch!

***

Last week I bought grapes at the wally-store. They looked nice. Yet, they were the most bitter grapes I had ever eaten. Thinking that the taste might be some kind of chemical spray I soaked them in vinegar water and rinsed them thoroughly. No. That wasn't it. Not ripe, maybe? I let them sit and tasted them every day. The bitter taste continued. Until today. I had the bowl in my hand and was about to open the back door, headed for the compost. Then. I popped one in my mouth and you know what? It was better. More ripe tasting. Almost like a raisin flavor. 

Patience. That was all I needed to find the good in the bowl of the small fruit. 

Is there something you might need to wait out? Give it a few days. Then take another taste. 

If it isn't better, take it to the compost and don't look back. 

I am so happy to have colorful foods in my kitchen.

Thank you, Lord. 

Agree to disagree.

This day I give thanks that my children have grown up to be independent thinkers. I am so proud that they are critical thinkers. I do not think I was ever patted on the back or given encouragement when I expressed a different way of looking at things from my parents. On important issues. Keep in mind that I come from a family that favors "heated discussion" as the indoor sport of choice.

My children continue to grow in their adult opinions, as do I. But. Their experiences are very different than mine. It is natural and wonderful that each one is developing through careful observation and reflection on how they view their world. Thinking. Believing. Supporting. Voting. We are different. And. I respect why and how they are arriving at their opinions.

I love that we can agree to disagree. Find common ground. Listen. Respect.

For adult children with open minds.
Thank you, Lord.

My witness.

I have a super bizzy day ahead. So. Had to get my walk in early. Sister Mimi called while I was on said walk. She witnessed me screaming loudly because three little dogs accosted me. One got a piece of my pants. I am sure I scared the school children waiting for the bus. But, hey! There is a leash law. To protect me. I hope I scared the owners of the dogs! I think I scared Mimi. Poor Mimi. I was shaking a little...but kept on walking. I don't let it stop me. Only. I want the dog owners to know there dogs are biting at me!

Ok. Now I must refocus. Hmmmmm...letting it go. Whew. I am fine. The dogs are fine. The school children may have a little PTSD this afternoon.

I am about to leave the house to help make small flower arrangements for hospice patients. From there I will go to our Loaves & Fish soup kitchen to help serve. I made a huge pot of chili yesterday. We will use about 9 or 10 big pots of chili to serve our guests.

I am thankful that I have a pot of chili to share. It is a good meal and will fill many stomachs today.
Thank you, Lord.

Yes, really.

Dear Daughter,
Yes. You started it years ago. I am going to continue. The challenge. 30 days. Month of thanksgiving. Here goes...

We turned back the clocks last night. Our Parish picnic is today, so Mass is later than normal. The morning feels marvelously slow and easy. So, this one is easy. I am thankful for this lazy morning. For having time to enjoy the coffee and read the paper.

I know by the time the month ends I will be struggling to conjure things for which I am thankful. But right now, with the month in front of me, I have a deep well of gratitude that sates me.

Thank you, Lord.