Thankful for the Seasons

 

I asked my husband what season I am.  He looked intently for a while and said summer.  I knew he would say summer.

 

The Wild Calls Lazily

As Leo I came into the world, feet first, ready to run

Not roaring, but gently purring into the sun

When freckles are in full bloom

When grass smells it’s sweetest,

And forest’s foliage is at its thickest,

Its narrow path beckoning me into its den

Where creatures take comfort devoid of men

And in the openness ripe vermillion tomatoes hang on the vine

Ochre squash peaks through an umbrella as green as pine

Water trickles into a pond neighbored by parsley, peppermint and thyme

The buzz of a bee and swift hummingbird sprints

Amid a spectrum of hues and scents

Into my porch swing refuge race

All my senses they embrace

While the dogs and cat sleep lazily on

Outward I gaze watching the grass grow

Contemplating the mow

I wake from my dream to see from my window the snow.

 

Thankful for Simplicity

On some days like today it’s the simplicity that counts.  It’s having enough wood on the porch within easy reach to feed the wood-burning stove in these frigid temperatures.   It’s having good reading material and being able to brew a nice cup of tea (actual leaves) found in a tea shop, Tea Gschwendner, in Raleigh that my daughter and son-in-law took us to – organic China Oolong Kwai Flower and finding cookies you forgot about to go with it.

It’s finding an online world at your fingertips: all the Slider and Outer Limits shows, and old black and white movies to watch and “The Mahabharata” to read at your own convenience.

It’s having your husband work from home and not having to worry about him driving on snow covered roads, but treading the snow covered woods appreciating the beauty of nature.   It’s preparing a special dish for him – an experiment – potato pizza.  It’s decorating the Christmas tree together.

Snowy Trek

Today I seriously bundled up and ventured out in the woods for an hour of hiking.  Two pairs of socks, two pairs of gloves, two hats, two pairs of sweat pants, a wool sweater, sweatshirt and regular top along with a hooded coat was my attire – Michelin woman.  It was somewhere around fifteen degrees.  It’s hardly climbing Mount Everest, but for me it was a small victory just braving the outdoors in such cold weather and staying warm.  I did stay surprisingly warm – not toasty, but warm.  I’m not a cold weather person at all.  I’m thankful for the calories burned and for the commune with nature.

More snow, possibly ice, is predicted to begin tonight.  Maybe I will do the Jeremiah Johnson trek again tomorrow.

Supporting My Habit

My husband supports my habit, and I’m thankful for that.  On Friday I went into the hobby store for yarn, just one skein, for just one knitting project.  However, the on sale bin was newly loaded with discontinued yarn, which I couldn’t resist.

My thought process was all the knitting that would take place on those cold winter days.  I didn’t have to wait long, as the snow and freezing temperatures began on Sunday night.

I didn’t wait until I got home.  I spent a good portion of the morning at Starbucks working on those handmade Christmas presents.

I’m learning cable and completed the green scarf for my son-in-law.  I also bought some bamboo knitting needles, which I discovered I love.  Although my knitting career has spanned forty-seven years, I’m still just a beginner.  I think it was fate that I was given a whole set of knitting needles complete with case when I was ten.  An experienced knitter in our town died, and for some reason I was given her tapestry case of needles.  I always was attracted to yarn, and the year before my aunt had tried to teach me to crochet.  I both knitted and crocheted simple projects throughout the years, making hats for everyone while in college.  I eventually turned to weaving which became a business.  Now, I’m back to knitting, but as a hobby.

Thankful One Day At a Time

I decided to do a blog several days ago, but thought what is there of great importance to write, like probably so many people.  Thursday’s Child for a title immediately came to me, but as the early bird gets the worm, that title was taken, thus “athursdayschild.”  Thursday’s child, my original choice, has far to go has always been true for me.  Late bloomer, a second choice, was already taken.

One of the first things I do in the morning is meditate.  That is a hit and miss thing for me, but I’ve found that even trying makes a difference.  Bodily functions, aches, pains (this week a cold), gets in the way along with what they call those monkey thoughts.  But over the years I’ve found that persistent practice, as in anything, pays off.  Even with those monkey thoughts an “ah ha” idea creeps in.  In this case it was to actually begin the blog today and in what direction to take it.

I regularly keep a gratitude journal, which I actually refer to as a thankful journal.  Life is mainly perception.  Our thoughts control everything; therefore, in my mind it is better to have the thoughts of a half full glass rather than a half empty one.  Being thankful is a lifestyle just as eating right or exercising is.  Practice makes all the difference.

So, this blog is mainly to be about what I have to be thankful for.

I’m thankful that this morning I decided to dust off my juicer.  I enjoyed a triple jolt of celery, carrot, and apple juice, along with grapes (all organic) for breakfast.  The remains go into to the compost pile.

Anyone reading this is welcome to post something in comments that you are thankful for.