Count your blessings

I love the scene in "White Christmas" where Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing "Count Your Blessings."

And what better time to count them than today, on Thanksgiving?
So, just a few of my blessings:
-- My family, both immediate and extended. My daughter and son-in-law are my very close family, and I could not love them more or be prouder of them. They soon will celebrate their first anniversary and it has not been a year without challenges for them. But I know their love will continue to not only see them through, but bring them closer and build an even stronger bond.
-- My friends. Among them is one that I have known since junior high. This fall he was kind enough to have me as his traveling companion in Germany -- my first visit there. It was wonderful! And then he was brave enough to go to Vermont with me. Thank you Lynn!
-- My animal babies. Yes, I have cats. I think you all know that. Many are "seniors" at this point and some of them have health problems. But I am thankful for each one and the many years of enjoyment they have given us. Our dear Beatrice crossed the Rainbow Bridge in February, but we will never forget her.

That's Beatrice in the foreground, with her daughter Shel, the yellow cat, who is still with us.
-- My health. Overall, pretty good. I can't really complain -- who would listen? But really, I am happy that as a senior citizen, my complaints are few. Now if only I could get back to my high school weight!
-- Retired! Yes, I retired from the veterinarian hospital this summer. I retired as a newspaper editor a few years ago. So except for subbing in now and then, my time has been freed up considerably. A reason to give thanks!
-- I would like to think that I am not a nasty person who causes misery to other people. You may not think that's worth noting, but believe me, when you encounter people who go out of their way to seek to destroy happiness in other people's lives, you realize that being content in your own skin is a reason to give thanks.
May you all enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love.
And may those in your lives count their blessings -- and count you among them!

Be thankful

Another Thanksgiving is upon us, a time to reflect over the past year and count our blessings.
With so much turmoil in the world at this time, you may wonder why we should be giving thanks.
But we all have moments in which we rejoiced this year. Perhaps it was a recovery to good health, a marriage in the family, new additions to the extended family, a new pet, a better job.
The possibilities are many. It is worth taking some time to quietly think about our lives, focus on the positive and then give thanks.
Perhaps it will help if we become less focused on ourselves, less focused on the little hurts that we have blown out of proportion.
Hey, sometimes we can just be thankful that we are NOT that person who is causing us pain, the person who is so miserable and self-centered that he or she must try to destroy others' happiness.
Please don't let yourself be that person.
Be joyful. Reach out to help others. Pray for those who need more help than you can provide.
Try to forgive those who have wronged you -- easier said than done, I know.
And yes, eat too much, watch the parades or football, laugh with your family and friends.
But please don't go shopping on Thanksgiving -- let's take this holiday back as a time for family and NOT a time to fill retailers' pockets. 

May you find happiness at Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season ahead. And may we all remember to be kinder to each other as we give thanks this year.

Gotta love this holiday favorite from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, above -- and we love this weird thrift-store find that takes center stage on turkey day, below.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I hereby resolve...

New Year's Day ... that time when we all make those grand pronouncements of what we will -- and won't -- be doing in the year ahead.
Yes, this year WILL be different, we tell ourselves ... and all those who will listen.
And then, a few weeks down the road, it's easy to forget what we resolved on Jan. 1.
I'm as guilty as the next person.
So, is there any reason to resolve to do anything? Sure, why not?
I know I won't be successful at everything I'd like to change, but here are a few on my list that I hope to at least attempt.
And what's on your list?

LOOK FOR BEAUTY IN THE SIMPLE THINGS... 

LOOK AT LIFE DIFFERENTLY... 

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND EXERCISE!

DON'T MISS THE SHINING MOMENTS...

SHARE GOOD TIMES WITH FRIENDS...

TAKE TIME TO RECHARGE...

DO SOMETHING A LITTLE SCARY NOW AND THEN....

LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING...

LEND A HAND...

DO MORE SILLY THINGS WITH YOUR FAMILY!!

Time to be thankful

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It seems impossible that we're almost ready to head into December and then, before you know it, we'll be toasting the new year.
We say it all the time: "Where did the time go? How did this year fly by so fast?"
The days zoom by, the months race past. We grow another year older and wonder who the heck that is staring back at us in the mirror.
But there also is much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

The beauty of nature...

A lovely trip to Vermont....

My sweet cats ... these are just 2 ....

Being honored by having Mayor Andy paint my portrait!

And of course my family and friends, who are too shy to have their photos featured here, but they know who they are...

So as we gather on Thursday to eat too much, laugh, give thanks and enjoy the company of loved ones, may we look back with love and look forward with optimism.And maybe even be thankful that we're still silly enough to draw little things like this: