30 days of thanks
30 Days of Thanks – Day 30 Reflection
I give myself a”B” for this challenge, as I did not write a post for each day.
Some days the posts were easy to write, but some required prodding and I looked for suggested topics on Facebook and online. Current events helped generate some thoughts, but I realized that the project was more difficult and deeply personal. I learned to look past the superficial and focus on the important people and things in my life. However, I was not prepared for the emotions that would be stirred up as I wrote each post. I plan to do the challenge again next year, to compare where I am today versus in 2014.
Next week, I shall return to the lighthearted, humorous posts I prefer to write and catch up on my posting my book reviews. But, for now, thank you. Namaste.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 29
“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.” ~ Randy Pausch
I am thankful to have worked in retail while in college. I enjoyed my jobs and have pleasant memories of flexible hours, great customers and fun co-workers. With one glaring exception – Black Friday. I was left so traumatized by the experience, over 25 years ago, that I never shop on Black Friday, and only patronize small, locally-owned or socially-conscious, green businesses.
Black Friday traditionally marked the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It was the period of the year where retailers would operate “in the black,” or at a profit, versus than “in the red,” or at a loss. For folks employed by retail establishments, it simply meant earning more money in a shorter amount of time.
Sadly, Black Friday has become synonymous with greed. And violence.
I urge you to consider whether or not those items are dire necessities worth dying for today. Or ever.
In the meantime, enjoy the dulcet, acapella tones of Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “Greed.”
30 Days of Thanks – Days 27 and 28 – Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day
Wishing you continued blessings and gratitude for being on the blog journey with me. Please enjoy time with loved ones, as it is precious and entirely too short. Pause for a moment to think about and thank all the people who work on holidays, sacrificing time away from friends and family, to keep us safe, healthy and free. Let us work together to ensure they come home quickly, safely and are fully supported upon their return. Happy Thanksgiving!
30 Days of Thanks – Day 27
I was able to spend the day with Hubby at his job, managing a dog day care. Whew! It was exhausting, but worthwhile work, watching dogs of all ages, sizes and play styles interact with each other. For some reason, I thought working with animals would be easier than working with children. In some respects it was, but in many more, it was not. Dogs cannot tell you if they are hurt or why they may be sad. Two dogs that may be playing happily with each other, may, all of a sudden, become aggressive and the people have to be vigilant for any signs of behavior changes. Hubby has the right instinct for this type of work. I do not. It has been an interesting day and I am ready to see my K9 pack of three.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 26
Today’s post is short. I am thankful for my family’s, friends’ and my health.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 25
This time of year inspires upbeat, tug-at- the-heartstrings, romantic comedies to celebrate the holiday season. It is the only time of the year, I find myself wanting to watch television movies, because the characters overcome adversities and eventually find their happily ever after. These are not the women-in-crisis, committing or victims of adultery or true crime dramas. No, several television channels devote the period right before Thanksgiving until Christmas to uplifting stories, and I watch as many as I can. Every year. Thank you to the programming departments of those channels for making us smile.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 24
Our family, on Hubby’s side, likes to celebrate birthdays by going out for pizza. We exchange funny cards – always funny cards, nothing sentimental or thought-provoking, please. Everyone orders their favorite beer or wine, salad, and the Birthday Boy or Girl chooses the pizzas we will eat. We always have a wonderful time because, as middle-aged adults and senior citizens, we prefer to focus on each other and celebrate another milestone together, rather than on gifts. Today, we celebrated BL who is one year closer to retirement and is counting down the days.
If you are ever in my area of the world, visit Cappy’s Pizza, a local joint that makes the best Chicago-style, deep dish pie in Florida.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 23
I am grateful to have graduated from the University of South Florida, over 20 years ago. It was a wonderful experience learning how to live with diverse people. There was no football team when I was student, so my experience attending college football was as an alumnus. My husband and I have had season football tickets for several years and it is one of our favorite date night activities.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 22
Our friend Teresa recommended Live Oak Veterinary Hospital when we brought Zeke home. Her Doberman, Gracie, had been a patient there her entire life and loved the staff. For 12 years, they have taken care of our pack and love our pets as much as we do. Thank you Live Oak for being committed to serving your patients with personal, professional and compassionate care.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 21
I am grateful to everyone around me who has supported me through the life challenges I have faced, recently. They reminded me to embrace my creative side, as well as my practical, linear side. This will lead to one of the most exciting things I have done and bring me closer to my passion. It will require a leap of faith, but I am ready.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 20
When I started this blog I needed an outlet for my feelings. Not only has the experience been cathartic, it has given me the opportunity to read other bloggers’ thoughts. But, the unexpected blessing has been the thought-provoking discussions I have had with people all over the world. Over time, I my readership numbers steadily increased, and I started to find my voice. Thank you for taking the journey alongside me.
Today is about you. Whether you focus on books, humor and satire, fashion, or life, please leave a post with your name, the name of your blog and a brief description of it. This post is a forum to celebrate your blogs and pay it forward.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 19
Today I was reminded of the motto of the Christopher Society, as I met to finalize some paperwork. When I thought I had reached a dead end, a good friend made a phone call to start another ball rolling, in a different direction. She did this, not out of some sense of obligation, but because she was a good friend. I am blessed to have MC in my life and look forward to the day I can thank her face-to-face for having my best interest at heart.
As I child I remember watching public service announcements, called “Christopher Closeup” that focused on inclusion, social justice, living a righteous life and being good to one another. Founded by Father James Keller, a Catholic priest from the Maryknoll order, I was drawn to their commitment to tolerance. While my beliefs have expanded to include Eastern religions, earth-based and pagan spiritual practices, secular and Catholic rituals, the message of The Christophers, Inc. resonates more each day.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 18
As I mentioned on June 12th and June 25th I am indebted to my Spam Blocker for diligently patrolling my blog to keep it free from undesirable content. Today I send my thanks to those savvy programmers who write the code to keep up with the ever-growing mountain of cybercrap being flung at every website, in hope that some will stick. Salute!
30 Days of Thanks – Day 17
I am thankful to live in a City that embraces spiritual and faith openness and religious tolerance. ALL faiths, or spiritual/non-spiritual paths, are equally important and should be respected, unconditionally.
30 Days of Thanks – Day 16
I am blessed to have three amazing dogs as part of Hubby and my family. Zeke, (aka. “Buddy,” or “Big Guy”) our oldest and only boy, is a black lab/greyhound mix and the mildest, sweetest alpha. Hannah Bean, (aka. “Ms. Bean” or “Baby Girl”) our middle dog-daughter, is a black lab/pitbull mix and the dog I have bonded most closely with, in my entire life. Charlotte, (aka. “Checkpoint Charlie”, or “Charlie Barley”) our youngest and most energetic, is the only Belgian Malinois descended from K9, Schutzhund and French Ring lines who thinks she’s a mutt like her older brother and sister. They bring joy into our lives, keep us grounded and love us unconditionally.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 