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a snowy November 2016 |
As we think about the topic of thanks and gratitude, FaceBook popped up this snapshot I took at my home in Castle Rock, Colorado several years ago. You see the deep snow building up on the deck furniture.
Ahhh, Colorado. So beautiful and yet SOMEBODY has to shovel that beautiful white stuff. While the lack of snow at my current home in Florida is not at the very top of my list of thanks, it's not far down the column. The season of my life where I enjoyed snow is over.
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a dark rainy afternoon spent on the lanai |
It's been rainy and cool here this past week. We were scheduled to get a new roof on Wednesday, but the weather forecasts turned out to be abundantly true, so Gary postponed the project. Hopefully the re-scheduled date for next month will be sunny and dry.
a country rustic-style table runner from my needlework years |
We've had a lot of wind this week, too, which has been a challenge with our bike riding. I came home two days in a row with my shoulders feeling like they were pulled up to my ears -- the muscle strain from riding against the wind was strong.
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easy Sudoku |
Since I no longer cross stitch, quilt, or embroider these days, I wanted something to do in my recliner besides read, watch TV and eat -- something to challenge to my brain and keep my hands busy. Crossword puzzles bug me when the descriptions are so cryptic.
I watched a Youtube video that explains how to do Sudoku. To my surprise, I find this puzzle a lot of fun. If you are interested, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWfZ77Z9q4Q
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scrapbooking |
Another project that's kept me busy of late is assembling an album of pictures from our first year together. A good friend gave us an album as a wedding gift but I'm only now getting it together. I've done albums before with the stickers, colored papers, fancy pens and related froo-froo, but that was years ago and I was burned out by the time the last one was completed.
But my story with Gary is akin to a Hallmark movie, so I want to record the highlights. A mountain of snapshots have been reduced to the first twelve months. Now I'm writing descriptions journal-style (not unlike blogging, actually) to slip between the pages of photos. Gary is my editor and proofreader, just as he is for my blog posts.
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Hibiscus behind the lanai |
This is my seventh holiday season in Florida since leaving Colorado. Every year I comment on my blog about my fascination with flowering bushes and trees at a time of year when much of the country is shoveling snow.
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one of the three Mexican Petunia bushes in our yard |
The flowers (for me, anyway) make up for the lack of white glittering frost, creating a new definition for holiday decor.
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we have white and salmon-colored Azalea bushes |
The milky white Azaleas are so pure, tropical-looking.
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red Camelia |
I've lost count how many red Camelia bushes Gary has in the front and back yards. They look like roses.
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Wood Storks and a pink Spoonbill beside one of our many lakes |
In addition to the many flowers growing here in Florida in November, more birds have arrived, presumably en route to warmer climates, or maybe this is their destination.
I took this snapshot (above) today during our after-lunch bike ride. Sadly, if you look close you will see a large bird laying on its side, presumably near death. I read that birds have sympathy for their fallen members, so this may be a wake of sorts.
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our tropical back yard |
And more on the subject of birds, the "snowbirds" (or "winter visitors" as some call them), are coming back to occupy their homes in our neighborhood. (I'm referring to humans) It's something like college kids coming back to town in time for the traditional school year. I like it better when our neighbors are here, more smiling faces and people to visit. This is the ebb and flow of living in a retirement community in a sub tropical climate.
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sidewalk chalk gratitude |
One of our neighbors has a method of showing her thanks with sidewalk chalk. This composition of gratitude on the apron of her driveway was one of many cheery messages that put a smile on my face until the rain scrubbed it all off.
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autumn decor in our amenities center |
In addition to these blessings I've shared, we've got family, church, a pantry full of groceries, closets of clothes, transportation, and a wonderful love for each other.
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chocolate chip cookie dough |
I thank the Lord for not only a wonderful husband who came into my life to minister to my broken heart but that I've been able to fill his empty places as well. (smile) Among other things, he likes the cookies, corn bread, biscuits and coffee cakes I bake for him since that is one kitchen skill he does not have.
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thankful to be able to ride our bikes several miles nearly every day |
At our age, we don't take for granted the ability to fend for ourselves. Living in a retirement community is a frequent reminder of how quickly our coping skills can be taken away with accidents, illness, and even death.
In the years since my first husband passed, I thank the Lord for teaching me new skills, giving me confidence in matters that were suddenly thrust upon me with his death. Family and friends were of immeasurable help and with time, I have been able to take on many things once unfamiliar to me. I have been very surprised that this 'old dog could learn new tricks,' so to speak.
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art by Mary Engelbreit |
One blessing I don't think I've shared yet is that Gary's great-grandchild #3 is "on her way." Yes, a girl this time, to play with her twin boy cousins born a year ago.
13 comments:
A lovely post, Barbara. While being retired, and therefore able to enjoy snow from inside a cozy home, I enjoy snow now more than I did in all the years I had to get out and drive in it. That said, I also love seeing your pretty flowers in November. :) And beautiful birds beside beautiful water. And thanks for the Sudoku link. I was given a book a few months ago, to help me pass my healing time and while I understood the concept, my brain just didn't want to engage. Maybe watching the video will inspire me.
Grace and peace to you, as well!! I enjoyed your post, Barb. Great pictures!! How fun to do your book with highlights from your first year with Gary! I haven't worked a Sudoku puzzle in a long time. Now I need to look one up!! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!! Love & hugs!
That is so sad about the dying bird - I had no idea.
Your words were so nice to read - Happy Thanksgiving to you and Gary.
In our Sunday School lesson today it talked about the importance of looking back and seeing how God took care of us in hard times, and looking at our lives and seeing how much we have to be thankful for. You did that so well here!
I am not a fan of snow, and find I like it less, the older I get. But I don't know that I'm tough enough to deal with a Florida Summer. :)
I used to scrapbook with stickers and papers too. Now I do online scrapbooks. I make one for each of my granddaughters with things from their lives during the year. It's easy to start and stop without having to get things out and I find I really like it!
So much to see, to read and to ponder from your post, Barbara! I enjoyed the pictures you shared and your thoughts on being thankful. What a wonderful idea to journal/scrapbook your time with Gary. I enjoy doing word search puzzles. Have a wonderful week and wishing you both a very blessed Thanksgiving.
You certainly have enjoyed many blessings in your life, Barbara, and I love that you are so grateful for each one of them. May your Thanksgiving be a marvelous day!
And, here's wishing you and Gary a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Ours will be a simple one with our son and his family. Our Oklahoma won't be here until Christmas. Blessings!
You certainly have gone from one beautiful climate to another, Barbara! I remember our visit to Estes Park, CO in 2019 and I was so taken with it I started researching homes to move to. Thankfully, nothing ever happened with that because then I would have been way too far from my little grandson :) Your life has been filled with many blessings and I wish you and Gary many more. Happy Thanksgiving ♥
A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and Gary!
I'm a little behind in reading this. I saw it slip by the other day when I was in the car looking at my phone and told myself I would read and comment on it later. Somehow two days have slipped by so quickly...but it comes with the territory of the holiday season and also my brain going in too many different directions at once. I enjoyed this so much. Yes, we have much to be thankful for here in Florida...no snow to shovel or ice to scrape! Flowers blooming in winter...warm days and some chilly days, but nothing we can't bear. You are blessed to be living in an active community where there are plenty of places to ride your bikes and walk and participate in activities if you so desire. Plus you have a lovely yard and a lanai to sit on when it's too rainy or chilly outside. We wish you and Gary a very Happy Thanksgiving. My Pilgrim people send their regards...Have a blessed rest of your week.
Now you already know I will take those flowers and bird watching AND bike riding weather over snow anytime. I will just visit snow and leave it there:)
It has been a rainy week, but we needed it so I tried not to complain - well not too much anyway. I actually think our Thanksgiving might have a little more cool to it than usual. I love your lanai. I have always wanted a screened porch or Florida room as I grew up calling them. I would stay out there all the time. Your little runner is so cute. Have fun using your creative juices on the scrapbook and yes, to being grateful for every good thing.
Happy Thanksgiving to the two of you! I know you'll make is special. I'm sure happy to see that bright sunshine...taking a hike in a bit! I cooked yesterday! Hugs, Diane
I've never been able to do Sudoku puzzles. I just fill in any numbers and it takes me just seconds to complete them. Chocolate chips cookies are a better pastime. Happy Thanksgiving.
God bless.
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