Monday 30 March 2020

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 
 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard  

 
A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life.   It's the small things in life which truly mean the most.  Simple abundance . . . it's the best.


  

Even though we are not able to attend church together at the moment, the people in my church Ward are going to amazing lengths to make sure that nobody is missing anything and that anyone with an internet connection can remain included.  There have been virtual Sunday School Lessons, RS and Priesthood Lessons, etc. Yesterday on our Ward FB page we were all encouraged to bear our testimonies.  Some did it via short videos and others in writing.  All were uplifting and soul enriching.  Sundays are different for sure, but in some ways they are even better.  Its hard to explain. I love how we are all pulling together, lifting,  sharing, and I love that our leaders were inspired enough several years ago to prepare us for just such an eventuality. 




Communities are pulling together and going out of their way to make sure that everyone is okay.  From picking up essentials for the elderly who are not able to go out at the moment and leaving them on their doorsteps, phone calls, etc.  There is a coloured card program going at the moment where by if you are alright you have a green card in your window, to if you are in trouble you can put a red card in the window.  The Chester market is offering free delivery of food items to shut ins that are not able to get out and shop for themselves.  The grocery shops are having dedicated hours for NHS staff and the elderly.  I still have not been able to get a slot for online shopping.  So it is impossible for us to get things like sugar, or flour, etc.  But I can get meat and cheese, eggs and produce. It could be worse. 



People are getting back to the basics reassessing their lives, prioritising what is really important. That's not an entirely bad thing. I do wish I had thought to store seeds so that I could grow some things like herbs, etc. however I did not.  I do have some summer savoury seeds my mother sent me years ago. I wonder if they are still any good.  


Over the last few weeks I have been reassessing what I keep foodwise and what I throw away.  I discovered a 10 year old packet of pasta. It smelt okay and so I cooked it and we ate it.  We lived to tell the tale.  I have also used tinned tomatoes that were several years off date and some tinned vegetables.  They were fine.  If its not discoloured, the tins are not bulging and it smells fine, its probably okay.



The old ways of doing things in many ways were the best ways.  Make do, mend what you can, wear it out, use it up.   

I have many, many blessings in my life.  Food in my belly, a roof over my head, fairly good health, clothes to wear, enough for my needs, and someone to share it with. You can't ask for much more than that.

That's all I have for this morning.  I have not slept well since the time change.  I have always been able to cope with the autumn one but the spring one always throws me for a loop.  For two nights in a row I have not been able to fall asleep until gone past 1 in the morning and am up at the crack of dawn. 

 A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *
No matter how you feel
get up, dress up, show up,
and never give up.•。★★ 。* 。 



Another good thing about all of this is I am having to stretch my abilities.  Yesterday I made Homemade English Muffins and they turned out fantastically! 

Hope your week is filled with an abundance of small and wonderful things.  Don't forget! 

 
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

 


And I do too!   
    

 


 

7 comments:

  1. That darn time change always throws me for a loop, too. When my husband asks me what time it is and I tell him, he always asks if thats old time or new time? Makes me crazy, lol. Why would I tell him "old" time? We turned our clocks back a couple of weeks ago so have had time to adjust. Must admit it's lovely to have the extra daylight in the evening. I'm wide awake now and it's only 4:30 so I can sympathize with your lack of sleep, Marie, the past two days. I'm so worried about the coronavirus breaking out in nursing homes and causing havoc. A nursing home in Bobcaygeon, Ontario has had 9 deaths and 34 staff members have symptoms. It's very scary for all of us and especially to family who have loved ones in nursing homes. They don't know the origin of the breakout. My brother is in a nursing home and I fear for his well-being and for all the excellent care-givers. They are in lockdown so we can't visit plus we shouldn't be out and about ourselves. It's a dilemma for sure. Okay, going to try and get some sleep. Maybe time for a nap, Marie. Hugs and love, Elaine

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  2. Your EM look good..Lots of acts of kindness and courage here too..I get tears in my eyes..

    Take care Marie!

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    1. You take care too Monique! My prayers and love are with us all! xoxo

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  3. those homemade muffins look wonderful. Who know we could make our own. Thanks for sharing @

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  4. Your muffins look absolutely perfect...no reason to ever buy them anymore is there?? Did you get them to have that slightly sour taste too?? You are an excellent cook...Todd should be oh so grateful every single day!! :)
    Hugs, Elizabeth xoxo

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    1. He is very grateful for sure Elizabeth! Love and hugs.xoxo

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