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.

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The temperatures are in the negatives this morning, but I am sitting in my warm little house, and I am grateful for the shelter and warmth that it brings. I am aware that this is a privilege that is denied to many.  I have chairs to sit on, decent clothes to wear, a roof to keep the rain out, food in my belly, clean water to drink.  In a world where there are so many in need, I hope that I never take these things for granted. 

 

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Despite the time change, I have had several nights of very good sleep.  I think this is because I got that safety bar for my bedroom window.  It was extremely easy to install, and I have ordered one for my living room window as well. I should have done this sooner.  Last week the people on the next street over (all seniors as well) had their shed's broken into and their winter tires stolen. I don't have a shed and have always kept my tires in my garage.  I am grateful for that. 

It is a well-known fact that these two streets are filled with seniors and vulnerable people, most being elderly women.  That someone would take advantage and break into the sheds is despicable. I do not mind living on my own, in fact I enjoy it, but I don't like to live in fear either.  These window bars will help.

It's kind of sad really because there was a time, not so long ago, that people here in this little valley were relatively sheltered from criminal activity.  It happened but it was a rarity, not a given. It's a shame really.

Anyways, I have had several nights of very good sleep, and I am grateful for that.

 

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I had a lovely supper with my family yesterday.  Cindy cooked a roast, and we had roasted potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, corn and gravy. It was nice to spend the time with her and Dan, and my father.  Family times are the best of times.

It was dark when I left to come home.  I wasn't so fond of that, but I did not have far to go thankfully.  How wonderful it is that I now live so close to family that I can say that!  😊

This is another one of my sister's art pages.  She is so talented.  She is wanting to finish up this art journal before the end of the year. I admire her abilities. She is so good at everything she does.  Getting to spend the last years of my life near her is an extra special blessing for me.  We have always been close and good friends. Even when time and circumstances meant that we were not always in touch with each other on the daily. We have always felt a special kinship and share a history with each other and our brother that we share with nobody else on earth.  I am grateful for a brother and a sister.  I know not all brothers and sisters are this close. I could not imagine a world where I was not close to my siblings. They mean that much to me.

 

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Being able to attend church yesterday, partake of the sacrament, renew my Baptismal covenants and listen to the testimonies of others.  The first Sunday of the month is always fast and testimony meeting and members get up to bear their testimony of the blessings in their lives, etc. I love to listen to them.  Even if I don't always get up to share my own testimony, listening to theirs helps to strengthen it.  And I do have one.  I am just a bit shy.  I do get up on occasion, but it isn't a regular thing with me.  I bear my testimony with the way I choose to live my life and the way that I treat others.  Very much by the Savior's example and how he lived his life.  I could do better, I know.  I am not perfect and sometimes I fail miserably, but I keep trying.  That's what counts. Two words mean the world to me and set the structure for my life.  BE KIND.  If I am never known for anything else in this world the greatest accolade that anyone could give me is that I am a kind person with a caring heart and caring actions.

To be able to worship as, when, where, and how I want to.  

 

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I am grateful that I am a woman born into a country where women are treated as equals with basically the same rights and privileges as men. Every time I read about the subjugation of women in other countries and cultures, I thank God for my blessings and freedoms.  There are many women in this world that are not allowed to dress, think, speak, or act freely.  This saddens me.

I do not take my freedoms for granted. 

 

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I don't know why I love pretty things so much. I could wander around a gift shop for hours just drinking them in, or on Pinterest just perusing. Thankfully I am happy with just looking.  I never feel deprived because they are not mine, or envious of those who have them. I just enjoy looking. It gives me great pleasure.  

That is a blessing to be able to appreciate the beauty and worth of pretty things without feeling a need to own them.

Perhaps some of that comes from having worked in a place where there were no limits when it came to beauty and luxury.  I came to realize the truth that, whilst these things are wonderful to behold, they come at a price and with responsibilities.  If I never have to clean silver, copper or crystal again in my lifetime I will be happy.  Those duties cured me from ever wanting to have any of that stuff myself.

Great wealth can be a prison, as can great fame.

 

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I have a comfortable life that is filled with enough. Love, shelter, family, friends, faith, pets, comfort, health, work, play, and home.  I want for nothing.  All of my needs are met. This makes me wealthy.  I am blessed and I know it. I am thankful, and I am not ashamed to say so. God is good.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *One friend, one person who is truly

understanding, who takes the trouble to

listen to us as we consider a problem,

can change our whole outlook on the world.

~E.H. Mayo° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

New in The Kitchen today, Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, the small batch. These taste just like a favorite chocolate bar.  Simple and easy to make as well.

At the end of today I am turning off anonymous comments on this blog, so as of tomorrow you will need a google account to leave a comment. I am sorry if that is an inconvenience, but I need to protect myself. I know you good people will understand.  

I hope you have a beautiful day and week. May it be filled with more blessings than your cup can hold.  Be happy. Don't forget!

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And I do too!