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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Impromptu get-togethers.  I had a bit of time on my hands and so I messaged Eileen to see if she and Tim would like to go out for supper together. I had been wanting to take them out to celebrate their respective birthdays and I had a few Christmas gifts to give them from a friend. It just so happened that they were both free and so we went for it. We had a lovely time. The restaurant was quiet and not really busy while we were there, so that made it even better as we could all hear what the other person was saying, and Eileen was not made to feel really anxious.  She has been struggling a lot with social anxiety lately and hasn't been going out a lot. This was good for her and for me.  We just had a great time.

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These California wildfires are so very heartbreaking. I cannot imagine. This is an opportunity for each of us, whether affected or not to do a bit of good in the world.  I, myself, am going to make a donation to the Red Cross.  It may not be a lot, but it will be something. Being able to share of your abundance to those who are truly in need of it is a really good thing.

The Lord has commanded us to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).

I may not be able to do a lot, but I can do at least something.

 

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Sunday night dinner with the family.  Cindy cooked Chicken Cacciatore last night and it was fabulously delicious. We all really enjoyed it.  I had baked a loaf of Italian bread earlier in the day in my bread machine, so I took that over. It went very well and was appreciated also. It felt nice to be able to contribute something. It was just really nice to be able to get together with family.  Dad's feet were really cold, so Dan got his magic bag all heated up and put them under dad's feet to warm them up, which was a very kind thing to do.

I love my dad so much. It is his birthday on Friday. He will be 91. What a great blessing this is that we are here to help celebrate it with him. The problem with getting to that age is that many of your friends do not, so really, family is it!

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Church on Sunday. I love to go to church on Sunday. I don't always feel like going and some weeks it takes more effort on my part than others, but I am always blessed in the doing. I was tempted not to go yesterday as Glenna wasn't going but I went anyways, and it was spiritually uplifting. A young girl sang a special musical number in Sacrament meeting. It was beautiful. The talks were uplifting, the lesson in Relief Society was also very good.  It was based on this talk by Elder Gregorio Casillas from the October 2024 Conference. I loved the lesson. This has been one of my favorite talks from the last conference.

I know, I say that about all the talks.

Another thing I love about going to church, probably the most important thing, is being able to partake of the sacrament and renew my covenants with God. 

The privilege of growing old. Many are denied that blessing and, in some ways, it certainly can present a challenge to others with mobility and health problems. But it also gives you a wonderfully different perspective on life that you would not otherwise be able to experience.

Every morning I open my eyes and say a little prayer of thanks to God for giving me another day.

 

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This winter has been relatively mild so far. We have had some cold days but none much colder than what can be expected at this time of year, and we have not really had a lot of snow dumped on us. Mind you, it is early days yet and the coldest days are ahead of us.  But so far, I have nothing to complain about, not really.

I do love all of the seasons to be honest.  The only weeks I am not overly fond of during the year are the hot and sticky high humidity ones. Those ones really wear me out. But they are a part of life, and I am too grateful for my life to want to give them up.

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I put stale bread out each morning for the birds. I get mostly crows and blue jays, occasionally a flock of starlings.  It serves many purposes, this action.  It makes good use of bread that would just get thrown away.  It gives the cats something to watch.  It fills my days with a bit of noise. It gives the hungry birds something to eat. I do have a fat cage and some suet in the garage that I must remember to put out.

I keep forgetting.

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I try always to be grateful for this blessing my life is.  Denied to many, I do not take it for granted.  It may not have turned out the way I envisioned or ever really wanted it to, but it is not a bad life. It is a good life. I have all that I stand in need of.  I have work and a purpose. I have people and family who love me.  A good and sound roof over my head and food in my belly.  Furry companions to keep me company. I am busy, oh so very busy. There is naught so sad as idleness. I am not burdened by loneliness as so many are.  My life is sweet. And full.  And a great blessing to me.

For as long as I am here. I will enjoy and embrace it for everything that it is.

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day . . . 

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

 *.˛“Gratitude is

happiness doubled

by wonder.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

~G.K. Chesterton° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ 

In the kitchen today a delicious loaf of Italian Bread, done in the bread machine.  Easily one of the best loaves I have baked.

My brother has his appointment today with his oncologist. Praying for a positive outcome.  Please keep him in your happy thoughts.

I do hope that you have a wonderful day and week filled with many small and wonderful things. Whatever comes your way, may you be blessed. Don't forget!

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And I do too!