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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I have a life filled with meaning and purpose. A reason for being.  I get up each day with things to do and ways to fill each day that bring me joy and make my life worthwhile. I am not just wandering through my life willy nilly. I am strutting through my life with reason. I hope it is always this way and that I always have the ability to do so.

 

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I was able to get to the shops and load up with things I was short on. Milk, bread, butter, eggs, flour, yeast.  I also managed to score some potatoes at the Goucher's farm market for only 30 cents a pound.  I also got kitty litter which I was down to my last box (I like to keep two boxes in at all times. I am like that with most things.) It felt good to get out and stretch my legs. I only bought Canadian. Thankfully I was able to do that.

 

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I am watching The Chosen series again for about the umpteenth time. I watch it to the end of the most recent series and then I begin again. I always notice something in it that I had not noticed before. The acting in it is very well done, and I love its message. This is how I have always imagined Jesus as being. God and at the same time a man, who completely understands us and knows the way we feel about things.  Who can laugh with us and cry with us. He knows our weaknesses, our strengths, etc. and he knows just how to bring out the best in us.  Patient, kind, loving and yet at the same time pushing us to become more, to do better.

I don't think you have to be a believer to be able to watch and enjoy this program. It is not preachy in the least. At least I don't think it is.

 

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I have been really grateful for mittens over these past weeks.  It's been bitterly cold and is so again this morning. When I have had cause to go out and about, I have been grateful to be able to keep my hands warm.

I was also able to get to my sisters for Sunday Dinner with the family. It was delicious as always. She makes the best dinners.  Pot roast and gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables. It was all good and the best part was getting to share it together with each other. Spending time with my family is the best.

 

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Ground Hog Day. I had forgotten all about it, until later in the day.  Did he see his shadow?  Probably. I don't know for sure, but that's okay, there is going to be six more weeks on the calendar of Winter anyways, shadow or not.  And then the fluctuating back and forth.  But it is a fun tradition.

All Creatures Great and Small. My heart starts to feel warm as soon as I hear the music at the beginning of the show. It is such a wonderful series.  I love these wonderfully old-fashioned series which promote good values. It just makes you feel good watching them.

 

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This . . .  just this . . .

 

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 Embracing all that there is to love about February.  The lull between Winter and Spring. Hearts and flowers and chocolate. Snow drops, well in some places anyways. The Superbowl. Valentines. Snowy days and melty days. The days are getting longer, it is becoming a bit more noticeable.

 

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Hot honey and lemon tea  . . . comfort in a mug.

 

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Peaceful days and cozy nights.  I am blessed to be able to enjoy both. Oh, I could make my days much more disruptive by inviting the world into my home, but I choose to keep it at bay as much as possible. This does make a difference to the quality of my life.  I am not uninformed, but I don't dwell on the negative either.  I want my home to be a haven from the world and the only way that I can do that is, as much as possible, to not invite the world inside. It is a choice that I choose to make, and it serves me well.

My life is not perfect, it never has been, but it is perfect for me.  Peace and security come from wanting what you already have and being content therewith.  I am blessed to have all I stand in need of and then some.  If you have enough that you can afford to share what you have with others, you are already blessed beyond measure.  And that doesn't mean just material things, but also things of the soul.  Sharing is caring.

I know I repeat myself a lot about such things. But they are the things which matter most to me. Faith, family, friendship, home, love, community. 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

*.˛.°Use what talent you possess.

The woods would be very silent

if no birds sang except those

that sang best.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

~Henry Van Dyke° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛  

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Red Wine Braised Brisket. Simple. Delicious.  Comforting. And yet at the same time very elegant.

I hope you have a week filled with abundance. May it be filled to overflowing with the things which matter most.  Bless you all. Don't forget!

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And I do too!