Happy Easter and Welcome to Ten Things of Thankful or TTOT. Kristi keeps us going each week with reminders to always be thankful for all that we have. Without further delay, let’s get at it.
1. 2.
I am grateful for the birds who sing when we are taking walks and for National Poetry Month. Most of you may know I am doing prompts on this blog on a daily basis and a poem dedicated to the prompts, as well. Some are joining in and I am so happy to see this. It is a lot of fun to come up with ideas.
3. Have fun! I created this in 2018 for day 8, but who’s worried about details 😉 Have funnnn!! I am grateful for fun. We tease a lot around here and that means you are loved.
4. I found a pattern for masks made with socks, so I made us all masks. Now, time to break them in.
5. Dear heart bought me a new monitor so I am now up to the modern ages with two screens. I believe this will make a difference. It hooked up well with no hitches. And for a non tech person, I got the screens so they operate correctly.
6. The virtual world has come to roost. With the use of technology such as zoom rooms it is possible to see other people and work on our craft. Tonight, I am doing a virtual open mic. How awesome!!
7. 8. Order – today I organized my office space due to number 5 and also straightened up my art supplies. Now I feel freed up to create again. Daughter and I did this video where we drew bunnies. That was a lot a fun.
9. We have TP – that is something which as Next Door members we share about on the message board. We want to let each other know about paper findings. It’s a real life scavenger hunt without mosquitos.
10. YOU! Come sit at the table, color some eggs and share your news!
It’s that time again for TTOT, a time to reflect on the many things to be thankful for and to celebrate moments in our lives.
The world as we have known it has changed. There’s a pandemic happening and we citizens have been through many changes in a short period of time. Mother used to say things happen a reason, so naturally I am wondering about the reason. Some things are clear and I will have to accept the unknown isn’t meant for me to know, at least at this point. The expression: “You don’t even want to know,” may be appropriate at this moment in time.
I created the header picture a long time ago when trying to put together an article about stress management. Well, could we use some of that? I am thinking it is a “yes.”
I have a lamb who makes me think of peace, it’s actually a dog toy, but I like it and it’s on my book shelf, snuggles up next to my Wonder Bunny. The pillow is one my daughter made at a church camp many years ago, and it is also on my book shelf. I can see them from where I do most of my writing. The bubble bath is self-explanatory for relaxing. The candle goes right along with that. The Sleep lotion has lovely scents and relaxing properties and the quartz sits on my nightstand to stabilize the energy forces. All leading to relaxation and better sleep, which is something I must work at hard. And I would say my first thankful will be that my sleep has been better lately, so yay for that! I wake up kind of early, but I go to bed early so it’s a win. Sometimes I will wake up in the night, but my going back to sleep is better.
Second would be this lovely memory. There are my mother’s siblings. They all came out to Illinois where we lived to see my mother as she was getting close to her time to cross over. It was actually March 25 in the year it happened. Just this week, her last sibling, Uncle Joe, joined her and the rest for a Heavenly reunion. Aunt Dorothy and her husband came from California to spend time with mom and the brother all got in the car and drove from Louisville Kentucky. It was quite the gathering. And as much as they all liked to cut up and tell corny jokes, they all were most somber when they came to see mom. They all loved each other so much, a very close knit family. I am grateful they all came out and that there is no more suffering for any of them.
The Hall siblings:
Randall, Johnny, Dorothy (Gunnett), Joe, Warren, Ralph
Thelma Hall Tomey – Mother
Third is the fun I have been having with my daughter as we have been doing the Sketchbook challenge. In a little while, I will be joining her for the next session. It’s nice to have her here and we are having such fun.
Here are some of the pictures I made from the event. She doesn’t want her shared, just yet.
This was food art created by drawing with ink the basic picture and then watercoloring the subject matter. We were asked to draw what we had for breakfast and this is what I did. Charlie O’Shields – Having Fun While Sketching Food! was the video.
This was a class on a combination of freestyling, relaxing and creating collage.
Mary Beth Shaw – Doodle Sketch was the title and she guided us on having fun.
This is my Quirky Bird watercolor from Tamara Laporte – Embracing YOU, Quirks And All! It was a blast!
Fourth I am thankful that I have art supplies to be able to do these things.
Fifth I did a presentation about Poetry on Wednesday night for the Triangle Association of Freelancers and it went well.
Sixth Scored Toilet Paper today at Target! And a canister of disinfectant wipes. We were not desperate but it would be coming real soon.
Seventh Zoom Rooms and figuring out how to use them. I had a lesson on them and am working on getting more proficient as the virtual world is becoming more of a reality. Nice thing is that with these I was able to meet with people online.
Eighth First Responders who put it out there to help others be healthy and safe.
Ninth People who wear scrubs. I brought out my old acrostic for their dedication. You can read it here:Scrubs
Tenth is the place setting for YOU! What’s you thankful today?
Belinda looked out the window, her red strands stringing her eyes, still crusted with sandman’s presents; This was her routine each and every day, gazing to the lands and wishing for her dreams to come true; Closing her eyes, stating her wishes into prayers, she then bounced up onto her feet and bounced into the nursery, letting her little brother know her presence.
Smiling, squirming, hiccupping from his milk filled belly, Cleveland wiggled his chubby legs in delight from seeing his sister, clearly loving the routine of being greeted by her cheerfulness; Grasping him carefully, Belinda pulled him up and into her arms, hugging him while singing to him her favorite made up song, written especially for him.
“Baby Cleveland, cheery boy, you are my most favorite joy, how I wish to help you grow, always and ever more to know; How I love you, yes I do, and I always will, it’s true; One day when you are grown up, you’ll still be my buttercup, never will you leave my heart, you have been there from the start.”
Giggling and pulling her long tresses, Cleveland clearly adored his big sister, enchanted by her blue-green eyes, he poked at them with his chubby fingers, before reaching for his own as if comparing them with his own rich blue orbs; Carrot tops matching, these two were like two peas in a pod, so to speak, but there was one thing for sure, they were also very different; This was one thing that Belinda would be sure about: personalities.
Just down the road, a few houses down, Barton was also up for the day, doing his routine of chores before going to school, knowing his homework was likely suffering, he had routine responsibilities which took him away from book learning; Sure to make up for his father’s own duties, Barton needed to see to it that his mother did not suffer any more than she already seemed to, as her sighs of sadness prevailed; Taking a moment to take his mother some fresh tea, Barton took her hands in his, gazed into her brown eyes, moist from longing, and told her how beautiful she was and how it was going to be another good day, all before Barton gathered up his books and lunch, putting soles to the dirt road, hoping to catch Belinda on the way to school.
Waving goodbye to her mother, Belinda bounced out the door, books and lunch in hand and looking about, hoping to see Barton as he always made her smile; Sure as the sun shone, there he was picking up his step when he eyed her, almost running to her side; “Good morning Belinda,” Barton breathlessly greeted her, “I hope you don’t mind if I carry your books,” And with this, Belinda smiled at Barton, handed him her books and smiled, nudging along with their hands waiting to be held.
It’s MARCH!! WHAAAAAT?!! Marching forth it’s TTOT time and this here link you see in blue is where you go to add your two cents worth or 10 cents…whichever you wish!
So many things in life to be thankful for and I am going to jump right in!
Prayer: A friend was in a serious auto accident and survived. From the looks of the vehicle, I don’t know how. Praying that the other person comes through and I am grateful for the power of prayer.
Poet’s Connection – As one who does not easily make it to evening events, I decided to create a meetup for poets on one Saturday per month. The turn out was excellent. This was via Living Poetry and it was a definite repeater, so we will do it again in March.
Voting – I am grateful for the ability to vote and try not to make this a freedom to take for granted. I voted and I am glad that it’s done until November.
Knee Health – Laverne, my metallic knee has been giving me troubles, but she is not infected. I had to have some juices drawn to check it out, That was an ouchie for a couple of day, but it could have been worse. Not having an infection is a big deal. So, now the plan is physical therapy and I am grateful I can do that. I already had PT scheduled for my gait so now I can do both.
Soap-I have a lot of soap as I have always been a big hand washer. So, there’s that fact that I bought a big ole mess of it awhile ago.
Observations-People who wear gloves and wash their hands before handling my food or body. I pay attention at doctor’s offices and restaurants. And it’s a good idea. Glad to report good results.
Libraries – I am doing some extensive research on a topic and grateful for the library and how they can get books from the interlibrary system.
Time with Friends – I had at least three times this week when I got together with friends for various purposes and it was so nice to take the time to be involved with each of them. I am kind of an introvert and it’s a challenge for me to get together with others, but my close friends are totally different. I am also so grateful for my internet chat relationship with my long distance friend. We try to chat at least once a week. I look forward to those.
Daughter is sorting out my pantry as we speak! YAY!!! It’s a mess and I am grateful she likes to do this sort of thing.
and last by not least YOU! and you know what? You can join the table of grateful supper participants.
As a teacher, I will always remain a student. In the classroom of life, l wish to work with and educate others. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just your average person, here are a few of my "TEACHERble" moments.
Hi! my name is Sebastian (You can call me Seb!) ...welcome to my Blog. I'm a photographer from Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Thanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoy my work.