joy

Ten Things of Thankful – January 24, 2020

January 24, 2020January 25, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

That’s right, folks! It’s January 24 and a FRIYAY! So time for Ten Things of Thankful or TTOT!! So, let’s do this!

1. Mom! This would be her 97th birthday year! WOW! On January 20, 1923 God brought this woman into the world and in 1954 I got to meet her! How lucky was I? The luckiest baby in the world, but I am partial to my mother. While she did not get to stay on this part of life long enough, I am grateful for having her for a mother, who I always called “Mom.”
mom

2. Paul, my cousin, who passed away this past week. I am grateful that when I was last back visiting in Iowa that we got to see him. He is now with his beloved Sally and the rest of the family on the other side. I am sure he is talking away as he loved to chat up a storm. Rest well, Paul, you were always one I could count on to make me smile.
Paul Niemann

3. Learning – I have been learning so much from fellow people in many walks of life, but this week I want to feature Deanna Martinez-Bey, a writer, cook and fellow blogger. Here is one of her blogs The Fiery Whisk Bakery. I am reading one of her books and it’s making me hungry!

4. Walking – I have had some difficulty with walking and weeble wobbles, so I devised a way to walk indoors. I am “trying” to increase my cardio without going kerplunk! I did get to the gym and use the bike on the weekend, but I am trying this in home walking routine and so far, so good. One day at a time, right? I am thinking of trying this video again as it helped me before:

5. This spot is for you!! That’s right! I decided to meet you in the middle, so why not take the steps to join the party? Here’s the link to join us! Even one thankful is perfectly fine!

6. Opportunities – I was having a discussion with my friend about how wherever you look, wherever you go, there are always opportunities to reach out and help others. We had that experience yesterday at the Dollar Tree, helping a lady who needed to find the right color flowers. And in the Living Poetry prompt “Service” was the theme. So, would you like to see the responses? you might see mine, oh yes you might or may… Living Poetry Monday Prompt

7. Glasses – I was at the blogger’s meetup and my friend and fellow blogger, Missy, had glasses to give us and I got a pair for my daughter. They are pink! Maybe she will model them when she gets them. Thank you, Missy!! Here’s Missy’s blog: Midlife Margaritas

8. Humor – So, I had a little fun this week with Medium. On Friday on post on the Friday Fix and respond to the prompt of the week. See what I did here and tell me if it made you giggle: Put the Seat Down

9. And many years ago I walked on water! Oh yes I did! It was ICE water, so there is that factor… Grateful I survived and that my partner in this did not fall in, that time… Here’s the story: Walking Across the Mississippi River

10. A Warm Bed – Not all people get to choose where they will live. Unless you call choosing between sleeping under the stars or in a tent a choice, then, there’s that, but I know I can lay my head on a pillow in a heated home. What made me think about this moreso this week was when I was driving and saw a tent pitched next to a fence. I am supposing that someone slept or was still sleeping in that tent. It is cold outside, even though in NC we joke about how that changes by the hour, it is cold and to have to sleep in a tent must be hard. Yes, I have slept in a tent on cold nights, but I was camping by choice. I had a campfire and I had warm sleeping gear, but it was fun for me. I cannot imagine that this person had a campfire or heat and yet they chose to pitch a tent and even take that risk near a busy road. I don’t know anything about this person. I don’t know their story. But I do know it is cold and I am grateful I am not having to sleep in a tent when I would not want to do so.

gray beddings — Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – December 20

December 21, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

box cheerful color cute — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Happy Friday! It’s Ten Things of Thankful Time AKA TTOT!!
As we enter into the week when folks are recognizing the wonderful gifts of sharing holidays with family and friends, it’s a great time to reflect on the gratitude which comes with these things! Let’s take a look at the sparkly lights of happy!

1. Daughter is coming tomorrow! And she is staying all week. She has to work Christmas Eve day, but that’s workable. Maybe that gives someone with children the day off.

2. Physical Therapy is coming along nicely. Right now, it’s focused on my neck and working its way down my spine. Before we know it, I will be a lithe old snake.

3. Crocheting is coming along well and the company is replacing some defective yarn. I like it when they take responsibility for things gone wrong. At least they don’t manufacture medical supplies.

4. People who really take the time to listen. I had two doctors I spoke with this week and they both really seemed to listen to what I had to say and this resulted in positive results.

5. 6. Getting to do some research with an associate and then they treated me to lunch. Both the research and the lunch conversation was interesting.

7. Safe driving. I maybe had less horn honking this week and for this I am VERY grateful.

8. My friend in Arizona (she’s the one who introduced me to TTOT) has just bought a home there and as of now, she should be moving in. This has been quite the process finding the right house and neighborhood and it’s all falling into place.

9. A friend who is like family learned today that her cancer prognosis is still favorable. It gives me hope for another friend who is in the midst of learning more about her own.

10. Gather around the Christmas Tree, sing a little song with me, one of cheer and one of joy, holding in our hearts, every girl and boy, let’s be sure to make this day, one where they can be happy and play, one this most lovely Christmas day…no matter if it’s Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, may you know peace and joy and all good things!

heart shape multicolored stand — Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

Now it’s your turn! Won’t you join us?

poetry, Poetry Forms, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – December 13

December 13, 2019December 13, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

selective focus photography of ceramic mug near candy cane — Photo by fotografierende on Pexels.com

Isn’t that the truth?! Things are things are things, but people – well – you don’t want to put them on a shelf to collect dust. They are much more fun! And it’s time to think about those things we are thankful for and by things, I believe I will make sure to mention peopley things. Whatcha think about that?

And awaaaaaay we go!!

1.2.3.4.5. Getting Away – We got away for a night to visit family in Mount Airy. We enjoyed taking walks down the hallways of the retirement community, taking pictures at entryways and in the various places for people to commune. There were several trees, all uniquely decorated. It helped bring on the spirit. We enjoyed a lovely visit with headed back home earlier than planned. Icy roads were predicted for this morning, so we thought it best to head back last night. It was a lovely drive back with very little traffic and we are grateful that was uneventful.

6. Six Sentence Story is always a great challenge. This time, I decided to think of the season and this is what I came up with: True Hearts are Never Absent I am grateful for Denise’s devotion with prompting us and challenging us each week.

7. Wedding! My great nephew is getting married this weekend. He lives in Alabama and they are going away to all things Harry Potter! I am very happy for them as they embark on new adventures together.

gold wedding bands — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

8. Education – As I am working on my latest book, I am finding that there are areas I want to focus on a little more in depth than originally planned. I had a pop-up opportunity to learn some new information and meet some really nice people who could be a resource. So, new connections, as well.

9. Poet Community – This weekend is the party for the poets in this area and I look forward. While I have read poetry to people before, it’s been a while. Maybe it’s time to break out of my comfort zone. Especially since I have been asked to read the poetry of a famous poet. I just don’t know who until they hand me the poem. Surprises!!

10. You! I am thankful for you coming here and paying a visit. Perhaps you would like to join in and add your post of thankfuls.

poetry

Adjusting Lenses

October 8, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

This was recently posted on Medium: Adjusting Lenses

photo of woman holding her shades — Photo by Just a Couple Photos on Pexels.com

humankind’s nature
often means brisking each day
keeping steady pace
what happens when it changes
when the leaves of life falter

as the elder man
finds the keys don’t play as well
hearing notes less clear
it’s an evolvement of life
requiring tune ups often

when grandmothers cry
because their children are old
no longer in laps
still wanting for the snuggles
take them back to the time when

as life slows way down
keeping in mind the goodness
days when suns are high
looking to the skies for hope
seeing joyfulness each day

adjusting lenses
early in the childrens’ lives
seeing and learning
each day is perfectly made
for any age to delight

Personal Essay, short story, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – August 16

August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

yellow plush toy — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s time for the wonderful weekly wows of thankfulness! Let’s do this!

1. The Katzenjammer Kids – Not only is this fun to say, it’s a classic comic from looooong ago. They even made a postage stamp for them. It’s HERE Go and check this out on THIS SITE Comics, in general have always been my go to for entertainment. Back when I was a child I bought multiple packs of comics where you wouldn’t know what you got, except the one on top. It was always fun to see the reveal. Fortunately, I rarely found a comic I didn’t like and my brothers would find them interesting, otherwise. I think that was part of the fun. It was hoping I would find something to share with them. While I don’t subscribe to a newspaper anymore, I still look at the comics whenever I happen upon a paper.

2. Dogs I have known – I am in a reminiscent mood of late and I am thinking of the dogs who have influenced my life. Sport, who didn’t live long in our home and found a place on a farm, because he bit me. I cried when he left. Barney the beagle who lived in our hearts. I like how he always checked on my little brother, just making sure he was okay. And how he barked at toast. And ate my lunchmeat one too many times when I turned my back. And who played with Rowdy the neighbor dog, fighting over an old pillow while each had a end of it and would get in Barney’s house and run around and around with the darned pillow clenched in their mouths. Thump Thump Thump. Then Sam who preferred the outdoors much of the time. He was our watchdog. He was super laid back and some kind of mutt. Then there was Pee Wee, who was part peekapoo and part dachshund who got his name for the obvious. He was quite the dog and brave for his size. Then Patsy came along after Pee Wee died. Daddy suggested a beagle again and he was right on about Patsy. She was the sweetest. She rarely barked and was very simply a nice companion. Then there was Sandy, Maya, Hannah and Shakespeare. That’s enough dogs for this lifetime, doncha think? I won’t be having any more dogs, but I sure love when I can love on other’s doggies.

Pee Wee

3. Cuisine – I’ve been bored with my cooking lately and WARNING!! When you get older, your taste buds change. Some days I can barely taste what I’m eating other than to say it’s salty or sweet. I use more spices than maybe others do simply to try and put some flavor in there. A friend was making tacos yesterday and inspired me to try roasting peppers, onions a mushrooms. I could actually taste quite a bit of these, so that’s a win. I suppose that stronger tasting foods are going to be my choice. And I thought that if I could not taste so well that would mean apathy leading to weight loss. No, it does not work that way. You still try to find some things that taste good. No worries, though, because the weight is still becoming a loss. If you really want to see what I had you have to go to this LINK

4. Flea Market finds AND a friend who will pick them up and deliver them – welp – not really, but I saw these two chairs by the dumpster where I live and grabbed them. They are going to be picked up today by my friend and used on the patio of my daughter’s home. Aren’t they cute? I didn’t keep the ball.

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5. Art – I’ve been in a creative funk of late when it comes to my art. Last Monday I got together with a dear friend and we did some artsy stuff before we did some writing stuff. I took a picture of the asphalt cracks a good while ago and from that I was able to create this image of what I will call Lady on the Bridge.

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6. Six Sentence Story – I am working hard on story crafting and this group helps me to stretch my brain cells. Here this weeks story and I will warn you that it’s not a happy story, but I believe it will have a happy ending. You just gotta believe! Here is the STORY

7. Angel Card Project – We participate in the Angel Card Project and while the focus is on Christmas cards we expand to other cards when a need comes up. The leader/creator of the group has a Facebook page and if you would like to join, that would be awesome. Many of the card recipients are people who are lonely and need to know there are people who care about them, regardless of being strangers. After all, a friend is a stranger until you meet them. Here’s the link to the Angel Card Project page.

8. Errand Buddy – Each week when I run errands, mostly grocery shopping, I have a bestie who goes with me. While we are running about we solve most of the problems of the world. So, if you find that it’s a better place out there, you are welcome.

woman standing beside pineapple fruits — Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

9. Messy Desk – Right now, I would not take a picture of my desk as it is very messy. That is something to be thankful for. A messy desk is a sign of production and I have been trying and it shows.

10. Invitations – You are invited to be a part of Ten Things of Thankful. Why not join in and share about your week? It is inspiring to hear about life and it’s challenges and overcoming adversities. Now, more than EVER we need the connection of love, caring, sharing to hold each other up. So my 10th thankful is that I am able to invite YOU to a place at the gratitude table. Come sup with us and leave feel satisfied. I may even cook some greens and cornbread for you.
Or do you need sweet tea?