Thankful Me

Trick-or-treat!  It's been a tricky sort of week for me, but we're heading into November--the month of Thanksgiving--so we'll focus on treats today.

It's easy for me to find things to love about green, moist places.  Plants grow abundantly and I find beauty everywhere I look.  Although finding beauty in the desert does not come instinctively to me, there are things about living here that make me smile everytime I see them.  For this week's TToT, I'm sharing with you my desert thankfuls.  I've shared some of these photos and videos before, but I hope you don't mind the repeat.  It's good for me to have a handy list of what is appealing about the desert. 

So, in her Ten Things of Thankful post this weekend, my friend Dyanne mentioned that one of the children in her preschool class announced during circle time that she (the child, though I assume it applied to Dyanne, too) was wearing underwear.  Dyanne later asked her blog readers, "What are you thankful for this week? How's your hair? Wearing underwear?"

I don't particularly want to blog about the details of my week, as I spent my week on jury duty.  I will say that I found the process interesting, even if it did mean I spent my birthday in deliberations. The verdict is in, though, and I am another year older.

When you are not quite 2 years old, your favorite attractions at Disneyland are the Jungle Cruise, the Tiki Room, and the "goggies" at the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo. Thanks for grandchildren and goats. 

Saturday night, John and I spent the evening laughing.  We attended a concert by Jeanne Robertson.  She was Miss Congeniality in the Miss America pageant years ago, and it is obvious why.  Before the show started, she came out in the lobby and introduced herself to everyone individually.  She asked us about Willow, and said she would know her show was going well if she heard Willow laughing during the performance.  As we left the theater, we were handed a recipe for pound cake.  Watch the following clip to hear all about the time she sent her husband to the store for the ingredients:   Thanks for good, clean fun!

Sometimes, the events of a week don't occur exactly as planned.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a different thing.  In the case of my attempting to photograph the lunar eclipse, it lead to my blog title.  (With apologies to Dr. Suess!)

Willow arrived yesterday.  She is a Guide Dog for the Blind puppy-in-training.  We'll raise her for the next 6 months or so, until she is ready to return to the campus at San Rafael for her formal guide dog training.  

Today's to-do list is brought to you by the letter "P."  

I mentioned in August that I had a chance to preview an upcoming movie . I'm looking forward to Friday, October 10th,  when Meet the Mormons will be released to theaters nationwide.  I intend to see it again.    This is not a proselytizing movie; it's not like a Sunday School lesson, and no missionaries will be hanging around the theater.  It is an uplifting film highlighting six individuals who are trying to live their lives in a positive way.  Each story holds universal appeal, and all proceeds of the film go to the Red Cross.   (Years ago, I had an opportunity to hear Gail Halvorsen speak, and I have been fascinated with his story ever since.  Learning about his story is reason alone to see the film!)  You can see if the film will be opening in your area, by clicking here .   I hope you will come join me in the theaters this weekend!   Do you know a Mormon in real life?   Thanks for good people of all faiths everywhere. 

I've always loved October.  

My dear grandma fell this week and broke her arm.  Thankfully, she didn't break anything else.  My thoughts are with her as she is in the hospital (and subsequent care facility until she has healed enough to return home).  Today, I thought I'd share some photos of happier times.

Thanks for happy fall days.