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Ten Things of Thankful: Here, There, and Everywhere Edition

 

a photo of me tipping sideways, with my arms out, framed by a big piece of driftwood on the beach

The last time I posted, I was in Oregon helping my parents after my mom's fall. I'm back home in Utah now, via Alaska. John and I went on an Alaskan cruise we had booked months ago (with the original intent that my parents would join us, but obviously that didn't work). The day we left on the cruise, my sister arrived at my parents' house to take my place. When we got done with the cruise, we returned to Oregon, stayed with my parents for one night (and got to see my sister!), then drove to the Oregon coast for two nights, then drove home to Utah. Did you know it takes three times through the top 100 Beatles songs countdown on the Beatles satellite radio station to drive from the Oregon coast to my house? I didn't, but now I do. Hence, the "Here, There, and Everywhere" in the title of this post. 

The cruise ship had an amazing Beatles tribute band--BeatleStory--onboard. We ended up going to see them 4 or 5 times, including standing during a standing-room only late performance. Attending a show that starts at 9:30 p.m. is a huge endorsement from me! Anyway, both John and I have had Beatles songs stuck in our heads for the past couple of weeks, and we probably will continue to have that "problem" for a while. 

So, now that we are all on the same musical wavelength after that lengthy intro, let's jump into the Ten Things of Thankful for today:

1. I'm thankful my mom is continuing to heal and feel better.

2. I'm thankful my parents had travel insurance.

3. I'm thankful that John's sister and her husband were able to join us on the cruise.

4. I'm thankful my sister was able to help my parents.

5. I'm thankful for the incredible beauty in this world. 

view down a mountain canyon shows snow-capped mountains in the distance across a bay

Mendenhall Glacier, with its reflection in Mendenhall Lake. Nugget Falls can be seen to the right.

The white-capped creek that runs down Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska

6. I'm thankful to have been able to stop and see my great-grandparents' grave sites. I don't know why, but I had never visited them before. 

Two grave markers. The one on the left reads, "Dad Joseph L. Kimes 1869 At Rest 1943" and the one of the right reads, "Mom Edith L. Kimes 1881 At Rest 1964"

7. I'm thankful for safe travels.

8. I'm thankful to come home to blooming flowers.

Yellow, pink, and red peonies bloom in my backyard

9. I'm thankful for the sweet surprise of baby birds in a nest on the wreath on my front door. Neighbors, I'm sorry if the Easter-themed wreath stays up well past the holiday (not to mention the fact that it is now covered in bird poop), but I'm not about to kick those baby birds out! 

10. I'm thankful for John, the world's best husband, friend, and travel companion!

What are you thankful for today? Leave a comment, feel free to link up your own post, and be sure to check out the other entries in this week's Ten Things of Thankful blog hop! 





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Comments

  1. messymimiMay 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM

    We were able to go to Walt Disney World a couple of times when a Beatles tribute band was at the UK area of Epcot and we couldn't pry my Sweetie away with a crowbar.

    I'm so glad your mother is healing and you were able to take the cruise. Maybe they can come with you the next time you travel.

    ReplyDelete
  2. clarkMay 26, 2025 at 8:25 AM

    What a fun TToT! pictures and scenery and time travel!*
    Good to hear you mom's on the mend. Tell her the Doctrine says Hey!

    *there was a joke in my initial reading of your post that I would swear referenced time travel! Now I can't find it. (My future self probably altered it to avoid paradox problems, oh well)
    Have an excellent week










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