Thankful Me

A political map of the world circa 1987. The Soviet Union takes up a sizable portion. A lot has happened in the last 39 years. The Berlin Wall came down. The Soviet Union collapsed. The Twin Towers fell. Technology has changed: landlines and phone booths are practically extinct, and random questions can be answered in seconds by asking Google, Siri, or Alexa. No longer do drivers keep the Thomas Guide in their cars; navigation systems will give turn-by-turn directions, and recalculate when the driver doesn't follow the directions. Some cars don't even need drivers. While many shoppers do their shopping in-person, some simply log into Amazon and have their item show up on their doorstep--sometimes within hours.  I've seen pieces of the Berlin Wall. I've traveled to places that used to be behind the Iron Curtain. I've been to Ground Zero. I no longer have a house phone, and have looked up the answers to countless questions using my cell phone. I do not miss the stress...

  A red peony bud prepares to open fully  After an incredibly dry winter, we had a bit of precipitation this past week, in the form of falling snow. We didn't have much, and it didn't really stick, but we'll take water however it wants to come. Fortunately, my peonies seem unaffected by the cold snap, and are ready to put on a show here soon. 1. I'm thankful for moisture. 2. I'm thankful the flowers are still going to bloom. I don't know how the colder temperatures will affect the fruit crops. The strawberries look like they are still planning to set fruit. We'll have to see what happens with the peach, apricot, pear, and apple. (The apricot only bears heavily every other year anyway, and I think this is an "off" year--though I could be wrong.) Strawberry plants in full bloom 3. I'm thankful for anticipated berries.  We continue to clear out and otherwise prepare John's parents' house for sale. I've been going through old photos and...

  Though stormy skies threaten rain, a white lilac shows off beautiful blossoms Going to wax philosophical today, and the above photo illustrates my thoughts and feelings well. The dark sky in the background was, in this instance, an approaching storm. Viewing the clouds on that day, the interplay of light and dark was mesmerizing, and I was curious to see if we would get precipitation. But even though I didn't particularly want to get caught in a downpour, my beautiful, very fragrant lilacs were blooming, and there was no place I wanted to be more than outside, with my nose in the lilac blossoms. The sight and scent brought me joy that not even the threat of an imminent storm could dampen.  Life is like that. The "weather" changes, sometimes suddenly and without warning. Othertimes, we can anticipate the change. But even in the rain--whether it be a short cloudburst or an entire monsoon season--we can find joy, beauty, and gratitude.  Looking back over the past week, I a...

  Christus statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen shows the resurrected Jesus with outstretched arms Happy Easter! Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the hope for the world. Easter celebrates the fulfillment of His earthly mission, His atoning sacrifice that provides a way for each of us to have peace and joy even amid the challenges of life. Everything is possible because of Him.  This weekend is also General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am thankful for the messages given and the reminders of how strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ allows us to more easily recognize and feel His power in our lives: 1. "Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, lives, knows us, watches over us, and cares for us. As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support." (Henry B. Eyring) 2. "As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and inte...

  John and I stand outside the Lindon Temple  When my kids were little, I baked muffins frequently. I had that recipe memorized and could whip up a batch in no time. Now that I'm an empty-nester, I don't even remember the last time I baked muffins, let alone remembered the recipe. I almost feel that way about blogging; I've been so sporatic of late that it seems a much bigger job than it really is to sit down and compose a post--and don't even get me started about the hassle of getting photos off my phone and onto my computer! (Why my devices aren't playing nicely with each other I really don't understand. Fortunately, I do remember my workaround.) However, I actually do enjoy blogging even if I haven't been making time for it of late, and how could I not think of things I'm thankful for on Palm Sunday? So, here I am! Since my last TToT post, I've taken a weekend trip to visit my sister, gone on a cruise to the Caribbean and Central America with John...

  The full moon, with a halo,  in the sky above the Mt. Timpanogos Temple early in the morning on February 2, 2026 With a few (notable) exceptions here and there, I've been reliving Groundhog Day over and over again this month. John's parents have moved out of their house and in with his sister, so John and I have spent nearly every day since February 2nd at his parents' house: sorting, packing, and cleaning. Each of his siblings is contributing in their own way, and this is the best way for us to help right now. We're happy to be doing it, though it has been a long time since we have experienced this level of routine to our days.  1. I'm thankful for John's parents. We see evidence of their kindness and love of family all over their home. 2. I'm thankful for John's siblings. Everyone has their own responsibilities and challenges,  yet all are willing to do what they can for their parents.  3. I'm thankful (for many reasons) for our son and his girlf...

  A puzzle of the United States of America The past two weeks have been busy. We drove from Oregon to Utah (staying overnight at the halfway point in Boise, Idaho.) After one restful night at home, we drove to California (passing through the tiniest corner of Arizona and then Nevada). After a couple of nights there, we returned to Utah. I get to be home for a week before I fly out to Oregon next weekend. It's all good, though. I'm thankful: 1. My mom's recovery continues to go well. Next weekend's visit is a planned-before-her-injury family reunion: just my parents, siblings, and myself. It should be lots of fun! I should be reading the Scrabble dictionary in preparation, because I know there will be at least one game.  Scrabble tiles (A, O, I, F, E, blank, E) on the rack. I was wishing that first names were valid Scrabble words, and sent this photo to my friend who has a daughter named Aoife.  2. The weather in Oregon, unlike the first January visit, was sunny and dry....

  Photo of a business center in a hotel. A white electrical cord is plugged into the wall, and the cord disappears underneath the carpet. John noticed this while we ate breakfast this morning. We returned home to Utah at the end of last week, took care of some things at home, then came back to Oregon to assist my parents when my mom was released from the hospital. She is doing great--moving around easier and faster than she was even a week ago.  1. I'm thankful for safe travels. With the exception of some icy and foggy patches in eastern Oregon, roads have been clear.  2. I'm thankful for reliable transportation. We got back to Utah just in time for the final "covered with the purchase of the car" service appointment. Nice to have that done, even if the next oil change is on us.  3. I'm thankful for parents. We took John's parents for a drive out to Antelope Island, and although we didn't see the resident bison herd this time--(were you expecting me to say...

  A red sign with white lettering that reads, "YOU ARE HERE" sits in a window in Southampton, England Last year, John and I traveled--a lot. Sometimes, it took a minute to remember exactly where I was. (The sign above was oh, so helpful!) This year, we haven't made future travel plans. We find ourselves in the stage of life where we see the possibility of generations above and below us needing more of our attention. So, we are dancing our way through limbo-land; being present in the moment while thinking ahead of things that might make the future easier.  1. I'm thankful we took last year to do so much traveling. It was a bit of a whirlwind. Even though I love seeing new places, I'm also a homebody by nature. I have no regrets about saying "yes" to so many vacations. No matter what the future holds, we made those memories together.  2. I'm thankful that while a new year can signify a new start, a new moment can, too. So what if I didn't consisten...

  A Gentoo penguin plods along the beach in the Falkland Islands in December 2024 Sometimes when I sit down to write a Ten Things of Thankful post, a theme clearly develops as I reflect upon the past week. Other times, like today, nothing in particular comes to mind as far as a theme goes, but yet there has been lots to be thankful for. This week, I'm thankful: 1. for a neighborhood ornament exchange. I've managed to miss it every year we've been here, for one reason or another, but this year I finally went. It was fun to chat and laugh with neighbors.  2. for the temple. It offers such a spirit of peace. 3. for game night. About once a week, we get together with youngest son and his girlfriend for dinner and game night. It's always good to laugh and talk together.  4. for the church women's organization. We had our Christmas party on Thursday night, and (OK, maybe there is a theme developing) it was good to laugh and visit together. 5. for talented performers. We w...

  A bright yellow sun sets in an orange sky above mountains and a lake I missed posting last week, though I had a rough draft written on my phone: 1. airport lounges 2. visiting musicians at PDX 3. everyone OK in small plane (an incident at our destination closed the airport for several hours, delaying our arrival home) 4. son picked us up hours later than expected 5. oldest grandchild is now a teenager! 6. oldest son and his wife were able to come for Thanksgiving weekend, as well as youngest son and his girlfriend, and youngest daughter 7. days spent visiting the aquarium, a museum, and a stained glass display 8. snow that waited to fall until after oldest son and his wife were headed home 9. the beginning of the Christmas season 10. John Now on to this past week: I'm thankful for:  1. a haircut. I'm on a twice-a-year schedule, but by the time the next appointment rolls around, I'm definitely ready! (That's probably a sign that I should make try 3 times a year, but le...

  A vintage image of a child pulling a pumpkin in a wagon, with the caption, "Thanksgiving Greeting. A pumpkin I bring you for Thanksgiving Day, With wishes that plenty may e'er with you stay." It's here: the week of Thanksgiving in the United States, when "We gather together" and reflect on "the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child" as well as "friends on earth, and friends above." We feast and enjoy the warmth of shelter and good company. Participating in the Ten Things of Thankful is a fitting way to kick off the week.  The Ten Things of Thankful blog hop, by nature of its title if nothing else, encourages us to enumerate (to 10) things we are thankful for, but also is flexible enough to not require an exact count. Also, as Clark has dubbed "hypo-grats," allowance is made for things that wouldn't appear to fit, but provide opportunity to develop an attitude of gratitude. ("What doesn't kill you make...

  13 year old yellow lab, Drexel, looks into the camera It's been quite the eventful week, so let's dive right into the list! 1. Granddaughter #5 (aka grandchild #7) was born on Sunday afternoon. I haven't met her in person yet, but from what I can tell from the photos I've received, she's adorable. I'm thankful for grandchildren. 2. Drexel turned 13 years old on Tuesday. That is in human years, so he is more a sweet old gentleman than an energetic teen. I'm thankful for Drexel. 3. Tuesday was also Veteran's Day here in the United States, which was a chance to remember those who served our country--including both of my grandfathers, who served in World War II. One grandpa was in the Navy in the Pacific, and the other served in the Army stateside as an Army postal worker. I'm thankful for veterans. My dad's dad, in his Navy uniform My mom's dad, making his rounds on his mail carrier bicycle. 4. Also Tuesday, I was able to cross something off m...

  Stock photo of two hands placed upon an open notebook, preparing to write Have you ever attempted to keep a journal, only to realize that somehow your last entry was from weeks, months, or even years ago? The thought of trying to adequately report on the events of the elapsed time is overwhelming. What happens then? Do you ignore the missing days and just pick up from the present? Do you give a perfunctory accounting, or do you painstakingly try to recreate the past and vow to never again get so far behind?  I'm still trying to figure out just which method I will take for this blog, though I'm leaning toward the middle of the road idea of using a few words and photos in reflection, moving on, and calling it good. If the Bible can be as succinct as "And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:10), then surely I can be forgiven for glossing over September and October. The plan af...