Thanks-Living

I like Thanksgiving. I like being around family, the smells, the food, and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and seeing Santa bringing up the rear and bringing in the Christmas season. There's not really a build up nor a "well that's over" feeling afterwards either. It's a day we celebrate that the pilgrims didn't starve to death. (How the Europeans treated the Native Americans after they were settled - I'm sure the Native Americans wished their ancestors left the pilgrims to sink or swim on their own, but I digress...)

Anyway, this Thanksgiving, I was reminded that we should be more aware of our blessings everyday, and that we should have a "Thanks-Living" way of life with an "Attitude of Gratitude." Everyday I thank God for His blessings and ask Him to forgive me for taking so many for granted. It reminds me of a story of a man who was stranded on his roof during a flood. He asked God to save him. His neighbor came by in a little row boat, and the man said, "No, you go on. God is going to save me." Later the Coast Guard came by, and the man said, "No, you go rescue some others; God's taking care of me. Finally, as the water is lapping at his roof gutters, a helicopter flies over, but the man yells, "No thanks! God will take care of me!" Finally the flood waters envelope the man and he drowns. When he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, I asked you to save me! What happened?" God replied, "I sent your neighbor, the Coast Guard, and a helicopter! What more did you want?!?"

Often in the day to day living, we forget about the little things that have been given to us. I asked my sixth graders to jot down some blessings, and while they wrote, I did, too. Here's some of mine: hummingbirds; watching a thunderstorm move in; taking a nap; playing four-square; the smell of brownies cooking; the smell of a horse barn; a good foot massage; my bird "kissing" me; Christmas carols; windchimes; Christmas tree lights; the first buds of spring; the coolness of an old barn on a summer day; a baby's laughter; watching a good movie with buttered popcorn, Milk Duds, and a Coke; finding seashells; the wind at the beach; roasting marshmellows over a fireplace; all my students' essays graded; the first and last day of school; the look of understanding; when our hand-bell choir is "with it"; and reading a book while soaking in the tub.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

When God Answers Prayers

As the spring of 2006 was heating up and I was beginning to walk again, I was worried about my walking partner, my Lhaso Apso, who would soon be turning twelve. Here I am, 5'8", making pretty good strides, and my little dog doing her best to keep up. Georgia's summer heat, even in the early morning or late evening, can be quite stifling.

You may think, "Leave your dog at home," but she's used to walking with me, and she seems to know my schedule-when I'm putting on shoes to go to work, or when I'm putting on tennis shoes to go walking. Anyway, she likes to go walking, and it makes me sad to make her stay inside, especially since she's been there all day.

Well, one evening I did. It was just too muggy, so I was off by myself. BORING!! Yes, I had my iPod with me, but I missed my companion.

My shepherd mix had died the previous December, and I was tossing around the idea of getting another German shepherd. I wanted a big dog, and one that would walk with me.

God answered my prayer, but I didn't recognize it at first. At the beginning of summer break, my husband came home and told me his help had found a puppy out in the pasture being chased by the cows. I told him to bring it to the house, and into our lives entered Gus. He was about ten weeks old, scared, but happy, and do I mean happy, to be with people and other animals. I wondered if he could keep up with me, being just a baby. My little dog didn't seem to mind either, as long as he wasn't trying to lick her in the face.

He hasn't stopped since-keeping up with me and trying to lick my little dog's face.

I've tried to wear him out. He reminds me of a child who doesn't want to go to bed at night, afraid that he'll miss something. That's Gus. I've traveled in a Gator, up and down the driveway (one way is half a mile), through pastures, everywhere, and there he is, running with his tongue lolling out, but with an expression of complete joy.

He's a hyper son-of-a-gun. More hyper than I have ever handled (and I've had lots of dogs in my life). After one tedious day, I asked myself why we always get stuck with drop-offs and strays.

That evening, while I was walking, God reminded me that I asked for him.

I watch Gus run, and I smile. He makes my spirit happy.

Fall's Bounty

I've always had a hard time deciding which is my favorite season. Is it spring, when the earth wakes up and showers us with color, or is it fall, when she grows tired and readies herself for bed? I am ready for spring; I get tired of the grayness of winter, but I'm also ready for fall since I also get tired of the South's heat and humidity.

Both spring and fall offer a symphony of colors, but fall is the time for pecans!

The air cools and I start to look at my pecan trees. Will it be a good harvest year? Was there enough rain and sunshine this year? This summer my favorite pecan tree was destroyed in a summer storm (their branches are really weak!), and I wondered where I would find another favorite. I didn't have to look far. Up the pathway stands two wonderful trees that I have overlooked for the past nine years. I don't know why...I walk by that section quite often. But one day, as I was waiting for my husband to come get me so we could go scout other locations, I looked on the ground and spied clumps of pecans, just waiting to be picked!

Now that the leaves have blanketed the ground, finding them reminds me of egg hunts during Easter. Only now I have slide my feet along, moving the leaves as I go.

Seventy-three pounds later, my new-found favorites are still producing!
I can't wait to toast some!

The Need to Vent

I think venting is healthy. The emotions don't stay bottled, eating away at you.

I need to vent - online.

I accepted the challenge of being the director for the One-Act Play, another cut-throat competition where our young adults are judged. Unfortunately for the students, I hate to lose; I'm very competitive, so that also makes me very demanding when I'm put in this kind of position. Fortunately for me, my cast was ready to meet my demands, and we were ready for Region. A bit exciting and stressful, I might add, because I have no theater training!

How is it that two judges rate me second best (good enough to move on to State), but one judge ranks me fifth?!?

These students were good, and they knew they were good. They even said, "Last year we deserved seventh place (last) because we were horrible, but this year..."

I can't even give them a reason. I'm still dumbfounded myself.

At our Awards Ceremony we have at the end of the year, I'm giving them trophies. Engraved will be three words that speak volumes, "We Were Robbed!"

By the way, I'm taking the challenge again next year. I'll retire when I get to State!