Thankful Thursday

PERSEVERANCE...

Some days, weeks or months are better than others...I am feeling a little inclined towards burrowing under the covers and "hiding out" sigh...the thought comes to my mind...And It Came To Pass. It is True, in a twinkling of an eye...those desperate moments pass and the sun comes out shining brighter than ever!!!

A few tunes I've been humming lately reminiscent of "ole blue eyes" Frank Sinatra...a few lines from the song...High Hopes

Next time you're found, with your chin on the ground

There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant

Think he'll move that rubber tree plant

Anyone knows an ant, can't

Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes

He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time you're gettin' low'stead of lettin' go

Just remember that ant

Oops there goes another rubber tree plant...

And..."Would like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, be better off than you are or would you rather be...a mule...a pig..." I'll take the star and the moonbeams thank you!

Blessings abound and today I am thankful

• for a most glorious bright sunshiney day with a delicious crisp breeze
• a Friday ALL TO MYSELF...some homecaring, birthday party set up, a little self care
• hair appointment on Saturday morning which means the lovely Laurel will make me beautiful...plus she'll wash my hair...that is joy!
• Super Hero birthday party for Hunter who turned 5 on Tuesday...I am thinking I will be Super Nonnee
• my husband telling me that I am the BEST part of his life (I love you too, honey)
• for a list of blessings that could go on and on

I do have a grateful heart...I do have days when I do not remember this as well...I am always able to shift my thinking...eventually. Wishing you moonbeams in a jar and a weekend of swinging on stars!!!

Patchwork Life

"We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a little joy, then a sorrow, now a sin, then a generous or brave action” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I adore patchwork quilts. The idea of taking bits of fabric to create something useful and lovely. Most of our collection of quilts returned to my children's father after the demise of our marriage. His grandmother, mother and aunts were the creators. Grandma Ola's quilts were carefully inspected...as she became older and began forgetting things...you were just as likely to be stabbed by a very long quilting needle. She would make several "generic" quilts to be given to the new mothers. During her time...boy and girl children were not determined until birth. Each star on the purple quilt represents a family member and a story significant to my youngest daughter. Her Dad's old work shirt, my Father's ties, Grandma's gown...the blue Appalachian Trail bandanna belonging to my brother...he hiked the entire trail from Georgia to Maine not once but twice in his short lifetime. So many memories. The dear, sweet grandmother of my children recently made a quilt for me consisting of large squares in myriad colors. Being a mother of six children she was always frugal and used everything. In her mid seventies she is still serving others...being an example of all that is lovely and good in this world.

Life reminds me of a huge patchwork in progress with the Master tailor choosing the fabrics and "sewing" them together for our greater good! Each person, place and event forming the pattern of our lives. Every joy, trial and temptation teaches something if we watch and listen.

Judgement, drama and pettiness have no place in a life that is striving for authenticity, goodness and all that is praiseworthy. This is perhaps one of the greatest tests of all...accepting differences...do I have the right to "judge" the elderly woman in gold lame' pants...the panhandler on the curb...the emo or goth kids hanging out at the mall? These people, their lives are just one more square on our patchwork quilt. Imagine a quilt with just one color and all the stitches being exactly the same...Can you live in a world void of colorful characters and places?

Roosters in my Kitchen!!!

Have you ever had an invasion or infestation of some sort? My kitchen has run rampant with chickens and roosters!!! This guy right here is the instigator! He was spotted clucking around an art shop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and insisted on going home with me. He bobbles his head each morning in greeting. My darling husband brought home a few more crazed looking buddies and thus a collection of randy roosters and coquettish chickens was born. Of course, once your friends are aware of what they consider a "theme", chickens and roosters adorn each gift you receive. I am grateful for each and every rooster and chicken...however, the must visit on rotation or we would not have room to cook or eat! None of our roosters or chickens look remotely like anything you would see on a farm. They tend towards the unique...just like us!

I have some watercolor prints of a rooster and chicken in fabulous bright colors (they came home with the funky chicken/rooster above) One states, "The rooster crows because he knows Hope Dawns" and the other, "So many eggs in one basket, Celebrate" I think these are apt descriptions of the Loose Lemon's household. We are so very blessed and in being so must celebrate each day with JOY and GRATITUDE!!! And a healthy dose of laughter. As my friend Jayne always says, "No matter how dark the night, morning always comes" One of my neighbors had honest to goodness live chickens and roosters and sure enough...every morning that rooster would crow letting us know a new day was dawning.

With each new day begins a new opportunity...no matter what the yesterdays are like...today is a new day. I just love the very thought of having a new beginning each and every day! And I would really like some chickens and a rooster! I am truly not a morning person but the sound of the rooster always cheered me up...it is something about that cock a doodle doo...it is like I'm up, lets get this party started!!!