Day 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57 – SO Busy!

It has been a busy few days. Let’s see… An 8-hour drive in torrential rain – NOT grateful. Arriving safely – grateful. Follwoing a GPS that thought it was in Timbktu – NOT grateful. Having a GPS that eventually did get it right – grateful. Visiting a very dear friend – grateful. Arriving to find … Read more

Day 52 – Leavings

Boxing Day involves a lot of things: sales, gift returns, leftovers, visiting – and of course goodbyes, This Boxing Day involved a particularly special goodbye though. Darren, who sings with us in our vocal ensemble, Collage, is leaving very shortly to take a position in California. Today they hosted a farewell open house. Darren is … Read more

Day 51 – Christmas 2011

Christmas is so full of things for which to be grateful. Family and friends around us, good food and far too much of it, fun, games, laughter, surprises, more food, more friends – the list just goes on. There’s the the crush of shopping, the rush of wrapping, the panic as you check that list … Read more

Day 50 – I Understand

I don’t know how anyone put up with me today. I was cranky, miserable, upset, sad, grumpy – and I couldn’t figure out why, much less break out of it. I eventually said, “Give me a list” and went shopping for a few things we still need for Christmas. It helped a bit, as long … Read more

Day 48 – Christmas Shopping

‘Tis the season – finally. Forget all that well-meant advice about starting shopping in August, pacing yourself to beat the crowds and taking the time to put some thought into your gift for each person. There are times – okay, years – when it’s simply not possible to do that. So, sorry to all you … Read more

Day 47 – Gifts

There is nothing quite like being able to give a gift. Sometimes it takes a little help from a friend, but when it works out and is received and appreciated it is a wonderful feeling. Today my friend Janean saw a posting for a concert she would have dearly loved to see – but of … Read more

Day 46 – Heaven

There’s a good reason why we think of heaven when we think of harps. To be transported, spiritually, emotionally and even religiously by the music of a harp is nothing short of heavenly. How much more so when it’s an entire ensemble of harps, with beautiful, achingly beautiful voices and an array of perfectly chosen … Read more

Day 45 – Stupidity

It’s not too often that I’m grateful for doing something stupid. Fortunately, this time it was mistrusting a friend. Yes, I panicked that perhaps a trust and a bond had been broken by something I had said or done. I wasted a lot of energy fretting over that. I was proved wrong. The energy wasted … Read more

Day 44 – Cookies

We finally got around to some Christmas baking today, H and I. There’s something just so enjoyable and close about working in the kitchen with an 8-year-old who loves baking! We found a recipe for Thumbprint Cookies – basically shortbreads that you dent in the middle with your thumb and then fill with jam after … Read more