A Heart of Gratitude

I am thankful for:

• Salvation, grace and mercy as a believer in Jesus Christ. I fail daily, but pick myself back up again and try to keep fighting the good fight.
• Mark, my husband. He always supports me, helps me and actually believes in me more than I believe in myself. He is off from work this week. Work has been increasingly stressful for him, so I'm glad he took some time off. He's cooking the Thanksgiving turkey a la Alton Brown.
• Reasonably good health. Aging is not for sissies, but any complaint I have pales in comparison to the suffering of others.
• Wonderful friends. I don't have many friends, but the ones I have are tried and true.
• Enough. Enough food to eat, clothes to wear, water to drink - basic needs met - which is more than many people in the world can say.
• Being an American. On it's worst day, she's still the best country in the world. I'm thankful for my freedom and know that it comes at a price. I'm thankful for those who sacrifice much to defend her. I worry that so many people seem to have forgotten that freedom isn't free. I'd like for everyone to find a copy of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence and read them - thoroughly, without interjecting any personal prejudice.
• My personal history. All families put the 'fun' in dysfunctional. There are not 'normal' families. But as I am in different gatherings, talking about people and things that have happened throughout my life and even before I was born, I am reminded of what a colorful history I have. There is good and there is bad (well, not real bad) but it all makes me who I am and that's OK by me.

This certainly isn't an all-inclusive list, but it covers the top 7. Since 7 is the number of completion, I'll stop here. I'm not sure, but I think I heard someone gagging...ha!

Return From Paradise

In my mind, Callaway Gardens = Paradise. I've often said that I would like to take a busload of atheists to Callaway and then have them tell me there is no God. The most elaborate cathedral of the wealthiest congregation cannot hold a candle to the magnificence of God's creation.

The weather was nothing short of perfect - not too hot, not too cold, clear skies, cool breezes. We went a week later than usual. Unfortunately, a lot of the gardens were in transition. Even so, I still managed to get some pretty good pics.

Plus had some critter sightings, which is always a good thing. I saw the fattest chipmunks I have ever seen. No pics of them, though. They are quick to dive into a hole. There was a gray squirrel really pissed that I was walking down 'his' path. He barked at me from a branch directly over my head. I laughed out loud, thinking of the scene that would ensue if he decided to pounce upon my head!

Before we left, I got some great pics of fox squirrels. Usually they are very reclusive. I don't know what has happened, but these guys (or gals or both) almost hammed for the camera. I was within 10-15 feet of them and they didn't even offer to run away. Just too cool!!

I don't think I've ever seen so few people there. Indicative of the economy/gas prices, I'm sure. However, that did make it nice and quiet & we got a much needed break from daily life. Now we'll be looking forward to going again.