Counting My Blessings #2: Neighbors

I am thankful for my neighbors. I live in a housing community surrounded by a wonderful group of people. Our community was a tree farm then bought and divided into 49 lots on both sides of the county road. We each have enough space between us to have privacy, yet it feels safe to know people are there when you need them. If there is a power outage (which happens quite often!) neighbors check on neighbors. One helped another recently with a wood stove installation while some can fix a satellite dish. Others bring cookies to the door and some host "Home Alone" holiday parties for the neighbors that are spending the holiday alone. Many of my neighbors attend our community church so we worship and pray together also.

Some robberies occurred a few years ago so a Neighborhood Watch program was initiated in our community. It has helped to have people keeping a better eye on the area. I know that if I was in danger, needed help, or just wanted company that my community around me would come running. For that I am thankful.
GH and RM at G's recent birthday celebration at our house.

Counting My Blessings #1

This month of November I will present a post each day of something I am thankful for. For Counting My Blessings #1 I chose this poem because I am thankful for the "silent hills of my childhood when a light glowed within me".

A Prayer

Let me do my work each day;

and if the darkened hours

of despair overcome me, may I

not forget the strength

that comforted me in the

desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright

hours that found me walking

over the silent hills of my

childhood, or dreaming on the

margin of a quiet river,

when a light glowed within me,

and I promised my early God

to have courage amid the

tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness

and from the sharp passions of

unguarded moments. May

I not forget that poverty and

riches are of the spirit.

Though the world knows me not,

may my thoughts and actions

be such as shall keep me friendly

with myself.

Lift up my eyes

from the earth, and let me not

forget the uses of the stars.

Forbid that I should judge others

lest I condemn myself.

Let me not follow the clamor of

the world, but walk calmly

in my path.

Give me a few friends

who will love me for what

I am; and keep ever burning

before my vagrant steps

the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity

overtake me, and I come not within

sight of the castle of my dreams,

teach me still to be thankful

for life, and for time's olden

memories that are good and

sweet; and may the evening's

twilight find me gentle still.

~ Max Ehrmann ~

Photo Hunt: Blue

I have no reason to feel blue when I gaze at my blue glassware collection in the kitchen window. For other photo hunts go here.

Hello November!

"It's mornings like this;
The stingy sun trying to hold back
Even the warmth of its reflection
Flashing coldly In the lake.
When November leaves drop in sudden gusts,
Like a red and yellow flock of birds
Swooping at once to ground.
Or even nights:
When winds reach wet hands
To take you spinning with random paper
Down back street gutters, under straining bridges
To clogged rivers.
It's this:
The time of year, along with spring,
When poets must take care
Not to sing the same old songs
Stolen from tribal memory."
- Thomas R. Drinkard

Good-Bye October!

"The leaves fall patiently
Nothing remembers or grieves
The river takes to the sea
The yellow drift of leaves."

- Sara Teasdale

Crazy Teacher on Crazy Hair Day

When you work in a K-12 school everyone gets to enjoy the special events surrounding Homecoming, Halloween, Veteran's Day, the school carnival, and Christmas . As we wind down Homecoming Spirit Week with the football game and Halloween parade and program tomorrow, I must admit it has been a week full of nutty outfits, goofy props, and crazy hair. I think some learning has also gone on. I usually display a conservative dress code at school... except on Crazy Hair Day. This teacher went a bit crazy today. At least my wig comes off. I wouldn't want to be FC tonight as she tries to get this hair back to normal!!