Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Rainy days and blessings

Taken yesterday
It's been a bit dreary around here lately. But the rainy days are behind us for awhile, it seems! Although we received more than an inch of rain here in Bellingham yesterday, the forecast looks clear (after a small chance of rain today) all the way through the weekend. If it weren't November, I might be thinking of going skydiving. The season pretty much ends in this part of the country as November rolls around. Instead, I'll be doing my usual Saturday walk and probably going to see a movie.

Many of my friends have been doing a month-long listing of things to be grateful for. I'm feeling pretty darn grateful for all the blessings I've got in my life, not the least of which are my blogging family. You guys make me reflect on my blessings every morning as I read what's going on in your lives. I never knew how much my world would change when I began this blog. It's nothing short of incredible.

And my nephew Peter rode his motorcycle successfully all the way from Michigan to Florida yesterday, with no mishaps! At this time of year, that's pretty amazing. Norma Jean now has her family together again. Whew! I did worry about him yesterday. Another sister, Fia, is having a birthday today. We got together one year ago to celebrate her turning fifty and me turning seventy. That means I've got another birthday coming up, too. Each one is still a lovely celebration, which I didn't realize when I was younger. I thought by now I'd be conveniently forgetting them. Nope!
:-)

29 comments:

  1. wow, that year went FAST! i remember your post about fia and your celebration like it was just a few months ago!

    i am grateful for the world that opened up to me through blogging, too, and all the wonderful souls i would not have connected with otherwise...

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  2. Just amazing how time flies. November is always a cold, dreary month here, but with the promise of Christmas to come, and Yule of course! I am content to draw the curtains and curl up with a good book.

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  3. I think I can understand something about your feeling related to dreary weather. It has snowed a bit just about every day for a week. Not that we're getting huge piles, it's the continually grey skies. Bah! Humbug!

    Glad to know that Peter is safe.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  4. I too think we need to be grateful and mindful of all the wonderful things we do have in our lives...

    and thank God that your nephew Peter got where he was going safely. I have 2 nephews that have had terrible accidents on motorcycles in bad weather. One will always be bedridden and one is at the moment mending slowly.

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  5. Gee, I wouldn't dream of riding a motorcycle that distance. Thank goodness, Peter arrived safely in Florida. It's hard enough driving a car, much less a motorcycle. Lol.

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  6. The warmth and the wonder of the blogosphere is indeed something to provoke gratitude. Lots and lots of gratitude.

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  7. I have no idea where 2013 went. Yesterday it was Christmas 2012, today it's nearly Thanksgiving!

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  8. On a motorcycle from MI to Fl..now that is an adventure, glad to hear he arrived safely..I bet Norma Jean was relieved.
    Ah I am thankful for you too! :)

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  9. I should have started that gratitude list. I have plenty of things.

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  10. Gratitude is a key too happiness, I've come to believe. And so are blog friends!

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  11. Blogging has been a complete surprise to me. I never imagined how much joy it would bring. Happy birthday for your forthcoming event. It really doesn't seem like a year ago that you were celebrating your 70th.

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  12. wow...what a trip on the bike...i bet it was fun though...i know i have said it before...but when i first started i never would have believed the amazing people i would meet along the way...smiles.

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  13. WHERE has this year gone? I swear it seems like only yesterday that it was May....I guess time flies when you are having fun.

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  14. Now that was one long bike trip. I wanted to take such a long one before I hung up my helmet but arthritis beat me to it. So glad he had a safe trip.

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  15. When I pulled up your blog on my screen just now and saw your face, I said, "Hi DJan." It just seemed good to see your face. I agree with you. I had no idea how much my world would change once I began blogging. "It's nothing short of incredible." I count you, your blog, and all my blogging friends among the great blessings of my life.

    Age is just a number. You are not the typical 70 year old. I guarantee you of that.

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  16. It's not only age that we appreciate more. Our life experiences add layers and layers to each part of our life. Yes the numbers start to get pretty big! You can handle it!

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  17. I like the photo with the rain drops and a few red leaves still hanging on.
    It got colder today and I am not adapting well to the cold this year. I want to be still hanging on too.

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  18. I am grateful every day - from when I open my eyes in the morning and all day long until I crawl into my bed at night and sigh. I think about my day and my friends and family and smile when I think of you jumping outta planes and climbing mountains. I think you should star in the next version of "Climb Every Mountain" - that might just get all those "Jumpers Over 70" to the theater. :)Have a wonderful day.

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  19. I just love hearing from people all around the world and am inspired by so many of them, including you! I love your photo with the last little touches of red. At first I thought they were cardinals!

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  20. Right back at ya. Gratitude pressed down and flowing over for all the blessings in my life. What a good practice to actually take the time to list all we're grateful for. When I was going through a particularly dark time in my life years ago, I kept a gratitude journal listing the 5 concrete, specific things I was grateful for each day. It helped me through.

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  21. Feels like frozen winter over here.
    I am also amazed at how blogland has changed my life. If someone would have explained the internet and blogging to me 50 years ago I would have thought--cool science fiction! ;)
    Every year is a celebration! Every day is a gift! :)

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  22. So thankful to read that your nephew had a safe trip as he biked from the north to the south. My hubby had a Harley and traveled from Florida to Mexico on it (No. I did NOT go on that ride.) Riding a bike is a dangerous thing....usually not because of the biker but because automobile drivers simply do not SEE bikes. I am so thankful that he had a safe trip. )
    I am also happy to read about your sisters. Give them my love.
    Thinking of you as the parachuting "season" is almost over. (I didn't know how to say that...but I think you know what I mean. :)) ) As you enjoy your walks, know that your blogging friends always send you hugs and warmest smiles. I am thankful for your friendship.
    Happy Thanksgiving, Jan.
    Jackie

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  23. Birthdays are always a good thing in my point of view...it's another year of living!!!

    That image almost....ALMOST...looks like cardinals in the tree. I wish we had some of the rains.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you since I'm not gonna be online next week!!! Hope it's safe, happy, and healthy!

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  24. This year has gone very fast indeed. We had no summer to speak of since it rained for almost 3 months, so we went from spring to fall – but the fall is lovely this year. I do enjoy reading all the comments from my blogging friends and particularly yours. I am happy when I can find out something that is new for me and for my friends – I always think – why, what happened, when did it start, etc., then I start researching and enjoying it. If my friends enjoy this too I am doubly happy. I have not seen a movie for a while though. Today we went for a walk around a senior center. We went in – it is very modern. They show movies once a month, free, the one for January is the Great Gatsby which I have not seen, so we registered to see it.

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  25. happy for the safe trip for you nephew, the sister named Fia having a birthday, your birthday, so much of life becomes clear as we age.

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  26. Incredible, indeed.
    I hope you'll let us know when it's your birthday!
    And if you choose not to, I hope it's a great one!!

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  27. I echo your sweet sentiments about blogging. It's amazing how much it opens up our world, isn't it?

    And like Tex said, I can't believe a year has already passed since your group celebration. Happy birthday to your sister.. and to you, soon. :)

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  28. Have a wonderful birthday, DJan. Last night I stopped to count my blessings that I was next to Art, nothing hurt, I had a roof over my head and my brain was still working. I have to be grateful for everyday that I have those blessings because they can be fleeting.

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  29. That is amazing, glad your nephew had a safe trip to FL. Keeping count of the blessings is always a good thing, it helps us to appreciate what we have.

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