Best wishes to those who are though, and I'll see you on Monday.| This is from an email, author unknown: TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, |
Click here for a Thanksgiving greeting from Jacquie Lawson.
In 1830, Victorian novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote these words as the beginning of a novel titled Paul Clifford:
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."
That lengthy sentence has become synonymous with bad writing. "It was a dark and stormy night" is a recognized phrase to many even if the book's title and author are unknown.
Most of us who blog enjoy the written word. Why else would we be here? I am here because I have more to say than what my family is capable (willing?) of hearing. 
Whether thought provoking prose or a fun limerick, I love to read. Incomplete sentences are ok. Sometimes making one's point is improved in ways that would make my strictest English turn over in her grave. Sorry Miss Fleming. Really.
If you are thankful for good writing, you need to visit a friend of mine. Her name is Kelli and her blog is Counting My Blessings. Read her often. You won't be disappointed. Just remember that she was my friend first. Try to claim otherwise and I will fill your email inbox with the likes of "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."
I could probably write wretchedly worse if challenged, so beware! 
Another hectic couple of days ahead, both with the business closing and Thanksgiving dinner prep beginning. I feel like I've been a slacker getting around to visiting all the Blue Monday participants. There just haven't been enough hours in my days lately. Hopefully that will be settle down, if not soon, then by January. I really do enjoy Blue Monday, hosted by Smiling Sally, and love to see how varied the posts can be all who join in. The logo is a clickable link that will take you to Smiling Sally's blog.
When my sister-in-law and I went away for the weekend a few weeks ago, I found this adorable box in a gift shop. With a grandson on the way, I had to pick up the box for a closer look.
Look what was inside! Six pair of adorable baby socks, designed to look like sneakers for a baby boy! The colors are black, dark blue, red, green plus the lighter blue and orange pair shown outside of the box.
I'll have to take the socks off to kiss sweet little baby feet, but won't he be stylish when I'm not nibbling on his toes?
And for today's Thankful post, I am thankful that Kim is having a healthy pregnancy and that she and Chuck are mostly moved into their house now.
Life is good.
When you feel like a cow, lazily grazing in the afternoon sun, and you know that your backside is a bit broad (heck, it is very broad), sometimes a cattle prod is required to get you moving in the right direction.
My friend Theresa provided the cattle prod. Thankfully, it didn't hurt. She did this via the telephone. She called a few days ago with a suggestion and today we acted upon it. We joined Planet Fitness. We will go on Monday to a class to determine which routine and machines we should start with, and how to properly do things.
The session will run from 10 AM until 11 AM. I guess this means we could go to lunch afterward! Even a heifer mooooving towards fitness needs to eat. To think otherwise is udderly ridiculous. I guess I should stop with the puns before I am accused of milking them for all they are worth.
Gosh, even the cows are blowing raspberries at this! I can take a hint! I'm done for the day. 
Despite my moaning and groaning lately, I am basically a happy person and optimistic. The changes we are going through are challenging, but so is the Sudoku I work each morning and I look forward to that. I smile often. I laugh a lot. I look for humor and joy and usually find it.
When happiness, love and joy arrive unexpectedly, it takes my breath away. This isn't because I live without happiness, love and joy, but because I am so tuned in to these feelings, it is hard to surprise me. I was surprised recently and that is what today's thankful post is about.
Years ago, on a large message board that was part of HGTV (Home Talk was the forum), I became friendly with a woman who loved vintage things. Vintage was part of her board name and many of us referred to her as Vinty as a nickname. That large board began to have problems with contentious members and many small private forums were created. Vinty and I coexisted on two or three of them, but those boards were short lived and the big board at HGTV was closed.
A year or two ago I reconnected with another former poster from Home Talk who had her own blog. I don't know how she and Vinty found each other, but I was happy they did as it led me to Cami (Vinty) and her blog, Creating Myself. Go there and look around. She has a great eye for finding things at yard sales and store sales, bringing them into her home and transforming them into more than they were before her hands touched them.
Cami is the source of my recent unexpected happiness. Look at what she sent me:
Look closely....Do you see why these made Cami think of me? The ladies are knitting! They are knitting with blue yarn and black knitting needles.
These ladies are in my bedroom for now, but I think they may become part of a new knitting bag after the holidays.
Is there anything nicer than knowing someone was thinking of you? Thanks again Cami, and thank you everyone who stops here to read.
