tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9733824676196934322024-03-12T19:26:03.359-07:00Sweet Tea and Sunshineinspiration: found, shared, appreciatedsherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.comBlogger1153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-13812954625871423862016-09-11T21:58:00.001-07:002016-09-11T21:58:12.632-07:00Gratitude for a new week, with a side of inspirationI just realized that we haven't left the property in 48 hours. How luxurious is that? Quite. Not sure I'm quite ready to break this little run of home time. <br />
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A whole weekend at home a bit unusual for us--there's typically something or other that will compel us out of our weekend cocoon. But this weekend I packed a bit of work home, and dedicated quite a bit of today toward getting my home office in better shape for me to actually want to spend time there. I have a problem when things get a little too piled up and stacked up--I just don't want to spend time in that kind of space. So clearing away always makes me feel so much more eager to sit down and get some work done. That, and I stole (I mean, borrowed) Seth's castoff monitor that he left behind, so now I have an extra (and much larger) screen, which is bonus for this aging lady's eyes!<br />
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I suppose with that lead up, you'd expect that I'd be here saying it was a kick-ass productive weekend. Um. Sort of? Definitely got a few things done, and made some really yummy end-of-summer meals filled with fresh-from-the-garden produce. And, I did get my office pretty tidy, so yeah, I guess. But there was also some delicious relaxation, and some telly binging too. I finished off <a href="http://www.pbs.org/show/tunnel/">The Tunnel</a>, which I enjoyed pretty well, though I found the end a little unsatisfying. It begged a more climactic and twisty end, I thought. Ah well. Still enjoyable.<br />
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I'm grateful for all the joys of autumn. For everything between now and January 1, I am almost giddy with anticipation.<br />
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I'm grateful for the peace and quiet of our home, for the space to fiddle with hobbies and for our garden and chickens and room for doggies to roam.<br />
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I'm grateful for my thoughtful husband, who always considers us, and me, before him.<br />
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I'm grateful for music. For getting songs stuck in my head, and humming and singing along. <br />
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I am most grateful for the bounty that is so evident around us, every day. Right now the garden pretty much gets up and walks inside for dinner. Well, wouldn't that be lovely? It feels so close, really--tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, kale, squashes, okra... so delightful. <br />
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We continue to have stunning sunsets. I never fail to stop and stare, slack-jawed, at our beautiful surroundings.<br />
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And having a farmstand to fill in the vegetable gaps (not many right now), and pretty flowers to boot is a fabulous bonus.<br />
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I saved up a few inspirations for my week, and of course I have to share.<br />
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From my Instagram wanderings...<br />
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For laughter, following Apple's iPhone announcements this week...<br />
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And some words to call upon as the week begins...</div>
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Wishing you a joyful and peaceful week. </div>
sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-13136824812263583422016-09-02T18:06:00.002-07:002016-09-02T18:06:34.904-07:00Friday night grateful listThis has been a most excellent week with my guys. Very peaceful. Very quiet. Daily walks (I missed one especially rainy day, but that's only because I got caught up in my calligraphy and didn't notice it getting dark. I was still planning to go out, however briefly.). Good food. Naps. Netflix. Wii bowling. What's not to love?<br />
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The weather was generally quite lovely. Below are my panoramas, from about the same spot in the beach, each day. We also tended to walk all together around sunset, which is a lovely time on the beach--and the tide was out! <br />
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This could be one of my favorite places on earth. Top 5, for sure. And to get to chill with the guys, have good talks--I think we solved at least one of the main challenges of the world this week--and dial up another episode of <i>Stranger Things</i>... pretty blissful.</div>
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This week I also found myself grateful for:</div>
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Great home help while we're away. The house, the dogs, the chickens--they are all in excellent hands. We couldn't do it without that extra set of hands!</div>
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Technology. As much as I didn't dial in to work very much--both Alan and I consciously made an effort to disconnect as much as possible--it was good to be able to check on things as needed. </div>
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Graham crackers and milk. All these years later, graham crackers and milk is still THE quintessential snack.</div>
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Pens and paper. In spite of all the technology, I still loooooove pens and paper. And making lists. In a moment of silliness, I talked myself into two online challenges: #rockyourhandwriting and #planwithme, both part of the <a href="http://bulletjournal.com/">Bullet Journal </a>community. Not sure why I thought doing both would work, but the handwriting one should sort of write itself, right? And the planner one, well, I've been working on making my daily planner really work for me for quite a while, and I thought this would kick it up a notch. Time will tell. Check me out on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sherileec/">Instagram</a> if you're curious about the posts, but of course, they'll pop into the top right column every time I post, too.</div>
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Bonus people. I have friends who are friends because of we forged a one-to-one relationship--we went to school together, or worked together, or we met sometime in the past. But then there are people I met <i>because of</i> those primary relationships, who have become important in my life--friends of friends who became friends. Those are bonus people. Bonus people are awesome. I had a lengthy online conversation with two such lovely ladies this week that reminded me of all the things we have in common, in spite of very different circumstances. I love (and am grateful for) commonalities.</div>
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Seth. What can I say about that young man that I haven't said a thousand times before? He's delightful and so good to both Alan and I, and his relatives from his many families, too. We get to see him a few times this fall, so I'm feeling great about that. And his independence grows with each new experience he tackles, and I'm feeling good about that too. So grateful for this summer, for our time together, and his joyful presence around the house.</div>
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Reminders. I love to put myself in the path of good reminders, and part of my #planwithme challenge is going to be even more intentional with reminders that put me in the right space for good work, and a good life. These few reminders have been especially poignant for me lately:</div>
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(Stumbling is not falling, in case that's hard to read!)</div>
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Wishing you a peaceful and picking-daisies kind of weekend.</div>
<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-4174691440952958682016-08-31T07:52:00.002-07:002016-08-31T07:52:37.196-07:00May It Be So<br />
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Almost exactly one year ago we dropped Seth off for his first year of college. As for any parents of a freshman, it was an exciting time for us all, with lots of unknowns and anticipations. As I look back on the year, I think we all did a rather tremendous job at letting go and being let go of. As he enters his sophomore year, Seth feels more strongly than ever that he made the right choice for himself with his college pick, and as anyone with a kid can tell you, a contented child is pretty much all a parent asks for.<br />
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One of the things that appealed about PLU to me personally was that it is not a secular campus. Of course I'm completely aware that kids will find what they are drawn to (secular, sacred, and the whole spectrum in between) at any school, anywhere in the world. But knowing that it's a part of the culture, and that speaking to <a href="http://www.plu.edu/vocation/what-is-vocation/">vocation</a> and a higher calling outside of self was something that I appreciated.<br />
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When we were oriented as parents and then gently separated and sent away (well, it was a bit more subtle than that, but not much), there was a student-welcoming ceremony that parents were able to observe, prior to the actual convocation that started the school year. During that service, the campus chaplain (I think?) read the following poem. (I know, right? Publicly-shared poetry? Of course Seth has found the right place for him! Ha.) I fell in love with it and have been meaning to share it ever since. It has all the hallmarks of any "new beginning" declaration--new year calendar-wise, or new year school-wise, what does it matter?<br />
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<b>May It Be So</b><br />
May the year bring abundant blessings--<br />
beauty, creativity, delight!<br />
<br />
May we be confident, couragous,<br />
and devoted to our callings.<br />
<br />
May our lives be enriched with education.<br />
May we find enjoyment in our work<br />
and fulfillment in our friendships.<br />
<br />
May we grow, may we have good health.<br />
In darker times, may we be sustained<br />
by gratitude and hope.<br />
<br />
May we be infused with joy.<br />
May we know intimacy and kindness,<br />
may we love without limit.<br />
<br />
May the hours be enhanced with music<br />
and nurtured by art.<br />
May our endeavors be marked by originality.<br />
<br />
May we take pleasure in daily living.<br />
May we find peace within ourselves<br />
and help peace emerge in the world.<br />
<br />
May we receive the gifts of quiet.<br />
<br />
May reason guide our choices,<br />
may romance grace our lives.<br />
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May our spirits be serene,<br />
may we find solace in solitude.<br />
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May we embrace tolerance and truth<br />
and the understanding that underlies both.<br />
<br />
May we be inspired with vision and wonder,<br />
may we be open to exploration.<br />
<br />
May our deepest yearnings be fulfilled,<br />
may we be suffused with zeal for life.<br />
<br />
May we merit these blessings<br />
and may they come to be.<br />
May it be so.<br />
<br />
Note: "May It Be So" and its Hebrew counterpart are abecedarian poems, a type of acrostic in which the initial letters of key words appear in alphabetical succession. Abecedarians were a popular form of piyyud (liturgical poetry) composed for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, typically to delineate sins or to enumerate God's attributes. These new English and Hebrew abecedarians express wishes, hopes and blessings. <a href="http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poetic-form-abecedarian">Source.</a> (Go back and read it again, now that you know the abecedarian nature of the piece. I have, many times, and appreciated that additional layer.)<br />
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As I've reread it over the past year since I first heard the words, I am struck by all that is so simply articulated, and how much of all of our lives it applies to--not just students, but certainly them as well.<br />
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My heart is full as we send the young man off for another year of learning and growing. May it be so. sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-34853031993608225052016-08-29T08:13:00.003-07:002016-08-29T14:05:45.119-07:00Letting go while holding on tightI found this in my Facebook memories this morning, as one of those back-to-school musings from years ago. They struck me again as words to remember, and rather than reshare there, I thought I'd memorialize it over here on the blog, with a note about how poignant these words are to me, still. <br />
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"Life seems to flood by, taking our loves quickly in its flow. In the
growth of children, in the aging of beloved parents, time’s chart is
magnified, shown in its particularity, focused, so that with each
celebration of maturity there is also a pang of loss.<br />
<br />
This is our human
problem, one common to parents, sons and daughters, too--how to let go
while holding tight, how to simultaneously cherish the closeness and
intricacy of the bond while at the same time letting out the raveling
string, the red yarn that ties our hearts."<br />
-Louise Erdrich, <i>The Blue
Jay’s Dance</i>sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-7513800762596640832016-08-27T18:48:00.001-07:002016-08-28T09:46:47.705-07:00A salad to obsess over: Fresh corn saladGiven how long it's been since I posted a recipe, you must be thinking to yourself, this is a really special recipe. And you are right.<br />
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We have an amazing local chef in Walla Walla who makes a corn salad at his take-out joint (in a gas station, which is awesome), and I have enjoyed it a number of times. But me being me, I thought--actually for the first time, this summer--I should be able to make this at home, right?<br />
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And right I was. After a Google/Pinterest search or two, I found a great many recipes purporting to be "Mexican street corn salad," and narrowed my findings down by reading a few and deciding on one that seemed close to what I'd tasted in the past.<br />
<br />
So I made it, and tweaked it, made it again, and kept tweaking. It has, over the course of many makings this summer, evolved to a place where it feels different enough from the original recipe(s) I spotted online, and also very, very good.<br />
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<b>Fresh corn salad</b><br />
6 ears of sweet corn, cut off the cob<br />
1/2 medium sweet (I like the Walla Walla, of course!) onion, diced<br />
2 cloves of garlic, diced<br />
2 Anaheim peppers, diced <br />
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Saute the first three ingredients over high heat, until the corn starts to blacken and scorch a bit (not unlike grilling or roasting). Add the peppers and saute for a few minutes more, until they wilt a bit. Take off the stove to cool.<br />
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1/2 cup mayonnaise<br />
1/2 cup cojita cheese, crumbled<br />
Juice of three limes, squeezed<br />
1 generous bunch of cilantro, chopped (at least 1/2 cup)<br />
6 green onions, chopped <br />
1 tsp chili powder<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
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In a large bowl mix the mayonnaise, cheese, and lime juice, and stir until well blended. Add the cilantro, green onion and chili powder, and mix.<br />
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Once the corn mixture has cooled slightly, toss the dressing with the corn and stir well. Serve with extra cheese, and adapt at will. We have enjoyed this concoction in quesadillas and tacos, I've added tomatoes and avocados and really enjoyed it that way too. This is probably the most repeated recipe in our house this summer, which--knowing Seth's and my shared penchant for pesto--is saying something!<br />
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I highly recommend the fresh corn aspect of this salad. Many of the recipes I found called for frozen or canned, and I think that the fresh corn just makes it. I also tended to up the cilantro as I went along, and got no complaints from the guys! The one time they were less wild about it, I couldn't find cojita (not every town has the cheese selections of Walla Walla, let's just say, and on vacation I had to make do) and used parmesan. Just not the same. Go for the cojita.<br />
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I hope you make it and enjoy as much as we have this summer. I decided to blog the recipe so that Seth can access it from college this winter if he decides he can't do without a corn salad fix.<br />
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This recipe makes roughly eight cups. So divide that as best among your eaters. In our house it tends to go pretty quickly. :)sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-25609268421366639902016-08-26T21:31:00.000-07:002016-08-26T21:31:15.977-07:00Friday night grateful listSome weeks the grateful list pretty much writes itself. If I wasn't grateful, sitting at my current (and favorite) location with my favorite guys, you'd really have to wonder!<br />
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Life is good. This is our view for the next week and then some (well, this view involves a walk, but you get my drift), and we are all just a little blissed out after what seems like a long summer of work without a break. No complaints, but certainly feeling at the moment like delayed gratification is a true thing; in this instance the pay-off was worth the wait.<br />
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Driving along today, I was sometimes alone, listening to podcasts (Alan and Seth driving together), and sometimes with Seth. (Seth will go straight on to PLU next week, hence the two vehicles.) When he drove, we listened to music and talked, and I read to him a bit from a Pema book I pulled off my shelf and brought along, last minute. Some good stuff--I always find her helpful--if a little dire feeling/sounding. Sometimes contemplating the state of the world isn't really what you need, especially heading out on vacation. It didn't quite have the pep of a good back-to-school conversation, so we let it go after a bit, and just talked. I am so grateful for my communicative kid, who likes to share what his latest passions are, and what interests him. <br />
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This week was back-to-school in our neck of the woods and I loved seeing all the first-day pictures of my friends and local acquaintances. It's such a ritual, and one that social media really caters to--one of the good sides of the sharing, in my opinion. I am grateful for our community, and for the people in it. Of course this funny popped up somewhere in social media over the course of the week. I chortled. <br />
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File these next couple of pictures under inspiration, for the days when I need something tangible to put my mind to. I think applique is probably my favorite needlecraft, and then I see some amazing embroidery, and I think, no, that too! This picture came across my Instagram feed and I just paused and ooohed and awwwwed for minute. I love this style, so much.<br />
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And then calligraphy, which is always a source of inspiration for me. I follow many different types of letter artists on Instagram, and tuck away little quotes and words and tips about supplies and such for my off-work ponderings.<br />
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Things that have made me laugh recently: <br />
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Other things that are on my grateful list this week:<br />
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Cooler days, though I'm less fond of the shorter days. Where is my 5 a.m. light?!<br />
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Continued blessings from the garden, from okra and peppers, cucumbers, kale, tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash, to cabbage and basil and more kale. We like our kale smoothies! And what we aren't growing can be so easily found at the many local farm stands. It's embarrassing, how overflowing with produce we are. <br />
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Good health, and good sleep.<br />
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Carpet cleaner. Seriously. What would we do about marks on the carpet (I'm looking at you, General) without carpet cleaner? I don't want to know.<br />
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Cheese. I read something today about the ills of the dairy industry. Well, I should say I started to read it and then I thought, why would I want to know this? And tucked it away for later. I am willing to give up a great many things in my life for the good of my body and the planet, but I am pretty sure cheese is not going to go bye-bye. Milk? You can take that, no problem. Certainly cottage cheese and even cream cheese. I could probably figure out a way to part with yogurt, even though I do have that in some form or other every day. But cheese? Yeah, no. Can't do it.<br />
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Inspirational people. I'm not really talking about the kinds of stories that are always so prevalent during the Olympics, people who have overcome huge obstacles to be there and compete. I'm talking about every day kinds of people who just are living their lives and influence others for good. I feel like I'm blessed to know quite a few people who fit this category, and am better for the interactions.<br />
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Inspirational words. I ran across this Rumi poem recently:<br />
I prayed for change, so I changed my mind.<br />
I prayed for guidance and learned to trust myself.<br />
I prayed for happiness and realized I am not my ego.<br />
I prayed for peace and learned to accept others unconditionally.<br />
I prayed for abundance and realized my doubt kept it out.<br />
I prayed for wealth and realized it is my health.<br />
I prayed for a miracle and realized I am the miracle.<br />
I prayed for a soul mate and realized I am the one.<br />
I prayed for love and realized it is always knocking, but I have to allow it in.<br />
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I am grateful to, as Mary Oliver puts it so well, be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world. Always. Grateful.<br />
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Have a lovely weekend, wherever you are. I know I will. sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-53742058552594087242016-08-14T22:23:00.001-07:002016-08-14T22:24:23.653-07:00Sunday night is good for grateful too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I do realize I missed Friday night. It was a long week, and it was filled with the usuals, but sliding in to Friday night I just wasn't in the mood to connect to my keyboard. Now, if I could figure out a way to telepathically share my gratitude, that'd be something.<br />
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But at the end of a lovely weekend, I can't help but share my gratefulness for so many things. As is usually true, there are so many more things to be grateful for than not.<br />
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I'm so grateful for my husband, who went above and beyond helping me out with some household items (doesn't that sound vague, and maybe like he ironed?) this weekend. His thoughtfulness is something I don't take for granted.<br />
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This weekend I got a bit of a cooking vibe on. I love everything about prepping food, and then the creation that follows, playing with flavors and variations on recipes. Being in the kitchen is one of my favorite places, and having lots of different dishes going on at one time makes me happy as can be. I also listened to Eric Ripert's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/32-Yolks-Mothers-Table-Working/dp/0812992989/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471232448&sr=8-1&keywords=32+yolks" target="_blank">32 Yolks</a> for a few hours, and reveled in his story, as sad at times that it was. There's such resonance in hearing someone talk about their formative experiences with food and having that, "me too!" feeling. I am so grateful for the plentiful produce in our area right now; there's so much that's ripe and fresh and being grown within 10 miles of here. Current obsession: corn salad. This <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/07/mexican-street-corn-salad-recipe.html" target="_blank">corn salad.</a> Life altering, I tell you.<br />
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Watched <i>Pitch Perfect </i>again this weekend (for the umpteenth time, I'm sure) and just have to say that even if I can't sing Like That, I sure do like music so very much. I am so grateful for people who can express themselves a musical gift, and that movie is so re-watchable to me just for the humor. Of course, the songs are pretty memorable too.<br />
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I was going to share a <i>Pitch Perfect </i>clip, and went to YouTube to find one that had all my favorite bits, and of course, because interwebs working the way they do, I am now sharing a clip of Anna Kendrick and Kristen Chenoweth singing "For Good," from <i>Wicked.</i> I know you get how that happened.<br />
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You know what I'm REALLY grateful for? That I don't have to watch ALL of the Olympics to know what's going on. Side note: I could not believe that when I turned on the telly this morning while I was in the kitchen that of all the things they *could* be broadcasting, they were showing golf. GOLF. On a Sunday morning? Could be any Sunday, any where. Baffles me. How about showing something uniquely Olympic? I was hoping for something other than golf, as you can probably tell. But, back to my gratitude--I love that clips of all the sports (and that awful green pool) are available any time I want, online.<br />
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Just a couple more weeks before Seth embarks on his sophomore year, and I am and always will be so grateful for this summer. Such a lovely time together, and we still have a week of holiday to look forward to. De-lightful.<br />
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A friend sent the picture below to me this week. I'm grateful to be known by my people.<br />
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I was so happy to get to see meteors this past week. The Perseids always make August a better month for me, and I have fond childhood memories of sleeping under the stars with my brother. I set my alarm for 4 a.m. Friday a.m., knowing that pre-dawn is always better than trying to battle the moon for good gazing. But something woke me at 1 a.m., so on my way to the bathroom (of course), I passed by our slider, and a meteor falling caught my eye. I thought, "wow, they really must be falling at a quick clip," so I took a few minutes and went out on the deck, thinking this was going to be quite a show. Not so much. Back to bed. At 4 a.m. I saw maybe three or so before saying skip it and returning to bed. Same drill Saturday morning. I think the rumors of "double the number this year" were greatly exaggerated, but maybe that was just our backyard. <br />
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As grateful as I am for autumn coming, I am already missing the super-long days. I know it's not possible to have them both--cooler days AND lots of sunshine--but a girl can wish, can't she?</div>
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I can't believe I'm this far down in my grateful list without having mentioned this auspicious date, which is my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. On one hand, the notion of 50 years rather boggles the mind, but on the other, knowing how fast time goes by, it doesn't seem so long. Oh, who am I kidding? That's a massive amount of time, and truly an accomplishment. It's no small feat to give your children a stable and intact platform from which to launch into the world, and it's certainly something for which I am very grateful. Kudos and congratulations, Ma and Pa. Here's to at least 25 more!</div>
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All I can say in defense of sharing this photo is: anyone can share a wedding photo, or something posed. But how often do you see a picture that embodies who a couple is. This picture does that for me. I couldn't find a better one if I searched for days.</div>
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And in case you're in need of a little Monday cheer by the time you read this, I encourage you to make the photo below your new phone wallpaper. Have a great week!<br />
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sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-50471346534839262252016-08-05T20:35:00.000-07:002016-08-05T20:35:11.435-07:00Friday night grateful listSeems like we were just here, right, counting our blessings? Certainly feels so, and not in a bad way, just in a zoom-zoom way. What is up with time? Feels like someone has their finger on the FF button on the VCR remote. Or, rather, the DVR remote. Silly old me.<br />
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Meanwhile, this renewed weekly pause in the speed continuum is a helpful thing. It brings me great joy to sit here as the sun starts heading down, earlier and earlier each night, and think about the things that went right this week, and even in the things that didn't, what there is to be grateful for.<br />
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Tomorrow is husband's birthday. Of course I'm grateful for that, for the day of his birth and all the twists and turns in his life that brought him to Walla Walla, and me to Walla Walla (much less twisty turny), and our eventual togethering. There's a great deal to be grateful for, right there. But I'm also grateful that not only is he a thoughtful partner, he's a loving step-dad. Doesn't get much better than that.<br />
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Today we took a little break from work and played together, did some errands and had a late lunch and generally took it a bit easier. Delightful and entirely too rare, which is probably why I felt extra-grateful for our time together.<br />
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Home tonight, and looking out across the third batch of alfalfa this summer. It pretty much grows right in front of your eyes, and it's not hard at all to be grateful for our green-and-gold setting. The wheat across the street was harvested this week, and the stark shadows brought about by the angles of the cutting are just fascinating to me. All across the landscape between here and the hills just out of town it is alternating green and gold and brown, the usual August patchwork.<br />
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This week I am grateful for chickens that produce eggs, even if they are wee and still somewhat infrequent.<br />
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I'm grateful that the skunk who visited twice last week did not return this week.<br />
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I'm grateful that I still believe there's a larger plan to the daily national nonsense that really feels crazymaking some days. Believing in a higher purpose helps calm me down--though I do at times have a hard time remembering that at 2:30 a.m. when I wake with a bunch of what-ifs and holy craps running through my head. Gotta remember to breathe. Critical, that breath.<br />
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I'm grateful for technology that allows me to step away from work but still keep tabs on stuff. Though, of course, I wonder if it wouldn't all just keep motoring along even if I didn't do the tab thing. But it's good to know it's there if I need it.<br />
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I'm grateful for sharing. In these days of constant social sharing, I suppose that might seem like an odd thing to be grateful for, but I have to tell you: I have the BEST friends. I don't have friends who argue and post weird and wild controversial things (most days). I have friends who post encouraging words, thoughtful words, inspiring words. I am so blessed. (I did do a wee bit 'o paring down of friends recently, and a smidge of hiding too, so it's not that the "other" kind aren't out there, I just choose carefully the energy I'm going to expose myself to.<br />
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To make a long (see paragraph above) story short, one of my aunts shared a lovely excerpt from a Madelaine L'Engle book recently that I loved. It's a quote from the author Ellis Peters, I guess, and goes something like, "He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding in his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands, all those people who were in stress or grief." Isn't that a comforting and uplifting thought, that you could live your life in such a prayerful way as to hold in your hands the stress and grief for others? And that someone might do that for you?<br />
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I'm so grateful for rest, for the 24 hours ahead of me and the peace and quiet it will bring. Well, other than the birthday celebration. Rest, make cake, more rest, wrap presents, eat cake, more rest, opening presents, more cake. Sounds like a winning combination to me!<br />
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Always, I'm grateful for color. This week--or was it last? I think it might have been last week--a dear friend gave me 100 Pantone postcards. My heart fairly leaped with possibilities--a beautiful box filled with 100 beautiful cards surely must exist for a beautiful cause. What words will be written on those cards? I've been pondering, of course. Surely they must be words of thanks. Yay for dear friends and yay for 100 postcards of color. And not just any color. Pantone color.<br />
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I'm grateful for health. I don't take that for granted, especially on weeks when the sleep is a little shy. I know what lack of sleep does to the immune system, and I don't like it, not one little bit. Which also makes me grateful for sleep, and for the righteous sleep I know I will have tonight!<br />
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Wishing you a righteous sleep, whenever you read this. And a peaceful and joyous weekend.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-40575409699016267432016-07-30T18:34:00.001-07:002016-07-30T18:34:36.204-07:00Grateful list: Sabbath addendumI have come to spend too much time in contracts, apparently. I couldn't decide for a minute whether adding to my grateful list is an addendum or an amendment. Oh dear. Of course, it's an addendum--I'm not changing anything I said yesterday, just adding to it.<br />
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Things I forgot to mention:<br />
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I'm grateful for people who don't take the easy way out. Don't get me wrong, sometimes easy is the best choice. But often, it's not and people turn away. When I see coworkers or friends or family taking the path of least resistance, I am inspired and grateful.<br />
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I'm very grateful for health. I certainly don't take it for granted, though I've not been the best at taking care of myself lately. But I pay attention to my immunity and try for good sleep, and if anything feels too far off kilter, I make adjustments.<br />
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I'm grateful for a semi-thick skin. There's probably a more gracious way to say that, but I don't tend to take a lot of things personally. As soon as I say that, something will transpire that cuts me to the quick, I'm sure. But in general, most days, I'm able to see that people act because of their own inner workings, not because of something I've done. Which is not to say I can't be offended--hardly.<br />
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Figs! I'm always grateful when fig season rolls around, and this year I've already gotten a half-dozen off one of my trees. The other two are in full leaf and have grown SO much, but no fruit. Curious. Grateful for the few, and also so glad that local grocers have gotten the fig memo too. Nothing beats homegrown, but I'll take supplemental figs any day.<br />
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I'm grateful that my kid shares his world with me. We've watched a number of videos by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mrskimps/featured" target="_blank">a guy he likes who creates video essays around gaming, web culture, and social politics,</a> and I find them very interesting. Not something I would naturally seek out, even though I probably should--the way gamers see the world and consume content is going to become more and more mainstream as they grow up and get jobs and influence culture.<br />
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I'm grateful that my husband shares his world with me too. Saturdays are our catch up time, for conversation outside of work, to talk about what we're reading, watching, and thinking about. In between naps, I love our conversations.<br />
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And these two. Grateful for them too. They read the blog last night and were gravely disappointed that Tess was the only one who made it in with a picture. They have been petitioning me all day. Ha. No. But I do love these sweeties, and they are a big part of my relaxation on the weekend.<br />
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I'm grateful that there's air conditioning in my world right now. I'm someone who usually has a cardigan along for layering, and that's still the case, even when it's 100 degrees. And I do love the heat. But wow, it's warm out there right now. Savoring a cool inside, and ice cream doesn't hurt, either.<br />
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I'm grateful that the political conventions are over. I will be glad when November has come and gone too, and I'm sure the next few months are going to be filled with some degree of unease, but the specific circus that surround the RNC and DNC are so completely not my cup of tea. <br />
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Last, the sunsets. These are on my list a lot in the summer, and now that harvest has started (well, it's been going on for some time, but I came home to it happening across the street last night), the sunsets are extra rosy with dust. Love them. So grateful for these wide open spaces I call home.<br />
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OK, now I feel like my gratitude is complete. Last night's offerings were just too short. Thanks for bearing with me. sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-66158643948747710812016-07-29T21:49:00.000-07:002016-07-29T21:49:15.941-07:00Friday night grateful listThis grateful list began on a massage table.<br />
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That could be the start and end of the list tonight, couldn't it? I had the good fortune of having my window of availability match up with my preferred massage therapist's same window, which frankly, rarely happens. Mostly because I don't get around to even checking to see if there's a possibility. But this week there was and I did and it was divine.<br />
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So I laid there and for the first half I did really well. I reveled and relaxed and even snoozed a little. Then, like a nasty germ, a work-related thought entered my brain. Nasty only in that it didn't belong in this quiet space. I did my best to banish it, but ugh. Didn't ever quite accomplish the same bliss in the second half as had been achieved in the first. Still, glad to have had that mostly-peaceful interlude to start the weekend off.<br />
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It's officially summer here, so that means that the complaints about the heat have begun. My favorite is, "Satan called, he wants his weather back." I will probably say that enough to drive my family and coworkers crazy for the next six weeks, or however long this bout of hellfire lasts.<br />
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<span style="color: black;">This week I am thankful for many things, including but not limited to:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Cooler evenings. Still love my evening wander in the yard, putting up chickens and dogs, and watering this and that to get ready for another blazing day tomorrow. Some night I'd love to sleep outside, but the skunk that's been stalking our chickens makes me think otherwise. Don't need to snuggle with that in the night. </span><br /> </div>
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The power of story. While I was mowing the other evening, I just felt in the mood to relisten to an old favorite of mine, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Story-Happy-Marriage-Patchett/dp/0062236679" target="_blank">"This is the Story of a Happy Marriage,"</a> by Ann Patchett. That lady can tell a story. I love this essay more than most, and every time I hear it--probably about once a year, I'd say--a new phrase stands out to me and I love it all over again. The story itself resonates in so many ways for me, but her style is also a big draw. At the recent recommendation of a friend I listened to Elizabeth Gilbert talking with Krista Tippets on her podcast, <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/elizabeth-gilbert-choosing-curiosity-over-fear/8786" target="_blank">On Being, </a>and Elizabeth referenced a story about Ann Patchett. I think that must have been what drew me back to *this* story, for a relisten. And another fabulous point--it is almost exactly the length of a lawn mow for me, from pulling the mower out to putting it back. </div>
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Our pups. I do adore all our pups, but this one sat still for a photo, so sweet Tess gets the feature. I love our furry buddies so much, and are so glad for their presence in our lives.<br />
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Animals that produce something of value. While that might seem like a jab at the pups, it's really not. I'm just tickled pink that the new chickens have started producing. They are a funny bunch, for sure; it's so interesting getting to know chicken personalities. And I can't wait to omelet it up tomorrow morning! <br />
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Friendship. Always thankful for friends, near and far. I know that I have more than my share of blooming flowers in my friendship garden, corny as that may sound.<br />
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The plethora of summer produce that is available. Currently enjoying tomatoes and basil with abandon, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, kale and okra. Next up, eggplants and more summer squash! Apricots are done, but here comes the plums! And can't forget the watermelon. I don't think a day has gone by without watermelon for some weeks. (I blame Seth. He's influential in the watermelon purchases.)</div>
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Seth. Of course. While I have this sneaking feeling I'm going to miss him more this fall that last, I am still so happy that he's on a path that he chose, and he is loving it. </div>
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Husband. Also of course, and then some. Thankful for his thoughtfulness, and his humor. Also, that he knows Walton's episodes well enough to tell me what's coming next. How awesome is that? I love it.</div>
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Sweet, sweet sleep. I've been doing mostly better in that arena, and of course, the minute I say that I'll have one of those lovely insomnia nights. Here's hoping not. I can usually count on Friday night being one of the good ones. Restful, with the promise of sleeping in and having a peaceful following day. </div>
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Wishing you a peaceful, grateful weekend. sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-64100234748250124922016-07-22T20:15:00.003-07:002016-07-25T07:14:31.783-07:00Friday night grateful list<br />
Summer has arrived! I know, I know, technically summer has been around for a month already, but in my world, summer equals warmth, which we haven't really been wallowing in yet this year. Finally, the warmth feels like it's building; nothing too drastic yet, but slowly, every day a bit warmer. It's delightful, even though it has now caused the rest of the apricots to plunk down to the ground at a rate I can't quite keep up with, no matter how many I give away.<br />
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Last night I was doing my nightly rounds while texting with a friend about our mutual need to ignore the current news, puttering with the dogs and chickens, checking the yard, and before I knew it, the sun had gone down. I hadn't really paid attention to the sunset--I was on the other side of the house, I think, when it really went down--and it was super dusky, warm and quiet. It was just so delightful to stand there and feel the night roll in. I stood there, in the middle of the back yard, and thought about the stuff that really matters, to me, and how I need to spend more time reflecting on those things, rather than letting my life get eaten up with less important matters. After a few minutes, it occurred to me that there should be a moon, shouldn't there? Where was it? Then I started thinking about the Pale Blue Dot video and pulled up YouTube up on my phone. I mean, I'm waiting for the moon, so why not go look at a space video with Carl Sagan's voice? I found the one below, which I don't think I've watched before; or if I have, it's been awhile. It's a longer version than just the main quote that gets shared a lot. It always resonates, but last night it super-resonated, what with all the weighty stuff of the world currently.<br />
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When the video was over I looked at the horizon and saw the glow. The moon! It was coming! Finally. I texted Seth to come and watch it, and he sweetly obliged his mom and came and watched, chatting as the glow-dial turned all the way up until the moon peeked over the Blues. I couldn't help take a couple of pictures, to try and capture this lovely night. (Of course they don't even remotely do it justice.)<br />
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I haven't told one of the stories that brought me back to Friday nights and my list, but I've meant to. There were a few of these interactions over my inactive year (or two) that reminded me of why I'd started doing it, and the value of not just being grateful, but of the act of noting gratitude as a ritual. I was at the spring musical at the local high school--something I did only once in Seth's whole high school experience, so not really my natural habitat. But friends had raved about <i>The Little Mermaid,</i> so I corralled another mom of a recent grad into going with me. We sat in the back (we're similar that way, I knew I was asking a like-minded date!), and beside two sisters and a mom I know. Lovely ladies, you know who you are, and your words of encouragement about missing the devotional feel of this Friday night ritual meant more than you probably realize. Thank you.<br />
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Week before last was a rough one, locally, as many lost a dear person, and the gathering that followed the loss brought my dear friend Kate to town. Of course that means gathering, and eating, and laughing and crying and sharing. Of course. Thank you, friends, for the time and space to be together. And thanks for giving me an opportunity to crack open a much-loved but not-enough-used cookbook, and bake up a <a href="http://thebakingbird.com/cake-recipes/apricot-walnut-and-lavender-cake/" target="_blank">delightful cake.</a> I will need to make this again, definitely.<br />
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This week, I am grateful for:</div>
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<b>Hugs from Seth. </b>Those hugs are awesome.</div>
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<b>Apricots. </b>Even though I sometimes curse how full the tree has been this year, I am so grateful for the bounty. And basil. And the tomatoes that are coming on, and kale, and zucchini and even the precious few okra we've had so far.</div>
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<b>Our pups. </b>Such sweet loves. They know exactly what we're up to in the mornings. They know when I'm getting ready to go, and they come upstairs to get more loving from husband before I put them outside. And of course, General *must* bark when I kiss husband goodbye. He just cannot deal with that affection. He is a funny buddy.</div>
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<b>Our view. </b>Being able to watch the sunrise and moonrise from the yard is not something I take for granted. If you follow me on Instagram you know that I'm rather captivated by my surroundings, and find the view very tolerable, indeed. I am stopped short by this landscape, almost daily. :)</div>
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<b>Water. </b>Not to be taken for granted, at all, in this world with limited resources. To be able to water my garden and bathe and drink and all the things we *do* take for granted. </div>
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<b>Friendship. </b>From my best-husband-friend to my girlfriends old and new, I am blessed beyond what I deserve. </div>
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The<b> instant gratification </b>of purchasing an airline ticket on a day when I needed something to look forward to.</div>
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The ability, and desire, to be <b>real with people. </b>When I observe un/non-realness (or as a normal person would write = inauthentic), the first thing I think is, why? The world is so much better when people are really who they are. And as I type that, I can think of a few exceptions. (Heh.) Maybe it would be better to say, "<i>In general,</i> it is better when people are really who they are."</div>
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<b>Laughter. </b>Always a plus, in any day. </div>
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Doesn't it feel like week before last, it was ALL Pokemon? And this week? Crickets.<br />
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Last, a few words to remember:<br />
"Just for today, I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to notice what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me." -Kenneth L. Holmes<br />
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Peace. <i aria-hidden="true" class="fa fa-hand-peace-o"></i>sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-31037788157381965272016-07-15T22:45:00.004-07:002016-07-15T22:49:57.759-07:00Friday night grateful listI should have two weeks worth of gratitude saved up, shouldn't I? Well, as a matter of fact, I do. (I know, you're shocked.) Truth is, with all the nuttiness near and far, I am increasingly grateful on a daily basis for the peace of my surroundings, the love in my home, and the ability to find joy in the smallest of moments.<br />
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We have been so blessed with the pace of this summer, heat-wise. We popped back up into the 90s one day this week, but other than that, it's been 70s and 80s. This has really helped the apricots not ripen at the speed they usually do, which has also been helpful since I have not been especially motivated to pick them. I can only eat so many, we have proven that we're not big jammy people, and I've already inflicted them on friends and co-workers. But I think this weekend, jam will be made, and more will be picked, and eaten, and baked. I do so love their color and flavor. A true sign of summer, to me. <br />
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Also a sign of summer in this valley are the sunsets. Pretty much every evening is beautiful. Even if the day is nothing special and even blah and cloudy, something happens about a half hour before sunset, and the light filters across the valley. I haven't tired of it in all the years I've lived here, and being out of town a bit the past decade, with more unobstructed views, my appreciation has only grown. I am often struck by sunrises as well, being a morning person, but there is truly something special about a Walla Walla sunset.<br />
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Still loving having the boy home. Thankfully, haven't quite started the countdown to the college return (well, the parents haven't, but the boy probably has), and having our little family routines and chats brings me great joy. Husband and I talk all the time about the process of tossing youngsters out of the nest (well, our youngster in particular) and this sweet little comic resonated with me. I think a great deal about what it was like for me to leave home at various stages: boarding school, college, Australia for a bit of school and then a bit of work, then more college. It feels more complicated for Seth and his generation. I don't know if it actually *is* or whether it's just the press around millennials and the challenges of employment and how many end up back home with the 'rents.<br />
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It can be easy to fall into thinking how the world is more complicated, with various and frequent violent actions taking place near and far. Seems out of whack, unreal. I think, has it always been like this? And of course will see opinions posted, "No! It's worse than ever!" and two seconds later, "Things are really much better than ever before in human history." Sure. Whatever. I'll just keep telling the people I love that I love them, and not take a single day for granted.</div>
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This week I am most grateful for:</div>
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My mix of introversion and extroversion. I like people well enough, but boy howdy I like my quiet time too. I'm glad to (mostly) get a good balance, even if it means some weekends I don't leave the house for 48 hours. </div>
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Singing. Singing is awesome, even if one is not especially gifted with the voice. It is lovely to hear coworkers pipe up with songs at various times throughout the day too. But, it sure would be nice if a few of them were old enough to know who Rick Astley is, is all I have to say about that. Sheesh. </div>
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This song got shared a bunch this week, and I loved it. I have always appreciated this song--I think I went so far as to make a mix tape (well, CD, but you know what I mean) a few years back of various artists covering it. Rufus' version has very much popularized the song for the less-Leonard-Cohen crowd, and the addition of the choir is quite powerful.</div>
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Memories. I had an old friend from my Australia school days reach out on Facebook recently, and it compelled me to dig up some old pictures and relive some pretty fun times down under. Hard to believe how long ago that was, and some things are fuzzy while other memories are pretty clear. </div>
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Greenery. I found a baby tears plant recently, and have loved seeing it flourish. Totally takes me back to my childhood, when I usually had a baby tears plant around. Very sweet and green.</div>
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Words. This piece, <a href="https://medium.com/things-ive-written/thirty-things-ive-learned-482765ee3503#.jpzwvg696" target="_blank">"Thirty Things I've Learned,"</a> popped up as something I'd shared on Facebook a couple of years back, and I re-read it. Good stuff. Probably need to schedule an annual reading of it. Also popping back into my feed lately have been Pema words, which always always always resonate.<br />
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Patience is not learned in safety. It is not learned when everything is harmonious and going well. When everything is smooth sailing, who needs patience? If you stay in your room with the door locked and the curtains drawn, everything may seem harmonious, but the minute anything doesn’t go your way, you blow up. There is no cultivation of patience when your pattern is to just try to seek harmony and smooth everything out. Patience implies willingness to be alive rather than trying to seek harmony. -<i>Pema Chodron</i><br />
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Love that woman. Should probably schedule an annual reading of that nugget, too.<br />
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Do you remember what we did before emjois? I don't. It's very strange, that we all end sentences with smiles and winks and hearts and little slices of cake. Oh I know, YOU probably don't. But I do, and it's weird. I would never have thought that I'd be searching on my phone for a little celebratory emoji to wish a friend a happy birthday with. Go figure.<br />
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All that is to say, if I could put a little emoji here for you, I would. Oh wait, I can.<br />
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sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-58053008757514389342016-07-01T22:16:00.002-07:002016-07-01T22:16:54.545-07:00Friday night grateful listThere is simply nothing quite like the Friday night that precedes a long weekend. I'm practically giddy with the idea of that mythical extra day between Sunday and Monday being a reality. Short week next week? Don't mind if I do.<br />
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But for all my giddiness, this was a pretty good week. One of the teams I work with set some records in the workplace (boo-ya!) and beat some deadlines--one quite resoundingly. That felt good. And in general, there's a summer happiness in the air. Seth is enjoying his work at Walmart, cashiering it up at all hours of the day and night--he had one shift end at 11 p.m. this week, and another start at 7 a.m. (though luckily not the morning after the 11 p.m.!). I bet you can't guess which one he liked better. Heh.<br />
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I spent a couple of summer evenings in the yard this week and fell back in love--not just with the peacefulness of the setting, but the work itself, and how good it feels to be out there with my hands in the dirt. There is a special magic to those end-of-day hours in our valley, where the light hits everything <i>just so</i>, and it's not so hot you can't breathe. Though, honestly, I'm not sure we've gotten over 100 yet--I should say yet again, we did have that odd first weekend in June hot spell. I can do 85, 90, even 95, quite easily. But working outside in 100 degree weather takes a particular grit that I'm not currently embodying.<br />
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One of the things that has always made yard time go more quickly for me is when I have a book dialed up on my iPhone and I am interested in knowing what's going to happen next. Right now I have <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eligible-modern-retelling-Pride-Prejudice/dp/1400068320/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467433182&sr=8-1&keywords=eligible+book" target="_blank">Eligible</a> playing, and it's a rather delightful listen. It's a "modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice" and is every bit as filled with the witticisms and annoyances (Mrs. Bennett, anyone?) as the original. I have also recently listened to Anna Quindlen's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Millers-Valley-Novel-Anna-Quindlen/dp/0812996089/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467433333&sr=8-1&keywords=miller%27s+valley" target="_blank">Miller's Valley,</a> as well as<a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Kitchen-Year-Recipes-Saved/dp/140006998X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467433523&sr=8-1&keywords=my+kitchen+year" target="_blank"> My Kitchen Year</a> by Ruth Reichl, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happily-Ali-After-Other-Fairly/dp/0062238493/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467433611&sr=1-1&keywords=happily+ali+after" target="_blank">Happily Ali After</a> by Ali Wentworth, and Padma Lakshmi's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Loss-What-We-Ate/dp/0062202618/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467433641&sr=1-1&keywords=love+loss+and+what+we+ate" target="_blank">Love, Loss and What We Ate. </a><br />
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My biggest misstep there (in terms of what's good to listen to rather than read) was the Ruth Reichl. I didn't really read much about the book other than to know it was her telling of the year after <i>Gourmet</i> shuttered, and I knew she'd had a rough go of it. But I just skimmed past the whole "136 recipes that saved my life," and listening to someone read recipe ingredients doesn't really do much for me--except put me to sleep. So in a way, it's been a good book to fall back to sleep to on those nights I wake up with to-do lists bouncing around my head.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005547/" target="_blank">Ali Wentworth</a> I got because I just love Ali Wentworth. I do that with celebrities and their books, it's one of my People-magazine-reading personality shortcomings. I most enjoyed Ali when she had a web series called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Head-Case-Complete-Alexandra-Wentworth/dp/B002XJDUXU" target="_blank">Head Case</a> that was only 12 minutes per episode. I found it hilarious. Anyway, the book is fine, and mildly funny. Also not bad for falling asleep to. That's my bar--can I work in the yard to it? If not, how about fall asleep to it?<br />
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This week, as always, I am ever so grateful for friends. Had the joy of meeting up with this dear one tonight and getting our toes painted. As is Sara's effervescent way, she made friends with a pup in the salon who was dressed (yes, that's a dress--and a bonnet) up and smelling fine. And by fine, I mean hair products. Who knew? My poor pups are lucky to get brushed. Product? That's for poodle pups, apparently. But catching up with Sara, sharing stories and laughing--that's always a good time. And, because she won't tell you this, I have to: she's a good wife. I know few women who are as supportive of their husbands as she is. <br />
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This week I am grateful for color. Oh, color. You knew that would come galloping back to the grateful list sooner rather than later, right? See this project below? Swoon, baby. Swoon. I must make this. Now. Going yarn shopping. This. Weekend. As I say when I wear that <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-z-blogging-challenge-c-is-for-color.html" target="_blank">scarf,</a> or those <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BB1cToCI0Mz/?taken-by=sherileec&hl=en" target="_blank">gloves</a>, or these <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_9vPf8I0AB/?taken-by=sherileec&hl=en" target="_blank">shoes</a>: how can you have a bad day around color like that? (Seth said something to me recently about my favorite color being rainbow, and at first for some reason I objected. He just looked at me, like, "Really, Mom?" I just saw <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-z-blogging-challenge-r-is-for-rainbows.html" target="_blank">this post </a>as I was looking back for links, and laughed. He's right.)<br />
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I am grateful for the berries. Always with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries. If there's a "berries" on the end of it, I'm all in.<br />
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The apricots are ripe. I'm grateful to have an apricot tree.<br />
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I'm grateful for shows like <i>Orange is the New Black,</i> even though they make me sad.<br />
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I'm grateful for my thoughtful husband.<br />
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And so grateful for my sunshine boy. I will say this every Friday night this summer, I bet: having him home is a gift. Now, when he woke me with a mini-crisis at midnight Wednesday night, did I feel that gift in my heart? No, I did not. But come Thursday morning, well, maybe Thursday afternoon, the gift was back.<br />
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Picked another fig (teeny tiny, miniature--but oh the flavor!) off the one fig tree that HAS figs. Grateful to be actually growing figs!<br />
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I'm grateful for laughter. I do love a good laugh.<br />
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I'm grateful for sleep, which has been better of late. (Well, except for that one night where I ate a bunch of watermelon before bed. Skip that night. OTHER than that night.)<br />
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I'm grateful for my pups. Such love.<br />
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I'll end as I began, with gratitude for this weekend. I have big plans to do nothing part of the time, and something the rest. It's a little more formed than that in my brain--but not much! Looking forward to seeing what joys the weekend holds, and wishing you the same joy.<br />
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Peace. </div>
sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-64575387977194130952016-06-24T21:48:00.001-07:002016-06-24T21:48:14.934-07:00Friday night grateful listOh lovely weekend, welcome. My arms have been wide open, waiting to welcome you, since at least Wednesday. Thanks for finally showing up!<br />
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It's been a wild and wooly week, as my mom used to say. Lots of unusual things popping up to be handled--nothing too unusual, but perhaps it was the volume? Buckets instead of cupfuls, or to have a happier metaphor: a giant rainbow cake of awesome "things that need to be handled." No cupcakes around here, oh no. Whopping layers of cake. Yum.<br />
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Meanwhile, the grateful. Such a glorious time of year around here. Long, long days, with lots of light to wake me early, and keep me awake on the other end too. Very grateful for the blinds we have in our bedroom that help keep the light out--this week it had to keep out that strawberry moon business too, from Monday night. Seth and I were out for a bit of exercise when the moon rose, and it was lovely to see it rise in that harvesty way that is mammoth and warm.<br />
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And early in the mornings too, when I'm out with the dogs and the chickens, I'm struck by how green and beautiful everything is. We haven't ramped back up the HOT weather yet, just lolling around in the low 80s. Very hammock weather. I walk past our hammock. That's about how hammocky my week was. (Insert wink emoji here.) (I really want to wake up one day in a post-emoji world, but then I think to myself, how on earth would I add an extra "touch" to my texts?! Amiright, Ma?!)<br />
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Having Seth home is such a gift. There's really no other word for it. Just knowing he's here, even when he's not in the room with us, makes me smile. He started his new job this week, as a WalMart cashier. I saw him in action tonight as I got a few supplies. He was intent on his scanning responsibilities, and I kept the proper Mom distance. There's a rule that family and friends have to avoid their relative worker, so I behaved, even though I was sort of tempted and if caught would have pulled out my ID--look, different last names, we're not related. You can see I thought through this a little bit. Such a silly mom. Such a silly, grateful mom.<br />
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Seth and I are on track to eat a record amount of watermelon this summer. If there isn't a watermelon currently cut up and being eaten, there are leftovers in the fridge, or another one on the counter ready to cut, or both. Of course it's a little early for truly local melons, but we have been enjoying some real gems who have taken a trip north to our bellies. The other food item we are quite ahead of the game on is pesto. The one thing I got planted early is basil, and it is beautiful, bushy and fragrant. I love keeping it trimmed of its blossoms, and having the lovely scent on my hands for awhile after. Happy summer days! So grateful for produce, especially the local farms.<br />
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For this week especially, my grateful list includes (but is not limited to!):<br />
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Sweet husband and his thoughtful ways.<br />
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Our haven of a home, where I can tuck away for a day of rest and come out the other side energized.<br />
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Friends who drive hours to come to town for lunch and a visit and a laugh. Who can cut through nonsense in zero time and get to the heart of whatever really needs discussing.<br />
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Our pups and their unconditional love. Nothing like the greeting those three give us all at the end of the day. Is it about food? Possibly--especially for General. But those border collies, boy do they embody the "love is love is love is love is love is love" philosophy.<br />
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Cold brew coffee. The perfect summer drink. Easy to make, oh-so-easy to drink.<br />
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Early morning energy.<br />
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Instagram.<br />
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Coworkers who put in extra when needed, without being asked. (It's the "without being asked" that's especially awesome.)<br />
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Berries. All. The. Berries.<br />
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Summer rain. The smell, the feel in the air, the lovely morning after. <br />
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Wishing you a joyful, restful weekend.<br />
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Peace.<br />
<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-16478490255069915082016-06-17T21:24:00.003-07:002016-06-17T21:24:49.134-07:00Friday night grateful list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I only skipped one week, so that's not soooo bad, right? The groove might take a bit, but it will come back. Just saying so helps solidify that notion.<br />
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This Friday night is cool and rainy, and I'm tucked up and away, ready for a little hibernation. I have a quote somewhere that I calligraphied back in the day: There are years that ask questions and years that answer them. I have no idea who said that. I just now thought that about this week--could the same sentiment apply? Hard to say; weeks go by in a flash, whereas years... nevermind, years go by in flashes too. <br />
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Occasionally, though, there is this:<br />
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I crack myself up. I am more of a lady than THAT, right? Hmmm. Don't answer.<br />
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Seth got a summer job! I know, right?! He's going to be a cashier at the local WalMart. Before you get all opinionated about the evils of Walmart, let me tell you about ours. I mean, it's WalMart, but. The local management is the kind that supports local nonprofits. The employees are excellent volunteers for nonprofit events in the community. Also, they hire people (elderly, differently abled) that might not have a shot at working elsewhere. So I'm not as inclined to diss the WalMart. We're just excited that a) he's gainfully employed and b) he's gainfully employed. Gives a kid a sense of purpose to have somewhere to go when they get up in the morning, right?<br />
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I have a feeling this experience will make Seth get a little more interested in internships during the rest of his college summers, which of course I think is a great idea too. It's just hard to do that when you have only one year of college under your belt. So we'll be grateful for this summer and the joy of having him home.<br />
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Oddly, I'm grateful for the coolness of the last couple of weeks, after the brief but impactful heat blast. I like the increased cloud action, and not having to water the heck out of everything morning and night. One funny side effect, though--I was looking at mail order catalogs and tossing them into recycling and saw something about "Summer Sale" and thought, really, that doesn't seem right, isn't summer over? No, silly, it hasn't even begun. I'm all mixed around in my seasons right now--feels like it could be either spring or fall, but definitely not summer. I suppose some weather-nik would point out to me that it's officially not summer until Tuesday. Yep. I get that.<br />
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I have eaten three figs off my fig trees already this season. Right before the brief heat blast, I moved one small tree that I had overwintered in the kitchen out onto the back porch. There were at least a dozen figs on the tree, and the sudden heat caused three of them to ripen within 48 hours. Cracked me up. They were teeeeny tiny, but they were very yummy and I may have gobbled them up. I am looking forward to the other figs ripening at a more leisurely pace.<br />
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Have you ever had a time when you were really grateful to just be you? I know there are people who, so I hear, pine to be someone or something else, other than what they are. I don't know how unusual it is to say I am really, really happy to be me. Grateful, even. All those placards of "you are enough" have always struck me as a little odd. Of course you are, dear one. How could it be any other way?<br />
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I have had some moments of despair this week, feeling very much like all the talk of love winning over hate is really just a load of nonsense, because obviously hate is winning. Just look around. And then I breathe a bit and read wise words and say my prayers and breathe some more. And I go out into the world, which is all any of us can do, and try to make things better in the small little circle of influence I have. Because really, that's all you can do, right?<br />
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I am so grateful for people who lift others up and encourage. <br />
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I am grateful for mornings. Both the weekday mornings when I'm ready to go conquer the to-do list, and weekend mornings, when I am ready to roll over for a bit more of a snooze.<br />
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I am grateful for books, for the plethora of new ideas being generated by creative minds and put down in words. (Didn't reading that last phrase make you want to start singing, "How wonderful life is, when you're in the world?") I have so many good books I want to read, listen to, enjoy.<br />
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I am grateful for summer flavors--every year I welcome the fresh tastes of the season with such enthusiasm, you'd think I'd never eaten fresh, homemade pesto or asparagus or rhubarb before. It is such a treat to live in such a rich agricultural area.<br />
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I am grateful for family.<br />
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I am grateful for the pauses that remind me to look around and notice the little things that bring me joy. <br />
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I am grateful for the beauty in nature. Every week there's a new "favorite" blooming in the yard. The apricot tree is full of fruit ready to ripen. Green is everywhere. <br />
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I am grateful for sleep, and for quality shades in our bedroom so that the early morning summer light can't get in!<br />
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I'm grateful for a day of rest to bring back a little pep in my step. That's what weekends do best--re-pep!<br />
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I'm grateful for Amazon Prime. I know, aren't we all? <br />
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A little something from Seth for the grateful list:<br />
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Wishing you a peaceful weekend.sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-14840558490448646912016-06-03T21:39:00.000-07:002016-06-03T21:39:00.309-07:00Friday night grateful momentA little shocking to come over here and realize it's been more than a year since my last post. Shocking, and then not. Time passes so quickly, *that's* the shocking thing. I never really get used to how quickly the days, weeks, months roll by. I haven't meant to be so absent, but the fullness of life (kind of an understatement) has had my brain in other places for large chunks of time. I'm not going to make some proclamation (see this post, and this post, sigh) about the future, but it has been on my mind for some time to come back to the blog and post more regularly.<br />
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Tonight I am looking out our bedroom slider and watching a beautiful summer sunset reflect on the mountains, while close by (I could probably hear cheers if I opened up the sliding door, but it's quite warm) the local high school is graduating a fresh crop of seniors. I am nostalgic for what was just taking place for Seth just a short blip of a year ago, and so grateful for the year he's at at PLU. What a true blessing it is to know that your kid is content in their journey. I know that "content" is a fluid state, but for now, we'll take it and appreciate having him home for the summer.<br />
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I went looking for Seth grad photos, you know, to really wallow in a little nostalgia. I love this one of him and his buddy Noble. Such fine young men. So proud of them both. <br />
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And then I saw this doozy of a grad photo from (cough) 30 (cough) years ago. That is one wild blast from the past, seeing the four of us looking so youthful and sprite-like. I'm grateful for this family that launched me out into the world, and provided such a good foundation.<br />
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I do appreciate the memory jogs from the Facebook memories that pop up on occasion and remind me of what I waas doing or saying five or six years ago. (I am also very aware of how horrid those memories can be for people who have had to endure a tragic life event., however. I am sure I would feel differently if I had to see some pictures just ta-da into my feed.) Anyway, where I'm going with this: Apparently the spring of 2010 was really cold--lots of memory posts about soup and boots and rain and rugging up in the cool temps. This year we had a really early warm spell (fruit trees blooming! everything budding!), then cooled off for many weeks. Just as I was thinking, "well, at least my friends won't have to host graduation parties in 100-degree weather," up popped the temps again. I've been grateful for the cool weather, but the fact that the rain and wind has often fallen on the weekend has brought us to a rather jungle state in the yard. <br />
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National Doughnut Day today. Who knew? I clued in last evening and thus popped by the premier doughnut joint this morning on my way in to work and got a few for the co-workers. I may have mentioned my love for apple fritters a time or ten before; there's something quite compelling about a Friday + doughnut combination.<br />
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I saw this funny dog pic just this week and really, really related. Replace the bagel with my apple fritter. <br />
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This week I am most grateful <br />for laughter, even on the stressful days<br />
for joy in the flowers and fruits in the yard<br />
for love<br />
for green fields, green trees, green hills, green everything!<br />
for roadtrips<br />
for family<br />
for pups and chickens<br />
for cleared off desks and answered emails<br />
for egg salad<br />
for the smell of summer in Walla Walla--dust and onions and alfalfa <br />
for age, and the understanding that comes from having walked a mile or two on this earth<br />
for another week of progress towards goals<br />
for friendship <br />
for my morning routines, which set up the whole day so well<br />
for my guys. Always and always, my guys.<br />
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Glad to be back in this familiar space. I wish you the best of weekends.<br />
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Peace. <br />
<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-62116313307523425622015-05-15T21:06:00.002-07:002015-05-15T21:06:31.862-07:00Friday night grateful momentSo perhaps my little moment of "I'm back" (see NYE post) was a little premature. You think? Sigh. My heart was in the right place, for sure. My brain and ability to follow through has been completely used up elsewhere the past few months. But, no matter. Somewhere mid-afternoon today I decided I'd post tonight, and here I am. No more or less grateful than any other Friday night, but just here. Rusty but writing.<br />
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It's spring here in Walla Walla, with all that that implies. Sun some moments, rain at others. And oh how we need the rain, so I'm not arguing with that, even though I get chilled and maybe a wee bit crabby about that. I will remain grateful for whatever moisture we can drum up before the real warmth starts and we go into official drought mode. We are greener than green right now, and that makes me very happy.<br />
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Seth approaches his last weeks of high school, and I'm so grateful for these days together. He's done pretty well at keeping "senioritis" at bay, and has been busy with many extracurricular activities, but he's here and he's happy with his college choice (Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma) and feeling ready to move on to this next phase. Yay for endings and beginnings and all the things that make these passages significant. (With Seth's graduation will come visiting family, and I'm really looking forward to that!)<br />
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This has been a rough few months (year?) locally and further afield, for family, friends and friends of friends, in all areas of health, grieving and loss. I can't really even tally the number of cancer diagnoses, deaths, divorces and other heartaches, and on some level, I feel a little numb. A bit in the arena of, don't let it all in, because it's really just a big ball of sadness. But for the living/currently undiagnosed, it's one foot in front of the other. What else can you do? I'm grateful for my health, for sure, and don't take it for granted. I'm grateful for another day to hug my husband and child and assure them of my love.<br />
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One of my favorite things from these past few months is that we have acquired a few chickens. This is especially exciting given our collective love of eggs, of course. And now we have on hand at any moment the freshest of eggs. There have been many lovely golden omelets and deviled eggs, and Seth's breakfast egg sandwich is extra delicious--so I've been told. My Saturday morning poached egg ritual has also risen a notch or two. It took me a bit to taper off my usual egg grocery purchases, so we were fairly swimming in egg options there for a bit. Now, we've got it more or less down to a steady diet.<br />
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My mom has been traveling with her sisters this week, and I've enjoyed thinking about their time together, grateful they have each other. Sisters are awesome, whether by blood or by marriage or by choice. I am grateful to have lovely sisters in the last two of those categories.<br />
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For Mother's Day the boys treated me to a day in TriCities with a couple of glorious nursery visits as well as lunch out together. It was exactly what I wanted and needed. Now, to get the plants in their appropriate spots. I have dug up my dahlia bed (it took a big hit this winter, though I'm not sure exactly why, given it wasn't a very severe winter) and am transplanting them elsewhere. The snowball bushes and lilacs both bloomed gloriously, and the irises and peonies are currently going to town!<br />
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And now for a couple of random pics I found on my phone. I am very grateful for my phone. I love having a camera with me every minute of the day. I know, how weird. But I like to document things, however mundane. Go figure. <br />
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I am ready for this weekend and all the rest and recuperation that implies, physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope that whatever your weekend holds, it's all that you wish for.<br />
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Peace.<br />
<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-26902813664993365552014-12-31T16:48:00.000-08:002014-12-31T16:48:15.442-08:00And now let us welcome a new year<br />
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Well, that blog break lasted a bit longer than I meant for it to.<br />
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As I'm sure you could tell there toward the start of the "break," I got a bit worn down by my own repetitiveness on the weekly gratitude lists, and work and life and life and work continued to march on in such a way as to nip at my creative heels, undermining my extracurricular writing, reading, reflecting, etc. And I let it, so that's on me. But each time I thought about getting back into writing more regularly, I would hear my internal voice say "meh" and kept on the path of least resistance.<br />
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There were real and true plans to pick it back up at my birthday, paying subtle homage to the fact that the blog began back at my birthday six years ago. But Oct. 29 came and went, and here we are, post-holidays and on the cusp of a new year. Perfect time to get off my butt and back to writing, right?<br />
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I have mullings about this past year, and plans for the coming year, and these few days of really precious quiet time with the guys have been so helpful. My brain feels reset to a more balanced place. So, for the moment, I'll take it and move forward with optimism that I can structure my life to accommodate the other, important areas of my life that require a little time and energy to caretake.<br />
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So where am I at with the One Little Word idea? Oh, it's <a href="https://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word">still a thing.</a> There were a few early word choices vying for my attention, all reflective of my desire to focus on what's most important and not just what's urgent. For a moment or two, the word "filter" was at the top of my mind, but that's a completely utilitarian word, zippo on the romance factor. Filter led the way to "mindful," but hasn't that word been worked and reworked the past decade? That alone doesn't make it a bad word, but it wasn't quite what I was going for. And then I arrived at Presence, and stayed.<br />
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Presence is something that I have always needed more of in my life, even before smartphones and constant media inputs fragmented our brains. OK, my brain. But it's true. Listening, processing one thing at a time, not multitasking the heck out of every situation to try and get more done, slowing down just a touch and reminding myself of what's really necessary... for me, all of this fits under the umbrella of Presence. <br />
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Wish me luck, both on the Presence and the blogging. Time will tell on both of them, of course. But I see that they are rather related, too. A bit of Presence (I swear I won't cap it forever, just for this one post. Really.) will go a long way toward giving me the mental space I know I need to to even allow inspiration in.<br />
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I found <a href="http://thyme-is-honey.com/2014/12/20/2015-dos/">the above image via Pinterest</a>, and love the whole list--but was of course very interested in "Give the Present of Presence." :)<br />
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In case you need a recap, I couldn't help but review my blog posts about resolutions over the years:<br />
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<a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2009/01/thursday-thirteen-resolutions-for-2009.html">2009 resolutions</a> and<a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2009/12/update-on-thursday-13-new-years-edition.html"> my report</a> on how I did. <br />
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Starting to <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-2010-keepin-it-simple.html">simplify the goals process in 2010</a><br />
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<a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2010/12/looking-forward-to-new-year.html">2011</a>: the first year I really picked a word (Focus).<br />
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<a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2012/01/word-for-2012-grace.html">2012: Grace,</a> with the <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-word-2012-recap-grace.html">recap/follow up post</a>)1<br />
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2013: <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-word-2013-light.html">Light</a><br />
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2014: <a href="http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/2013/12/one-little-word-for-2014-pray.html">Pray</a> <br />
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Which brings us to 2015: Presence.<br />
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One site that is consistently my go-to for all things thoughtful is <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/">On Being.</a> There are two specific posts that I've seen/listened to/read in this week of peacefulness that have relevance to 2014 (Pray) and 2015 (Presence):<br />
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<a href="http://www.onbeing.org/blog/thomas-mertons-prayer-that-anyone-can-pray/7157">Thomas Merton's Prayer That Anyone Can Pray</a>.<br />
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"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."<br />
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<a href="http://onbeing.org/program/last-quiet-places/4557">Gordon Hempton's The Last Quiet Places: Silence and the Presence of Everything</a><br />
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There are many audio opportunities with this post, and I so enjoyed taking in his recordings of the natural world. If you can't find me, I might be out in a field, listening to the silence.<br />
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I hope that 2014 was a good year for you. And if it wasn't a good year, I am glad for you that it's over. I know a great many people who had life challenges this year, from health troubles and careers failing through to marriage and relationship issues. The beauty of a new year is the old refrain about turning the chapter to a new page and starting over; even if it was a good year, that's an idea that resonates with me.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-38278148183279969862014-05-16T21:26:00.001-07:002014-05-16T21:27:15.363-07:00Friday night grateful momentWhat does a week hold? So many things, when you think about it: joy, hope, sadness, love, peace, discord, sleep, work, delicious food, pretty ordinary food, prayer, happiness, tears, laughter, music, noise, silence, cursing. This week was no exception.<br />
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And of course, this week held gratitude. Gratitude to be a part of this world, this life, living with the people I get to call family and friends and colleagues, and contribute to all that makes the world go 'round.<br />
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An old family friend posted a video on Facebook by the Maccabeats, and being the acapella junkie that I tend to be, I had to go find more music by them. I liked many of their songs, but this one stood out as reflective of my current mood.<br />
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Last weekend we were fortunate to have my brother and his family here to visit and spend time together. We did all the usual things--ate, napped, went for a glorious walk in the sunshine, visited around the firepit while roasting s'mores, ate some more, and waved goodbye as they all-too-quickly whisked back over to the other side of the state. I was grateful for our time together and look forward to our next visit. Soon, hopefully!<br />
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I have a little before-bed habit of browsing Instagram for #maryoliver. Her words do calm my spirit, and life me. Here are a few of the ones that stayed with me, this week. <br />
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"Everything will be everything else, by and by." Love those words.<br />
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Wishing you a peaceful weekend, wherever you are.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-91534759993649686872014-05-02T21:39:00.000-07:002014-05-02T21:39:05.280-07:00Friday night grateful moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-17518318558457192422014-04-25T21:50:00.001-07:002014-04-25T21:50:13.352-07:00Friday night grateful moment: HappyI have a confession. I had not heard the song "Happy" until tonight. I know, how insane is that? It's only been <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6032600/pharrell-williams-happy-hot-100-dj-snake-lil-jon-hit-top-10">everywhere, all over the place, for ages</a>. How I've missed it is a feat, it itself. And to top it off, I have even been gifted the song on a CD from one of my dear music friends. Somehow that one had not made it into my CD player in the car, quite yet. It will be asap, I swear!<br />
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It could be a tiny testament to how distractable I've been, I suppose, a version of busy that, for me, tends to sap my ability to read anything longer than a blog post or article. It's not pretty (in terms of concentration outside of work topics), and I think I need a reset button or digital sabbatical to undo some of my more wound-up tendencies, lately. Meditation, prayer, quiet time? Good thoughts, all. <br />
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Regardless, I feel the need to share the song tonight, even though this hasn't been the happiest of weeks. Let's just say it was one of those weeks where reminders of life's fragility felt close. I could list my own reasons for feeling fragile and you'd have yours too, surely. Everyone who reaches a certain age and has any kind of interaction with other humans on this planet knows loss and heartache on some level. I can't imagine it being otherwise. And the sweet part of the bittersweet is all the love, all the happy, all the warmth and joy that exists and that I get to experience daily. The bitter is what it is, just that. Sure makes me appreciate the sweet, and the happy. <br />
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My home is warm, my tummy is full, the pups are dozing on the floor nearby. I can hear Seth's voice as he visits on the phone with his special lady friend (gosh, if he only read the blog, imagine how annoyed he'd be with that phrase?!) in the other room. Husband and I share snippets of conversation and I am thrilled with the two days ahead, where the break in the routine is definitely welcome. I am very grateful for all of the above. Very much so, tonight.<br />
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Wishing you the same. <br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-34272061986954020822014-04-18T21:32:00.000-07:002014-04-18T21:32:12.299-07:00Friday night grateful momentThis week was one of those long-short weeks. Wednesday felt like Thursday, but I also was concocting extra days between Thursday and Friday to try and pack it all in. Yes, one of those weeks. What joy, what bliss, to be at Friday night, with peace and quiet, screen door open, pups napping, husband beside me, all peaceful and well.<br />
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It is spring, there is no doubt about that. Well, there were some people on the East Coast who seemed to doubt it for a minute or two this week, I think. But, we had the whole gamut this week--rain, wind, rain, blue skies, clouds, the gorgeous smell of rain. This week I learned what that word is, the smell of rain: petrichor. Cool word, eh? It's one of my favorite smells, and makes me so grateful for spring, whenever I am outside after a rainfall and inhale, big. Deep breath.<br />
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With spring comes color, which is always a favorite of mine. I looked out our dining room window one morning, and saw orange fish in the pond, purple lilacs, pink on the flowering weeping almond tree, greens of every shade. That scene made me smile quite happily, gratefully. I am in a bit of denial that it's actually Easter this weekend--how did that happen already? Not having the nieces (and their parents) here for the Egg Hunt Extravaganza, I have opted to just ignore it. That and eating less sugar means, what? huh? candy? chocolate? whatevs. ;) (I'm saving it all up for May!)<br />
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I love the way the seasons work with flavor too. Here comes the asparagus, in all its local glory. The strawberries are blossoming, and while it feels a little far away, I am already pining for fresh produce from the garden. Basil, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes... now we just need to keep the nights above frost level for a bit!<br />
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I learned of a friend's cancer diagnosis this week, and have been thinking of her and her family and lifting them in prayer, many times over each day. I am tired of cancer touching the lives of people I care about. Tired especially for them, and wishing for healing, in many places, tonight. I am grateful for the love and support that I know my friends and family with illness have surrounding them. Very grateful indeed.<br />
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Tonight I'm also very grateful for the path of this past decade, where I am now, with the love and support in my life. I try to pause every day and reflect on it, really feel the gratitude and focus on keeping my eyes open and aware of what's going on. I believe it as much now as I did 10 years ago--when you have a major life transition, there's a wakefulness to it, a super-alert mode that only lasts if you focus on not letting the noise of the world lull you back asleep. No thanks. To me that equates to taking things for granted, and I work pretty hard to not do that.<br />
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I love that sentiment. I think I need it tattooed somewhere. Or, at the very least, close by so I can refer to it nightly. I think I will go sleep in peace now. I wish the same for you.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-2170035757193523162014-04-11T21:23:00.001-07:002014-04-11T21:23:50.724-07:00Friday night grateful list: Spring Break editionHa. I typed the words "Spring Break edition" and instantly had Girls Gone Wild images flash through my mind. Ha ha. Not even.<br />
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This week, following the festival that was Grandma's 95th birthday, Seth and I put husband on a plane home and trekked off over the mountains, down I-5 and had a few days of looking around colleges, educating ourselves on a few local-ish options. We both learned a lot, about the process of applying to colleges, about the various campuses themselves, and what environments felt more "Seth" than others. We have the advantage of having friends who either are or were in the college admissions game; their advice has been invaluable. And I know we'll be back for more, friends. Prepare yourselves.<br />
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I am so grateful to have had this week with Seth. He and I have road-tripped many, many times over the years, all over the place. We have listened to many audiobooks, sung many songs together at the top of our lungs, and eaten more than our fair share of completely unhealthful food too. I am grateful for Seth every day, but getting to spend multiple days together is always special. Even when we got on each other's nerves, or one or the other of us missed the right exit and we had to backtrack, we still had a really excellent adventure.<br />
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We had really great tour guides, for the most part--extroverted, engaged young men who were pretty passionate about their college experience. It was good to see. The bottom left photo is Seth telling me to stop taking pictures and stay with the group. As if. You'd think he'd know by now...<br />
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I managed to keep on top of work emails while I was away, by borrowing a Surface from work, instead of the usual laptop. I am a complete convert. Seems odd to sit and type away on a Surface, referring to my iPad while I do that--I was working on one of my nonprofit volunteer projects while I was away, and had documents I needed to read on one device, while recording notes in a spreadsheet on the other. I thought Bill Gates and Steve Jobs would appreciate my ambidextrous approach to technology, but mostly, I was just grateful to be able to get things done. I'm not sure I will actually give the Surface back, I like it that much. I think one of the reasons it works so well for me is my love of all things touch-screen. But transferring back to my laptop, it's hilarious how many times my hand reaches up to swipe something on the screen. Creature of habit...<br />
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We came home to a yard that is bursting with springtime energy. That is to say: green! I was thinking today while pulling weeds, why can't we pull them once and then they'll never come back?! I agree, it's a little early in the season to be thinking like that! Ha. Seth and I got a couple of beds cleared of the winter leaves that blow through, and picked up potting soil and a few plants to start the flower pots. I am always so grateful for spring, but for some reason, I am ever-so-much-more-so this year. Why is that? It wasn't a hard winter, here in Washington. If I were on the East Coast, it might be more understandable. But we had it pretty mild.<br />
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Look what I found: lettuce, reseeded from last year!<br />
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Listened to (and inflicted on Seth!) some great work-related podcasts while on the road, and now that it's yard season, I'll be cranking up the audiobooks too. Nothing makes yard time go by faster than listening and learning. Happy me! I'm so grateful for technology (well, other than that dang Heartbleed thing. Blech.).<br />
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The whole of the Pacific Northwest put on a glorious sunshine show for us. It was most pleasant. I got to have breakfast with <a href="http://jmanullang.blogspot.com/">Jen</a> on the morning we were in Portland, which was lovely; it was especially lovely to walk together to breakfast without an umbrella!<br />
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When we were at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, walking down the hall in the English department, I saw a bunch of photos of various poets, and the tour guide said something, "blah blah blah, photos all taken by William Stafford blah blah blah." What? How did I not remember that William Stafford taught at L&C, years ago? <br />
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I was first introduced to William Stafford as a poet in 1991, while I was in college, and I even got to hear him read that year, too. I have always appreciated and enjoyed his writing. He died in 1993 and I just read that he wrote the morning he died: "You don't have to / prove anything," my mother said. "Just be ready / for what God sends." Wow. That'll stick with me for a bit.<br />
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The bottom photo has Galway Kinnell in it, another poet I have appreciated.<br />
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I'm so grateful for poetry. Can't be said enough. :)<br />
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Tonight I'm especially grateful to be home, with husband and Seth, with the sliding doors open and the spring air so fragrant. I'm grateful that the weekend is ahead, and while I'm sure there will be work of both the work-work and yard variety, there will also be sleep, joyous sleep, and relaxation, maybe another brief road trip, some good food, laughter and love. Yeah for weekends.<br />
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Hope your weekend is "yeah" too.<br />
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Peace.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-10685189901719235722014-04-04T22:46:00.000-07:002014-04-04T22:46:02.965-07:00Friday night grateful momentTonight I am grateful to be in Canada, surrounded by family, celebrating the 95th birthday of my grandma tomorrow. I am grateful for safe travels, for lots of laughter, for car naps and for sunshine and blue skies along the way. I'm grateful for such a loving extended family, and for their laughter and hugs. I'm grateful for such a great kid, and the prospect of a road trip together next week. I'm grateful for a wonderful partner and spouse, one who is my biggest cheerleader and best friend. I'm grateful for sleep, which is arriving very soon, and for the joy of sleeping in. I'm grateful it's the weekend, and I'm so very grateful it is THIS weekend. That my grandmother is 95 is the best and biggest thing on my grateful list this week. She's amazing and lovely, and I am grateful for every day she's on this planet.<br />
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Hope your weekend is filled with gratefulness too.<br />
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Peace.sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-973382467619693432.post-91619139411867845912014-03-28T20:38:00.000-07:002014-03-28T20:38:31.629-07:00Friday night grateful listTonight I went on a Rumi jag, and found some fabulous words that make my heart full and happy. And grateful.<br />
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That one about being irritated? Well, I just might need to get that little reminder as a tattoo, some days. :)<br />
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I hope you have a grateful weekend. I plan to spend mine by the fireplace, if this rain keeps up. Such a chill to the bone!<br />
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Wishes for warmth, and peace.<br />
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<br />sherileehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499266464014693291noreply@blogger.com1