Thursday Thirteen, Haiku Sky Watch Friday and April’s Gratitude List from Small Reflections

Looking at the Sky through the Camera Lens

13 New Sky Views from Last Week

Even though skies looked

threatening a few mornings …

rain just didn’t fall.

Click to embiggen &  for others participating in Thursday Thirteen,  Haiku Friday,

Looking at the Sky on Friday and  Sky Watch.

See also today’s Haiku Sky Watch Friday at
Small Reflections and Sacred Ruminations

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.”  Thich Nhat Hanh

South Breeze Farm hosted the Giving Thanks Challenge and I participated at Small Reflections in November and decided to continue indefinitely … generating the following list one day at a time throughout the month of APRIL.  I’ve decided to transfer the lists at the end of each month from Small Reflections to Happily Retired Gal … just because.  Click to see previous lists already published here.

1. for free cell to cell minutes allowing me to keep in touch with my sister while she’s on the road again with her husband.

2. a new perm to make my hair ‘care-free’ again ;–)

3. for all I’ve learned about Photoshop Elements … especially making collages with pictures I’ve taken with my Nikon D60.

4. sunshine and blue skies!

5. I managed to sleep in until almost 7 am this morning!

6. my sister & I caught up on the phone today in a wonderful conversation.

7. my brother-in-law posted photos at Picasa so I can follow their travels this time.

8. I have time to water the yard this morning since it didn’t rain after all.

9.  to have the week off from the evening Word classes for Spring Break

10. the weather’s been beautiful all week long.11. for colorful flowers of all kinds blooming in my yard & around the neighborhood.

12. Molly’s been able to play with a variety of visiting dogs this week.

13. for a pleasant afternoon of visiting a variety of stores with a friend after Retired Ladies Lunch. I’m relieved to have practiced fiscal restraint ;–)

14. for tasty blackened tacos at Duke’s with friends before discovering the Word class was canceled at the last minute.

15. I’ll be at home most of today and may finally be able to spend some time visiting blogs.

16. I managed to get myself to the evening Word 7 class even though I would have rather stayed home.

17. I managed to pull out the Maidenhair Fern crowding out the red roses without mangling my hands and arms on the bushes even though I had no gardening gloves to wear.

18. for time to do more weeding and pruning along with some watering early this morning since there’s 80+ degree weather and no rain in the forecast.

19.  my Writers Retreat Buddy & I remain in regular telephone contact almost two years after that amazing week in Taos with Suzanne and Jennifer leading 31 participants to explore our writing process.

20. I’m able to use the PSE6 skills from Adult School Classes to create photo collages to share on my blogs.21. I managed to complete several errands and still have time to play with Molly today.

22. for the BEAUTIFUL sunrise this morning and that Molly got to play with a variety of doggy friends while I snapped photos.

23. I’ve been able to talk with my sister on the cell phone a few times this week as they wait to board a ferry to Ketchikan, Alaska on Friday.

24. to catch up (over lunch) with a friend who just relocated to the neighborhood from the nearby mountains.

25. for a full 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night.

26. a long time friend called yesterday afternoon and dropped by to visit for a couple of hours.

27. for the lovely roses blooming in my garden currently.

28. the weather continues to be clear & sunny in Ketchikan, Alaska where my sister and her husband are currently.

29. a friend loaned me a copy of Tom Bergeron’s book, I’M HOSTING AS FAST AS I CAN. Seems like a quick, entertaining read so far.

30. for the many ‘bargains’ at the grocery store this morning!

FYI – My previous Gratitude Lists can be found at Happily Retired Gal, my new WordPress site. It is my intention to keep this ‘Daily Gratitude List’ in my sidebar indefinitely because I believe it makes sense to focus on what’s right in our lives regularly. Click for:
2009 Lists – March, February, January
2008 Lists – December, November

Thought for Today

“As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily.  The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawing upon a blessed world.”  Adabella Radici

An award and more …

Now for a little Blogthing fun …

There Is 1 Gap in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge: Science Where you don’t have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Religion Economics Literature History Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

Sigh! I suppose I should feel reassured, but I find myself wondering which science question I missed … wishing they’d provided that feedback. How silly when I could be focusing on the fact I got all the other questions correct even though I’m getting older & have been ‘happily retired’ for seven & a half years. Methinks I’ll choose to allow myself to feel reassured that my mind still works and simply release the ‘judgments’ altogether … just because. LOL

If time permits, I hope you’ll play along either in comments below or on your own blog … leaving me a link so I can read your results too. If you do decide to play … feel free to ‘snag’ the award above or any award at the bottom of my sidebar to enjoy and share as you choose ;–)

Recently Sandee of Comedy Plus received this Friend Award from Colleen of Life is a Story in the Making and passed it along to HER bloggy friends.  Thank you so very much.

Here are the rules:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

Sandy wrote: “Everyone knows I don’t follow the rules very often and I’m not going to disappoint anyone on this award either. If you want this cool award then please help yourself,” and I’m saying the same thing to YOU.  May we spread friendships throughout the Blogosphere by sharing generously with one another.  If you’d like to try out some new blogs, see the list of bloggers I highlighted for the Lemonade Award … and remember … I do LOVE comments and link-love too!!!

Thought for Today – “The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.”