* WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS/WEEKS MAKE *

I thought I should announce that I am alive and well, 

as is everyone else in my family, both far and near. 

And I pray the same for all of you, 

my wonderful friends both far and near. 

I have nothing else to post. Although I'm a writer,

my impressions of the world we're living in right now

won't come to surface for me to even try to put

on paper. 

I hope to be back fairly soon and hopefully by then, 

our lives will be "normal" again or as some people 

have said, the "new normal," which is a bit

frightening to me. 

Love and virtual hugs to all of you! 

P.S. I wonder how much my cell phone bill would be, 

if I called many of my long distance friends...

especially the ones living in a totally different country!

Wouldn't that be wonderful, though??

I leave you with some quotes and photos. 

...especially if we are forced to stay home!

Yep, that's what my problem usually is!

Sunshine (and warmth) on my shoulders makes me happy!
(and we haven't had either lately...)

Especially during these difficult times....

* MY COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING - DAY 7 *

* Countdown to Thanksgiving *

 

 

THIS SAYS IT ALL, DOESN'T IT?

 

 

 

* Thankful and Grateful for So Many Things *

First of all, although there were tornadoes in Missouri this past Friday, nothing in my surrounding area was damaged......but it was a bit too close for comfort. The Ronald was out of town that evening, and so just Vern and I spent some time together in the basement. I am very thankful and grateful for basements!

~~~~~

I posted some of my "happy" photos on my blog post of May 28th. This is one I would've definitely included, if I'd downloaded it from my camera in time! This is a corner of my kitchen counter-top that I "decorated." I love the small plaque Simple Pleasures! And the tiny block letters underneath it says Coffee Break. Yep....that about says it all! ☺

~~~~~

We've lived in our new home two months already. I can't believe it....partly because the spare bedroom/my office still looks like a large walk-in storage unit. But, I'm working on it. I've finally gotten past the "overwhelmed" phase and am making progress. 

~~~~~

When we first moved in, I didn't see or hear prop planes anymore. But as the days and weeks went by, more and more began to fly over...when I sat on our deck, when Vern and I were out walking, when just being inside...and just like before....when walking to and from my car when I am out shopping. BUT, here's the real kicker......Yesterday, while searching through the 12 or so TV channels that we have, (antenna in attic!)...I came across The Flying Nun....and there was cute little Sister Bertrille aka Sally Field, handing a toy prop plane to a little boy. He tightened up the propeller and let 'er fly!

Google Source

Okay. I got it....again! I'd kind of "lost" the desire to do any writing since we moved, but in the past few  days, I'm back to Writer Gal Becky! More memories popping up, jotting notes everywhere, etc. 

I couldn't be happier, or more thankful, or more grateful for the life I'm living. (Well, a little more money would be nice, but hey....ya can't have everything!)

To Be Continued.......

* Thanksgiving is More Than Just One Day *

While Vern and I walked yesterday, I marveled at the glorious leaves, some of which still clung to branches, many covered portions of yards, and others skidded and tumbled along the streets and sidewalks. 

I thought again how everything that has previously happened in my life has brought me to where I am right now. How every event that occurred, whether happy or sad, has been part of my life's path. 

When I was a child the route was chosen for me by my parents, and then when I was a young adult, I decided my own course. Sometimes I needed to make a detour and other times the detour was already in place ahead of me. 

Countless people waste so much precious time fretting about "If Onlys." 

If only I'd taken that job I wanted.
If only my parents didn't do this or that.
If only I had more money.
Etc. 

I learned a long time ago to stop thinking that way. When and how did I figure that out? I really can't remember, at least not at this moment. 

All I know is this: I'm very happy. And material things have nothing to do with my happiness. Can I say that I'm glad every "bad" incident happened in order for me to be in this blissful state of mind? I guess that's what I've been trying to say. It's that domino effect.

Although I sincerely thought I knew what my feelings were about everything in my past, I didn't really begin to know until I began to write my memoir. I still have more to think about. More to learn. More to delve into. I'll just have to start on "the sequel," I guess. ☺

~~~~~

This post doesn't really seem like a Thanksgiving one, does it? I may have gotten a bit too reflective, but my point is this: 

I am alive. I am here on this beautiful earth. My life is not perfect and neither am I! But I'm grateful & thankful, every single day of my life for every single thing that happened along the way. It has made me who I am. 

~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!

And have a cup of yummy flavored coffee with me, with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles on top!

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control you own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." -- Susan Polis Schutz

* A Sigh of Joy, Relief, Happiness, Disbelief, Pride *

What could I possibly mean?

I'm amazed and relieved that I finally sent my memoir off to my editor around midnight last night. How completely mind-boggling it is to write or speak those words! I'll post updates as I know of them. 

This is me during the years of writing my memoir.

(No, that is not an earring, it is the doorknob behind me)

Image: courtesy of Google

I also felt like this woman sometimes.

Image: courtesy of Google

And this woman sometimes, too!

Image: courtesy of Google

I extend my sincerest Thank-You to all of you who've helped me along the way, by your friendship and your words of encouragement. There are way too many to even try to mention by name....but I think you know who you are! ☺

** And to all of you that I owe e-mails and/or snail mail, I hope to start getting caught up on those now, too.....Well, actually that would be AFTER I clean house for our Saturday's Family Thanksgiving!!...And  I could possibly use a gentle reminder, too! **

   

Natalie Merchant - "Thank You"

If I could sing, I would sing this song to you! Actually that IS me singing. I dubbed my voice over the You Tube video! Nawww, I'm just kiddin'!

"To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence." -- Mark Twain


"Eighty percent of success is showing up." -- Woody Allen

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

Such busy times, but I'm trying to remember to take deep breaths, relax, and stay focused on what needs to be done...today, the next day, etc.

Such wise words from a little girl.

(courtesy: google)

Have I mentioned we're having our family Thanksgiving THIS Saturday? Since we're a blended family...Yours, Mine & Ours...there's more than the "usual" parents and in-laws involved, so things can get really hectic. We began celebrating this way quite a few years ago and it works really well. I always say, "How many huge Thanksgiving meals can a person be expected to eat in one day?!"


Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, with Christmas a very close second. It's all about family, friends, and food! No commercialism. Every time I think about roasting the turkey, I swear I can actually smell that aroma and it brings such memories.....

(courtesy: google)

 I love to bake pies the day before. This year I'm making my usual two pumpkin pies, plus two apple pies. Oh yeah, and some banana bread with cream cheese frosting. Mmm good!

I make this type of crumble top apple pie and it's so easy.

(courtesy: google)

Welcome to my newest followers: "Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes" and "Deborah Pucci" and "I'm erin!" I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." -- Denis Waitley

Thanking Others For Their Kindness

Blogger Joyce Lansky wrote a nice review about the book she won from me: "Gone With a Handsomer Man" by Michael Lee West. You can read it here: Book Review. Thank you, Joyce! That was very kind of you.

Another Blogger friend, Patricia Preston replied to one of my comments and mentioned she was drinking her iced tea from a pretty goblet, as a little treat for herself that day. I thought that sounded wonderful and so I'm doing the same thing tonight! Thanks, Patricia! I'm using the goblet I recently took photos of, with shadows and light. I may have shown them before, too. I bought them at Goodwill a few months ago, grabbing every single one they had, (nine) in the same pattern, of course! They were only 50¢ a piece!

The newest Searchlights & Signal Flares is online at Tiny Lights. I've mentioned this wonderful site before. The editor, Susan Bono, is a very talented writer, teacher, editor and just plain great friend! Please check out this site. It's your chance to be published online, no fees, no fuss! (and yes, No Payment, but I believe that when you're a new writer, or even an experienced one, having something published and getting your name "out there" is sometimes a very good thing, even if once in a while you don't receive a payment for it.) Susan's printed and online journal is a class act. Check out all the details there. Susan is also presently looking for stories for her quarterly Flash in the Pan, 500 words or less. Check that out, too!

Oh! One more thing.You know how I've been searching for a quiet, out of the way place, for a personal writer's retreat?? A fabulous, very generous relative is permitting me to stay in her condo at no charge, although I offered approximately four times, to pay her something for it! Isn't that wonderful? I'm not going to divulge any other info. Just know that I'll be writing, writing, writing...and hopefully come back home with a much-closer-to-being-completed-book!

"Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes." They will say, "Women don't have what it takes." -- Clare Boothe Luce