Gratitude Monday - The Christmas Asparagus Edition

We had Christmas Dinner last night with Mike's mom and sister. That alone is something for which to be grateful and I am.
But among the foods on offer was my MIL's pickled asparagus. I don't recall ever having tried pickled asparagus anywhere and I've always been curious.
My goodness it's good.
This was her own asparagus grown in her garden and picked and pickled at its peak.
I liked it so much that she gave us the jar to take home.
I have pickled asparagus in my refrigerator, and for it I am grateful.

Gratitude Monday - Turned Me Loose Edition, A Cancer, My Ass! Post

Last Thursday I saw my cancer surgeon for the last time.
It wasn't going to be the final visit as I still have two more Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) tests coming up, but he said he didn't need to see me any more.
I'm that healthy, and I am grateful.
All the tests, last year's colonsocopy, the CT scan in late August, all the CEAs done every three months, have all been good.
The CEAs are to go on for three years. I don't hit that mark until next July.
I'll still get the last two tests. It's matter of going up to the hospital and getting a bit of blood taken. The results will go to him as well as to my family doctor. He suggested I follow up with her, but admitted it wasn't really necessary.
If there are any problems his office will call me.
I do not expect to hear from him until my next colonsocopy in the summer of 2018.
Oh, and Cancer, My Ass!

Gratitude Monday - Let Them Love You Edition

It has happened during my daily meditation/self-hypnosis hybrid that I get messages. They flow into mind from whomever and serve me well. I am grateful for all of them.
The most recent message was, "Let them love you."
It took me a few minutes to figure out what this meant. I realized the intent is general, that is, let people be kind to you, accept their help when offered even for the simplest things such as holding the door for you.
Further, lose the need to keep matters even. If a person wished to extend kindness, then show them enough respect to let it happen without worrying you owe them something.
All you owe is the gracious acceptance of their kindness toward you.
I have kept this in mind and accepted kindness when offered.
It is a great lesson, and for it I am grateful.

Gratitude Monday - In Hot Water Edition

Today I am grateful for the simple pleasure of a hot bath.

They are wonderful all through the year, but in cold weather they are especially inviting. I can slip down into the tub and be surrounded by the welcoming heat. They make my feet feel warm.
They are relaxing. In them the cares and woes of the day surrender to the soothing water.
Also, I've had some good writing ideas and plot problem solutions come to me while in the tub and those are always welcome.

Several other things to be grateful for come along with the bath: hot water from a tap, a bathtub in a warm room, and time to enjoy the bath.

It is a simple thing. It gives back so much and for it I am grateful.

Gratitude Monday - Apple Pie Order Edition

I'd been thinking of apple pie. This led me to the logical consequence: I baked one.
I am grateful for a number of things involved in this including Robin Hood Gluten Free Flour. It makes the best pie crust ever.
I am grateful my husband brought home some apples, and I am grateful I know how to bake pie.
We still have some cake around so the pie will go in the freezer for a few days. That's fine because just having it around and available will do for now.
In a few days the pie will be all the better.
Here is said pie:

Gratitude Monday - Simmering Pot of Welcome Edition

Yesterday afternoon we came back from a movie to a pot of turkey soup simmering on the stove.
There's something about the fragrance and warmth of soup on a cold day that makes a person feel welcome, and for that feeling I am grateful.

Granted, this may sound a bit odd as I made the soup and I walked into my own house. But the feeling overwhelmed me. This was home. It was warm and welcome and inviting.
I am not sure this is the kind of things we usually feel when we walk in our own door.
It was an eye opener, and a heart opener, and it was wonderful.

If you've never felt this way about your own home, or never realized that you do, then I strongly recommend taking a moment the next time you walk through your own door to check how you feel.
To be clear I am not speaking of how good it feels to get home after a long, hard day at work, or coming home from the hospital, or a long flight.
I'm asking you to notice how it feels after walking the dog or taking out the garbage, or any other routine activity.
Feel the gratitude of being in your place in the world and if there's a simmering pot of welcome on the stove when you get there, even better.

Gratitude Monday -- Adjustment Edition

I am very grateful for chiropractors. We have four in town. Over the years I have been to all of them and I can say they are all good.
I am grateful for that, too.

I'm currently grateful because just over two weeks ago I had a midnight hairball attack. I coughed so hard I pulled muscles in my back, sides, and stomach/diaphragm.

There's not a lot one can do when muscles are pulled. Mostly they need rest. These are core muscles, they are used for everything. It's not so easy to rest them.
As part of the fun I also managed to mess up my back and that meant a visit to the chiropractor.
I won't lie: it hurt like hell.
I won't lie again: it sure helped.

One visit wasn't enough. I had to go again on Saturday morning. This visit also hurt, but I am grateful I went because I can move better for it.
In fact, my back feels pretty good.
Stomach and sides are coming along slowly, but I know I'll be fine soon.
If there had been no chiropractor I'd be faring much worse.