Whoops! I blew it again.

(This is the Metrodome; it is an ugly temporary-looking structure that I liken to a inverted Tupperware bowl plunked down amidst crystal goblets.)

I missed posting yesterday but had a pretty good reason. My granddaughter and her husband traveled to the Twin Cities from their home on the other side of the state for a Vikings football game at the Metrodome.

Their three little girls stayed with me while they were gone. What would have been a boring Sunday turned into a whirlwind of activity. They only stayed until the game was over but it's always a treat to see the family.

However, I've posted before about my thankfulness for family so I have to choose two other things I'm thankful for. The first is I am grateful that I live in Minnesota--not to brag, but Minnesota is consistently at the top of polls rating states for health, happiness, etc. We always are the state with the highest voter turnout at elections. And, just last Tuesday, Minnesota ranked highest in contributions for the "Give to the Max Day".

I am ever-so-thankful that I live in the USA with separation of church and state. Neither the federal nor state governments can dictate what I can wear, or what I must eat, or where I can go --or who with. Well, the list would go on and on! I just love my freedom to be me.

Things that make me laugh

I'm thankful for all the things that make me laugh--the movies, TV shows, cartoons, comedians,and spontaneous things that crack me up and bring joy to my day.

A portrait of my second oldest daughter

This is my second-oldest daughter (shown with her son and a brother-in-law). I was distressed to find I don't have a lot of pictures of her but that's because she is the one who's always taking the pictures at family functions.

She actually majored in photography for a time but then decided to go into nursing. She has been an RN at a VA hospital for 25 years now. It's a career that really suits her nurturing personality. (Before she had kids, she was in the habit of buying stressed plants and restoring them to hardiness.) Her family always has a wide variety of well-loved pets--including snakes and mice, birds, cats and dogs.

She suffered breast cancer in 2003 but took control of the situation with her usual calm reasoning. She opted to have a double mastectomy to prevent any recurrence. It was a long struggle that she and her family survived with grace and thankfulness. She is past her 5-year milestone and in good health. Her doctor credits her former good health habits with her successful recovery.

We are so thankful to have her in our family. With her bubbly personality and warmth, she is always a joy to be around. Yet, she is a gentle and wise companion to everyone she meets.

Thank goodness for kitties!

These are my four kitties whom I feed every morning and get to pet every day. On top is Snuffy, the oldest (laying down) and Gracie, longhair Tortie and the youngest (sitting up). They are in the heated cat bed the sits on a table in front of the window overlooking the wooded lot next door. That bed gets a lot of traffic!

The next picture down is Sunny, our big boy, in a position he often rests in. He also lays on his back with all four paws in the air. When Sunny gets in the cat bed, he takes up all the room. We sometimes find poor Snuffy with just his head sticking out from under Sunny but never the worse for wear. I guess he stays nice and warm that way.

Next one down is Tweedy, a shorthair Tortie. She's always the last to get a turn in the cat bed,but she isn't as keen about bird and squirrel-watching.

They all have their distinctive personalties and just a joy to have around. And best of all, they make me laugh every day.

Good things come in trees

I blew it yesterday and didn't post, so now I have to give two things I'm thankful for today. Well, I'm equal to the task. My motto is:

"When you feed the birds and squirrels, you have friends in high places."

I just love the variety of birds and wildlife surrounding me. It not only enriches my life but greatly enhances the lives of my four house-bound kitties.

A salute to Sparrow Chic

You may have noticed that I often get glowing comments from my biggest fan Sparrow Chic. Well, she is my oldest daughter and an incredibly loving person.

This picture was taken at her 50th birthday party earlier this year. In those fifty years, she has been the consummate caretaker for everyone she knows. If anyone needs a friend, assistance or a shoulder to cry on, she is always there for strength and support.

She has helped family members through stressful times and then gracefully steps back when the need is gone. She continues to maintain close relationships with many friends and relatives. She sometimes functions as the "information hub" for family members spread around the state. She loves to tell us how lucky we are to have such a close family because she knows so many people who don't get along with theirs. Yet, in many ways, she is the glue who makes our close family a reality.

She is a champion organizer as well, planning events for church, Boy Scouts, Sunday School, Youth Group and our family get-togethers. Her sisters sometimes get a chuckle out of her tendencies to be a "mother hen".

We are thankful to have her in our family and I am very proud of my little Sparrow Chic!

Things that make me go "wow"!

Hardly a week goes by that something doesn't "knock my socks off". Living my simple life in the middle of the continent doesn't isolate me from all the remarkable things our planet has to offer.

There is so much beauty to be discovered and so much knowledge to be gained. Sometimes I wish I could have been Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey. They accomplished so much that I am in utter awe of them.

I am so grateful for all the explorers, anthropologists, paleontologists, scholars and scientists of every ilk for expanding our knowledge of our fascinating world.