Hello, again.

spring in Missouri

Every life has seasons of struggle and this has been ours.  My Papaw (mom's dad) passed away about two weeks ago.  A week ago today Sloane dislocated her knee (three times), chipped her patella, tore at least one ligament, and who knows what else.  We are waiting for MRI results to find out the extent of the damage and what treatment is needed.  

I believe that a daily counting of blessings, a habit of gratitude, is a vital component of a joy-filled life.  So, as I always do when times get tough, here's a list of things I'm thankful for.

Counting My Blessings

* Spring in Missouri is so beautiful. * one of the best classes in all my teaching career * the wafting scent of lilacs * the way light in a house window turns golden and welcoming * our school's annual Character Color Run (see below) * working with friends * Sloane's grit * a father-in-law who got our garden ready when we couldn't * a Papaw I loved * a husband whose shares my burdens * a job I love * supportive parents who fill in every gap and help meet every need * excited students * anticipating all the fun events in the final week of school * evening walks through our tiny, old town * a houseful of laughing cousins and grandparents * new babies * finding lost things * His mercies are new every morning. * 

What blessings are you counting today?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year since I began my blog, I've posted a gratitude list written by everyone at our Thanksgiving table.  This year we were lucky enough to be with my in-laws in Oregon for the first time in 17 years.  Since they never use computers, they have no WiFi.  I admit, I've been having internet withdrawals.  It's two days late, but I couldn't stand to miss a year.  So, here it is.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. 

a list of gratitude
* being all together * pumpkin pie * a new granddaughter * Lady * the way Dad always serves us by cleaning the kitchen * Miss Maudie and Eliza Bennett * whipped cream * Papa's new Indian name * Jason & Emma, our new youth pastors * hours of fun with a pack of red Solo cups * my phone * Instagram * texting * old pictures * awesome genealogy websites * Mom & Dad's house * friends who will still be my friends even after we move * fuzzy socks * new cousins * life-sized stuffed minions * *IKEA * Gareth * snuggling * Hunger Games * getting my top choice as I enter the Army * for my wife, who takes care of me and puts up with me * nail polish * family no longer living across the continent * my "Rocky Top" ringtone * bowling* shopping * it's going to be 70 and sunny when I get home to Charleston * my own bed * a nice house * good bras * laughter * my daughters in law * grandchildren * peace * Christmas is just around the corner * meeting goals * my wife of 54 years * the grace of God * siblings * peppermint sticks * tabbouleh for breakfast * open-faced turkey sandwiches * our good health * good books * hair products * Operation Christmas Child * candle warmers * writing in my journal * attending a church we love * small group * coupons * Ulta and Sephora * chevron and polka dots * throw pillows * healthy children * travel * budget * scissors * contentment * windchimes * turkey dinner * a good camera * my parents' good health * jobs we enjoy * love * love, Love, LOVE *

57 Kinds of Awesome, part three

my favorite from yesterday's senior photoshoot

57 Kinds of Awesome, part three

24.   taking senior pictures

25.   especially, taking former students' senior pictures

26.   all the gorgeous architecture in Savannah, Georgia

27.    saving for a better camera 

28.    planning Sloane's birthday party early and anticipating all the fun

29.    the giddy feeling you have when you get close to your goal

30.   navy blue and pale pink, a perfect color combination

31.   chicken and dumplings at Cracker Barrel

32.  the first whiff of a burning leaf pile in late October

33.   the way the dogs always run to greet us when we get home

34.  being met in the driveway by someone eager to see you

35.  cutting open the make up bottle to get out the last drops of goodness

          36.  pocket-sized LED flashlights

          37.  time spent in the woods

         38.  Sloane always wants the same panda cake she had for her fifth birthday

         39.  an unhurried trip to the library

         40.  giving yourself a pedicure and spending that $25 on books

What about you?  What awesomeness have you been noticing lately?

57 Kinds of Awesome, part 2

an new picture of Sloane, and my newest favorite

No matter what is going on in my life, if I count my blessings, "It's all good."    

57 Kinds of Awesome, part two

12.   Moms that cry when they see my photos of their children

13.   shopping Pinterest for teaching ideas

14.   seeing my nieces this weekend

15.    sweet, beautiful Sloane and the way she shrugs off life's annoyances

16.    getting things done

17.    a good night's sleep

18.   a new plummy red lipstick

19.   paying for Pandora - no ads, ever

20.  the giddiness children feel at leaf pile jumping

21.   surprise sunflowers that pop up in the yard 

22.  the way Jeffrey always keeps my bird feeder filled

23.  small group every Tuesday night

57 Kinds of Awesome

an old picture of Sloane, and my favorite

I have to confess, I don't feel especially awesome today.  I woke up counting all the things I had not accomplished this weekend that I needed to.  I began my day feeling slightly panicked at how behind I already was and it wasn't even 6:00 a.m. yet.

Well, I have a few no-fail habits for times like this.  The first thing I do is spend time in prayer and commit my time and my priorities to the Lord.  I spent my getting ready time singing worship songs instead of running around frantically trying to get another thing done.  Then, I did what I always do when the going gets tough - I began to count my blessings.  57 was the random number that popped into my head, so I present you with a new list...

57 Kinds of Awesome, part one

1. The sunrise for about two weeks now has been completely awe inspiring.  
2. Friends who really know me and love me anyway
3. I have a little boy in my class who brings me a flower from his mother's garden every time the current one fades. 
4. I love my job, even when there is too much to do. 
5. I serve a Father who cares deeply when I am overwhelmed and tired.  When I feel that way, He has promised to let me soar like the eagles if I simply rest in Him.  (Isaiah 40:31)
6. I have so many photoshoots this autumn that I am well on my way to the new camera I've been saving for.
7. Sloane turns 13 in two weeks. I am so excited about the surprises we have planned for her!
8. Music
9. Understanding, helpful friends
10. These oh-so-amazing leaves!
11. The bone deep knowledge that God is faithful.

Minimum Daily Requirements

I've been thinking about priorities lately.  Jennifer Louden recommends sitting down and thinking about your personal minimum daily requirements.  I'm not actually sure about her whole theory since I was only skimming the book, but she got me thinking.  The list that follows is what I consider my own minimum daily requirements.

Recipe for a Happy Life
Ingredients for a good day:

• count my blessings and offer thanks
• have a personal prayer time
• spend time reading the Bible 
• sing
• smile
• thank someone or give a compliment
• listen to music
• get in touch with a friend and offer encouragement (Facebook, email, text, phone - whatever)
• call my parents
• learn something
• read for pleasure
• write in one of my journals
• forgive offenses
• let go of annoyances
• play with the dogs
• notice beauty
• kiss and hug Jeffrey and Sloane
• hug and say, "I love you." to students, friends, and family
• end the day with family prayer time

Mix well.  Add same ingredients daily.  Add spice to the mix with a variety of adventures and encounters and a few long walks.  Serving size: one happy life.

On Thanksgiving

The meal is finished, and we're all deliciously full.  The kitchen isn't clean yet, but we all wanted to take some time to count our blessings.  It's a tradition with Team Lawson to have everyone who joins us for Thanksgiving help write a Thanksgiving post.  As we list our blessings, know that I count you, my readers, among them.  I pray you will always have a grateful heart.  I pray you will know how very much you are loved. 

a list of gratitude
* cupcakes * music * sugar * in-laws * Arlen's health * pumpkin pie * to be alive after a cancer scare * Arlen's healthy year * a Savior  and Lord of our lives * being in Missouri with my family * cooking * Athena does not have cystic fibrosis * books * magazines * the ocean * vacations * seeing my sister * my wife's faithfulness, her integrity, her service to her family * God's unmerited grace that extends to all of us * new kitchen counters * my students * garage door fixer people * Jamie Grace * small group * Lauren * friends who save us seats at church * my job * looping with my students this year * the Lord is gracious enough to use us even when we get older * it is a privilege to serve * grandparents * growing friendships * being overly full * Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey! * yummy dinner * family of God * our family in Talequah * our beautiful dogs * nieces * Alex * cucumbers * excellent physicians * the Cup Song * new friends * travel * horses * grandson * baking * fun Christmas plans * books * Gregory Austin Kimberling * Sloane's turkey and Marisa's deer * our cars just keep on rolling even past 200,00 miles * my camera * my iPhone * blogging * lots of photo shoots * the chance to cook with Sloane * tabouli * America * veterans * daughters-in-law * iPod and good headphones * Diaper Doo * magazines * brothers * doctors who pray with their patients * my family and that they are serving the Lord or reaching out to Him * youth group * a church to be proud of * Christmas * Pandora * makeovers * straighteners * Sloane's sweet spirit * no matter how many times you read it, the Word is always fresh * Jeffrey's guys group * Bass Pro Shop * parents * turkey * the answer is in Jesus * good jewelry * Sloane is open to new experiences * clarinet * marshmallows * Dale and Ethel could come and we could all visit again * podcast * audio-books * Eragon * iTunes radio * good health * my new streamlight flashlight * my principal * Crystal Bridges Art Museum * purple sleeping bags * Pinterest * Julie Blackmon exhibit * Daniel Woodrell and other wonderful authors * Clumsy Ninja app * the fact that we live near so many wonderful art museums * Indian food * tomatoes * my vintage goblets * glitter * pedicures * voting * GoodReads * Merrell boots * books, books, books * reading * quotes * good knives * pretty table settings * gel pens * presidential biographies * nail polish * theater * Alex and her family * Winterjam * fuzzy socks * good books * make up * swim team * good swimsuits * cute clothes * comfortable shoes * kisses and hugs * my students * cards in the mail * flowers * Glen, the janitor * friends * potlucks * C-pap machine * love, oh love *

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Just so you know...

I do practice what I preach.  A few weeks ago, I wrote this: Write letters to the people who have impacted your life. Track down the teacher or Girl Scout leader who made such a difference in your life. Email the college professor who inspired you to think in a newer, bigger way.  

The gratitude letter is one of the ways I celebrate Thanksgiving each year.  This year, I wrote a thank you letter to a former professor of mine who made a huge impact on my life.  I really put my heart into the letter and sent it off with a prayer that it would reach my former professor at just the time he most needed encouragement. 

I heard back from him within an hour.  His email thrilled me as he shared how my letter had impacted him and even made him cry.  That's just what I was hoping for - to be a blessing.

I'd like to challenge you to consider writing a letter of your own.  When someone has made a difference in you life, don't you think really thanking them is is worth the effort?  Maybe reading mine will inspire you. 

Dear Dr. __________,

 I have been meaning to write to you for years. As Thanksgiving draws near, it is my annual tradition to write to someone who has blessed and impacted my life. This year, that's you.

Out of all the many, many students you have taught, I really doubt that you remember me. I, however, remember you very well. I attended _______ from 1988 to 1993 and I was in your classes for a few of those years. I wasn't married then, so my name was Relyn Chrisner. You did something way back then for which I owe quite a large debt. You changed my life. I know, I know. Nearly every person we meet impacts us in some way. But, you made a measurable, incredible difference and it's about time I thanked you for it.

It was some time in1991 when you called me to your office and told me off. I mean it. You made the term brutally honest come to life. You were not easy on me. Not a bit. You yelled at me for being distracted, acting like a slacker, and for wasting my brains. You waved my transcript in my face and fussed at me for the incredible drop in grades from my freshman year to then. You had even gone to the trouble to look up my SAT scores and you told me off for not applying myself in either high school or college. You asked, "Why the h#$& don't you have a scholarship with a mind like that?" You were as truthful with me as anyone in my life - before or since.

Basically, you made me furious. I left your office as angry as I had ever been.

But.

Something you said stayed with me. It played in my head on constant repeat. I remember just praying to get your voice out of my head. You said, "If you don't do something now, right NOW, you are going to be mediocre for the rest of your life! If you don't begin to change your habits and your ways of thinking, you, Relyn, will never be anything more than average! What a waste that would be!"

I thought and thought about what you said. It took days for my shock, my indignation, my fury to subside. How dare he talk to me that way? How dare he say those terrible things? I am NOT mediocre! It took weeks for a small voice to begin answering back. Maybe he did it because he cares. Maybe he did it because you needed to hear it. If you aren't average, how do you explain your grades? If you aren't lazy, why the disinterest? It took months for me to make my momentous decision. I am finished with mediocrity. From now on, I will be excellent. I will work hard. I will achieve. I will not allow myself to settle for second best. I will refuse to be lazy. I WILL NOT give up. I will never again settle for mediocrity. Right now, I choose to live an excellent life. Right now, I choose to change and to grow and to strive always to be excellent.

What I really wanted to say, is thank you. Those two words are not enough, never enough. The time you took, the concern that prompted our talk completely changed my life. It's your voice I still hear in my head when I start to take the easy road. It's your words I still recall when I try and try and want to give up because mastery is so darn difficult, never mind excellence. It's my SAT scores rushing past my face that I envision when I feel dumb and foolish and exhausted.

It's you I think of when I stand in front of my students each day. It's you who made me the teacher I am.

If you could see me with my students, I think you would be proud. They don't know how much they owe to you. But, I do. I can never repay what you did for me. Each day, though, I try to pay it forward. Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 If you do write a letter, come back and tell me about it, won't you?

a thankful list

This morning, instead of our usual paragraph, I had my students write a list of ten things they were thankful for.  Here's a partial list of their responses.   

Things We Are Thankful For...

* school * family * good food * being free * God * Mrs. Lawson * getting to see my Nana every week * my house * holidays * iPod * High Pointe * Thanksgiving * learning * my dog * paper * food * parents * love * food and water * presents * my Mom * not being a bully * cute clothes * veterans * art, recess, PE, and library * sharing * my mom getting a new job * my aunt's new dog * science experiments *rainy days * not to be dead * for my friends *my bedroom * soldiers in the Army *writing * a roof over my head * brothers and sisters * cousins * aunts and uncles * potato chips * tv & video games * books * hamsters * doctors * animals * sunsets * and best of all, "I am thankful for life."

What are you thankful for today?


The art above is a sign I made for my classroom.  It is a Quentin Blake illustration with a Dr. Suess quote. 

It's November...

It's that time again.  It is November and every day this month I'll list something for which I am grateful.  Team Lawson does it every day here.  But, for November, I'll do it on Facebook as well.  Care to join me?

Today I am thankful for one of my students in particular.  He's an ornery boy with self-control issues.  He's the kind of kid who can't go to the bathroom alone because he'll either hang from the stall doors by his feet or see how many squirts it takes to empty the soap dispenser.

You know what he did?  Yesterday when we were talking about Halloween, he asked me my favorite candy.  This morning he brought me all his Reese's  peanut butter cups.

Today I am thankful for love; the pure, simple love of an 8 year old boy shown in a sweaty handful of candy.

a different sort of accounting

It's my 43rd birthday today.  I don't have a wish list at all.  I've already been given so much.

just some of the blessings of the past year
* Jeffrey * Sloane * my parents, and the happy childhood they provided * my brother, and the additional family he gave me to love * my in-laws, who raised my most excellent husband * the unshakable, unchangeable fact that God is the provider of all my needs * that my niece is also my namesake * the way that God uses the most difficult times to teach me and help me grow * weekend road trips with my parents * that we live only four hours (or less) from 4 incredible art museums * the way we can ask to become more like Jesus, and He answers with a resounding, "Yes!" * the way this Earth is so filled with beauty.  Truly, "the Earth declares the glory of the Lord." * friendships that have lasted through recent moves and separations * forgiveness and renewal of a treasured friendship * a new sewing machine * Jeffrey's steady love, no matter the trial; like a sure hand at my back as I climb rickety stairs. * Sloane's enthusiasm and willingness to share her thoughts and life with me in such an open-hearted way. * my mother is cancer free - praise God! * all the happy changes we made to our home * my camera and the people who let me take their pictures * time at the ocean, baring my heart and finding love and acceptance in return * the chance to meet new blogging friends *my brother-in-law's 19th surgery went so very well and we all had a terrific time together this summer * my in-laws are getting a new house * the chance to spend time this summer with old friends * our small group and the surety that those friends pray for me and mine every single day *  a magical road trip * getting back in touch with my high school besties * Life!  Oh, I am thankful for this wonderful, beautiful, messy, busy, crazy, marvelous life! *

twenty one years

I look at this picture and grin.  

There we are.  Look at us.  

Just babies.  

So young.  

And happy.  

And in love. 

It's been more than 23 years since this photo was taken in my college dorm room.  We don't look like that any more.  I don't decorate with old movie posters either.  I definitely don't wear sickly flowered dresses now.  I still hold him just like that though.  And he still has exactly that smile for me.  

We aren't young any more, and somehow, that's nearly unbelievable.  I remember being mildly insulted when we weren't included in our church's new young marrieds group.  Jeffrey laughed and told me that we had been married for eleven years and we really weren't newlyweds.  Oh.  Oh yeah.  

Those eleven years have since turned into twenty one.  So, ok, we aren't young anymore.  But, aside from our bodies, not much has changed.  

We still feel that young. 

We still live that hopeful.

We are still that happy and that much in love. 

God is so very good. 

I remember back when I was about 16 saying something like, "Ick.  Who would want to wake up to the same face for twenty years?  Booooring!"  Boy was I wrong, wrong, wrong.  The only thing I can think of that would be better than waking up to the same face for twenty years would be waking up to that face for 60 years or more.  That's my wish.  I want at least 60 years living, working, laughing, crying, praying, serving, loving - side by side with Jeffrey, my love.

God is so very, very good. 

Imagine giving me a man like him.

Jeffrey is such a man.

Let's grow old together, sweet boy.  It's a wonderful, wonderful life.

gratitude

Week 4 of the Wednesday Lists, Part 2
Prompt: List what you are grateful for.

Obviously, this is a favorite topic of mine.  I believe that the secret to a happy life is to be consistently and purposefully grateful.  I write often about gratitude here on this blog and Team Lawson keeps a daily list over on our family blog.  This, then, is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but rather, an illustrated one.  Here are just a few of the many, many things for which I give thanks each and every day. 

Jeffrey and Sloane

my parents 

carnivals, entertainment, and family fun

friends 

God's glorious creation 



animals

old signs and architecture - and dessert 

 cameras

 my niece, Persephone

old things

babies

teaching

 What are you thankful for every single day? 

You can order the card above here.

on being known

I spent the weekend at women's retreat sponsered by my church.  We had a wonderful time.  I laughed so much my sides still hurt.  What a blessing it is to laugh and pray with other women.

One of the main ideas our speaker discussed was the importance of investing ourselves in the lives of other women; the importance of letting ourselves be known.  I kept thinking of you, my blogging friends.  Right here; in this place where I hang my heart out in the open for anyone who cares to see, here is where I find myself known.  I kept thinking of the loving generosity with which my ramblings, my questions, my thoughts, my lists, my photographs - my very heart - has been recieved. And I was grateful.

I started this blog nearly five years ago.  I wouldn't have articulated it then, but one of my reasons for jumping in was that I hoped to find a way to not be so invisible.  Have you ever felt that way?  You know what I mean, right?  The way that women can spend their lives with others, work side by side, laugh with them at the lunch table, ask about their kids, even pray together... and still somehow  feel that no one really knows you but your own family.  I know some women who don't even feel seen and known by their family. 

And so, I am extra grateful today.  I am grateful for the family I have, who have always seen and known and loved me.  This family of mine that not only supports, but also loves my blogging habit.   And I am thankful for you.  My far-away friends who stopped by once, and saw something of a kindred spirit in me.  I am thankful for you.  So thankful you decided to stay and to let me be known to you. 

Thank you.

The image above is a close up detail from a painting called "The Record Player" by Karl Hoefer.

everywhere

 

 

If you have the eyes to see

you'll find beauty

everywhere.

 

Beauty in the smile of a stranger,

the laugh of a child,

the wag of a tail,

the purr of a cat.

 

Beauty in the delicious meal,

the tender hug,

the refrigerator art,

the sunset last night.

 

Beauty in the mess, the struggle,
the disappointments, the losses,

the strife, the hurt;

in the lessons they bring.

 

If you have eyes to see

you'll know that beauty

is just another word

for gratitude.



One of my favorite bloggers, Ann Voskamp said, "If God is everywhere, then beauty has to be everywhere." I think that's true. My own life experiences have certainly borne it out. I do find beauty everywhere. Do you?  Where? 

It's still Christmas.

It's been a hard Christmas season this year.  The hardest in my life, actually.  My brother and his family can't come home for Christmas.  It's been the first Christmas in twelve years I've spent in a new job with new colleagues.  I've been missing my friends and longing for the traditions we'd made together.  It's been sad thinking of Newtown, Connecticut and their sorrows. And, we've been sick.  All of us.  Really sick.

No last minute hustle and bustle.  No shopping and errands and exchanges of "Merry Christmas" wishes.  No Christmas cards addressed at the last minute.  No baking.  No classroom Christmas parties.  No Christmas puzzles or trips with friends to Silver Dollar City.  No midnight races to be the first to shout, "Christmas Eve gift!"  Not even any Christmas movies.  We've all been too sick for that.

It's been three people piled up on three separate sick beds trying desperately to concentrate on their books so they won't perish of boredom.  It's been a lot of cat napping and way too much coughing.  And, on my end at least, more than a little feeling sorry for myself.  One of the things I love most about Christmas is the energy and excitement. And I've been missing it.

And then.

And then I woke up just a little while ago.  Christmas Eve morning.  I woke up and began praying first thing, as I always do.  I began thanking God for the sunlight streaming in, turning the room to gold.  For the romping dogs playing outside the window.  For the sweetly sleeping child in the next room.  For the husband who let me sleep and was already up and out at the grocery store.  For the fact that I could breathe again without stabbing pain.  And for Christmas.

It's still Christmas, you see.

It's Christmas with or without the tree. It's Christmas with or without the excitement and energy.  It's Christmas with or without the baked goods, fudge, stocking stuffers, and the mall.  It's Christmas with or without the tree, traditions, excitement, and wrapping.  In fact, all those things are just add-ons.

It's Christmas because Christ came.  Emmanuel, God with us.

God with us.  God.  With. Us.

Think of it.  Just think of it!

Merry Christmas, friends.  Merry, merry Christmas!

On Thanksgiving

The meal is finished.  The games are played.  The kitchen is clean, and leftovers put away.  As we do each year, it's time to have everyone who is here help with my Thanksgiving post.  Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours.  Team Lawson joins me in wishing you all the best.  We pray you will always have a grateful heart.  We pray you will find joy in the small things and fortitude in the difficult ones.  We pray the year ahead will bring you more joy than sorrow.  We pray that you will always have plenty of food on the table and friends to share it with.  We pray you will know how very much you are loved.  I am thankful for you. each one of my precious, bloggy friends.  

a list of gratitude
* a houseful of friends on Thanksgiving day * Sloane * art * plenty of food * games and laughter with friends * that the Patriots are totally schooling the Jets right now * my new Chi straightening iron * a whole new Freshman class that's fallen in love with the Enderverse * our sweet, sweet dogs and how gentle they were tonight with Grandma * swinging * cousins * Daddy's that paint their daughter's nails * Greg survived his first Black Friday * Picmonkey * 2 paid for cars * candles * the odd music on Michael Bain's podcasts * the way you can find anything on youtube * chalkboard signs * balloons * Everlost and Everwild * public libraries * Atlas Shrugged * books * Pinterest * my pretty home * vintage cameras that look like mini-sculptures * guns * candy * that lemon pie tonight * blogging * listening to audiobooks * collections of quotes * Adel's voice * makeup and hair design sketch portfolios * winning blog give-aways * America * fresh flowers * photoshoots * the chance to teach little kids at church * Etsy * my new purple purse * our dogs are getting calmer * our new coffee table * book clubs * big earrings * selling my first photo * Yo Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone * Toby Mac * Jaime Grace * the Newsboys * family game nights * a handwritten letter in the mail * all the pretties that I set my table with * yummy turkey * trees * Christmas is coming * Elf * fonts * It's a Wonderful Life * soldiers * Operation Christmas Child * poetry * thoughtful friends * Persephone * my parents and in-laws * music * obsessions * belly laughs * my Mom's turkey dinner * Chopped * passionate kisses * new books * new Sharpie markers * great reading conferences * good health * long walks * holding hands * laughter * old friends * the theater * reading * cards just because * compliments * learning the little quirks about your friends * Star Wars * Bond, James Bond * Chinese take out for supper * pedicures * golf * dogs * new friends * freedom * a job I love * the right to vote * my students * art museums * Norman Rockwell * a clean garage * Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey! * Scholastic Book Clubs * Sloane's wonderful, thoughtful best friends * Chapstick when my lips hurt * lotion that soaks right in * a favorite song coming on the radio * veterans * a good night's sleep * family * God's word *

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

of plums and delight

My dear friend, Gigi, was hosting a giveaway for this gorgeous painting by Elizabeth Floyd.

I really wanted to win because I have a funny affinity for plums.  Years ago when I was in Egypt.  We were at a dinner and this very kind Egyptian gentleman was slicing up these delicious fruits for me.  They were SO GOOD!  I asked him what they were called and he said peaches.  Please don't think I'm a total ding dong when I tell you that I spent years looking all over America for purple peaches.  (Can you tell my family wasn't big on fresh fruit?)  Then one day, Jeffrey, my love, brought me a fresh plum and sliced it up.  Eureka!  My purple peaches had been plums all along.

And, guess what?  I won!  Now, every time I look at my beautiful new painting, I'll think of my wonderful adventures in Egypt and of the kindness of strangers.  Happy Thanksgiving, friends!