Ten More or Less Random Things

I've seen a few of the blogs I read regularly, list ten random things (Sam and Patry , to name the more recent ones I've read). Today I'll take my inspiration from them, and list ten random things I'm thankful for...

1. That I have lemon blueberry scones from Trader Joe's sitting on my counter, waiting to be devoured with a cup of Earl Grey tea with a teaspoon of honey, tomorrow morning (provided the  package survives till then).

2. Even though our autumnal foliage display may not be as impressive as it is back east (well, actually, you might have to look really hard to find it in some areas here) - but we do still have some!  Not only do I appreciate it more when I do see a tree lighting up its leaves in all its fall glory, but we can still wear t-shirts in our Indian Summer weather, while we enjoy the sprinkling of color.
Didn't even need a sweater when taking a walk to collect these leaves.

3. But nights are still cool enough for comfortable snuggling and needing a blanket on the bed. Cozy.

4. The sky is blue again! I love this time of year, when the smog dissipates or just migrates south for the winter - whatever it is, I've always liked fall here for that reason. Autumn=Blue sky!

5. Seeing my grandgirls, not just once, not twice or even thrice - but it will be four whole times in one week. Woo hoo! This morning we had a Native American drumming and dancing session. Other people might not have been amused, but we were. (I wonder how far away they could hear that we natives were restless? At least we didn't send smoke signals; though they would have shown up nicely against the blue sky...)

6. Relish trays - I love little nibblies, and this may sound odd, but these are really my favorite part of holiday meals. All the lovely little 'while you're waiting for the real meal to finish cooking' munchies. I miss putting an olive on each finger though; they kind of frown on that at the grown-up table. If I'd realized you couldn't get away with that kind of behavior there, I wouldn't have been so anxious to
hurry up and graduate from the kid's table, all those years ago. Why doesn't anybody tell you these things at the time?

7. I found some goofy Thanksgiving jokes on the Internet, along with some autumn/Thanksgiving activitycoloring pages, and put together  a little  six-page each booklet for the kidlets tomorrow. Sample: Why did the turkey cross the road?  Because it was the chicken's day off.

OK, I know I'm a turkey for passing that on, but if it makes the kids laugh, it's worth it.

8. Grateful for old crayons. Because I'm terrible about hoarding things, there are still some of those hanging around. But I'm glad; because the newer crayons? They just don't make them like they used to...they're too waxy or something now. The formula's different. They don't smell as good as they used to, either. I loved opening a box of them as a kid and getting that new crayon smell. All the perfect little rounded-to-a-point tips...at least you still get that part of the package.

9. This should have been at the top of the post. One of our cats got out last night - and with a sinking heart, I thought, "Oh no! This is just like what happened with Harriet, all over again."
But this morning, there he was in the backyard. Now he's inside, bragging to the other cats about his adventures. Really! I swear he's swaggering when he walks over to the litter box now (and he's been neutered, so I don't think that's what he's boasting about; but I guess you never know. How would the other cats know if he were lying?).

10. This is the one that really should be number one. I'm grateful that apart from some brief, mild  cold viruses, everyone in my family is well and safe right now. There have been others in the blogging circle who've suffered some tremendous losses lately, and my heart goes out to Violette and JudiRedhead. It's never easy to lose a loved one, but especially when they're so very young.   Meanwhile, I'm knocking on wood, and mentally wrapping all my loved ones up in protective layers of soft fluffy down comforters in kevlar duvet covers, praying that all will stay safe, while I count my blessings tonight.

Hope you don't mind if I wrap all of you up in it, too. Just to be safe.

*10 and a half. I'm Thankful for this blog world, each and every one of you!

Here's a sneak peek at a work in progress...started out as a leaf rubbing on copy paper with colored pencil; then added a doodle, then another - then it grew and grew - and I'm not done growing it yet.  I'll post it again when it's ready to harvest.

*I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back here right away with a full post, so if I don't see you again beforehand,

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!

                                                                                                                        

                                 

Comments

[Caroline]

I love the little faces / animals hiding in the leaves.

Your weather sounds great - its been raining here a lot...

And its odd that you should mention the wish to sit at the grown-ups table I was getting annoyed all over again yesterday at having to sit at the too small & cramped children's table for Christmas dinner at Gran's when my Great Aunt Sadie was so much smaller than me - just lots older!

I might have ago at 10 random things... I've been putting off posting today...

[Laini]

Glad your kitty came home! My mom has lost some to coyotes lately, so now her cats are prisoners. And as for relish trays, I love those too, even though I hate olives. My grandmother used to make "dilly beans" as well as dill pickles and beets, and those are favorites. And crayons! God, how I loved a new box of crayons as a kid!

[Paris Parfait]

Your art is beautiful - and so is your big loving heart, Terri! So glad your cat returned to boast of his adventures. How much fun to spend lots of time with the grandgirls - and your dancing and drumming session sounds like fun. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with their joke books you made. And yes, thankful your family is safe and sound - we're all so lucky! Happy Thanksgiving, dear heart, to you and yours. xo

[Ninnie]

Oh I love this art piece. It is so fall. And love the 10 random more or less things. My mother-in-law does not have enough room at the grown up table for all the grown ups so it is like a race to see who out of her children and their spouses get to be at the children's table. I hope I win ths year. I did last year.

[Melba]

Love your work in progress. I am going to make my list now too.

[kat]

i totally love this art, tinker!!! i love the fox and owl peeking out, two animals i'm really drawn to. happy thanksgiving!

[Tammy]

I'm SUPER grateful for you! Happy Thanksgiving!

[gerry rosser]

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Marilyn]

Great list, Tinker! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. And I, too, love the relish trays...every year it's a battle to keep from filling up before dinner's even served. :)

[Sioux]

Tink, I think I'll just post my 10 here:

1. Raf...who is always and has always taken care of me
2. Carolyn...who is here all the time for us
3. John and Joey who are so loving
4. The rest of the family...most of the time!
5. Friends here who nourish
6. My church and church family
7. My online pals...ESPECIALLY the Glitter Power Sisters
8. Prosperity
9. Our country
10. Thank you God for everything

Thanks, Tink, for giving me a place to say all this....

Love and hugs to you!!

[tinker]

Caroline - Can't wait to read your list!
Laini - I'm so sorry about your Mom's kitty. Your Grandma's dilly beans sound delicious!
Tara - A Happy Thanksgiving in Paris, to you and yours, too - xo
Ninnie - I hope you win the race!
Melba - Can't wait to read your list!
Kat - They're 2 of my favorites, too.
Tammy - And I'm grateful for you! You're an inspiration, lady. Good luck with the NaNoWriMo book.
Gerry - Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Marilyn - For me, I'd almost rather fill up on the relish tray!
Sioux - Love your list - and I'm so thankful for all you Glitter Power Sisters. Thanks for sharing your list!

Anyone else want to share your list here?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you - let the feasting begin!

[lisa]

I love all the doodles in the leaves. You have a wonderful random list. I laughed, I cried ....

[artzyjudie]

love those little animal faces hiding in the leaves. That really makes the drawing. I know the finished product will be fab! Gee, your weather sounds like mine, but PLEEZE don't send that smog south! :)

[Imelda]

That's a wonderful post, lovely list, and it all reminds me of how much I am thankful for, including all the American friends I made this year - here in blogland, and in reality when I visited back in May/June. You've all been in my thoughts these few days. Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, Tinker.

[Pam Aries]

Hey Tinkie! Hope your Thanksgiving was grand! I love your art piece! Pretty reds. and the little animals!!!!