THANKS GIVING

I do not think one day of giving thanks is right. We should give thanks every day.  That is what I try to do.  Even on the worst of days, there is always something for which to say thank you.  Sometimes it might be for a small thing that seems insignificant--a clear night sky, a smile in passing, a compliment, bird song, colors of fall, a comforting hug, caring friends, the sound of laughter.  In each experience there is a touch of God.  So we should not only say thank you to loved ones, friends, and family, but we should thank God for the blessings of each in our lives. 

I am so very thankful for each blessing bestowed in my life.  Without my friends I could not endure difficulties.  Without smiles I would lose hope.  Without hugs I would feel forgotten.  Without the colors of fall I would forget to notice the world created for us.  

So even though my days might include difficulties, they also include blessings. Without such blessings I would not live through the difficulties.

Thank you friends.

Thank you family and loved ones.

Thank you Kala, my caring cat.

Thank you God.

GOD'S ARTISTRY

The Lord created a colorful carpet for me to walk upon today.

A path so filled with brilliance and beauty.

Trees flowed with his brush strokes.

I celebrated being witness to such artistry.

A LAST FLING WITH FALL

Recently I took a walk on the Clackamas Community College campus to witness autumn's amazing array of brilliance.  It is so fleeting and I wanted to capture some of it to look at when the days are gray.   I love the splashes of color.

Bejeweled leaves glisten like a countess bedecked in diamonds.

And when the sunshine hits them they dazzle with rainbow colors hidden inside each droplet.

Color is flung upon the green grass adding vibrancy to the emerald path.

Color blazes upon each branch, and the sunlight plays tag with the fluttering leaves just before they parachute to the ground.

Dangling like peachy pendants they hang, colorful teardrops waiting the moment they are shed.

As the sunlight dances across leaves, shadows leap and pirouette, and I can hear the winds song influencing them.

Lanced sunlight plays peek-a-boo with me.

As I gaze up through the tree's canopy I feel as though I have entered a Pollock painting.

Some colors are subtle...

...while others scream, "look at me!"

Then there is the delicate wisp of color which pierces the cloudy blue sky and create a lacy rainbow effect.

Gold is not only worn on fingers, necks or wrists.

Mother Nature wears gold splendidly.

I think Mother Nature paints beautifully!

MORE THAN LOVE

Cats have always been special to me.  I have a connection with them and have had many in my life over the years.  

My present cat is Kala and she the most loving cat I have ever had.  Sometimes I think it is because she knows I have a great need.  She seems to sense when I am down or worried or stressed.  There are times I have been crying and she will come up to me, look into my eyes, and place her paw up to my face or chest as if to say, "I am here for you."

Then I will cuddle her and let the tears flow as she licks my face and purrs to calm me.  

When I am feeling stressed she will climb onto my lap and purr and give me kisses and massages with her feet, constantly looking up to my eyes and purring the whole time.

I have had a lot of stresses and sadness in the last few years and I do not think I would have been able to manage without the love and strength I receive from this ebony bundle.

Some may say I am crazy to feel that my cat is comforting, loving, caring and kind.  But when you have experienced a bond with a pet, you know what I am talking about.  And those of us who have had this in our lives are very blessed.