November 26, 2013

The All American Tradition...






The very famous " Thanksgiving Day Dinner" by Norman Rockwell always brings a smile to my face...and a chuckle. Mother looks so proud, as does Papa. However if you look closely, you will see a bunch of smiling kids up to who knows what. It is my envision that they are whispering and waiting for the feast to begin. The giggles, the laughter, the man in the right forefront, who is turned around to see the Artist painting. Maybe it is Norman himself?  ; )   
I do not know for sure, however, what I do know is that the paintings by Norman Rockwell are Americana stories that he told through his artwork. And for that he is known. And I love them all.
So kick off your shoes, eyeball those sweet potatoes with butter and snippets of dill, and know that when the turkey comes out to the table,everyone should applaud the chef.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

November 20, 2013

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." -Dan Zadra

Thanksgiving  is upon us now. I am grateful for my family, friends and health.I have love in my heart and am surrounded by the greatness of family love and deeply connected friendships.  
I am also grateful for you, whom I have met in blog-land. I am constantly amazed at how it all came about, however, one thing for certain is that I was meant to be a part of it. I communicate with people from as far away as Saigon, and as close as NY, with a bunch of smiles and kind words in between. Blogging is a journal of sorts. The thoughts that come onto the screen are so very sincere. Smiles, laughter, tears, joy - we share it all. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here.
Here's wishing you a peaceful and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
~Kathleen

November 14, 2013

Love & being Thankful

Well folks, it is that time of year again...and personally I look forward to it. The scent of cinnamon and ginger waft through my head, and my anticipation increases. I am very thankful for many many gifts I have in my life. My family, health, friends, cat, just to name a few. It is all good(actually, it is great). Although there are days when I temporarily "forget" about being so thankful, and fall down. It is love that brings me back up, and I am very thankful about that.
I happen to enjoy talking with people whom I have never met before. My sweet husband jokes that when we go out to a public environment, I can meet someone in record time. He will step away for a few minutes, and lo and behold when he returns, I am chatting with someone. It is heart-warming for me. I love to give a compliment to someone as I walk by them. Whether it's a woman's purse or shoes, or an elderly gentleman's tie, it's all the same, and done with sincerity. My eyes and heart twinkle when I see a smile. It's love. And I believe love is what we are here for.
So, in the days and weeks that follow, if I may suggest taking the time to see the people in front of you, behind you and to the side of you. A smile or nod to someone can make someone's day. And wouldn't you be glad you did? 
~Love~

November 1, 2013

November

To some people, the month of November signifies stoking the fireplace, warm sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets. It's a major transition from shorts, flip- flops and t-shirts. We do it as a ritual; the right to move forward. As much as I love the summer sunsets, I also enjoy the way the moon hangs down on Autumn nights. The skies are clearer and brighter. I can see Orion's belt better than any other season. Oh, but I love that moon - la Luna as my maternal Grandmother use to call to it. I remember as a little girl, I would watch her stare at it from the kitchen window. Now as an adult, I find myself entranced with it. Ah, such beauty in nature. I also love apples...the kind that aren't in season in the summertime.

If in the summer months people mentioned the Autumn leaves, I would slightly shudder - not because of those beautiful and crispy leaves that I love to crunch with the bottom of my shoe. It is, however, the extended daylight that I appreciate so much in the summertime. After dinner, there is still time left to do a little gardening, take a walk, or jump on my bicycle for a bit of a neighborhood spin. During this coming weekend, we will change back the clocks one hour, which sort of prevents me from doing those outdoor exercises after dinner. Oh well, time moves on, doesn't it?

I have given up the flip-flops for now. It takes me a while. I am slow to move into socks and shoes, but have recently started to. "Ouch" I hear my feet say, however, they will get use to it. I make up for it with scarves around my neck. I am definately a scarf girl - always was...always will be. I even have a purple one!  : -)

I am slowly coming around. Halloween was yesterday, and I was totally excited for it. I dressed as a jack-o-lantern and it was fun to see the eyes of the young ones pop open when I opened the door and said "trick or treat"...to my amusement of course. A bald eagle crossed our threshold, and a pair of sister twins dressed as babies that were so so cute. Kayla and Lily left holding hands all the while looking at their candy loot. What fun!

Just last week, Allen and I planted our spring bulbs. I refuse to wear any of my garden gloves. As nice as they are, I need to feel the earth in between my fingers and under my new nail polish. It's a tradition, and although I welcome new ones all the time, I tend to rely on the old ones as well. It's wonderful. I feel as if I am feeding the earth, not to mention my soul.

Feel good my friends.