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Thursday, November 26, 2020

Cornucopia of Thanks (or Gratitude in a Goat's Horn)

There's something about the word CORNUCOPIA; the horn o'plenty.  It tickles the tongue and sounds corny but the cornucopia has long symbolized abundance. I'll be the first to recognize my life is overflowing with blessings.

I could reel off one hundred things to be thankful for but how do I express genuine appreciation? I enjoy being in the moment, taking the time to soak up whatever it is. I don't need much to be happy. Today I watched as a dove had a drink at the birdbath. Within another minute or so, she was taking a full bath on a 40 degree day. It was then I realized that while I've fed and watered birds for 30 plus years, I'd never seen a dove actually take a bath. That one small moment this morning has been in my mind all day. Within a minute of her dip the bath was full of birds. It was a delightful moment in an otherwise cloudy, damp and gray day. 

The Michigan temperatures have been above average for most of November providing additional moments of gratitude every time I step outdoors. Tomorrow I'll get my Christmas lights up. While I enjoy all the holiday colors, it's nice to think that maybe a passerby finds pleasure in them too.

So yes, I am thankful for many of the same reasons most are: employment [bonus: five minute commute,]  a home with a good roof, a car, three meals a day plus snacks, pets, books, baseball cards, music, a blog etc etc,  I may have only a couple of  'blood' family members left on this earth  - my sister and dad -  but I've made a family of friends over many years. 

I've chosen to surround myself with people who are kind. I don't have the time or patience for people who are angry and intolerant or live in a world of continuous self-created drama. Life will bring its own dramatic moments without seeking them out. Physical pain and heartache are part of life but without sorrow and loss, would we truly know the fullness of joy found in laughter or the touch of a loved one's hand? It may sound a bit sappy but these are the thoughts that live in my head.

And now, in this moment, I am thankful for you. A few of you supported my little blog from its beginnings in June of 2014. Somewhere along the way, the rest of you lovely and crazy people joined to keep me going. Your kindnesses and many generosities are not taken for granted. Your blogs entertain and educate, and often leave me thinking a bit bigger - outside the box - about the world we live in and share.  Thank you. I hope your Thanksgiving has been one of health and happiness. 

This is post number 194. I doubt I'll hit 200 by the years end but it is 2020. Nothing is off the table.
Until next time...















32 comments:

  1. Solid Thanksgiving post, hope you have a great rest of the year!

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    1. Short but to the point. Have a blessed Decemebr!

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  2. "Without sorrow and loss, would we truly know the fullness of joy found in laughter or the touch of a loved one's hand?"

    Now that's straight up poetic... and 100% real. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving... and thank you for the PWE. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday.

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    1. My day was unusually quiet this year but sweetly peaceful. Thank you Fuji. You are an amazing fellow!

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  3. A belated Happy Thanksgiving.

    I love the blogs that make you think. Thanks for being one of them.

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  4. Thanks for running this blog, Julie! It always brightens my day to see a new post waiting for me on "A Cracked Bat."

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  5. Very well said Julie. Thanks for sharing these observations with us. We could all use a little more joy and kindness and gratitude, and less anger and intolerance.

    I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, and I hope the weather stays warm enough to go outside for at least another weekend.

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    1. Joy to the world...all the boys and girls. Sunny and in the 40s today. Another nice weekend for decorating!

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  6. Thank you Julie! And happy thanksgiving!

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  7. And we're all thankful just for your being around! You sharing your positivity with us is just a bonus, and if I'm speaking personally, it's often a much needed bonus.

    Oh, and bird baths are severely underrated as far as things that bring joy go. I don't exactly know why it is that watching little birds splash around in water is so uplifting, but it is, and I'm of the opinion that more people should have them in their yards.

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    1. You made me smile. I have a heated bath out back and adding one to the front this year. For now, I've been filling the front bath every day and dumping the water at dark for freeze prevention. Thanks for your sincerity. :)

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  8. We enjoy reading your blog for sure and the creative process you have.

    Also hoping for 200 by years end!

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    1. SCC, thanks! I enjoy coffee with you nearly every morning (5 days out of 7 anyway.)

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  9. Wonderful blog, Julie! Here's to another 194!

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  10. Belated Happy Thanksgiving! Here's hoping for a few more things to be thankful for before the end of the year!

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    1. Always something to be thankful for! Thanks for being a regular here in this Cracked space!

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  11. As Andrew Gold used to sing back in the day, "Thank You For Being a Friend".

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    1. You know, that song has always been a favorite of mine. I always turned the radio way up!

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  12. Although that imaginary line makes me part of an area that celebrates Thanksgiving in October, it's nice to see these.
    I received the cards from your pick pockets thing. Thank you!
    I'm hoping once my legs start to feel better I'll be more willing to sit at the computer and write

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    1. Hey Mike! Glad the cards made it to you. Hope you're kickin' your heels soon!

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  13. Happy (late) Thanksgiving! I'm a bit jealous of your 5 minute commute (mine is a little under an hour each way) but I'm with you in that I'm thankful to have a job, a roof over my head, etc.! Appreciate the positivity, we can all use a lot more of that these days.

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    1. After driving an hour n a half one way for three years, I'm super thankful for my commute. It took me three hours to get home a couple of times when the weather was bad. An hour is still a long drive but perhaps it gives you a little quiet time or 'jam' time if you like tunes.

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