Got Gratitude?

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S., the former start of the holiday shopping season. (The holiday shopping season now starts back in September, when the back to school sales are over.)

So, in the spirit of Thankfullness, (Or is it Thankfulness? No, that's not right.), so in the spirit of Gratitude, (a much more manageable word if ever there was one), here's my list of the "good stuff".

I am thankful for -

My husband and sons who make me laugh.

My health and well being. Ex Deus Machina.

My parents and siblings who taught me self reliance and don't me drive me too crazy.

My teen and young adult nieces and nephews who actually listen and laugh at my jokes.

My friends, both near and far, virtual, and up close and personal. You are a gift.

My nursing career and the skills to help patients and families help themselves.

My pets who think I am the center of the Universe, well, because to them, I am.

To the Mayans or Aztecs or whoever invented Chocolate.

The roof over my head, the food in our pantry, and the extraordinary abundance of the everyday.

So to you and yours, Thank you today and everyday.

Humorless Old Ladies, Related and Not

I've had two recent encounters with humorless old ladies, one related, one not, that has left me determined to, never, ever, ever, lose my sense of fun, or ability to laugh, joke, or even break into a smile.

My first case in point, is an unknown elderly lady at the gym I recently joined. This lady appears very nice and cordial to all who cross her path, except for an apparent aversion to me. She assidously avoids eye contact with considerable and observable effort, and, on the rare occasions where our glances will unexpectedly meet, she SCOWLS at me. Yes, a Full frontal SCOWL, every single time. I thought, maybe I look like someone she knows and very obviously Dislikes. Intensely Dislikes.

My other experience was with my mom who can be a real PITA. When she came to visit us a few weeks ago, we were both in my car, ready to go shopping. Literally, just as I was ready to put the minivan in gear, my mother said, "Maybe we shouldn't go shopping."
I replied, "You've got to be kidding, we are already in the car on our way."
She said all Huffy like, "Don't talk to me like I'm one of your peers."
To which I told her, "We're leaving, and don't lose your sense of humor."
She pouted all the way to the Antiques Mall.

Next time, I'm parking the car and going back in the house, by myself.

Heart of the West Pow Wow for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Earlier this Fall I attended the Friends of Hart Park Annual Pow Wow, a celebration of Native American Culture with tribes from all over the Southwest and Plains states.


There was lots of dancing and drumming.

Lots of dancing and colorful traditional dress.



This pretty rainbow hued dress reminded me of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Coat.



Here is my personal favorite, a "jingle dress", made with rolled up pieces of metal, traditionally from tobacco tins.



I greatly enjoyed my first visit to the Hart Park Pow Wow and look forward to next year, especially the bead and crafts booths. (Yes, I bought some lovely turquoise, shell, silver, and coral beads. I am like Mrs.Spit in a good yarn store, hopeless and helpless when faced with the raw materials of my craft.)

What cool cultural goings-on are happening in your neck of the woods?
Thank you so much, and if you would like to see my Jewish Mother culture at work, please stop by The Motivation Station today for my homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe and more. Thank you again.

Almost Wordless Wednesday Halloween Post brought to you by Dipsy and a White Rapper

Beware!! Enter At Your Own Risk!

Don't say Goblin didn't warn you, it's Time for Teletubbies! Say hello to Dipsy-


And also to "White Rapper"-


No, these aren't Halloween masks, just me and my dear parents at my mom's birthday celebration.

Which we did very much - Enjoy .

Happy November to you and yours with <3.

Just Like Dickens Said

These last few weeks have been just like what Dickens said-

It was the best of times-

Seeing Van Morrison and his band perform at the Greek Theater, they are world class musicians who still have the heart of an Irish pub band.

Going to our oldest son's Fall Concert where he had multiple singing solos and performed in the Dance Ensemble.

Listening to our youngest son beamingly tell us that his Art teacher said he is "an A+ student".

It was the worst of times-

Having a patient attempt suicide and supporting her in picking up the pieces.

Learning of the suicide of a sibling of a dear friend from high school.

Going to the funeral for the Grandmother of our youngest son's best friend.



It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
English novelist (1812 - 1870)

Just Us Ghouls Hanging Out

The ghouls are tired of just hanging out, waiting for their big day of haunting.

It's hard work just laying around, and even with 250 stations, there's still nothing on.

Say "Cheese" everybody and please don't fight over the remote!

How are you doing getting ready for Halloween?

Thank you so much, and Thank you also for the wonderful Birthday Greetings! XX Martha

It Happens Once a Year for Almost Wordless Wednesday

It happens once a year, (no, not me logging onto Facebook, or dressing in something other than jeans, that's about twice a year ;o), this occasion was my birthday last week. This is what 49 years young looks like.
Thank you all so much and wishing you a joyful day and birthday too, whenever it is!