Mobility

I'm grateful to be mobile; to be able to move and have the use of my limbs; it is a great blessing indeed.

And, I am grateful.

A Wonderful Daughter

Oh, that Kristi D....she's a good one!

And, I am grateful.

Money

Sometimes I worry if our money will hold out.

But, for now, we are okay.

And, I am grateful.

Beautiful Mornings!

AH, I do love the mornings.

And, I am grateful.

Sleep...

When I don't get it, it makes me appreciate it even more.

I'm grateful when I can SLEEP.

My Bro - Preston

Oh, he's a fine one, that young brother of mine.

He came for a visit....

I love his upbeat, happy personality.

His optimism, his generosity and his thoughtfulness.

I am grateful.

Happy People

have you ever been around someone who is just naturally eternally cheerful?

Like my Aunt Gerry?

She had the most pleasant disposition...even when there were challenging, sad situations; she was just a happy person.

I loved to be around her.  She always buoyed me up.  She made me feel happy.

I miss her tremendously.

But, I think back with fondness on her sunny disposition and how inspiring she always was.

And, I am grateful.

Knowledgeable People

We went to a lecture last night.

The people presenting were so knowledgeable and smart about their subject...

It's good to have smart people around to teach us and help us...

I was grateful.

New Babies

we have a new grandson; welcome little

CALDER MERRILL HACKWORTH...

What a blessing to see new life and the whole cycle starts all over again:

I am grateful.

Good People

It's such a JOY to be around good people.

I am grateful when I have that privilege.

Things the Way They Are

I don't want anything to change.

I'm grateful for just the way things are....

Please, no changes.

Sunshine

I love the sunshine....

I love sunny days.

I am so grateful to live in a sunny place.

Grateful, is what I am.

Pizza! and Pizza Delivery!

I don't know who invented it, but it's a wonderful, tasty invention.

I've had pizza in New York and in Italy, where it tastes a lot different,

but, no matter the place, I'm crazy about a hot piece of pizza from:

the frozen section of the grocery store,
Pizza Hut,
Domino's,
Little Caesar's,
Brick Oven,
San Francisco Pier 49;

It's all GOOD.

And, I am grateful.

Our Mission

It's been over now for about six months or so, but yesterday we had a farewell party for the sister missionaries.

It was so great to see the marvelous people we had grown to know and love:

Elder Larkin
Elder Bryd
Sister McMichael
Sister Fhye
Sharon and Ron Crown
the Tripps
The Ingols
The Petersons

Such incredibly GOOD good people.

And, I realized that in serving a mission, you meet the best people on the planet.

I am grateful.

Allen

He gave me some fun gifts; thoughtful and unique.

Potato Chips, Pistachios, and Roses; 

Perfect.

And, I am grateful.

Work

Work is a blessing.

I don't know how you help kids see that.

As a young child, I didn't want to work or like to work; I crumbled, complained, whined.

But, now from this perspective, I see how truly blessed a person is who can

WORK.

Oh, yes indeed...work is a blessing,

And, I am grateful!

Health

I've said it before, will say it again.

If you have health, you have everything.

Allen is very sick with bronchitis.

It reminds me how valuable health really is.

A Scanner

A Scanner simply means that I can put many pictures into the computer, where they can easily be stored and retrieved.

It's actually pretty efficient, handy, quick.

And, I am grateful.

Fingers and Hands

Oh, yes,

I am grateful for my ten digits.

Family Photos

I don't know where they came from.

But, I discovered an envelope filled with pictures; of me!

It has been fun to see these pictures of me as a child.

Kaey and Loni in Preston, Idaho; Christmas 1946...shortly before leaving for Europe.

So, hooray for pictures.

And, I am grateful.

Laughter

We went to a musical performance last night...

Some of the numbers were very humorous.

It just felt good to laugh.

I'm grateful for talented people who can make me laugh.

Technology

Many years ago, when Allen and I used to go to the gym at Ricks College to exercise, Allen had a small tape recorder which he held in his hand:

Using his headset, he would listen to audio cassettes or the radio as he ran around the indoor oval track; (on Saturdays, he listened to Garrison Keillor and would laugh and laugh!).

I also used it; in fact, that is one of the ways I listened to the Book of Mormon....

the little device was convenient, portable, handy.

BUT, they were also frustrating if you lost your places on the tape or if the tape got mangled, which it often did, etc.

How, things have changed.

Look at the size of a music player now:

Just clip it on your belt or pants, and you are set.

Well, I don't have that version of a music player, but I do have an ITouch, which I LOVE!

I mostly read books on it, or listen to books on tape.  

And that makes exercising infinitely more DOABLE.

Having a small device that I can strap to my arm is so convenient, handy, usable.

And, I am grateful.

The Ability to Read

It seems like such a simple thing...

WHEN you know how to do it.

But, it's not as simple as it seems, and many people are not able to

R.E.A.D.

I get great joy out of reading.

Oh, yes, I am grateful.

Access to Fresh Fruits and Veggies Year Round

It's hard to eat healthy!

And, especially for me as a lover of:

Carbs such as pastas, bread, pizza,

Sweets!

But, I do try to eat a banana every day, a fruit smoothie in the mornings sometimes, and veggies on other occasions when I have the opportunity.

So, I am very grateful we have access to these foods year round; it's a great blessing.

And, I am grateful.

Garn and Dorothy

They are such good friends;

I appreciate their long-time friendship.

For many reasons:

We have a lot in common,

We don't have much in common.

But, it's always great to spend time with them, even if it is weeks apart.

They came to visit last night; it's a little bit of a drive, so it made me appreciate them a great deal.

And, I am grateful.

A New Week

Retired; well, yes.

BUSY: well, very.

Each week seems to bring with it more that needs to be done.

So, I'm very grateful when there is a new week to get "stuff" done.

I'm thankful.

Sunny Days!

It rained on Friday; we desperately need it.

We have been asked to fast for rain; the entire West is in the worst drought in over 400 years!

Lakes and reservoirs are wayyyyy down.

We need water.

But, I have to say that I do love sunny days.

They are my fav, so I am glad we live in a sunny day clime.

And, I am grateful.

Music

We went to a very strange concert last night;

as in

S.T.R.A.N.G.E!

It was called: NEW MUSIC NIGHT

ha!  I doubt it will ever be old music

The sounds produced were weird, unusual, and not at all to my tastes.

So, it makes me appreciate listening to the kind of music that

I ENJOY.

And, for music, I am very grateful.