Just thinkin’ and smilin’ : AIN’T LIFE GRAND ???????
Take a minute to reflect on those simple things, those things that give you pleasure, but you take for granted. Try thinkin’ and smilin’ , and you might find that life is , truly , grand…………….
For example :
Sitting in my comfortable chair in my comfortable den in my comfortable home———and thinkin’ and smilin’ ! Ain’t life grand ?????
Oh, I could spend hours complaining. I could spend hours whining. I could spend hours griping. I could spend hours wishing for better days, long-ago years, more money, less expenses, no aches and pains , and on and on. Sound familiar ?
But I am sitting in my comfortable chair in my comfortable den in my comfortable home——-and thinkin’ and smilin’. Ain’t life grand ?????
I see the woods, all thirteen acres , in all its naked wonder. We have few evergreens, but I am grateful for the green of the volunteer magnolias that are sprinkled throughout. And the beech trees. Oh, how I love the beech trees! Bronze all winter long and green again in the spring. Such a contrast to the gray and dreary hardwoods, which, from my view, offer their own sort of beauty.
Everything unto a season….
And then there are the birds. Most are familiar, so they become friends. We have the black oil sunflower seeds and the suet hanging at our den windows——-with the thistle sock further away. I find that the Finches are less friendly ( actually angry fighters ) , so keeping their preference away from the others is a good thing. But the Downies at the suet are my favorites.
Cardinals are pretty, but, much like people, they are not always nice ! Anyway, I am entertained by the birds day in and day out many times more than I am by TV or the internet.
Truly God’s gift…………
And then there’s my needlepoint. Have been working canvasses since my mother brought me my first one when I was hospitalized at Emory some 50 years ago. I purchase on-line now and only select hand-painted ones, a self-serving expense, for sure.
I get my thread in Hartwell at Elsie Bee——-and feel like a cousin of the mother-daughter duo there. Such an upper to shop in a locally owned store where people know you by name——–and ask how your dog is doing !
Needlepoint : my therapy, my relaxing journey, my tangible success………
And I cannot muddle through the uppers without mentioning my high school sweetheart ! Choosing him when I was 11 years old and chasing him over two continents have proved that love is not a destination but a journey.
Our ups have overcome our downs and after 62 years of marriage, two children, six grandchildren, many Cocker Spaniels, life in various towns and states, diversified careers, and moving from poor ( SERIOUSLY POOR) to comfortable, I can say , without a doubt :
AIN’T LIFE GRAND ???????
Thanks to You and other teachers like You, AIN’T LIFE GRAND???!!!!!! Indeed it has been and is correctly fantastic!!! Thanks Mrs. Toney, my High School English Teacher, my inspiration!!!
You have always been my supporter and my friend. And you have always had a special place in my heart, from being my senior English student to sharing a professional journey in education. I am so happy that we are still in touch. Take care of that sweet daughter and those delightful grands. And never forget that this ole teacher loves you !
Once again you have hit me between the eyes. After spending the afternoon with you and airing some of the “life ain’t so grand moments” you have easily put it into perspective. I too have many bird feeders & squirrel feeders & spend too many hours watching God’s creatures put on a show for me that beats any TV show ever aired. It’s so easy to slip into the “woe is me” mood. Thanks for putting a smile back on my face.
You are handling your adversities well ! We are just human, not angels by any stretch, and down moments are part of the journey. And I too often forget that LIFE IS GRAND, too. An afternoon of bridge with friends is another simple time to appreciate. Keep the faith———and enjoy the birds ! And thank you for being my friend.
Di,
This reminds me of the Book of Joy with the Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu! I have continued my weekly Bible/book study with Karen Brown and we just finished reading this. Very uplifting and inspiring, as your words from the woods. Love you and hope to see you in March! Ruth
Thank you, Ruth ! As always, you make me happy. I’ll put your suggestion on my ” To Read ” list. Am reading (again) JACK KENNEDY, ELUSIVE HERO. Chuck gave it to me for Christmas 11 years ago. Takes me back to those classy/classic days that seem few and far between in today’s world.
I always appreciate you opinions and comments. As you know, my thoughts are simply “what comes up comes out “. But it’s fun for me.
Looking forward to a good visit in the spring !
Upon retiring in 2017, during the shuffling move, we elected to get rid of our TV. It has offered more time to notice nature, to hold conversations, and to read creative offerings. And that’s grand!
Glad you are staying focused on the grand things and ignoring those aches and pains. Grateful you reminded us to do the same.
What an outstanding commitment to a deeper life. I admire you both for taking such a major step. You are probably the only people I know who are “TVless “.
Life has so much to offer. I have to remind myself………
Thank you reading my ramblings and for commenting. It means much.
Thanks for the reminder. When I require a reminder,I need only compare my life with that of my parents, the Greatest Generation.
They exemplified “Ain’t Life Grand “ with much less than I enjoy.
Keep sharing.
You are so right ! I too often forget to appreciate. Have to remind myself periodically although we have floor-to-ceiling windows with no coverings ( except blinds in bed and bath ), so the outside is always inside. Our woods are our privacy and we planned it that way when we built a 23 years ago.
You’ll never know how much I appreciate your not only reading my thoughts but also commenting ! And I enjoy the Wordle connection, too !