Gratitude List #14: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry 2

'Blood Orange Smoothie' (photo by me)

Today's gratitude list is on the theme of the usual: music, free concerts, and summer foods/drinks, in order of the events of this past week, in no particular order of importance:

* The launch of a local Green Party's campaign, Claire Martin, for North Vancouver with appetizers, music, and speeches by her and Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party
* Drop-in singing with an impromptu rock choirin West Vancouver
* Singing with a beautiful view of the ocean (inside though) at Silk Purse Gallery
* Listening to a cool band Friday evening (I thought 'Frozen' was playing so came late)
* A fresh fig given to me directly from a tree next door where I live
* Reconnecting with my previous landlady at her garage sale
* Receiving a raindrop umbrella from my previous landlady's daughter
* Being provided with fresh ice and cold water before heading out again
* Attending a block party in my old neighbourhood
* Summer fruit: blueberries (and organic at that!)
* Preparing and creating a green salad with fruit (blueberries, strawberries, and a fig from next door)
* Salmon patties
* Cold drinks on a hot day: iced tea, water, mineral water
* Popsicles and/or ice cream on a hot day
* A great live Latin band, Alma Chevere, to dance to (http://www.almachevere.com/)

Me (being silly) smelling the herbs of one of my favourite teas today, 'Blood Orange Smoothie' though not a smoothie. (It almost looks like I am drinking it; however, we each received a small plastic container to taste various iced teas with.)

* Sampling different teas at an iced tea event (http://www.teasparrow.com/)
* Tea Sparrow: their integrity, generosity, and sense of fun
* Receiving a goodie bag for volunteering

Just curious, what is your favourite type of tea: black, chai, green, herbal, oolong?

And what are you grateful for at this time? Today/yesterday/this past week?

Gratitude List #13: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry! ;)

Today's gratitude list is on the themes of 'Eat, Drink, and Be Merry' as part of my summer fun in terms of music, free concerts, and summer foods/drinks, in order of the events of this past week:

March Hare Band at Shipyards Market, North Vancouver, BC (my photo)

I have to tell you, I had a fabulous week this past week!

* Kirtan in North Van in someone's home in my old neighbourhood
* I knew the woman hosting the kirtan
* Creating a scrapbook page for a colleague leaving work
* A staff BBQ in a Vancouver park, near the water's edge
* A pair of new runners for walking (hope they work out fine!)
* An outdoor movie playing at the main library's plaza area
* A fun movie, "Into the Woods" with Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Woods_%28film%29)
* Winning a popcorn prize for the trivia question what the movie was based on (I knew as I sang part of the song in a previous choir)
* A free slushie at 7/11 as it is 7/11 day
* Salmon burger - yum, yum!
* Summer fruit: cherries and apricots
* March Hare Band (www.marchhareband.com), a great band to dance to!
* Dancing in the rain literally with other folk: fun and cooled me while dancing
* Rain - finally! - for nature including gardens, wildlife, and us humans
* A volunteer meeting where I got to sample different iced teas
* A free concert of a boys chorale in North Vancouver
* The Maryland State Boychoir (http://www.marylandstateboychoir.org/)

Last week I had wondered if I "should" stop repeating that I love to air dry my laundry. Well I did on this list as I did'nt as we got some much-needed rain! (Needless to say, I really missed doing so this weekend.)

What are you grateful for at this time? Today/yesterday/this past week?

Gratitude List #12: A Feast of Food, Friends, and FUN 2!

Today's gratitude list is on the themes of summer fun - food, friends, and fun including music and drinks (black cherry theme), in relative order of this past week (but not in order of importance!):

* Meeting up with a BAR (Blog-A-Rhythm) blog member, Sanch Vee and her sister in Vancouver, BC after work
* Having 'a drink' (Black Cherry cocktail mix) and dinner at a pub patio (Steamworks) in the cool air on a hot day
* Sharing an interesting dessert amongst us with three flavours of custard/mousse-like dessert
* A holiday mid-week - Canada Day
* A paid holiday (at least for me)
* Fireworks to music (on Canada Day)

* Free concerts outdoors, two nights in a row
* Dancing to live music outdoors
* Bumping into someone I know, a former choir member
* Having 'a drink' - I rarely do (honest!) - and feeling groovy (a little tipsy perhaps as I drank too fast with an empty stomach, not realizing till later that they did allow food in the beer garden
* Creativity - ideas for a scrapbook page
* Another sunny hot weekend to air-dry my laundry*

* A coupon for a free tea beverage
* Fresh brewed iced tea
* David's Tea, a colourful and wonderful shop for tea-drinkers/lovers
* Fresh summer fruit: cherries and apricots
* Ice cream - black cherry! - to keep me cool, albeit temporarily! ;)

*Should I stop saying this as I think it will be a summer-long theme?!

What are you grateful for at this time? Today/yesterday/this past week?

Gratitude List #11: A Feast of Food, Friends, and FUN!

Pizza sign at Bowen Island Pizza Company

Today's gratitude list is on the themes of food, friends, and fun (not necessarily in that order)!

* Listening to music while working and bouncing on my ball while working
* Great music and musicians, example Roger Hodgson, co-founder of Supertramp
* Great views when I walk uphill in my neighbourhood

Pizza menu: we had pear & brie special

* A night out with female friends sharing a movie, pizza, and a drink
* Bowen Island Pizza Company at the Quay in North Van
* Friends, especially female friends (at this time in my life)
* Foreign movies: Monsieur Lazhar (filmed in Canada)
* Gelato on a hot day or evening
* Buskerfest, a showcase of buskers in Vancouver

Kutapira, a cool troupe playing Afro-Cuban and West African percussion

* Storing food in my landlady's fridge and freezer: mine was on the fritz
* Air-conditioned venues and transportation such as the seabus and cars
* A day trip to Bowen Island (not where I got the pizza from!)
* Shared summer fruit such as cherries and blueberries
* "Accessing Your Soul's Direction", a husband-wife team-lead workshop
* Canela Michelle Meyers and Steve Clippingdale co-facilitators
* Gorgeous sunsets with various hues
* Seeing bright, beautiful Venus pulsing, twinkling in the sky
* Singing in choir - rehearsing and singing on the same day

What is on your gratitude list today?

Gratitude List #10: Fresh, Refresh and Refreshment

Serbian dance at Centennial Theatre's Folkfest in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada


Today's gratitude list is on the themes of fresh, refresh, and refreshment! In no particular order, here it is:

* Folkfest: a multicultural showcase of dance and music/songs
* Free admission - cash donations accepted for the show
* Centennial Theatre, not too far from home (I can even walk it!)
* A night out with female friends for the show and dining afterwards
* Being treated for a refreshing drink and appetizers after the show
* Dances of Universal Peace to refresh my soul
* Anne MacDonald Studio (an old church hall made into a rehearsal space)
* Summer solstice and an event to celebrate it
* A father with principles and lives with good standards
* Reading outside in a nearby park with tall pine trees
* Gelato and other ice cream on hot days for refreshment
* Refreshing rain one evening
* An end-of-the-season potluck BBQ with choir members
* A brisk night walk in fresh air with a friend along West Vancouver's seawall
* Fresh produce at a local farmer's market
* Lots of fresh fruits and veggies in my fridge
* Another sunny weekend
* Another weekend for fresh air-dried laundry
* A beautiful breeze to air dry my laundry
* Recycling non-blue box items
* Thrift stores for second-hand items
* Dropping off donations for abused women at a local thrift store
* A wicker laundry basket

My 'new' second-hand laundry basket

* Crocs (shoes) for outdoors/gardening and indoors

My new crocs in two styles and colours

What is on your gratitude list for today and/or from this past week?

Gratitude List #9: More of Free and Freedom

Sci-fi book cover: Kéthani by Eric Brown

Today's gratitude list predominantly continues on the theme of free and freedom from last week (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2015/06/gratitude-list-8-free-and-freedom.html) as well as the outdoors, in no particular order as follows:

* Reading an interesting sci-fi book: didn't think I was a fan of science fiction!
* Relaxing and reading in a nearby park with lots of trees, including tall pine trees
* Creating colourful and tasty salads with organic vegetables and fruit
* Free samples including that of food
* Fridays Shipyards Night Market in North Van
* Gelato! Especially on a warm summer evening - oh, spring!
* Free music outdoors and great bands
* Free vocal session (introductory)
* Free coffee after so many stars/points collected
* Free/donation luncheon
* Being able to air dry laundry again outside on a sunny weekend
* Walking the neighbourhood nightly, usually around sunset (before/after) sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend
* Beauty whether homes, gardens, neighbourhoods, and vistas

* Living in North Vancouver: I love it here!
* A walk by the ocean in picturesque West Vancouver
* Eyesight: being able to read and see lovely vistas

P.S. I changed my photo on last week's gratitude of the side of this Bavarian Alps home.

And now your turn, what are you grateful for? Today and/or this past week and/or in general?

Gratitude List #8: Free and Freedom

Bavarian Alps style home

Today's gratitude list is on the theme of free and freedom, neighbourhood and mice as follows:

* Free training for public speaking via my work
* Free exercise class focusing on legs, bum, and tum
* Sunny hot weather this weekend to air dry my laundry :)
* About an hour nap due to a few early mornings, late nights, and allergies
* Making time to read (and enjoy) a book
* Spending some time outdoors: farmers markets, reading, walks
* Going for walks in my new neighbourhood
* Farmer's markets on the North Shore, including a few in North Vancouver
* Having an abundance of food in my fridge including lettuce/salad & fruit
* Meeting the owner of a Bavarian Alps style home: love that look!
* Meeting a neighbourhood cat just down the street where I live
* Scenic views from up on high (on the streets in Upper Lonsdale)
* Two mice caught in the hall/storage area between the outer and inner doors
* A dog upstairs with a keen sense of smell: he found the second dead mouse - I had heard the snap of one mousetrap ...hmm, wish I had a cat or dog! ;)
* Found a loonie (a one-dollar coin)

Mouse traps: old and new styles

Though I had SO wished for the mouse to escape outdoors to freedom - thought I had only one mouse (unless another came in in the meantime) - to go back outside harm-free, my landlord had tried various means including mouse-friendly traps where they would be caught alive.

Nothing seemed to work and thus she resorted to old, traditional mouse traps which I did not wish in my home. Thus, they were placed in the corridor between the outside door and my apartment door.


What are you grateful for today and/or this week?

Gratitude List #7: Beauty, Nature, and Spirit

Deep Cove, North Vancouver BC

Today's gratitude list:
* the warmth and healing energy of the sun
* sunny weekends to air and freshen laundry
* a women's gathering to create art (write etc.)
* beauty to inspire and create
* a beautiful home and views (photo to left)
* stunning views of trees and water
* tall pine trees (I have an affinity for trees)
* Satsang (spiritual discourse)
* another beautiful home and views
* more tall pine trees and a garden to look at
* seeing the beauty of a Stellar jay flying
* the play and call of Stellar jays
* walks exploring the neighbourhood

Last weekend was also spent in nature in Hope, BC for a spiritual day retreat - see my gratitude post last Sunday and picture below of this woman's front yard. And (my) Spirit knows I desired and needed to get out more, especially in nature!

Photo of Hope garden

There was a connection from last weekend to this weekend in terms of being in nature and partaking of a spiritual event. However, there was also a spiritual thread, a focus, that weaved during mid-week and again today in topic.

In essence, I was being drawn or "called to" these circumstances. Some may call this coincidence as I used to term it years ago or synchronicity as I now refer to this phenomenon of being in the right place at the right time.

What does your gratitude list look like today, this past weekend and/or week? Did you notice any synchronicities?

Gratitude List #6: Blessings

Photo of Om symbol (www.dreamstime.com)

Today's gratitude list is on the theme of weekend, Nepal and India, gratitude and blessings:

* A short work week due to the long weekend last weekend
* Sunning in warm weather that kisses my face
* Great bands - free entertainment - and dancing, especially outside
* Community events to gather, socialize, and support one another
* Fundraisers to support others (like Nepal due to the recent earthquakes)
* Henna in the form of a lovely flower design and Om symbol on my hands

Om design henna on my right hand and flower design on my left hand and arm

* An invite to "Sacred Chambers," a spiritual process
* Power in prayer
* Gratitude for blessings
* Music (including spiritual as in Sanskrit chants)
* Silence
* Beauty of nature and peace in nature
* Nature sounds: birds, running water (a brook)
* Trees, including tall pine trees
* New friendships
* Nourishment including herbal tea and water
* A safe journey: there were three accidents on the opposite side of the highway as we headed home, including a car on fire
* Leftovers and a delicious, nutritious meal

And similar to last weekend, there was wildlife too in the form of a hummingbird hovering or flying near and/or past me as I heard its wing vibration quite loudly, and an eagle (though I didn't see it when a few of us were driving homebound).

What is on YOUR gratitude list today?

Gratitude List #5: Victoria Day Weekend

Photo: One of two bunnies I saw with nephew during walk around Royal Roads University

Today's gratitude list is on the theme of family, long weekends, and wildlife. As usual, in no particular order:

* Long weekends (Victoria Day weekend)
* Opportunity to visit family members
* Vacation days - one as a travel day
* Balmy spring weather
* My nephew picking me up at the ferry
* A warm dinner awaiting us when we arrived
* Telephone chats with a sister and a niece
* A nice long walk in nature
* Seeing two rabbits a short distance apart
* Heading homebound with my nephew
* Smooth sailing on the road as hardly any traffic to the ferry
* Seeing a deer run across the highway enroute to catch the ferry
* A relaxing quiet ferry ride as not as busy with the early ferry
* Time for a little nap as I woke up early to catch the first ferry out
* Airing laundry outside: it dries so fast and smells so fresh!
* Meeting a girlfriend whom I haven't seen in awhile
* A nutritious home-cooked meal

And though I saw some wildlife - bunnies and deer - there was also an opportunity to see peacocks outside the grounds of Royal Roads University not to mention a pod of whales enroute to Victoria and a dolphin leaving Victoria (though I didn't see them unfortunately).

This is my list for just the weekend! What does yours look like?

Gratitude List #4: Mothers etc.

Pixabay photo

Today I wish to pay gratitude, including for my Mom - see my post last year on this (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2013/05/tribute-to-mothers-and-mothers.html) - and mothers in general.

I am grateful for (in no particular order):

* A warm and mostly sunshiney weekend (Mother's Day seems to be usually sunny or partly sunny)
* Visiting a local church with my landlady and listening to a song-filled service from the youth choir - a major delight - whose choir conductor I know from a community choir he used to conduct
* A luncheon at the church after the service and being treated by my landlady (I feel I should be treating her as she is a mother!)
* Volunteering for a community gospel choir at the same church with The Marcus Mosely Chorale with David Steele as a fun special guest
* In between the luncheon and the afternoon concert, being able to visit the nearby library and draft this blog post and check my emails
* Free outdoor music at a local farmer's market with a great band
* Farmer's markets and several on the North Shore
* Food trucks at the farmer's market
* A shoe sale this weekend for comfy, good quality shoes
* A $5 discount towards a purchase at a bookstore
* Second-hand clothes for half-price like $4 jeans that fit and are good quality
* My mother who gave birth to me
* Not being a mother (as weird as that may sound) - kudos to all mothers! - except for a brief stint with an adopted cat years ago. Though I love children, I just do not desire that role/responsibility in life, plus I never heard or felt the biological clock ticking. My life purpose/mission is more a pull for me than being a mother.

Ok, so tell me, what's on your gratitude list today?

Gratitude List #3: Theme of New Home

Kitchen in my new home

I felt another gratitude list is in order, since my last one a week ago. This one primarily focuses on my future home, my "home-to-be" which I will be moving into shortly. In no particular order:

* Cold symptoms mostly gone thanks to epsom salt baths, hot herbal teas and soups, rest, and a good night's sleep
* My home-to-be which is clean, new, and comfortable
* A bachelor suite so I can downsize even more and save some money as less rent
* Laminate hardwood floor in the kitchen and hallway
* A number of large windows with screens bringing in natural light with a view to greenery and keeping out insects
* Curtains and two thick accordion pull-down blinds on windows
* New cabinetry and modern shelving space to house some of my stuff
* A dishwasher - exact same as the one in my current home with 'eco' features and a large stove to easily put pots on stove top and two cookie sheets in the oven (for Christmas cookies)
* A generous-sized fridge
* A desk area
* An alcove for a bed or temporary storage or ...
* A 'built-in' shelf that lines the alcove and living room to house books
* A bathtub for the occasional soak, e.g., after moving or when ill
* A window and heater in the bathroom and several towel rungs
* A dimmer switch in the living room
* A partially furnished suite including a kitchen table and chairs, and a shelving unit for my second-hand TV (to watch videos); avoid having to buy or lug extra furniture
* A private entrance and security though I expect to feel safe on a neighbourhood watch street and in the area
* Utilities (heat, hydro, hot water), WIFI, and cable included in the rent
* My own washer and dryer so I have chemical-free laundry; soap nuts (acting as a natural detergent and fabric softener combined)
* A place to garden as I desire to grow some cilantro and some flowers; maybe sunflowers too
* A landlord who is approachable and down-to-earth
* Only a landlord, adult daughter, and dog living upstairs
* Close proximity to three bus routes, a park (where I can hug trees), and a mini-strip mall with a small grocery store (that includes organic)
* A couple of friends who live nearby and some people I know who live in the area

The 'Law of Attraction' (or LOA) as I alluded to in some previous posts (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2011/10/gratitude-is-new-attitude.html) declares that it is important to express gratitude and feel grateful for that which is in your life currently. That way, more of the same is likely to actualize ... Hmmm, that's what happened didn't it, going from my current place - see last week's post (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2015/03/gratitude-list-2.html) - to my new place.

What’s on your list today and/or this past week? Please share with Laurel Regan, the woman who inspired me to do this as I am too busy this week (http://www.alphabetsalad.com/todays-gratitude-list-march-2015-gratitude-linkup-4/#more-16326).

My next post may be Wednesday, next Sunday or who knows. Time will tell as I am preparing to move, soon. ;)

Gratitude List #2

Part of my living room

I decided that today was and is a good day to write another gratitude list. One felt like it was in order, speaking of which my gratitude list for the day, week, month thus far is in no particular order as follows (concerning my current home):

* My home which is comfortable and relatively spacious
* A bed to sleep on (even if it is a couch bed), warm flannel sheets, and a down duvet to keep me warm
* Laminate hardwood floor replica in the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom
* Generous-sized windows bringing in natural light with a view to greenery
* A gas fireplace to cozy up to in a small cozy living room on really cold days
* A new and clean dishwasher and stove
* A generous-sized fridge
* An abundance of cupboards and shelving space to house most of my stuff
* A storage area (albeit behind the fridge of all places)
* A 'built-in' shelf that lines my bedroom and living room to house books
* A partially furnished suite to avoid buying or lugging furniture from one place to another, especially as a renter
* A large deck to sit, eat, air dry my laundry, and watch and listen to nature (such as the moon and birds)
* Utilities (heat, hydro, hot water) and WIFI included in my rent
* A great landlord: approachable and easy-going
* My landlord's friendly golden labrador - my favourite dog!
* Access to a washer and dryer
* Close proximity to a covered bus stop, a park (where I get to hug trees), and a small mall (my preferred size) with some major conveniences

The 'Law of Attraction' (or LOA) as I alluded to in some previous posts (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2011/10/gratitude-is-new-attitude.html) declares that it is important to express gratitude and feel grateful for that which is in your life currently. That way, more of the same is likely to actualize ...

What’s on your list today and/or this past week/month? Please share with me and the woman who inspired me to do this: Laurel Regan.

Gratitude List #1

My Earl Grey tea with heart

Here is my gratitude list for the day, week, month, and year(!) thus far in no particular order.

* A new year and thus a new beginning (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/12/out-with-old-in-with-new_31.html)
* My birthday this month: treating myself and being treated! ;) (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2015/01/happy-birthday-to-me-part-1.html)
* A new hair style, a new me! ;)
* The basics: shelter - a roof over my head and warmth; food; clothes
* Tops and sweaters at great discount prices
* Thrift stores...need I say more! ;)
* Donating to clear up space and help others in need
* Recycling and compost programs to help Mother Earth
* Creativity through blogging and writing
* Singing in two fun choirs including two of my favourite songs: Happy (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/world-gratitude-day-part-2.html) and Ode to Joy (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/12/ode-to-joy.html)
* Blogging communities for support and learning
* Blogging prompts, though even though I have lots of ideas and inspiration to write from, sometimes it's fun to write as part of a challenge and write FUN posts! ;) (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2015/01/wordy-wednesday-rainbow-connection.html)

(Just a side note, that I have copied and pasted the links above as my links don't seem to be working...not sure if temporary or not.)

I'm sure there is lots more I can list; however, I have left you with enough reading so enjoy! ;)

Now it’s your turn!

What’s on your list this week? Please share with me and the woman who inspired me - finally doing it! - to start this: Laurel Regan.

How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup

1. Write and post a gratitude list in your own blog.
2. Click the "add your link" button below and share your gratitude post.
3. Click "get the InLinkz code" below and add the linkup code to your post.
4. Visit and comment on some of the posts listed in the Gratitude Linkup.

What's on your gratitude list today? Please feel free to share!

From the Kindness of Strangers

Photo credit: google search on law of attraction

Today's NaBloPoMo prompt is the following: Tell us about one time that you benefitted from the kindness of strangers.

Though I can be a pessimist at times, I do believe in the general goodness of people. That is, I believe there are more good people - and that they perform kind deeds - than bad in the world, despite the portrayal of the media otherwise.

I know some people - one in particular - who would disagree and that's ok. It's everyone's right to believe what they will; however, how is it working for them? And, does it work for you?

Instead, why not take heed of the 'law of attraction' or LOA for short. It is a spiritual principle which you can read about it here, though I do not like the example they cite as it's not necessarily so cut and dry, black and white like that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction_%28New_Thought%29. It's actually more like the message in the box in the picture on the top of this post! ;)

I had actually written a blog post inspired by a particular incident on this very subject. I entitled it A Kind Stranger: a Samaritan named Rob and I believe I felt such compassion when I wrote it: I was extremely grateful.

Simply put, a man who was a stranger came to my aid when I fell and injured myself about 2-1/2 years ago. You can read the short story here: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/06/kind-stranger-samaritan-named-rob.html (dated June 17, 2012).

A brief video interruption that is rather touching - moved me actually - that I saw on Facebook yesterday that I'd like to touch on the theme of kindness from strangers:

Post by D - la Repubblica.

One other story that I'd like to share that I will never forget, though I think some of the details are a bit hazy is as follows:

Years ago when I was a young student, studying full-time and working part-time to make ends meet while living on my own, I met this man who happened to be the brother of a man my sister dated or was dating.

We befriended each other and he had asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I was about 21 or 22 at the time and all I could think of was a live pine tree as a Christmas tree. However, I told him that that might not be allowed in my building due to fire regulations, though I wasn't !00% sure.

One day, about a week or so later, after I arrived home from a very long day of school and work, I opened the door to my apartment unit. To the delight of my eyes and nose of the look and smell of a large, live pine tree! My mood immediately brightened as I was SO ecstatic. I wanted to call him but figured it was too late, so waited to thank him the next day.

Photo from google search

If memory serves me correctly, I think the tree was already decorated, albeit partially as it was a large tree. The following day or shortly thereafter from what I recall, we both decorated the tree while playing Christmas music in the background.

That seemingly small gesture was a big deal to me. It was HUGE and truly didn't care to receive anything else that Christmas. It is a memory I shall always treasure forever. Though he has since moved back to Europe from whence he came, that particular Christmas will always be remembered as a special one, and in my heart as a fond memory.

Photo credit: google

Likewise, I was also the giver of kindness to a stranger: In Pay it Forward...with an Umbrella!, I wrote a post dated February 3, 2012 on how kindness prompted me to act the way in which I did. Read to find out how: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/02/pay-it-forwardwith-umbrella.html.

How has a stranger paid you a kind deed? And how have you been a stranger to help another in kind?

A Day of Thanks

An empty cornucopia made of bread, prepared for a Thanksgiving meal, picture from Wikipedia (may be filled with harvest vegetables and fruit)

Thanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving (for short) is a holiday primarily celebrated in North America (composed of Canada as well as the United States of America (USA) (or United States or U.S. for short). Canadians celebrate it as a holiday on the second Monday in October whereas Americans do on the fourth Thursday of November.

There are different histories and celebrations marking this day between Canada and the United States: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving for more information.

A family saying grace, picture from Wikipedia

Thanksgiving, A day of giving thanks, signifies a day of gratitude of the current harvest as well as from the previous year. It is a time to give thanks for the blessings, the abundance, the cornucopia, bestowed in our lives. See yesterday's post, A List of Thanks: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/10/a-list-of-thanks.html

Traditional Thanksgiving meal, picture from Wikipedia (below right)

What is an expected meal at Thanksgiving you ask? A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of this cornucopia of food: turkey filled with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, yams (also known as sweet potatoes), corn and other harvest vegetables such as squash; dessert is mentioned below.

Oven-roasted turkey, picture from Wikipedia

Turkey, being the centre of attention of the Thanksgiving meals plays a major role in its preparation. It may be glazed with its own juices later used for the making of gravy, or laced with bacon strips on top (the way my mother used to), it may have no stuffing or lots of stuffing inside, though usually the latter. And both turkey and stuffing comes in umpteen recipes.

Pumpkin pie, picture from Wikipedia

Pumpkin pie and/or other pies such as apple pie as a dessert may be served with or without whipped cream or ice cream. Dinner may be served with wine, apple cider, or cranberry juice as an example.

Are you celebrating or have you ever celebrated Thanksgiving?

A List of Thanks

(Clipart picture)

Since this weekend and tomorrow officially is Thanksgiving weekend in my part of the world, I thought a list of thanks are in order.

In no particular order of importance, just what comes to me spontaneously that I'm grateful for:

1. my parents whom I know love me and support me in the best way they know how
2. my home, albeit it is somewhat messy at the moment primarily with papers and the like, there is no place like home to put up your feet so-to-speak or literally in my case as of late
3. quiet and peace at night when I usually blog and during the day generally speaking where I live
4. my senses where I can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch
5. a 'whole' body, i.e., having arms, legs, feet, toes, arms, hands, fingers to navigate me through the world
6. my skills: those that I know of and those that I may not know of yet!
7. my friends here in my part of the world and in the 'other' part of the world (Indie bloggers) as well as all of you who read my blog and/or comment...I truly appreciate it! Thank you!
8. a good, kind, and gentle heart - though I'm generally not mean-spirited - I'm not perfect! - I do strive to be authentic and true to my heart, my true nature...speaking of which...
9. nature, especially trees which I love as well as colourful blossoms of flowers, even plants, and grass (the latter primarily when green) ;)
10. my blog and the opportunity to do so, to express myself, my thoughts and ideas etc.
11. the seasons which make you appreciate the ones you love even more (mine being Spring then autumn)
12. Thanksgiving Day and weekend to give thanks to others, God/Spirit for all that I do have: abundance in comparison to many others

What are you most grateful for today and/or in general?

Linking this to Write Tribe (http://writetribe.com/write-a-list/)

World Gratitude Day: Part 2 (#MicroblogMonday)

Photo of me a few years ago taken by Roberto Kaplan (vision therapist). (I was obviously very happy, tickled pink, being photographed while being silly playing with my turquoise feather boa.)


Yesterday, Sunday September 21st was World Gratitude Day!

However, don't you think EVERY day should be gratitude day in terms of Law of Attraction (LOA)? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction_%28New_Thought%29 for details.

In terms of helping us get to that state, see the video below: simply titled "Happy", this song says it all! How can you NOT be/feel happy when you hear that song?! Even if you do not understand the words - here they are -
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pharrellwilliams/happy.html, the rhythmic beat is so upbeat, uplifting, inspiring, and well, happy is it not? How about 24 hrs of it? ;) (http://24hoursofhappy.com/)



If you google the name of the song online, you will see my comments beneath as follows in relation to someone hating this song.

P.S. This post was inspired by two wonderful writers from India: thanks to Nabanita Dhar - http://nabanita-blacknwhite.blogspot.ca/2014/09/a-theory-and-some-gratitude.html#comment-form as well as Shailaja Vishwanath in relation to this being my first MicroBlog Monday: http://shailajav.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/write-about-what-microblogmonday/. ;)

I am linking this post to http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2014/09/what-is-microblog-mondays/: Check it out!

Also linking this to http://ultrablogchallenge.com/.

Happy, Happy!

Happy 10th anniversary to me today, living on the beautiful North Shore, North of Vancouver, where I was guided to move to from Kitsilano (AKA Kits) in Vancouver.

I moved from Kits with its trendy neighbourhoods, homes, eateries, store-fronts, and beaches. Never thought I would move from there nor expected to, at least in a long time, as I didn't want to. After all, since I had moved to the east side of Vancouver years prior, I yearned and made it a goal to move to Kitsilano, finally ending up there.

The day after my tiring move, I was awakened and startled - I was looking forward to sleeping in! - to quite a number of intermittent sirens of emergency vehicles. Though I had moved about a block away from Lions Gate Hospital, I wondered what the commotion was all about. When I finally rolled out from my lazy bed, I discovered the noise nuisance: Canada Day parade on Lonsdale!

So Happy Anniversary to me and Happy Birthday to Canada!

I'm grateful to be Canadian ...

though I'm proud to be European-born. ;)

What are YOU grateful for?

A Kind Stranger: a Samaritan named Rob

Earlier today, I tripped and fell on a bumpy piece of sidewalk on upper Commercial Drive as I was running hard and fast to catch a connecting bus.

Silly me! Is it really worth - now spoken in hindsight! - risking one’s life or limbs for a few minutes of potential gain?

It was only about 30 seconds on this desolate road that a man’s voice called out: "Are you okay?" I wanted to speak but couldn’t due to shock and/or pain. All I knew was that I was hurting, quite a bit, from the fall with the heels of my hands being scraped, along with my right knee and right elbow.

After asking him if he had any Kleenex and then remembering I had some, I told him where to look for it in my knapsack. Then I covered my hands and elbow as best I could with it aware of possible germs and infection.

He asked if I could get up. I couldn’t. Though he tried lifting me(!) and then suggested I remove my backpack, I turned myself around towards the grass and lifted myself awkwardly up.

He proceeded to ask where I was headed to and if he could take me there. I suggested the medical walk-in clinic a number of blocks further down Commercial Drive. That was the priority!

As he started driving, I thought to ask his name – at least wanted to know that - and where he was heading to. As soon as he answered "Rob", I knew that I wanted to write about this experience, his kind gesture. Good deed for the day as I often say!

Due to a car-free afternoon festival, a portion of the Drive was closed. Luckily Rob knew its whereabouts as he stopped the car at the nearest blocked intersection and helped me get to the clinic.

I was grateful to be the next person to be seen and my injuries taken care of and wrapped within a few minutes of the incident.

After all this, all I'm left with is his first name, the memory of his face (dark hair and glasses primarily) and car (beat-up silver or grey, pick-up type vehicle), and his occupation or craft as an artist. And though I may forget his face or his name in time – or not! – I’ll always remember this act of service, from a kind stranger.

I’m truly grateful for and appreciative of kind strangers and good deeds.

What are you grateful for…today?