I think I've probably declared, "Fall has arrived!" more than once this year, but this time I really mean it. The calendar says so, some of the leaves are starting to fall, we're well into the fall holiday season, the swamp cooler has been wrapped up for the year, and (here's what prompted the statement this week) the daytime high temperatures have dropped from the 80s into the 60s (overnight on Tuesday night) and have stayed there. Of course, this is California, so finding ripe strawberries in my garden in November is just part of fall, right?
Not only has fall arrived, but Thanksgiving Day is in less than one week! I'll warm up for that day by listing ten things I'm thankful for:
1. The moon. Did you catch that gorgeous Supermoon this week? Wow! As it rose on Monday evening, there was a reddish-orange glow on the eastern horizon, and then that huge full moon. I didn't get a good photo then, but I did take a photo of the setting moon a day or two later. With some photo-editing, it looks like I took the photo at night. (It's still not a great photo, though.)
2. Drexel's soft fur. He visited Sasha again this week, and she always does such a great job grooming him. He comes back clean, soft, and sweet-smelling.
3. The #ThankfulActs challenges I've been posting for myself, and anyone else who wants to join in. I wanted to make sure I was acting upon thankful feelings, so I've been consciously trying to think of things I could do to express thankfulness. I will have a few more #ThankfulActs posts before Thanksgiving.
4. The #LightTheWorld Christmas campaign that my church is launching in December. Here's a short video explanation. I can't wait!
5. The temple. Friday night, John and I went together to the temple. No matter how many times we go, we always gain new insight, and we enjoy the peace that comes to us as we are in the temple.
6. Sweaters. Now that fall has arrived, I can wear sweaters again. I do love cozy sweaters!
7. International Forever stamps. When I was in the post office recently, I learned that now international postage is the same cost, no matter what country you are mailing to. Not only that, but the post office sells international Forever stamps. (For those of you outside the US, a Forever stamp is good forever. Even if the cost of postage increases, a letter can be sent with a Forever stamp. It used to be that Forever stamps were only valid in the US, but now there are Forever stamps for international postage.)
8. Rain and sunshine. Today, I noticed raindrops on my car as I left for church. On the drive there, sunbeams broke out from behind the clouds. It was such a spectacular sight; I wasn't the only person who pulled off the road to snap a quick photo.
9. Stake conference. Twice a year, the local congregations of the church meet together in a conference. This weekend was our stake conference, and I really enjoyed the meetings. One speaker talked about replacing fear with faith and doubt with testimony. Another said that sometimes we mistakenly think that happiness is the absence of loads. We can have peace and happiness even during times of uncertainty and trials.
10. John. Whether we are working or playing, whether it's rainy or sunny, we enjoy spending time together. I'm thankful for him.
How has your week gone? What things are you thankful for?
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| Photo: A ripe strawberry in my November garden |
Not only has fall arrived, but Thanksgiving Day is in less than one week! I'll warm up for that day by listing ten things I'm thankful for:
1. The moon. Did you catch that gorgeous Supermoon this week? Wow! As it rose on Monday evening, there was a reddish-orange glow on the eastern horizon, and then that huge full moon. I didn't get a good photo then, but I did take a photo of the setting moon a day or two later. With some photo-editing, it looks like I took the photo at night. (It's still not a great photo, though.)
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| Photo: The setting supermoon |
3. The #ThankfulActs challenges I've been posting for myself, and anyone else who wants to join in. I wanted to make sure I was acting upon thankful feelings, so I've been consciously trying to think of things I could do to express thankfulness. I will have a few more #ThankfulActs posts before Thanksgiving.
4. The #LightTheWorld Christmas campaign that my church is launching in December. Here's a short video explanation. I can't wait!
5. The temple. Friday night, John and I went together to the temple. No matter how many times we go, we always gain new insight, and we enjoy the peace that comes to us as we are in the temple.
6. Sweaters. Now that fall has arrived, I can wear sweaters again. I do love cozy sweaters!
7. International Forever stamps. When I was in the post office recently, I learned that now international postage is the same cost, no matter what country you are mailing to. Not only that, but the post office sells international Forever stamps. (For those of you outside the US, a Forever stamp is good forever. Even if the cost of postage increases, a letter can be sent with a Forever stamp. It used to be that Forever stamps were only valid in the US, but now there are Forever stamps for international postage.)
8. Rain and sunshine. Today, I noticed raindrops on my car as I left for church. On the drive there, sunbeams broke out from behind the clouds. It was such a spectacular sight; I wasn't the only person who pulled off the road to snap a quick photo.
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| Photo: Light breaks through the clouds |
9. Stake conference. Twice a year, the local congregations of the church meet together in a conference. This weekend was our stake conference, and I really enjoyed the meetings. One speaker talked about replacing fear with faith and doubt with testimony. Another said that sometimes we mistakenly think that happiness is the absence of loads. We can have peace and happiness even during times of uncertainty and trials.
10. John. Whether we are working or playing, whether it's rainy or sunny, we enjoy spending time together. I'm thankful for him.
How has your week gone? What things are you thankful for?
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Great picture of the light breaking through the clouds! Drexel's soft fur and sweet smelling too! Of course the day of the big moon was well hidden by a blanket of heavy clouds and falling rain in our area.
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed the Supermoon. I hear there is supposed to be one in December, though not quite as huge.
DeleteThanks for the tip about international forever stamps. I hadn't heard that.
ReplyDeleteI bought a sheet, so I'll have some for next time I mail something to another country.
Delete"...the 60s (overnight on Tuesday night) and have stayed there."
ReplyDeleteI so need to live in your climate! (yes, I would 'endure' the high summer temperatures).
There are some advantages to desert living. Snow does fall and stick here every few years, and the temps do drop at night, but we definitely have milder winters than most of the nation.
DeleteYou are a light in the blogging world, my friend. Weather went from 60's to 40's here with high winds. Brrrr! I'd say winter has shown its face here in the Mid-Atlantic and Zoe's shoveling snow. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so sweet. Those 20 degree drops are hard to handle--and they feel even more significant with the high winds! Seeing Zoe's photos I realize California is a long way away from the Mid-Atlantic!
DeleteI'd say, here in Canada where I live, we've clearly gone from fall to winter in the last day or two.
ReplyDelete:-(
I like snow sometimes, but I also did enjoy the warmer than usual fall weather from last week. I can always find something to be thankful for, in nature or weather, and it sounds like you can too. It's a handy skill to have, when so many struggle with it, and good for you for taking it a step further with your thankful challenges to yourself and others.
I missed the moon and I like what you captured with the clouds, the light breaking through, and the sun/raindrops.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
I think many places have jumped squarely into winter. Personally (not having to deal with shoveling and such), I think I would like snow to fall from about Thanksgiving until the beginning of January, at which point I would welcome spring again. :-) However, like you said, we can always find something to be thankful for. It's easy to complain, but feels much better to look at the bright side. I know Canadian Thanksgiving has passed for this year, but Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
DeleteAnother great list of Thankfuls. I didn't know about the International Forever stamps. Winter arrived here last week, but I'm thankful for the snow. It covered the sagebrush (I'm allergic) so my symptoms should be less and less.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how long they have had the International Forever stamps. I think they are relatively new.
DeleteThursday, it was 80 degrees. Friday, it was 35 degrees. Is it any wonder our sinuses take a beating?
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to see the super moon as it was rising, as I was at my other job in an office and didn't even notice it had even gotten dark already. But it was still pretty when I did finally see it, and it lit up the yard all night like a street light was on.
Wow! That is quite a temperature drop!
Delete