Enjoy Every Moment

On Saturday, I read a wonderful blog entry of my friend, Mike Scopa.  It resonates my views and the meaning behind my blog.  Mike, too, is one of the "saints and poets" who "gets it"!  Visit it now and take heed!

The View from Scopa Towers

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving has always been one of those times of the year that I have enjoyed. The fact that it has always meant family and the start of the holiday season plays a big part. As a young child we always had Thanksgiving at my maternal grandparents’ and Christmas at my paternal grandparents’. I found a photo this summer while cleaning out my parents’ house of what must have been my first Thanksgiving. That meant there were only three of the seven cousins in the pictures – a 2 year old, a 1 year old and a 3 month old. And we were all dressed up. That’s the way we used to do things. As we became older Thanksgiving moved to my parents’ house. Special foods and special plates and dishes always came out on Thanksgiving.

What am I thankful for? I have asked that question of children every year as a teacher and have received many kinds of answers. But for me, there are many things for which to give thanks. I am thankful for family and friends who have impacted my life. I am thankful to have been born at the time I was and to have experienced so many things – both good and bad - that others have not. I remember black and white TV and The Mickey Mouse Club and where I was a few days before Thanksgiving on November 22, 1963. All of those people and experiences are part of who I am today.

I’m also thankful for the traditions and the foods that have been shared by parents and grandparents. We may not need “the” turkey platter or “the” gravy boat this year, but they are here to remind us of Thanksgivings when we were all together. And the same good food will be served – the turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy, the creamed onions and green bean casserole and the stuffed celery and the cranberries, and homemade pumpkin pie for those who like that (I’ll make my cookies for me!).

All in all, I am thankful for the traditions which have been passed down in love from one generation to another. It doesn’t matter who will be there on Thanksgiving Day. Our Thanksgiving will be the smallest we’ve ever had. It matters that we remember and give thanks for all that it means to each of us. When I sit down on Thanksgiving Day, I will give thanks for those special people who will be looking down and smiling and I will remember with love.



Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for all that God has shared with me - most especially my family and friends. And as I give thanks today for all that I have now, I also give thanks for all of those people who have passed through my life and have shared themselves and their love while here on earth. They may be gone but their lessons, love and friendship remain within me and in everyone whom they touched in their lives. And it is our gift to pass it on to all whom we meet. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Leontyne Day!

Today is Leontyne Day! What? You ask what Leontyne Day is. Well, it is the anniversary of the day that "I" was adopted by Leontyne. Now, I know, some of you think that people adopt cats and dogs, but that could not be farther from the truth. If you have a dog or cat-or have ever had a dog or cat- you know what I mean.


Having always been a dog person, I started considering getting a dog a little over five years ago. I knew what I wanted and was seriously considering it. I had never had a cat, nor had my family growing up, and I really never even gave them a second thought. I didn't dislike cats-I simply didn't think about them at all. So, I decided to plan on getting a cat sometime in the future. One Sunday, September 12, 2004 to be exact, I decided to take my niece with me to Pet Smart and start looking around to see what paraphernalia I would need for a cat. I was not looking for a cat. We looked at litter boxes, beds, toys, etc. and then, since it was an adoption day, we looked at some of the kitties who just happened to be in the store that day. No harm in looking.  :)  We held and petted a couple. No harm in that. :)  They were cute but nothing clicked. Then my niece saw one that caught her eye. "This one's for you!" It was a little black and white tuxedo cat off by itself just looking around. I told my niece  that we would look some other time. Well, the "meltdown" began. How can an grown adult not be able to handle her niece's meltdown? Well, after much anxiety, calling her mom, and trying to settle my niece down, we decided to pick up just one more kitten to hold. This little kitten didn't even have a name, like all the others did. She had a number. We both think that it was the day she was to be put down.  At least, that is what the two of us choose to believe! ;)  Well, when we picked her up, she just cuddled up and it felt as if she sighed. The decision had been made. :)  By all three of us...my niece, myself, and most of all Leontyne. She came home with me, with a detour to my niece's house for "show and tell" to my sister. And I couldn't have been happier.  Paraphrasing the words from the Disney's Tarzan ...

You'll be in my heart...forever!


Thank you, Leontyne for choosing me!

Note to Sandy:  Thanks!  Now go and get me some food!

In the Beginning...

The time has come to make my presence known in the blog world. Oh yes, I have been reading the blogs of others, but now it is my turn. Many ideas are swirling around in this head and some of them will appear in this place. So sit back and watch this space... And, yes, this is my resident saint and poet who will be guiding my blogging as she does everything else I do.