JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: It's been a whirlwind of a week for me, what with my travel and Virginia's travel and other stuff, so I thought it would be good to start into the weekend with a little round of gratitude journaling. If you've been with us for a few years, you'll know all of the Reds, in one form or another, make it a habit to be mindful of the things we're grateful for - the little stuff like homemade chocolate chip cookies and big things like bestselling books and globetrotting travel.
So what am I grateful for this week? Several things, many of them linked like a chain of happiness.
I got a good bill of health from my dentist! I'm old enough to have friends who are dealing with implants and bridges and the dreaded periodontal disease, so Dr. Feinberg (who is about 25 years old and much, much nicer than Dr. Del Debbio) admire my teeth feels like a big win.
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| Natural-colored teeth look weird! |
I'm thankful Virginia and the $15,000 Cat are safe and sound in The Hague. Despite some suggestions on my part, the cat is not being charged with crimes against humanity. We had a lovely 24 hours between me arriving back in Portland and leaving Virginia at the international terminal at Logan. And now she had best successfully finish her grad degree and stay in Europe, because I never want to deal with that cat again.
Going through Dutch customs, zonked on Gabapetine
Our trip to Boston was courtesy of our own Celia Wakefield, who loaned me her extremely comfy RAV4 because my own vehicle had a broken exhaust pipe, nearly bald tires, rusted-through rockers (I don't know what they are but it doesn't sound good) and various other ailments. Also, way overdue on inspection and should have been registered in February! Celia, thank you for keeping me out of the clutches of the Massachusetts State Police.
However, I no longer have to worry about that, because yesterday, I picked up my new (to me) Honda Accord EX-L! Yes, my previous car, also a Honda EX-L, went to a nice farm upstate, where she will have a happy retirement frolicking in the fields with other good cars.
Like a lot of New Englanders, I drive my cars into the dirt, and in the last few years, you get so used to the wipers that only work at one speed or the door you have to jiggle to open that having a new(er) vehicle with NO PROBLEMS feels like winning some sort of luxury cruise.
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| It's dark blue with toasty beige seats - very snazzy! |
On a serious note, I'm very aware of how privileged I am to have good dental and health insurance, and the funds to pay for vet bills and airline tickets and cars. (And when I'm temporarily out of pocket, I have good friends and supportive family to help me out.) There are so many people in this country who have to worry about the one big bill that might wipe them out.
Finally: Shih Tzus. No further explanation needed.
How about you, dear readers? What are you grateful for?
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ReplyDeleteI am grateful: for my family . . . for wonderful friends . . . to be healthy . . . to have a comfortable home . . . that our daughter moved from Georgia to Virginia; visiting her is so much easier now!
ReplyDelete[I am definitely not grateful that clouds filled the sky and kept me from seeing the lunar eclipse.]
I'm grateful for my family and friends. Congrats on your new to you vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI’m grateful for family, old and new friends, my new home, and the good health and financial means to enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julia. This is the exact thing that I need to think about today!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for talented authors who take me out of my troubled mind and plunk me in the middle of someone else's (fictional) disasters.
I am grateful that we are still healthy and have the means to still do things we enjoy in this crazy time for our country.
I am grateful for children and grandchildren who make time to see us in their busy lives.
I am grateful that my husband and I really are growing short together.
I’m certainly grateful for health, family and friends.
ReplyDeleteJust now this morning, I’m grateful for the beauty surrounding me, for the radio morning’s show that brought me to laugh, for the means to eat my favourite breakfast while reading this blog that connects me to sane people .
We're healthy, as are the kids and dogs.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car!
I am grateful for family, friends, good health (relatively), my home, and my environs. I am especially grateful for my husband who supports me in good and bad days. I am very grateful to my wonderful parents who encouraged me always and taught me that reading was the best thing ever. I am grateful to the Reds for their books and for opening so many other authors to me. Especially at this fraught time, I am grateful to have books to climb into.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta
Expressing gratitude is never a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for majestic western mountains to gaze at this week.
I join you in being grateful for a new-to-me car where everything works, the seat is supportive of my short back (no more two-extra cushions needed!), and the mpg is impressive (it's a plug-in hybrid Prius).
I'm grateful for a healthy thriving grandbaby and for healthy happy thriving children and their wives, and for friends who have my back.
I'm grateful for readers who see my name tag and light up at realizing I'm one of their favorite authors. (Great fun hanging out with Pat S and another reader for a glass of wine yesterday!) Those same readers are also helping to keep me in a reasonably comfortable place financially.
I am grateful for the same things as everyone above and especially grateful now that I have health insurance because it seems like I am seeing some medical professional every week. Then I see the estimated charges and my brain almost explodes, but doesn't because the insurance is paying for all of those things. Without it I would have to limp along as best i could.
ReplyDeleteI am also grateful that I was able to get to the dentist and have my tooth taken care of. An old filling had fallen out and a new one put in. No, my health insurance does not cover fillings and the charge was way, way more than I had expected, but I am still grateful not to have that hole in my tooth.
Congrats on the new vehicle, Julia! And thanks for the chuckles this morning--love the photo of the cat peacefully sleeping. Sadly maligned, how could such a sweet kitty be so troublesome, eh? Today I'm thankful for another day of sunshine--tomorrow's weather forecast suggests bad storms headed this way with the possibility of tornados. Yikes! But I'll be at work and it's Pi day, which means the library will host a pop-up cafe serving pie, of course! Thankful for family and friends and as Danielle noted above, the opportunity to connect with this group of sane authors and readers.
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia: Some years ago I began a morning practice with https://grateful.org/practice/word-for-the-day/ - It is usually the first item I read every morning followed by Jungle Reds. Reminders of the many blessings in my life.
ReplyDeleteAnd for truth always Julia dear, my car is a Honda too, a CRX I think. though I must admit I wouldn't say no to a RAV.
I am grateful for Celia’s post that made me giggle: Celia and Julia, you better check that there was not a car swap at the airport. Elisabeth
DeleteI’m grateful for my husband who keeps working which allows me to get to go to fun conferences like Left Coast Crime! I am grateful for authors like the Reds who write books that entertain, inform and generally make me happy. I am grateful for Edith Maxwell and Leslie Budewitz who bought me a glass of wine and hung out with me for a bit last night. I am grateful for this blog which has brought me new friends, including Grace Koshida, last night’s Fan Guest of Honor. (You all would have been so proud of her during her interview. She was fantastic!)
ReplyDeleteOff the subject of books, I truly am grateful for my husband and family. I am grateful for my good health. I’m grateful for my good friends who help me keep my sanity during these times. — Pat S
Yes, Grace was fabulous!
DeleteAwww, thanks so much! Many people came up me to say they enjoyed the interview. It was all a blur to me. And I am glad I did not know the interview waa recorded & video will be posted kn YouTube!
DeleteP.S. JUDY SINGER, it was a lovely surprise when David came to chat before the interview started!! What a lovely man, and he's going to give me a copy of his new espionage novel this weekend!
Sorry I was there to see and hear you, Grace, and to clap for you--congratulations! Pat, I'm so glad you went to Left Coast Crime--I know you had a great time.
DeleteSorry I wasn't there, either, but so happy for you, Grace. You looked perfectly happy to be chatting with Leslie in the photos!
DeleteYay, GRACE! Can’t wait to watch it on YouTube.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to end the week! Currently I am especially grateful for this lovely time in Sanibel, especially walks on the beach. More broadly, I am grateful for my wonderful husband and our mutual good health and mobility; for our son living his best life in Japan; for our supportive church and friend community back in Central Ohio; and for financial security in our retirement years.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the joy and positive spirit that engulfed me during my first full daybas Fan GOH at Denver Left Coast Crime. Two epic author-reader connections with Leslie Budewitz and Chicks on the Case authors & readers were so much fun and makes LCC unique. The latter event ended at 11:45 pm though, so I was dead tired.
ReplyDeleteGot Only got 4 hours sleep but it's another full day starting with New Authors Brekkie at 7:15.
Grace, you can rest when you go home. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time!
DeleteCongrats on the new car, Julia. For me:
ReplyDelete- grateful I have vision insurance that allowed me to finally be an adult and get "real" prescription readers
- grateful Koda ate his breakfast without a fuss this morning (don't ask)
- grateful to have a book launching next Tuesday and getting smashing early reviews
I'm grateful for a fabulous trip to the beach with my twin and her family, including early morning walks on the beach (for my twin and me, the early risers) and 4 bald eagle sightings, good meals, games, reading, laughter.
ReplyDeleteI'm also grateful for my church community, particularly our Immigrant Welcoming Congregation team. We met last night, and we are doing and have done so much in the last couple of months! They are a group of talented and selfless people. I feel so grateful for all of them.
Love the color scheme of your new car, Julia! Wishing you many happy and trouble-free miles ahead.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for sunshine and birdsongs, for each day with Kensi Kitty and her continued good health, and for my supportive and happily semi-retired husband. Not necessarily in that order.
Family and friends top the list. Steadied health is huge. That the computer makes it possible to still play bridge with friends who aren't nearby. That last one seems petty but actually it's huge.
ReplyDeleteI'm deeply grateful I discovered audiobooks because since I did, no household task, mindless chore, or long car ride has been boring because I'm listening to a book while doing it! I'm also grateful that my husband loves to travel as much as I do, and while we're on a trip, we like to do almost all the same things and are willing to compromise to make the other happy when we don't. That's why my husband makes sure that when we're on vacation, we go to lots of gardens where I spend hours looking at flowers while he sits somewhere pleasant, drinks coffee, and reads.
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband are like me and mine, Kim--both readers. I can't imagine living otherwise.
DeleteGrateful for blessings for friends and family, and those of you who have good news here.
ReplyDeleteFor all our minor challenges, we are blessed with fairly good health and a more stable life than many, for which I am hugely grateful. I've lived with deep insecurity in my life, and it's hard not to panic just from reading friends' worries right now.
After reading our book club's pick, James, deeply grateful for NOT being born in a place and time, or when my skin color or religion or birth gender anomaly alone make me the target of others' unreasonable hatred. It's still going on, I know, but I am grateful my own circumstances didn't include any of those distinctions. And so very grateful for my amazing book club that allows discussion about deeply painful topics.
Congratulations on the new-to-you car, Julia. I wish you many safe and happy miles together!
DeleteCongratulations on your new car, Julia! I remember these days. I am grateful for my car.
ReplyDeleteMany things to be grateful for:
- my family
- my friends
- my writing group
- my work
- good doctors who are helping me manage menopause
- much needed Rain!
- good books to crawl into when feeling overwhelmed
- Libby because I can borrow books online from the library
All of you are making me so grateful today—thank you! Xx
ReplyDeleteTen years ago was the last time I was in New York City for my 50th reunion from Barnard. I thought I'd be back sooner, but the pandemic canceled our 55th. But on the way home from our 50th, a horrible rainstorm stranded me at LaGuardia. So I called a dear friend I hadn't had time to see, and wound up staying with her in Manhattan for 3 days. I was looking forward to seeing her this May, but she died in October. I'm thankful for that storm.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to decide whether to come this year, since she and another of my dearest friends would not be there, but I remembered that a friend I used to walk home from kindergarten with now lived near Lincoln Center. She had called me last summer as I was driving through a Burger King on one of the hottest days of the year. I sat in the BK parking lot for over an hour, running my engine so I could charge my phone and run the car's air conditioner, while we caught up on whatever it is that old ladies chat about. Afterwards, as refilled my tank, I thought, well that was dumb. But she died six weeks ago, so that was the last time we actually spoke, though we chatted on line in the interim. So I am grateful that she called and that I was dumb enoough to use up half a tank of gas taking the call. Sometimes bad things turn out to be good things.
Lesson learned: never pass up the opportunity to hang out with a friend. It may not come again.
I am not grateful for the virus I picked up this past week, but am grateful that it’s not one of the big three that has been causing the majority of this winter’s illnesses. My symptoms have been pretty mild and most of them are gone.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I found out I need a new toilet and the plumber described the new one as having a comfort, or chair height which is for taller people. I didn’t know there were different heights available. I could have used it when I broke my arm last year. It sounds as if it would also be easier for people with joint replacements to manage.
I've used one of those after my knee replacement, Anon, and I have to say, it is a very convenient height!
DeleteOh, Anon, for once a silly name “comfort height” is perfect! I am not a tall person, but a slowly shrinking old person with aging joints…the higher toilet is truly comfortable. Elisabeth
DeleteI am grateful for our incredibly personable, compassionate and competent group of medical specialists who are now a major part of my life and that of my husband who is a Vietnam Veteran suffering from the effects of Agent Orange exposure. In the throes of the Covid Pandemic he underwent two months of intense chemotherapy as well an 8.5 hour bladder cancer surgery both of which I was unable to be with him in the hospital due to Covid restrictions. The following year he suffered a major heart attack with a 5% survival rate. Due to the fact that he was in great shape prior to all this happening as well as having an outstanding medical team of specialists this warrior survived from everything that was thrown at him as a result of Agent Orange exposure. During this most challenging part of our lives as a married couple we discovered all the good that can come from the bad. A group of people who cared about his recovery ~ everyone from his oncologist to his surgeons and specialists, nurses and radiologists were and are still right there for him. The amount of respect as well as friendships developed during the past 5 years have been remarkable. Miracles happened more than I count. I once asked his oncologist how she manages to connect as well as function on a daily basis in a field where there is a lot of anxiety, sadness and grief. The stress level is often off the charts. She responded that there are simple things in life that can lower that stress level, make one smile, appreciate life and and feel happy. They are everywhere around us and easy to seek out ~ the bluest of skies, the stars at night, the smell of a beach rose, a song or a book, the love of family and friends. Just a few of the many simple things that are free and just waiting to be appreciated. She told me her mantra in life are three words only ~ "FIND THE JOY". This truly resonated with me and it was as if a profound piece of philosophy in life was discovered. These wonderful "healers" hold a special place in my heart and in my daily prayers; I am so thankful for them. There have been so many wonderful people in our lives who have not only supported us but have lead us to other adventures and discoveries in life in an effort to keep moving forward. For our family and friends as well as the philosophy of Grace Trail and keeping a sense of humor I have come to appreciate them even more and tell them more often how much I love them. #FindTheJoy
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, that is so inspiring and encouraging. I agree, when you're in the most challenging situations is when you find the truth of Mr Rogers' statement: Look for the helpers. They are always out there.
DeleteFInd the Joy & Look for the Helpers. So much wisdom in 8 words.
DeleteFamily. Friends. Having a career I love living in beautiful surroundings. Having a home, warmth, food on the table… something that is no longer guaranteed in this world. And my dear Reds and Readers
ReplyDeleteEach morning before I get out of bed, I give thanks for all the blessings in my life. It’s a long list, so I’ll share just some of the highlights: Family and friends, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, the roof over my head, clean running water, indoor plumbing, heating and air conditioning when I need them, and so many, many more blessings.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Grateful that the mystery that my grad school best friend and I have finally just published the debut mystery novel we vowed to write together when we were in our 30s (we're now in our 70s and have lived cross-country from each other since 1984) BUT we've done it. And as we expected it was much more fun than our dissertations! Not the Trip We Planned (Edelstein and Kerr, Koehler Books) came out March 4. Good women get up to good trouble in Chicago :)
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for my dog, Waldo. When I rescued him the shelter thought he was around 2. A few years later my vet said he could be a year or 2 older. So he is now somewhere between 14 & 16. It's such a blessing to have him. He got me through being my Mom's caregiver and then losing her. I don't know how I would have gotten through chemo and radiation while in covid shutdown without him. He now has numerous health issues but isn't in pain and seems happy. I dread the day when that is no longer the case.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for Social Security which is what I live on. I'm grateful for my home and friends. I'm grateful for the things we often take for granted such as electricity, heating, indoor plumbing, and even my 2007 car.
Finally I'm grateful for the internet which has brought me so much information and for books that have taught me new things (non-fiction) and fiction which has brought me a lot of enjoyment. I love getting lost in a book, especially mysteries.