Friday, November 23, 2018

Counting Our Blessings

Thought for the day:  Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. [William Arthur Ward]

In the United States, we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. I suppose from an alien's point of view, some of the traditions associated with that holiday are a bit... strange. As an earthling, I think there's something a teensy bit strange about it, too. I mean, the idea of an annual holiday centered around the expression of gratitude sounds oh-so nice on the surface, but why isn't gratitude something we express every day? Isn't every day filled with blessings? Isn't every day a gift and a miracle? We don't need to shove bread up a turkey's butt  or stuff ourselves to the point of misery every day, but I think the world would be a better place, and we would be infinitely more content earthlings, if we made a conscious effort to express appreciation for the people and things in our lives and to give thanks for them... every day.

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. [Margaret Cousins]

A most memorable story of  gratitude comes from the life of Corrie ten Boom. During WWII, her family was sent to a concentration camp for aiding and hiding their Jewish neighbors. The tent Corrie slept in at the concentration camp was horrifically infested with fleas, and yet, as she explained in the book The Hiding Place, she was grateful for those fleas. She thanked God for those fleas every single day.

Most of us with pets have had to fight a flea infestation at one time or another, but if you've never experienced that particular brand of hell, let me tell you, their bite induces a claw-your-skin-off kind of maddening itch.

So how could anyone be honestly and humbly grateful for an out-of-control infestation of those hellish creatures?

Because their presence kept the guards away, which allowed her the freedom to conduct Bible studies and prayer meetings.

Astounding, isn't it? The Bible admonishes us to be grateful in all things, but I honestly don't think I could ever live up to that example set by Miss ten Boom. Even so, we should try. Maybe not to give thanks for fleas, exactly, but to appreciate the many blessings in our lives. That being said, I'm thankful for you guys. Really. You are all bright spots in my life, and I'm grateful we met through the wonders of the Internet. I'm thankful for humor, too, even if it's sometimes inappropriate. (My bad)

Okay, how about some silly Thanksgiving riddles? They aren't even inappropriate...

  • What sort of glass should you use to serve cream of turkey soup? A goblet.
  • What's Alan Alda's favorite Thanksgiving dish?  M*A*S*Hed potatoes.
  • What do you call sweet potatoes that are very outspoken? Candid yams.
  • If I have relatives with Mohawk haircuts, multiple facial piercings, and a bunch of tattoos, what should I serve them for dessert? Punk kin pie.
  • Not only was my neighbor's turkey infected with salmonella, but she undercooked it.  Guess what all her guests suffered the next day? Yup, 'fraid so. The turkey trots.
  • The local restaurant served overcooked turkey, lumpy gravy, and cold mashed potatoes. Know how they advertised it? As the blooperplate special.
  • NYC is placing tall bleachers up and down Broadway so spectators can get a better view of what slightly renamed event? The May See Parade.
  • What famous play about a Thanksgiving turkey was written by Henrik Ibsen? Hedda Gobbler. 


Okay, enough groaners for now. Time to count my blessings. Care to join me? Check out this video  It'll put ya in the right mood.

And these cartoons are only a little inappropriate...



           

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

52 comments:

  1. Gratitude is a gift which keeps on giving isn't it?
    Among other things I am grateful for the warmth and the wonder of the blogosphere, for my black sense of humour which has often kept me afloat, for learning every day, and for the incredible beauty in the world. And for writers. Rather a lot of gratitude flows their way.

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    1. Yes, it sure is. And even on our "bad days," we have soooo much to be thankful for. I agree with every single item you mentioned.

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  2. Susan, dear Susan, I am immeasurably thankful for you.

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    1. Dude, dear dude, I am immeasurably thankful for you, too. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  3. I am grateful for you!!

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  4. Fun post today. We all have so much to be thankful for. I am really thankful that I'm still alive and kicking and can get out and about without help, and that the sun rises every morning in front of my window to show me how good it is to be alive. Hugs, Valerie

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    1. You and me both. We may not be able to kick as high as we used to, but it's a blessing to still be around.

      Hugs back atcha.

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  5. Greetings Susan. I'm thankful for every meal that I have, while some poor people are starving in the World! I am thankful for my blogging Friends, which I appreciate immensely! Thank you for being a blogging Friend, it is greatly appreciated. My Granddaughter is constantly getting fleas, which spread in school surroundings. Blessings to you. Love love, Andrew.

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    1. Greetings, Andrew. Thank you for being a blogging pal, too.

      Blessings back atcha.

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  6. haha never seen giblets fall in the gravy before.

    I guess it goes to show that even nasty fleas can have a purpose. And yeah, seems so dumb that humans think being thankful once a year is so good. Pfffft.

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    1. We always do our very best to keep any and all giblets out of OUR gravy. :)

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  7. I am a big fan of inappropriateness; it can be almost surreal!
    Hope you had a good day...
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s ultracrepidarian Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Inappropriate humor is a terrific coping mechanism, one I've honed to a sharp point over the years. :)

      Thank you. We had a terrific day. Have a super weekend!

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  8. Happy Black Friday! Grateful for blog friends like you. I appreciate the humor and the way with words. Enjoy your weekend

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    1. Happy Black Friday to you, too! (No matter how tempting some of the prices are, you won't catch ME fighting the crowds on any shopping spree today!)

      I'm grateful for you, too, kiddo. Have a super weekend.

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  9. Hi Susan - lovely to read ... and Bazza's comment so accurate too. Being thankful for where we are in the world ... we do realise ... and are grateful for our abilities and our family and friends. So glad you had a happy day yesterday ... take care and enjoy the weekend -cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Sometimes we have to look a little harder to find the blessings, but they're always there.

      You have a loverly weekend, too!

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  10. I love this sentiment, Susan. Why, indeed, do we need a prompt!
    The puns are a delight ... but more so, the 'toons' rocked my adolescent funny bone!

    Thank you for always giving my Friday's a big lift!

    PS - I know, I know. Too many exclamation points, but that's just the way I'm feeling today.

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    1. We SHOULDN'T need a prompt, but unfortunately, sometimes we do. It's far too easy to take the good people and things in our lives for granted.

      I'm very glad to hear you're having an exclamation mark kinda day. I hope it lasts all weekend!

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  11. It's easy to show appreciation in the moment for specific events - an anniversary, an act of kindness, a spectacular sunset.

    Much harder to do so for things that are a more everyday continuous part of our lives ... things that we are not consciously aware of until suddenly they're gone. Most of the examples people think of at Thanksgiving are those more pervasive things ... friendship, health, a roof over our heads, food on the table.

    It takes time and effort to cultivate a habit of being aware of and grateful for everyday things that are easy to take for granted. For those of us who aren't quite there yet, a reminder once in a while is no bad thing IMO :)

    Oh, and I'm thankful there are still people around who appreciate inappropriate humor :)

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    1. What a terrific comment! I agree. The everyday blessings, and the people who are part of our everyday lives run the greatest risk of being taken for granted. It takes a conscious effort.

      HA! Me, too!

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  12. I am counting my blessings every day (a husband that loves me and 2 healthy kids) and every night that I do not have a night mare about baby Jenny Rose dead in ma arms with ma breasts leakin milk for her, friend Sue … Me thinks me goin out into ma woods and howl with the wolves for a while … again … thanx givin will never b a good time 4 me ever again. cat.

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    1. My heart breaks for you every time I think about that sweet baby you lost. I'm so sorry.

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  13. I hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one. I am grateful for you and your sense of humor too! Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. It was! I hope yours was, too.

      Thank you, dear lady. You have a super weekend, too.

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  14. When I was going to the Methodist Church in Laguna the Minister gave a sermon on Corrie. They had a showing of the movie made about her life at a very small Independent movie theater. It was amazing and if I remember right she was let go because of a mistake. What a life.

    Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving
    cheers, parsnip and badger

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    1. It's probably been forty years or more since I read her book, so I don't remember the part about her being released because of an error. (I think it must be time to read the book again!) Yes, she was an amazing woman and part of an amazing family.

      We did. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, too,

      Cheers back atcha. Happy weekend!

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    2. Blessings often come in unexpected places and in improbable ways (even via flea infestations.....). I certainly agree that giving thanks shouldn't be restricted to one day - or inspired by a stuffed turkey and over-indulgence.
      Giving thanks is a personal and spontaneous gesture, which comes from the heart.

      But, hell, I'm starting to sound too poetic and pompous.

      I had initially written a different comment, but I pressed something (???) on my keyboard and it vanished right before my myopic eyes.
      Anyway, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

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    3. Jon, you never sound pompous, but you can't help sounding poetic. It's in the nature of the beast. :) (And if ya got it, flaunt it!) Oh, and no such thing as "too" poetic.

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  15. Loved the riddles :)
    I'm thankful for a lot of stuff, just don't get around to saying it much. I'm thankful for you and all my other blog friends who make me smile.

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    1. Cool. :)

      And we're thankful for you. I'm really glad we met.

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  16. Loved everything about this post the cartoons the video and The counting of ones blessings. loved it. Thanks.

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  17. Thanksgiving truly is not meant to be just for one day of the year. Every day is something to be thankful for. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and remain thankful the year through!

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    1. Agreed! And you are a shining example of daily thanksgiving.

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  18. A thank you and a smile goes a long way in making someone have a good day. It is all so easy but some make it so hard.

    It was a lovely day when I first read your post and it has continued ever since. You always make me smile, Susan.

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    1. It doesn't cost a cent to say something nice or to make someone smile. (Maybe that's why I've always been so "good" at those things... I'm cheap! HA!)

      Thank you, dear lady. I'm truly grateful to know you. Your kindness shines brightly throughout all of your posts and comments, and you have an uncanny knack for touching hearts. The blogosphere and the world are both better places because of your presence.

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  19. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day!

    I remember when I first came to this country, totally unfamiliar with sweet potatoes and pumpkins, and how flabbergasted I was that Americans would take VEGETABLES and make dessert out of it...

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    1. We did! Thanks, and I hope you did, too. Um, so do you bake pies out of vegetables now...? :)

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  20. A bit of mindful gratitude everyday vastly improves life - we've had a couple of bereavements lately which throws a good strong light on how important our daily lives are. Right now I have a heart that aches and sings xxx Thank you for being a lovely presence to so many of us, Susan xxx

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. May the singing in your heart help overcome the aching. I'm sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs your way.

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  21. Yes, it would be nice if people expressed their gratitude a little more often. Sure there's a lot to whine about but there's a whole lot to be thankful for, too.

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    1. Yes, like the old song says, we have to accent-u-ate the positive and e-lim-inate the negative.

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  22. Yes, we should be grateful daily for all the little and big things.

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    1. We should. Unfortunately, it's easier to be complacent and take our blessings, big and small, for granted than it is to be mindfully aware and appreciative of them.

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  23. I sometimes think it is easier for some to moan or grumble about their day … sometimes the world may not treat us too kindly, but we should all find time to say thank you and be grateful for all things whether they may be big or small.

    Hope your Thanksgiving was good.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I think you're right. Being an ungrateful grumbler is much easier... but not nearly as satisfying. :)

      Thank you. Our Thanksgiving was loverly.

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  24. PS Also meant to say …
    I love your header photograph :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks! The photograph came from unsplash, a wonderful website with a ton of beautiful free-to-share pictures.

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  25. Yes, your header photo is beautiful.

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