Thankful today for the graded papers. i am glad to be done.I am also glad that they were good in both classes. thankful also that i did not slip on ice formed form the water i yard due to fact that i forgot to turn off the sprinkler system. it has been a good day.

Thankful entry tonight is short. I am thankful papers are turned in, and next week the college break begins.Thankful also the hs semester is winding down=== projects and review left. New material comes when we return. Really thankful this is the weekend and that I have a knitting class tomorrow to relax me or frustrate me in a different manner. That's all folks; no wise words tonight.

THE JOURNEY

The end of the year is drawing near and I have been reflecting on my journey or my growth through out this life i live. Born in Ohio, I was raised mainly in Nebraska with sojourns in Missouri and various other sites. My parents took everywhere with them and many of the trips i can not recall. Too young but one was to Mexico city d.f. and for the first time I was brought face to face with something that was not the American lifestyle or expectations. Changed me forever as I still enjoy other cultures and am willing to taste their food, walk their streets, and try their pace of life. what have I gained form this? A realization that there is not just one way of life and a tolerance for the differences among the world's peoples and an a greater appreciation of how we do not differ in the most basic needs.

An only child born to older(DAD was 30 ;Mom 19) the skills of being part of social interaction could have been hard to learn. But the 30+ cousins on mom's side ranging in age form 15 years older to 6 years younger taught me those lessons which I promptly passed on to the two younger ( both only girls also) on y dad's side of the family tree. It was also firmly implanted in me that i was no better than anyone else by the nun's at Saint T's in Lincoln, Ne. and classmates in three states. Some of those lessons were difficult but now I admit necessary.

One big life lesson was watching my marriage fail after twenty -five years. I found out that one person can not make a marriage work and though I have not remarried by choice i do not regret the marriage and my three daughters from the union. I regret the loss of what a thought was a life love; yet. admittedly my life is rich and full and more traveled than it would have been otherwise.

My faith journey has been interesting. Mom an ex catholic sent to ST T's because I read at third grade level in kindergarten( had polio and learned to entertain myself) and no way would she let the public school bump up several notches. So religion lessons, daily mass, rosaries before lunch and stations of the became part of my school life. Heck I even stayed at the convent when Mom when back east as her father was ill. To have balance I went to Lutheran school on Saturday for religion on Dad's side. Now I am Catholic you know how the twig is bent but having trouble since the last election with being told how to vote. Mass Has not seen me for a month now but am feeling the need to get back.

More journey at a later date. time to head for my classes that I teach at HCC ( a junior college) and French is over at the high school In Buhler.

So what am I thankful for today. for quiet home. for a party i got booked for dana
for the supper i ate--pork chops with rosemary and Guiness used in the cooking and mixed vegetables, for the laughs with students, for kindnesses in life. It has been a thankful day.

Right now all three dogs are by my feet. Well Winston is 1/2 on my lap for a love but in a second he will stretch out with a sigh. Omg ! the chihuahuas are on the sheet on the floor and Winston has the bed. wonders never cease.Of course Winston has to chew on it.

111 year old in Australia says knittng is the reason she has lived so long. Knew there was a reason I keep learning new stitches and methods. Lessons for gloves this weekend.

More later.

day 2 thankful journal

Thankful that I got the deck winterized;cushions off and stored. I am also thankful i got some of the extra catalogs etc and boxes organized to toss. I also got some reading done. Small things but they add up and make my quiet day worth while.

Big thankful for the hour with Amber At Hastings talking about classes and future plans. Some " gritching " about things that bug us. Tension relief and laughs and coffee. Hope everybody can do that every so often. It feels so good.

Yep this journal thing makes me see that I am blessed.

thankful journal

So here I am again.No excuse except life got to me. Still I have made myself a promise--each day even if it is one thing and only one line I WILL WRITE WHAT MADE ME GRATEFUL THAT DAY.

Today that thing is more than one.First this semester of night classes is drawing to a close and I am thankful for open roads and safe trips---especially on the nights I left my cell phone elsewhere. 2 more weeks and i hope the roads stay un-icy but light wet snow would be a blessing in this tired area.

Second i am thankful for pals to whom I can speak my mind and still be accepted. this is not always possible but intelligent discussion of views even when radically different is interesting and invigorating. may have lost a few 'FRIENDS" THIS LAST ELECTION CYCLE BUT ARE THEY TRULY FRIENDS WHEN THEY INSIST YOU FOLLOW THEM.
MY PETS ARE NUMBER THREE BUT IN MY HEART THEY ARE HIGHER THAN THAT. THEY MAKE ME LAUGH, GREET ME WHEN I COME HOME. SHARE MY HAPPY AND SAD MOMENTS.sorry about the caps but maybe i should emphasize that I am a crazy dog lady to some but petting them lowers my blood pressure and fills my soul with content.

Now I have made a beginning. thanks for reading.

Two daring women | National Catholic Reporter

Two daring women | National Catholic Reporter