7 Things. or missing the trees for the small patch of weeds

“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
— L.M. Montgomery

Life is sometimes not the easiest-breeziest and we are highly prone to get caught up in all the things that are wrong or could be wrong… all that’s lacking and all that we want but don’t have.  It’s a dangerous road leading to all sorts of trouble, and so- like many others have advised–I find it helpful to stop as frequently as possible to remember (and actually list) what is “right” and good and what I’m thankful for.  And how ’bout it! – we always find there is so much, we don’t have enough time or patience to even list it all.

I find that I am thankful for hundreds of small things a day, yet I lose them so carelessly and easily, like a penny in the couch.  So today I will tell you, friends, a (very) few of the small and simple things that I am thankful for this evening.  If any of you would like to include your 7 things in the Comments section, I think reading them would be at the top of my next list.

Things that are sweet to my soul include….

1. Living in beautiful Kentucky and on the humble, story-rich Ohio River.  Early in the morning, I drive to work and see slightly below my windshield, shades and textures and tones of grey…in shiny steel industry and it’s light and slowly ascending cotton-smoke; the rusted ancient bridges; the sky still stretching and finding its feet for the day.

photo cred

2. Croissant stuffed with ham & cheese for breakfast. ’nuff said

3. Getting my desk (therefore my mind) at work cleaned up and organized and ready for productive, creative contributions to our world, our economy, and the people it is graciously given to.  Freedom in Creativity and mood-changing, striking colors and patterns for file folders and other organizational accessories

4. (Soft, feminine) Heirlooms.  My late great-grandmothers cameo brooch that I use to pin a cardigan together

5. The symbol is far far from original in these parts, but this unique and aged-looking fleur-de-lis necklace is just perfect in every way and was purchased for me by my dear friend Christina who I am constantly missing very bittersweetly.  It is a true tale of two cities in which she lived in Louisville for a time and moved to Chicago.  Years later I joined her there as if hardly any time had passed at all and now – back in our respective cities – we fondly remember the other and still call it home.

6. Celebrating the arrival of Spring. It’s in the details.  O.P.I. “Magnifico Mexico”.  On my toes this very moment.

7. Quotes by L.M. Montgomery (and Anne of Green Gables, Avonlea, and everywhere else)

“’Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to marry anybody who was wicked, but I think I’d like it if he could be wicked and wouldn’t.”

“I’d like to add some beauty to life,” said Anne dreamily. “I don’t exactly want to make people KNOW more. . .though I know that IS the noblest ambition. . .but I’d love to make them have a pleasanter time because of me. . .to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I hadn’t been born.”

“Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.”

“It will come sometime. Some beautiful morning she will just wake up and find it is Tomorrow. Not Today but Tomorrow. And then things will happen … wonderful things.”