“We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way.” - anonymous


I have been trying to be grateful for difficulties in my life. That is why I like the quote for today. I know that they build my character and increase my compassion towards others. Its just not easy to say that I am grateful for them. Of course it is probably hard for everyone else too : )

"Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the gratefully and appreciating heart." - Henry Clay

I am always grateful for the small acts of kindness directed toward me or my loved ones.

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.” - anonymous

I am grateful to all of my teachers past and present who helped me to love learning something new!

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” - Dalai Lama

I appreciate going to a "good" movie. It is still the best way to watch a story on the big screen, if it is a quality picture. I tend to be selective as to what I spent my theater money on but I usually am not disappointed. It is fun!

“I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.” - Elbert Hubbard


I am grateful for county fairs : ) We just spent the evening at the Jackson County Fair in Central Point Oregon. I love to see all the exhibits (from home arts to the livestock) Trying out the different foods is fun too : ) The traditional fair is part of our American culture that I really appreciate!

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well” -
Voltaire

I am very grateful for my ancestors. I have so many stories that have been told to me of their fortitude and courage in difficult circumstances. I believe that my parents strength came directly from their parents and grandparents who did their best in every facet of their life. I am blessed to be part of these families!

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.” - Sarah Caldwell

I am grateful for all the supplies I have to do my crafts. I feel blessed that I have access to and money for acquiring much of what I need. I wish I had more time in the day to enjoy it but I appreciate what time I do have!

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” - Frederick Keonig

I am grateful for my huge eucalyptus tree in the backyard! I planted it when my son Mike was born and it is now 33 years old. It is so majestic looking. During the spring the bees love it because of all the blossoms : ) I love to sit under it reading my books. It is a part of our family that we dearly love.

“We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way." - anonymous

I am grateful for the bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables that we have this time of the year! Great things to eat and use for recipes : ) Many thanks for the good things to eat!

"Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all. "~ William Faulkner

My gratitude today is for the beach. I love to stand and watch the waves as they break upon the sand, and feel the water wash over my feet. Standing by the pier and seeing the dolphins jumping through the sea and the pelicans diving to catch a fish or two. I am blessed to be able to see this sight and love to experience it!

"Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude." ~ Albert Schweitzer

I am grateful for my sister! We always stick together no matter what has happened in our lives. We have so much fun : ) Tonight we met my sister and her husband for dinner and I was reminded of how much I appreciate her!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill


I have been at a lace conference the last two days and worked on lace homework late into the night so did not write in my blog. Now my daughter Julie has arrived to visit so I will be struggling to keep up on the blog this week too : ) I will try tonight and hope to continue the rest of the week.
I am grateful for the confidence I have when I create lace. I finally consider myself an intermediate lacemaker and can take myself off the beginner list! It has been a long time getting to this position but I loved the journey and still want to continue on it. Making lace is a delight : )

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. ~ Albert Pine

We have been busy back in Cali the last few days and I have fallen into bed exhausted without writing my blog. Now I am trying again.
I am grateful for the beauty of art and paintings. Since I started sketching I have been drawn toward paintings of all types when I visit friends and neighbors. It is so interesting to find out that many of them were painted or drawn by family members. What a blessing to leave something for your posterity that they will love!

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal." ~ Albert Pine

I am grateful for the deep sense of peace I feel in my life. It is such a blessing to be at peace with myself (most of the time) and have that calmness surrounding you.

'Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

I am grateful for feelings of immense love that I have for my family. They mean everything to me. I hope that I can give them back love as much as they give it to me. All these years of trying to do my best have now been paying me back. (and the payback is in wonderful children and grandchildren : )

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

On this 4th of July I am so grateful for America and the freedom that we enjoy. I am also grateful for those who sacrificed so much to serve our country. I am blessed to live America!

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"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more." -

David Steindl-Rast

I have been busy visiting with my son and his family the last few days and didn't get the blog written. I have been deralic in my duties : ) I am very grateful for the time I have been spending with them this holiday weekend. We have been going on day trips to Mt. St. Helens and the Oregon Coast and have had a great time. So many fun places to take a short trip too!