Hodgepodge Gratitude

I'll have to get the dogs to move before I can vacuum the rugs.
But really...do I want to disturb them?

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1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?

I'm not sure that I do take it for granted, actually, because I say a prayer of thanks every time I step into the shower and feel the warm water. How many people on this earth have never felt a warm shower, or maybe even a cold shower, and don't have running water. Every day I am so grateful for those things.

2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?

Brown used to be my favorite, or at least one of my favorite colors. Now it's green. It might have something to do with the climate in which we live. The brown I like best is the brown of my brother's leather sofa. If I remember right, it's kind of a coffee with cream, soft but dark, rich and yummy. Kinda like a Ritter bar, dark chocolate with hazelnut.

 Brown

 Green

White

3. What's something you're looking forward to today?

I'm looking forward to enjoying a clean house - once I get busy and clean it, that is. I wonder if I'll recognize it.

4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?

You bait me, Joyce. You know you do. :-)

Betty Friedan
 TheStar.com

I think this photo was taken just before the house landed on her. 

The word 'feminism' conjures up usually loud and angry images of Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and others. I wouldn't want to be listed among them. I think that many feminists, when they say they want women to have choice, don't really want women to have their own choice, but the choice they think women should make. Ask any one of them how they feel about a woman choosing to stay home and take care of her children (the SAHM). I believe in equal rights for women, equal pay for equal work, but I don't believe in being angry and hating men. Men are nice people. And sometimes way easier to understand.

Personally, I like the differences between men and women, and I'm grateful that I was born female. I'm not insulted if a man opens the door for me or plows the driveway or brings in firewood. And I do know enough to appreciate the good things my husband does for me every day and tell him so. It doesn't diminish me to do so.

Men and women, though different, have equal value. The 'feminists' aren't the ones who thought this up.


Paul writes to the church at Galatia:  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And to the believers at Ephesus, 'Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.'

We don't need feminism; we need Christians who actually live by these principles.

P.S. I'd rather have a load of firewood brought into the house than to receive a dozen roses - any day. Well, any day in the winter, at least.


5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess?

A pomegranate.

 I think he's less messy than I am.

6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?


Probably the meal I took to a young neighbor who just delivered their fourth child IN THEIR VAN at the edge of the highway. It is a long story. She is amazing and calm and extremely capable, and I admire her. Baby is beautiful. Mother and baby and the rest of the family are doing well.

7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (This relates to gratitude in that I am grateful for God's faithfulness and mercy.)

 “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”  - G.K. Chesterton

And one more Chesterton, just for fun:
 “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”  :-)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I was watching the TV news yesterday morning (a bad habit) and saw that in the Chicago area, a small plane had crashed into the living room of someone's residence. A neighbor, interviewed outside, said, 'I'm just thankful that the family is safe. They are really lucky.'

They are really lucky???

No, I am really lucky. I am sitting in a warm house in Wisconsin and do not have a plane protruding from my living room.

NBC News

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters