Five things that made me happy today – 11/26/22

Sometimes in the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whispers of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, and hope to despair. 

Howard Turman

1. It was mid 30s early this morning with wet streets, but WeatherBug said the precipitation was gone for a while. The temperature went up to 45, and when the rain returned after 5 pm, it never got any warmer, but it didn’t get any colder.

2. I made it over to the Wellness Center around 11:00 to get my steps out of the way for the day.

3. Oregon played Oregon State at noon today. #GoDucks Alas, they lost it, but I love them anyway. Good bye to any chance to go to the Rose Bowl.

4. I had made a grocery order at Safeway this morning, and drove down there to pick it up after the Ducks’ game.

5. I also watched the Notre Dame v USC game, followed by the Washington v Washington State game. The USC game and the Washington game will decide who will play in the PAC12 Championship Game.

How about you? What made you happy today?

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/26/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

Today I’m thankful for a safe return to my own little bed. As much fun as traveling is, for a good night’s sleep nothing can beat my own bed, in my own room, with my own sheets and pillows.

Five things that made me happy today – 11/25/22

Gratitude celebrates life with a joyful “yes” at every knot of the great network in which everything is connected to everything.

Br. David Steindl-Rast

1. It was pretty cold in Portland when we woke up – 42 deg. It was cloudy, and rain was threatened, but it wasn’t raining. By the time we got to Tacoma our teeth were chattering because it had started raining and the temperature was in the upper 30s. Brrr.

2. We packed up and were ready to leave by the time we went down for breakfast.

3. Another good breakfast, compliments of the Residence Inn by Marriott in the Pearl in Portland.

4. We ordered a taxi to take us to the train station, and it came in plenty of time. We waited about half an hour before the Red Cap drove us out to the train and got us settled. It was an uneventful train ride, except that we almost froze to death.

5. We were home to Tacoma just about on time, and were met by the FTJ van. It was raining when we got to Tacoma, and cold. Now we’re back in our Duplex warming up, unpacking, and doing a little bit of the wash.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 11/24/22

Only in the darkness can we see the stars.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

1. It was 36 deg outside when I got up this morning, with clear skies. Still dark out with stars. The sun came out and it was pretty all day with a high temperature of 52 deg.

2. We had a great breakfast/brunch, compliments of the Marriott. Then we went back up to our room. Al napped and I listened tonRachel Maddow’s Ultra as we waited for #2 son and #1 grandchild to join us.

3. They arrived shortly after noon, and fixed a couple of little problems we were having with our electronics.

4. Then they took us to Fogo de Chao for dinner. We got there in time to have a caipirinha. The whole thing was just as good as we remembered. I even got a Papaya Cream with cassis for dessert.

5. They delivered us back to our hotel and returned to Kennewick in good time. They should be home not too long after dark (I hope.)

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 11/23/22

Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you. 

Anonymous

1. It was 48 deg when I got up this morning – the same temperature as when I went to bed last night. Now in Portland, the high temperature is 50 deg, and it’s mostly cloudy.

2. Right after my shower, I got the final few things put in my backpack, and went down to McDonalds to get a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit for me and two Breakfast Burritos for Al. so we could have breakfast before starting on our travels.

3. The FTJ driver picked us up at 8:30 to take us to the train station.

4. We arrived right on time in Portland and caught a cab to the hotel. Lovely room that I think I’ve stayed in before.

5. Right now (3:15 pm) we’ve decided we’re hungry. We’re setting off to find a Chinese restaurant that has been recommended.

How about you? What made you happy today?

30 Days of Thankfulness 11/23/2022

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

I’m thankful for my points from Marriott that gave us the chance to visit Portland for Thanksgiving.

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/24/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

Today I’m thankful for the gauchos and chefs at Fogo do Chao who will be feeding Big Al and me our Thanksgiving Dinner today. No cooking for me this year. We’ll be joined by #2 son and #1 grandchild.

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/25/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

It was so nice to have this little holiday – train ride, stay in a hotel, dinner at a fine restaurant, and another train ride. This is the first time (other than to go Whale Watching this summer) that Al and I have gone anywhere or done anything since the start of the pandemic. Many thanks for vaccines and science.

Five things that made me happy today – 11/22/22

Be the change you wish to see in the world. 

Mahatma Gandhi

1. It was in the mid 40s, when I got up this morning, and drizzly. The rain continued all day until mid-afternoon, when it became mostly cloudy. High this afternoon was 48 deg. I’m glad to have the rain. It’s been pretty dry all month.

2. In Bible study this morning we looked at Isaiah 2:1-5. We discussed whether this passage is used at the beginning of Advent because it pointed to a messiah when it was written, or whether the people who put the Bible together thought “Ah ha. Isaiah must have been talking about Jesus.”

3. I warmed up the last of the gumbo for my lunch – cleaning out the refrigerator. It’s Tuesday, so I don’t have to worry about what Al ate.

4. The housekeeper came today. We have a clean kitchen, clean bathrooms, fresh sheets on the bed, and the whole place is vacuumed and swept.

5. Greisser Girls Gab in a few minutes. I’ll enjoy hearing about their Thanksgiving plans.

How about you? What made you happy today?

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/22/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

Today I’m thankful for the train that will take Big Al and me to Portland for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. It’s much nicer than driving. I’m also thankful that the transportation department from FTJ is taking us to the train station (and picking us up on Friday).