12 Days of Gratefulness Day 12 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 12

MrsB

Seeing the wild ducks as they come daily to eat the bird seed that falls on the ground under the bird feeder

R. Cane

Thankful for getting this far .. with so many helping hands ... and I have high hopes for 2022 cheers to all all around

KimB

Knitting.

A few months ago MrsB finally got me to agree to let her teach me to knit. It's never been a big item on my list of things to do but with so many hours of nothing to fill I agreed to give it a try. She sent me most of her knitting kit to get me started and even some very red yarn. We talked on the phone and I did look-ups on the internet to figure out what I was supposed to do. I am like all beginners and make a mess of my attempts but that's what being a beginner is about: the joy of imperfection. When we talk I can almost sound like I know what it is I'm doing and I can ask better questions now on how to do different techniques.

It's a lot like Latin. Everything has already been translated, so there's no worries you will miss much.

The main risk is that you don't understand the jargon and miss some pointers but asking the same questions over again there are moments of AH HA! when a LED turns on.

I finished my first project: a scarf. What else? I made a long red scarf and Allen dutifully wears it, even if it's not quite right. It's close to right. It's a beginner's scarf.

I am now on my second project: A full size afghan with 6 colors using Intarsia techniques. Does it sound like I know something?

I cherish the chats with Mom and I try to listen carefully to her instructions:

It's all intuitive!

Until the needles fall off...

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 11 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 11

MrsB

The many friends during my 99 years

KimB

LOTRO - Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG video game.

I've been playing LOTRO since the beta more than a decade ago. The game has changed ownership several times but the story remains the same a JRR Tolkien wrote it. Of course there are many paths across Middle-Earth and that's part of the fun.

During the first part of the COVID19 shutdown they opened all their servers to everyone so they could play for free.

It was a fantastic gesture and gift.

Recently my brother and I have reached the zenith of the books: the Fall of Sauron. Standing with Aragorn as the last of the free peoples are overwhelmed by the hordes pouring out of the Black Gates of Mordor, and engulfing all that stands in the way of their evil master. The deaths of the Lords of Gondor and the Rangers of the North, some who fell at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the rest in front of the Black Gates.

"No one Is coming" says Aragorn, "but we will stand until the end."

And so shall we stand against the darkness, despair, death and injustice as the ongoing effects of the pandemic play out in real life.

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 10 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 10

R. Cane

Actually "WON" a computer game ..!? Lol finished primary LOTRO tale after lo these many years ! ..so .. back to square one/ level 1 .. we "rolled new toons" .. following the instructions on package to .. "repeat"!!?? Lol
[Editor's Note: Lord of the Rings OnLine]

KimB

Life Friends.

Life friends are those people who support you mentally and emotionally, providing insight, comfort and warmth just by being there. Sometimes there are long periods of silence between interactions but they are always there for you when you have need. They cannot do much to change your life or circumstances but their support is invaluable.

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 9 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 9

MrsB

Pleasure and Amusement from watching the interaction between our pet dog and pet cat that are very fond of each other.

KimB

The stores, people and friends who have stayed open and helped out people like us who still shelter in place. The online delivery drivers making the rounds with loaves of bread and milk have made it possible for us to stay safe until the pandemic fades and new vaccines and treatments become available. The big box stores and markets carried the biggest burdens but a small specialty store near us took my grocery list over the phone, provided us with fresh veggies, meats, breads, many specialty items and did trunk drops. Without them, things would have been much bleaker.

I first met them when they opened their small market. Hardly 2 aisles but packed top to bottom with wonderful items. They were gracious to explain what the packages were and importantly how to eat the contents. They had meats, fish, deli - fabulous salamis, milk, yogurt, cheese, breads and incredible chocolates. Before COVID19, when I started to regain my health, I got a bicycle. I would bike to their store and get a few items and carried them home in my back pack.

After the pandemic started, they graciously took my panicked orders over the phone and did a trunk drop. Now when I call in the grocery order, they remind me of things I may have forgotten.

There is a difference between on-line computer nagware-suggestions and humans. One doesn't care if you order or not. The other cares that you have something to eat and enough of it to carry you through until the next order.
[Editor's Note: Ararat Market, Clovis, California]

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 8 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 8

R. Cane

Glad me n mum and everyone that comes here has gotten covid19 boosters ..AND the Quad flu shot protecting 16 strains of flu !

KimB

Mom.

MrsB never ceases to amaze. Her creativity is unbounded. Her determination to build a better society and a better America for all has lead her life into some interesting corners of history. Her art reflects not only her own experience but is a mirror to the past, present and future. It is an unbroken line marking every aspect of the country and all of it's best parts.

It's a reminder of what we can be, if we chose to be.