Joyous Tomorrows

The first example of Thanksgiving in America as recorded by William Bradford Governor Of Plymouth Plantation. Not of a feast, but of thanksgiving out of gratitude because "instead of famine now God gave them plenty.."P132 (1) Edward Winslow wrote a letter on 11 Dec 1621 to a friend in England describing this day of thanksgiving. "Our harvest being gotten in , our Governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.  They four in one day killed as much fowl as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week.  At which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King, Massasoit with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted.  And they went out and killed five deer which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our Governor and upon the Captain and others."...

Unusual costumes has been a regular for my TexasBlu girl.  She loved dreaming up something different for me to make for her when she was little. This is her at 8 with her dad and siblings at a County Maintenance Barn Halloween activity. The character is Mrs Bianca from the Rescuers.   About a month and a half ago, one of my grandsons, who has decided he will be a scientist, advised his mom that GrandmomE was going to make him a lab coat.  'Sure,' says I, 'that will be easy enough.' Well, the oldest then decided GrandmomE was going to make him a cowboy outfit.  Still easy enough. The mom then decided how about making the twins a HeMan outfit. (That was a popular cartoon series in the 80's [when TexasBlu was little] and is still on old channels).  Can't deny that part of my insanity was, I have never made anything for the boys it has always been for the girls.  Must do this. As I was working, a poem I cross stitched for TexasBlu when she was about 10...

When Mom told me she had decorated her own Halloween T-Shirt, I knew I was going to have to go and see.  I was not expecting the totally fun evening we all had.  They had a wonderful trio that sang and played bouncy music.  My sister- in-law figured out how to bounce and grove to the music.  She also won the Family Division Costume contest.  She shows you can be sexy at seventy.  Whoo Hoo.  She's got legs.                                   My brother in law wore a mask from the movie Avatar.  It was a bit spooky you could see his eyes, but the mask so hid him.  I like him better without the mask don't you?    The Facility workers had all dressed up like the old rock n roll group "Village People" and did a rendition of YMCA, which my sister-in-law jumped ...

As I have been letting you know, I have been searching for a way to reduce my blood pressure.  I am tired of whining, so I thought I would share some positives I have found with you. Sheila G. West, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University team did a study of diet for possibly reducing stress with omega 3 fatty acids from plant sources.  They used my favorite nut, walnuts and walnut oil in the study.  The findings were positive for reducing stress and reducing cardiovascular illness. Click here to view the write up about the study.  That article and others like it, along with the knowledge that potassium also is helpful, led to me get out my Banana Walnut Muffin recipe and modify it to be heart healthy friendly.  [I see you smiling.  Yes, I needed some comfort food.  ; )   ] Spiced Banana-Walnut Muffins Servings: Serves 6 Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour (I used 1 Cup Gluten Free flour and 1/2 tsp Xanthum Gum) 1/2 tsp. baking soda ...

I have been multi tasking lately.  In addition to my volunteer work, and taking care of business, I have been trying hard to fulfill my grandsons confidence in me.  Cowboy on the left and Scientist on the right My daughter had related to me earlier this summer that one of the boys had decided he was going to be a scientist, the older of the two (they are 6 months apart) said "well, what am I going to be?" Said the other, "You can be what ever you want to be."  I some how feel without knowing it he was quite profound.  "We can be what ever we want to be." At the end of August, it was announced by our scientist that GrandmomE was going to make his lab coat.  That was good.  I knew 2 months before Halloween, which is what we are striving for.  The older then decided I could make him a cowboy outfit.  I am so excited that I have finished both and am getting ready to do He Man outfits for the younger twins...a rush job it will be, and wings for...

Curves internet page. My second son has been after me for sometime to get my health in order.  I told you that I joined Curves.  I really have enjoyed going to exercise early in the morning and love the people I have met there as well as my "adopted" daughter goes with me and we have fun too.  No, I am not advertising for Curves, just thought that those in far away places might like to know what it is. (click on the title under the picture to view their web page.) There have been set backs such as a sciatica problem that sent me to the chiropractor to have my back adjusted.  It helped until I moved the wrong way again. Sometimes I just wonder if I am meant to get this weight off.  On the other hand, I know that it is the right thing to do.  So, as soon as I am walking in an upright manner again, ( my daughter called me the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  I have to admit that almost walking on all fours to get around did present a funny looking picture....

I had the pleasure of being treated to a Belated Birthday dinner with my sister-in-law by my mother-in-law.  Jaq's birthday was on Thursday and mine was in July.  My mother-in-law wanted to take us both out to a nice restraurant so we waited until Jaq came over from Arizona.  What a fun night we had at Carmello's .  The owner treated us very well.  The food was wonderful.  I had the red snapper, yummy.  The company was awesome.  We all had family stories to share.  Dick shared about his Mat having burned up the engine not seeing the oil was empty.  Jaq's family is doing well, and Marie is involved in learning politics and how to be active in her community.  It was lively conversation.  When we left, I went over to my second daughter's home for the night and had a fun day at the park with her and the toddlers and her two. Of course, there had to be a story time.   It was a marvelous way to back up to celebrate your birth...