THINGS THAT MADE MY WEEK

This is going to be an appreciation post. Often it is restoring to focus on all the good that has passed through your life almost unnoticed. Somehow, the bad gets the most publicity. Makes it hard to be bummed though when you give the good times their due. Sometimes it may be a visual or sensual thing that brings you pleasure, but most often it is the people. They can touch us with the most force, either good or bad. This is about the good.

Who will NOT be mentioned individually in this post are the wonderful blog friends I have visited with these past 9 months. They already know almost daily how much I appreciate them and enjoy our visits. We have shared our lives as if we shared a fence line. Blogging has taken me back to states I have visited before and enjoyed but also to states I probably will never get to see and now know that is a darn shame, for I am missing some wonderful sights and people.

Blogging has also taken me to countries around the world that I have always wanted to see, and now have a better knowledge of the far away landscapes, different cultures and the lovely people. Discovering that we are different only in small matters. In what counts, we are so much alike. This post however is not about the obvious everyday happy encounters on the Net. I want to share some of the blogs that I do not leave comments on but love to read. I will also share some of the simple things that made my week.

Foremost this week and every week, my very boon companions who live through my moods, enjoying my good ones and putting up with the not so good ones, totally making every day.




















Mighty Dog is once again Mighty. His leg has healed enough to chase a rabbit yesterday. That was a heart warming sight. My more laid back cats watching a little Hummer TV.



This week, one of my young neighbors made my day. He was promoting the annual grade school fund raiser. Sometimes these fund raisers offer coupons to local merchants in exchange for a few dollars. Sometimes they are for humongous chocolate bars which are never good for someone who is weight conscious. This time it was for a drawing for some really neat, nonfattening prizes.

He is smiling for he had just talked me out of five dollars. He and his older brother have been great neighbors since I came to Arkansas. If I want to leave town, I can rely on them to take care of my animals that must stay home. I have complete confidence in their abilities and reliability. That is a great comfort for an animal lover.

So when the annual "sales" come up, I participate with pleasure. Both boys have a talent for easy conversation. There is never the Old person/ Young person gap. Their parents and grandparents live across the street and I can only say, I got very lucky with my neighbors. His mother called to find out what where her boy was for he had stayed so long to chat. Cool kid. Most would take your money and run.

Now I want to give a brief shout out to the blogs that don't receive comments from me but I look forward to and consider treasures. These are read for selfish pleasure. Perhaps they will bring you pleasure.

Garrison Keillor whom I have mentioned before, is brilliant, funny and politically on the same page as I am. If you aren't liberal, you can skip this fellow. The man recently had a mild stroke and yes, he even found humor in that experience

Murderati is a writers blog. Published authors write a column each day. One I won't miss is Tess Gerritsen whose day to contribute is Tuesday. She lets you look into the life of a successful writer, warts and all. Truthfully, there is much there that is daunting. I very much like her books, "Gravity" being my favorite.

Citizen of the Month is an excellent writer. Sometimes I find sections of his writing about as soothing as sandpaper but most often, he is insightful and quite funny. His post on going to a Mets ballgame(Lets Go Mets) is prime example.

Another nice thing was a complete surprise. You know by now that I am besotted with my adopted town. Yesterday I got a copy of my favorite magazine, Mother Earth News, and found this tiny town was their selection as one of the "11 Great Places You've(Maybe)Never Heard Of." Great taste Mother.

Olkhdan,you may want to check out MEN for I believe your area was also selected. Now HGTV last December selected us as #3 out of ten of the best Christmas towns. For a town of under three thousand souls, I think we are doing well. Just to let you know that others also share my appreciation of this tiny town.

These are not all but they are some of the things that made my week. Don't want to ignore the surprise sunshiny days (they have been quite rare lately); the sweet smell of a rose that is clinging to the season; a breath taking view nicely scrubbed by the rains; watching migrating hummers squabble over the feeder; my sports teams winning or when not winning, at least playing well; satisfaction of a freshly mowed lawn between the rains; dinner with delightful friends; or phone calls from family and friends who make my day, just by being. It has been a GOOD week.

What made your week?