Gearing Up For the April #AtoZchallenge !

AtoZChallenge
April A to Z Blogging Challenge
Blogging A to Z
www.a-to-zchallenge.com
A to Z Participant 2014

It's coming!  The April #AtoZchallenge for all bloggers is fast approaching!  Starting on April 01 and continuing thru April 30, registered bloggers will write one post per day to correspond with each letter of the alphabet.  For example, April 01 blog posts will start with or pertain to the letter "A".  Bloggers may choose to write about a theme or decide to make each letter/post random.  I prefer random because it gives me more freedom to cover a variety of topics.  I tend to be eclectic like that.   So, stay tuned, the A to Z challenge begins in just under two weeks!  I can't wait!

I is for Iceland; A to Z Blogging Challenge

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I IS FOR ICELAND

Grab your passport, pack a bag, take a seat, sit back and join me on this virtual tour of Iceland!

Today's blog post is going to be FUN.  

I've decided to virtually travel the world this week, and today I'm taking you along.  Most of the places are either places my ancestors once lived or places that just interest me on some level. 

Ready?

LET'S GO!

Grab a jacket and it's off to...

Destination One:  Iceland

Flag of Iceland
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Capitol:  Reykjavik (The world's northernmost capital, which lies just a fraction below the Arctic Circle)

Population:  319,000 (approx est 2011)

Currency:  Icelandic króna

Here's your free Iceland Travel Guide.  Come along.

For this journey, I've chosen a dream vacation package from National Geographic, in combination with Lindblad Expeditions.  You can view it here:  Lindblad Expeditions to Iceland with NatGeo.

One reason I chose Iceland is because I have Nordic ancestory.  I love genealogy and during some of my more extensive research, I discovered a link to Northern Europe and Scandinavia.  I'm so happy because I always knew I had Viking blood in me and I LOVE winter.  People thought me odd (which is true BTW!) but now I can tell them I'm part Viking.  With the advent of the new show on History Channel, I hope that will make them rethink their next comment.  Anyway, I digress.

My ancestor is (Princess) Thurid Eyvindsdatter Olafsson, born in 847 AD in Amie, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.  She married (Prince) Thorstein The Red Olafsson of Dala, Iceland, they had six children and she died in 887 AD in Hvammi, Iceland.  (Thorstein was the son of  Olof the White Hviti Ingjaldsson King of Ireland and Aud Unn Deep Minded Ketilsdatter Queen of Dublin.)

Let's talk about Thurid and Thorstein and what their lives would have been like in Iceland, circa 847 to 887 AD.  

It was during this time period in history that the Viking raids of England were well underway.  Ships, called Long ships,  were used to navigate the fjords and channels, allowing the Vikings to navigate deep into British territory via the rivers, specifically the Thames in England.

Viking Long Ship
Photo from www.kisc.edu.np
No copyright infringement intended.  Used for educational purposes only.
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Here is a basic timeline of Viking history during which Thurid and Thorstein would have (approximately) lived:

(Notice the mention of Olaf The White.  That is Thorstein's father!  How cool is this?)

834 - Vikings approach the river Thames, England.

839 - Turgeis (Torgisl) and a big Viking fleet conquer Ireland and settle permanently.

841 - Vikings under the leadership of Turgeis found Dublin, Ireland.

841 - Vikings burn Lillebonne, Caudebec and Rouen and destroy the abbeys of Jumieges and St Wandrille.

843 - Vikings of Vestfold establish a power base at the isle Noirmountier (Loire) and raid Nates.

844 - A Viking raid on Seville is repulsed.

844 - Turgeis is killed by the Irish, drowned in Loch Nair.

845 - Viking chieftain Ragnar Lodbrok attacks Paris along a big fleet.

853 - Olaf the White conquers Ireland along a big Viking fleet.

857 - Vikings raid Paris again.

858 - Vikings capture the abbot of St Denis and claim ransome.

859 - Vikings raid in the Mediterranean for the first time.

860 - Rus (Sweds) Vikings attack Constantinople (Istanbul).

861- The third big attack on Paris by Vikings.

862 - Novgorod in Russia is founded by the Rus Viking, Ulrich.

863 - Xanten demolished by Vikings.

866 - Danish Vikings establish the kingdom of York, England.

870 - Harold Luva (Fairhair) starts his effort to gain full control in Norway.

871 - Alfred the Great becomes king of Wessex; the Danish advance is halted in England.

871 - Olaf the White returns to Norway, his brother Ivarr becoms ruler of Ireland.

874 - Ivarr the Boneless dies, his sons continues attacks on north-eastern England.

"Thus did the hero known to fame,

the leader of the shields, whose name

Strikes every heart with dire dismay,

Launch forth his war-ships to the fray.

Two kings he fought; but little strife

Was needed to cut short their life.

A clang of arms by the sea-shore,--

And the shields' sound was heard no more."

--from The Heimskringla; Or the Sagas of the Norse Kings from the Icelandic Snorre Sturlason vol 1, Google eBook

Get your free copy here.

This trip to Iceland wouldn't be complete without a few stunning photos.  Here you go:

Aurora Borealis, Iceland
Photo by onebigphoto.com
No copyright infringement intended.  Used for educational purposes only.
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Icelandic Village
Photo by smh.com.au No copyright infringement intended.  Used for educational purposes only.
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Convergence of Fire and Ice
Outdoor fun in Iceland
Photo by dailymail.co.uk No copyright infringement intended.  Used for educational purposes only.
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UPDATE:  As I am researching this subject, I make some AMAZING discoveries about my family  history. I did not know much about the ancient ancestors up to this point, other than their names.  I Googled them just for fun --and low and behold-- I get a plethora of rich historical information about famous and brave warriors and kings from which I can now say I am proudly descended!  It's amazing what you can learn about yourself and your family on a whim!  To say I am amazed and overwhelmed is putting it mildly.   I will exploring more about this part of my past on my own time and you can bet you shields that it will be part of my upcoming book this summer!

Thanks for travelling to Iceland with me!

H is for Humor; A to Z Blogging Challenge

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H IS FOR HUMOR

This post may contain a few slightly offensive words and links to other sites that may use offensive words.

If you get offended by certain words, proceed with caution or click out.

I love to laugh.  I think a sense of humor is one of the most essential elements in a partner, right next to intelligence.  If you're smart, witty, and make me laugh at off-the-wall science jokes, my heart is yours.  But I also enjoy lots of different types of humor.

There's the aforementioned nerd/geek stuff that gets me every time.  Got a good Star Trek joke?  I'll be your new best friend for life.

Saturday night and we're feeling more than "alright"?  Let's tell some dirty rauchy jokes!

Hanging out with the wee ones?  I can do dorky.  Just not too many knock-knocks or I'll knock you out.  Seriously.

My favorite kind of humor has to be sarcasm.  Yes, reeeeally.  :P  I love a snarky comeback, or stating the obvious, or asking how in the actual *** did THAT happen?

LOL Cats.  Ahhh, the kittehs.  Yes, ai lubs de kittehs.

There are a few blogs and websites I like too.  I thought I'd include things that make me laugh. If you go over there, tell them I sent you, and please, don't be an a$$.  I love all three of these ladies!

BLOGS

FOOD GOOD, LAUNDRY BAD

TRIPPING WHILE STANDING STILL

I WANT A DUMPSTER BABY

PAGES

LOL CATS

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER

I F*CKING LOVE SCIENCE

So, no matter what your laugh style, it's always better to laugh than to cry.

It's really awesome to laugh UNTIL YOU CRY!

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F IS FOR FINALITY; A to Z Blogging Challenge

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F IS FOR FINALITY

Originally, I had planned on a different subject to write about today.  I heard some very sad local news that touched my heart, and I was moved to write this instead.  

Today's post is inspired by the tragic death of a local man, Carroll Herring.  Mr. Herring was simply walking across the road to put the flag up on his mailbox when he was struck not once, but twice, by two different vehicles.  Both vehicles left the scene of the crime.  

According to a local man, Mr. Herring was hit at a high rate of speed and thrown into the air.  He landed in the highway where he was struck again by a different vehicle.  Both vehicles left the scene but Albemarle County police were able to track down and return one of the drivers. The other driver still remains at large. 

From local news sites:

"Police are actively looking for a second car involved in the crash that apparently also left the scene. The county's Crash Reconstruction Team describes it as a white Saab with moderate front-end damage." 

"Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000."

Carroll Herring was a 71 year old farmer and lifetime resident of the small rural town of Crozet, Virginia, which is where I reside. He loved growing an extra large garden and sharing his produce with the less fortunate.   I didn't know him personally but I do feel the tragedy of his senseless death.

My purpose today is just to remind you that nothing is promised or guaranteed in this life.  You should always be mindful of your own mortality.  Not obsessively of course, but everyone should really LIVE in the moment more frequently.

Too often we get caught up in plans for "tomorrow" and "next week" and "in five years".  Let me tell you something:  You might not be around for that.  I'm not trying to be a pessimist   Not at all.  I just think we should all seize each moment, NOW, and milk out all the happiness we can in the present.  Future plans are okay, but don't put off something you enjoy or love. 

Here are some of my other thoughts on Finality: 

Make each day count.

Jack Dawson, from the movie "Titanic", used that as a toast when he dined with Rose in the  First Class dining room.  I am a firm believer in that mantra.  

Do something you love, every single day.

Tell the people you care about that you love them.  Now.

Don't go to bed angry.

Smile. Often.

Help a stranger, no matter how big or small.  I'm a huge supporter of Pay It Forward.  Whether  it's a cup of coffee or a tank of gas. 

Perform random acts of kindness whenever you can.

I dedicate this blog post to the memory of Mr. Herring.  May his family find justice and peace in this tragedy.

Blessed Be to you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  Comments are always welcome and I enjoy responding to all of you.

Photo from accidentin.com and CBS19 websites.  No copyright infringement intended.  Used for illustrative and artistic purposes only.  I honor his memory with this post.

D is for Diary; Blogging A to Z Challenge

D IS FOR DIARY

I've always kept a diary of some kind as far back as I can remember. I've always loved writing, so jotting down my thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences on paper just felt like second nature to me. I suppose its obvious that I chose "Diary" as part of my blog title. This diary is open to all of you to read. It's not private and that's my choice. I want to tell you about a different diary and how it felt having my privacy invaded and that choice taken away.

This is me in 8th grade, one of four students chosen to learn on this new thing called a computer. #atozchallenge

That's me on the flute, Christmas 1985, post-diary tragedy. #atozchallenge

It was the summer of 1985. I had just graduated 8th grade and was preparing to start high school that fall. I was almost 15. We were living in an old farm house, complete with barn, so I decided to have a good old-fashioned barn dance party and invite everyone from my eighth grade class. To my surprise and teenage delight, many of the "popular kids" showed up that afternoon. (I was, and always shall be, a huge, proud, nerd-band-science-math-geek!) We had Cokes and snacks, hung out in the barn, and I was thrilled when my best friend Sherri showed up.  There was music and lots of innocent fun until...

Sherri was dancing, spun around too fast, tripped and fell right on her face. Blood everywhere. I wasn't embarassed, I was concerned for my friend. My mom called her parents and herded my party guests into the house to hang in the kitchen. That was the idea anyway. While we were busy tending to Sherri and waiting on her parental unit to arrive, my "friends" decided it would be fun to go upstairs and sift through all my belongings. (Can you see where this is going?)

Once Sherri went home, I went upstairs to get my friends and try to salvage what remained of the party. My mom was making snacks downstairs in the kitchen. I go upstairs, turn my doorknob, and...IT'S LOCKED. I knock on the door. Someone asks, "Who's there?" I tell them it's me. There is much whispering ang giggling, then silence. I kneel down and look through the keyhole. I can see everyone sitting in a circle on my bedroom floor and one of the girls is holding my diary and reading it quietly to the group. I am mortified. Shame, fear, then anger wash over me. I start beating on the door, yelling at them to put the diary away and unlock the door. They laugh at me. Finally, I am so humiliated and sad I just cry. This makes them all laugh even more. My mom hears me crying and comes upstairs. She asks me what is going on. When I tell her I am locked out of my room and they are reading my diary and laughing, she changes. Quietly, her face turns red and she goes to my door. With three powerful bangs she pounds on my door with all the ferociousness of the FBI on a raid.

(Thanks to my dad, a police officer, for showing us how to do the "triple knock of terror".)

After the power knocking, my mom shouts to all of them to open this ******** door RIGHT NOW! Someone runs over and quickly unlocks it.

My mom marches in, looks around, and tells the whole room, "You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Everybody downstairs right now. This party is over. Take turns and call your parents to get a ride home or I will be happy to call them for you. You're not welcome in my house again, none of you. Go. Now!"

I have to admit, I was pretty proud of her. I was glad she threw them out. I don't know why I thought they were so cool to begin with. Real friends wouldn't behave that way and I knew they were only at my party because, well, it was a summer party.

Since that incident, I've been paranoid about what I write on paper and where I leave my journals. It didn't help that I later dated a man who routinely went through my things and afforded me zero privacy (his own insecurities). Today, I'm happy and confident (and happily single!) with what I write and where I leave it. It's taken me many years to get to this place of confidence and ease.

I could try to summarize and moralize this story but I'm not. It was just my memory of a time when some really selfish kids did a sh*tty thing to me at my own party.
I'll end by saying the most important part of the whole story:

My mom rocks. 

Thanks Mom.

I LOVE YOU.

C is for Calling Stephen King; A to Z Blogging Challenge

CALLING STEPHEN KING

(yes, I really did!)

The year was 1983.

I was almost 13 years old and already a die-hard Stephen King fan.  

That summer, I had just finished reading, "Salem's Lot" and I was hooked. The book was so good and the writing had moved me in such a way that I wanted to talk to the author.  I had to tell him that he had inspired me to become a writer as well.  I wanted to pour out my young heart and soul to this man whom I felt understood the dark passionate things that lived inside me too.  I felt connected to Mr. King in a way I hadn't felt about another writer.  It wasn't a crush, it was sheer love and admiration of a man who wrote about the demons and the dark side that were beginning to emerge and blossom in my adolescent soul.  

So, I picked up the phone and called him.

Let me tell you how THAT went ...Remember, we are dealing with early 1980's "technology".

I go to the kitchen and get the phone, take it into my room, pulling the cord under my door.  I shut my door and lock it.

I get my copy of "Salem's Lot" (hardback of course) and flip to the back of the dust jacket.  I know that he lives in Bangor, Maine.

I got my handy-dandy phone book and looked in the front section for area codes by state and region.

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Finding the area code for Bangor, Maine (207), I picked up the phone and dialed (literally, rotary dialed) the following number.  If you are over 40, you'll recognize it immediately.

1+207+555-1212.

Back in the 80's, you could dial any area code plus the "555-1212" and be connected with a live, local operator and ask for a specific phone number.  This real person would then look it up and read it back to you.  Live.  (Really, I'm not making this up.)

I dial Bangor information and wait.  The operator answers in her thick New England drawl.

Operator:  "Bang-ah infahmation, what listing please?"

Nervously, I say, "Stephen King, please."

Operator:  "One moment please.(clicking and whirring noises in background) That numbah is two ah seven...(and oh how I wish I still had the rest of this information...)."

Me:  "Thank you."

Operator:  "Thank you for calling New England Bell."  (Click.  Dial tone.)

I place my finger over the handset cradle, resetting the call, and proceed to dial Mr. King's house just like a kid calling her uncle on his birthday.  I have no idea what I'm going to say or if I'll even get to speak with him. I'm not nervous,  just giddy with excitement.

A man answers on the third ring.

Man:  "Hello?"

Me:  "May I speak with Mister Stephen King please?" 

(my parents raised me to have impeccable phone manners)

Man:  "Speaking."

Me:  <shocked silence>  "Oh...HI!  Um, hi, um, my name is Tammy and I just wanted to call you and tell you I love your books and I want to be a writer just like you."

Stephen King:  "Oh, (chuckle) well thank you very much.  I'm glad you like my books.  (pause) Which one did you like?"

Me:  "Salem's Lot.  It's soooooooo good! It's really scary and I'm gonna read it again."

Stephen King:  "Glad you liked it.  So, you want to be a writer?"

(At this point I am THRILLED to be talking with my literary hero and the *famed writer* Stephen King.  I am ecstatic.  My heart is pounding in my chest, my tongue is doing knots and twists, but I manage to eek out a somewhat cohesive thought in the English language.)

Me:  "Oh yes, I love to write and I write all the time and I keep a diary and I do really well in English class at school."

(Floating on air and feeling like I've died and gone to Heaven,  I think to myself, "I am ACTUALLY having a conversation with Stephen-Freaking-King"--when I am rudely knocked back down into reality by...)

*POUNDING ON DOOR*

My mom (gawd love her):  "Tammy SUE! Is that LONG DISTANCE?"

Stephen King:  (background laughter) Um, ya know I should probably let you go now.   Ah don't want to get you in trouble.  Thanks for calling me though, I appreciate hearing from my fans. Keep writing."

Me:  "Okay, um, sorry, it's my mom. It was really awesome talking to you Sir.  I will keep writing, I promise.  I gotta go.  Bye."

Stephen King:  "Bye." (Click.  Dial tone.)

Me:  "Maahhhh aaaamom!  That was Stephen King! I'm totally embarrassed."

Mom:  "A boy?  You called a boy?  Who is Stephen King?  Was it long-distance?"

Whatever the 1983 version of the *facepalm* was, I did it.  It was probably something akin to an eyeball roll combined with an angst-y sigh.  

I still couldn't help but smile, even though our talk was brief and cut short by my mom's knocking.  From that day forward, I read every Stephen King book that I could get my hands on.  I never did call him back and I never told anyone his phone number.  I know I wrote about that call many times in my diary but I didn't brag about to my friends.  To me, it was something sacred that I wanted to keep to myself and treasure.  I cherish that memory but I thought it was time to take it out, dust it off, and share it with the world.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Well.  There you have it. 

My one claim to literary fame.

I'll never forget that phone call for as long as I live.

And Mister King, if you ever read this, THANK YOU.

I never did stop writing.

All images are either my own photographs or free public domain photos.  No copyright infringement intended.  Used for illustrative and artistic purposes only.  No part of this this blog may copied or used without giving proper credit to the author.  

B is for Back Roads; Blogging A to Z Challenge

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B IS FOR BACK ROADS


I love Virginia.  Virginia is home.  I've lived many places in my life but none quite so lovely, so peaceful, so downright BREATHTAKING as "my" Virginia.  I live in a magical, rural area between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, there are thousands of back roads.  We don't have freeways, expressways, turnpikes or toll roads.  We have "the Interstate" and "all the other roads".  Don't get me wrong, we do have pavement, but life here is slower, friendlier, and gentler.  Reminiscent of days gone by.

(I've included a lot of links in this blog.  Please feel free to click on them if something interests you.  Each link opens in a separate page so you won't lose your place here. If a link is broken or malfunctions, please let me know! I've done my best to test them all out. They aren't wiki pages either, I've tried to find things of real interest to link to.)

Back roads have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  There is something magical about cresting a hill, winding around a turn, and seeing things like this: 

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Rolling Hills of Albemarle County, Virginia

March 2013

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Farmland and Hay, Albemarle County, Virginia

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Farmland and Mountains, Albemarle County, Virginia

Albemarle County is the setting for the old TV show, "The Waltons".  Earl Hamner, Jr. wrote the book that was eventually turned into the series.  Earl would have been John-Boy in the show, the one to whom everyone said, "Goodnight".  He is the child that grew up on the show and became the famous author, writing about life on Walton's Mountain (published in real life as "Spencer's Mountain").  If you come here to visit, you can go to the original Walton's Mountain and walk through the Hamner's home.  It's so nice to watch that show and hear them talking about "going down into Charlottesville" and so forth.  Most of the series, sadly, was NOT filmed here on location.  Hollywood may try to copy Virginia, but us locals know our mountains!  Still a wonderful show.

 On one recent drive, I was able to snap a picture of this very cool art studio/gallery by the side of the road. 

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Unique Art Studio, Albemarle County

 I had to pull off the road to grab this amazing twilight photo showing the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains near my home.

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Twilight in Crozet Virginia

 Coming down my long and winding gravel driveway, I caught a breathtaking sight of evening fog rolling into the nearby woods.  I snapped this pic and just put a sepia filter on it for added effect.  This is one of my all time favorite photos.

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Evening Fog, Crozet Virginia

This gorgeous lake is not far from my house either.  My friend and I take her dogs out to run and play a lot in the evenings, so I am lucky to capture sunsets and twilight shots like this one, another on my personal favorites:

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Twilight by the Lake, Albemarle County Virginia

Sometimes, you see things that make you get out of the car and walk down the road just to grab a photo, like this historic home that was on the market for sale.  I've forgotten the name of it but it dates back to the 1700s.  I love the stone wall!

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Historic Home for Sale, Crozet Virginia

If you can't tell already, I'm a huge history buff!  (Nerd Girl Alert!)  Living here in Virginia, I am blessed to be surrounded, literally, by history.  This marker honors the birthplace of Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame, who was a personal friend of President Thomas Jefferson.  (Jefferson is a native Virginian and his home of Monticello is a MUST SEE when you come to the area.)

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Birthplace of Meriwether Lewis, Explorer of the West

 Art abounds in Albemarle County and you'll see plenty of unique pieces if you take the back roads.  Things like this:

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Folk Art outside of Artist Cottage, near Crozet Virginia

That piece of folk art was in the yard of this very interesting home near Crozet:

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  Unique Artist Cottage, near Crozet Virginia

More Civil War history here in the mountains of Virginia.  Commemorative sign regarding Stonewall Jackson's war campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.  

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Stonewall Jackson Memorial, Civil War Battlefield Site, Albemarle County Virginia

Returning home on a snowy day in March, this is the beauty to which I am greeted:

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My Snowy Road, March 2013

I never get tired of these views...and I hope I never will.

So there you have it...the beauty of taking a back road.  Go out and find your own back roads.  Don't forget to take your camera.  You'll be glad you did!

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All photos taken by Tammy Petry.

Dog photographed by permission of owner.

A is for Abundance; Blogging A to Z Challenge

A IS FOR ABUNDANCE 

Sometimes, you just know when you've got it good. Sometimes things just align and fall into place so perfectly, all you can do is sit back and count your blessings with tears of gratitude in your eyes. I've had one of those days today. I am thankful for so many things...

Such as:

A dear friend and I reconnected today.
My cat, who had been feeling bad, finally ate and drank without throwing up.
My kids texted me.
I had a few dollars extra in my bank account.
The dogs I dog-sit for were well-behaved today.
The weather was beautiful.

As I sit outside, writing this blog post, I can hear the melodious song of peep frogs, a sure indicator that Spring is here in Appalachia.

I am blessed to have a great home, a fabulous housemate, and the freedom to pursue my passions of art and writing.  I may not be rich in dollars, but I am *rich* indeed.

Abundance is not always material.  Abundance is having a lot of what *YOU* place value on.  I love my work, my freedom, my kitteh, my home life, my friends, my time, my family, and Nature.  Money, sadly, seems like it will always be necessary in our modern society.  It doesn't have to define it or the way you live your life.  I am and will always be a Minimalist.  I have a few items I treasure but I don't attach a dollar value to my possessions. I don't seek to have the *next great thing*.  I don't follow fashion. I'm me and I'm happy to be of an age where I can say, "Take it or leave it!"

Yes, A is for Abundance and I am Abundantly blessed.

For that, I am *Abundantly* Grateful.

Thank you for reading.

Namaste.