Got a few dollars in a coffee can!

I am thankful for the Hodgepodge - and on this week before Thanksgiving I am thankful for much more.  Read on.

1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for? 

Seriously?  How about EVERYTHING?!?   Don't we all take our lives for granted - and all the blessings in it?   Yes.  But, here's a short list of things I have and don't always appreciate as I should.   A loving family and wonderful group of friends.  A church family who cares for me unconditionally.  A warm house in the winter, cool in the summer.  The ability and means to walk into a store and purchase food, clothing…wine.  ( :    

2.  The color brown - love it or no?  What's your favorite shade of brown?  Most loved something in your house or your closet in a shade of brown? 

In general I am a brown fan.  It goes with just about every thing.  It's a "base" color.  Of all the shades I like a rich warm brown.  I also am liking a very light brown color right now (beige, cream) because my daughter is using the color in her wedding.  She is featuring sunflowers as the "pop" of color.  The wedding will have a rustic, vintage feel - and shades of brown go well with it.

In my house or closet?   Well, we have a Lazy-Boy chair that I really didn't want in the living room, but now that it is it is a "go to" piece of furniture.  It's very comfortable!  Even our pugs love it!

3. What's something you look forward to today? 

Thankfully I have a few things I look forward to doing today.  I am going to "Good News at Noon" Bible Study at church. I love the people there, and I always love the discussions.  Then later I have a flute choir rehearsal and we are preparing for a mini-concert of Christmas songs. We will be performing them next Sunday at another local church and also during intermission of our community band concert which happens in 2 weeks.  After flute rehearsal I have band practice too.

4.  The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months.  What do you think/feel when you hear the word?  Do you want to be described as a feminist?  Why or why not? 

Yes, I am a feminist.  I believe in the "power of women" and I encourage all women to support each other.  

I think the term 'feminist' used to have a different meaning back in the 60's and 70's when some out-spoken women pushed for women's rights.  There was a stereotype of who they were and how they looked.   But, without them leading the way, women today would not be where we are.   We still have to stick together for equal pay, equal rights in certain situations, etc.     BUT…  I truly believe women have it over the men!    Yep, I'm a feminist.

5.  What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess? 

Tacos?   Sloppy Joe's?       Anything with white powdered sugar on it….and of course I have on a dark top!

6.  When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift?  What was it? 

My hubby surprises me with little acts of kindness, little gifts of giving.  It can be as simple as picking up something for me at the store.  The other morning we were in a Richmond hotel room, there for his aunt's funeral later in the day,  and he made me coffee and brought it to me while I was still in bed. Sweet!  

I don't know if this counts, but last week when my neighbor's kitty died and she wanted to bury her in the backyard, I  called one of our other neighbors - a man who I knew would be home - to come help dig the hole.  (I'm a feminist but there ARE some things a man can do with his strength that we women can not.) I arranged for him to come over and he did.  We all had a "moment" together sharing our love for the kitty - and being there for each other as friends and neighbors.

7.  Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric, or scripture relating to gratitude. 

Immediately I thought of a song both my hubby and I like…    called "Lucky Man" by Montgomery Gentry.   I will try and paste the lyrics here:

I have days where I hate my job
This little town and the whole world too
And last Sunday when my Bengals lost
Lord, it put me in a bad mood

I have moments when I curse the rain
Then complain when the sun's too hot
I look around at what everyone has
And I forget about all I've got

But I know I'm a lucky man
God's given me a pretty fair hand
Got a house and a piece of land
A few dollars in a coffee can

My old truck's still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving
And one more day to be my little kid's dad
Lord, knows I'm a lucky man

Got some friends who would be here fast
I could call 'em any time of day
Got a brother who's got my back
Got a mama who I swear's a saint

Got a brand new rod and reel
Got a full week off this year
Dad had a close call last spring
It's a miracle he's still here

But lord knows I'm a lucky man
God's given me a pretty fair hand
Got a house and a piece of land
A few dollars in a coffee can

My old truck's still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving
One more day to be my little kid's dad
Lord knows I'm a lucky man

Oh, my old truck's still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving
And even my bad days ain't that bad
Yeah, I'm a lucky man
I'm a lucky, lucky man

Read more:  Montgomery Gentry - Lucky Man Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

8.  My random thought. 

I just saw on Facebook that it's 36 days til Christmas!   Oh my.   I'm not even in a Christmas mood yet.  (Yes, I know - I'm practicing Christmas music - but I need to!  lol)    But, that's okay.  Remember…   this post is about Thanksgiving!  Let's do one holiday celebration at a time.   I'm wondering.  How many of you put up your Christmas tree BEFORE Thanksgiving?

H A P P Y       T H A N K S G I V I N G    ! ! ! !