248. Books, Books, Books!

Activities, Books 0

I’m starting a 48-Hour Book Challenge tonight! It’s that time when I make reading my top priority — and that makes my heart sing.

I am privileged to get to be a judge for the Cybils Awards and for the Mathical Awards. And I so love doing the reading for both awards! I’ve also got my dream job selecting children’s and YA books for my public library system, and life is very good. Getting to do a 48-Hour Book Challenge always reminds me I live a life of luxury! I can spend time reading.

247. Walking by My Lake

Activities, Nature 0

I’ve lived in my condo for almost ten years now, and I never will get tired of walking to the other side of my lake and back. It’s about a mile there and back, so it’s good exercise. But I enjoy the wildlife — birds, deer, and plants. I’m never getting tired of how they all change with the seasons. Today the first flock of Canada geese for the winter was floating on the lake, and the leaves are almost down. I feel more in touch with nature on a daily basis than ever before in my life. And I’m thankful.

246. Autumn

Nature 0

I’ve let this blog go for more than a year. (Losing all my past entries a few years ago disheartened me.)

But today our pastor preached a sermon about gratitude. I also learned recently that when they did a study comparing people who wrote five things they were grateful for each day with people who wrote five sentences about one thing they were grateful for – writing five sentences about one thing had more benefits. And that’s what this blog is all about.

So I’m going to try to revive my habit of posting on my Sonderblessings blog. I’m going to start with a simple one: I love Autumn! And this has been an exceptionally beautiful one in Virginia. The picture above was taken on one of my rambles in the late afternoon between the brightly-colored rows of trees across the lake from my home. Just a beautiful place to get to look at often. I’m thankful!

243. Reminders

Spiritual Blessings 0

I got hit with the lonelies today.

I’m not sure completely why. Partly is that I’m going to spend extra time this weekend alone, reading.

Partly was still the aftermath of some public accusations on Facebook.

Partly was something or other got me missing being married.

Anyway, I did get some reminders that the Lord is still with me and life is still good.

One was talking with an acquaintance and sharing our stories — and how much God has showed up for each of us.

Another was remembering how friends rallied round and affirmed me after the accusations.

Another was looking at the visual mission statement I made and put on my computer, reminding me who I am.

Another was singing some songs at church that have been meaningful for a long time.

God is good, and He surrounds me with His love.

242. Good Books, Good Friends, Silent Book Club

Books, Events, Friends 0

I’ve listed all of these things before — perhaps if I put them together, I can make a new listing?

I was feeling a little discouraged after having my water heater replaced. That’s a big thing to deal with “by myself” (not that I was ever really alone), and had an emotional aftermath.

But Silent Book Club was just the thing to take away any residual bad feeling. I’m reading such very good books! And I have such good friends! (We even had two new people today.)

I realized that I have NINETEEN favorite books already this year that I will consider nominating for the Newbery. I only get to nominate seven, beginning in October — but how wonderful that I’ve read that many wonderful books!

240. Adulting

Activities 0

Today I had to deal with a small household emergency – a complete power outage of my entire condo – but not anyone else in my building. No one was going to deal with it for me.

I’m not happy with how long it took me and how many calls I made.

But now I have the relevant phone numbers in a place I can easily find them.

And now I know where the entire-condo circuit breakers are located.

And I got a tiny bit better at adulting.