OCTOBER FAVES

 

I'm so glad it's Friday and that those of us who work outside the home have Monday off here in the USA.  I really need this 3 day weekend!

For now, I'm sharing FIVE of my FAVE moments/things/blessings from the past week.  It was a crazy, busy week but there were many blessings to be found when I sat and reflected back.  I do this with other like-minded bloggers and we link up at Susanne's site.  How about joining in?  If you're a reader, and not a blogger, share one of your blessings in the comment section below!

FIVE FAVES

East Jimmy Creek
 looking down from the higher footpath
Wells, NY
southern Adirondack Mountains

sign of Autumn in the mountains!
2 October 2021

East Jimmy Creek (upper) Falls
for the ADKS 50 Falls Challenge

• BUSHWHACKING!  Saturday dawned sunny and warm here in our town.  I had already made plans to meet my friend Cheryl B (who drove northeast from the central part of NYS while I drove Northwest to the southern ADKS) in my favorite Adirondack village, Wells.  We were determined to find the ruins of this estate.  Well, that didn't happen. Again. Long story.   So we headed back down the road to where there's another bushwhack hike so I could finally find East Jimmy Creek Falls.  We only had to hike about .2 miles up and in from the road (on an unmarked trail) and I finally saw these falls (pic above) I've hunted for during the last 5 years.  Cheryl had found them a couple years ago and  remembered where to go.  I had   probably driven past the footpath 100 times during my life and never could find the right area.  It was fun and we were the only people there!  I'll write about the estate another time, as we are hoping to finally see them this weekend now that we found the dirt road we have to turn onto. I'm thankful for hiking adventures and fresh, mountain air!

• MOVIE NIGHT!  Saturday evening, after dinner, Dave asked me if I wanted to watch a Netflix movie with him. I agreed because I was so tired from all the driving to and from the mountains on top of all the exploring.  The one we agreed on was this one based on a true story about the effects of PTSD and WWII. It starts out in 1980 but the main character flashes back.  It's so well done, yet has some very graphic violence in it (at some points neither one of us could watch!!  We shut our eyes because....war....ugh....I'm so against war.....) It was interesting, though, to learn that the effect of PTSD weren't really known or discussed until 1980s. I'm thankful for well-written movies based on facts.  The acting was absolutely superb. Colin Firth was outstanding! 

Claire
UNH 2021
Phi Beta Kappa Graduate with Honors

On Pointe!

BS in Sociology with Honors
3 minors:  Russian, Psychology and Ballet, Honors
Phi Beta Kappa
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Kappa Delta 

Dancing through life.......on pointe......

• UNIVERSITY SENIOR PICS!  Claire FINALLY received her Senior Pics from a photo session she had with a former Ballet Company member. There were about 25 pics (all are on my Facebook page if you are interested) but these were the ones that seemed to get the most comments or likes. These just made me smile and say "thanks, God for this kid" She was SO tough at age 4 and 12 but wow...she sure did grow up fast and is a super special young lady.  These photos  all capture her spirit very well. I'm thankful for talented photographers and for our youngest girl finally sharing these pics with us!

  

  note the bubbly coming out of the bottle!
  May 2021

  
  

• DINNER! Dave volunteered to make dinner one evening this past week and he chose Sweet and Sour Chicken. OMGOODNESS.  It was so delicious!!  It was just so darn good...I'm so thankful I have a husband who can cook even though it is rare for him to do so. 

• POWER OF PRAYER:  Work was tough this week.  I reached out to a couple of friends, both near and far (thanks, Deb from Utah and Susanne from Canada) and I felt the power of those prayers.  I actually finally got a good night's sleep on Tuesday evening.  It was much needed and I appreciate the prayers of my fellow sisters in Christ. I'm so thankful for knowing God's strength and peace.

That wraps up my blessings from the week.  Believe me, there were many more moments that made me pause, smile, and say "Thanks, God":  beautiful scenery on my after work bike ride, Courtney popping in on Sunday afternoon to help with a project, hugs from both girls, phone calls from friends, and the autumn sunshine.

I hope whatever you have planned for the holiday weekend, that it will be special and rejuvenating to your body, mind and spirit!