tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59447669134335427862024-03-14T00:17:31.630-07:00The Attitude of Gratitude InnThe place to visit if you want to improve your perspective on life. Everything rises and falls according to our attitude. I would love to hear what makes you grateful today.
"The optimist sees the opportunity in every problem. The pessimist sees the problem in every opportunity." Winston Churchill
It is the optimist who flies. It is the pessimist who clips his own wings, preventing himself from soaring. Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.comBlogger1386125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-8497565769969608262024-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-29T00:00:46.131-08:00BRbPablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-35128802458992117062024-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-25T00:32:55.599-08:00 Hello, I'm back. I'm exhausted, but putting together this post.
Great
What has my gratitude today.
1. Great relationships. I love relating with others where we have genuine, heartfelt communication.
2. For my ongoing growing relationship with God.
a. It is encouraging knowing his gentle love.
b. I'm grateful for the patience and endouragement I receive fro him daily.
3. I love the positive, strong direction my business is taking.
I'll get back to you. Righ now sleep is calling me.
Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-57158328520949901982023-07-25T23:52:00.007-07:002023-07-26T01:30:54.844-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD0_yu9pliospMaw9jvB87vlowv9BJo0FdYM9BgaM4ceztAMXw6rUwNO_u7inSHBJ9TAmUQY_vzdixe3b510--AKNPj1tR-SRAX62Ux-U0J-ehk1u2qRb1qWcPIpxPNVxixCAsqjnXyhQUmSxMmjUWOO89VWGS6Yb-uGzaFB2cxAlRBEZbjCqz2Y6pQM7/s435/True%20Beauty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="435" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD0_yu9pliospMaw9jvB87vlowv9BJo0FdYM9BgaM4ceztAMXw6rUwNO_u7inSHBJ9TAmUQY_vzdixe3b510--AKNPj1tR-SRAX62Ux-U0J-ehk1u2qRb1qWcPIpxPNVxixCAsqjnXyhQUmSxMmjUWOO89VWGS6Yb-uGzaFB2cxAlRBEZbjCqz2Y6pQM7/s320/True%20Beauty.png" width="320" /></a></div> It feels good, writing here, once again. <br /><p></p><p> It meets my need for connecting, expressing, celebrating life, and enjoying community. </p><p> There has been a prolonged absence of the innkeeper, me. I've had a tumble physically. I'm not who I once was, mentally, physically. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4r5Y4AqeL7kVnh2D8DmkVnJ1CKEssA_RdWlxU92VkK5S1m4rjPLXjX56vu24Ba15SeOm5UPLKwRIk2aJipUbIFsR8t9Gew8_Cc4vcODbmgneHpFS53NiKwrQrZhf3QSgK6rN7lv3l0MqKMI7eKmqc6n76RLs5nY1k6VWvLe7RnACJ4vNtFDECNLyfLAn/s570/Balance%20needed%20in%20relationships.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4r5Y4AqeL7kVnh2D8DmkVnJ1CKEssA_RdWlxU92VkK5S1m4rjPLXjX56vu24Ba15SeOm5UPLKwRIk2aJipUbIFsR8t9Gew8_Cc4vcODbmgneHpFS53NiKwrQrZhf3QSgK6rN7lv3l0MqKMI7eKmqc6n76RLs5nY1k6VWvLe7RnACJ4vNtFDECNLyfLAn/s320/Balance%20needed%20in%20relationships.png" width="317" /></a></div> Due to medications, I'm taking for blood pressure issues, my memory, reactions, and vision have been damaged. I'm trusting with time my body will adapt. On occasion, I "forget" to take my meds, and I am the old, Pablo, mentally vigorous, with an encyclopedic memory. <p></p><p> But only sometimes do I find myself there. </p><p> Writing at this moment is like pulling up the piano bench and playing away on a sturdy instrument that provided hours of musical reverie while growing up in a less-than-ideal home, my experience as a child and youth</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W2ebFT26xTy3ngOmSL2j_laqY1i40YBCwnUMuK18bqTQlaqqUdERgbdT6HScqNtsegWcGIgCMD_IL4sa8aMqiv7yojTCu4y8RifkK8iRX9iQ5tQAq696E7mLcjCTPgcrHz4bK9FrSdfvyqZ1s3JWq9ZW0t-4mwun-WT_FguMI--VVmsCxY6IVislNqMh/s587/Being%20There-Fully%20Alive.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="587" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W2ebFT26xTy3ngOmSL2j_laqY1i40YBCwnUMuK18bqTQlaqqUdERgbdT6HScqNtsegWcGIgCMD_IL4sa8aMqiv7yojTCu4y8RifkK8iRX9iQ5tQAq696E7mLcjCTPgcrHz4bK9FrSdfvyqZ1s3JWq9ZW0t-4mwun-WT_FguMI--VVmsCxY6IVislNqMh/s320/Being%20There-Fully%20Alive.png" width="320" /></a></div> Then, delightful, calm, relaxing music soothed my mind, that did not know better, a mind that relied upon thinking, not feeling, to comfort me. <p></p><p> Thank you, for being faithful and connecting with me. </p><p> I miss you who live sin the Netherlands, with whom I once knew well. In the halls of my mind, I remember past energetic and wide-ranging conversations. I value the poetry we created for one another, the moments shared are cherished and especially valued. </p><p> I am aware each time you drop by. </p><p> "God gave us memories so that we can </p><p> remember roses in December." </p><p> James Barrie</p><p style="text-align: center;">********************</p><p> I am not who I was a year ago. I wasn't much reactive then. Now, even less so. But I continue to enjoy life richly. </p><p> I remain grateful. </p><p> I am leaving my thanks and will come back to this later. My bed is calling me. I'm bushed. </p><p> 1. I continue to value poetry. Last week, I celebrated a good friend's birthday. I treated him at a nearby restaurant. </p><p> From my slender, black carrying bag I pulled out a large book of poetry, reading an entry about old friends, of which he was. </p><p> How often do we do that, nowadays? </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrXdpJU-tLCFLimWN6BdBd3ijFnvTLTFx6YIvv0Qfv2v9AcRkxwmxoRY2sKLLNe6lv97_oxsX02-qDb6a31j5z0UXoZmH99ZSDJA2U57_NNqClyTohABOUfzkqJZltrlUrJblMfVCRfQCQlzjByQRd_jkDS9LcoxFqXhMd558nLGEFu6qXdq2zVSNU5Cb/s507/Allows%20Us%20to%20Conquer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="507" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrXdpJU-tLCFLimWN6BdBd3ijFnvTLTFx6YIvv0Qfv2v9AcRkxwmxoRY2sKLLNe6lv97_oxsX02-qDb6a31j5z0UXoZmH99ZSDJA2U57_NNqClyTohABOUfzkqJZltrlUrJblMfVCRfQCQlzjByQRd_jkDS9LcoxFqXhMd558nLGEFu6qXdq2zVSNU5Cb/s320/Allows%20Us%20to%20Conquer.png" width="320" /></a></div>2. I wrote in the birthday card I had for him, using a fountain pen, scribing in the Italic script. Each letter I wrote gave my mind and eyes 2-3 second vacations. <p></p><p> When I was done, I was more relaxed than before I started. </p><p>I am thankful for calligraphy, flat-edged fountain pens that create thick and thin lines and making time to connect with someone dear. </p><p>3. I am thankful for sharing this time with you. Please pray I will resume my old practice of tending to this inn of praise and thankfulness more frequently.</p>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-39979751009732543602023-06-23T23:58:00.006-07:002023-07-03T01:28:36.339-07:00<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-Axsa6HPiFzNgrKBPh_8-emaDSVwfByK_U8wRx_n0Kw1TZJLKz6MPRsGVTC7du5wy7yMVBOC8bGMZeMVfhnqW55BFS7ZAEhlOtiZAKEcCL-1Zqvj6KYeikn4Qug-bNlL4_q5C2FcsOcL9u9TS9IlG9d61O8n5DWw6PkcBD6rys2HcSgk7GCjejmBizB3/s310/Adds%20Little%20Controlling%20It.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="310" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-Axsa6HPiFzNgrKBPh_8-emaDSVwfByK_U8wRx_n0Kw1TZJLKz6MPRsGVTC7du5wy7yMVBOC8bGMZeMVfhnqW55BFS7ZAEhlOtiZAKEcCL-1Zqvj6KYeikn4Qug-bNlL4_q5C2FcsOcL9u9TS9IlG9d61O8n5DWw6PkcBD6rys2HcSgk7GCjejmBizB3/s1600/Adds%20Little%20Controlling%20It.png" width="310" /></a></div></div><div> Glad you dropped by. I just started on this. Check back in an hour to get </div><div>the complete post.</div><div><br /></div><div> I'm relating with an unpleasant person. Taking steps to take care of myself. What am I learning? </div><div><br /></div><div> I will not accept his unacceptable behavior. He feels entitled, wanting me to do favors for him. The interesting thing is he is unkind, critical, self-absorbed, judgmental, and insensitive. </div><div><br /></div><div> Other than that, he is a nice guy. Just joking. </div><div><br /></div><div> My mantra when he tries to get me to do something for him is saying, "That's not my responsibility." Like a person touched by a cattle prod, he is stunned each time I do not cooperate with his bidding. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I have more to say. But I'm exhausted. I'll come back and work on this later. </div>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-5543645039934880632023-04-27T23:40:00.105-07:002023-05-16T12:51:35.793-07:00A Lifechanging Month ............... 4/27/23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC9d1GrbsJso6-DVt70_U6zY2YtlecATW7pCngyDGHobjfo4iv_iqCT0D38_MBD23J4g8UlGHXcSckZZHeXqi5aemIN0E38S3S5eFpYtI1JrbxO8TZwh4DjfxNy-U7apxatXTpO7g9W5ZMbT4HieZ3pMQd7qweVjlVssymXVOD_rVS7maEmCuRoJ2pQ/s290/To%20Understand%20Self.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="217" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC9d1GrbsJso6-DVt70_U6zY2YtlecATW7pCngyDGHobjfo4iv_iqCT0D38_MBD23J4g8UlGHXcSckZZHeXqi5aemIN0E38S3S5eFpYtI1JrbxO8TZwh4DjfxNy-U7apxatXTpO7g9W5ZMbT4HieZ3pMQd7qweVjlVssymXVOD_rVS7maEmCuRoJ2pQ/w299-h400/To%20Understand%20Self.png" width="299"></a></div> I have no idea what I'll write, a common theme when contrib-uting a new post in this inn of thanks. I'd love to hear from you. Many of you are <b><i>Silent Readers.</i></b> <p></p><p> You drop by, taking in the of-ferings of this inn of gratitude. I imagine<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>your<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>attendance<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>informs<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>me you enjoy this positive place<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>cyberspace. This posting is the 1,470th </p><p> That number surprises me,<span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2023/04/a-lifechanging-month.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-4489264104420762502023-03-31T23:49:00.048-07:002023-04-08T13:22:40.601-07:00A Special and Grateful Month 3/31/23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrV3yP-7uLzpXFsY2BW9Noe47gbO681EnBeHmjE3p-w34b3ZQl9y7HLMoidz2CZtBufvR1W-T8lqLqQ_qCmAIlPz_9vXib6fSL4aAU5OTBBoa3bnvFrZV6NUdsw-zNFb2ZwpUk-8gl2gFs8iXn_St8gmEqpc2WhzPCiYnZcN8xfTmACfI75o4MzbpCQ/s560/burs.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="560" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrV3yP-7uLzpXFsY2BW9Noe47gbO681EnBeHmjE3p-w34b3ZQl9y7HLMoidz2CZtBufvR1W-T8lqLqQ_qCmAIlPz_9vXib6fSL4aAU5OTBBoa3bnvFrZV6NUdsw-zNFb2ZwpUk-8gl2gFs8iXn_St8gmEqpc2WhzPCiYnZcN8xfTmACfI75o4MzbpCQ/w488-h434/burs.png" width="488"></a></div> I am happy to post some-thing in March be-fore it end-ed. <p></p><p> Please celebrate with<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>me. This<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>month marks 12 years since this posi-tive<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>place<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>cyber-space opened<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>its<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>doors. I like we are<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>connecting<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>today<span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span><span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2023/03/blog-post.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-54549318872938056442023-02-28T23:33:00.072-08:002023-03-05T01:22:03.384-08:00Great Time With a Friend: Balance Required........... 2/28/23<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh80C7hp0jfAJ8HlW-Y_6BhPtvwg50OgYElTU_liGigkkaNThbazVfu6ZOSrr3Txx7nq5DZd2owLNcVgP_hJuhN0Lqx_V-klrsH2lV3MSz4kx7-FOtVjrMhEFo5X6Utw-bf2UUNgXBifXXfPDdD97XdumpfVu9CM1e348HpFd6OFq71vVgVmzR1Qy160A" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1506" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh80C7hp0jfAJ8HlW-Y_6BhPtvwg50OgYElTU_liGigkkaNThbazVfu6ZOSrr3Txx7nq5DZd2owLNcVgP_hJuhN0Lqx_V-klrsH2lV3MSz4kx7-FOtVjrMhEFo5X6Utw-bf2UUNgXBifXXfPDdD97XdumpfVu9CM1e348HpFd6OFq71vVgVmzR1Qy160A=w439-h263" width="439"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the view as we traveled <br>along the Marshall Petaluma Road</td></tr></tbody></table> I'm back after a two-month ab-sence from this inn of gratitude. I am not who I was the last time I left something here. Although my soul then was happy<span></span><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2023/02/back-after-long-absence.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-72871697087032359952022-12-31T22:07:00.022-08:002023-02-28T13:45:36.133-08:00Expressing Our Feelings, Not Judgment............ 12/31/22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC7NOQK0zz0pm9hSFB_D3Ubuw8U0AZrcmxGafWS3FTb5StkA2hKQAhaNKnUuBvJXEaYwdKAXZK5ulGQyh7nxNlDmkxKBV0iFNBARIV8RlIYTAi_jmZMEip8bpHDEx1oNrvykUF14hUI8Q/s1600/Two+Profiles+Talking.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC7NOQK0zz0pm9hSFB_D3Ubuw8U0AZrcmxGafWS3FTb5StkA2hKQAhaNKnUuBvJXEaYwdKAXZK5ulGQyh7nxNlDmkxKBV0iFNBARIV8RlIYTAi_jmZMEip8bpHDEx1oNrvykUF14hUI8Q/s400/Two+Profiles+Talking.jpg" width="400"></a></div> <b> </b> We feel fulfilled, satisfied and experi-ence emotional ma-turity when expres-sing our feelings and the needs beneath them.<br><br> Constructive communicating takes place when we do. Supportive and affirming dialog makes it likely others will<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>listen. Ongoing practice develops our<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>fluency with Nonviolent Communication, a language that does a world of good. <div><br></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/12/be-back-to-post-something-for-this.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-55770997326110359272022-12-25T22:25:00.007-08:002022-12-25T22:38:40.848-08:00My Second Favorite Christmas Story<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh_3czfQI3ZtOeKifDvaJmiP4GWpOtbqUQAIOBY3J0mHdzrWVS89XkiAM_aRkC9_G55OEXz6WRdN5MRngDDqIjqLaRVCt-27dMey24vHTs7It8HmhoT9bLbSdlGmzEjOw4XDkUIoOifBK/s1309/Birds+in+Snow.png" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1309" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh_3czfQI3ZtOeKifDvaJmiP4GWpOtbqUQAIOBY3J0mHdzrWVS89XkiAM_aRkC9_G55OEXz6WRdN5MRngDDqIjqLaRVCt-27dMey24vHTs7It8HmhoT9bLbSdlGmzEjOw4XDkUIoOifBK/w400-h276/Birds+in+Snow.png" width="400" /></a> <b><i>Innkeeper's Note:</i></b></p><p></p><p> <i> How are things going for you?</i><i> I leave a Christmas story.</i><i> Tomorrow, I'll leave my favorite while we are still in the holiday season. </i></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_icSU6Bo3M/TvauOzqkkaI/AAAAAAAAA3M/Be-BySjCXHs/s1600/Fireplace.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px; text-align: center;">*</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliE2WYawxHm4VjCydpmkuwqpLoQr4S9ir9o3U1TVoJC_N_bNMADPBn3khrwllanaVhEbN9WxkntpW0rhhKShp3GnZ_Bm3zKDWwgIRz0GUzGQJVq9yMSAlMCk-6BDUdMrCyAI8lpRxolg8/s1342/Fireplace.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1342" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliE2WYawxHm4VjCydpmkuwqpLoQr4S9ir9o3U1TVoJC_N_bNMADPBn3khrwllanaVhEbN9WxkntpW0rhhKShp3GnZ_Bm3zKDWwgIRz0GUzGQJVq9yMSAlMCk-6BDUdMrCyAI8lpRxolg8/w400-h221/Fireplace.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span>G</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">ather around the fireplace warming the inn. We</span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;"> may be</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> frazzled by the call of Madison Avenue. QVC and the Home Shopping Network may be as-saulting us with gift options for loved ones. Commercials from </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Kohls, </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Best Buy, Macy's, and other department stores bombard our sanity. </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">he craziness endured during the whirly bur-ly of frenzied shopping may overwhelm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Please slow down. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> This post shares a story of the noncommercial kind. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">My favorite Christmas Story continues to be, well,</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> <a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-favorite-christmas-story.html#more" target="_blank"><b><i>the</i> </b>Christmas Story</a>. </span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">What </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">follows counts as my second favorite. I heard this story when I was fourteen. My rendering of it lies before you.</span><br /></p><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span>A pleasant, reasonable man named James Olivus </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> care for Christmas. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> His</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">personality</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">did</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">not</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">reflect</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">that</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">of</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">a</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Grinch</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">nor a Scrooge. He </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> want to have anything to do with Christ. A hard heart, he </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">did not</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> have. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Jim's reputation stood as being</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> kind, and well-liked by neighbors and co-workers. James always had something thoughtful to say. He didn't care what the morning journal had to say of him. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbNWaKN_WXSQ62fIdL6YIBt2K4AAjuvcovBlKk4sFHZKpzQdX3SF3r1wacxqRTAprlEZ9A2bmvw46iRatGerE5VfX7iyFZqRoPPZNqBMvWgloNemdscuGo6Gbig2m7k-Tq0c7q9tiG0fgqsXhOk0pR9k8__NhdRKOBp7oZo8aHiJga-ErJtx-9zlw5Xg=s706" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="706" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbNWaKN_WXSQ62fIdL6YIBt2K4AAjuvcovBlKk4sFHZKpzQdX3SF3r1wacxqRTAprlEZ9A2bmvw46iRatGerE5VfX7iyFZqRoPPZNqBMvWgloNemdscuGo6Gbig2m7k-Tq0c7q9tiG0fgqsXhOk0pR9k8__NhdRKOBp7oZo8aHiJga-ErJtx-9zlw5Xg=s320" width="320" /></a></div> The concept that an "all-mighty" God sent His Son to earth as a man, he </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> buy. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> If God existed, James reasoned, the Almighty could open</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">up</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">the heavens. He could speak directly to mankind, as a celestial star, if He liked. The whole “Jesus thing” appeared ridiculous. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> A well-meant fantasy, he thought. For this educated man of the 21</span><sup style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">st</sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> century, this story made zero sense. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Christmas Eve approached. James followed his holiday routine. He partied at a friend’s house, enjoying good company along with holiday cheer</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">of</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">the</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">liquid</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">kind. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> At</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">11:15 p.m., he arrived home. Before walking in, he brushed off the snow from his coat. Gently, it began to blanket his lawn, home, and neighborhood.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span>Once inside, James created a blaze in the living room fireplace. He looked forward to a midnight read. The hearth would remove the chill from his home before he called it a night. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Thirty minutes into his reading, he heard a strong, "<i>T</i></span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">hump!"</i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> His curiosity peaked when he heard it again: "<i>T</i></span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">hump!"</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUdA7eYdjAmsyM3IqGrEcTGpIUfd8yw1jzqvClZrNQniZJlx7gHFVfq6leMWPx_ZDczGKqM5LA8jb4eZIQRO-AnQnKZhY2XwqloP11jMLJUdVFURm9AsaSeR6QorzBszmaicsZq47f_wOxlKOMcBMveqGVUU0SiL8TZVBIYDRo9hgE_Gz0C54BgUWFew=s790" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">:</a></div> His eyes widened. Like an attentive dog, his ears were attuned to</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> the source of</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">this</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">irreg</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;">-</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">ular percussive noise. It pounded louder than the crackling fire before him. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Mr. Olivus heard it a third time: "<i>T</i></span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">hump!"</i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Routinely, something regularly struck the twelve-foot-wide living room window facing the front yard. "T</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">eenagers throwing snowballs at my home!" he thought. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> He rushed outside.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> No children in sight. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">He encircled his house, looking for the cause of the mysterious noise. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The snow poured like a ticker-tape parade. The wind bit his face. He longed for the fire awaiting when he returned to his suburban home. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2hYb5W2SY-kumOfLvl1tIspL0iprcQksG8AWB7NuSCbBswKw1aeB9IYO42ebvrp6ICm5dm7k5GvQ_sUYal2bKe2iIjP_JM16C9ST8jevq9rkwbFoA4Dqb8FF28hvbmwGi4bx1et_a4iqqflkdmFftQcs2ZpaqSUcaYdapdgLgxpd3szTK2nUPj_S7Ag=s833" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="752" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2hYb5W2SY-kumOfLvl1tIspL0iprcQksG8AWB7NuSCbBswKw1aeB9IYO42ebvrp6ICm5dm7k5GvQ_sUYal2bKe2iIjP_JM16C9ST8jevq9rkwbFoA4Dqb8FF28hvbmwGi4bx1et_a4iqqflkdmFftQcs2ZpaqSUcaYdapdgLgxpd3szTK2nUPj_S7Ag=w361-h400" width="361" /></a></div> Approaching the front yard, James saw them. A flock</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">of birds. </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">At</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">that</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">mo-ment, James witnessed two birds dart away from the group. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> They slammed into the plate-glass living room window. "</span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Thump, thump!"</i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> These feathered cre-atures smashed into the window like the planes flying into</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">the</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">World</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Trade Center Twin Towers on that fateful day. Their bodies did not penetrate the home but fell to the ground.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The birds were confused. They were frightened by the swirling snow. The flock huddled under the extended branches of an ash tree. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> They could still peer inside James' house. Shelter from the bitter cold of this Christmas Eve evening they sought. No success.</span><br /><br /><i style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> "</i><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Thump! Thump! Thump!" </i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Three more birds dove into the glass, crumpling to the white-covered ground. A good heart, James had. A frown contorted his face as he observed the plight of the birds. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> He raced into his home. Inside, all of the lights in his living room he shut off. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> He thought, "<i>If they </i></span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;"><i>can't</i></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><i> see inside, they will stop their attempts</i>." </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">The birds</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">no</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">longer</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">saw</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">inside his house. The darkened window created a cave-like appearance. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The birds continued flying headlong into the glass. Tiny, winged bodies piled below.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /> The man ran to the garage 30 feet away. He threw open the seven-teen-foot wide door to provide the birds shelter. They continued slam-ming against the window. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The feathered creatures were desperate for a haven from the sub-freezing weather. James rushed inside the garage, turning on the lights. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 21.3333px;">Now</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 21.3333px;">, he thought, </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 21.3333px;">they’ll see the refuge needed is here</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 21.3333px;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje5ULl1I5COWYSIlWmQIYttfCS7HMgNSO8lGsWW5KqgMjZ2jEtUhvOJz54ioWFt0Ma9RgkMQsyb_BqZsIsQz7dk--Xfb7hRAU85TbjQogsUxfDWSyhudHL2wX3VNy1lP1r6Se7r4-KRMLvFePScGuR3xYtRCURr0LkuEYUitVsduQQ69Sq8065DaN7DA=s602" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="602" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje5ULl1I5COWYSIlWmQIYttfCS7HMgNSO8lGsWW5KqgMjZ2jEtUhvOJz54ioWFt0Ma9RgkMQsyb_BqZsIsQz7dk--Xfb7hRAU85TbjQogsUxfDWSyhudHL2wX3VNy1lP1r6Se7r4-KRMLvFePScGuR3xYtRCURr0LkuEYUitVsduQQ69Sq8065DaN7DA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"> The birds’ focus on the window prevented that possi-bility. <i>"Thump! </i></span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Thump!"</i><i style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"> </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">More birds dashed into the window. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"> James called out to the birds. “</span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Hey! Over here! Over here!</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"> The birds could not be beckoned to the garage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span>Finally, he rushed into</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> the flock. He yelled, waving his arms. If the birds had been confused, their hearts now raced with fear. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> A wild man ran among them, bewildering them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> James realized the futility of his efforts. No way could he herd the birds to the shelter of his garage. They had no clue about the sanctuary he offered. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">sickening</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">sound</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">of</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">"<i>Thu</i></span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">mp!</i><i style="line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">thump!</i><i style="line-height: 24.8px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">thump!"</i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> echoed their efforts at finding comfort. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> Frustrated,</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">he</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">stood</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">in</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">the darkness of the yard. Snow poured </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">upon him as the birds died, diving into the window. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> James thought, “</span><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">If only I could be a bird for a few minutes. . . I could talk to them in their language – they </span><span style="font-size: 21.6px; line-height: 24.8px;">wouldn't </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">be afraid of</span></i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">me; they would understand how to save themselves.”</i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> As he thought, the church bells from the town began pealing. The clock struck midnight. The rings ushered in Christmas morning, the day celebrating Christ's birth. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> The snow continued falling. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> It</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">drifted</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">upon</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">the</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">fences. It</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">alighted</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">upon the rooftops of the homes in the community. It lay upon the nearby hills, frosting the landscape. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> As it did, James crumpled to his knees. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> “<i>Now I understand why you became a man,</i>” he whispered. His head drooped. James'</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> chin lay on his chest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">ears warmed his icy cheeks. “<i>I now understand the </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;">Gift</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.8px;"> celebrated on this day.”</span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">M</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">y</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">y</span><span style="color: #38761d;">o</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">u</span><span style="color: lime;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">h</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">v</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> a</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">g</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span><span style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">t</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">n</span><span style="color: #38761d;">d</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">g</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">t</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span><span style="color: #38761d;">f</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">u</span><span style="color: #38761d;">l </span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Christ</span></i><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">!</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAPEBKxUjIE/Tvauz4Cd-0I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/8uOTkVt4uvM/s1600/Signature+c2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAPEBKxUjIE/Tvauz4Cd-0I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/8uOTkVt4uvM/s1600/Signature+c2.jpg" /></a></div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-14906269192728131982022-12-25T15:19:00.016-08:002022-12-25T22:15:07.845-08:00My Third Favorite Christmas Story 12/25/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP2QvDIOAlAUkm3YA3ni0WxUBNujwKaFw8FEJTTikIWM6bN8-wdymGx75QMKAWeCB8K1IEX1ZDTezy-nER6yWbCz83kU4pmEvKlBklfhwi1whlyHpQeoywEkMyct7gD2axzCJL1sVe6hizduiffFPjHlssyIcJmdKSLlGvlohohPLk4wtiVc_wkWvTA/s498/It's%20about%20character.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="479" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP2QvDIOAlAUkm3YA3ni0WxUBNujwKaFw8FEJTTikIWM6bN8-wdymGx75QMKAWeCB8K1IEX1ZDTezy-nER6yWbCz83kU4pmEvKlBklfhwi1whlyHpQeoywEkMyct7gD2axzCJL1sVe6hizduiffFPjHlssyIcJmdKSLlGvlohohPLk4wtiVc_wkWvTA/w385-h400/It's%20about%20character.png" width="385"></a></div> Hi there, everyone. Merry Christmas, wishing every guest to this inn a sensational New Year!<p></p><p> I hope you enjoy a delightful time with your family and dear ones as we celebrate this Christmas season. That's been my situa-tion as the year 2022 comes to a close. I have deep gratitude <span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/12/hi-there-everyone-merry-christmas.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-10666705634728519682022-11-30T23:56:00.046-08:002022-12-09T10:21:39.902-08:00Being Our Authentic Selves.................. 11/30/22<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHkLKusw5akrgHu7-LgnFJls9Urz1AnOaeCDbrbE3dZWLyyy5LHQa6sW74cln6YDTszxAK1EHRWzf4yRSFoMTHC-NlzqoXWw1WLRDGh5ncfuj7DiraFdsDL6IToYVFEfCa8bGZDQjSp8V/s1600/Trees+of+the+hills+shall+clap+their+hands.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHkLKusw5akrgHu7-LgnFJls9Urz1AnOaeCDbrbE3dZWLyyy5LHQa6sW74cln6YDTszxAK1EHRWzf4yRSFoMTHC-NlzqoXWw1WLRDGh5ncfuj7DiraFdsDL6IToYVFEfCa8bGZDQjSp8V/s640/Trees+of+the+hills+shall+clap+their+hands.png" width="424"></a></p><p> Bumping up this post. I wrote this seven years ago. Most of you were not here, then. </p><p> Here it is: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*******</span></p> How hard, <a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-are-you-i-am-squeezing-this-in.html" target="_blank">genuinely rela-ting.</a> Being seen for who we truly are.<p></p> <a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2011/05/expressing-feelings.html" target="_blank">Expressing</a> our thoughts. Scary. Saying what we feel and want. It's going on a limb. <div><br></div><div> Revealing<span></span></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/11/being-our-authentic-selves.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-60079019784872912452022-09-26T14:42:00.018-07:002022-10-26T14:46:35.505-07:00Chapt. 4 Lessons Learned From a Semi-Paralyzed, Tenacious Cat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYOHmBJ-hLVWc5k50GnbOtjArM3k_QrTdv0C6nPEQoi4503CwbCI4ETFbIAlukCv-zBSNl22mcWrSLkDMtxOChrh9rqZAKbdP4ozJ1KF70P0tAUM-uZ7vZ-GG4eG_Sn9BQPYRGSUeW_uKJ4k25fXN3kcodc39ARgYMnhZRq3YgjZABvTeWog9WALKIA/s744/Looking%20thru%20window.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="744" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYOHmBJ-hLVWc5k50GnbOtjArM3k_QrTdv0C6nPEQoi4503CwbCI4ETFbIAlukCv-zBSNl22mcWrSLkDMtxOChrh9rqZAKbdP4ozJ1KF70P0tAUM-uZ7vZ-GG4eG_Sn9BQPYRGSUeW_uKJ4k25fXN3kcodc39ARgYMnhZRq3YgjZABvTeWog9WALKIA/w400-h293/Looking%20thru%20window.png" width="400"></a></div> One<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>night at the age of two years old,<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Alexander the Grey(t) felt the im-pact of a car hitting his backside. His owner, Arlene, didn't know about this right away. She wor-ried, when, for an in-terminable day, his mischievous pre-sence<span></span><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/09/chapt-4-lessons-learned-from-semi.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-25572679497529601182022-08-31T22:27:00.028-07:002022-09-26T15:17:45.991-07:00Alex Chapter Three: Buddy Time with a Cat in Decline..... 8/31/22 <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Js9v_s-VC4e7tMP37jhenpd9AOHVVnOszswIkRYEFIpz-IzlxcltbP3mb1uU1lN1es-cflMFcOTJ0tOlccrXto3s6JY37j6ceWA9-yOWLC3GB7bqk6s0jBZGwR7AKhFLtOgUGMoVnUHW/s1600/Glass+bowl+of+water.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Js9v_s-VC4e7tMP37jhenpd9AOHVVnOszswIkRYEFIpz-IzlxcltbP3mb1uU1lN1es-cflMFcOTJ0tOlccrXto3s6JY37j6ceWA9-yOWLC3GB7bqk6s0jBZGwR7AKhFLtOgUGMoVnUHW/s320/Glass+bowl+of+water.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div>I used a glass bowl, like this one, to </div><div>give Alexander the Grey(t) water</div><div><br></div></td></tr></tbody></table> Alexander, my friend's cat, is kicking. Although, it's no longer with his hind feet. His heart demonstrates persever-ance. <div><br><div> I dropped by his house earlier today. He no longer walks. I admire his quiet<span></span></div></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/08/chapter-three-buddy-time-with-cat-in.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-60575260155421065932022-08-28T21:47:00.031-07:002022-09-12T10:53:04.953-07:00 Chapter Two: Loyalty Lesson Taught by Alex ....... 8/28/22<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi7yMsLLKy6mOTE3VTx-qOivlg-NZaLtsGwTH5yC9tbuQLnceJjmDq6_tiBkWpglQYXJx50170slNBVEu2OBCA0HgW5EjHtgLP1zLLZV_feVJiHhWzTTxEZUJp0Bv7YDHtZvH1iuRvs-J/s1600/Couch+2.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi7yMsLLKy6mOTE3VTx-qOivlg-NZaLtsGwTH5yC9tbuQLnceJjmDq6_tiBkWpglQYXJx50170slNBVEu2OBCA0HgW5EjHtgLP1zLLZV_feVJiHhWzTTxEZUJp0Bv7YDHtZvH1iuRvs-J/w400-h266/Couch+2.png" width="400"></a></p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Flashback to June 2010</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span></span></b></span><span> </span></span><br><span style="font-size: large;"> Then, there's Ben-<span></span>jamin. A tuxedo cat, the other feline in Arlene's household. Adding this black and white pet to her family was a mistake. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span></span></span><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/08/chapter-two-lesson-taught-by-alexander.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-73368044466969024892022-08-03T08:02:00.066-07:002022-09-26T15:19:40.842-07:00A Series: Alexander the Greyt, Chapter One .................... 8/3/22<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDnvZznQ48yp8Rnz8A71Xat-3uy-19FTNV9etOvTqxKdaUqxRgas30hIuUd2jrAocChu6pwGC6LzYLAQVmbAqZDoHgvwWd5wn_Miv5WblGMRoHi6ARGAnXNEN12A-r0YoKqjlvbwPWWI6/s1600/Alexander+the+Grey.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDnvZznQ48yp8Rnz8A71Xat-3uy-19FTNV9etOvTqxKdaUqxRgas30hIuUd2jrAocChu6pwGC6LzYLAQVmbAqZDoHgvwWd5wn_Miv5WblGMRoHi6ARGAnXNEN12A-r0YoKqjlvbwPWWI6/w270-h524/Alexander+the+Grey.png" width="270"></a> I'm presenting an overdue series. Honestly, I cry when reading<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span>this</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>story<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>about<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>my<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>friend, Alex. It details my unashamed love for him. </p><p> It will help you know me from a different angle. </p><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> He grabbed my heart as it never has been, before or since, and en-hanced it as I <span></span>never <span></span>imagined. I hope you enjoy reading about my friend as much as I did, creating this memorial of a heart-warming season in my life. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> Alex, the cat on the left, let me have a relationship with him. A profound, silent, and rare experi-<span></span></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/08/start-of-series-alexander-greyt-chapter.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-54004743462339277092022-07-31T23:12:00.032-07:002022-08-02T01:04:41.676-07:00Experiencing What Is, Second Edition 7/31/22<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M5mi02Y-uj_yhBVkB5tpUlgWVQiJh4oQL95VcxIu51rW1yCu5Fd17HUKtfs8cDZcRHWf3Kuz2assPJOriyMfLeTGLS9BMXySiLSCKMezQFAVLcDmJHRKhtf92QXw05xFqidkClSx5uFP/s1600/Being+Present.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M5mi02Y-uj_yhBVkB5tpUlgWVQiJh4oQL95VcxIu51rW1yCu5Fd17HUKtfs8cDZcRHWf3Kuz2assPJOriyMfLeTGLS9BMXySiLSCKMezQFAVLcDmJHRKhtf92QXw05xFqidkClSx5uFP/s400/Being+Present.png" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And keep us close to what is real, I would add. </td></tr></tbody></table> I wrote this a few years back. Most of you have not read it. I hope it helps you to enjoy life more fully. <div><br></div><div> Today's offering:<br><div><b><br></b><div><b> Vital for our health involves grieving.<span></span></b></div></div></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/07/saving-space.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-72010925078936639642022-07-15T23:37:00.340-07:002023-03-11T13:40:47.057-08:00The Power and Value of Exercising Boundaries---We Discover the Truth About Others ................... 7/15/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbBLHP33B_hTtxaJUTXd6c0dr3VKDpX5DkiJYfipI66RWFyJJb4659W1c5Dm222F-Smq35zt6VUtWdMQ9Pis5ZcjcxiIqhnNimLAH8mMCPZ4uwUAhNQeqABAVSgiKgY5BATST_L3pMbIrHlLlXI7X72ByPeaKhnyiSiGwR5qeVQwO1v7eMH2F6XdNcA/s1082/Seasons%20of%20Life%20Change-Henry%20Cloud.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1082" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbBLHP33B_hTtxaJUTXd6c0dr3VKDpX5DkiJYfipI66RWFyJJb4659W1c5Dm222F-Smq35zt6VUtWdMQ9Pis5ZcjcxiIqhnNimLAH8mMCPZ4uwUAhNQeqABAVSgiKgY5BATST_L3pMbIrHlLlXI7X72ByPeaKhnyiSiGwR5qeVQwO1v7eMH2F6XdNcA/w400-h251/Seasons%20of%20Life%20Change-Henry%20Cloud.png" width="400"></a></div> O'Connor said she did not know what to say until she wrote. I'm like Flannery O'Connor again. I sometimes take on her habit when writ-ing for this positive place<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>cyber-space. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> <span></span></span></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/07/to-see-you-here.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-48692541985585125822022-05-31T22:50:00.102-07:002023-04-25T22:24:28.549-07:00Being an Adult: Exercising the Right to Say No 5/31/22<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7BtoVuZn3KHhyphenhyphenapj8ai4rvEtJMiILfOhyphenhyphenE_jXOQm1uWrfdHMPIIcpPqv7ie8w_yLuNkgqlJHDp-EzYvboU5MsopQSb5foi7FWUzMarISuyYuTlDnDLaWSBqzU-sCnoFbTzpq6QhyphenhyphenLADw/s1600/Windmere+Sunrise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7BtoVuZn3KHhyphenhyphenapj8ai4rvEtJMiILfOhyphenhyphenE_jXOQm1uWrfdHMPIIcpPqv7ie8w_yLuNkgqlJHDp-EzYvboU5MsopQSb5foi7FWUzMarISuyYuTlDnDLaWSBqzU-sCnoFbTzpq6QhyphenhyphenLADw/w400-h263/Windmere+Sunrise.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you<br> used<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>one<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>to<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>say<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>'thank you?' ”<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>William<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Arthur<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Ward.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Please<br>do<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>so<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>today<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>by<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>posting<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>your<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>gratitude. It will do you good. <br></td></tr></tbody></table> Republishing this post. Most of you were not guests back then, nearly eleven years ago. <p></p><p> I<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>hope<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>it<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>encour<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>ages you to stand up for your values. </p><p> Here it is: <span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/05/am-saving-this-space-for-later.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-25842778025131968392022-04-17T16:00:00.002-07:002022-04-25T15:56:34.658-07:00Easter, Its Meaning<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmSj6xmDT3rdX5POW95Igia-cGMLDNJNOU41GW-vZZ5qDeWzQ73cFdz-Af_BTX6MJ46184hCX6N5o4TGhb0B2ABPJsT2Qq2RBqqsgj3TxshR1_Awv5vGAGGB8aDEckwigRCeabAquqsZR/s1600/Cross.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmSj6xmDT3rdX5POW95Igia-cGMLDNJNOU41GW-vZZ5qDeWzQ73cFdz-Af_BTX6MJ46184hCX6N5o4TGhb0B2ABPJsT2Qq2RBqqsgj3TxshR1_Awv5vGAGGB8aDEckwigRCeabAquqsZR/s320/Cross.png" width="320"></a> Good afternoon,</p> As with everything I write, please take what you like, leaving the rest.<br><br> Easter we celebrate today. I know the image usually is<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>about<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>bunnies<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> pastel<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span></span></span><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/04/good-afternoon-with-everything-i-write.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-11453595826029672122022-03-31T10:40:00.021-07:002023-02-28T21:05:14.182-08:00The Latest News About the Innkeeper.......... 3/31/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRAnvqyQtw9PxiUmslxZvwO_dSup641FV25lyNswxZkvqHNNfjDliadrPrul-b6K1cPNKDEhJ8Zkw8HmhSukJ4MeGA45UhYWLj7xQSthtsSsHuvoMwyGZs50kgXiT78imMmz0w1SRt0TzLXoBIqUYoyfZgdU8k41PhNMLFCqOt_XlEsBP7Ock5HPNXQ/s765/Grtr%20Gratitude.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="765" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRAnvqyQtw9PxiUmslxZvwO_dSup641FV25lyNswxZkvqHNNfjDliadrPrul-b6K1cPNKDEhJ8Zkw8HmhSukJ4MeGA45UhYWLj7xQSthtsSsHuvoMwyGZs50kgXiT78imMmz0w1SRt0TzLXoBIqUYoyfZgdU8k41PhNMLFCqOt_XlEsBP7Ock5HPNXQ/w493-h346/Grtr%20Gratitude.png" width="493" /></a></div> Too much has happened. That pro-vides the reason for not hear-ing from me lately. <p></p><p> I moved from where I lived for eight years. The<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>transition challenged<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>and depressed<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>me for more than two weeks. It endued me with fear, not a common feeling for me. </p><p> I prefer being honest in what I share here. I have no interest in sugar-coating my circumstances or presenting myself in a better light. </p><p> In recovery, I've learned I am good enough. I am not leashed to the need for approval, the main reason I have no connection with Face-book. I've been on it twice in the last five years. </p><p> Where I live provides improvements. More space. This younger, nicer home sits<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>a<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>better<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>community. </p><p> The house rests on top of one of the highest hills in town. Every day my home gives spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOfLboZ6-67DZR_qNEJFbHaS-OARwitloD5ne8M0KQazq_MqCQXEW1dJiBGh1tairZIMLdlncsw7GK2zDJWEJ0Gdil8K4GQ4Nk5XUbRwmBHzUhM_Z5E1Kfqdgse3NebqT_XIGFhQ8mB4uY1aWN33haKks0SAfp4TA_QAMopoFgyBqNKPU306ZPar27Q/s490/How%20We%20Respond.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="490" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOfLboZ6-67DZR_qNEJFbHaS-OARwitloD5ne8M0KQazq_MqCQXEW1dJiBGh1tairZIMLdlncsw7GK2zDJWEJ0Gdil8K4GQ4Nk5XUbRwmBHzUhM_Z5E1Kfqdgse3NebqT_XIGFhQ8mB4uY1aWN33haKks0SAfp4TA_QAMopoFgyBqNKPU306ZPar27Q/w400-h289/How%20We%20Respond.png" width="400" /></a></div> My books cre-ated the biggest problem moving to another town. More than a hundred<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>box-es<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span>containing</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>them trekked with me to my new home. I<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>sim-plified my life by giv-ing up most of my possessions. <p></p><p> No, not my books, but material things I thought I could never live without.</p><p> For the first two weeks, I could not walk through my bedroom. Reaching my closet as likely as landing on the moon. Saying it was a living quarter loaded with boxes, an understatement. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc9TGj0k_ejpgsq6GP7z_6--LQWrOVcVG6tFpdxDMStm3Sfr6n0Zaa9lXlyFjm_lwxtofaIsPlNA207_FixkaeI-RiJLS06TBWTxx9701NsnuM7tNa56Um50kIF5YsFY5lxTWc0OIvkqmPm4aqXYCoeXwUWGxcSlbuPD9DTx_Qk6C_7eq11j3TGHllA/s346/Bad%20events%20can%20strengthen%20us.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="346" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc9TGj0k_ejpgsq6GP7z_6--LQWrOVcVG6tFpdxDMStm3Sfr6n0Zaa9lXlyFjm_lwxtofaIsPlNA207_FixkaeI-RiJLS06TBWTxx9701NsnuM7tNa56Um50kIF5YsFY5lxTWc0OIvkqmPm4aqXYCoeXwUWGxcSlbuPD9DTx_Qk6C_7eq11j3TGHllA/w400-h366/Bad%20events%20can%20strengthen%20us.png" width="400" /></a></div> The<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>slogan, "Prog<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>ress, not perfection" helped me weather the first month. Learning how to circumnavigate the new town and learn where all the stores were located was more challenging than a Sudoku problem. <p></p><p> One thing new. I am sleeping more than ever. It helps me handle the new stress of living where I cannot tell you my address without resorting to the notepad on my phone. </p><p> My gratitude for today: </p><p>1. For difficult times. You did not misread the previous sentence. I've learned to sit with new challenges, not run away from how they disturb me. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYkFTd7VDiCLbulUCZv78GWoA7KyyYyvzruySidpSKA83lIF1rWUTvvR8kLQc8M0T5FkVpivJB3qs6F-iSITgx66kffaQQAyyEpBxac8r4Eq7YNyew4EBDxb5SiCoCjcFhh0CXIGvIn88_LENEkob8DhMNyQU5uFcV3ibj4RdZicqrzplaneHycoE3g/s1115/Burs.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1115" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYkFTd7VDiCLbulUCZv78GWoA7KyyYyvzruySidpSKA83lIF1rWUTvvR8kLQc8M0T5FkVpivJB3qs6F-iSITgx66kffaQQAyyEpBxac8r4Eq7YNyew4EBDxb5SiCoCjcFhh0CXIGvIn88_LENEkob8DhMNyQU5uFcV3ibj4RdZicqrzplaneHycoE3g/w467-h416/Burs.png" width="467" /></a></div> I've developed the habit of not letting stress rule over me. Feelings are simply emo-tions, not a prophecy. <i>The loudest voice is not the truest. </i><p></p><p> During tough times I've learned a positive outcome is just as likely as a negative one.</p><p> <b><i>Embracing negative feelings reveals emotional resili-ency</i></b>. <i>When I am aware of what is happening in the moment, I am no longer lost in it.</i></p><p>2. For fortitude, the result of time invested in recovery. I have grown because I attend Al-Anon Family Groups, an organization helping those <i>who relate to alcoholics</i>. Al-Anon is not a nickname for Alco-holics Anonymous. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXhZB6kkVW3-3frC_feeQORpmlKBX8VabhORzvdR0Uaroqn_KxyPaMkudyA0oRZYwA81ALkEBDeeUrrZHU02Tr7SIRjoZNlQ66mykibBcbeYFHvU2hIB4NX1Jmp30LB4RKTyLX7_TTZZBcxFEurcPQLmVnOelDoIGzXuiDYl1Mat5ecmROtFG7DXXpA/s293/I%20am%20what%20I%20have%20overcome.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="293" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXhZB6kkVW3-3frC_feeQORpmlKBX8VabhORzvdR0Uaroqn_KxyPaMkudyA0oRZYwA81ALkEBDeeUrrZHU02Tr7SIRjoZNlQ66mykibBcbeYFHvU2hIB4NX1Jmp30LB4RKTyLX7_TTZZBcxFEurcPQLmVnOelDoIGzXuiDYl1Mat5ecmROtFG7DXXpA/w400-h375/I%20am%20what%20I%20have%20overcome.png" width="400" /></a></div> For more about this inspiring organ-ization that empow-ers its members, check <a href="https://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/p/here-are-posts-that-relate-to-al-anon.html" target="_blank">here</a>,<p></p><p>"God guide me to make the right deci-sion and give me the fortitude to cling to it against all pressures and persuasions." <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>One Day At a Time</i> <i>in Al-Anon,</i> p. 13</span></p><p> I have more to say. Right now, I need to get back to work. </p>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-79279073942372799112022-03-13T08:00:00.104-07:002022-11-03T09:21:21.932-07:00Bursting With Hope, Healing, Happiness............... 3/13/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTIhFN1NCYItQX1LIUfN8jEl_eK9av4Q4jlfNVABNxdBXXPgeed9NM1gVzVqebtiQnGebXPyhCjz2M9o0nwnaDuWtr1uDDRmS3brmvmJ-K9t3ovxeH3hYIFOL_11gnZj99ERecJglXDz4Z-i6kW0Mao647RihcqHMuieMBm-Rz2meP46pdE4PvQGAVjQ=s782" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTIhFN1NCYItQX1LIUfN8jEl_eK9av4Q4jlfNVABNxdBXXPgeed9NM1gVzVqebtiQnGebXPyhCjz2M9o0nwnaDuWtr1uDDRmS3brmvmJ-K9t3ovxeH3hYIFOL_11gnZj99ERecJglXDz4Z-i6kW0Mao647RihcqHMuieMBm-Rz2meP46pdE4PvQGAVjQ=w205-h400" width="205"></a></div> Last Friday, my oldest son got married. One enormous hallmark for any parent. It also opened a floodgate of joyful tears. <p></p><p> He knows his bride well. </p><p> It was surreal hearing my son and his fiancé saying their vows. They've grown up together. No, not in the same family but as two who met many years ago.</p><p> It is a life-changing jump from them being boyfriend and girlfriend. </p><p> Witnessing the exchange of vows was an out-of-body experience. I could not believe I was there; it was happening. The reception afterward went on for six hours. </p><p> I knew many attending the happy occasion. </p><p><span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/03/bursting-with-hope-healing-and-happiness.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-1009318628701551462022-03-09T12:50:00.011-08:002022-05-15T22:33:20.354-07:00Demon of Denial Revised .............. 3/9/22<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bd8c0k_uZPDcTzctLee78aHryJ7RhIeTJdjfCFnw02-YqMjNwDysbChQdLR3c7qwLsmJ-q3qCek60C1zVnbbh5-rUtuVaD7wz7NDgrIiTIwJnxbokuDWvnYt6gE9odoko5nvBFISDkFj/s1600/Pink+Irises.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bd8c0k_uZPDcTzctLee78aHryJ7RhIeTJdjfCFnw02-YqMjNwDysbChQdLR3c7qwLsmJ-q3qCek60C1zVnbbh5-rUtuVaD7wz7NDgrIiTIwJnxbokuDWvnYt6gE9odoko5nvBFISDkFj/s400/Pink+Irises.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget<br>that the highest appreciation is not to utter words<br>but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy </td></tr></tbody></table> I wrote this post years ago, pre-senting it now, again. Many current guests of this inn were<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>not<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>here then. I hope it helps. <p></p><div style="text-align: center;">******<span></span></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/03/demon-of-denial-revised.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-30398832437243019372022-02-28T22:33:00.044-08:002022-03-09T12:34:12.146-08:00A Great Antidote for Depression: Expressing Our Voice, Third Edition 2/28/22<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz92Y1EAYntfwZ7WtVjO2lM4i8hSyKnUcGw8Daw1yfGuPRc2nsxQTL-qECBaaPB61tMsAVaCiky2TuJf-a3wk7exCeIbiqecXR8KqrPnwql3gjeEEId2N9Tf23VMGoHcZ4XX2DfMDOdqiK/s1600/Ben+Nevis+with+His+Hat+On.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz92Y1EAYntfwZ7WtVjO2lM4i8hSyKnUcGw8Daw1yfGuPRc2nsxQTL-qECBaaPB61tMsAVaCiky2TuJf-a3wk7exCeIbiqecXR8KqrPnwql3gjeEEId2N9Tf23VMGoHcZ4XX2DfMDOdqiK/w400-h261/Ben+Nevis+with+His+Hat+On.png" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timblessed/6136338337/" target="_blank">"Scotland: Ben Nevis With His Hat On"</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Bumping up a revised edition of a nine-year-old post. Most of you have not read it. I hope it encourages you. <span></span><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-great-antidote-for-depression.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-13667200245832424642022-02-27T23:56:00.034-08:002022-02-28T22:20:56.486-08:00Sources of Joy for This Fading Month of February............ 2/27/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKxo6UTI9Flck35sFj-lud-n6HATMiom-bVGw4ZvbvFXJIdg3WwhF89WUsoEm0kCDjEVhhotFOgodlo61xwGdnkhGKi0ZyWvpWrUP1oANxqy3oIIvATJWpRg0sNEuPngLeRbyRI1QxZ3IJhNcebuAHEteJumlyR35fwtjE5ZVVrYFL4Ok67J2Sog2efA=s725" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="725" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKxo6UTI9Flck35sFj-lud-n6HATMiom-bVGw4ZvbvFXJIdg3WwhF89WUsoEm0kCDjEVhhotFOgodlo61xwGdnkhGKi0ZyWvpWrUP1oANxqy3oIIvATJWpRg0sNEuPngLeRbyRI1QxZ3IJhNcebuAHEteJumlyR35fwtjE5ZVVrYFL4Ok67J2Sog2efA=w400-h379" width="400"></a></div> I<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>have<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>enjoyed<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>won<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>derful 6+ hours of fun on four occa-sions<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>with<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>four differ<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>ent friends the past two weekends. In my roadster<span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span>we travers-ed gorgeous country roads. The car lies five inches above the ground. <div><br></div><div> The experience<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>is<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>like driving a go-kart on steroids. <span></span></div><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/02/sources-of-joy-for-this-fading-month-of.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-60185335285692475022022-02-18T23:37:00.066-08:002022-03-22T10:11:15.938-07:00Loving Life, The Answer to Excessive Mental Chatter................... 2/18/22<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXTw0yez3SP2_wbmQO0Sztvzh9WX15jrd3-l4ZckuwEhHHtDaFGSyL3tLuiQH-UHhiwk2RXoCpuLDGWVRbAkncEesl3CS-aeJMmHJ7NP-po48R2I_ExOezY_jljk95cOADFbryEF1p_FHYb8nm9ovJ6gaYN-a_TJdUW0mwmt2MP8cRMMISFELno9HzOQ=s633" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="633" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXTw0yez3SP2_wbmQO0Sztvzh9WX15jrd3-l4ZckuwEhHHtDaFGSyL3tLuiQH-UHhiwk2RXoCpuLDGWVRbAkncEesl3CS-aeJMmHJ7NP-po48R2I_ExOezY_jljk95cOADFbryEF1p_FHYb8nm9ovJ6gaYN-a_TJdUW0mwmt2MP8cRMMISFELno9HzOQ=s320" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And improve your driving, I might add. </td></tr></tbody></table> I'm following Flannery O'Connor's approach tonight. A<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>post<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span>past</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>due. I<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>have<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>not sub-mitted anything at this inn lately. <p></p><p> O'Connor didn't know what she had to say until she<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>started<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>writing. In<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>the<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>same<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>boat, I find myself. The following reveals what<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>is<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>floating<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>within<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>my<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>mind.<span></span></p><a href="http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2022/02/im-following-flannery-oconnors-approach.html#more">....to read more...</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.com0