"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is.
Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!"--Tasha Tudor



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thankful.


Saturday morning I headed out early to run a few errands. I wanted to pick up a few things for the kids. I headed to a couple of stores a few towns over. I thought I went out early enough to beat the Saturday shopping crowds but evidently everyone had the same idea. The first store I went into had shiny Christmas displays of decorations and things right at the window, so you know I had to go in. Completely distracted from my original mission I spent over an hour browsing through aisles of gifts and goodies. In one little corner was a sad and lonely small shelf with little bits of marked down Halloween stuff. Can Halloween have past already? Sheesh. Where does the time go? While browsing and being squished into an aisle of interesting decor, a woman in front of me pointed to this gigantic green wreath-looking thing made of feathers and, laughing, said something to her husband in what I believe was Italian. She and I looked at each other, obviously both amused by the shimmy-shaking-green-feather-wreath thingie. Only one word came to my mind when I saw it and I said it out loud. "Grinch." The couple began to giggle while the husband began to hum 'You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch' and we all laughed. I left there thankful that some things, especially Christmas things, are just understood by all in any language.


After leaving that store I went to the Walmart next door. I always feel like a deer in the headlights when I go into these big stores. It is like shopping overload. I started looking for what I had gone out for in the first place. I finally based my decision on choosing the item that was made in the USA even though it cost a few dollars more. It made me sad that 9 out of 10 items I saw are not manufactured here anymore. I wandered over to the CD's. I have an addiction to holiday CD's. I can't resist buying them. I even saw one in the Post Office the other day when I was mailing out a commissioned piece. I'm sure I'll add that one to my collection soon too. I don't even know what songs are on it. Somebody stop me. I had 3 in my hand that day, the new ones by Andrea Boccelli, David Archuleta and Josh Groban. I went with Andrea Boccelli's but something tells me I'll be back for the others or will order them online. At the check out, I had the nicest chat with the check out lady. She couldn't wait to buy this CD as well and we talked for a few minutes about how much we love his voice and then about other Christmas CD's. I left there thankful for a pleasant check out lady who seemed to enjoy her day. I'm sure everyone who met her that day was a little better for it.


That evening, I went to see the new 3D movie A Christmas Carol. Check out their website for some fun online games and things. The computer animation is incredible. As soon as I heard that Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and Colin Firth were in it, I knew I would see it. Go and see it if only to get to wear the 3D glasses. Make sure you turn around in your seat to get a look at everyone wearing theirs. It is something silly that you don't get to see every day. On the way home I realized that the last song, "God Bless Us Everyone," on the Andrea Boccelli CD I had bought earlier in the day is in the end credits of the film. One of my favorite film versions of A Christmas Carol is A Muppet Christmas Carol, but whether you read the original Dickens ghost story or watch one of the many 'Scrooge' films, the timeless message is the same. Guard against Want and Ignorance. Remember those less fortunate than yourself. Be compassionate. Be joyful. Redemption...where there is life, there is hope. Keep Christmas in your heart not just on Christmas Day but all year through. Be thankful.
Today is Veteran's Day here in America. My heart is full of love, thanks and appreciation for all who have served in our military, from colonial days to the present. You make it possible for us to spend our days in freedom, shopping for Grinchy feather wreaths and Christmas CD's. You gave us the freedom to be able to sit in a theater wearing silly glasses or whatever else we choose. We are truly the land of the free because of the brave. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. xo xo -CS ^..^

11 comments:

Roseann said...

I enjoyed hearing about your Saturday! It was fun to follow you around on your errands via your blog. Thank you too for remembering our Veterans. We do owe them so much. Miss you!

Ro

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Hi there Cat, that was a dandy post! That's the movie that Josh and his gal saw the other night. They didn't say a word about it being in 3-D....lordy, it must be love!
I want a Christmas cd by Michael Buble'. Love his voice!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Cat! Thanks for that awesome, uplifting post!

LaVonne

Anonymous said...

....A Muppets Christmas Carol...it's just not Christmas without it. We read aloud A Christmas last year and it really added a lot to the season for my family. Now a wonderful new movie to enjoy and with Mr. Darcy no less...I would go just to hear his melodious voice. "Thankful" the perfect word for you lovely post.

Chatty Crone said...

I really enoyed your post and hearing about your Saturday and your feelings.

We are lucky to live in America aren't we? We take it for granted some times.

Great idea looking for American made items.

I love Andrea Boccell and Josh Groban - hope you enjoy their CD's.

B said...

I'm having a horrendous time getting started with Christmas shopping. Just awful... awful. How can it be that time of year already? HOW???

Emily said...

Corgis are so sweet! :-) Cute blog.

Enchanted Forrest said...

Cathy,
I'm thankful there are people like you writing about all of the good things that happened in your day and your happy "attitude of gratitude."

I'm thankful there are artists like you (& Josh Groban) who share their wonderful talent with the world.

Like you, I'm ever grateful for the men and women, past and present, who bravely defend our freedom.

Today I'm thankful that I have two sweet Corgis to share my life and brighten my days.

And for Michael, the honest plumber showed up at my house this morning. Not only did he perform the needed repair at a very reasonable price but he went above and beyond and did several extra little things that will save me even more money down the road.

And I'm thankful for the lab technician in my doctor's office who was kind and gentle and so good with a needle that I barely felt a thing.

The list goes on but thankfully, I have a job that I need to get back to.
Corgilly yours,
Sue in Raleigh
Forrest & Morgan
http://the-enchanted-forrest.blogspot.com

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Debba said...

But what did you think of the Jim Carrey Christmas Carol movie? Was it any good? The theatres out here aren't offering it in 3D, which is a bummer, so I haven't been sure if I want to go see it or not.

ocmist said...

This was a GREAT post, and you said so very much, so very well! I love to watch several of the Christmas Carol movies each year and will have to try to get to this new one.

A good friend of our played Scrooge in a stage play a couple of years ago and I did a portrait of him as the "Renewed Scrooge."

Thanks to for remembering our Veterans. My hubby is a Vietnam Era Vet and is starting to be proud that he served again... he was hurt so badly by the way he was treated at that time. Linda