Gratitude Lounge Welcome! We are glad you are here. This is an open space where everyone belongs, and everyone is welcome. Please introduce yourself as you feel comfortable and join in sharing your experience of grateful living. To get started you might reflect upon questions such as these: What am I grateful for? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? What are some blessings in my life (including ones in disguise)? How am I being supported right now? What connects me to wonder, awe, or a sense of the sacred? You are welcome to include images and links for videos to illustrate your reflections. Honor our Community Terms & Conditions Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Holly in Ohio3 hours agoHolly in OhioI went to our town’s farmer’s market today, and people were talking about the parrot.And get this… there are now cattle missing that have been on the loose for days, and only one found when it was struck by a truck. They said I should go looking for them. (me trying to keep a straight face). They were joking, weren’t they? Then my neighbor Sam said, “Don’t bother. They will probably turn up in your yard.”🤣 1 Reply Holly in Ohio18 hours agoHolly in OhioI couldn’t stay asleep this morning, so I got up at 5 and fed the cat and got myself a coffee. The first light of the day was just beginning, and it is still dim, but with the light comes the birdsong…. first one, loud, town cryer of sorts, who wakes the others. I can make out cardinals and other birds. It is so beautiful to hear this orchestra building, one voice at a time. 4 Reply Mica3 hours agoMicaFun! Holly – I listened to “The Nightingale” on my ‘insight timer’ app last night several times for sleeping, and it had lots of birdsong on it. It’s an old Chinese story. My fav part is when they have the European made beautiful imitation nightingale singing chest and want the nightingale to sing with it – but the nightingale sings its nightingale song and the singing chest ‘sings’ a waltz! 1 Reply Michele15 hours agoMicheleI miss seeing you on the Daily Question. I try and pop on here(Lounge) but I don’t have much time during the week. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio15 hours agoHolly in OhioWe think alike! I had just gotten so busy for a while that I had to let something go for a couple of months. I had the kitchen reno (still not quite done), racing to get the kitchen and house in order before a house guest, Spring planting and garden and the same time, and a workshop for six weeks. I just couldn’t do it all. I thought this morning was a good day to get back to that daily practice. I have missed reading and reflecting in Daily Question, too! Love to you, Michelle! 😘❤ 1 Reply Mica3 hours agoMicaThank you, Holly, for staying with the lounge – I do appreciate your posts here 🙂 – there are so few of us here now. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 hours agoHolly in OhioIt will build, again. Mary popped in, Annie will pop in when she can, maybe we will see Sandra again, too, and some of the others, and get new people, too. Meanwhile, we’ll hold the fort and keep the seats warm! ☺ 0 Reply Mica1 day agoMicacivil rights activist Marion Wright Edelman wrote: “The black theologian Howard Thurman said that there is something in each one of us that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in ourselves, and it is the only true guide you’ll ever have. If you cannot hear it, you will all of your lives spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” 🙂 This came to me in an email from Carolyn Foster. 🙂 3 Reply lotus blossom1 day agolotus blossomthis is so true, Mica and i lived it for way too long. there are many systems that don’t celebrate initiative and uniqueness including family and religious systems. to break away can be one lonely journey. to explore and discover who am i when no one any longer pulls those strings? is a brave journey indeed. 2 Reply Mica23 hours agoMicaDear lotus blossom, I do hope you find your true guide. I think I’m not too bad at that, because I basically do what I want – and am alone most of the time [with my guinea pig]. There are a few things I think I Should do, but they haven’t risen to the level of my actually Wanting to do them yet. But that will happen. I like deadlines, too 🙂 2 Reply lotus blossom20 hours agolotus blossomthank you for your kind words, Mica. so sweet to be friends with your guinea pig! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 day agoHolly in OhioAnyone have any surprises yet, today? 😊 1 Reply Mica1 day agoMicaMy venus flytrap seems to have successfully eaten the meaty part of a silverfish I fed it last night. The flytrap looked like it was gagging on the silverfish this morn [pic] but now it’s opened more and looks like there’s only indigestible silverfish left. The 2 silverfish antennae sticking out. Do I get excited by strange things? 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 day agoHolly in Ohio😂 You might be channelling Vincent Price! Gosh, your Venus Flytrap is so beautiful, though! What an amazing creature it is!!!! 2 Reply Mica4 hours agoMicaThanks, Holly – I found this: 1985 Citibank Visa “Vincent Price – Bug Zapper” TV Commercial and some scientific ones such as this: Vincent Price hosts Death Trap (1 of 4) – fun! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 hours agoHolly in Ohio😊 0 Reply Mica23 hours agoMicaI squished a tiny spider for another of the flytraps, and I felt a bit bad about that, because I like spiders and they do useful work for me. And it had so so little ‘meat’ on it that I’ll probably not squish another that’s so small. I’d like to raise fruit flies in small numbers but haven’t figured out the details of that yet. Thanks! I’ll check out the Vincent Price flytrap hits on youtube.:) 1 Reply Holly in Ohio18 hours agoHolly in OhioVincent Price and his wife did a commercial for a bug zapper, and it is on YouTube. Let me know if you can’t find it. 😁 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioThis evening I am thankful. Last weekend I posted that I was concerned about some words I wrote on another site that I thouoght lacked kindness. Today, the lady in question and I conversed with mutual respect, and then shared laughs together, bonding over similar experiences with long garden hoses getting mowed! I am thankful, and it is even more precious. 😊 5 Reply Mica1 day agoMicaOh Holly that IS wonderful news. Congratulations 🙂 1 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryHello, my friends. It’s been a while. I always mean to write on Tuesdays, but Tuesdays have been quite busy. So happy Wednesday evening! After having total hip replacement of my right hip 7 weeks ago today, my recovery has gone quite well. I walk 10 to 15 minutes three times a day. Just found out my goal was supposed to be 20 minutes at a time (What??? Nobody told me) so I’m bumping one of my three walks each day to twenty minutes. So much easier with music. I also do some exercises 3 time...Hello, my friends. It’s been a while. I always mean to write on Tuesdays, but Tuesdays have been quite busy. So happy Wednesday evening! After having total hip replacement of my right hip 7 weeks ago today, my recovery has gone quite well. I walk 10 to 15 minutes three times a day. Just found out my goal was supposed to be 20 minutes at a time (What??? Nobody told me) so I’m bumping one of my three walks each day to twenty minutes. So much easier with music. I also do some exercises 3 times a day and physical therapy twice a week. Just writing that makes me tired😂. But my hip is doing quite well. But…my left knee is acting up now. 😕🙂 The moral of the story? Buy a one story house!😆 I think we will have to do that. The stairs are not fun. I’m wondering how everyone is doing in the Gratitude Lounge. Sending my love and wishes for peace and joy to all! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ Mary Read More9 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioWhat a lovely treat to see you here this morning, and knowing you are fine. 🤗 I have started walking every day again, too, and now I will think of you when I start out. I’m just back now. I found if I don’t go first thing (before coffee!), then I might not get it done. I admire your discipline! love ❤ 0 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryThank you Holly! I can’t say I never miss a session, but I pretty much stick to the program. I agree it’s best to just go first thing in the morning. I walk and exercise indoors. Much easier for me, especially in the summer. Now I will think of you too when I do my morning walk!😊 Mary 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in Ohio😊 0 Reply Pilgrim2 days agoPilgrimMary, it is good to find you here! I’m happy for you that your recovery is going well. I went from a 3-story home to a one 6 months ago, and it has made a huge difference. As much as I loved my last house, those steep stairs had to be left behind. Laundry baskets carried down 2 steep flights … not fun! Peace and joy to you! 1 Reply Mary2 days agoMarySo good to hear from you Pilgrim! My house is on three levels. We have a sunken den with a bathroom. That is where I have been sleeping. Then there is the main floor, with the bedrooms 9 steps up. I think I’ll move back into the bedroom this weekend. I haven’t wanted to move with the craziness of the real estate market. But really I don’t love change and I don’t love big decisions🤯. And I do love my home. So we’ll see. Wishing peace and joy to you dear Pilgrim! Mary 1 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomoh Mary, such a major operation and i am so pleased to hear you’re doing well. perhaps tell your knee to take its turn. one thing at a time! i live in a small granny flat, so no stairs for which i am glad for. rest up and all the best for a full recovery. 1 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryHi lotus blossom. A small granny flat sounds wonderful! Yes my knee has to wait it’s turn, but it does do it’s share of complaining. I’m hoping the physical therapy that I’m doing for my hip and the physical therapy that I will be doing for my knees will strengthen it. Thank you so much for thinking of me! Mary 0 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThanks, Mary, for your update. I’m glad your hip is doing so well. Bummer about the knee 🙁 Indeed I needed an elevator to my 4th floor condo be willing to buy here. Absurdly, I thought I wanted a town house even though they’re 2 stories. Happily none were available 🙂 2 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryOooh an elevator! That would be nice. My husband and I never looked for a two story house. But we fell in love with our home because it is filled with large windows. I love to be able to see the outdoors when I am inside. Your view of the sky must be wonderful on the 4th floor. Wishing you joy and peace, Mica, as you watch your beautiful sunsets! Mary 1 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaHow did you guess, Mary?! My windows all face southwest, and it’s wonderful to see the clouds and sunsets – I can see the clouds now from my computer chair. Good luck with your housing – the windows sound wonderful. 0 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaI was ashamed of getting angry at a store employee a few days ago and the constant message was, “I’m So Bad.” I stayed with my distress until a few tears fell and came to the message, “I’m Normal!” I want to remember that message, also, when I’m feeling superior to others 🙂 3 Reply Mary3 days agoMary♥️ 2 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioYep. We’re all human. Hugs, Mica! ((((Mica)))) 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioMica's surprises might be rubbing off... On Saturday, an acquaintance named Laura was driving, I was walking, and she shouted to me that she had lost her parrot! Guess what! It came to my bee-bird bath today and perched. My husband and I tried to reach Laura, but didn't know how. I called two mutual acquaintances, I called the vet, I posted on facebook for our community. Now most of our town knows. Meanwhile, my husband and I baited a Have-A-Heart with peanuts. The poor thing, so very hungr...Mica’s surprises might be rubbing off… On Saturday, an acquaintance named Laura was driving, I was walking, and she shouted to me that she had lost her parrot! Guess what! It came to my bee-bird bath today and perched. My husband and I tried to reach Laura, but didn’t know how. I called two mutual acquaintances, I called the vet, I posted on facebook for our community. Now most of our town knows. Meanwhile, my husband and I baited a Have-A-Heart with peanuts. The poor thing, so very hungry now, was interested but couldn’t figure out how to get inside. So I went our cautiously, after it perched on our car, with peanuts in my hand, and started getting it used to me. It wouldn’t let me touch it, but it was so hungry, I was able to bait it towards the have-a-heart and into it, and then we lowered the gate (it is too light weight to trigger it. Now we are just waiting for word to get to Laura. 😁 It is so nice to reunite a lost pet and owner! Read More 3 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomi agree with Mica. what a heartwarming and entertaining story. and perhaps a divine appointment. i love being at the right place at the right time. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioUpdate… parrot and human have been reunited! 4 Reply Mary3 days agoMarySuch a sweet story, Holly! So good of you to care so much! 3 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaOh, Holly, what a heart warming and entertaining story – and picture! I’m impressed that you knew about and had a Have-a-Heart cage. My ex liked birds, and we had a ‘green parrot’ named Bird, a white cockatoo named Stimpy and about 2 cockatiels at various times. It’s wonderful to have had the years with the birds, especially with Stimpy! 3 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioIt does seem like kind of a miracle, to me. The randomness of Laura seeing me walking while she was out looking... the bird coming here of all places. But I do know I have been working on my property being a "sanctuary" of sorts, and there was the water bowl I keep filled, and then Laura pointed out I also have two large trumpet vines that are in bloom now. My husband keeps wanting to chop them and I keep insisting no, because I know the hummingbirds come for them! Anyway, yes, we have three li...It does seem like kind of a miracle, to me. The randomness of Laura seeing me walking while she was out looking… the bird coming here of all places. But I do know I have been working on my property being a “sanctuary” of sorts, and there was the water bowl I keep filled, and then Laura pointed out I also have two large trumpet vines that are in bloom now. My husband keeps wanting to chop them and I keep insisting no, because I know the hummingbirds come for them! Anyway, yes, we have three live-catch cages in different sorts and we used the largest one here, and my husband was trained in wildlife management in Scotland, and has experience trapping, but when the bird couldn’t figure it out, I decided to approach her with peanuts in my hand. 🥜🥜🥜 Laura contacted me and said her parrot has now had a snack and was checked out, and is now “just chillin” comfortably. 🙂 This photo was caught on my phone through the window, enlarged as much as I could, so it might not be a very good photo. Read More 3 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in Ohio(in response to below) Yes, it does seem like it was ‘meant to be.’ And I have often thought the same, that science just hasn’t discovered yet how we can be connected to each other… just like we didn’t understand trees talk to each other through mycorrhizae, and even feed the young in a tall, dense, forest. 🙂 2 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThe photo is great, Holly, and a treat for bird-loving me. I’ve had experiences like you describe, and they challenge my agnosticism. I do wonder if we have some some sort of communication with one another that Science hasn’t discovered. 2 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaToday’s quote is a good one for me, retired and aging: I’m making space for the unknown future to fill up my life with yet-to-come surprises. ELIZABETH GILBERT 2 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomhere’s to ‘yet to come surprises, Mica! 🥂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioThis made me smile, Mica! 🙂 Any surprises yet, today? 2 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaYes! Thanks for asking, Holly – my Tuesday coffee friend made us avocado toast, and we took our coffee to the park and had an unusually delightful time – and this is compared with our Tuesday coffees that are typically delightful. I am lucky! 🙂 New emoji test :\ 2 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomi like your Tuesday coffee friend, Mica. so pleased it was a delightful day for you. 2 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaThank you, lotus blossom – ‘Tuesday’ – you remind me that Tuesday was our prayer day when Ursula was still with us. We old timers remember Ursula, who suffered and then passed. ‘Wishing you delightful days 🙂 0 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioThat sounds so lovely! 😄🌈🌲🌺 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioWe are all lucky to have you as a friend, too, Mica! ❤ 1 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaI’m so lucky to have her as a friend 🙂 1 Reply Nahimana4 days agoNahimanaArms wide open and an infinite heart of gratefulness… 6 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioWelcome, Nahimana! 🙂🌼 Would you like to share anything about yourself? I’m in Ohio. My kids are grown, but my husband and I will share dinner with them tonight! 2 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaWelcome, Nahimana – thanks for the beautiful image your words bring 🙂 2 Reply Holly in Ohio5 days agoHolly in OhioMy happy thought this morning: My neighbor’s son was very pleased with the apron! They are off to Australia for a couple of months to visit family, but they will be back. I am happy for them. 🙂 3 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaCongrats on finding such a good use for the apron, Holly! I'm occasionally wearing a holly print apron I made for my mother as a teen, which outlasted her. The belly part is worn thin to the point where the print is pale. Responding to your apron story, I appreciate my mother for keeping and using the apron for so long. She often seemed unloving, but the apron is evidence to the contrary. :) And the Amelia Earhart quite is awesome - I'll save it to my gratefulness doc :) - I haven't located an ...Congrats on finding such a good use for the apron, Holly! I’m occasionally wearing a holly print apron I made for my mother as a teen, which outlasted her. The belly part is worn thin to the point where the print is pale. Responding to your apron story, I appreciate my mother for keeping and using the apron for so long. She often seemed unloving, but the apron is evidence to the contrary. 🙂 And the Amelia Earhart quite is awesome – I’ll save it to my gratefulness doc 🙂 – I haven’t located an emoji link so I’m limited to 🙂 and 🙁 – and maybe 😐 ?? Read More1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioI have my mother’s apron, too! It was so like her to make a “mid-century modern” type apron, LOL. It is not as practical as some, because it isn’t long, but I like it! I will try to photograph it, soon. 😄 Don’t forget you can still cut and paste emogi! Try one of these: https://emojiterra.com/ https://emoji-copy-paste.com/ https://getemoji.com/ 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThanks, Holly – yes, I used to have a ‘getemoji’ window open. I guess that’s what I need to do if I want more emojis on my computer but for now I’ll just use these 🙂 🙁 😐 I’m amused by the number of quilters who like ‘mid-century modern’ – and that’s my son’s fav house type, because he grew up in one, I guess. I’ll try these for emojis :} 🙂 ;] ps – I can put a ‘nose’ in the emoji but the different eyes and mouths didn’t work. Thanks for sharing with me 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioI regret some words I wrote yesterday on another forum. My words may not have been mean, and they were not personal or untrue, but they could have been more kind or not said at all, and that is the part I regret. For the first part of my life, people would often say of me that I was kind, and then I had some hard years when I was very strained and I focused on doing what had to be done and getting us all through the day, and a bluntness and sarcasm crept in. I didn't like that. I have been try...I regret some words I wrote yesterday on another forum. My words may not have been mean, and they were not personal or untrue, but they could have been more kind or not said at all, and that is the part I regret. For the first part of my life, people would often say of me that I was kind, and then I had some hard years when I was very strained and I focused on doing what had to be done and getting us all through the day, and a bluntness and sarcasm crept in. I didn’t like that. I have been trying to bring back kindness. I suppose what I said yesterday is really not that important and will soon be forgotten, if not already, by the other person… but it still bothers me. So today I wish to remember kindness as a practice, and to remember there are more important things than knowing what is true and teaching others. Read More 3 Reply Mary3 days agoMary♥️ 1 Reply lotus blossom5 days agolotus blossomi’ve been there too, Holly. i am practising kindness, starting toward my own self. thanks for the reminder. this is one of my favorite quotes: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryI love that quote lotus blossom! Thank you for the reminder! 3 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomhope you’re having a beautiful day, Mary. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio5 days agoHolly in OhioWhat a lovely quote! …and so true! ❤ Good morning, Lotus Blossom. 2 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomand a good morning to you, Holly! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in Ohio🤗🌄 0 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaYes, the Dalai Lama is big on kindness. He says, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” and “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” and others: https://iamfearlesssoul.com/17-dalai-lama-quotes-peace-kindness-love/ I’d like to be more kind. Here’s a cute photo 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryWonderful Mica! Thank you!!! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioIt is a cute photo! And lovely quotes! ☺♥ 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioIt will be another hot day here. I went for a walk this early morning, while it is still cool, and I passed by my favorite tree in the whole world. It is a grand white oak. It would take three people, possibly more, to reach their arms around the tree. It is huge. And I have been hugging this tree since I was a little girl. I looked up, and saw my favorite tree is dying. White oak trees live between 200 and 300 years, and this beauty was planted in the 1800s. I wish I had gathered her acorns to ...It will be another hot day here. I went for a walk this early morning, while it is still cool, and I passed by my favorite tree in the whole world. It is a grand white oak. It would take three people, possibly more, to reach their arms around the tree. It is huge. And I have been hugging this tree since I was a little girl. I looked up, and saw my favorite tree is dying. White oak trees live between 200 and 300 years, and this beauty was planted in the 1800s. I wish I had gathered her acorns to plant. She is on a lawn, so the park’s people mow, and I’m not sure she has offspring. Most of her branches have brown leaves on them this year. I went closer to give her a big hug and a thank you and suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. There, only 18 inches from the ground, were two baby nuthatches clinging to her bark. They were a little startled by me, looking with glossy black eyes. The tree is so large, I circled wide and gave the tree a hug from the back. She’s so old… but still beautifully useful. 🌳 Read More 5 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThank you, Holly – what a wonderful story 🙂 Indeed I know and love white oaks, tho I can’t remember when I last saw one. Keep your eyes open for her acorns – I’m guessing you can find them in their season. Our California live oaks are such a poor substitute for white oaks, tho they do have wonderful trunks with bark that makes me think of elephant skin, and they’re good for hugging. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioI will! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioFor several years now I have been participating in Plastic Free July (sponsored by PlasticFreeJuly.org) by making a personal challenge in July, to find one more thing where I find an alternative to plastic waste. July is coming up. I wonder what I could pick? It might be time for me to do another trash audit to see what I am actually throwing away these days, but I suspect it is the bread and snack bags that come into the house, so I might make a commitment to bake more. I've been slacking on th...For several years now I have been participating in Plastic Free July (sponsored by PlasticFreeJuly.org) by making a personal challenge in July, to find one more thing where I find an alternative to plastic waste. July is coming up. I wonder what I could pick? It might be time for me to do another trash audit to see what I am actually throwing away these days, but I suspect it is the bread and snack bags that come into the house, so I might make a commitment to bake more. I’ve been slacking on that lately! 😋🍞🍪 Read More 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThanks, Holly, for the cool picture and post. Squinting to read the fine print - 'buy second hand if you can' - I'll pat myself on the back for repairing my back scratcher this morn! It's a cheap thing that came with a mattress and I glued the handle together a while ago, but it was getting too bendy at the joint. Midway thru the repair, it occurred to me that I could just buy a new one on amazon, but it would probably break, too :) - anyway, I searched all my junk and finally found flexible tub...Thanks, Holly, for the cool picture and post. Squinting to read the fine print – ‘buy second hand if you can’ – I’ll pat myself on the back for repairing my back scratcher this morn! It’s a cheap thing that came with a mattress and I glued the handle together a while ago, but it was getting too bendy at the joint. Midway thru the repair, it occurred to me that I could just buy a new one on amazon, but it would probably break, too 🙂 – anyway, I searched all my junk and finally found flexible tubing that I slit and wrapped part way around the handle. It needed more, so I wrapped it with a curly plastic strip designed for holding messy cords together. It was still not as stiff as I wanted, so I put in a wooden skewer under the curly plastic strip, and now it’s pretty good. I do love ‘rescuing’ things. My physical therapist was amazed that I would actually take stuff from the junk collection dumpster. But my recycled trash bag fills up SO fast 🙁 Read More1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioYAY YOU, on repairing the back scratcher! I just bought a 60-70 year old chair for $1, that seems to have been repaired before (newer wheels). One of the wheels was falling off, so I just wrapped masking tape around the shaft and stuck it back in! We’ll keep that chair going another 70 years, eh? It is solid hardwood, swivels, has an adjustable back that also tilts. It is so comfortable! 😊🪑 1 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaDear Holly, and Dear Whomever Else reads this post, I’ve discovered 2 other ways people will know my quilts weren’t factory made: (1) They’re not always perfect rectangles – but do baby quilts and lap quilts need to be perfect rectangles? and (2) It’s easier to make the corners a bit blunt instead of square – and sometimes when I try to make the corners square, they turn out a bit more pointy than square 🙁 . Warm wishes – 🙂 PS - There's also the 'invisible thread' when one se...Dear Holly, and Dear Whomever Else reads this post, I’ve discovered 2 other ways people will know my quilts weren’t factory made: (1) They’re not always perfect rectangles – but do baby quilts and lap quilts need to be perfect rectangles? and (2) It’s easier to make the corners a bit blunt instead of square – and sometimes when I try to make the corners square, they turn out a bit more pointy than square 🙁 . Warm wishes – 🙂 PS – There’s also the ‘invisible thread’ when one sews after the bobbin has run out of thread. Quilters can sew and sew and sew with that ‘invisible thread,’ to their disappointment! 🙁 Read More1 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in Ohiohahaha… I love it! 😀❤ 1 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaDear Holly, your apron mending reminds me of how excited I am to have gotten my old sewing machine working with 'invisible thread' again - I like invisible thread for quilting the charity quilts I make for the quilt guild. I like to piece the quilt tops, but I don't really want a bunch of stitching over the top. My invisible thread would stretch and bounce around - I discovered it even leaped out of the notch [the 'U'] at the top of the metal arm that goes up and down. My old Wards Signature sew...Dear Holly, your apron mending reminds me of how excited I am to have gotten my old sewing machine working with ‘invisible thread’ again – I like invisible thread for quilting the charity quilts I make for the quilt guild. I like to piece the quilt tops, but I don’t really want a bunch of stitching over the top. My invisible thread would stretch and bounce around – I discovered it even leaped out of the notch [the ‘U’] at the top of the metal arm that goes up and down. My old Wards Signature sewing machine from 1969 has a hole [‘O’] not a notch, so I’m using that one again. Now I can quilt more of the quilt tops I’ve been making! Successful sewing is so much more fun than unsuccessful attempts at sewing 🙂 Read More1 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioI get invisible thread, too, when I forget to load the bobbin! 😜 Your sewing sounds very happy! How lovely to make quilts! 🤗 1 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaWhat fun, Holly! I took the wheels off my laptop stand, and it moves better 🙂 [I don’t know why your story reminds me of that story] I enjoyed a rocking chair that was probably an Eastlake antique – for several years, til it collapsed under me – it was a low-to-the-ground rocker, fortunately. It was cheap, at a ReStore. I put it by the dumpster with a note that it might be antique, and it quickly disappeared. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioI love your rocking chair story! I have some friends who restore furniture professionally, and make reproductions. They have restored some things I would have thought un-repairable, and made them look new and lovely... or old and lovely, depending on how you look at it. This morning I am mending a little apron to give away. It is child-sized, and has a tree print pattern. I think it is lovely, but it had a little lace on it, too, and I want to pass it on, and thought my neighbor's son might l...I love your rocking chair story! I have some friends who restore furniture professionally, and make reproductions. They have restored some things I would have thought un-repairable, and made them look new and lovely… or old and lovely, depending on how you look at it. This morning I am mending a little apron to give away. It is child-sized, and has a tree print pattern. I think it is lovely, but it had a little lace on it, too, and I want to pass it on, and thought my neighbor’s son might like it, so I am removing the lace and fixing the stitching because I removed the lace, lol. Read More1 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonI wish we could all be together in person. I never even met Br. David. Is he still alive? 3 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaWelcome back, dear Drew. This place is such a gift, isn’t it? Warm wishes to you and all 🙂 2 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonYes, and I hope it keeps on giving until the end of time. 3 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThe end of time – wow, Drew! When do you suppose time stops? 🙂 2 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonWhenever Jesus Christ returns. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioSomeone in Admin referred to him as alive a few weeks ago, so yes, I think so. I wish we could be together, too, Drew, and I’d give you a big hug! 🤗 2 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonJust telling me that makes me feel your virtual arms around me. Here’s one back. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioAwh! Thank you! 😄 0 Reply Butterfly1 week agoButterflyYes, Drew, Br. David is still with us! He will be 96 years old on July 12th. What a blessing he is to the world for founding this wonderful website and for all the work he has done to promote peace and wellbeing🙏💖 5 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonYes. I think t his website’s the most wonderful in the world, and I hope it’s still here for future generations. In fact, I think Walt Disney had the same grateful spirit that Br. David has. His parks are still with us today. I was in my mom’s womb when Walt Disney World opened. 1 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaRACHEL NAOMI REMEN – she wrote today’s quote – and the book, Kitchen Table Wisdom, which is a wonderful book 🙂