dual personalities

It’s November and today is my DH’s birthday! Although it is Saturday, he will spend the day working. Here he is (in back-lit glory) doing the finances this morning.

Never fear, we will celebrate tonight with beef curry and Naan bread, cake, a few gifties, and perhaps a toast to the birthday boy. I quite like this Tennyson:

Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Tennyson, Idylls of the King

The DH’s birthday signals the rush toward Christmas, but November is for giving thanks, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m thankful for my dear spouse, who, besides incessant work, does a ton of household chores, including (more than) his share of laundry, vacuuming, and cooking. What would I do without him?

I do appreciate other good things in my life as well. Take flowers, for example. Last week a dear friend brought me this lovely bouquet.

What a wonderful way to cheer up a dreary November day. I am fortunate that my son makes me cocoa with whipped cream on top every night, and that I have fairly lights (aka small white Christmas lights) strung around the family room windows to provide the perfect ambiance for movie-watching. And let’s not forget: washing machines, hot showers, and sleeping under piles of blankets; being silly, dressing up, feeling satisfied when a project gets finished, and pictures of ADORABLE BABIES (see yesterday’s post)! I could go on and on…

What makes you feel grateful?