Some of the Sights at Tree House

We have fern and fauna and fungi here at Tree House. The big wind and rain storm is over, but for some, not quite yet.

This beautiful evergreen has had too much rain and is leaning. Maintenance has propped it up with boards so it won't take out the fence. (My computer is scrambled and adds ads on various words. If you see them, I am sorry. Computer needs help and will get it as soon as I can.)

When the sun comes out the roses perk up right away and the color is always good to see. There are still buds on the rose bushes.

Mushrooms have pushed through the gravel and old leaves. The oak leaf mold is just what they need to thrive.

And fauna abounds. I have heard and seen coyotes and foxes and during the summer skunks were foraging, at midnight, under this very tree for the bird seed that was dropped on the ground there. And of course birds, Robins, Black Capped Chickadees, Crows, Ravens, Mocking Birds, and various migrating flocks come through on their way to wherever they are going. 

 There are big differences living here from living alone or in other kinds of apartment buildings. I have 62 neighbors who range from 62 to 100 years of age. Most of these I recognize and we speak almost everyday. Perhaps there are 20 I see several times a week and some of them I have conversations with, go to meetings with, play cards with or have a meal with during the month or every week. 

This is the Christmas Party. They hired me to be the caller again this year. We like to eat.

Community Room Christmas Tree

Of those there are a few whom I consider dear friends. Maybe it’s because we've listened to each other's stories and laughed together, we've noted other’s eccentricities and accepted them, that we become more than just neighbors. It may be because we are all older that the understanding, acceptance and patience levels are higher. The downside of living here is that older people become ill or just die more often than those who are younger. This has occurred several times since I’ve lived here, that someone I cared about has died or moved to to a facility with personal care available.

There is something about the light in this picture that I liked.

Why so somber? Perhaps it’s the weather.  

With this long stretch of cloudy and wet weather it is good to take advantage of any sunlight that you can. Studies have shown the absence of sunlight creates changes in mood. Just like a sunny day also creates changes in mood. Here is what the latest Smithsonian has to say on recent Sunlight studies Smithsonian article

Wishing my reader, you know who you are, a Merry Christmas. Have a great New Year. 

    

I Am Thankful For You, Dear Reader

I did planed to write a blog about gratitude before Thanksgiving Day,  the one day of the year when we are reminded, on a national level, to give thanks for what and who we love. (I am thankful for the the people who love me - my friends and neighbors - in my life)

I am thankful for the beauty of fall outside my door

Seems like everyday is a good day to give thanks and remember how grateful I am for all I have and love and for those who are in my life and who love me.

Several of my friends are working on gratitude studies and that sounds pretty neat.

I am thankful for the abundance of nature in my life.

Here is a link to the one Jennifer sent me in an email: http://gogratitude.com/

(I am thankful for my son and his family in my life)

Some time in the early 90s I was listening to tapes by Mary Manin Morrissey. From the internet it looks like she was very popular in the 70s. Here is a sample of what she taught: greatthoughtstreasury.com/author/mary-manin-morrissey

I am thankful for roses.

The one thing I used from the tapes was an exercise on gratitude. (I am thankful for my hearing and vision) She said to sit down every night and write 50 things you were thankful for. That seemed excessive to me, but I followed the instructions exactly. (I am thankful for my safe and comfortable car) At the time I was sad and depressed (there was little work and I was ending a relationship) and thought this would be something I could do to change my energy level. (I am thankful for my abundance of dollars [even if it’s only $2] in my bank account and wallet) Every night I wrote 50 things I was thankful for. It was not easy when I started; mostly I thought of everyday things and what I saw around my apt: my bed, this chair, running water. It is the feeling that matters. God hears our feelings much louder than our words. My energy, feelings changed every time

 I wrote down what I was thankful for. (I am thankful for my sister in my life) In that sense the change was immediate. It took a couple of weeks before my life began to change for the better. (I am thankful for my home) I have a tendency to use these tools when I want relief and in time I may forget again. Maybe  something different …..  I read an article that told of another way to remember to be grateful. A  man sat down and wrote a thank you note every day for a year. He sent these to friends, family, strangers, even businesses, telling them what a good job they were doing, how helpful they were or how much he appreciated them in his life. He said it was a life changing year for him. I can imagine how the recipient felt getting a thank you note. Good feelings all around.
So, why is this paragraph different? I don't have a clue. Worked to change it, but no results.

The Swamp is being cleared of some trees. This opens up the view and probably discourages the homeless and others from congregating there. There are times when the litter is pretty bad. I figure I can curse the litter or take pictures of the beauty. There is deep shade in the summer and it is usually very quiet there. 

(I am thankful the for this beautiful spot only half a mile from where I live)

(I am thankful the format is only a bit screwed up)