Booming Banter

Today is the weekly trash collection day in our neighborhood. In the UK we’d call this Bin Day.

Many years ago, in the late 1950s,  when bins were noisy little tin cans my Mom was very impressed by a sermon our pastor Reverend Sanson preached on thankfulness.

Many professions were mentioned in his message, teachers, doctors, nurses, soldiers, and policemen but the take away was that we should never forget the “Binmen”.

My Mom made sure that she regularly passed this message on to me and many others in the years ahead,

Trash collection has come a long way since then. We accumulate so much more trash today than we ever did back then. Fortunately  we have the ability to recycle but we still waste way too much!

When I was taking the bins to the kerb today it was still dark but Venus was bright in the sky and the stars were beautiful.

It was a glorious start to the day but come rain, storm or snow those who provide us with our trash collection service will come out to take care of us.

Take a moment to reflect on the key role this plays in maintaining hygiene and in disease prevention.

We are so fortunate to have this great service unlike many people around the world who still don’t.

Blessing # 148 – Civil Infrastructure

Today the wind could easily knock you off your feet. All the leaves are swirling and there are few left now on the trees.

Amazing what change a day or two can bring!

There are some very tenacious plants around though including the beautiful Burning Bush.

For most of the year it is quite discreet but right now it’s the star in the landscape.

The leaves have turned a deep and vibrant red and are popping out all around us. They contrast so beautifully with the blue sky.

This color always makes me think of Santa and his red coat as if to say that Fall may be over but there is something wonderful to come in the weeks ahead.

Blessing # 147 – Stars that know when to shine

When we go away for a trip Dibley has his own vacation at the luxurious Four Paws Resort and Spa.

This is such a great place and he is so well taken care of. The resorts has a bakery for dog treats, lots of cute rain wear, collars and bedding for fur babies, a grooming parlor, a doggie day care and of course the boarding facilities.

The dogs come in all shapes and sizes and they play outside most of the day coming in for a little rest around lunchtime.

All the guests are always supervised for safety, vaccination records are always checked and everyone gets lots of hugs and affection.

Dibley loves it there but when we come to get him he always tells us where he wants to go!

Blessing # 146 – People Who Love Our Pets

On our way to NYNY this weekend we drove from Ohio all the way across Pennsylvania into New Jersey and finally New York.

The weather wasn’t the greatest on the way out but we had bits of blue along the way and the return was filled with brilliant sunshine.

It was quite a drive for one weekend but well worth it to see so many members of our family all gathered for our celebrations.

The fall colors surrounding us all the way were especially vibrant in the stretch of our journey that took us through the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania.

With the mighty rivers, the bluffs and all the farms with their ancient barns and pastures there is a beauty and wholesomeness in Pennsylvania that can make you feel like you’re a pioneer.

It is easy to imagine you have just arrived and are staking a claim on a piece of a bright the new world.

Given the familiarity of some of the town names and counties you can be sure some Ulster Scots and Irish kin did just that! So very glad they made it!

Blessing #145 – History Trips

Today we had a big party in our family.

This was to celebrate the first birthday of beautiful little Mira who is the daughter of our nephew Siddarth and his wife Supria.

The first birthday is an important celebration in Indian culture and no wonder. Just think of all the achievements of that first year.

Birth is quickly followed by a first cry a first smile a first laugh. There are first foods first teeth first steps first words and so many other first in that first year.

Krishna also celebrated his birthday today which was lovely because he did so surrounded by a lot of family. His brother and sister in law had come from India for their little granddaughters first and his sister who lives here in the USA was at the party too with her daughters.

Very different seasons in life but for both so special and a one of a kind occasion. There is always time for another first!

Blessing # 144 – First times for everything

My Mum was a great one for taking pictures and keeping souvenirs.

This included many items of clothing including uniforms from school and organisation like Girls Brigade and Brownies.

It’s so great to have these. So touching to remember the days they were bought and the times they were worn and even to try them on to see if they still fit!

Who knows one day they may be make a good fancy dress costume!

Blessing #143 – Treasured Memories

When I was clearing out the house in Ireland I found my Granny Barr’s handbag.

My Mum had kept it when Granny died in 1965. It held some special memories including my Granny’s confirmation card from the 1890s. The bag probably dates from the 1940s and is the only bag I ever remember my Granny having.

Granny was eighty when I was born in 1960 and she always wore the same style of clothes; a black wool skirt down to her ankles, a long white apron over the skirt and a blouse with a black cardigan over it.

Granny always smelled of TUNES a type of candy that had menthol in it and that claimed would « help you breathe more easily ».

Born Ellen McClean she was one of thirteen children. The family was very poor and she started work in a mill when she was just ten. As a part timer she went to school half time and worked half time.

My Dad was her only child and I was his only child so you can only imagine how much Granny loved me and I loved her too. There is no doubt in my mind that she could not have loved me more.

The handbag is something I could never part with and is on the way to the USA. I hope Aaron will keep it and give it to his kids someday so we never forget our roots.

Who would ever have imagined that this bag would have had such a journey.

Blessing # 141 – Love that Lasts

When Halloween comes around and your girlfriend is dressing as Eeyore there is only one thing you can be. POOH!

There is no doubt that this was planned weeks in advance. When did Mother find out and when did we go shopping for the costume? You guessed right the hunt for a POOH onesie started at 5:00 pm on the evening before Halloween!

We did our local Target, 3 Goodwills, Party City, Big Lots and by 7:15 were becoming desperate and thinking we may have to be a nun instead.

Not a POOH costume to be found.

So the radius of the search had to be extended to the next town.

Bingo we hit Target and as if by magic we found a single bear suit onesie and bagged it!

With Dads shrunk red polo shirt on top we had the perfect POOH.

Let’s hope Eeyore loves it!!!!

Blessing #141 – Hitting TARGET

When we were out this morning for our constitutional Dibley and I had a Bluebird as our companion.

These little birds are so beautiful. They are quite tiny with little red breasts like a European Robin but they are the most brilliant blue.

They were out in force this morning all around the neighborhood. I had never seen so many of them at the one time and Google couldn’t give an explanation. Maybe one of you may know why.

The little guy that followed Dibley and me did so for several hundred yards. He was hopping along on the ground and then flying into a tree then swooping down to the ground again even getting quite close to us at times.

It made me think of my Mum and her Robins who faithfully visited her each day on her kitchen windowsill. She fed them well!!

Am I the only one or does anyone else ever feel that little critters, birds in particular, bring us love letters from our nears and dears on the other shore?

Anyway, this little lovely made my day!

Blessing # 140 – Natures Company

This morning on NBC – The Today Show, Savannah Guthrie was live in the great city of Pittsburgh.

Savannah was covering the tragedy of Saturday’s shooting at THE TREE OF LIFE Synagogue.

Back in the studio was Hoda Kotb. As the two anchors exchanged comments both were struggling to hold back their tears.

Like all of us they’re asking WHY?

As Savannah interviewed some of the victims families, the first response doctors, the mayor and the Rabbi of the Synagogue the grace and goodness of this tight knit community in this time of deep hurt, sadness and loss shone through.

The words of Rabbi  Jeffrey Myers spoke volumes. “Hate is not welcome here” he said. “You can cut off some branches but the TREE will continue to grow.”

All of us need to nourish the TREE with our love. We need to speak up and stand up against any form of discrimination and hatred.

As everyone who spoke this morning said.

Love has to triumph.

Blessings # 139 – The Grace of Good People