Shall we do Thankful Thursday again??

MarcieB
MarcieB Member Posts: 528
edited July 2021 in General Cancer
wow, last Thursday's post drew a lot of old friends (and some new ones) and it was great to hear from everyone! Am I *pushing it* to keep it going? Today, I am thankful for the recent little vacation my husband and I had in Mackinaw Island. The weather was chilly, but the Island is a magical place (no cars allowed) - perfect for hitting the re-set button on our busy lives. And I am thankful we made it home safe. It's nice to hear about people venturing out again after being holed up for so long.

Comments

  • Teachertina
    Teachertina Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB, I’m glad you are keeping it going! Today I’m thankful for a beautiful day and being able to plant a few things in my flower garden. I’m also thankful for the tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and squash that are starting to be ready to pick from my veggie garden! Delicious!
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB, thank you! I’m so glad more and more WNers are coming to write something!

    I’m thankful my book club (seven women who all knew each other prior to forming the club) was able to meet at the apartment of one member. No need to Zoom!
  • Molly72
    Molly72 Member Posts: 227
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB, how much fudge did you eat?
    The Grand Hotel is on my bucket list for a night or two's stay-- only if I win the lottery!
    But we did have lunch there.
  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    Teacertina, I am all about those fresh vegetables! I don't have a vegetable garden, but I live in an area that boasts some great farmers markets, so there is no shortage. I recently discovered how to roast corn on the cob in the oven and it is the ONLY way I will do it from now on!

    Carool, my bookclub is going to be starting up again soon. (yay!) Is there a particular book you all are reading right now? I would LOVE to know what it is.

    Molly, my husband and I discovered Orange Truffle from JoAnns (deep chocolate orange) and German chocolate from Rybas - whew! sugar overload! I have never stayed at the Grand either. We love the Chippewaw and got a room that overlooked the Straits - so peaceful to sit out on the little balcony with coffee and watch the ferry, barges, and sailboats. We like to get to the Island every other year if we can.
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB, we rotate picking each month’s book. The June book was a novel titled “Hot Stew,” by English novelist Fiona Mozley (her first novel was shortlisted for the Mann Booker prize in 2017). It was good and an easy read.

    I’ll list some of our other books if I still have that info. Often I don’t really like the book.
  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    Carool, I have been thinking about posting a question as to what we are reading? I know not everyone likes to read, but reading got me through some tough times in my treatment. I love knowing about different books. Sometimes our bookclub chooses one book and we all read it, but sometimes we do a *free for all* and we will require only one element - like choose a mystery, or choose a vintage classic. One time we all agreed to read a novel that had *WATER* in the title - that was an interesting result!
  • triciab
    triciab Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2021
    I'm grateful to be doing the things this summer that we were unable to in 2020. Municipal band. Live theater. Community gatherings in the park. Just to name a few. Didn't realize how much we missed these things.
  • Geannie
    Geannie Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2021
    Hi everyone. I had a tough day yesterday....but it's never too late to be thankful.....so here's my post in response to MarciB's fabulous idea;

    I am thankful for Mother Nature, that despite people complaining about so much rain this week, she filled up the man-made lake I see each morning through my bedroom window. It's great to see the ducks, turtles, etc once again!

    I am thankful to my physician who discovered yesterday a tumor in my esophagus.

    I am thankful to all health care providers who are always so kind, helpful, and cheerful, making even the most unpleasant procedures more enduring.

    I am thankful for these wonderful opportunities to meet new people who are so encouraging!

    Please keep this going!

    Have a blessed Friday and enjoy your day.....whileI enjoy more rain!

  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    Geanne, we are having rain where I live too. I am thankful because I recently set out some little plants that I raised from seeds...and the ones that did NOT get uprooted by pesky CHIPMONKS.... will benefit from the soaking. (that was kind of a left handed *thankful* wasn't it?) lol!

    Please keep us informed about what your doctor advises pertaining to that tumor in your esophagus. We are with you.
  • Geannie
    Geannie Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB

    Thank you so much for your support. I've never been much of a "green thumb" person....yet it became part of my therapy....I'm excited to say I have become to grow that green thumb..hahahahahaha!
    Your plants will benefit a lot from that rain water!!!!

    Honesty, I was not quite ready to hear I had that tumor. I have had a continous cough, chest pain, increased heart palpitations, and difficulty swallowing......now I know why!

    Thanks again, MarcieB !!!!!!!!!
  • petieagnor
    petieagnor Member Posts: 110
    edited July 2021
    I got this today, Friday. I'm thankful that I'm still in my home of 42 yrs. I'm able to still clean & cook. Today, I had the carpet steam cleaned. My grandson is coming for a visit. I think I've mentioned that before. I have purpose again.
    Yes, everyone. Let's do thankful Thursdays. It keeps me from whining.
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    MarcieB, I love that book idea! Obviously, those who want to mention what they’re reading will do so. I can use book suggestions.
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    Geannie, I’m sorry this happened, but it’s good your doctor found it (as you said). Please keep us posted.
  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    Carool, I think it is a good idea too, I could use book suggestions as well. Maybe I'll wait for Monday to pose the question when more people are online?
  • Lorie
    Lorie Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2021
    Yes Geannie please keep up the spirit and keep us informed.
    OK, its Friday and I'm also thankful for the rain. . Always overcast all day and kinda nice to get a reprieve from the scorching sun we normally have all day. It's the Sunshine State but not for the past couple weeks or more.
  • Bug
    Bug Member Posts: 394
    edited July 2021
    Geannie, I'm so sorry about the discovery. I'm sending very best wishes to you. Please take care and do keep us posted. We're here for you - always.

    We could really use some rain here in California - and without the lightning strikes.

    My mother and I stayed at the Grand Hotel for a couple of nights about 30 years ago. It was lovely. My husband proposed on Mackinaw Island. We had been together five years and knew we were getting married but he made it official - down on one knee even. Very sweet.

    As for what I'm thankful for... The roof over my head.
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    Bug, that’s a lovely story, how your husband proposed. Makes me smile.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2021
    So I didn't get this until Sunday. I am thankful for my venture into starting a little chat group. I am thankful for the need to create rules and for the strength to say "These are the rules" to the first person who challenged me on them. Usually I will knuckle under, but I knew if I didn't stand my ground it would never get any better.
    That led to a couple of days of soul searching and really thinking about what makes ME happy and who "I" am. Over the past ten years, I have been trying so hard to be "pleasing" that I had pretty much surrendered to the fact that I was not permitted to have inner peace, and my happiness or joy was of no matter to anyone, including myself. I feel like an old house with lots of layers of paint and wallpaper. I hope to peel back the layers and find something I can work with to rebuild- even if it is pretty basic.
    Anyhow, I am thankful for some music and some messages from friends that reminded me that I am as "allowed" to take up space in this world as anyone else.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2021
    Geannie, I am sorry to see your unfortunate news but glad your doctor found it. I am also thankful for kind, caring and attentive healthcare workers.

    As many of you have mentioned, I too love the summertime fresh veggies. One of my very favorite things during the summer is Athena melons. They are sort of like canteloupe but sweeter. I have recently discovered that they have a much higher sugar content (hence the being sweeter) so I may have to cut my consumption a bit to not add so much extra sugar to my diet. I know it's natural sugar but still.... Anyhow, I also love sweet corn. I love butter beans, speckled butterbeans, black eyed peas. I like honeydew. The only melon I really don't like is the summer "favorite" of watermelon. It's always so grainy. It is definitely a texture thing for me. I don't really care for the flavor much either. I love strawberries and blackberries.

    Anyhow, summers were always a time for the vegetables. We would have vegetable plates at least twice a week when I was growing up. Whatever my mother picked up from the farmers market that week. Lots of peaches too. My dad made the BEST fresh peach ice cream. I wasn't one to just cut up peaches and eat them, but in ice cream- heck yeah.

    I am thankful for summertime memories- catching "lightning bugs" (a/k/a fireflies to some of you) in a mason jar with some holes poked in the lid. I loved being able to play outside in the yard later with the longer days. We could stay on the street (we lived on a street with 4 houses and we were the end of a dead end road. The road ended into our driveway) until "blue dark" (dusk when you could still see a little bit and didn't require lights) and then we had to go to our own yards. We pushed the envelope on that and would play as close to the fences as possible and pass things through the fences. Then when it got "black dark" where you couldn't see ANYTHING if the lights weren't on- we had to go inside.
  • Molly72
    Molly72 Member Posts: 227
    edited July 2021
    Love those melons-- up here in southern MI, we call them "Howell" Melons
    In Ohio believe it or not ,they are known as "Indiana" Melons
    They are deeeeelicious!
  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    legaljen, how do you cook those speckled butterbeans? My family does an annual North Carolina vacation (at least we used to before the virus messed us all up!) and we always go to a local Farmer Market that is wonderful - everything so fresh! I have seen those butterbeans and there are always signs that say, "YES! We Have Butterbeans!" so I know they must be good, but my family members are all Yankees...so there's that! What is the best way to prepare them?
  • Lorie
    Lorie Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2021
    Thankful Summertime says Cukes, Cantaloupes and Corn to me. Fresh tomatoes too. I was picking thru fresh corn at the store and somebody asked why I was peeling the husk to look. Upstate NY, we knew when each farmer picked the corn and went to the freshest, younger ones.
  • Ashera
    Ashera Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2021
    Hi everyone! As usual, late to the party cause the newsletter was late again. What's up with all that?
    Anyway - Thankful for all of you! Just realized in reading through the above - the images, words, ideas, memories etc - are in my brain now! I'll be out driving, and be reminded of someone saying "fireflies" instead of lightening bugs (which I did the maison jar thing with punched holes too when I was a little girl...to remembering I loved orange/chocolate too, to thinking about the fabulus book series....You guys are 'friends' - a lot closer than those that might be physically closer.

    MarcieB, start a BOOK thread - I'm with Carool. The books that get us through whatever - a long dark winter, a long dark treatment period, or a vow to read a certain series by the end of the summer! So, I guess I'm thankful for books!!!
  • MarcieB
    MarcieB Member Posts: 528
    edited July 2021
    Ashera, I DID start a book post! Look it up and add your input!
  • Ashera
    Ashera Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2021
    Thanks MarcieB...found it!
  • Geannie
    Geannie Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2021
    Good morning everyone!

    I already got scheduled for a biopsy. It will be during the month of July. Staying optimistic and trying to keep myself busy to overpower that worrisome part of me!

    Thanks for the positive vibes and I will definitely keep you posted!

    Today's task:
    Reorganize my bedroom closet!

    Have a wonderful day everyone!

    From: Geannie
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2021
    Marcie, my mother and grandmother were the butterbean cooks. I understand it's good to blanch them first. I am a "southern cook" so I usually cook them with a ham hock or smoked turkey neckbone and let them boil a bit and then simmer them for a while until they are a consistency I like. I have also browned some bacon or pancetta and let the renderings stay in the pot to add the seasoning. I cook my green beans pretty much the same way. I can do the butterbeans without the smoked meats too. But that's how I usually do it.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2021
    It may seem odd, but I am incredibly thankful to see little to no activity in my little Facebook chat group. It means everyone is congregating here and the page is not needed. Hooray.
  • Lorie
    Lorie Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2021
    I second that Legaljen
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited July 2021
    Geannie, I’m glad your biopsy will be relatively soon.

    legaljen, I agree, though it’d be good if more FB people could also join your group.

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