Every Day Is Like Christmas/#1LinerWednesday/#9GoodThings

 No? What do you mean? 

In a world where so much ugliness slithers its way into our lives even as we struggle to find the beauty there, it can seem that the only day when people really share and care is Christmas. 

If we just take a moment to step back and examine what the most beloved holiday of the year represents, we might realize that we experience its magic nearly every day of our lives. Friendship, gifts, love, beauty, brilliance and hope. And if we remember that little overblown holiday between Fright Night and Commercialism’s favorite day, we could add thanksgiving to our list. 

So, starting off my list of Good Things is…

1) Traditions

Okay, okay. Yes, this a photo of Harry Potter and you might wonder how it fits in with my theme. Well, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter movie franchise. I saw this film with my youngest son and it set in motion a tradition for he and I that went on for all the years of the story’s unfolding on the big screen. Harry holds a special place in our hearts. My son even buys me Lego Potter sets to build. It is a magical story that somehow screams of the holidays, likely because they often celebrated Christmas in the films. And it just makes you feel good. 

Spending time with my kids has always been the greatest gift in the world and a very good thing.

 2) Nature..

Living in such an eco diverse country brings so many moments of magical wonder. This is a Silkmoth Caterpillar. You don’t want to cuddle it. Those feelers pack quite a sting. But if left to continue its business will one day become a gorgeous adult moth. 

I’ve seen one up close and they are so amazing. 

Pretty huh? 

3) Friendship and generosity..

How about this face? Meet Buzzbee. Yes, he’s a hedgehog. He has a brother named Weed who is a bit more shy. These brothers from the bushes are some of the cool ‘children’ of the sweet people who created our little residential oasis here. Les and Julie have a deep love of all things natural. They cultivate a wide variety of garden treasures in their greenhouse, raise chickens and quail and have turned a simple piece of property into an extraordinary bit of paradise.  They happily share its bounty with all of us who live here and for this we are thankful.

4) Playtime..

Every evening is outdoor fun time for the little guys with their frisky, in-charge brother Trek keeping watch!

I love making new friends. 😀

5) A safe place to snuggle..

The hedgehogs love running around in the grass and hiding in their burrows on the hill.

Isn’t this a face you can’t resist? ❤️❤️

6) Caring and sharing..

Our hosts Les and Julie are a lovely couple who appreciate their life here in Panama and share with others whenever they can. Julie is involved in community efforts and helps organize and work charity events as well as networking to keep the ladies of Boquete connected. Les is a conscientious gardener and kindly shares the ‘fruits’ of his labors . 😱The lemons. 

Julie and Buzzbee! 🤗

7) Thoughtfulness

I was sorely needing a ‘little Christmas’ and since Thanksgiving is not an official holiday here, I was more than happy to start jingling some bells. 

This little tree was ours when we spent Christmas here last year, before the disaster. My sweet friend from where we lived before saved it for me, knowing we would return. Thanks Lissy for the encouragement and support during our hardship! We have been blessed with good friends and loving family. 

8) Having a magical tree decorating hat! 😜

What do you think, is the magic working? 

9) Ending the day watching one of my favorite shows..

The Great British Baking Show 🥰

with a snack…🤭

How about sharing your good things with me here? 

Louis expressed it best..

Trek to the Castle/#9GoodThings

 It was a very long wonderful day and I am pooped in the best kind of way. So, I will give you my gratitude list in photos. Thursday I’ll give a more detailed post. Here you go on this 9th day of November..

9 Good Things

1) New herbs to care for! Mexican sage, thyme and tarragon.

2) Breakfast guests waiting their turn at the fruit bar

(They heard about the worms in the orange!) 🤦‍♀️😱

Little red is our favorite

3) Lunch at Tree Trek 

(I swear I’m hitting the zipline next time)

4) Spending time with these terrific ladies and about 15 others.

5) Side trip on the way home to a little hidden Italian restaurant. What a gorgeous place. Hope to have dinner there soon. 

6) We visited a castle! While it isn’t ancient, it is an amazing place with cabinas and a gorgeous terrace where we sipped our drinks and chatted. ❤️❤️

How about this? 

7) Rosemary Gin and Tonic cocktails

Thanks Julie! 🤗

8) I may never get used to these views. Takes my breath away..

9) This beautiful flower is as large as my face! 

I never see a castle without hearing this one in my head. Kris Kristofferson.. 😍

How many good things were in your day?

Try counting them and you may be surprised! 😉

Like a Whisper/#9GoodThings

 Hi, 

Here we are again, at the close of another day filled with good things. There really are so many. My first and number one good thing actually occurred last night.

My hubby started doing the dinner dishes ( we have a pact-I cook, he cleans, even for baking projects!) Did I ever tell you how amazing he is?😊

Well, as soon as he squeezed out the Dawn detergent a tiny bubble floated over to where I sat on the bed and settled a few inches from me. I’m very accustomed to bubbles and their longevity but this little dude had staying power. Only a few mm in diameter, I though surely it would be gone in a few seconds. 

But, I took a dozen photos and two videos, all the while it swirled happily beside me. Finally, I decided to get my macro lens and try to get an amazing shot. I was about 9 seconds in when ..poof! It disappeared. It occurred to me in that magnificent moment of revelation and loss that this was no ordinary tiny bubble. It was there to teach me, as all things that come into my life do. 

1) We must always ‘see’ the world around us, for even the most seemingly insignificant moments are there  to help us move forward in our journey. 

2) Life is fleeting. Amazing, perfect, beautiful, magnificent, mesmerizing and all encompassing-until it is no more. Poof! Done. In the blink of an eye, the breath of a whisper or the hiccup in time. 

3) Savor the moments. I can’t emphasize this enough. In a life well lived there is no moment too small to be treasured. Even the sad or ‘bad’ ones work together for the good of the All That Is. Life is expression and without observation and experience, these expressions are as good as wasted. 

It’s there. Can you find it? 

There, in the center of that circle..

Isn’t it brilliant? 

And lingering, waiting, patiently…

Magnificently!

And then it was gone….

But today had more good things…

4) Moving one step closer to residency! 

5) New mixer for all those holiday goodies! 👍🏻👍🏻

6) Taking a look at our little town casino. No.  We don’t mind gambling now and then. But we have no interest in making a direct deposit. 🤪

7) Late breakfast at Isabella’s. The food is wonderful and what a bargain.  We both ate and drank for under $15. 😍

Egg, ham and cheese crepe

BLT with fries

8) Another wonderful day with my best bud.

And what a nice surprise!

9) An impromptu Happy Hour with my new friend. Bread, cheese, wonderful conversation. Kindred spirits! 

And how was your Monday? 

I will remember…will you? 

Fringe Benefits/ #9GoodThings

As if we needed any fringe benefits here, but yeah they exist! And at the top of that list is number one of my 9 Good Things for today, November 7, 2021. Drumroll please…

And the number one good (great) thing about today in Panama iiiiis…..

1) No Daylight Savings Time! 💃🏼🕺🥂

I have loathed DST since I was in school, having to catch the bus in the dark or sliding in to ‘home’ base with only an hour of daylight left after homework and chores. Then when my own kids were in school it was worse. Sending them off to school in the dark, dragging them in screaming and kicking because it was still full light and they wanted to play until the sun set.🤦‍♀️

No more losing an hour of sleep or gaining an imaginary fleeting hour, all for no real reason beyond the original idea which actually only benefited retailers. Sighhhhh…..

2) Taking an unexpected nice long hike with a new friend. And she lives in our little community! We went further up the road than I have been before and took a side rode as well. It started sprinkling on the way back but more like a mist that just cooled us off. The views! 

The weather was perfect. Sunny but cool and breezy.

3) I live in the mountains! 4700 feet. I have to pinch myself every few days. Or take a hike. 🤭

4) I can always dream about living in one of these houses. 😊

5) Little red was one of a dozen colorful birds who showed up for fresh orange juice. 

6) We got this pod of Amaryllis seeds from the lady who sells avocados. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

(The seed in the background is not one of those)

7) If you love tuna, no words necessary. If not, move along. No words necessary. 😶

8) Trying out some cookie recipes in my little ‘Suzy Homemaker’ gas oven before the holidays are upon us. 😋

9) Managing to get two good peeled eggs out of the five fresh ones I boiled. I’m trying all the tricks but it’s the membrane and shell attachment of the fresh eggs that cause the mischief. Any suggestions welcome. Remember, these are uber fresh eggs so tricks for store bought eggs are not effective. 

Finally! A few deviled eggs that I have been dreaming of. My needs are small and my excitement mighty. 😜

I hope your day has been filled with exceptionally good things. 

And, speaking of time…

One of my faves by the lyrics master.

My Pad or Yours? #SoCS

 

My dear, how sad 

you look today.

Put down your load,

come out to play! 

The sun is high,

the breeze is soft,

tickling my wings,

carried aloft

I soar! 

I see it now

and wonder how

you can resist

another tryst

with life.

The twinkle waits

deep in your eye,

the hint of smile

lingering by,

So why

do you hesitate? 

Come closer, yes

and now you see

how grand a day

you’d spend with me

in Paradise.

Spread your wings high,

come with me-fly! 

The moonbeams wait,

we can’t be late

this time!

Ocean waves crash

and mountains peak

thrills standing by

for those who seek

them out.

 We’ll sip the dew

from a rose petal,

the red of course,

oh why settle

for the pink?

Come along now,

please don’t tarry!

Today is the day

 Toad will marry

Miss Frog.

It will be grand,

the pond will sing,

the faeries dance,

the spiders swing

from silken strands.

And then, when spent

we languid lie

beneath the moon,

where fireflies 

like

lanterns glow.

Now aren’t you glad

you came outside,

leaving shadows

instead to hide

in plain sight?

What fun to leave

our cares behind

 spinning, whirling

our minds unwind!

Shall we do this 

every day?

We’ll make a date,

coordinate-

Oh say!

My name’s Whisper.

What’s yours?

CKP copyright words and photos 2021

This post brought to you by Linda Hill’s #SoCS prompt. Visit the link to her blog for more great posts.

Smoke and Mirrors/Flash Fiction

Photo courtesy Free Upload Unsplash

 Check the link to a short story piece I wrote awhile back. I’d love to hear your thoughts. This was my first foray into Flash Fiction in quite awhile. 

Smoke and Mirrors/When the Magic Fails

Thanks! 

Cheryl