I did the right thing by these three. Yes-in-deed-y!

Hungry for vegetables. Last week I asked Lamont to pick up asparagus, green beans, and squash for me at Freddie's. Earlier I had sauteed the two squash he bought, and I'd already steamed and finished off part of the broccoli that Leland had picked up for me on an earlier trip to the grocery store. Instead of eating the leftover squash, I decided to cook the rest of what I had in the frig.



Am I ever glad that I did! Steamed to tenderness, then sprinkled with Maldon Sea Salt flakes while still in the pot. Once I'd transferred a helping to my plate, I forked on a bit of Land o'Lakes butter. Then I ate every bite, thankful for my helpful sons and my capability to prepare these for myself. I'm on the mend. And so blessed--I get to eat leftovers today!



And a final view. Yep, I'm obsessed with how they look because I know how they taste.

Happy 4th of July, from the housebound me.

So, I've been up for hours and hours, ate leftover grits for breakfast, sat outside in my folding aluminum lawn chair where there was no action to watch, just the magnificent shade and sunshine and low humidity--hooray. Then I came inside and gave myself the 7th out of 14 Lovenox shots. About 30 minutes later, I realized I wanted a mid-morning snack. As I gathered the containers of berries from the frig, I had an idea.

Since I am not able to be out and about to take some patriotic photos on this, America's birthday, I'll come up with something right here in my own kitchen!

What could be more American than fresh red berries, white Nabisco Saltines, and blueberries? Nothing, I say. Plus, you see my glass of cool water, straight from the tap, a true blessing.

I am an American, thankful for these blessings here in my kitchen and all of the others that I enjoy each day. Thank you to everyone who works diligently to protect our blessings and who works to allow those blessings to belong to every American, period.

My Mother's Day Blessings

Almost 20 years ago, my Daddy's sister, my Aunt Baker stands behind her mother, Vivian--Ma to me. I'm standing behind my Mama who is sitting beside her mother, Sudie--Mama Sudie to me. We're in Mama and Daddy's backyard where we gathered for Mother's Day. I don't know the exact year, the mid to late 1980s is my best guess.


Mama Sudie, about 84 years old, at Ma's 90th birthday party.

Lamont, Ma, and Leland, at her 90th birthday party, 1988.


Lamont and Leland, early 1979. Lamont is three, Leland is a few months. Their hair is not red, that's the tint of the particular photo.

There's more where this comes from ...

... at Mama and Me from PDX. I'm here to tell you, it was something to be thankful for, that scrumptious food cooked by my wonderful sons. Our blessings overflow every single day.

Last Minute Holiday Dinner Shopping, a la KGW Channel 8

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, please accept our best wishes for you and your family today as you count your blessings. Naturally, we willingly send the same sort of wishes to everyone, every day.



After work Wednesday evening I got off the bus at NW 23rd and West Burnside, the intersection that had all of those red trees in a row a few weeks ago. I wanted to go to Zupan's to find a suitable dessert for Thanksgiving dinner. Lamont and Leland are cooking.

As I walked up to the door, I noticed this TV remote van. Ah, I wondered, where's the reporter? Distracted by the dessert hunt, I didn't spy her until I had exited the door after securing a scrumptious looking small cheesecake.



There she stood, waiting until time to go live. After taking a few photos, I turned to walk to the corner. I called Mama and asked her to make sure the TV was on Channel 8, thinking she might like to see one of our nearby grocery stores on television.



Right after I got inside the apartment, I heard the news anchor say something about last minute shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. This is the first shot I got as the spot started. For a bit, they ran tape of her earlier visit to a New Season supermarket where someone from New Seasons mentioned how popular brussels sprouts are at the holidays. Then they cut back to the reporter live at Zupan's.



She's pushing a grocery cart as she talks. Recognize that fresh vegetable?



Finally, the reporter's name appears on the screen as she finishes her report.

I pondered walking back over to the store to get some brussels sprouts, but to tell you the truth, I'm hoping the guys already got some. We ate with them on Nov. 12 and dined on those truly divine little pale green gems as one of the vegetables accompanying a delicious roast beef.

I believe this hymn fits Thanksgiving perfectly.

"Count Your Blessings," words Johnson Oatman, Jr.; music Edwin O. Excell.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain