Personal notes of gratitude

Post 4/2024. So soon started, January’s ending. February’s in the wings. Today is not a day to turn philosophical, whimsical, analytical, or some such reflection thing concerning the passage of time. I’ll just touch on personal notes of gratitude.

Notes of gratitude

I’m grateful for times with friends at dinner. Last week at our home and this week with neighbors. Makes time stand still.

I’m grateful for the ducks who returned to the pond outside our home after disappearing during the deep cold snap.

I’m grateful for the example of Amish people focused on family, faith, helping each other and others while maintaining–with adaptations–a way of life that began with their formation in 1693 in Switzerland. Here, traveling along US 20 in LaGrange County, Indiana. Will this project call for a work bee?

I’m grateful for ice-free sidewalks and streets. We passed here in walking to Cabin Coffee on Saturday.

I’m grateful for bounty gathered in cookbooks. I made chili from a recipe in this cookbook published by The Service League of Natchitoches, Inc., Natchitoches, Louisiana, founded 1714. Yes, 1714. Book published in 1974, Fourth Printing in 1980.
Simple, straightforward recipe, with a few adaptations.

I’m grateful for the varied foods available for body, mind and spirit. I adapted this chili recipe, a bit, from Mrs. Anne Mathis in Cane River Cuisine.

CHILI: Brown ground meat. Do not add grease. Add onions, peppers, celery, garlic and seasonings. Sauté until clear. Add canned tomatoes, chopped into small pieces. Add water and simmer for 2 to 3 hours. Add chili beans and cook 1/2 to 1 hour longer. Serves 6. (I used chopped tomatoes, less salt, and all was ready in one-and-a-half hours). True to form, we had servings for three meals.

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 pods garlic, cut fine
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
Pepper to taste
2 (16-ounce) cans whole tomatoes
2 (16-ounce) cans whole tomatoes
1 cup water
Serves 6
1 can Mexican chili beans

Tonight, as darkness has fallen, I’m grateful for Sunday worship at College Mennonite Church with the worship service led by students who make up a traveling troupe called Parables. They led us on the theme, Walk in the Light. Well done. Well done. I’m grateful for the rest of the day: last of the chili for lunch. A nap. A walk. This blog. Now a few programs on TV, including Around the World in 80 Days and All Creatures Great and Small. Then an hour for reading. A new week is underway!

Happy days.

-John

4 thoughts on “Personal notes of gratitude”

Monty Williams

Thanks, John. Your Chili looks good! So

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January 30, 2024 at 8:47 pm Reply
1. John Bender
  
  Yes, the countdown is on. Grateful for all that is coming together. Lots of sun these days of February so far. Must be nice where you are, too. Best!
  
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  February 4, 2024 at 10:49 pm Reply
Kaye

Well said. We often take for granted the very things that are deserving of our gratitude. I’m grateful for this hot cup of coffee I’m enjoying right now. Gratitude can change common days into thanksgivings.

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February 2, 2024 at 3:07 pm Reply
1. John Bender
  
  Coffee, tea, hot chocolate fine beverages for these days. I like your thought that gratitude “can change common days into thanksgivings.” Yes!
  
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  February 4, 2024 at 10:51 pm Reply