For my 40th birthday today, I decided to trade my 2008 Jeep Liberty Limited 4X4 for a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Umm...just kidding. Seriously, Murphy's Law is still in effect and my Liberty is at the dealership getting the blower fan (for the heater, front defroster, and air conditioning) repaired as well as a few minor other things. The Liberty was to be fixed within a matter of two hours. However, it was DELAYED because the part was not in stock at the dealership. The part had to be ordered locally. Well, when the part was pulled from the shelf at another dealership, the part was found to be damaged and had to be reordered! Therefore, since the Liberty has to stay overnight at the dealership, I don't have a vehicle to drive...and the extended warranty covers a "loaner" (the Caravan). I am thankful for the loaner, especially since this is NOT how I wanted my 40th birthday to be like...along with clouds, rain, and some wind. Oh, what fun! LOL!

[SANSDADDY] 2010 Christmas Holiday Greetings

Below is a copy of my annual Christmas Holiday Greeting email which I usually send out. However, since some of you who used to receive them are NOW on Facebook, I'm not sending you an email cause I'm basically stating the same thing. (There might be some emails which slip past me though.)

From: gregory edward johnson
Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2009 2:00 AM
To: gregory edward johnson
Subject: [SANSDADDY] 2010 Christmas Holiday Greetings

Hi All,

I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays as well as a great start to 2011! What a year it has been...and it really does seem very strange that 2010 is practically over. Time certainly flies when you get older...and I'll be officially in my "late 30's" in February...but, I will say I'll be two years from forty. (When I did get older???)

It is also hard to believe that it's THIS time of year again...and I'm still breaking a tradition of mine and NOT sending out a long email (post on the blog/notes) since some of you are on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and can read up on what's happening in my life there. (Same goes for the blog. I've also been in contact with practically all of you this past year too in some form.)

Here are "some" of the web sites of my blog, Facebook profile, Fotki (photography) site, etc....

http://rettaman.blogspot.com/ (which isn't updated that much anymore since I'm on Facebook more)

http://public.fotki.com/rettaman (the same photo site which I've been using since 2003, but I've been uploading photos to Facebook more lately)

http://www.facebook.com/rettaman (FACEBOOK really has changed my life, especially how I've contacted people lately! It's rare that I send email now. In fact, I've trimmed my email list now since quite a few people on the list are part of my FB contact "friend" list.)

http://www.youtube.com/user/rettaman (my YouTube account...some video which I've recorded of the North Carolina State Fair, etc.)

http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryedwardjohnson (my LinkedIn profile...strictly professional)

http://www.twitter.com/rettaman

http://www.friendfeed.com/rettaman

As far as what I'll be doing for Christmas, I'll be spending time with my Dad's side of the family (even though it's now been six years since Dad's passing) and Grandma Thelma (Mom's mom) who's 95...and this year, I'll actually miss her cooking since she's not able to cook anymore. Some of you know that her health has failed in the past year with various countless concerns...and she has encountered many falls and broken bones too. In February, she fell and broke her neck (but not paralyzed or anything like that). My Mom stayed with Grandma for a few months then. In late June / early July, she fell and broke her left shoulder and while she was in the rehab facility, she was transferred to a rest home.

As a result of these falls and other reasons not disclosed, Grandma's not living in her own home anymore. Even during her stay in the rest home, she's had a few falls...the latest on October 31st and she broke her left arm near the shoulder then. This really has been trying for the family, but it's good she's still here and it's also good to be able to spend another Christmas with her because I know that these Christmases will be fewer as time passes. It truly is a miracle that Grandma is still here with us!!!

As far as my job, I'm still with the same company I've been with since May of 2008. I still am doing photography on the side as a personal hobby as well as a "business" (which still has NOT grown as much as I would like for it too) and a ministry for various churches, etc. I am still not quite as disciplined at doing some aspects (more like the editing and uploading) of the photography as I used to be. But, I still am glad that I am still doing it.

Well, I need to close for now. (I think my long emails might be a thing of the past???) Anyway, take care of yourselves, enjoy fellowship with family & friends, and be safe if any of you are traveling! (Hope to hear from you!)

Sincerely,

Gregory E. Johnson

PS - As I mentioned to several of you previously, September 30th marked the six year anniversary of my Dad's death from brain/lung cancer. Hard to believe it's been SIX years, but it has.

Remembering Petey - R.I.P. - May 19th, 1985 @ 1:55 PM

Even though it's been twenty-five years since Parvo took you from us after you graced us with your presence for only two months, you're still in thought.

I remember when I got you with my Dad from the Starway Flea Market in Wilmington in late March of 1985. (I think my Dad drove the Scout to get you.) You were the runt of the litter and you literally won over our hearts...especially my sister's. You actually were allowed in the house and that was a FIRST!!! No pet we had could ever be allowed in the house, but you were.

I remember that you actually were taken to Wallace for Easter and I think everybody loved you. I remember how you loved to chase the tennis balls I threw to you. I remember when you got sick and my Dad tried his best to get the vets to make you well. I remember the day you died. I was swimming with a friend of mine (Jeff Wiggs) at the KOA campground in Ogden and when I got home, my parents told me you died. I literally was hurt and felt lost. I cried very hard. I was only twelve at the time. Little would I know what the next twenty-five years would hold...including my family moving away from Wilmington to Garner as well as several deaths of family members (including Dad).

Even though you were just a puppy, you did hold a special place in our lives for a couple of months. So, today, you're back in my thoughts again.

A LONG AWAITED VACAY TO THE OUTER BANKS!!! :-)

I'm so happy that I'm finally taking a vacay to the Outer Banks (more specifically Duck) next week!!! It's been DECADES since I've been to the OBX (with the exception of the Crystal Coast beaches) and I've been wanting to go back for years.

I went to the OBX first time in 1973 when I was a few months old with my parents, sister, and my Dad's brother and his family, then in 1982 with my parents and sister, and finally in 1988 for a day trip with the history club in my high school. My family's been to the OBX more times than I have! (My parents, sister, and nephews even went in the summer of 2004...a few months before my Dad passed away from cancer. Then, my Mom, sister, and nephews went back in 2006...and I decided not to go.) Obviously, friends of mine have been there more than I have too...such as some of you.

I'll be driving my Jeep Liberty and I hope I'll be doing some four-wheelin'...probably up in Corolla. Need to check out the lighthouses too. Obviously, I'll be taking pictures and doing some sight-seeing in addition to the lighthouses. Hopefully, I'll have a great time and I'll be spending it with friends. :-)

PS - Do any of you have suggestions of what to do? I know Jockey's Ridge is there as well as Kitty Hawk, the Wright Brothers Memorial, the Lighthouses (duh!), the Lost Colony (not open yet, though), and other attractions.

Facebook Appears Glitchy Saturday - ABC News

Facebook Appears Glitchy Saturday - ABC News

It seems as though I'm not the only one having problems with Facebook today (February 20th). It has been an annoying thorn in my side today (unfortunately) and at times, I can't even view my own profile, send messages, or upload a picture and when I do, it shows a picture I uploaded last week! At times, it even has reverted back to the old homepage view. But, I won't be doing much FB this weekend as I'm headed out of town to see my Grandma Thelma....and I posted this TWO times on Facebook itself. The first one vanished! I know it won't vanish on my blog, though. Regardless, I think it's time for me to leave and log off before Facebook begins to annoy me more with this glitch. (Breathe in, breathe out!) Oh, by the way, the first link showed up again a few moments ago. WTH???

Thinking about Haiti...and its LONG Struggle...and Pat Robertson?!?!

I have been thinking so much about Haiti and the people there as of late. I have been also reading up on its history and "forgot" how many difficulties Haiti has endured over the years (really, the past few HUNDRED years)....such as slavery, riots, floods, hurricanes, political strife, extreme poverty, disease, etc.I encourage you to read about Haiti's history - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34831414/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/?gt1=43001. Very interesting to say the least...and it's near many vacation destinations and places where people have been on mission trips with churches, etc. (I was in Cuba during March of 1993 as well as in Ecuador in February of 1999 on mission trips...and to the Bahamas in August of 2007 on a cruise. I know MANY of you have been to the BVI's, Bahamas, and other places for vacations and mission trips too. You know what it's like to be there.)

I really do wonder if Haiti will EVER recover from this terrible earthquake. They're the poorest and least developed country in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of the population live in poverty. (Reading these statistics is staggering...especially knowing where Haiti is, geography-wise.) They've already been through enough hell on earth....and this earthquake really did make bad matters worse. It's like one step forward and twenty steps backward for them.

My prayers are with them.

Also, did you know that less than 3000 people perished in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks and less than 2000 people died from Hurricane Katrina in September of 2005??? Over 123,000 lost their lives in the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the death toll estimate for the Haitian earthquake is over 100000. Thousands die in wars across the world. I'm not discounting 9/11 or Katrina because those events did hit home, but it seems as though the United States really has been blessed and taken care of!! Something to think about.

Oh, this is a little off-subject, still not too far...what are some of your views about Pat Robertson and his comments about the Haitian earthquake? http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1953504,00.html. This disturbs me.

Talk about bad timing! It would've been like someone telling me at my Dad's funeral when I was grieving that it was tobacco which eventually killed my Dad...and that my Dad was taking a chance by smoking for years...even though he did quit. (There could've been some truth to that and yes, there are Biblical prophesies concerning earthquakes and the end times - http://ldolphin.org/quakes.html, but timing is the key for some things.)

There are also SO many Facebook groups and pages (some of them too vulgar and hateful) AGAINST Pat Robertson especially since he mentioned that the Haitian earthquake is a result of a pact the Haitians made in 1791 (well over 200 years ago) with Satan so they could be free of French rule. Just do an Internet search for more detail. It's crazy because I wonder if the California earthquakes were caused by a pact made with Satan back in the 1800's. I'm sure Pat Robertson would say so! The Haitians need our prayers and help, NOT our judgment in this day and age! Also, has Pat Robertson forgotten that many American Christians (serving as missionaries) did DIE in Haiti during the earthquake?

[SANSDADDY] 2009 Christmas Holiday Greetings

Below is a copy of my annual Christmas Holiday Greeting email which I usually send out. However, since some of you who used to receive them are NOW on Facebook, I'm not sending you an email cause I'm basically stating the same thing. (There might be some emails which slip past me though.)

From: gregory edward johnson
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 3:00 AM
To: gregory edward johnson
Subject: [SANSDADDY] 2009 Christmas Holiday Greetings

Hi All,

I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays as well as a great start to 2010! What a year it has been...especially with all of the celebrity hoopla with deaths, affairs, etc. Also, a new decade is upon us. Weird, isn't it??? Just saying TWENTY TEN sounds so futuristic. Oh well. Time certainly flies when you get older.

Speaking of which, it's hard to believe that it's THIS time of year again...and I'm still breaking a tradition of mine and NOT sending out a long email (post on the blog/notes) since some of you are on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and can read up on what's happening in my life there. (Same goes for the blog. I've also been in contact with practically all of you this past year too in some form.)

Here are the web sites of my blog, Facebook profile, Fotki (photography) site, etc....

http://rettaman.blogspot.com (which isn't updated that much anymore since I'm on Facebook more)

http://public.fotki.com/rettaman (the same photo site which I've been using since 2003, but I've been uploading photos to Facebook more lately)

http://www.facebook.com/rettaman (FACEBOOK really has changed my life, especially how I've contacted people lately! It's rare that I send email now. In fact, I've trimmed my email list now since quite a few people on the list are part of my FB contact "friend" list. Maybe I should try to send them emails again??? Nah.)

There also have been other holiday traditions this year which have been broken, but not what I planned on. Fortunately, some traditions which were broken last year are coming back this year...and there is ONE tradition which will hold true and it's me spending time with my Grandma Thelma (Mom's mom) who's 94, still going strong mostly, living in her own house, and doing as well as she can at her age. I know she'll be cooking something as she always has. My Mom told me that Grandma did cook several things even though she is aging and not as agile as she used to be. It's good to be able to spend another Christmas with her because I know that these Christmases will be fewer as time passes.

Also, I know that some of you did know that a few days after Grandma turned 94 this past April, she fell and it was a very nasty fall. She had a bad gash on her forehead, lost quite a bit of blood, and fractured her left wrist. She was in the hospital for a week. My Mom spent the better part of two months with Grandma (at Grandma's home) tending to her and just helping the best she could. It's a miracle that Grandma is still here with us!!!

As far as my job, I'm still with the same company I've been with since May of 2008. I still am doing photography on the side as a personal hobby as well as a "business" (which has NOT grown as much as I would like for it too) and a ministry for various churches, etc. I am not quite as disciplined at doing some aspects (more like the editing and uploading) of the photography as I used to be. But, I still am glad that I am still doing it even though I was almost tempted to take a break from it in 2010.

Well, I need to close for now. (I think my long emails might be a thing of the past???) Anyway, take care of yourselves, enjoy fellowship with family & friends, and be safe if any of you are traveling! (Hope to hear from you!)

Sincerely,
Gregory E. Johnson

PS - As I mentioned to several of you previously, September 30th marked the five year anniversary of my Dad's death from brain/lung cancer. Hard to believe it's been FIVE years, but it has.

Ah, the Passing of Time...

Why can't the Facebook Mini-Feed be more PRIVATE??? BIG BROTHER is watching us and we're allowing him...

I'm still at Grandma's as I type this and I'm using dial-up and can't be too long.

Anyway, I'm just wondering why can't the FB mini-feed be more PRIVATE. I've had the ability to look at my own profile from another's point-of-view and have seen how much stuff I do is on the mini-feed EVEN when I take things off my wall. Also, I've seen my live feed...and it details everything...again, when I might "erase" what I've done. Not that I'm doing anything illegal or whatever. (For example, if I change my profile picture five times within five minutes, the live feed says that I've done so. I can erase it from my wall, but not from the feed.)

This really is becoming a concern for me and it seems as though BIG BROTHER (Orwell's 1984 type) is really coming into play now...and we've allowed it to occur through our FB profiles, cell phones, text messaging (which I do NOT do), online activity, etc. Does any of this concern you? I've been online for ten years now and FB is wonderful and great, but the feeds are beginning to concern me. I guess that regular email and even blogs might be safer than Facebook. (Yes, I know that I'm guilty. Just see how many photo uploads, etc. I've done within the past few months, etc.)

FB does have the feature of having certain things not being posted on the wall and mini-feed...but NOT everything. I do want to be able to share things, but NOT everything. Contrary to belief, I do not share everything....and I'm glad I don't. But, I'm alive and do have things to offer...at least, I hope I do in order to make this world a better place. Many of you do too and have been blessings to me. Thank you.

Well, I need to go now. Time to get ready to go back home so I can be at my job at 3:30 PM. I guess that's a good thing about the second shift. I at least got a chance to stay over at Grandma's last night.

I'm at Grandma's!!!

I'm at my Grandma Thelma's as I type this. I'm staying the night with her and it wasn't planned. As I probably mentioned in a note last week, one of her brothers (the youngest one) had a stroke and he's been moved toward the coast now. After going to church today (Sunday), I decided to make the trip there to see him and have Grandma go with me. I'm glad I did. Anyway, I'm tired and need to go to bed. Bye for now. (It's also good to see Grandma again. Haven't seen her since Christmas.)

The Day of my Actual Birthday - 2009 Style!

Well, another birthday has already come and gone. As for the actual day (February 19th), I woke up about 1 PM due to my work schedule which has caused my sleep schedule to be OFF. I went into to my job at 3:30 PM and stayed there literally with only ONE other person (practically alone, though!) from 8 PM until 1 AM.

So, I really didn't have as much fun and fellowship as I would like to have had. I can't do anything this evening (Friday the 20th) due to my work schedule and I have conflicts this weekend. Then I have to work every evening (as usual) next week. That only leaves me Saturday evening, February 28th when I'm hosting a private party for myself with a few friends. I hope my friends don't stand me up. I really wouldn't like that! I might then do some "unfriending" myself. (Just kidding.) :-)

I also had TWO people unfriend me on my birthday. I do know both of them are....and I have blocked one of them! (This person is still on FB...and I can tell that they did remove me. Can you say nerve? LOL! They probably were just culling their list.) As for the second person, they actually wished me a Happy Birthday...and they might've just disabled their account after the greeting. I can't find them anywhere. Oh well. I usually would be upset about it. (I'm smiling.) :-) (I know I am blessed just by reading what has been posted on my wall. I'm getting better at handling things.)

This is the "second" birthday I've "celebrated" on Facebook and I can say that Facebook birthdays are rather unique. Thanks for helping me have a great day even though I may not have a chance to literally spend it the way I want to in the physical presence of people. But, I will say that I feel better about this birthday than I did last birthday. May all of you have a good day as well.

PS - I did receive a gift card to the Cracker Barrel and did eat there on my birthday BY MYSELF (as usual). Oh well. I can't wait until the 28th!!! Life is good.

Might be taking a break from FB & disable my account for a while?

This needs to be a very short note since it's very late as I type this and I really need to be in the bed asleep so I can have enough energy and stamina to work and do all of that other crazy stuff life throws at you.

Anyway, I've been on Facebook since February 5th, 2008 and I'm very tempted to disable my account for a while. I've been unfriended a few times recently and it might be because I've been cramming too much stuff in the mini-feed of some of my friends. What friends they are??? Don't know. If I could separate the mini-feed from my profile, I would!!! Duh. (For example, this note might find its way into one of your mini-feeds even though I don't want it to.)

Maybe I've been posting too many pictures??? If people KNOW me as they do, then they know I do love photography even though at times the photography can be rather "whatever" to me too. (Does that sound cruel and harsh? I hope not. I'm just trying to sort more things out and not lose any more friends and sanity in my life cause I really do need it.) Better be glad that I don't have my status updates talking about LOST or 24. :-)

There are also certain FB features and other things on FB which I've found to be annoying...and no, I'll not share what they are. I will say that maybe a break from FB will be a good thing. I'm not sure when or how soon, but it might be within the near future. However, if I do disable my account, then it might appear that I myself have "unfriended" my friends...whom I would much rather refer to as followers because if I call them friends and they're not my friends anymore, should I freak out and even send emails to them asking them to remove my email address from their lists, etc.??? (Oops...getting off on a tangent.)

I guess that I just have to see what happens. It's a paradox of how I thought FB would make me feel closer to people and keep in contact with them better (which has been true) while at times I've been feeling distant. Fortunately, I've been readjusting my thoughts within the past few days...and I do feel better.

Oh, if I do go, I'll be back...I hope.

Peace!

[SANSDADDY] 2008 Christmas Holiday Greetings - SHORT!!!

I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays as well as a great start to 2009!!!

It's hard to believe that it's THAT time of year again...and I'm breaking a tradition of mine and NOT sending out a long email (post on the blog/notes) since some of you are on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and can read up on what's happening in my life there. (Same goes for the blog. I've also been in contact with practically all of you this past year too in some form.)

There also have been other "broken" traditions...such as me NOT driving my Dad's 1969 Scout on Christmas Eve. The Scout is in need of some repair to the exhaust system and the tires are getting shot. Oh well. I'll not share what more traditions have been broken out of respect to other people's privacy. But, change can be good, right???

Fortunately, one tradition will hold true and it's me spending time with my Grandma Thelma (Mom's mom) who's 93, still going strong, living in her own house, and doing as well as she can at her age. (I know she'll be cooking something as she always has.) It's good to be able to spend another Christmas with her because I know that these Christmases will be fewer as time passes.

Anyway, take care of yourselves, enjoy fellowship with family & friends, and be safe if any of you are traveling!

The 2008 Lake Myra Christmas Lights on Sunday, December 7th...

Ah...another chance and another VERY cold Sunday evening to see the lights at Lake Myra (http://www.lakemyrachristmas.com/) in Wendell, NC. I did take some pictures and if you care to view more of them, below is the link...

-

http://public.fotki.com/rettaman/miscellaneous/2008_lake_myra_christmas/

-

Again, still photography does NOT do this computerized (by one computer!) light display justice. Video would be an asset for showing these lights.

-

Fortunately, this year my "new" Canon PowerShot G9 camera does have a video feature...and I did use it. However, the G9 is not as equipped as my Canon Digital Rebel XTi is to take non-flash night pictures such as this. The G9 does result in more of a grainy quality even with the high ISO, etc. But, the G9 still is a good camera. (Maybe I might go back before the season is over and use my XTi to take some pics???)

-

Anyway, this year's computerized light show really was great. I stood outside in 30-degree temps for an hour and when my fingers were getting too frozen to hold the camera, I then got in my Jeep Liberty and turned on the heat full blast and the radio to 100.1 FM (Lake Myra Christmas' own station) and looked at the lights for thirty minutes. :-)

-

Oh, as for the short video clips I took, I might upload them to my YOUTUBE account (username: rettaman)...maybe??? I'm not quite as adept at doing video as I am doing photography.

-

I did take some pictures last year on Sunday, December 16th of Lake Myra Christmas (again a very cold evening)...and below is the link for those pictures.

-

http://public.fotki.com/rettaman/miscellaneous/2007_lake_myra_christmas/

THESE PICTURES WERE TAKEN WITH MY CANON DIGITAL REBEL XTi.

-

Well, I need to close this post for now. I also just realized that it is just a little over TWO WEEKS until Christmas!!! Wow!!!

THANKSGIVING 2008: What I'm Thankful For...

Thanksgiving Day 2008 has already come and passed even though the weekend hasn't...yet. As I was sitting in my uncle's den on Thanksgiving Day, I made an intentional effort to think of several things I'm thankful for (and no, I didn't write them down until now). I've got them in a list...and I've never really actually made a list like this. (Well, maybe I have at some point in my life.)

1) Family - Where would I be without them??? Yes, I know that many of us do take various family members for granted and I am guilty of that as well. Even though my Dad is deceased, I still have my Mom as well as her Mom (who's 93) and a host of other family members who have been there for me. There have been a few "tests and trials" lately and I almost am concerned about what the next year will bring.

2) Friends - Where would I be without them??? There are times in which I feel as though I have been forgotten and would much rather be gone, but again that's selfish of me to think that, right? I really wish I could strengthen some friendships which might be weak because at times I think some relationships might be too far gone to repair. I might have more friends than I actually think I do???

3) Job - In light of this current economic downfall, I ought to be thankful for a job!!! It's not perfect, but it's a job and there are many people who are unemployed these days. A job can teach discipline and responsibility as well as delayed gratification and many other skills and traits which can further oneself in life. ("A job is better than no job at all.")

4) Health - I may be in my mid-thirties at the time of this note, but I really am relatively healthy overall with a few exceptions. Yet, I still am able to do many things...such as walk, type, drive, etc. I’m not relying on prescription medications for various things even though in the past I have - such as depression. (Could thinning hair be under the "health" setting?)

5) Faith - I know lately I have been lacking in this area and I've probably caused some unhealthy thoughts and patterns enter my life which may be "un-Christian-like" to some, but all of us aren't perfect, are we??? As a professing Christian, I know I should rely on the Lord more and have done so in the past. But, this is the present and not the past. The future has yet to come!!!

6) Life - I'm still alive, aren't I??? True, death for a Christian is victory, but I guess that's it's better to be alive than not. I can't lie, though...it would be good to leave this earth. (Maybe that's showing a lack of Faith? Therefore, it's good to have Faith and again, this is one of the reasons why I'm doing this list so I can think of what to be thankful for.)

7) Photography - Am I really thankful for this??? Yes. True, there are times in which I resent it even though I've asked for it and I hope that I'm NOT offending anyone by saying that. But, it has been a joy and it's been good to share it with others even though at times I do wish I had organized it better....especially to the point of establishing an authentic business with it.

8) Anything Else???

I know I could elaborate MORE on the list and even add more things of what I'm thankful for, but not now. Maybe later??? I just wanted to at least stimulate me to think of what to be thankful for and to really make an effort to do so...and I hope that I'll be constantly reminded of these things. Maybe I won't be so tempted to complain even though I might not be vocal about it.

A Few Thoughts on this HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. May it be safe and one in which all of us can really pause in our busy and crazy lives and take a few moments (several days actually) and remember what we should be thankful for.

By the way my life has been lately and the way my attitude has been, I *REALLY* do need to take these next few days to be constantly reminded of what I do need to be thankful. I can't lie, though, at times I do feel as though I'm a hypocrite, one which feels more isolated and silently angry more now than in past months. Again, maybe I'm not thankful enough???

This leads me to a Bible Verse (actually several)...

- Psalm 107:1 (NIV) "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

- Psalm 100 (KJV) "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

(There are a host of other Bible Verses which can be used on Thanksgiving - which as a friend of mine once stated that it should be rather a way of life and not only a day.)

After reading these Bible Verses, I was reminded of how important it is to be thankful even when it is a struggle to be. I guess it's also okay to be thankful for everything in life including those things which can challenge and even annoy you. (Maybe?)

Well, I need to close this post for now. Again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!