Today was not one of those days that I felt overworked. I probably should have worked harder today; but I did not. Today I chose to sit in front of the television set and watch history, once again, take place in my country.
Just like four years ago I could not seem to tear myself away from the set as I watched the traditions and pageantry that make up our presidential inaugurations. I have always loved history and being able to watch it is truly a gift. (It was also fun to watch as I had been to D.C. just this past July with my sister.)
I am not going to veer into a political discussion on this post. I am going to say that today was just a day for being grateful. I am grateful for the country that is the United States. I am grateful for those who protect and serve us. Having three nephews in the military probably makes me extra thankful to those men and women. Having had a grandpa and and an uncle who were the town cops (as we called them) still makes me grateful to those who serve in that way.
I am grateful that I live where I do…..in the country….on a farm….near lots of small towns. The people in this area are the salt of the earth, maybe not all of them, but the ones that I know; truly are. They are plain-spoken, giving when it is needed, and holding you accountable when called for.
I was going to start this post writing about how grateful I was for the chicken wellies I received from my sister last April. For some reason it did not start out that way. (Did you ever have a post that kind of took on a life of it’s own?… this one did!) Anyway….back to the boots. Way back in April I wrote a post about those chicken covered boots. https://thechickengrandma.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/chicken-wellies/
When the weather gets warmer on a winter day, on the farm it translates into a sea of water and mud on the yard. So yes, I was ever so grateful for those wonderful yellow, chicken covered boots. Those boots are the best things for keeping my feet from exposure to the elements…namely the above-mentioned water and mud.
I was also grateful for the memories those boots bring. When I received those boots this past spring, I figured when I wore them it would bring thoughts of my sister…. and they do! They bring thoughts of her generosity and her smile when she gave them to me. They also bring back memories of the great time we had in Washington D.C. Anytime I put those boots on; they make me smile. Even sliding through the mud to feed my chickens today; those boots brightened the day.
I hope you were gifted with a gratitude moment in your day today. I hope you had at least one thing that brought a smile to your face and lightened your spirit. I pray there is something as simple as boots to keep your feet dry, that turn your day around and make you feel blessed.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/gratitude.html
I also stayed home and was glued to the television from 7:00 until about 3:00! I had to go run some errands and meet Mike for cheeseburgers (priority). As soon as we got home, I started watching all of the coverage leading up to the fancy balls! I just turned off the TV a few minutes ago. I must be obsessed! The entire spectacle brought tears to my eyes and I stood up every time the people in the real audience stood up! I was really into it! And another thing… I love those boots! So cute! I wonder if they have any with miniature donkeys??!!
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They just might have boots with donkeys. I think she ordered them from Gardener’s Supply.
I loved trying to figure out where they were from what I remembered of DC.
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It has been a long time since I have been to DC. My aunt and uncle lived there for a long time. He was with the Treasury Department. I am not sure where that building is located. I guess it is the middle of every other government building. We are going to visit my college roommate in Virginia after Mike retires (March or April) and I hope we can go over to DC. It is only 45 minutes or so away…with decent traffic. Good luck on that!!!
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I can answer your wonderings!!!! Woo Hoo. I was there in July with my sister for the Together 2016 event at the mall. The treasury building is right next to the White House. It is on one side and I think the Eisenhower building is on the other.
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Faye…you know everything!! I must have really been out of it since I do not even partially remember that the treasury building was right next to the White House! My uncle worked there for a long time…he went to college at Washington & Lee and stayed in VA and got the job at the treasury. This is how times were then…my uncle went to a really great college far away from Nashville and my mother/her sister did not go to college at all. It was just not expected. I cannot wait to go to DC again! I want to spend an entire day or more at the Smithsonian…thank goodness…Mike will like that too. It will be like going to Home Depot with him…I will have no idea where he is in the building!
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I only know that because my sister and I walked past it and read the big sign! I told my husband he would also love the Smithsonian. I know I would be able to find him in the Museum of Natural History. He would be checking out stuffed animals, fossils and bones.
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Faye,
Sitting far away from your country, I watched the inauguration too. I never have before , I think- at least I can’t remember having sat through any previous ones. But this one I did and I clapped like anything when anything happened especially the speeches- the senator from MO- Roy Blunt, I think his name was- I liked his delves into history. I am inspired to look for the letter Chuck Schummer spoke about about a man to his wife. I was inspired to even make a speech like some of them myself. The only down side was I felt, the prayers felt like they were being read and not from the heart except for the one from F. Graham- all the others felt like speeches too. I liked the one that read the song- we shall overcome too. I think I will always remember this inauguration and I hope America becomes a truly Christian nation again- a blessing to itself and to others.
Susie
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Susie, I am praying right along with you about truly Christian. I think I will pray for a revival in this country so it is a country filled to overflowing with Christians. I felt the same about the prayers and I so appreciate Franklin Graham. The history was really neat and I learned many things I did not know.
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Great boots!!!!
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Those are the best and most fun boots I have ever owned in my entire life! And they are so very yellow :).
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Nice post Faye. Nice boots – my chicken owner daughter would love those boots. Years ago my brother gave me – bright, huge, fluffy Tweety Bird house shoes. Oh my, they made my feet huge. My husband and I both laughed each time I wore them. I watched our new president be sworn in. I say, give this man a chance. My prayer is – God’s guidance in Trump’s 4 years in office. Let your light shine for good in this world, do those things which are pleasing in God’s sight.
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Praying with you Peggy. Praying he succeeds and we help him succeed in a way that glorifies God.
Your house shoes sound amazing and I think I would laugh every time as well. My boots make me smile every time.
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Thanks Faye – we all need to pray. Here’s to boots, house shoes and smiles. Ha ha
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Boots! Yes , only us country folk can really understand their need. One of the last gifts my late DH gave me was a new pair of MuckBoots. Not as fancy as your chicken boots but they are the most comfortable boots I have ever had for mucking around. in t
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I also have a pair of Boggs boots that I purchased secondhand. They are not as fancy as my chicken boots either but I love them in the winter as they are insulated and the chicken wellies aren’t.
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That is a spanking pair of wellies!! They are ‘happy feet’ in footwear form!
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You are so right! It is like wearing sunshine covered in chickens…..how much better can it get? Plus it is just fun to say wellies when everyone around here calls them boots :).
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Yes, I was asked what wellies were when I mentioned them! Mind you, I am not sure the Duke of Wellington would approve of the nickname!
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And did he have anything at all to do with wellingtons?
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Supposedly, yes, they are named after him as either invented them or made them popular. I am a bit hazy on the detail! I think though a lot of people question whether this is true or not. Like how the sandwich got its name!
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LOL I also thought of the sandwich! I knew that one. Just never thought of the Wellington connection.
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I get your every word. Love the boots & remain so grateful for this great USA…overlooking some big bumps right now. Golden kisses to you!
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I do think there is a greater plan than we know and whoever would have become president would have been the one put in place for a time such as this. It will be interesting as never in my lifetime have we had a president who was not a politician. I am watching how tis goes right along with Brodie :). I remain grateful and hopeful.
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Golden grateful and hopeful..
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Love those yellowy chickeny boots. I wrote about watching the inauguration yesterday. I didn’t remember until later that I watched 8 years ago, remembering the Bushes leaving in a helicopter. I know I didn’t watch 4 years ago — must have been working. I plan to watch future ones as long as I live and know what I’m doing.
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I remember watching 8 years ago also. I read somewhere that 4 years ago it landed on a Sunday so the swearing in was done in a private ceremony on Sunday and the festivities took place on Monday. The pageantry was fascinating and Melania looked beautiful in her blue dress and jacket. I enjoyed watching Barron and the grandkids.
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I liked watching the people, too. What impressed me the most was how few of the older people used a handrail on stairs.
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awwh-just sweet- happy heart!
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Life is just so much better when you can find things to be grateful for! And there are so many things to be grateful for.
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there are and God is generous even we don’t notice-but how good it is for us when we do! thank you!
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I was glued to the television too. Thank you for the reminder that we as a nation have much to be grateful for if we stop to think.
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So true. No matter where we are on the spectrum of politics…this is still the best country to be in. If it was not we would not have people that keep wanting to be here :).
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Very true.
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Great story, terrific boots😊
Like you, I watched the ceremony. It’s one of the great traditions of our country.
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They ARE amazing boots and I really do smile whenever I put them on.
Have seen a lot of history on that television screen. My sons are always amazed that we watched a man walk on the moon when we were kids…..they might just be amazed that I am old enough to have seen that!
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My small gratitude today is a friend gave me some honeybells and I juiced them tonight now I have fresh oj for the next week! Those boots are the best!! My mom watched the inauguration too for the same reason you did, just felt like the patriotic thing to do. I watched some of it when I got home from work..it is quite special and we are so fortunate to live in the country that we do. Amen! 🙂
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okay, now you have me…..what are honeybells? Some type of orange or what?
I love my boots!
I enjoyed watching Barron Trump and the grandkids. Kids are just so funny.
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It’s a crossing between a tangerine and a grapefruit, very juicy. I don’t like grapefruit but I don’t taste it at all. My mom liked seeing what all the ladies were wearing. Kids are the best!! Lol.
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I love Melody! I read her devotional book, ”Journey to the Heart” daily; it has been on repeat for the last 4 years. Gratefulness is essential. Hugs!
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I am going to have to check out that book. Thank you so much for that tip! It sounds like a really good one that I would totally enjoy.
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She is awesome. Sometimes I feel like she has peeked into my life. 🙂
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Those are the best books.
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