“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

A Thankful Heart




Here we are again over half-way through November! As we age time seems to speed up and the days fly by like the leaves in the wind!  We are in a rainy spell here up north and it seems to match the mood I've been in as I reflect on some of the sad events in the past few days.  I won't go into details, you all know what I'm talking about, but let's just say the world needs a very large group hug.

As I was thinking about what I wanted to write today, I decided on finding a few things that I am thankful for and focusing on them this Thanksgiving season.  One thing I am thankful for is my family, not just my closest living relatives, but some of my ancestors from many decades ago that have somehow helped to shape my being today.

One of which is an ancestry that includes a small bit of Native American heritage.  I've never delved much into that side of the family, but there was talk about this relationship to a Native American tribe, but it was covered up for many years and unless someone has DNA testing, it will probably never be solved.  You see, back then the only living relative that knew for sure, was asked about it and did not deny the relationship, but would not give any explanations about how it came about to the relative that was doing a genealogy study.  It's possible even he did not know the full story. So the questions go unanswered.

I see the physical resemblance on my mothers side of the family though, and when I heard about this, it all made sense.  Her beautiful dark hair and somewhat darker complexion was evident, even to me as a young girl. When I started wearing makeup, I noticed that her base makeup was so much darker than mine and I thought that to be a bit curious.  The rest of my genealogy has loads of English, Scottish and a wee bit of Danish thrown in too, so I ended up with a light complexion and dish-water blond hair!  Oh how I wanted lovely wavy dark hair like my mother when I was young! She had dark eye lashes and brows and I always thought how lucky she was to have these pretty features. My mother never knew about her possible Native American connection, she passed away before my cousin started doing the genealogy study.

So, I'm thankful that I know about this bit of past history in my family and even though at this time, I don't know which Native tribe I am linked with, it has given me a different perspective of who I am. The more I've learned about the Native American tribes in this country, the more I admire and respect them for their incredible wisdom.

Here is one example...


"Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity."                                                                                                     ~Sitting Bull







On a lighter note here are a few more things I'm Thankful for!


This just in.... Coffee Extends Your Life!!

"In our study, we found people who drank three to five cups of coffee per day had about a 15 percent lower [risk of premature] mortality compared to people who didn't drink coffee," says one of the study authors, nutrition researcher Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health. Decaf drinkers also saw benefits.  (source)



I love my coffee!






Animals, Wildlife and the Beauty of our Natural World....

I love watching the funny chipmunks!




Bees and Flowers... a perfect combination. 
It's like they were made for each other! 
Oh right, they were!










Dot... one of my goofy cats, she teaches us to relax.  While we were cleaning out our garden storage shed, she was using the ropes as a headrest whilst she took a nap!











Look Up!.....   Sugar Maple Leaves and gorgeous blue sky!


                 Look Down!....   

Duck foot prints in the soil! You never know what you may find!










Look through the leaves and see the glimmer of the shining sun!





Do you get up early and watch the sunrise? Maybe sunsets are your thing!
The photo below was taken at sunrise from my 
living room window just this week!







Most of you know I love music.....
it's playing right now... 
I'm very thankful for all of these things.



I'm especially thankful for all of you that stop in and visit! 
 I will be visiting you all very soon! 
~ Diane ~ 


What you are thankful for?



16 comments:

  1. Yes, at one time it was very common to be ashamed of and hide any native ancestry that might be in your family tree. My father's side of the family was the same. But facts are facts!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely post. So many wonderful things to be thankful for!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another lovely post! I love the photos, the music and the images. Your coffee looks very good! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Diane, the news is just awful at the moment I'm so very sad for France and all her people. Rain in the UK too - it feels like heaven weeping.
    Your family history is fascinating, something for you to look into when you get more time. I’ve started researching my family, but it all takes hours and hours of time so it is on hold now until after the New Year. I will be very sad when our family return to Australia, so I’m going to throw myself into it then.
    I hardly ever drink coffee – perhaps I should start now.
    I loved this post Diane, when I started reading I felt very sad but by the end I was thankful for so many things. Thank you for reminding me to count my blessings.
    I wanted to share this link with you http://www.bonzo.me.uk/ it’s about G. E. Studdy and his creation of Bonzo the dog.
    Enjoy the rest of your week, Barbara x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Diane I am very thankful for your post this morning. Wonderful to read about your native American heritage. Sitting Bull was do wise. Your beautiful sunrise takes my breath away. Bless you for sharing. Have a delightful day. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you all for visiting! Your comments all mean so much to me. Barbara... so many tragedies around the world, we must grasp and hold close to our hearts all of the good we can find! Thanks for sharing the link about Bonzo!

      Have a wonderful week my friends!

      Delete

  6. I read one time that grateful people are the happiest people. I love coffee too, and I didn't know this interesting info. about coffee.

    I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and thank you for being such a thankful person, Diane.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful post Diane! I know many people have asked me, if I was Native, especially from my high cheek bones. Unfortunately, I am not, but sometimes, I like to think so, because I feel such a connection to mother earth and you know how much I love my stones and crystals. Sending you big hugs and much love! I am thankful for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Diane,

    And yet to know one has ancestry within the noble, spiritual ideals of the First Nation's people is akin to be as one with nature's balance.

    A lovely post, my lovely friend and the photos a marvel.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. A lovely post and beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your photos are gorgeous, and I really enjoyed this post. My MIL claimed some native american heritage, but we never knew any details. Her hair was a beautiful jet black well past the age it should have turned gray.

    I am thankful for so much, and like that we all reflect on being thankful at this time of year. Also, I am thankful for coffee, and the fact that I can drink 2-3 mugs in the morning and call it health food, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for sharing all these beautiful photos, Diane! I have so much to be grateful for in my life. There are many sad things happening, and you're right about the big group hug, even though it has to be a virtual one. Big hug to you from here!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dot is adorable! She could be my Mandrake's sister.

    My family is also part Native American, along with a bunch of other things...like most people in this country. All of the anti-refugee sentiment just makes me sad.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Thanksgiving Diane. Thank you for your friendship in 2015, I look forward to catching up with you in the New Year. Barbara xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Barbara and my other dear friends, our Thanksgiving dinner is over and all that remains are some leftovers.... now the Christmas rush really starts! Hope you all had a great day and a wonderful weekend! I'll see you all back here soon!
      Bless you all for stopping in to visit! ~ Diane

      Delete
  14. Happy (belated) thanksgiving. A lovely post and beautiful photographs. Have a great Monday! x

    ReplyDelete

ATTENTION SPAMMERS! COMMENT MODERATION IS TURNED ON. ONLY AUTHORIZED COMMENTS WILL APPEAR.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.