Another Writing Challenge (But Cookies!)

2011-09-01 14.32.13I know you’ve probably been very busy writing–and for those of you who met whatever Nano goal you set down, YAY!–but I’ve got one more writing challenge for you.

First, you’ll have to zip over to The Muffin and read all about The Lost Art of Writing. And then, after you’ve yelled a few choice words at me–I’ll leave that selection up to you–you can get busy writing.

Maybe you’ll write a note to one of your kids, telling them how special he or she is. And your kid will be like, “Well, this is weird. And mushy. And yeah, kinda icky.” Your kid will likely make a big show of not caring one whit. But I promise you that same kid will hold on to that note for the rest of his or her life.

Or maybe you’ll send a letter to a friend this holiday season instead of signing a name on a card. And your friend will be like, “Well, this is awkward. I didn’t even send a card and here I have this lovely letter. Now I’m going to have bake cookies for her.”

Not that you sent the lovely letter just so you could get cookies, but hey. It could happen.

And P.S. I just went to the post office this morning and bought a whole bunch of stamps.

And P.P.S. My favorite cookie is anything with pecans in it.

 

 

Today and Thanksgiving

DSCN5786Usually around this time of year, I call on the little gray cells, thinking of all that I’m thankful for, and that’s a good thing. Counting my blessings always cheers me up!

But this year, I had a moment, an epiphany (as you do) and thought that what I’m most thankful for is this day. And that thought called to mind a quote I’ve heard in many different contexts, but the one I like best is attributed to Bill Keane, the cartoonist:

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

It’s taken me lots and lots of years to appreciate the present moment and all the gifts inherent in each and every day. But I think that pretty much sums up what I’m most thankful for this time of year.

And I hope your today is just as nice! (Happy Thanksgiving!)