Today I cracked open our book club’s current selection, which we’ll discuss over dinner in June, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Just in case you don’t know, this is a novel partially set in my beloved home state of Oklahoma, during the brutal Depression and Dust Bowl. It follows the struggle of a native Oklahoma family who suffers from all the ramifications of the agricultural and economic failures of that time. This was a century ago, but how many bells are ringing in your heart right now?
I sat down to start this papery adventure after a morning of cruising junk and antique shops that were as lovely as they were tiny and unique, spending a few dollars on perfectly frivolous luxuries. I bought a heavy turquoise pendant handing from an old shoelace; a super long chain necklace with a kitschy locked heart charm at the bottom that desperately wants to be gold when it grows up; a medium sized but tarnished silver tray with wooden handles, the kind you use to serve breakfast in bed or maybe decorate a vintage-themed outdoor wedding which is coming up in seven days; three threadbare cotton handkerchiefs; a set of pink seashell-encrusted salt and pepper shakers from Florida; and an opulently matted and framed oil painting for my dining room. None of these things were expensive (though the oil painting really should have been), but I acknowledge that none of them are really necessary, either. My life is brimming with undeserved luxury, and I know it.
In addition to the material bounty, it happens that I soaked up the first four chapters of Grapes of Wrath while soft, cool rain fell in steady showers all over this grand land and flowers bloomed in every available container.
I just loved this. Gratitude is the simplest and most beautiful prayer, and that’s just what this felt like.
Thank you! And how funny, I saw something today saying almost exactly that… (not a good quote, just an estimation): that if the only prayer you ever utter is thank you, that’s enough. I just love that. Happy Mother’s Day to you!! You’ve been on my mind this week.
“Enjoy the lushness while you have it, however it looks for your life, today. “
You have a way of seeing the lushness that surrounds you. If only we look, it is there. You and your beautiful words are one of the things for which I am grateful. Your lightness and good manages to always lift me up and out of myself and remember to look around and savor everything. Bless you for that.
Also, Grapes of Wrath is one of my all-time favorite books.
Hey Sweet monkey wrangler! So glad you’re here too… Life is amazing lately. Bless you for widening my peripheral view, by the way. It’s been years since anyone did it, and never quite so eloquently as you do.
(Would love to chat over this book once I make some progress!!)
Tears…tears…and more…. A year ago in July I was travelling to Oklahoma from my home in Arkansas. I passed a field where some cows were standing in the barren spot that once was a pond. The dream shot through me – oh to be a photographer for the National Geographic and have my trusty camera to preserve the moment. No camera on me that day, the sight though is etched into the film of my mind. I have been to the pond that once was. I have stood waiting for relief.
Flipping the stone though, I also danced in the rain today. I love that in 7 days I will walk into a new chapter of my life that will refresh a part of the dream of my soul that has been barren. Today a hope, tomorrow… well, tomorrow, may the windows to my soul be receptive to not overlook the rock soup or chocolate fountain that I may be found entertaining.
The life in your fields or the despair in your chapters… they all weave together the fabric of our life. Overwhelmingly grateful that the family from The (Not So) Lazy W are now apart of mine. Wow… whatta good book, a little rain, Mr. T style bling and a dose of beeeelivin in grattitude will do for a day! You Rock it Mrs. Marie!
beeeelivin … well said! 🙂 Is it your wedding that will happen at The Lazy W in (now only) 6 days? Congratulations!! I will be thinking of you and sending lots of happy wedding/marriage thoughts from my travels.
Yes, she’s the bride!! M, meet R. R, meet M. LOL Do you know how natural it would feel for you to be here for it, friend? Actually a little weird that you won’t be. But we will certainly feel you.
What a terribly lovely dream. I felt it with your words. And you’re absolutely right, that life is full of both extremes. May your next chapters feed you deep and thoroughly. xoxo We are very happy to have you in our life too!!!
Rockin’ out with zero necklaces today and perfectly happy. My collarbone needed a break. See?!! More variety. LOL
Once again you’ve summed up exactly how I feel about my life right now. Yes there is heartache, but I too am so grateful for all my blessings. Even the simple ones like lilacs.
Today I’m grateful that the sun is shining for my Mother’s Day Tea.
Have a terrific weekend.
XXXX
Heather, your beautiful lilac story was so inspirational for me. The culmination of dreams, deep, important ones… and our feminine connections to gardens. So strong. Thanks for reading AND for writing. You feed me.
I have had a glorious weekend, surely enjoyed the photos of your tea party!!
“I am so thankful for living, breathing romance and for solid friendships and for children with better memories than I had feared.”
Oh, M. That last phrase makes my heart sing. Like The hills are alive… kind of singing. It makes my soul soar. I dig the beginning too, but the last part set me adrift.
And this: By the Way, Someone is Grateful for You, Too. made me cry a little bit. All this catching up on blog posts is making me teary-eyed.
I miss you!
xoxo
I knew you would catch that! Thank you. Nothing to report, really, just a feeling. Just that simmering hope about to rise to a boil, I think.
And I am so glad you felt the very last line, it was most certainly for you.
Nudging my hope to a gentle simmer. Beautiful post.
Thank you… so glad you’re here, fellow bee keeper!! Keep that hope simmering, baby.
P.S Here’s the Machado poem, just in case you didn’t find it: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/M/MachadoAnton/LastnightasI.htm
Muchas Merci!! I did look for it but so far only online, mixed results. LOL Thank you a bunch!!
This is just beautiful. I’m so glad I saw the linked tweeted out just now.
I just wrote about gratitude on my own blog today and this serves as a reminder that my post wasn’t in vain. Gratitude is really where it’s at. Thank you for writing this.
Well hi there! Ni e to meet you, thanks for reading… Yep, gratitude and small-scale appreciation is the name of the game, one day at a time, one gift or pleasure at a time. So glad to share the perspective with you!! I just read your piece on attitude of gratitude, and I love what you said about the 2 levels… both the immediate feeling and then the universal reward. Bingo!! xoxo Have a beautiful day, can’t wait to have time to read more of your blog & recipes!