Wyoming Breezes

Perspective and attitude play huge roles in our daily lives. In the photo above, some may see beauty; others, litter. By perceiving only the negative in our surroundings and life, we push aside the beauty in the ordinary: we push aside the joy in simple things. By embracing an attitude of gratitude, we soon notice more and more positive things around us, and the negative things and thoughts recede into the blackness from which they crawl and hide. Our attitude plays a huge role on our health, longevity, and quality of life. Don't believe me? Check out this article from the  Mayo Clinic  or this article on the Benefits of Positive Thinking . *   *   *   * "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than the facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more...

Cardionet Heart Monitor August 5, 2013 August was an interesting month, filled with medical appointments and surprises: August 1 - annual cardiologist appointment - Dr. P was concerned about my Easter Sunday fainting episode. I've fainted previously (years apart - long-time readers probably remember this post ), but since the episode in March occurred while I was seated, Dr. P ordered a 30-day heart monitor - my fourth or maybe even fifth in the last 10 years. August 5 - UPS delivered heart monitor (part of which is shown in the photo), which I activated and began wearing. August 9 - Dr. P's nurse left two messages for me to contact the office, a third message told me I had an appointment the following week to see Dr. P because he had seen "something" on my heart monitor reports. I can assure you that message got my heart pumping! August 15 - Dr. P explained my heart rate was dropping too low (28 bpm) and a pacemaker was needed because it appeared that my ...

Jim A., Dan O., Sue A., and Tanya O. February 9, 2013 I live in a great neighborhood where nearly everyone is friendly and helpful. This morning as I was checking blogs and reading the paper, I glanced out the front window to find Dan O. shoveling my walks and driveway. When I opened the door to thank him, I noticed that his wife Tanya and another couple were out shoveling, too. The two couples had done their own walks and drives, and then joined forces to shovel the walks of my next door neighbor and the elderly lady across the street as well as mine. It warmed my heart to see their neighborly good deeds.  My area is due to receive an additional 8 inches of snow today. Even though it causes some inconveniences, every flake is welcome. Update : February 11, 2013 This storm brought my area's snow-water equivalent up to 88 percent. Hopefully, more moisture-heavy storms will drop snow in the mountains and in Fremont County in the remaining months of Winter.  ...

Yesterday was beautiful - sunny and much warmer. I went out to remove the holiday wreath from the shed, but something caught my eye as I put my hands on each side. The wreath will stay where it is for now because I simply cannot remove it while the birds are nesting. Look closer. Do you see what I see? Two eggs are nestled in the small nest. This nest is strictly off limits for the Easter Egg Hunt.

This morning, I was thinking about the twists and turns from my life, when the words of the Skin Horse from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams popped into my mind. "Real is not how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. When you are loved for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loved, then you become real. When you are real, you don't mind being hurt. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand. Once you are real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always." These days, my body is definitely showing s...

Today's mail contained two surprise packages from Irisheyes and Scottish Lamb blogs. Each blog was collecting hats for the homeless in their area, and I sent the hats I made in November and December out of scrap wool. I did not expect to win any of the prizes they were offering, but what a surprise I had today. The Gray Icelandic wool is from Kathy at Irisheyes and the stitch markers are from Jean at Scottish Lamb. Jean collected 227 hats: you may recognize my olive green earflap hat in her photo of all the hats. Irisheyes posted a photo of some of the garter-brim hats I sent them, too. They are pictured in the third photo . I like how she displayed the hats she collected. Thank you, Wool Winder for telling me about the hat drives. It was fun to use my scrap yarn for two good causes and to receive two wonderful surprises in return.

I am thankful for: • my faith helps me through difficult times. My father's illness and death when I was fifteen, a family dispute after my mother and two brothers' deaths, and my illness are the some situations that have tested my beliefs and values. The Lord has been faithful in leading me and carrying me through rough waters. • my sisters anchor me with their unconditional love. • my illness forces me to evaluate my life and my priorities. As strange as it may sound, I see it as a blessing. • my home provides me shelter and security. It is just the right size, and I am blessed to have a wonderful and caring next door neighbor. • my laptop and the Internet are invaluable to me. They help me to cope with my limitations. By using them, I am able to connect with others in all corners of the world as well as gain understanding and knowledge. • my knitting needles keep my hands and mind busy. By making items for others, I am helping myself. • chocolate and flannel shee...