365 days of gratitude

The Rotary Club of Oamaru offers senior school students the opportunity to take part in practice interviews.

The exercise is designed to prepare them for the real thing.

The young people we interviewed this evening were enthusiastic, articulate and keen to learn.

If they are typical of their generation the future is in good hands and I’m grateful for that reminder.

365 days of gratitude

The bunch of daffodils I was given yesterday is brightening the scullery and giving me the scent of spring while I’m doing the dishes.

The flowers are a gift which has kept on giving all day and I’m grateful for them.

365 days of gratitude

 

Discussion on a farm visit near Dannevirke last week finished with agreement that we’d rather frost which gave way to a sunny day than rain which didn’t.

This morning I woke to frost in Wanaka and came home this afternoon to a house warmed by sun.

For all of that and the happy dog who accompanied my morning walk, I’m grateful.

 

365 days of gratitude

Dinner with old friends and new – a delicious meal complemented by entertaining company and lots of laughter for all of which I’m grateful.

365 days of gratitude

Sticking with the garden theme, today I’m grateful for camellias.

365 days of gratitude

Yesterday it was daffodils. Today it’s a rhododendron.

This one was transplanted by my mother-in-law from the garden of her parents-in-law.

It survived successive droughts when the only water it got had to be carried to it in a bucket.

It’s also survived frosts and snow.

Tonight I’m grateful for the lesson from nature’s resilience, and for a garden where the plants hold stories of generations past.

365 days of gratitude

In Hawes Bay yesterday spring had sprung.

Daffodils were in full bloom and rhododendrons were in flower.

Back home spring is a bit later but the grass has started growing again and the first of the daffodils are blooming.

Today I’m grateful for signs of spring.