Seamus Heaney's Poetry - Pork Chop One Pot Meal

Noli timere.  This was the latin text message that Seamus Heaney sent to his wife from his hospital bed just before he died this past September.   Noli timere.  Don't be afraid.

Even though he was one of the most important poets in our time, I didn't know very much about Seamus Heaney until I read his obituary.   Now it seems that I think of him daily.

Don't be afraid.   In a time when some people flame fears it's refreshing for someone to point out that we really don't have to be afraid.   We aren't in control of a lot of things but we can be in control of our own fear.

I have loved reading about Heaney's life and thinking about his poetry, but there is just something pure and honest and sweet about a person, dying in a hospital bed, who would think to send such a message.   

If anybody knew how to convey a big message with a few words it was Seamus Heaney.  I am no scholar but even I can see, hear and feel what his poetry describes.  As with many things, I'm sure there is so much more than I am aware about why his poetry resonates like it does, but I love that his poetry is so real.  And hopeful.  And encouraging.  His poetry recognizes the ups and downs of real life but he embraces it all without fear.

He grew up in a small town in Ireland and is described as a fun loving, family oriented guy.  He was brilliant and accomplished but kept a quick sense of humor.  One story told was that after having a heart issue Seamus liked to go around saying, "Blessed are the Pacemakers." 

He wrote about finding your way, and hope, and peace, and he loved to use his poetry to connect the past with the present.  One poem, Digging, paints a picture of Seamus watching his father with a shovel digging potatoes in the garden "going down and down for the good turf".  His poem ends:  "between finger and my thumb, the squat pen rests.  I'll dig with it."  

Here's one of the times Seamus Heaney's pen dug down for the good turf:

from "The Cure at Troy"

Human beings suffer,

they torture one another,

they get hurt and get hard.

No poem or play or song

can fully right a wrong

inflicted or endured.

The innocent in gaols

beat on their bars together.

A hunger-striker's father

stands in the graveyard dumb.

The police widow in veils

faints at the funeral home.

History says, Don't hope

on this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

the longed for tidal wave

of justice can rise up,

and hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea-change

on the far side of revenge.

Believe that further shore

is reachable from here.

Believe in miracle

And cures and healing wells.

Call the miracle self-healing:

The utter self-revealing

double-take of feeling.

If there's fire on the mountain

Or lightning and storm

And a god speaks from the sky

That means someone is hearing

the outcry and the birth-cry

of new life at its term.

 

____________________________________________________

 

And Noli timere.  Don't be afraid.

 

 

 

Fall colors have been spectacular this year.  I snapped this picture one morning on my way into the Peace Avenue store on South Washington Street.  I didn't realize until I uploaded the pic that these gorgeous sun rays were shining through the leaves.  I could almost hear the Rascals singing, "It's a beautiful morning!"    

 

 

Another shot of the South Washington street side of the Royster Building in Uptown Shelby.  I love this building, these fall colors and I love the sound of the leaves rustling as we walk down the sidewalk.

 

 

Cotton fields between Shelby and Lattimore were full of fluffy white cotton again this year.  Cotton is such an interesting plant.   It's been loved, hated, songs sung about it, books and movies written about it and it's been used in a wide variety of ways.  Long live king cotton. 

 

 

This old barn and cotton field is on highway 74 between Shelby and Lattimore.  I took this picture in November 2013 but it could have been taken in any number of years.  Highway 74 is changing as things always do and I thought it was nice to get this shot which made time stand still for a minute.

 

 

In late October Dad was honored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park.  Dad has been involved with the creation and development of the Biotech Center since its beginnings in the 1980s.  It is an amazing place that strives to use technology and science to bring real solutions to real life problems.  Medical inventions, pharmaceuticals, agricultural and energy advancements and the jobs that come with them are among the success stories of the Biotech Center.

 

 

These were some of the initial proponents of the NC Biotech Center in the 1980s.  These people were from both political parties and from all ranges of thought within their own parties.  But they were pragmatic and they put aside their differences to attempt to do something big that would have a long lasting, positive impact on North Carolinians' health and well being. 

 In short, these men were leaders. 

 

 

 

Speaking of leaders.  These are two great doctors who share a love for medicine, people, good policy and good pimiento cheese.  Dad and Dr. Buse are two of my heroes because they choose to light candles rather than curse the darkness.

 

 

 

David IV came home for a short visit in October and wanted to show Mom and Dad his new Texas cowboy boots.  Dad looked them over and said, "looks like you've done some dancin' in em".  

We don't miss many opportunities to dance.

 

 

Mom has some new boots too.  With red accents no less.  With the August fire at their house, their clothes weren't destroyed but had to be sent out for a substantial cleaning.  Mem (mom's sister)  found some boots that she thought she AND mom needed and isn't that what sisters are for?

 

I think it's great that at age 87 Mom even wanted a cute pair of red and black boots! It's great that she enjoys them and looks so good in them too.

 

After several months living in the Hunt House post fire, Mom and Dad have moved back onto Peachtree Road just in time for the holidays.  We are all so thankful for that.

 

 

David IV, Tucker, Jay and Andrew came over for some Shrimp with Garlic, Basil and Pasta (recipe blogged August 6, 2011).  I also served the kale and brussel sprouts salad with the light lemony dressing from Epicureous.com.  It always surprises me when everyone loves that salad.  Both recipes are keepers.

 

David wanted to see the Peace Avenue Holiday Showroom and get a pic with Beth and John.  Naturally all three are sporting comfy Peace Avenue Tshirts.

 

 

We had a chance to have a daughter for a day when John and Beth were out of town and Natalie was being recognized along with other Seniors at an SHS Football game.  We enjoyed being parents at  Shelby High School again.  And we enjoyed having a cute daughter like Natalie.

 

Natalie has been a dancing Leo the Lioness during this year at SHS.  She gets those dance moves from me.  Or more likely from Beth.  

 

 

David and I helped with a fundraiser at Shelby City Park recently and Linda, Mom, Patty, Jay, Dad and a bunch of other people helped out too.  Thanks to everyone we hopefully will be moving forward to fix up the tennis courts and golf shop at the Park before too long.  They are such assets to the Park and the Park is an asset to the whole community.  It will be great to get this project completed.

 

One lovely day in October David, Jay, Ben and Richard had a father son day playing golf.  They are a good looking crew and good golfers too.  Later in October Ben and Emily had a beautiful wedding that we loved.  It was simple and elegant and joyful in every way.

 

Jay sported his own Peace Avenue tshirt when we had our first fire of the season.  The weather has been crazy with fireplace weather one minute and tshirt weather the next.   That's North Carolina for you and I love everything about it.

 

In early November descendants of Plato Dixon and Vada Spangler Crowder got together at the Cabin for some pizza.  Mama Crowder and Granddaddy would have loved this day.  Brian brought out his pizza oven and we set everything up right there in the pasture with the cows munching grass and playing in the pond.  Betsy, Mem and others brought all kinds of toppings for pizza and everybody did their own thing.  It was a good way to get a big group of Crowders together. 

 

 

 

Patsy brought pictures and also Mama Crowder's old worn Bible for everyone to see.  Mama Crowder had all kinds of things in that Bible -  pictures, notes, newspaper clippings.  Mama Crowder's life was organized by the Bible and the Farmer's Almanac.  She worked sun up to sun down and she loved her garden and her family.  Granddaddy was as Mom said the most patient person she had ever known.

 

 This is just a portion of the Crowder's who gathered at the Cabin in Lattimore for pizza and funny stories.  We are a big family and it was such fun to hear Mom, Sis, Mem, Patsy and others tell stories of growing up Crowder.  There were big belly laughs and a few tears and more big belly laughs.  Crowders laugh a lot. And loud.  Seamus Heaney would have enjoyed this family.

 

 

 I had a chance to hear Darin and Brooke Aldridge and friends play gospel music at First Baptist Church in Shelby.  Carol introduced me to the Aldridges' music at the Cleveland County Fair a few years ago and they have gotten better and better.  It was a joy to hear them singing at church and I look forward to hearing them again soon at the Earl Scruggs Center opening in January. 

 

 

 

November brings basketball pre season games and Jay and the GWU team of players and coaches have been preparing for it.  With quick coaching changes they have had to pedal fast.  Jay is a graduate assistant for the team and will be getting his MBA in mid December.   

 

Jay and Andrew, basketball operations manager for GW, heading into a preseason game last week.  The Bulldogs are 2-2 now and are about to take off on a 9 day trip to Missouri, Chicago and Las Vegas.  May the odds be ever in their favor!!

 

While David was home in October we took a really quick trip up to Lake Lure.  Simba went along for the ride and we got this 'selfie' of the five of us.

 

Simba wasn't to be left out of the Peace Avenue clothing so he donned this cute bandana and marched proudly in the Uptown Shelby Music, Mutts and Mush parade.  That was a fun day with Rollover pet store's parade and Halloween costume contest.   Lily Bean Coffee made it even more fun with a post parade snack of puppichinos.  Uptown Shelby has a growing core of young, small business owners who are working together to create a lot of good energy and good times - for two and four legged friends. 

 

 

Here's another core of good people who, along with a bunch of others, took time out to decorate Holy Angels.  Holy Angels is an amazing place committed to provide specialized care for children and adults who are "differently able".  It was an inspiring day filled with love. 

 

 

These are the ingredients for Pork Chop meal with the recipe below.  This is quick to put together, simmers for an hour and is all done in one pot.   

 

 

 

Mama Crowder always said she loved pig better than cow.  I definitely am her granddaughter because I love pig too.  I cook the entire meal in this skillet.  Dad questioned whether  it was actually possible to fix this in anything other than a cast iron pan and I promise it works in this one.

 

I forgot to get a picture of the finished product but it's a pretty dish that smells and tastes wonderful.

 

 

Pork Chop Meal

 

Pork Chop Meal is a recipe from the first Shelby Jr Charity League cookbook.  This book is always described as the one with the rings in the top.   Every recipe in this cookbook is good.  Mama made it often when we were growing up and I have made it several times recently. 

 

The recipe is delicious, easy and colorful and is made all in one pot so there is very little clean up. 

 

4 Tbsp Wesson oil

salt and pepper

4 Thick sliced onions, 1/4" thick

4 rings green pepper (or red or a mixture)

4 thick pork chops

4 Tbsp Uncooked rice

3 cups canned tomatoes (or 2 15 oz cans)

1 cup diced celery

 

 

Brown pork chops in Wesson Oil   (I use bone in chops but you can use boneless).

   Brown them well on both sides, about 15 minutes.

Salt and pepper the chops

Place a slice of onion and a pepper ring on each chop

Place one Tbsp rice in each pepper ring

Pour tomatoes over, add celery, cover skillet and when steam appears, switch to simmer for 1 hour.

Noli timere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Is Not A Badge of Honor

Busy is not a badge of honor.  Someone posted that sentiment on facebook the other day and I loved it because since I call myself retired from working I seem to be busier than ever.  In fact, everyone I know is busy.  Then, while we are all going about our planned bus-y-ness, life throws us curveballs and all kinds of things that we had not expected. 

 

And you do what Mama always told us to do -  just put one foot in front of the other one.  What's tricky is to not just go running around in circles.  Or footslogging through the day.  That's the  challenge with bus-y-ness.   The real badge of honor is appreciating every moment in every day no matter how busy we are or how many curve balls come our way.

 

The challenge is finding that balance between spinning our wheels and enjoying the ride.  One person put it this way, "the really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour". 

 

and from Henri Nouwen:

 

"Joy does not just happen to us.  We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday."

 

Even in the face of tough challenges, because life of full of them, we continue to count our blessings.

 

David III and I took a spur of the moment esaver trip to Dallas to visit David IV and as usual grocery stores, food and cooking were in the picture.  These are Hatch Green Chiles which are only available in August in Texas.  These chiles were on pretty much every menu while we were there. 

 

David IV and Ben were friends and football teammates at Wofford.  When Ben moved from Dallas to Wofford, we were close by and tried to ease the transition from high school to college.  Then when David moved to Dallas, Ben's family adopted him as one of their own.  Michelle and Barry couldn't have been more helpful to David during his transition from college world to working world.  It is so sweet to have good people in your life during all kinds of transitions.

 

On our trip to Dallas we met two of David's closest friends.  Vinnie is from New Jersey.  I kid you not.  Angela is from the Southwest.  Both have been great friends and co-workers for David in Dallas.  They picked us up at the airport and took us straight to FC Dallas Stadium to watch David in action as Premium Services Manager for the Suites and the River Club.  It was great to see David in his own environment. 

 

We enjoyed Dallas and as always found a ton of great restaurants to try.  This picture was at the Velvet Taco.  There are so many amazing places to eat in Dallas but on this trip my favorite was a modern, wonderful Thai restaurant called Malai. 

 

Back in North Carolina, David and I enjoyed working at the Dirty Dance Festival with Beth and John and their own line of comfortable casual clothing - Peace Avenue.  Peace Avenue deserves it's own blogpost because the clothes are so soft and comfy but there's so much more to it than that.  

 

David and Simba supervised Jay with grilling lessons and Jay passed the test.  He has hooked up the trailer and pulled the grill to several locations for picnics and tailgates with the GWU basketball team.  From all reports he is a chip off the old block.  No wonder.

 

Mom and Dad had a serious challenge in Mid August when they woke up in the middle of the night and their house was on fire.  They have had to move out of their house for several months but fortunately were able to move into the Hunt House.  Judy owns the Hunt house now and as I have written before she is the only person I know with a permanent home in Blowing Rock, NC and a vacation home in Lattimore.  Dad grew up in the Hunt house and Mom and Dad lived there briefly when they were newlyweds 67 years ago.   Talk about circle of life.  It's been a transition to be moved out of their own home but they have adapted to it like champs.  Making lemonade out of lemons.  Or in the case of this picture making Pimiento Cheese sandwiches for a group of friends who were helping Jackson and Mary Beth paint the Martin House down the street in Lattimore. 

 

Responding to adversity by thinking of ways to help someone else is a life skill that we can all learn.  So many times someone will say to me that "your parents are so lucky to have such a happy life".  They have certainly been blessed but they have also created their own luck by choosing happiness.  Which reminds me of another quote I saw recently from Helen Keller who faced her own challenges with inspirational courage and grace.

 

"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."

 

 

 

Shortly after the fire at Mom and Dad's house we enjoyed a happy occasion.  Many people (especially Brownie, Marta,  JT, Emily)  have worked for years to make the Earl Scruggs Center a reality in Uptown Shelby.  We were happy to be a part of the preview celebration in August.

  

 

Walking/Zumba buddy Carol celebrated a birthday and Sandy and I celebrated with her.  This is on the Broad River near Lake Lure.  We enjoyed Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and had a fun side trip to Black Mountain. 

 

 

 

 

Carole and Jack hosted a reunion party for the fun wedding trip to Cancun.  We were sorry the bride and groom were in Canada but we had a great time at Twin Chimneys. 

 

 

We enjoyed Twin Chimneys so much that Jack and Carole invited Mom, Dad and Judy out for another visit.  The farm and farmhouse date back to the early 1800s and it is a beautiful place. 

 

Jack and Jack were like two peas in a pod.  And sorta like two little boys enjoying riding around the farm, looking at the cows, and telling tales.

 

Mom and Dad enjoyed getting out on a beautiful September Sunday afternoon.  Dad is soon to be 91 and Mom is 87.  Amazing.

 

Another fun group got together in Linville for a weekend with the Joneses.  That is always a good time.

 

In Linville on Friday night we had a lot of chefs in the kitchen and the meal was wonderful.  Debra and Lisa made a really great Kale and Brussel Sprout salad and Susan made Javanese Salmon.  David cooked ribs and everything was outstanding.  The salad and salmon recipes are on Epicurious.com and are worth looking up.

 

Lisa took this picture of David and me at Eseeola Lodge in Linville.  Susan declared it facebook worthy so I figured it's blog worthy too. 

 

 

Simba and Dingo in the 'cleansing bath' at the creek.   We take them every night and I'm not sure who enjoys it more.  

 

David and his mother taking Simba to run and swim. 

'

 

The tomatoes are gone but the peppers are still growing in my garden.

 

 

Eggplant and basil are growing together.  I'm hoping for a fresh eggplant parmesan pretty soon.

 

John and Beth opened a Peace Avenue Holiday Showroom in the Royster Building.  It's a cool spot with a good message and comfy clothing and will be a great addition to Uptown Shelby for the holiday season.

 

 

 

I love everything about fall and these flowers in the backyard always signal fall's arrival. 

 

Which brings to mind one last quote:

 

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."  John Burroughs

 

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going Forward with an Eye on the Past - Bill Camp's Tomato Canapes

 

 

It's a good thing we have a garden because a garden is a sweet constant in the cycle of change.  Life moves on so fast and things can change in the blink of an eye.   In such an unpredictable world a garden is full of predictable things.  Good things to eat.  Good things to remember. 

 

Bill Camp's Tomato Canapes are a good thing to eat and to remember.  Bill passed away a few weeks ago into his 90s and the memories flooded in as fast as the tomatoes do this time of year.  Bill was, as Dad put it, a truly genteel Southern gentleman.  He had a sweet smile and a sweet voice and he fit in everywhere.  He was a great caterer and a person that people loved being around.  Dad pointed out that Bill was a good cook but he was also a good salesman who knew how to make a party fun. 

And he was also brilliant.  Bill was black and it was the South in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s.  But there was a duplicate bridge group at North Lake Country Club and Bill was always a part of that group.  Duplicate bridge is no easy game and these were serious card players.  Some of that group had Lattimore ties.  Ms. Daisy Price played as did Paris Weathers.  Paris had worked with my grandfather and also with my Dad at the Lowes store.  Paris' wife Mattie Lou was the Lattimore postmistress.  Libby remembers reading letters that Mattie Lou had written to Aunt Burnette and she always signed them, "Just Mattie Lou". 

 

Bill had other ties to Lattimore.  He helped found Eskridge Grove Church near Lattimore and so he and Nishie knew each other from church.  Nishie was a lot of fun too so these two together would have had some hilarious times in the kitchen and in church. Bill and Nishie cooked together for parties at our house several times over the years and I loved helping them in the kitchen.  I can see them teasing and laughing and making the work fun. 

 

One of those parties in Lattimore was the wedding reception in 1973 when Penny and Jim were married.  It was a huge party in the back yard.  Dad remembered that originally Bill was going to fix Tomato Canapes in the basement kitchen to make it easy to get them outside to the party.  But Bill didn't like cooking in the basement because it wasn't where the action was so he moved his cooking station and everybody was happier. 

 

Another party was for the NC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet.  George Corn and Buck Archer wanted to have a party before the banquet in Cleveland County since David Thompson was being inducted along with Floyd Patterson and Junior Johnson.  It was in the late 1970s and Dad was in the legislature.  He had been in Raleigh and uncharacteristically Mom had stayed home that week.  And, as Dad said, "She did something she had never done before or since".  When he arrived back in Lattimore from Raleigh she met him at the door and was so excited to tell him something that he worried and asked if he should sit down.  Mom said, "no I don't think so".  She went on to explain that George and Buck had been out to visit and they thought Mom and Dad could put on a great party with good food and music for the Hall of Fame.  Mom agreed to do it right there on the spot.  I can't tell you how unusual it is for her to agree to something without thinking it over and discussing with Dad.  But he was delighted and I suspect she knew he would be. 

 

So my first memory of Bill Camp is tied to fun parties and to his Tomato Canapes. It's also my first memory of ever hearing the word canape.  I always wondered how Bill learned to make tomato canapes.  He ran with a worldly crowd and he was well read himself but he could have just as easily fried up some white bread, added a little mayo and tomato and made it up on his own.

 

Bill Camp's Tomato Canapes

 

 

 

The first step in a tomato canape is to have a really good tomato.  Then to cut out circles of bread.  Bill's Canapes always had exactly the right sized circle for the size of tomatoes he was using.  He used regular white bread and I have no idea which mayo he used but if you've been reading this blog you know that I am a devout Hellman's girl. 

 

 

 

When Linda found out that I was making these her first response was to get out the cast iron frying pan.  It's true.  You need the even heat of a good cast iron pan to very quickly fry the bread circles in hot vegetable oil. You barely drop them in before you get them out of the boiling hot oil.  They need to be crispy and brown.  Then cool and drain on a paper bag.

 

 

 

Spread a tiny bit of mayo on the bread and add a perfect sized tomato with a little salt and pepper.  These are really rich but they are wonderful.  And so are the memories.  It's impossible to have a tomato canape without a happy memory of Bill Camp and days gone by.

 

 

And speaking of days gone by.  July was filled with the Holy Grail of Garden Bounty. 

Silver Queen Corn.

 

 

Mom and Dad's corn crop in Lattimore was smaller this year.   Dad planted a little less corn in the garden and then we had some crazy weather which knocked down some of his stalks.   But we did get some of their silver queen into the freezor.

 

Jay and David shucked and silked silver queen corn.  They were supervised by Simba and Mr. Cat.

 

Jay continued silking Dad's corn in our kitchen. Sweet.

 

This is a basketful of sweet silver queen ready to blanche.

 

 

Since I was shorthanded this year David took a turn cutting corn off the cob.  Super sweet.

 

 

Between corn from Dad and from sweet friend Joe and a little bit from the Foothills Farmer's market, I have 30 pints of cut off and several quarts of on the cob in the freezor.  The Holy Grail of Garden Bounty will be very Holy this winter.

 

 

David IV flew home from Dallas in time to pick a few ears of corn too.  I posted this pic on facebook with the caption, "a man outstanding in his field".   Most everyone commented on the throwback Charlotte Hornets Tshirt.  Ironically at about this same time the Charlotte team reclaimed their original name.  David IV was 3 weeks old when we attended the first Hornets basketball game back in 1988.  We had really good Hornets tickets and spent a LOT of fun times at those games. 

 

 

While David IV was home we had to have lunch at the Taste-T Drive In in Shelby.

 

 

 

 

We spent a fun day at the Lake one July day with Jay and the GWU basketball coaching staff. 

Well what was then the GWU coaching staff.  Little did we know we should have been singing Anchors Away!    A couple of weeks after this picture was taken Coach Holtmann decided to take a job at Butler and not long after Coach McCauley took a job at Furman.  Such is the nature of Coaching.

 

In any case, these are all good coaches and good people and we wish them all well wherever they are.  Change is constant and adapting to change is a most valuable life skill.

 

 

And speaking of adapting to change.  This is a lunch held recently at the Round Up Store.  Mom and Dad opened the Round Up Store years ago in Ellenboro and it has evolved in many ways over the years.   I posted some Round Up history on this blog on June 26, 2010 and have posted at other times about ciphering and cooking and the fun goings on at the Round Up.    

 

I have had the pleasure of working and playing at the Shelby Round Up for the last 26 years.  And before that at the Ellenboro Round Up for most of my childhood.  But it was time to make a change and Dad found the perfect buyer for the store.   So I am officially retired and it's true what they say - when you retire you find yourself busier than ever!

 

 In real Round Up fashion Rod, Frieda, Phil, Chris and Keith put on a great lunch for Dad, Mom and friends.  We had a great time and still feel the family atmosphere there.  Change is not easy but I feel good about Dad's decision and wish everyone much success.   It will be fun to watch the further evolution of the Round Up Store. 

 

This is a rain gauge that Harry gave David a few years ago.  We have had a rainy spring and summer and I joked that I have been getting a full body workout just changing the rain gauge every day.  But I know that a lot of rain in the spring and summer mixed with cooler temperatures in the fall bring on some of the brightest fall colors so we can look forward to that.

 

 

The Roma tomatoes in our tiny garden have been really abundant this year. I halved these and added some whole garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil.  I roasted for about three hours on low heat - maybe 220 degrees.  My plan was to put them in a pasta dish but we ended up just eating them straight off the pan as a snack.  They were a lot like sun dried tomatoes only better.

 

 

Here's a pic of the Zinnia bed that Jay and Turner planted for me.  Zinnias are such a happy flower.

 

 

It's been a crazy, busy and active summer.  We enjoy working and we love to cook for big crowds but now and then it's pretty wonderful to relax on the screened porch with a candlelight dinner for two.  

 

Jay took this picture at Lake Lure and we loved the way the tree framed the lake and the mountains. 

 

Nature's Gardens, Mountains and Lakes.  Memories of  Food, Family and Friends. 

Constants in times of Change.  We are going forward with an eye on the past and as always we are

Counting our Blessings.