Anne Thistle

Today driving to pick up Mike after work I saw Anne Thistle driving away from campus and realized that I need to thank her. Back in 1978, she taught me about food, ingredients, cooking. She told me stories that (cobbled together with things that I had learned from Joan) gave me an idea of what college life was like. I had missed all that but thanks to Anne, I at least KNEW that I had missed something worthwhile. Probably one of the reasons that I'm still here at FSU these thirty plus years later. Still cooking, still experimenting, still identifying herbs and spices in the foods that I eat. I haven't worked with Anne for more than 30 years and have rarely spoken to her since then. All the more reason to say "Thanks Anne!"

I'm Late to This Game but Starting Anyway...

I recently was the recipient of a very thoughtful act of kindness from a dear relative. She posted something on Facebook for my friends to see that I could not. I had no idea what she had done until it was out of my control. She asked people who had enjoyed our beach house hospitality over the past years to contribute to a fund to replace our ancient central air conditioner (which has since totally died).

For a while, that was all that I knew until I received a note from another dear friend who said,
"I got the email from your niece, Marie. It was such a heartfelt note with a simple request. Although I can't share much ($$$), I did want to send something in testimony to the truth of the email. You are always generous with your time and your "things" and your beach. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your heart! As Marie says, we treasure your "fun spirit, open mind and laughter filled heart."."

When I wrote her a thank you note, I surmised that these gifts from friends had been rather like being allowed to be a witness to one's own funeral; that people frequently think, "oh, she knows how I feel about her" which may be true but I resolved to try to put more thanks in writing and to do it for the living before it's too late.

So that is what this blog will be about -- Thanks.

Big things, small things, everyday things and people, extraordinary people and things.  But everyday -- something I am thankful for, someone I am thankful to, people who make a difference and should not go unnoticed. I have some amazing friends. We don't have a new central air conditioner yet, but we bought a small window unit that we hope will get us and the dogs through the rest of the summer. We hope to be able to replace it by next spring/summer.

And I have a new hobby -- writing thank you notes (and not like Jimmy Fallon does, either). The stamps are gonna kill me! Guess I better order me some "forevers" and get started.