One of my favorite natural wonders is the ocean.  The pure vastness and greatness of it is appealing to me.  No matter how loud I am, social blunders I may be guilty of and how many different directions I am pulled in---the ocean is bigger than me and I find great solace in that.  I love to sit and listen to the intensity of the waves, watch the rolling patterns ebb and flow and revel in the sun shining it's intense rays down and the symbiotic relationship between the moon and the ocean at night.  Man is great but nature is greater.  There is nothing more romantic to me than the great dark sea.  

*  Photos taken at Sandbridge Beach, VA.

It is almost Thanksgiving!  It may be a little cornball but I wanted to take the time to list the things I am grateful for.  I have so many things to be grateful for but here's a snapshot:

1.  My family - and not just my husband and sons but my mothers- in- law (a special shout out to my #1 fan Miss Linda! ) , my sisters, brother in law and niece and Keith's extended family most of whom have made me feel like one of them!  

2.  My friends-  maybe I don't see you often enough or maybe you don't know how appreciated you are but you're very special to me and some of you I've had since high school!

3.  Health-  Especially in my job where I see so many recooperating children, I'm so glad my children have their health.  They are happy and healthy and I should really remember to be grateful for this and not take it for granted.

4.  Love-  I am grateful to recognize this emotion and see it all around me, from the way my father- in- law loves his son and wants him to be happy to the way my little one looks at me when I pick him up out of his crib.

5.  Food-  As I type this I'm "starving" but I know when I get home that I have cupboards full of food.  Many people are what has been coined as "Food insecure"-  they don't always know where they'll find their next meal.

6.  My gifts-  Not to sounds like a braggart but everyone has gifts.  Mine are in art, music and teaching.  I'm incredibly grateful to have those.

7.  My shortcomings-  To balance my gifts I'm also grateful for my shortcomings such as math and sometimes relationships with others!  If I didn't have shortcomings, I wouldn't have new things to work on and explore to become better.

8.  My work-  What other jobs would give me flexible time and the ability to do so many cool things?!  I get to help students and teach who otherwise may fall through the cracks and I get to shop for really cool people..... Are you kidding me?!  I'm blessed for having my two jobs.

As Thanksgiving approaches try to think about what you are grateful for and remember it's not just this time of year when the retailers put on the music and the decorations are overblown;  gratefulness is important year round.  I think I'll save this list to remind myself of the same during the coming year!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

John W. Gardner's quote speaks monumentally to me. 

Growing up I spent some of my formative years in central and South America, specifically Costa Rica and Argentina.  I was home schooled, attended private schools and attended Spanish public schools within those four years.  The classes and education system were holistic, building upon one another.  When we studied math, the word problems were intertwined with our vocabulary words.  History was woven into the threads of our dance costumes which bled into our recess- our version of physical education.

We were required to carry a handkerchief in our guardapolvos (a mandated smock worn over our street clothes to prevent stereotyping and classicism among students).  If students didn't have a handkerchief- guess what?!  We made them in art class with scraps of fabric and embroidery.  When I was 10, I moved back to the US but my love of learning had been ignited by my years spent in foreign schools.

Since the time of my first pregnancy, I became fascinated with medicinal plants.  How could some little green thing that many call weeds, be so powerful and utilitarian?  The student in me wanted to investigate this, to see the power in this plants and that's exactly what I've pursued.

Stevia is a plant whose leaves taste sweet.  In tropical climates they grow this in fields and cut down the entire stalk and leave it hanging upside down to dry.  The valerian plant is treasured for its medicinal roots which should be harvested in the fall.  The roots cause mild sedation and capsules can be bought over the counter.  I've harvested my plants now and I'm ready to use!  Anyone want to join?