Ten Things of Thankful

european robin building a nest; words Ten Things of Thankful

This is the 20th year that I’ve participated in the Writers’ Digest April Poem-a-Day Challenge. Over that time, I’ve managed honourable mention a few times, and placed 2nd twice, but never won the competition. It’s true — the joy is in the participation and meeting up with old friends again, but I sure do wish that at least once I could win this sucker … erm… contest. Anway, here’s this week’s ten things I’m thankful for — for which I’m thankful, I mean.

I. Tulips. The yellow ones always open later, and now the whole array of colour brightens the garden. Peder planted all 12 of new rose bushes. I’m thankful that he has a good hip and strong knees (although he broke my shovel, so I bought him a new one because there’s more planting to do.)

II. Danish medisterpølse. Thankful that Brexit didn’t cut ties with Scandinavian food that my husband and I enjoy eating. This was our non-traditional Easter dinner; non-traditional by English standards, at least.

III. A new project about a fictional village called Whittlespeck. A mixture of poetry, prose, and artwork created using Midjourney.

IV. Hot cross buns with lots of Irish butter. Such a treat: the butter is fermented unlike English butter which is churned. The flavour is richer and the texture softer.

V. An afternoon in Kent on a sunny day to see the apple orchards. Thankful that we chose a warm, bright day because the weather dipped and then dripped the next day. The orchards hummed with the sound of bees.

VI. Thankful that the neighbourhood is filled with flowering cherry trees right now. Soon it’ll be snowing pink petals everywhere.

VII. The rosemary bush, which is enormous, is blooming. The bees love it. Thankful we placed it near the clothesline as the scent is picked up in the fabric on a warm day.

VIII. Thankful for beauty in unexpected places.

IX. The first rose of summer is almost ready to open. And I’m thankful that spraying the grapevines is done; it’s a stinky job.

X. Thankful to Denise for hosting Six Sentence Stories. Brigid and Fereil are still on the Rhône River heading south. This week’s mindmapping liturgy for the Six Sentence Story can be read here.

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Welcome to TToT (Ten Things of Thankful) blog hop! Join bloggers from all over the world as we come together to share those things that we are thankful for. Ten is in the name, but no one is counting; feel free to link up no matter how many (or few) you can list. Make sure to go read and comment on the posts, too. The TToT has always been big on making this a friendly community, and getting to know each other through posts and comments is a huge part of that. We’re thankful for you!

Thanks also to those who help get the word out about this blog hop, especially our Board of Co-Hostinae: MimiKristiLisaDyanne, Denise,  Misky,  cai , Knit Cat  and. Andrew

©Misky 2006-2026.


24 responses to “Ten Things of Thankful”

  1. Thanks so much for sharing these 10! Awed by all, especially that super duper rosemary & the concept of Irish butter. Rosemary thrives for many months but hasn’t survived a Canadian winter in my perennial garden, yet.

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    1. Maybe it would be happier in a pot that protected its roots?

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  2. Definitely things to be grateful for, Misky.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree.
      I keep a little list of things during the week. It’s surprising how things take on a different meaning or importance when you’re actually looking for it. I think a list (10 isn’t really needed) from you and your poetic heart would be such a joy to read. That’s an invitation to join in, if I wasn’t forthcoming enough (grinning).

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      1. Oh, thank you, Misky. I will consider doing it.

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        1. That would be really lovely.

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  3. I love all your thankfuls, but especially the hot cross buns and flowering cherry trees!

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    1. Thank you, Cale. Yes, those buns are one of those treats that appear only once a year, unless you make them, but it’s like fruitcake — who makes a fruitcake in April to eat during the summer? It’s a Christmas thing.

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  4. A lovely flowering ten Misky

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    1. Thank you, Brian. Hope your week is full of wonders.

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  5. Beautiful pictures. That rosemary bush is lovely. I used to try to grow rosemary, in pots, but none endured.

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    1. Thank you, and sorry to read that rosemary won’t cooperate for you. Is it your climate?

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  6. […] to Misky for the Ten Things of Thankful. You can join in HERE This is a very timely prompt, so here are my current ten in no particular order. 1.  The new […]

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  7. What lovely pictures. The cherry blossom is awesome. Our neighbour’s Magnolia tree is going to be glorious in a couple of days so I shall be taking a picture of that!

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    1. Oh yes! Magnolias are so beautiful. I drive by one on my way to the supermarket, and it’s in full bloom right now. Welcome to spring!

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  8. Thanks for explaining what makes Irish butter different than other butter. I’ve seen it in stores before, but didn’t know the difference.

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    1. Kerry Gold is what you should reach for if you want the good stuff. 🤗 Churned is lovely (albeit mechanical) but that slightly luxurious toothy feel is special.

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  9. Your list encompasses so many colors of spring right now, it makes me happy to see it.

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    1. Thank you, Mimi! 🌷

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  10. Hi Marilyn – we bought some new tulips in Holland – they were already growing in a pot inside the packet and are now transplanted and stretching their limbs after their confinement so we shall have flowers this year albeit later than the rest which, like yours are in full bloom.

    Looking forward to Whittlespeck – will it be serialised on your blog?

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    1. I hope you added some tulip feed to your compost before planting. I bought a bag of tulips in the garden centre about 2 decades ago, and every year they bloom again. To counter that, I planted some bulbs in pots, they bloomed the first year and refused to even set leaves the next year. It’s hit and miss, Andrew.

      Whittlespeck: My aim is publication first, and if that bombs, which is often the case, I’ll think about posting it as a series of some sort.

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  11. (in order)

    i) damn straight! we’re rooting for you

    III. very cool, there (in such fiction) as much fun in the world-building as in the writing of characters and dialogue and such… because world-building!

    IV. hot-cross buns! that takes me back to grammar school (parochial school, so sure do remember them!)

    VI. Not as well-verse in geographic and climates and such but how are you people so far ahead of us in Southern New England, seasonistically-speaking

    have a good, warm and non-winter week ahead

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    1. i. The competition is fierce, and we still don’t know the result from November’s contest. If I come anywhere near honourable mention I’ll be okay with that.

      iv. When the jet stream changes direction and comes from Nick’s direction, things warm up.

      Barbecue tonight. 63F

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