It's true that I'm grateful for technology. I'm grateful for cars, boats and planes. There are so many modern conveniences that we can be grateful for. My cellphone and computer allow me to keep in company with my friends and family on the mainland and around the world anytime I want. I can text my cousins on Kauai all day long as well as everyone on Oahu. Someday, I'll be able to fly again to visit my children and grandchildren in Illinois and Maryland.
But the other day, I stood in the kitchen and was just feeling grateful for some things we take for granted.
I can get hot or cold water with a flick of the handle.
I don't have to pump it out of a well. It's just there whenever I want it.
And the refrigerator...
It holds ice cream, iced coffee, vegetables and all kinds of food to keep us happy and healthy.
How awesome is that?
But you know what else I love?
Yup. Ice cubes.
Have I pandemically lost my mind?
But yes, ice cubes.
I love my ice cubes. I don't have to go to a lake and chop ice cubes to keep in my cellar during the winter. I think that's what they did before.
Ummm.... Oh right.... I do live in Hawaii so no frozen lakes in winter.
Aaah... even more reason to be grateful for ice cubes. I need it for my morning mochas.
And right now... I'm also grateful for vaccinations!!! And masks! Yes, masks. And doctors and nurses and hospitals (in case you get sick despite the vaccination) and so many other things.
Isn't it wonderful?
POSTSCRIPT 1:
I'm just checking the posts I scheduled for this month and the above (which I wrote last month ) hit me even harder when I thought of the Ukrainian people who are suddenly losing their homes, country and lives.
And then I saw this in the Letters to the Editor page of the Star Advertiser.
"Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is an inspirational leader and modern-day version of Braveheart. He has shown much courage and leadership in the midst of Russia’s senseless invasion of his country.
He was given a chance to leave for his personal safety but instead chose to stand with his people to fight until the end against a far superior army. He opted for more weapons and not a ride out.
It immediately made me think of what our former president would have done if faced with a similar situation. I remember when protesters were at the gates of the White House. He did not even have the courage to face them, and instead hid in the bunker for his safety — but later denied it. When he gave his rousing speech to the insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021, he promised that he would walk with them, but in fact stayed safely inside to watch the insurrection on TV.
He does not instill true leadership as Zelenskyy does. Even worse, giving sick praise to Russian President Vladimir Putin (calling him a genius) to invade Ukraine reveals his poor judgment and total disregard for human life. I hope we never have him as president again.
Gary ------Waipahu"
I just read this post to Art and he laughed saying..."Uuumm... that Letter to the Editor doesn't quite tie in with your post."
OK fine. Maybe not. I don't care. But I do care about what is happening to Ukraine.
POSTSCRIPT 2:
Just a reminder. Did you all (in the U.S.) order your second set of free test kits?
I did. 😁 ...Just in case.
Indeed. Most people today have almost no idea what a wearying grind ordinary household tasks were before this kind of basic household technology became widespread. And of course a disproportionate share of that extra work fell on women.
ReplyDeleteThat well water wasn't nearly as safe to drink as tap water in an advanced country today, either.
Visit any cemetery that's been around for a century or so, and it's startling how many graves there are of young children up until, roughly, the 1950s. After that point, there are very few child graves -- because that's when vaccines came into widespread use for childhood diseases.
I never got the first tests that I ordered now that you mention it!?!
ReplyDeleteTrump would have trampled over Melania and Baron on his rush to get to safety!
I am grateful he LOST the last election.
I like both the original post and the postscript. You are so right about that former president.
ReplyDeleteArt can be a tough editor, but I think the letter ties in; if this is all about appreciation, I am VERY appreciative of the fact that Donald Trump is no longer in the White House!! He'd either be offering our military to aid his hero Putin, or announcing the USA's surrender to Russia! Anyway, I love ice cubes too 😉♥️👍
ReplyDeleteAny moment we enjoy as free time is due to all the wonderful advances we enjoy. Some people would like to go back to pioneer times--wowzers, not me. Right now I am just sick that those poor refugees do not have any comforts right now. Food, comfort, warmth and feelings of safety that I enjoy, they can only dream about.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a blessing, it is that Trump has been benched and no longer in the game. Amen.
We take a lot for granted let's hope we can avoid war.
ReplyDeleteI often think of the miracle of modern plumbing. Go to a big city, and many many thousands of toilets are being flushed all of the time, and it all goes away.
ReplyDeleteI do think of my ancestors when I work in the kitchen. I remember an older woman telling me how hard they had to work when she was a young woman. And I believe that.
ReplyDeleteTrump was a nightmare. So many people where I live are under his spell. I am hoping they will see the light. A cousin of mine sent me a tik tok of a joke. The joke was funny but it was clearly bashing Biden. I feel like unloading her. But she is estranged from her own son over a disagreement.
Thank you...I didn't know we could get a second order! And I agree with you about our modern advances...especially brought to light by what the people in Ukraine are going through in bomb shelters and trying to get out.
ReplyDeleteMod cons and plumbing can bite us in the butt when they misbehave but I still wouldn't want an ice box or an outhouse. Most of the time anyway. I love ice cubes too although I drink my morning mochas hot. :)
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I can't see Biden doing what Zelenskyy is doing right now. Heck, I can't even see myself doing what that man is doing. Zelenskyy is a rare human being.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the second set of tests. I just placed my order too.
I have Covid tests handy in case we need them. One is good until later this year; the others expire in 2023. At this point I'm not anticipating needing any more.
ReplyDeleteMy parents and I had no running water until we moved to Kansas City in 1956. Just a pump outside the back door, and an outhouse for a bathroom.
ReplyDeleteWe both grew up in a time and place where we didn't have all of these modern conveniences. It is easy to be spoiled by them. I often think I would never have made it as a pioneer.
ReplyDeleteI feel so sad, and helpless, for the people of Ukraine. If they leave, they are leaving with almost nothing. If they stay their lives are in danger. The best I can do is contribute a bit of money, in my case, to the USA for UNHCR UN Refuge fund.
Thanks for the link Kay. I always enjoy your posts very much
ReplyDeleteWe do have so much to be thankful for. My little grandson was over and fussing about not getting more crackers and I remembered what my mother used to say about little children starving in China when I would get fussy about my food. So I told him that he should be happy with what he has because he is fortunate, unlike the poor people in Ukraine who are under siege. Of course, being just 1 year and 5 months old, he didn't get it. But your post today hit all the points.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to see your posts. Kay
ReplyDeleteIt occurs to me that I make no use of ice cubes over the winter.
ReplyDeleteI too think it's easy to take for granted all that we have to make our lives easier. And I too have cried over Ukraine almost daily. I gave money to UNICEF for the children. I wish there was more I could do.
ReplyDeleteI agree, modern conveniences are more than conveniences these days, they are a necessity. It reminds me of the time, a few years ago, when we drove through an Indian reservation in Arizona, and how barren it was, and we wondered how in the world we could ever survive if we were suddenly taken away from home and sent off to a place like that with only a few supplies and no resources. How did the Native Americans do it? And what will happen to all those Ukrainian refugees?
ReplyDeleteThe world is less and less a happy place. We must help Ukraine in every way possible.
ReplyDeleteI think many people will do a lot of thinking and rethinking about the things we enjoy in life. Many more things will change in the near future. Our gasoline price has gone up.
ReplyDeleteGeorge did. I too am grateful for things like modern medicine, but not the 7 a gallon gas.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about Trump. He's a coward and a liar.
ReplyDeletewelcome back, love reading your posts. I also feel great gratitude for my home, food and belongings which we all take for granted
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. We take much for granted here.
ReplyDeleteThe impact from your previous president is going to last a long time. It is discouraging.
Every day I go through my activities thanking God for all that I have. Water, electricity, a roof over our head, indoor plumbing, all the appliances that make my life so easy. My car and the roads on which to travel. I can still buy gas. I can still drive and go places. I always park at the far end of parking lots when I stop to shop or run errands. I so grateful for the ability to get out and walk. Life is so abundant.
ReplyDeleteNot ordering any more tests right now. We have six. The mask mandate for schools end next week and i'm thinking of leaving the mask at home. I'm going to trust the science of my vaccines.
Just got an email yesterday and ordered our second set of Covid tests. I figured we could always give one to someone who needs one if we don’t. I saw a post with a similar message to your Letter to the Editor, a picture of Ukrainian President Zelensky in combat clothing surrounded by soldiers, and Trump in a suit saying, “Can’t. Bone spurs. “
ReplyDeleteJust got our second set of Covid tests. Haven't used any yet... DH had a mild case of Covid in January, but since we are triple vaxxed, it was more like a cold. His doctor insisted on checking him since we're in our 70's... and he was positive, but never ran a fever or felt bad. And I never had any symptoms. Just came across your blog recently and thought I'd check you out. Our son and his wife lived in Hawaii for 3 years (on Oahu)- she worked at the Castle Hospital there. We visited them and loved it!
ReplyDeleteHello, Rian, I’m so glad you had a light case of COVID. You now have more antibodies which is probably a good thing. Castle Hospital is on the greener side of the island. 😊 We just saw our tax accountant who had a terrible case of COVID and ended up in the hospital even though she was vaccinated. The doctor said she would have died if she wasn’t vaccinated.
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