Tuesday, January 1, 2008

BRRRRRRRR! And Some Chicken Soup to Warm Me!

The New Year arrived to remind us in my area, that it's winter!
"Baby, it's cold outside!"
Fifteen degrees with a wind-chill of zero but no precipitation. Brrr! The good news is, by the weekend we'll be back in the upper fifties and even sixties.

Some Chicken Soup arrived for the new year as well, and although "fowl" is not supposed to be on the menu on New Years Eve or Day, this "chicken soup" was very welcome. My contributing author's copy of "Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrating People Who Make a Difference: The Headlines You’ll Never Read," looks great, and the stories in it are wonderful. It will be in the book stores in February.

My inspirational little piece also made it into the January issue of True Confession. It's in their "That's Incredible" department. The buzz went around about it in our grocery store, and some of the guys that work in there told me it sold out really quickly! LOL. Even Bob, the stock guy, bought a copy, but told me not to tell anyone. LOL. So I'll have to wait for my copy to arrive in the mail in a month or so.

And a check arrived in the mail as well, from Dave Bordon of Bordon Books, for the "Best Dad in the World" book, which will be released just before Father's Day 2008. Usually, the contributing writers get their checks when the book comes out, but he surprised us all with an early check! Thank you, Mr.Bordon!

So, the year 2008 has begun on a good note for me. They say what you do on the first day of the year, you will do all year. I went out to dinner with friends. Par for the course, for a "social butterfly." Tee-Hee.

My writing has become sporadic though. There are too many other things at this point in my life, that I want to do and enjoy. My daughter says I've become a social butterfly, nowadays, and so I have. Being with family, friends, enjoying simple things bring me much pleasure; they are joys of life that I want to enjoy more fully now.

This poem made an impression on me:

Otherwise
By Jane Kenyon

I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been otherwise. I ate cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took a dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning did
the work I love.

At noon I lay down
with my man. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.

(The poet Jane Kenyon died at the age of 45 of leukemia.)

So, in the new year of 2008, my main goal is to be thankful and enjoy my blessings. As for resolutions, they are the same as last year: to be the best Mom I can be to my "human" kids and "furry" kids as well, the best Nana to my grandchildren, the best friend to my dear friends, and a good all around person.

I hope all of you reach your goals in the new year, whether they be lofty or more simple, like mine, and if you made any resolutions, good luck on keeping them.


Happy New Year!

49 comments:

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
Burrrr!!!! You got that right. LOL. It is indeed a very cold morning here as well. It is 20 degrees with a windchill of 12 degrees. The high is only suppose to be 32 degrees today and back down in the teens for tonight. Then by the weekend, it's up in the 60's here. This crazy weather huh? LOL. "CONGRATULATIONS" on your new book. I think that is so great. Maybe I can be able to get the book and read it when it does come out. I sure hope so because I love reading your stories. You are a great writer. I loved the poem you posted as well. I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore. I used to but I ended up not keeping them. Take care my friend and have a great day. Stay inside and stay warm and eat Chicken Noodle Soup. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Mary said...

Renie,

Congratulations on the book and the check. Isn't it wonderful that it arrived early.

I've updated a little, as was able to find a computer at the hotel. Look forward to being home once again. Talk to you soon. Have hundreds of photos.

Blessings,
Mary

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, my early bird friend, Karen,

It's warm where you are, compared to our temperatures! LOL. Yes, this social butterfly is staying home and inside, for the most part, today. I'll have to fill the bird feeders though, as soon as it's light out.

Thank you for coming by. Bet you gave a weather report this morning on Karen's Korner! LOL.

Have a great day.

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Mary!

What a wonderful surprise to see you here. Enjoy that sunshine though, you'll have plenty of snow and cold when you get back.

Thank you for coming by, all the way from sunny Florida. Happy New Year!

Hugs,

Renie

Patty said...

Good morning from cold snow covered Brookville Ohio. the temp here is 8 above, have no idea what the wind chill factor might be. But it is cold. Breakfast is over but I have to get myself dressed yet.

Liked the poem you posted. I don't make any resolutions, because I know I would never keep them. But the ones you made sound pretty nice, easy and simple to keep, so I will adopt yours.

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

It's cold here too (22 degrees) and the wind is really whipping. All night long something was banging around in the attic and this morning it was really loud, it woke me up with a start. I'm going to have to climb up in there and find out what it is. For a moment, before my eyes were opened, I had a flashback that it was that crazy little woodpecker that use to wake me every morning, pecking away just as hard as he/she could go, sounding as if someone were banging on the side of the house.

The poem was very sweet. It reminds me to be thankful for the day.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Patty,

Brrr, it's even colder where you are!

Yes, resolutions are hard to keep, unless one is really determined to follow them.

Thank you for coming by and commenting. Keep warm!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Deborah,

I guess it's cold everywhere. Mary said it was 48 in Florida, and that's cold for there.

Yes, the poem does suggest to be thankful for every day that we can do the things we want to do, because one day it will be "otherwise."

Hope you found out what was banging in the attic. Sometimes a raccoon or two will somehow move in there, and have to be evicted. But it's hard to do. I know from personal experience.

Thank you for coming by. Hope it warms up in Georgia.

Renie

Michele said...

Congrats on all the success, Renie! You deserve it!

Another inspiring post! Thanks for sharing. :-)

Smiles,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you, Michele. Very kind of you to come by with such a nice comment.

Renie

Michele said...

Back again, Renie.

Just wanted to let you know your recent comments have been published and I've responded to them over at my blog. For some reason, and a huge oversight on my part, your comments were lost amidst the others in the archives of comments.

I'm terrible sorry. You'll find out more in my responses. I've emailed you as well.

Thanks for understanding??

Smiles,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Michele,

I do understand. Things happen. I'll be over to check out the found comments and answers. Thank you for explaining it. You are so sweet!

Hugs,

Renie

Michele said...

Whew! Thank you for understanding, Renie!

And... you ARE a jewel!

Smiles,
Michele

Nonnas News said...

What a way to start the new year!! Congrats!!
I spent the first day of the new year buying furniture, I wonder if that means I"ll be buying furniture all year long!! haha

Unknown said...

The temperature here in Louisville has “warmed up” to 17 F. May the cat and I have some of that chicken soup?

Renie Burghardt said...

Maybe an older, somewhat faded jewel then, Michele. :_)

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you for the congrats, Nonna.

Well, buying furniture all year wouldn't so bad, would it? LOL.

Thank you for coming by. Have a nice evening in warmer Texas!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Two serving of chicken soup coming up, Mr. Nick!

Snuggle up with Alex, and keep warm! :-)

ancient one said...

Congratulations!! I'm glad your new year started out so great!! I must keep an eye out for those books! Loved the poem!

Glo said...

Saw your post on Mary's blog and though I'd drop by. You have a great blog. I here in Missouri and we're having the same weather....brrr is right. I don't think my feet will thaw until spring.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Ann,

Thank you for coming by. Hope all is well with you.

Blessings,

Renie





Hi Glo,

Nice to see you. I'm kind of in MO too. Well, one foot in MO, one in AR. LOL.

Hope you visit again. Happy New Year!

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
Burrrr!!!! Another cold morning here in this neighborhood. It is currently 16 degrees and I don't think there is a windchill right now. That could change tho you never know. LOL. I just thought I would drop by and make sure you are staying inside and staying warm. I'm having my coffee this morning. I just fixed the girls some good hot oatmeal for their breakfast. They start back to school today. I have enough left that I may eat the rest after I take them to school this morning. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Karen,

Yep, another cold morning, but it will warm up a bit today. I am going out a little later this morning. There is another beautiful sunrise, so we will have some sunshine again, today. I enjoy our morning coffee together, my friend. Thank you for coming by. Have a wonderful day.

Love and Hugs,

Renie

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Many congratulations on your book and published story. Looks like a successful year for you. Great
I liked your resolutions and also the poem Thanks for your comments, my friend. I made Kate's veggie recipe the other day and it was yummy. Glad you liked all the family pictures and thank you for your kind words about my blog. I am glad you enjoy. Take great care Renie, Love, Merle.

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

I love to see your smiling face here. Thank you for the nice comment and visit. Keep cool, and send some of the hot weather in your neck of the woods, our way!

Blessings and Love,

Renie

Glo said...

I'm really enjoying stopping by and reading you blog. I love Chicken Soup for Soul books.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Glo,

Nice to see you back. Chicken Soup for the Soul books are nice, aren't they? I like to read them and I enjoy writing for them. Stop in again, anytime. Have a great day!

Renie

david santos said...

Hi Renie!
Have a lovely, happy, healthy and successful 2008!

Talk..to..Grams said...

Hi Renie, I am new to your blog. I saw your comments over at Glo's blog and Glo lives about 30 miles from me! We are wanting see each other for the first time so maybe in 2008 this will work out!!
Mary is one of my dear friends too! So I thought I had better get over here and say Hello to You!!

This is just great that you have a new book published!! Good for you!! How wonderful is that!!!
Blessings, Grams

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear David,

Thank you for your visit and good wishes for the new year. I don't know how you found me, but I'm glad you did. I tried thanking you on your wonderful blog, but never could find an end to the hundreds of comments there, so I am thanking you here. Maybe you'll come my way again.

You have a "Good Heart," a compassionate, caring heart, and I wish you many blessings for the new year and always.

Be well!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Grams!

How nice of you to come visit. Thank you! Mary is an old friend. We've known each other for almost ten years.

I know you live in the Show Me state, as does Glo. I am a Show Me gal myself, but right on the Arkansas border.

I hope you and Glo can get together. Thirty miles is just a stone's throw. At least out here in the country, it is.

Now I'm going to hop over and visit with you, dear Lady.

Blessing,

Renie

Anonymous said...

oh wow! congratulations! what a blessing at the start of the year. =D

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Pia,

Thank you for the nice comment. It is a blessing! Happy New Year!

Hugs,

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
I'm here with my cup of coffee to have coffee with you. It is another cold morning here. It is 26 degrees with a windchill of 19 degrees. Not as cold as the last couple of mornings, but still cold. It only made it up to 31 degrees yesterday. They were predicting a high of 35-38 degrees but it didn't make it. It's suppose to be in the high 40's today. We will see. LOL. "THANK YOU" for having coffee with me. I always enjoy our coffee time together. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Merle said...

Hi again Renie ~~ Thank you so much for your congratulations and the very nice words about my blog. I am having a night off tonight, but I'll be back
I feel blessed to have met you also Renie, blogging makes us feel so close to each other. Take care, Much
love, Merle.

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Karen,

I just came in from feeding the birds, and a hot cup of coffee tastes wonderful right now. Yes, still pretty cold out there, but it is moderating a bit.

I enjoy sharing my cup of coffee with you. Have a blessed day!

Hugs,

Renie

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

Left you a message on my my blog - the culprit in the attic was a loose piece of metal (around the fan). I'm glad it wasn't racoons or squirrels, I have a lot of squirrels here..:)

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

I meant every word! Thank you for coming by and the nice comment. Have a wonderful day off. I take a lot of days off from blogging. :-)

Blessings and Love,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Deborah,

Well, I'm glad to hear it wasn't a raccoon, or squirrel, or worse yet, a boogey man! :-)

Renie

Glo said...

Renie,
Brande' is my cousin daughter. She is only 33 and has two little boys 9 & 12. The 4 of Nov. She went to the ER with Kidney Inf. They sent her home w/meds. Within a matter of hours she was back in hospital in ccu and they were calling the family in..didn't know if she make it or not. Since that day she flat lined was pronounced dead,had a heart attack,2 strokes,been on dializes,lost part of her right arm below the elbow,part of her thumb on the left, and all her toes ,but one big one. But with Gods help and all the prayers she on the mind. Strong little gal and has a lot of faith in God.
Thanks for stopping by and your prayers.
hugs and blessings,
Glo

Talk..to..Grams said...

Thanks for stopping by tonight!! I enjoyed your visit!! It is warmer here then the first of the week! I live up by KC and Glo and I do want to meet each other!! Love and Hugs Grams

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, Glo, thank you for telling me about Brande. What an ordeal. But it sounds like her faith is strong and seeing her through it all. Sometimes, even at our worst moment in life, we get the strength to overcome, with God's help. He gives us the strength. I know this from personal experience! I will keep Brande in my prayers. Please let us know how she is doing. I'll be over regularly to see if you have updates on her. Have a peaceful evening.

Blessings,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Grams,

I enjoyed my visit to your place. I'm so pleased to have gotten to know you. Thank you for the return visit. Have a great evening.

Hugs,

Renie

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

(((HUGS))) Happy New Year, Renie =)

Sure. Please feel free to copy anything from my blog. God is very good all the time.

Congratulations on your writings. You're very talented, Renie. I'm so proud of you.

Please take very good care of yourself in the cold weather. Brrr... LOL

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Audrey,

Winter has gone on a short vacation for now, and spring is giving us a little taste of what is to come in a couple of months.

I have printed out your beautiful prayer, and it's here by my laptop, where I can read it every day. Thank you!

I hope the new year has been good to you, so far. Thank you for coming by, my friend. Have a blessed weekend.

Love and Hugs,

Renie

Grandy said...

Renie~ I can tell just by how you comment and how open and honest you are that your resolution to be a good person all the way around, is already there. Congratulations on the good things to come in 2008! And as far as you being a social butterfly? Why Not??!! Enjoy what you've been blessed with!!

Happy New Year!!

Renie Burghardt said...

Grandy,

Thank you for this nice comment. Well, the social butterfly thing is kind of in jest, I just enjoy the company of my friends! Happy New Year to you as well!
Renie

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

Glad to hear the temperature didn't stay cold! Fifties and sixties sound very nice, indeed.

Congratulations on you all your publishing successes!! How wonderful!

I like the poem you quoted. It certainly has a good perspective on life.

I would wish you good luck with your resolutions except that I don't think you need it. I'm sure you have accomplished them in the past splendidly and you will do the same in 2008! Happy New Year, Renie!!

Love and hugs,
Tina

Renie Burghardt said...

Tina!

I've been wondering if you were okay, since you haven't been online for a while. I'm glad to see you! Thank you for the nice comment. Happy New Year to you.

Hugs,

Renie