Thursday 3 February 2011

A Life As Good As Mine.


I have had the great honour of receiving the 'Life is good' award by a kind and gentle man, who tells about his life living in the tropical rainforest at the foot of the Malaysian mountain range.  Indeed, he writes wonderful, thoughtful stories, complimented with photographs of inspiration and love.
Now, there are certain requirements in accepting this award
1. Thank and put a link back to the person who so kindly gave this award.
Grandpa at Life on The Farm , I thank you so much for this award.
In fact, Grandpa, you bestowing me with this award was just the tonic I've needed.  A tonic that made me realise, that despite some feelings of overwhelming depression lately, I have much to be grateful for.
2.  Share a few things about yourself.
3.  Pass the award onto some mighty fine bloggers.
4.  Inform these mighty fine bloggers that they have received the award.


Just a look out my kitchen window, as the sun sets on an early February evening, fills me with wonder and makes me realise my life is good.


And late at night, as the moon glows through the kitchen window, I marvel and know my life is good.

And here are just a few more reasons why I think my life is good and thus, I will share them with you.

1.  I have a roof over my head.
2.  I live in a pleasant neighbourhood in a pleasant little English town.
3.  I have a lovely little dog named Penny who provides me with unconditional love.
4.  I have wonderful interaction with the great blogging community.
5.  I have friends and family that love me and I love them.

Yes, my life is good.  I see the pain and the suffering on our fragile planet and wish that all could have a life as good as mine.  I see the lonely homeless man, lying in the alley and wish he could have a life as good as mine.  I see the crying child, the desperately hungry and those who know nothing but war and I wish, yes I wish, they could have a life as good as mine.  If only all man, all creatures great and small, could but have a life as good as mine.

And now, I forward the 'Life is good' award, to the following terrific bloggers.

1. dcrelief  : This wonderful blogger, Dixie, writes stories of wonder, magic and inspiration.  One of my favourite bloggers and I'm very grateful for all her support and encouragement.            
2. Reverie Sanctuary   : Shanaz, at this beautifully written site, with wonderful pictorials, is a superb blogger and a very nice lady.
3.  anybody listening?  :  Yes we are.  'middle child', at this clever and thoughtful blog, is, if you have not already done so, well worth a visit and a good old read.
4.  It's A Lollipop World  :  'LilPixi' writes a great blog with loads of humour and you really should check her out.  Besides, I know she just got the 'LOL' award and thus I wish to keep her busy :-)
5.  Closing Pandora's Box  :  Nas, at this superbly well written and thought provoking blog with excellent prose, is a fantastic new discovery and very much worth a visit.

Thank you and may you have a good day.

49 comments:

  1. I'm glad life is good, Gary. God Bless.

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  2. Hi Gary. I am glad that your life is blessed in such ways. Unconditional love is something that all of us should have.
    Congrats on the award.
    Take care
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  3. Congrats Gary!
    and once again i would say that i echo your thoughts.. inspite of this growing depression lately, there are so many things that we should be grateful about. thanks for reminding me that.:)

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  4. It has been a pleasure, Gary. Thank you for your kind words, and for making the Award so much more meaningful to you and to the rest of us.

    I'm glad that it has enabled you (and me) to take our attention away from a blemish in our otherwise blessed life.

    Take care, my dear friend.

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  5. I also want to say congratulations!to those you've passed the award to.
    I'll be visiting their blogs in a bit.

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  6. If half the world had half as good a life as you describe then the other half of the world could more easily be infected with the same positive charm.

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  7. Congratulations Gary!!!!!


    Well deserved award to a wonderful blogging friend. Keep smiling!!!

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  8. Congrats on your award you do live a great life from the looks of it =)

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  9. Congratulations with this lovely award!!!!Me and Charlie are so grateful to Sharon K Mayhew who introduced your amazing blog to us!!! Your blog is a true bright shining star in blogworld!! Yay!! Take care
    x

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  10. Congrats on the award!

    You're right.

    Life really is good. Sometimes we just don't appreciate what we have.

    :-)

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  11. Congratulations, Gary.

    And congratulations to your chosen recipients too. I’m sure with your impeccable taste they’ll all be extremely deserving too :)

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  12. Congratulations Gary! You seem to be the most popular kid at the party this week lol.

    Life is most certainly Good

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  13. Dear Gary,
    So, yet another award. You thoroughly desrve it though Gare. Your blog surely is an inspirational wonder (no irony intended- well just a little bit!)
    Also glad that you have so many good things to be thankful for. It's made me think of my own list of things "to be thankful for". Mmmm, maybe I'll write them down this instant, lest I forget.
    Very Best Wishes and a gnome and a fairy, your way,
    David.

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  14. Hi there,
    Normally, I would comment back to each and everyone of you wonderful folks, with a more in-depth, personal response. However, on this one occasion and I hope you understand, I shall keep my reply rather short to each of you within this here comment. Man, can I ramble! :-)

    Hi Joylene, thank you and I know how much we both appreciate the good things in life :-)

    Hi John, thanks for the congratulations and unconditional love is a blessed thing :-)

    Hi Maria, thank you for the congrats and may you continue to embrace positivity. For sure, we have much to be grateful for:-)

    Hi Grandpa, thank you, kind sir, for that very thoughtful award. It truly meant a great deal. I know how much we treasure all that is good in our lives. And, thanks for noting and checking out those I forwarded the award too :-)

    Hi the walking man, wise words, my friend and may those of us who have much to be grateful for, spread the positivity to those who have little to smile about :-)

    Hi Lynne, thank you for the congratulations. Very kind of you and may we both keep smiling :-)

    Hi Crisc, thank you for the congratulations. I do my very best to have a great life. I hope all is well in your world :-)

    Hi Old Kitty, awe thank you so much for the congratulations. Thank you for such nice words. And thanks to Sharon for making me aware of you and Charlie over at your delightful blog :-)

    Hi Misha, the congratulations are much appreciated. Life can be a celebration and I know we both embrace the ideals of a good life
    :-)

    Hi Masked Friend, thank you so much for the congrats. And, I'm sure you will appreciate the wonderful writing of the recipients. And thanks again for that link explaining what 'klahanie' means. Very thoughtful of you :-)

    Hi Sy, awe thanks for the congratulations. Yes, we're having a party and I'm bringing the balloons:-)

    Hi David, thanks dude for realising that I received another 'thoroughly deserved' award:-) For sure, we have plenty to be grateful for. Get that pen and paper, at the ready, good sir :-)

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  15. Nicely written, Gary. Nice award, too. If anyone can look on the positive side of life, you can. I think we all can, if we dare or care to look hard enough. Congrats on the award, my friend.

    Might I also be allowed to ask... Is that a bottle of concentrated lemon handwashing or dishwashing liquid in one of those photos?

    And if it is, don't you think you should be alerting everyone on Fartbook that you are currently using this in your home?? I think your followers on Fartbook deserve to know about this important update.

    Just sayin'. :-)

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  16. Go Gary! Go Gary! It's your birthday! Or not. But, it feels festive so I'm rolling with it. Congrats on your award! You do a superb job on the regular of reminding everyone that life is good, so this is an especially befitting award for you. Cheers from across the pond, eh?

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  17. Hi Kelly,
    Why thank you, kind sir, for considering my latest musing, nicely written. I do indeed try to focus on the good, positive aspects to my life. As you well know, not always easy to maintain a positive focus. And thanks for the congratulations. Very kind of you.
    You may indeed ask such a very important question. That, my fine buddy, is a bottle of cheap washing up liquid for those dishes that I always seem to have to clean up after the wee folks. Sadly, I ran out of Fairy liquid. But hey, that's a story for another time:-)
    I think you are quite right. I really should post this vitally important announcement, in regards to the washing up liquid, on Farcebook. Folks need to know these things. And gosh, I've managed to leave you a long comment. My apologies to those before you that I didn't manage to do the same.
    And you, shy and humble Kelly, have received yet another award, the LOL award. I shall duly come over and praise thee for getting that much acclaimed and indeed, the critic's choice award for one of the best awards among several best awards...
    There you go, I'm outta' here....
    :-)

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  18. I'm so happy that folks recognize your specialness. I really like Grandpa's blog, Life on the Farm. He writes eloquently like you. As to Kelly's suggestion that you update your status on facebook....Hmmm. lemon juice for cleaning? Perhaps, When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, or I feel zesty when I wash dishes. Happy days to you.

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  19. Hey Michelle,
    What's happening eh!
    Everyday is like a birthday with lovely folks such as your awesome self, spreading the word of peace and love and joy n'stuff:-)
    Thanks so much for the congrats. Very good of you. And yes indeed, life is good. Got loads of stuff to be grateful for. I reckon if we spent as much energy looking for good as we can do, looking for bad, we would find life is like totally far out and funky. Or, something like that.
    Thanks for joining in the festivities. It's really neat to see how many more bloggers are reading your stuff. It's funny at times, profound at others. And, at times, I have to check out the lil' ol' urban dictionary to figure out what the heck you are talking about:-)
    Seriously, thanks Michelle, you are one terrific lady and it's my honour (honor) knowing y'all.
    All the best n'stuff, eh, Gary :-)

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  20. Hi THE SNEE aka Rebecca,
    Thank you very much for thinking I've got some sort of specialness.
    I am but a shy and humble man embracing all that is good in my life.
    Grandpa does an excellent, humorous and thoughtful blog and it's a pleasure interacting with him and with you.
    Oh my, well I discovered how vitally important my profile updates are to the good folks on Farcebook:-) Just like their updates stating, 'I just had my evening meal', thrills me beyond belief.
    Yes, I tried using the lemon flavoured washing up liquid diluted in a glass with ice cubes. Not very good, but I now have a very clean tummy:-)
    And glad to see that SNEE TV is getting the recognition it deserves. I wonder if there will be a SNEEK preview of the upcoming summer season reruns?
    Thanks Rebecca and happy days to you:-)
    ICON see clearly now, Gary :-)

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  21. congratulations on a great award and for accepting that Life can be good. You have a great blogging community that I hover around the edges.

    Good job, my friend.

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  22. In delirious anticipation of your upcoming visit, I squirt with much delight.

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  23. Congratulations on your award. :)

    Life is good--the phrase is in a lot of places, but it is true.

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  24. Indeed, like is good if you look upon those far less fortunate than we. Yet, it can be a struggle to see the silver lining through the clouds at times. Sorry to hear you have been feeling down of late, dear Gary.

    Nicely written post as always.

    Oh, almost forgot. Congrats on the award. Couldn't think of a more deserving soul :)

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  25. Hi lifeshighway,
    Thank you very much for your congratulations.
    We are all part of this great blogging community. And, I hover around your brilliant and very interactive site. I know I don't comment a lot on your site, but I hover, nonetheless.
    It was you, my friend, who suggested I created that award in regards to Penny. For that, I am very grateful.
    Take care and keep us folks smiling.
    Gary :-)

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  26. 'Oops. I meant to say 'life' not 'like'.

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  27. Aha Kelly,
    I shall be over, shortly, well maybe next week, no, sorry, shortly, to bestow upon thee, awesome, yet humble dude, one of my award winning comments:-)
    Gosh and golly, hope you can control your excitement! :-)
    See ya later eh....

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  28. Hello The Golden Eagle,
    Thank you kindly for the congratulations :-)
    Yes it is true. Life is good.
    Much obliged to you and have a good day eh:-)
    Kind wishes, Gary

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  29. Hi Wendy,
    Life is good. And, just like you, I'm truly appreciate of all the good and positive aspects to my life. I do try to focus on the sunshine that beckons beyond the clouds. I see those less fortunate, in my everyday travels and I do my best, in my own small way, to give them fleeting moments of comfort. I'm going to be okay, because I take heart in the kindness of genuine people like you:-)
    Thank you for thinking this post was nicely written. That means a lot:-)
    Thank you for the congrats. Very nice of you to say. I can think of somebody else who most assuredly was a most fitting recipient of this thoughtful and profound award:-)
    P.S., never noticed the typo :-)
    Take very good care, dear Wendy and may you have a good day.
    Kind wishes, your way, Gary :-)

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  30. A nice balanced post with an uplifting message.
    I will check out some of those recipients.
    Have a great weekend Gary.
    Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  31. Gary: Congratulations!
    It's obvious that you 'challenge your inner critic,' and succeed beautifully. I'm proud to know you.

    I wish you, continued writing success, positive interaction, and happiness.

    Thank you for gifting me this award. I am honored. In peace,
    Dixie

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  32. Thank you so very much for the award. I do not do awards so if you want, you can send it along. In fact, just having you read my blog is reward enough. ~kisses~

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  33. Hi bazza,
    Thank you, kind sir. Greatly appreciate your comment.
    Enjoy checking out the recipients.
    Hope all is well with you and your loved ones. May you also have a great weekend.
    In kindness, Gary

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  34. Hi Dixie,
    Thank you kindly for the congratulations.
    I'm still challenging that darned 'inner critic' and I shall continue to embrace all that is good in my life.
    Thank you for such kind and encouraging words.
    My delight on bestowing this award upon your good and thoughtful self.
    In peace and respect, Gary :-)

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  35. Hi middle child,
    I totally respect and completely understand what you are saying.
    Just think of this as my kind gesture towards you and we shall, most respectfully, leave it at that:-)
    Reading you blog is a delight and I thank you for your kind interaction.
    In peace and kind wishes, Gary :-)

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  36. Hi Raining Acorns,
    Thank you for such a kind response. It's been very nice to meet you and visit your blog.
    Take care and have peaceful, positive day.
    With respect, Gary :-)

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  37. Gary I'm sorry you've been feeling down lately. Sometimes we have to step back and look for the good in our lives. Just like you did in your post. Your neighborhood looks lovely! Aren't dogs the best! They love you no matter what. Macy amazes me....Whenever I want to take a nap, it's like a special treat for her to lay on the sofa with me....

    Find something fun this weekend!!

    Giant hug!

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  38. You totally deserved this award Gary. It is really rather fitting dont you think?

    And thank you ever so much, once again for the insightful post and thank you for the award.
    I am truly humbled,and honoured to have been given it, especially by someone like yourself.

    :)

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  39. Gary, my dear most thoughtful and kind friend, I am so happy to receive the "life is good" award from you! I feel so delighted as always when it comes to receiving awards such as this one, always from you. You're the sweetest and also I take this opportunity to congratulate you for getting yet another award for your amazing writings and wonderful connection with the world of bloggers. Thank you Gary for being very motivational even when times are hard. It's something everyone needs. =)

    Bless you always!

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  40. Hi Sharon,
    Thank you for your kind thoughts and they are most appreciated.
    Indeed, I have had some rather down moments,lately. Just like many of us experience moments of feeling helpless.
    Yet, that was of course, a brief reflection in this much to be grateful for, posting. And as you so note in your thoughtful comment,there are loads of aspect to our lives we can be truly thankful for. Dogs, thank goodness for such wonderful non-judgemental creatures:-)
    I will pursue some positive distractions over the weekend.
    I hope you have a lovely weekend and stay warm.
    Hugs your way, Gary :-)

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  41. Hi Nas,
    That is very kind of you to say and I'm most flattered. I do like to think the award fits in very nicely with the overall ethos of my blog
    :-)
    I have had the great delight of this new positive interaction with you. You do a brilliant, thought provoking, superbly written blog. It was my great honour to forward this award on to you, my friend.
    May you have a peaceful positive weekend, Nas.
    In kindness and respect, Gary :-)

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  42. Hi Shanaz,
    Ah, my dear Malaysian friend. It was my great pleasure to pass on the 'Life is good' award to a wonderful and thoughtful writer such as your very good self:-)
    Thank you for such lovely words and for the congratulations. I was truly honoured to receive the award from your fellow Malaysian, Grandpa. Like you, a kind and gentle soul:-)
    This positive interaction within the great blogging community is truly inspiring. I know we motivate and support each other. For that, I'm incredibly grateful.
    I look for the positives in what can be perceived as negative. Shanaz, my dear friend, I know you do the same:-)
    Peaceful wishes, your way, Gary :-)

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  43. If ever there was an appropriate award for you, Gary, with your unflagging positive outlook, this is it!

    We should all remember to spend more time rejoicing over what we have, instead of fretting about what we don't!

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  44. Hi Gary .. wonderful - the blogging world is so supportive .. and I love your pictures .. reflective as life is ... have a happy weekend enjoying Penny's company as you give her a good walk .. cheers Hilary

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  45. Gary. As a fellow traveller on the Inner Voice Highway I am glad I found your site. I got here from your comment at the Reckmonster's place.

    My theory is that those of us of "unusual thinkings", we crazy folks, are often the best and brightest. I'm just getting to know you, but what I have seen so far hints that you are more evidence to prove my theory.

    Any Life is good

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  46. Hi Ian,
    Cheers friend, that's very kind of you. Indeed, this award fits in very nicely with the positive ethos I try to maintain:-)
    Quite right Ian, we should be thankful for all the good in our lives. Too much of that 'keeping up with the Jones' for my liking.
    Hope you have a great weekend in beautiful British Columbia!
    In kindness, Gary :-)

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  47. Hi Hilary,
    Thank you and I know we can all take much comfort out of the positive interaction within the great blogging community:-)
    Thank you for appreciating the life-reflecting ambience I tried to convey within the photos.
    I shall have a happy weekend and attempt to take Penny for a walk. What with the fierce winds, we could well be blown into the next County:-)
    Cheers Hilary and I hope you have a most peaceful weekend.
    Kind wishes, Gary :-)

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  48. Hi Mooner Johnson,
    Great way to express it the, "Inner Voice Highway". Or 'inner space, the final frontier'.
    I'm so pleased you dropped by from over at the Reckmonster's site. I also noted your very interesting comments on her very clever, sometimes zany, site.
    I hear you. I celebrate my "unusual thinkings". In fact, I consider my eccentricity that surfaced in response to a negative environment, to be a most 'bizarre blessing'! :-)
    I shall have a wander over to your site, my friend. Something tells me we are going to have some highly entertaining, positive interaction.
    Take good care, friend.
    In peace, Gary :-)

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.