*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog [or Twitter account or Facebook page or diary or life in general] with the happy*
Emily of Nerd in the Brain originally created Three Things Thursday, but it’s now being hosted by Natalie of There She Goes. Anyway, here are my three things this week…
First, gifts from my dad. It’s now more than three years since my dad died, but he continues to help us out. The latest example being when a piece of coving fell down in our living room. No problem, said my mum, I have some that your dad bought – come and pick it up. So, we had a lovely day on Sunday, visiting my mum, collecting some of dad’s coving and also being given his ‘cove mitre’ (a template for creating the corners). The coving is now up and awaiting a lick of paint… it even inspired Mr Snail to write a blog post. I think abut my dad every day, so he will never truly be gone, but it’s really lovely when there are tangible parts of his life that come along to give us a helping hand.
Thank you, dad
Second, having the vote. Historically, only a very small proportion of the population were allowed to vote, but first common men and then women won the right to vote and now in the UK almost every adult can vote (although there are a few exceptions including the queen). For some years I’ve had a postal vote, and mine arrived the other day (we’re having a general election in case you didn’t know). This means that I have already voted. Every time I put my cross on the ballot paper, I am glad that, despite all the issues we have in the UK, and despite the fact that I’m not keen on many of our politicians, at least we do have the opportunity to have a say in who runs our country.
A postal vote
Third, giving and receiving plants. One of my 17 for 2017 targets is to give away 10 plants to good homes. On Saturday we went to drop off some home-grown lemongrass plants to a friend who runs a fabulous B&B (check it out here if you are planning a trip to west Wales). In return she gave me two sweet potato slips (rooted cuttings). I’m really looking forward to trying to grow these and it’s lovely to know that some of my spare plants are in a new home.
Sweet potato slips, ready for planting
So, those are three things making me smile and that I am grateful for this week. What is making you happy?
The Snail of Happiness 
quietwatercraft
/ May 25, 2017What a lovely gift from your dad 🙂 We have that with my Gramps – any time we needed something he’d say “I’ve got one of those in the shed!”, and still 10 years later if we need something there’s a good chance we’ll find it if we rummage in the shed long enough.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017My mum has kept lots of my dad’s things in their barn… it’s a bit of a treasure trove, but I was surprised about the coving and more so about the mitre.
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nanacathy2
/ May 25, 2017How lovely that your Dad keeps on giving. You will think of him every time you see the ceiling. Hear hear about the voting, I get quite cross with people who don’t vote. How lovely to exchange plants. Our horticulture society had a plant sale on Saturday and I bought a rather nice flower. Couldn’t say what’s called, but it looks pretty. Have a great weekend and give my best wishes to everyone at the Make it Shop, the event has even more poigniancy now. xx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017Yes, I think sharing kindness is going to be very special this weekend… I’m looking forward to seeing your blanket for real too.
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coppicelearner
/ May 25, 2017As I am the oldest generation in my family now there are no sheds to rummage in but I treasure tools my grandfather had, passed to my Dad and then to my late husband. Likewise kitchen stuff we kept when clearing out John’s gran’s flat after she died. I love having a home full of things that hold memories. Hopefully one day they will go on to my kids and grandkids. I also love sharing stuff I no longer need as long as it is not of sentimental value. I will be taking plants to a friend when I visit on Monday to help her start a garden in her new home so every time she sees them she will think of me. These are the fine threads that build community and though each is small if there are enough of them the web is strong.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017I am trying to persuade some passionfruit cuttings to root at the moment – I was hoping that I would have one to give you last week, but I’m not sure that they have taken. I intended to show you the little citrus plant you gave me whilst you were here – it’s growing happily in the limery – but I completely forgot… you’ll have to come for lunch again!!
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Wild Daffodil
/ May 25, 2017“Those who give of themselves live on within the hearts of others”. This was sent in a card when a close friend of mine died (back in the 80s), I had the task of organising her funeral etc and I had this engraved on her headstone. So lovely to hear of your Dad and how he is still with you. ❤
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017There’s a photo of him looking down on me as I write and every year I use his propagator to germinate my seeds… he’s still a big part of my life.
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katechiconi
/ May 25, 2017My three things are getting the all clear on my annual skin cancer check, loving the books I’m reading, and a fresh custard apple for dessert! I love the concept about your father still being with you in the shape of his legacy of ‘stuff’…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017Is it the custard apple from your tree?
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katechiconi
/ May 25, 2017No, that got gobbled a few months ago – it was tiny, but very fragrant and sweet. This was a huge one from the gourmet greengrocer, and very juicy, but not as nice as my own!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017Yum!
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Laurie Graves
/ May 25, 2017Wonderful gift from your father! And, yes, the right to vote is indeed something to be thankful for. My husband’s mother was born two years before woman got the right to vote in the U.S. As for the B & B…I have a fantasy tour planned forEngland, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. That B & B is on my fantasy list of places to stay 😉
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 25, 2017If you ever get there, stay in the Fuji room – it’s stunning!
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Laurie Graves
/ May 25, 2017Will do!
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Born To Organize
/ June 2, 2017It’s nice to have a functional, tangible reminder of your dad. That is sweet. How nice that you are giving away plants. It’s one of the greatest gifts.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 3, 2017Oh yes… plant giving makes me so happy
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