Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Family Favorite

This poem was copied by hand, hanging in a homemade celluloid frame in my grandmother's house. I have always found it to be lovely...And so true...

Life is like a journey
Taken on a train
With a pair of travelers
At each window pane.

I may sit beside you
All the journey through,
Or I may sit elsewhere
Never knowing you.

But if fate should have us
To sit side by side,
Let's be pleasant travelers.
It's so short a ride.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Summer shots...



Today is a busy one. Had some errands that I was fortunate enough to run myself. We have hired a couple of care givers for a precious few hours a week to help with Mama and to work on cleaning that I never seem to get to. I tell you gals, it is a shot of pure crack cocaine to have someone help with the housework. I feel like I could fly...


Enjoy some of the sights of my day as I had a little light Mickey D breakfast at the Lake. What glorious sunshine!


Enjoy!


I am actually blogging while someone dusts in the way other end of the house. Imagine that...  







Have a delicious summer day. Enjoy the warmth and energy given to us in any form you see fit.



Whimsy and Hugs!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

In the midst...



Good afternoon! I am back after a week of vacation in sunny Hawaii!  ha ha...  And my verdant cropland in the middle of the Sahara is doing well...  And I...  haven't been away from the place. Shucks, ya caught me.

Sometimes the world just seems in focus. I always blame my eyes since I have the post cataract surgery that makes one eye see distance and one eye see close up. I have the personal belief, totally medically unfounded, that I see perfectly when I'm feeling rested and in tune with the world. I see poorly when I'm crochety, tired, or sad. Well, anyway, it's that mixed bag of blessings we have carried from the marketplace of our birth --- when it's clear, we sure see better.... but the dirt shows up. Same with sunshine, of course, as it streams through the windows alerting me to all kinds of chores, jobs, and projects.


I have been busy, of course, off and on, and totally enjoying any down time with company or with a good book or a nap. I love those kinds of pleasures in busy days. Mom is doing better and stronger although she's rather discouraged by not being out of bed yet. She didn't see how far she has come in four and a half months. It's far, I tell ya!

My dear son gave me a little four-piece set of Pioneer Woman linen china on our perfect Mother's Day. Now, those of you who know me (and he does) know that I really NEED sets of dishes. I do. Something within me craves a little set of china now and then (ahem! now!) to take the edge off life's little downers. Nothing aside from medical and personal miracles makes me happier than setting a pretty little table in the midst of my clutter. I think that might be a favorite Bible verse, too...  "Thou preparest a table for me in the midst of mine enemies." God and I see eye to eye on the value of that action, I think. I don't have enemies that I know of, but I just substitute the words clutter, disharmony, depression, despair, self-pity...  I think those are my personal Armageddon enemies for this season of my life...  And a pretty, prepared table is a total gift by God. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.)



I have several family members and friends who have young people graduating this month. Spring is such a time for joy and new beginnings. Why is it some of us fear joy because we quake in the knowledge that it will not last forever? That crazy, unfounded fear, is something, along with the piles of clutter and the mounds of "treasures," that I'm trying to conquer. This little fairy in the picture above consented to be placed within the "dome of super powers" for a few days. Not too long, she says, but long enough to charge her with extreme capabilities to assist in every domestic ritual and routine I am planning. I bought a super little notebook and dedicated it to projects, dreams, and gratitude...  How fun! Sometimes my son has to remind me, "Mama. You know you are a grown-a@@ woman, don't you?" ....  yeah... I sorta know it, but I don't believe it for a second.


Truly blessed. That's the nature of life. At times we really have to search to find a blessing in the midst of the duties and depressing events. Most of those times I know I will fail. The cruel one often tries to make light of any joy we scrape from an ugly pain. Oh, I have his number, and I know he thinks at times he has mine...  

However, let's hope for the best. My favorite mantra in times of need. I have found indeed this current day was better than the best I was hoping for a few months ago.


Whimsy and Hugs!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Days

Whimsy and Hugs!

We have been celebrating a milestone birthday for a dear friend the past two days... First a mutual dear friend and I created this sign for her since she has kept her childhood farm as a retreat and keepsake. This was entirely the concept and creation of my friend, who caught the inspiration from a sign at a local merchant. The paints and board and prep work are all hers and the lettering is mine. The sign was a complete hit!



Day One 

Had a little soiree for my friend and her sister and two others on the actual birthday. and a little pizza party on the day after so she could take her time opening her gifts... which she did. The first day we gave her the sign, and we ate fruit salad, nibbles, and meat and cheeses from a deli tray...



Day Two

After I blogged in December about my long time love of Johnson Brothers Strawberry Faire vintage china my mother (pre stroke) was obsessed with giving it to me. We found a truly reasonable auction or two on Facebook, and I received  four place settings on Christmas morning. Then... after all the drama of our winter and spring I actually forgot about it. I rediscovered it about two weeks ago in my grandmother's china cabinet where I had stacked it for safe keeping in the hurried aftermath of clearing while Mom recuperated in the hospital and we revamped the house to accept a hospital bed in the living room and my bedroom in the dining room... Wow! How does one forget such a treasure? By almost loosing a greater one I'm thinking. So... today seemed the perfect timing to enjoy new to me china at my friend's party. 



I actually just set the table. My dear friend made a yummy Italian vegetable salad, which we ate served in the teacups. She picked up the Casey's supreme pizza and a Mississippi Mud chocolate cake pre-made. The glassware belonged to my grandmother, and I liberated it from solitary confinement in the china cabinet...



We had a sweet time all day. Mom was able to get in on the party to an extent.



The rest of the week looks a little more quiet I think. However, we do always expect to be surprised by very welcome guests. Have a good week!