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!