good and beautiful things

 I have been keeping a daily gratitude list for several years now.  It tends to consist of simple things, usually nothing too spectacular. But aren't the simple things often spectacular as well? Perhaps it's how we choose to view them.  

>My girlfriend and I watched Unsung Hero in the movie theatres a few days ago. What a great movie! I do love films that tell a good story, based on actual facts, and this one was that. Hope you get to watch it! What did I love about it? It reminded me of the value and blessing of family and how bonds can be strengthened if we are willing to support each other and work through hard times together.  

>Spending time in the garden, planting seeds, with some 'help' from my spunky five year old granddaughter. Playing with dirt and water and dandelions while chattering away in her own little world, she was a joy to observe. I wish I had taken a photo of the dandelion crown she was wearing, until she decided it was time to discard it ;)  But, it's not like we can't make another one.... 

>Heading out tonight to enjoy our local (fantastic) symphony orchestra present Mozart's Requiem, "one of the most captivating and powerful works ever composed", which will include soloists and a chorus. Music to soothe the soul! 

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart.     

                                                                                             Helen Keller 

~gratefulness in the autumn season~

Although September is my favorite month of the year, October isn't too bad either, especially the first few weeks. As long as there isn't any snow, it gets my vote. It's the time of year when mornings are crisp, grass is still green, leaves are starting to change color, and the skies are mesmerizing.  I am reminded what a beautiful area I live in. 

 I've started walking more regularly again, usually in the morning. I haven't been able to do too much lately due to a lower back injury that has taken some time to heal.  Just twisted the wrong way, I think, and OH. MY! I felt like an invalid.  I  vowed to get outside and walk regularly once I felt better. 

 Getting older means things don't seem to heal up as quickly as they used to. I mean, it's been over a month and I'm finally feeling close to normal! I'm able to lift, squat, do gentle yoga, and walk up and down stairs, even run again. By run, I mean walk/run a couple minutes here and there. I haven't actually RUN for a while, although I have a hankering (could be fleeting) to perhaps work up to a 5 km run again. 

Do you make vows with yourself, too? IF this, that, or the other, THEN I'll blah blah blah. 

I am regularly grateful for my health.  I certainly don't want to take it for granted. As the song says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. 

Do you love October where you live? 

~Influence~ (Five Minute Friday)

Influence

My parents’ love and care for animals when I was growing up, has influenced me to value them and see them as an important part of creation. My dad was a gentle man who was always kind to animals. He never kicked a dog or was rough with any animals (or people). My mom has the softest spot for animals. I’m sure she gives them human qualities without even thinking about it!

This past week my husband and I were away for a week, visiting my elderly mother and other family and friends in Alberta, about an 8 hour drive from where we live. I had asked a good friend in my semi-rural neighbourhood if she would watch our little chihuahua Enzo. She happily agreed. She is a kind and caring person, so I had no qualms. In fact, this isn't the first time she’s helped me out in this way. As everyone in my family knows, Enzo is a big part of our family. He was a rescue dog at one point. It’s a long story, but let’s just say, we love him to bits and he’s a little coddled, haha!

Midweek, my girlfriend called me on my cell.  I knew something was up. “Enzo is lost!”, she said, obviously quite upset. Enzo is not an outdoor dog by any stretch. He wouldn’t survive long in our Canadian winter. “He bolted when my son let him outside, after I left to go to yoga”. She had scoured the neighbourhood.

Now, Enzo has never bolted before. He was obviously distressed at my friend leaving without him, I surmised.  I gave her the name of our vet clinic (which was on the dog tag), and asked her to call them.

My mom was with me when I heard the news. “Oh no!” she gasped. I felt sick.  My first response was to quietly pray and then text other family members as well, via WhatsApp (they all know Enzo). Her first response was to pray audibly, right then.

Happy Ending! Within minutes, my friend texted me back and said that she had called my vet. A kind soul in our neighbourhood had found Enzo and taken him to the clinic, where he was waiting to be picked up.

My mom and I hugged (and I may have shed a few tears).

My mom’s influence in my formative years has given me a firm foundation that God is interested in all that goes on in our lives, including the ‘little things’ like little lost pets, lost keys, or an available parking spot.

a loved dog

a tiny dog! 

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday community.   (I'm a day late, I know!) You are welcome to join in, too!

~Belong~

Day 6 Belong

Everyone wants to belong somewhere and to someone.

 I have a little 9 year old Chihuahua who’s been mine for three years. Everyone knows that he belongs to me. Even my husband. If I’m away for a few days and my husband comes home at the end of the day to let Prince Enzo out of his crate, the first thing the little critter does is rush right past my husband, and out the front door to see if I’m home, too. 

“Don’t I matter at all?” my husband asks him, his words falling on deaf ears of course. Enzo just wants ME.  He knows he belongs to ME. I am the one who feeds him, the one who gives him treats, takes him on walks, and takes him to the vet.

 It’s not that he doesn’t like my husband. He’s happy when he sees my husband and enjoys relaxing with him.  But we all know who he really belongs to. We all want to know that we belong, don’t we?

 I’m so glad that I belong to God and am loved by Him unconditionally.

Footnote: For all of you celebrating a Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend (I'm one!), remember to   look around your dinner table and give thanks for all those wonderful people you belong to in some way! Happy Thanksgiving! 

I’ve  joined the 31 Days of Five Minute Freewrites. Read more about it here.

The Blur of Summer Activities

This past month and a half have been a blur of activity. It seems we've hardly been home. I think I'll have to call this 'The Summer of the Great Grand (extended) Family' because we sure did see a LOT of each other! No complaining here. I still think it wasn't long enough.

Mid July - participated in our annual (I think it's been going on 5 years now.. ) Family Campout-- all campers related in some way. Pretty cool.  This year, we even ordered camp shirts, the logo designed by our personal graphic artist (my son).   Little E was gifted a onesie but wasn't too impressed so he only wore it for pictures. ;)

laughing on cue ;) 

Early August - our annual trip to Cortes Island to visit with my hubby's family. At one point there were 19 people camping on the property for a few days. A 98 year old aunt came to check out 'the resting tree' where several beloved extended family members' ashes have already been scattered over the years. Hope that isn't too morbid to mention.

August 13 we celebrated my parents' 60th Anniversary in Alberta, a day's drive away.  (I had blogged about it here, wondering if my dad would live to see this day. Thank you Lord, for this gift of time! ) Original plans were to meet in Jasper, a more central location, but plans changed due to Dad's health. The big party took place at my brother's acreage, with over 70 family members present!  That's what happens when you come from a family of 7 children and those children have children, and so on..  ;) We were only missing 4 people (and we did miss them)!  It was a full day of eating, chatting, laughing, hugging babies, laughing at the antics of children at play, biking (for some) and a day long bocce tournament for many competitive souls.

We Are Fa-mi- Ly!

 If you asked my parents, they would tell you over and over how special this day was for them. And that was the main thing. They loved the relaxed atmosphere and comforts of being at my brother's home. Our dad really amazed us all with his energy! We are thankful for every day we have with him, and it was so good to see him smiling pretty well all day long (with a few hours long nap break, of course). Mom couldn't get enough of the socializing. She made a point of talking to every single person there. Pretty amazing.

I am glad to be home once again and to stay put for a few days. A few more short excursions are planned before I settle back into my work again come late August. I must make every day count!

Hope you have been able to make some happy memories this summer, too.

Target Practice

Yesterday my husband and I played disc golf for the first time. I'm not sure why we haven't tried out that sport sooner, because it sure was a lot of fun!

Enzo guarding the discs. Note how obscured the targets are..they are in there somewhere!

Preparing to throw. Note the heavenly rays of blessing streaming down ;)  

Enjoying the surprises along the way -
a carving of a bear, a beehive, and an eagle, from a tree stump

The big picture

Stopping to enjoy the view

 At first it took us some time to determine where each target was located. A lot of trees and brush obscured our vision at times. If we didn't keep a good eye on where our discs landed, we could have easily lost them. It took us a lot more throws than the 'par' suggested. And it probably took us more time than we figured it would.  But, ultimately, we did find each disc and we hit every one of our targets, with persistence, dialogue, and the help of  a few friendly young disc golfers who were happy to share technique and point us in the right direction.  

Our adventures in life are a little like disc golfing, don't you think? It's not a solo adventure and sometimes it seems we might be way off course. But with our goals on the prize, and with a healthy community around us who can walk with us and point us in the right direction, we are able to succeed. It just might sometimes take longer than we had initially anticipated! And it can be frustrating, especially when we compare ourselves to others or we only see the mistakes we seem to be making. 

Let us trust the One who has set the course and walks with us each step of the way. He is faithful to finish the work He has begun in us. 

God is with us all the way, and cheering us on.  

Hearts at Home

No matter how far away I am, a good part of my heart is at home with my parents. Some days I reminisce and remember those days of childhood and teenage hood (and all the angst that went with that era!). And then the struggle of becoming a young adult -- all the foibles and successes, strong emotions, wondering how in the world I'll ever make it to adulthood in tact. And the string of commonality woven throughout these stages of life was my family. My parents and my six siblings. Yes, we grew up in a family that prayed and stayed and played and worked together.  And no, we were not The Waltons, that wonderful, close, perfect-in-so-many-ways family. Nope, not us, but looking back, I have to say, my parents did a lot of things right :) I am so thankful for parents who loved us the best they knew how and they dedicated their lives to that.

I never remember a time when my dad wasn't working hard. He did whatever he had to do to provide for his family and that meant a lot of different jobs in his younger years, until he settled into the love of his career life - mushroom farming. He was a hands-in-the-dirt farmer at heart. He loved to get things just right so that we would have a bountiful crop of mushrooms to sell. Yes, my first  job was mushroom picking - at age 13 - at the farm my dad was running.  And when my dad bought his own small farm when I turned 15, I continued almost every day after school and weekends. Mushrooms don't wait, so we older siblings worked hard and sometimes long into the night. Back then I wasn't too impressed with having to work so much.  But looking back, those were some of the best family memories ever.

My dad is tired now. He's 83, and has been fighting prostate cancer for 4 years. The prognosis was 3-5 good years. Besides the cancer, my dad is in amazing shape. He looks much younger than his years (he was always a handsome  man!) and he has kept up his daily brisk walks. But things aren't looking too good right now. He's in more pain and walking is becoming more difficult. He's pale and he's tired. Very tired.

It's that time of life, when things can change pretty quickly.

In late August my daughter and I decided to take a quick road trip to visit my parents and other family. I'm glad we made that decision. It was the right one. And it was so worth it. We made sure we joined Mom and Dad/ Opa and Oma for their daily McDonald's 'coffee and a muffin in the morning' routine. And we had some good laughs, which we always do when we visit with them. They are hilarious sometimes (even  especially when they don't mean to be!).

3 Generations

Dad is heading to the cancer clinic next week to get the low down on his MRI and doctors' recommendations. More chemo possibly or simply pain management.

 My parents will be married 60 years next August. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could get together and celebrate that?!

Moving Right Along and Slowing Down

Summer does that. It just keeps moving along and before we know it, the lazy days of summer are a thing of the past. I've read a few posts recently about looking forward to the end of summer and back to school thoughts. Please, for the love of blue skies and flip flops, let's not hurry summer! It will do that all on its own. It's not even the end of July yet!!

A week or so ago, we returned from our annual July family campout. This year there were about 26 of us, a mix of siblings, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. It promised to be a great time.

Roger's Pass, enroute to the Kootenays

We arrived at our campsite later in the day, unloaded our goods, set up the tarp, and  prepared our sleeping quarters (tent and airbed this year, as Leroy our VW was on loan to another family member). Later on,  feeling a little chill in the air, we anticipated a warm, cozy night's sleep. At bedtime, we entered the tent, and settled on the blanket covered airbed, only to discover it was half deflated. After a few exasperated comments such as "I can't believe this" and "It was fine the last time we used it", we did what those of us who sometimes don't want to face problems do - we pretended it was a very, very slow leak which would get us through till morning. Wishful thinking. In less than five minutes, our bodies were resting on the cold, hard ground. So, we made a plan. He would sleep on the driver's seat of the truck until his stiff body could stand it no longer. I stayed in the tent and stuffed as many blankets under me as I could and attempted to sleep. I felt every sharp stone. About 5 a.m., after laying awake most of the night, I pulled my  beach chair into the tent, wrapped myself in my sleeping bag, and stuffed myself into the reclined chair,  with little dog snuggled in a blanket on my lap. That bought me two hours of shut-eye. Day Two's plan -- a trip into town to buy a new airbed... and taking a nap later in the day! 

Did I mention that last year, some friends allowed us to use their fifth wheel? All the comforts of home - a fridge/freezer, our own personal WC, running water, and a REAL bed! I, usually a self-proclaimed(somewhat) purist, surprised myself by how much I enjoyed 'camping' this way! So, to all of you People-Of-The-Tent, if you are ever given the opportunity to RV, take it. Just so that you can say you experienced it, of course. 

Several of us  had a discussion one afternoon about why people even bother to camp. Nothing is easy when it comes to camping, especially when tenting! There are no comforts of home, we haul water,  cook outside in the cold, in the heat, in the wet, in the bug-infested outdoors. We struggle to keep our food frozen and veggies cool in the coolers. We wash our dishes in murky water we would have long since drained if we were at home. We sit in chairs that wouldn't satisfy us for long if they were in our living rooms. We share washrooms with strangers, and we drink 'camp' coffee. And we do it all again the next year!

 So, why do we do this? Think of it as a Sabbath from the daily grind.  I think we just need to get away from home sometimes, break the schedule, breathe lots of fresh air, relax, and  really experience the outdoors. Take the time to appreciate and really notice our natural surroundings. Reconnect with those whom we may not see very often. Breathe.

Despite this unwelcome start to our camping trip, our week in the Kootenays was full of good times. We enjoyed our official 'sitting around the campfire' nightly game Mafia, laughter, sharing meals, playing competitive games, hiking, swimming,  and  getting to spend down time with relatives and friends. 

 I am thankful for extended family that enjoys together time. We are quite a mix of personalities, quirks, and life circumstances, which makes for a good pot of family stew! Every year is different! Who knows what flavour it will be next year?

my capable knitting help

my sweet Enzo-loving nephew

the younger set keeps us laughing!

Are you a camper? What do you love or hate about it? 

Tomorrow!

What's Not to Love?

I am currently away for a few days, spending time with my sister who lives several hours away. Since I don't travel much over mountain passes in the winter, we don't get to spend a lot of time together during the snowy season. Come spring, we are just itching to see each other again.

Despite the busyness of life and unforeseen and often unwelcome circumstances that sometimes threaten to steal our joy, we have managed to laugh and have a lot of fun together over the years. She has the best sense of humour and if I am ever really stressed, I just have to connect with her and she puts things into perspective, usually leaving me chuckling. And I know she appreciates my practical support  and just 'being there' when she needs it. We've shared a lot of sister love these past four days.

What I've loved about our time together: 

What is it about spring cleaning  for someone else that makes it almost fun? My sis is a super busy girl, so I knew she would really appreciate it if I tackled the room that has been driving her crazy. I shared with her the simple question to ask when determining whether to keep or discard/give away an item-- Does it spark joy? Thankfully, she had already gone through her books earlier and kept the joy-sparking ones! That would have taken us all day just to do that! Several hours later, the room had been cleaned and reorganized. We loved that!

Taking a trail walk through Campbell Valley Park with M & D and the dogs. Being outdoors with some of my favorite people, enjoying a fresh spring morning..bliss. 

Watching The Voice together. She introduced me to that show last year and now it's something I anticipate regularly. Last week, we watched in our respective homes and texted back and forth during the show, giving our opinions and critiques. But sitting side by side is even better! Except when one of us falls asleep (which seems to be a regular occurrence). Late night watching does that!

Enjoying a cup of coffee together whether in her (newly renovated) kitchen or in a cute little coffee shop in the heart of a nearby community, bustling with people listening, laughing, and sharing, bent over their drinks of choice. Oh, and the coconut/almond latte was worth every penny!

Meeting Enzo, her recently adopted chi. I've been considering getting a little dog for a while and when I met this little guy, well, it was sort of love at first sight. He is sweet, cuddly, and smart despite looking a bit like a rat (the feet are rather undogly). Some people don't consider chihuahuas real dogs, but I know better. I understand why they might not be appreciated by those who prefer big, thick coated dogs, but this little guy has a charm all his own. We have the option to adopt him next month, when he comes over for a week while my sister is on a road trip. But that will take some serious considering and possibly convincing. A dog does tie owners down, unless there are family or friends around willing to do some doggy care when necessary. So.. we shall see.. 

Will post a few pics when I get home! 

Hope you have enjoyed some simple and lovely things the past few days, too! 

Seize the Day

I've got several books on the go right now (as usual) and finished a good one just a few days ago.. Still Life by Christa Parrish. Will have to do a book review soon, but I thought I'd share an excerpt from the book today.

People make grand pleas for 'carpe diem' and often that is just a code word for backpacking across Europe or learning to skydive or buying the expensive car you always dreamed of. Is being alive not enough? Is it not "still life" if you're making fried eggs for your kids' breakfast? .. How do we perceive all these in between moments when we're alive but engaged in something we esteem so little?  

 It reminds me to enjoy and live to the fullest even in the mundane and 'in between' days. You know, in the waiting times.. Yes, there are exciting times in life (and I'm happy for people - including me -  who get to experience them.. new sights, new friends, new places), but a lot  (most!!) of our life is the 'ordinary everyday'. If we don't seize THOSE moments and value them, then we are just existing from one high to the next. Not the best way to go through life, I don't think.

A few of my ordinary, but still sweet moments, today:

• free McDonald's coffee promotion taken advantage of! (twice) Dark roast..good coffee! 100% Arabica, don't you know! ;)
• listening to a 5 year old during Story & Crafts class tell me about what happened at his home yesterday (which wasn't funny and obviously affected him) He ended it with "but Jesus is on OUR team!!"
• shopping to my heart's content, the only customer in a women's clothing store. No pressure. I don't really enjoy shopping, so this was a bonus!
• enjoying after dinner wine & conversation with my hubby -- home alone and relaxing after a busy day out. 
• hearing via Messenger from my daughter who IS having quite the experience in Venezuela right now... knowing she is excited for her next adventure (a 6 day trek in the mountains somewhere in V!!)

How about you... how did you seize the day today?

Midwinter Day's thoughts

Hello, all of you faithful blog readers. Thanks for the well wishes last week. Feeling much better (finally!)

 There are so many blogs shutting down these days, have you noticed? Closing doors. Walking away. Especially, it seems, the ones with huge followings. Is blogging becoming a thing of the past? Maybe blogging is going back to its roots? Not to make money, sell books, or garner a 'tribe', but just to be a listening ear, a ray of light, and a place for those of like minds to connect over similarities or challenge each other over differences. To be a community of 'friends' of sorts.
Don't worry, folks, my little web log isn't going anywhere for now. I like this quiet little corner of the blogiverse, where I randomly and intermittently write when I want to share or connect. And I enjoy skimming my list of favorite bloggers regularly, chuckling, being inspired, sharing burdens, praying for others, expanding my horizons, and getting a little view into their world. Seeing how we are all alike and how we are all unique. I think it's wonderful most of the time. (Sometimes, if I think too much about it, blogging is just weird ;)

I've realized that bloggers I've never met other than online count as some of my favorite people! And they ARE real people, I can attest to that. I've received books,  a kitchen towel, a hand carved tea spoon, journals, and more... from them. And personal emails. Who woulda thunk?

I first started blogging in 2005. Crazy, hey?  I've moved to a new address several times, started new blogs, then left them hanging, not having the heart to break off completely (how cruel). Some I visit and add to, but updating once a year doesn't sound too committed to me! Others I've locked up.. for my eyes only or with a few friends. I guess I should clean (blog)house sometime!  It would probably feel good.

How about you? How long have you been blogging? Still love it as much as when you started, or more?

And before I go, for those of you who enjoy reading on your Kindle or online, here are some free ebooks for this month. Check the 'free' dates for the ones you might like!  I downloaded Beyond Ordinary for free today. Just because. Sometimes ordinary isn't good enough.

But the book I am really looking forward to beginning later today is Giants In the Earth. I heard a discussion about it on my favorite podcast and decided it was worth purchasing for a few dollars. I look forward to getting engrossed in another good story!

Trespassers will be ...

 My husband tried to keep the news from me for over a week! He knew I'd probably not take the news well. Yes, my imagination does get the better of me sometime.

The last few days I have been hearing little crinkly, crunchy noises, but I suspected it was the house creaking with the icy winds that have been blowing. Sometimes our heating ducts make noise, as well, so I convinced myself that's what it was.

However, he came home today and had a funny little smirk on his face - the one which tells me he's been keeping  a secret but it's impossible to carry on the charade --  and said, "Promise me you won't go crazy if I tell you this.. "

"WHAT?!" I asked "Tell me, what is going on.. " I thought it might have something to do with his work.. a pay raise? a move? being fired? (ha!)

"There's a mouse in the house. I saw it there this morning." (He pointed to where I sit EVERY morning in my reading corner).

"Where?!" Eek. My eyes got bigger and rounder. I slowly edged towards a chair. He chuckled, and pulled out a few mouse traps. He set them strategically around the house.

I tried to carry on  making dinner and puttering around the kitchen.

Needing a broom, I opened the hallway closet door and I saw it! Out scurried.. the mouse!!! I held the broom like a weapon and yelled for my hubby to save me! The chunky critter dashed for cover under our piano. And that was the last we've seen of it.

Until less than two minutes ago, as I was composing this post, I kid you not!!.. I heard a SNAP!! Was it? Could it be? It was!

I'm a wimp when it comes to little teeny tiny mice.. I know.

What are the chances that this was the only trespasser during this cold snap?

Worth the Wait

Sometimes wait seems like a despised word, doesn't it? It's not too often you hear someone cheerfully say, "And I had to wait for 2 hours!!!"

I remember the words of wisdom spoken at a seminar I went to once.

"If it's a good idea now, it's a good idea 30 days from now!" 

That was to keep attendees from rushing into decisions and actions without thinking things through. It made sense to me.

I'm glad I waited to donate my giveaway bag!

The other day I was frantically looking for a favorite sweater but couldn't find it anywhere. I rummaged through my closet, my armoire, my little storage closet, even the laundry basket. Nowhere to be found. I couldn't have given it away... could I? How frustrating! Then I remembered..

Earlier this Fall, I had gone through my wardrobe and critically and ruthlessly eyed each item, determining if they would be allowed to return to their home. I then either put them back, put them in a black 'for donation'  bag, or tucked them away for next season. I wanted to keep ONLY the items I liked and really would wear again.

I then stored the clothes for donation downstairs, planning to call up my favorite local charity, once I had accumulated more household items destined for a new life.

I haven't called yet. The bag was still sitting there waiting to be donated....thankfully!

 I opened it up and sure enough, past an assortment of folded sweaters, t- shirts, jeans, and other accumulated clothing, was my sweater!  I pulled it out, along with a few other items I changed my mind about giving away...

Waiting can be a good thing!

Have you ever given away an item you wish you had waited a bit longer to decide its fate?

What happened?

Oh, I guess life got in the way of the daily bloggin' habit I was getting into.

My, how things can change quickly!

Two days ago...

 This morning! Yes, it really was that grey! These are not black & white photos.  

If you look closely at the photo below, you'll see a little mobile home across the street (our rental property). The power lines to the home came down this morning (see it?), due to heavy snow and probably the snow plow snagging it on its way up the road. Guess who foots the bill? Yep. Us. Thankfully, no one was hurt by the live wire AND the weather was somewhat mild today... and it was repaired by the end of the day--no small feat with all the road closures and crazy traffic.

But I gotta say... the first snow is always so beautiful.. 

Sweet Somethings

I enjoy coffee without sugar, but it's gotta have cream, the more fat content the better. :)  The best, of course, is coffee with whipped cream. Honestly, it should be its own food group, it's that good. I have always loved whipped cream.

This morning I dropped two generous dollops of the good stuff (which had a bit of maple sugar in it) in the bottom of my coffee cup, then placed it under the Keurig spout, pressed the button, and watched the coffee slowly stream down.   It was smooth and caramel-looking and the flavor was YUM! Better than usual, for some reason. Perhaps the slowly mixed ingredients warmed up together and that made the difference.

Sometimes it's the little things that add a sparkle to the day, don't you think?

Moments like:

• not having to cook supper because you remembered the leftover turkey dinner you froze in October (stuffing, mashed potatoes and turkey!)

• getting a hair cut and color and loving it  

• getting positive, happy emails at work

 “As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” 

― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder - Volume One: On Wisdom and Virtues

Have you had a sparkly moment today?

The Spiral

Do you ever have one of those days? One where you let your imagination run wild and fears you have rise up, leaving you exhausted and discouraged?

Yeah, I had a day like that yesterday. Thankfully, I had the wisdom to leave the house after supper and check out the craft store and visit with a friend for a bit. No, I didn't even share the particulars, but I didn't have to. It was just good to get out and focus on something else. It helped.

And this morning I got up and decided a brisk walk in the cool morning air was in order. I talked to God, was reminded of some comforting Bible truths, and met up with a friend to finish up the walk.

Not everyone will understand the feelings that threaten to overwhelm at times. Not everyone goes through it! And it's not something that is easily overcome. It takes some work, in my experience.  It can be difficult to  turn those spiralling thoughts off.  

There's definitely something comforting about sharing with someone who says, "You, too? I thought I was the only one!" Two friends and I once studied Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. I remember it being a beneficial time for all of us.

I've got  The Anxious Christian, on my radar-- heard an interview with the author  and it sounds like a great book.

Do you have any books that are 'keepers' and have helped you through your bad days?

Lest We Forget

The Gift That Keeps Giving

Each morning I walk into the kitchen and pull up the blinds by my table. And this is what I see. And then I say, "Isn't this just such a beautiful view?" to whoever is listening.

It seems I never tire of it. And I can't resist taking yet another picture.  What I see changes with each season, but it seems that its beauty remains, no matter what time of year.

Do you have a view from a window or deck that just makes you smile when you take the time to admire it?

What a wildly wonderful world, God!

    You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,

    made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Psalm 104:24 the Message

Thanks, God, for the beauty you have made for us to enjoy.

When it's just not a good day

It's been one of those difficult few days, where too many thoughts are swirling around in my head, and it's hard to concentrate on anything for too long. 

 Gotta close a few of those tabs!!

Oooh...scary squirrel! Yes, sometimes I do wish my squirrely wrath would be productive! But it's not. Although it's good to admit it when I feel that way. 

So true. So glad that I have lots of the good ones in my life. 

 And no matter what, I choose to believe in the goodness of God, in His love, and that He knows what he's doing. Always. 

Hope you believe that, too.