road trip

to celebrate our 36th we took a bit of an outing in Evangeline (her first adventure). exploring the hill country. Kerrville. Ingram. Los Maples State Park. Bandera. just a big loop.

lots of green. canyons. maple trees (real trees!). cherry pie. beer. conversation. smiles.

it's amazing what a little time away does for the soul. the spirit. joy full.

'a good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.'

36

it rained. poured. the morning of our wedding. a good omen I was told. and indeed it was.

now 36 years. 2 children. 2 grandchildren. countless memories. a few tears. a ton of laughter. thousands of kisses and I love yous. later. we go on.

joyfully. contentedly. blessedly. happily. every after.

'our wedding was many years ago. the celebration continues to this day.'

happy mother's day

a bittersweet day.

I miss my mom. terribly. even after all these years of her being gone - I avoid the mother's day card section. I tear up at the very thought of them.

and as sad as those make me feel, I am so very happy when I see the sun shining in rays through the clouds. I know it is her (and daddy). I always say hello. it just seems like it is her way to let me know she is still watching over me with love.

crazy. maybe. content. absolutely.

'when I say I'm a mother I'm telling you I am blessed.'

just a note

I had a plan for today. a very ambitious one. many things on my to-do list. want-to-do list. and poof! ain't gonna happen. oh well.

so now I have a plan for tomorrow. and that is a good thing.

the hubs is out of town. so my schedule is pretty much my own. until someone calls and then my schedule is not. but I don't really mind. things can wait. it's a beautiful day (happy Earth day!). I'm lending a hand. our grandson turns one tomorrow (without us there. sigh. but soon.) there are happy plans for the weekend. and plans with friends in between.

things don't always go as scheduled. my way. your way. but life is pretty amazing. and shared. and joy full.


'I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.'

endless possibility

expect the unexpected. good things come to those who wait. patience is a virtue. all good things to remember. and this past week has shown me it is true. conversations lead to opportunities. casual visits open doors. even the odd text message brings hope.

it has been a good week. busy. productive. frustrating. fruitful. I'm afraid some things will never change. that is good and bad. but I'm focusing on the good. and the surprising way things seem to work out for the best.

Chatting at the Sky posted

'May I not despise small beginnings even if they lead only to small endings. When I seek to grasp for bigger and wider, may I remember how much I treasure smallness, simplicity, and soul space. If I begin to work hard to carve out a sense of myself, may I turn – again and again – toward the presence of God.

And may I ever remember that no one gets to tell me who I am except my Father. Any commentaries about my identity, either out there or in here, may I let them gently go.'

amen.

Sunday afternoon

it's a gloomy day in the great state. and oh so beautiful. been raining on and off from the wee hours of the morning. I love days like this when you can be a bum or ever so productive. I have chosen the middle road. I go between household chores. and sitting with my book. or my phone playing words with friends with my sister in Ohio. the hubs is doing the taxes and some work. and wanders down every now and then for moral support. and a kiss.

planning a week or two ahead. a trip to Dallas with a friend. our first baseball games with the local team. an odd assortment of work. play. volunteering. socializing. decision making. project tending. a lovely mix. really.

the teapot is whistling. calling my name. I must obey.

'the best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain.'

true blue

it's been a joyful week. joy full. a friend, recently diagnosed with colon cancer, received news that the cancer had not spread. she will start chemo soon. there is a long battle ahead. she is afraid. she is strong. beauty full. faith full.

her sister gave out bracelets to share and show our strength.

the words are supportive. rebellious. kind.

and as I see these words daily. I see my friend. I see God. and I am reminded. the importance of caring. kindness. faith. love. and the option to choose. fear or love, baby. I choose love.

'no one fights alone.'