Friday, April 21, 2023

PLAYING FARMER

A good way to spend

a rainy afternoon!

TAKING THE JOURNEY

Death can come at any time – arbitrarily and instantly.

With this knowledge, how do you live? What do you do? How do you integrate that fact into your life?

seizing the day – carpe diem – and living an extraordinary life

shape the future rather than simply let it happen

“It was like the birth of the universe in my head,” he says. “All of a sudden I could see all the possibilities expanding out. It finally clicked: the actions you take really can affect your life.” Turcich

“Because the world is complex and vast, and because my general temperament is pretty timid and more towards the shy side, I wanted to be forced into adventure. The point of adventure is it’s uncomfortable and you have to grow in it.“

I ask if he found what he was looking for, he takes me back to that night under the stars in the Atacama, and the sense of his smallness in the universe. It made him feel insignificant but also feel that he could make a difference, albeit in little ways. “I came to the conclusion that it’s happiness. Happiness is the only currency for man. You try to be happy and try to create happiness. Happiness can mean a lot of different things and take a lot of different forms. But if you make the world a better place, you can leave behind gross happiness for your descendants.”

Tom Turcich

https://www.instagram.com/theworldwalk/?hl=en

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/11/the-man-who-walked-around-the-world-tom-turcich-seven-year-search-meaning-of-life?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email

CRINKLE CRANKEL

Thursday, April 20, 2023

STRONG WOMEN

STRONG WOMEN DON’T HAVE ATTITUDES

THEY HAVE STANDARDS AND BOUNDARIES

DON’T TIPTOE

I like to dance barefooted, if you can’t do that with me, you must not be my dance partner.

THE VIEW

From my hammock

MAYAPPLES

Podophyllum peltatum is an herbaceous perennial plant. Its common names are mayapple, American mandrake, wild mandrake, and ground lemon. It is widespread across most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.

Medicinal uses: Roots were used by Native Americans and early settlers as a liver cleanser and worm expelling. Also used for jaundice, constipation, hepatitis, fever and syphilis.

I just think it looks pretty!

VALUE

VALUE: the regard that something is to, the importance, worth or usefulness

Value is individual. We all have the same ability to gage the value of a thing. We can value every object objectively; our smart phone, water heater, sport socks or hand soap. Our preference to every item plays a part in how we value things.

We also judge the value of others. We personally set a value of worth on those around us, on those in politics, on those who we may not even know.

Companies may increase the value of their product by increasing the products quality. And in turn it may become more valuable to the consumer. But if the price is too high it may not earn the value of its worth to all people. The need plays a huge part in individual value as well. Such as… there is a small, red, farm tractor for sale. I drive past it daily. The sign says $3000.00 and in my head I wonder “Is that a good price for an old, used, little farm tractor? Is it worth that?

It’s red.

That should hold no baring on my value of this tractor, but it does. If it were orange or green I probably wouldn’t have acknowledged it’s presence. I do not have a need for a tractor, even one so small.

Yet I have a thing for old red tractors. So in my head, not knowing the working order of this small, red, old tractor, I thought “$3000 for that cute tractor, I would pay that.”

I won’t of course,

but that tractors value seemed fair to me. Because it appeals to me. So I took it at face value.

If I was in the market for a small red tractor I would be more incline to kick the tires and weigh its value on more durable qualifiers. Red and cute would play far less a part in my value process.

I hope I am a better judge of value when it comes to those individuals I choose to have in my life. I hope my scale of weight is far more balanced on the important traits that make up the individual. I hope I am not just charmed by their old red tractor like charm.

I hope I value them for their true worth.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

PURPLE LOVE

A ROAD TRIP

https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/coast-to-coast-road-trip/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

FUN

What do you get if you cross

a sheepdog

with a rose?

A collie-flower!

IRIS LOVE

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

ALONG THE PATH

It was windy yesterday, and cool. I wrapped myself in my big black sweater as I drove the well worn country path. There are landmarks along my path: the fat happy cows, old barns, fields with horses and yards with chickens. Spring is working her magic and all the trees are in flower and unfurling all the shades of green. Along the way I pass the drive in (where you park on the grass and watch the double feature on lawn chairs). I pass ponds, farmers fields and darling country cottages. I pass the river several times along my path, with woods speckling throughout the farmland. Yesterday I watched a bald eagle float on the wind. He took advantage of the blustery morning and expertly rode the wind. It was a glorious sight.

I truly wish I could spend each day just enjoying the path, wherever it takes me. But yesterday I went to work, as I will today. And although I don’t anticipate seeing an Eagle every day, I will happily follow the path, wherever it takes me!

I’m thankful for everything I see.

I love where I live.

Today: as I drove that same path to work this morning. I said hello to the fat happy cows and I enjoyed all the fields of yellow flowers and new shoots of green. But as I drove I saw that a bald Eagle was napping on the paved road. My heart was so sad.

But I’m glad he soared on the wind just the day before.

WORD OF THE DAY

Flibbertigibbet

A frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person.

A delightful girl.

Monday, April 17, 2023

DEATH

My phone rang as I was sitting in the car, I didn’t realize the number as it came across the cars dashboard.

As the call came in we were in the middle of talking about my friends mom. She is in the last stage of life and her family is close at hand. We were talking about how she had told her her children that their daddy was coming to see her.

We were talking about death and how it is so different and strange and challenging.

When my phone phone had rung, I took it out of my pocket, since I didn’t recognize the number on the dash. And there on the phone was my sweet friends name. I answered the phone and she sounded happy. She called to let me know that her mom had just passed. I told her we were just talking about her mom. How odd and interesting and what’s the word I’m looking for? I can’t find it.

But my dear friend sounded so happy. I know the worry she has carried for a very long time, I know the time and effort she has put in for years. I know the family issues that have arisen in the wake of the inevitable.

Yet, she sounded happy and light. I’m sure the relief has to be immense. Her mom is no longer suffering, she is free from all the medical issues.

I love this sweet friend. Her mom has passed, it is not a sad event, but a time to celebrate!

BRICKS

I have always loved things made of brick. I grew up in an area of the country that wrapped its houses with stucco. Brick is tidy and lovely. A friend of mine had a patio of bricks. It was beautiful. My home is made of red brick and I love it. But I saw this patio and LOVED IT!

Sunday, April 16, 2023

FLOWER BED

I spent a part of this morning in my front flowerbed. I pulled weeds and did a bit of pruning. I decided hostas and transplanted them. I fed my trees and bushes and I planted dozens of flower bulbs. With love and luck they will come up bold and beautiful. I’m hoping for a big splash of color! The purple Iris’ I was given a couple years ago are green and gargantuan. They will be opening this week. The purple bearded Iris are my favorite, but I love all the flowers. I planted three pots of onions, I’m super excited about them too! I had hoped to conquer at least part of the back flower beds, but I decided the back yard would just about do me in. So I gathered the things I need to repot the herbs I have and all the needed things to start some seeds. That will be my later afternoon project. Lunch with my Little Mayberry!

Saturday, April 15, 2023

MAKING WISHES

DECADENT BREAKFAST

OPENING DAY

Friday, April 14, 2023

FRIDAY NIGHT

Fish Fry Friday Night at O’Bryans. And a moonlight drive through the the woods and western side of the county. It rained a bit so it smelled great and the frogs were singing.

H2o

Experts say for every 1.8-degree increase in global temperature, the amount of moisture in the atmosphere increases by 6%-7%, resulting in more intense and frequent precipitation.

https://www.jbarisk.com/news-blogs/the-physics-of-precipitation-in-a-warming-climate/

4/12/2023

Fort Lauderdale is recording 20 inches of rainfall within six hours Wednesday. The city’s 24-hour total was 25.9 inches of rain.

Florida is supposed to still be in its eight-month dry season, where average rainfall is around 3 inches per month.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

CHANGE

VIOLA

About a year ago, I watched a program that Viola Davis was in, not an acting role, but her true self. She seemed so humble, kind and empathetic. Then last week I read the memoir, Finding Me, by Viola Davis. I was truly moved by her openness and willingness to share her story. I was touched and inspired by her honesty, her courage and her self preservation. I enjoyed learning about her life path.

Tonight I watched The Woman King. It was a very good historic fiction. Again I was touched by something this woman felt strongly about. I loved the depiction that all were included, and each had a say in their own life. The movie was powerful.

Brava!

SAVOR

FIREFLY DRONE SHOW

SAY THE WORDS OUT LOUD

MINDSET

MORNING BEAUTY

WORD OF THE DAY

Corybantic: Wild; frenzied

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

DON’T STAND STILL

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

LEIGH

I met Leigh last year, but when she came to visit me this morning I didn’t recognize her. I may not be very good with names but I almost always remember a face. But not today. As she sat at my desk and we chatted, I remember her almost immediately. But she was right, she looked very different from the last time she visited. Her hair had been long, full and blond. Now she has a very short, salt and peppered cropped haircut. She told me that the month after we last visited, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. In the months that followed she went through radiation and chemotherapy. Her tumor has decreased in size and the cancer has not spread. A win for sure.

But just as wonderful is her attitude and love for life. She is positive and happy. Leigh is the poster child of Living Life to The Fullest. She touched my heart today and I told her how very proud I am of her.

None of us know what is in our future. But as we take the forks in the road and maneuver through the construction zone pathways of life, we all have the option to dwell in the negativity or rejoice in the gift of each day.

Leigh is such a great example of how we should all be living.

I am grateful for the reminder that life is a gift that we should be celebrating each day.

♥️

4 YEARS

Four years ago this afternoon I saw the Little Red Brick House for the first time. It was truly love at first sight. It was built in 1941 and still retains all the charm of that era. I love the red brick, the beautiful trees that flower and all the space inside. I love the hidden pantry and the dungeon sewing closet. I love the inside sunroom and the outside sunroom. I love the neighborhood and the neighbors. I love the flowerbeds and the grass that is always green. I love the squeaky hardwood floors, the Hallway of Seven Doors and the built in cabinets. I love the array of birds, bunnies, squirrels and other wildlife. It’s a delightful little country cottage, hidden right in town. I love my little house!

DO NOT SQUANDER

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.”

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Sunday, April 9, 2023

EASTER WEEKEND

Moving to the Midwest taught me that Easter colors are truly all about Spring. Yesterday after work, we went on a bike ride. The trees are all in bloom, greens, pinks, whites, and the Easter flowers (daffodils) are everywhere! It looks like God did some watercoloring all across the countryside. I love where I live, it’s beautiful!

Everyone celebrates Easter differently. For me it comes down to the time to renew. The earth is ready for planting and everything is in bloom. It’s all new!

Yesterday Miss Mayberry dyed eggs and that was darling to watch. She loved all the baby eggs.

Last night I went to a Catholic Easter Mass. It was long and like nothing I have ever seen before. In the past I have attended a couple Baptist services and a Catholic wedding. All interesting and very different from the church services I grew up with.

The Bible verses were familiar, I have read the scriptures completely several times, and the stories are comfortable to me. The actions and repetition were very different to me. But I went in support of those being baptized and confirmed. That too was very different than what I grew up with. I am glad I could support those who made commitments last night and view a new religious event for my book.

Late last night I fell asleep listening to my son as he streamed. I love falling asleep to his voice.

Today, Easter Sunday, I filled colorful eggs with all sorts of chocolate, I baked a ham and made Jello salad and angel cake. We shared the day with kids and grandkids. I took a Sunday drive with my ladies and shared spring with them.

The Missionaries stopped by this afternoon and I felt like my spiritual bucket was completely filled.

I even took time for an afternoon nap.

I feel like Spring has sprung and all my Easter boxes have been checked. I hope the weekend was good for everyone else too!