No Nonsense

Every time I put a pair of these socks on it makes me laugh.  I think there's some kind of message in those two words.  Perhaps there is.  I should have no nonsense about:

Could be a new motto:  no nonsense about important stuff.
• My commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ

• How I live as a member of His church

• Being kind and charitable and loving and accepting.  In other words....

• Behaving as a true disciple of Christ

• Recognizing my blessings and expressing gratitude

• Allowing others their own faults without my input

This is only a puny partial list.  I should imagine every time I look at my feet (which I do often so as to be careful where I put them - trying to avoid falling) that I see those words and continue on with no nonsense about the important things in life.

Today's gratitude:  for patience.  (Not that I have any.)  The Husband seems to have endless patience with so many of my faults.  Thankfully he recognizes that I still try, every day, to do better.

Alzheimer's / Grocery / Peonies

I know they say if you're worried about being truly crazy you're most likely not crazy.  But what about Alzheimer's?  I worry about that affliction.  My Mom had it.  My aunt and uncle had it.  I don't want to get it.   But I forget stuff.  And I get confused.  Today has felt like Thursday all day long (but the garbage men came so it must be Wednesday).  Sometimes I read words that aren't the words I read.  I put commas in the wrong place.  I nearly got in the wrong truck last fall.  Today I didn't recognize the voice on the other end of the phone, even though I should have. It is just darn scary.  I think I'd like a vaccine to protect me from Alzheimer's.  It might already be too late....sigh....

I continue to be a captive audience for amusements at the grocery.  Walking down the aisle this afternoon, I watched a youngster (looked to be about 4) with his Gramma.  Bridger was his name.  He bounded ahead of the cart, straight over to the shelf of marshmallows.  Grabbed the corners of a bag, bringing the end over to his nose and just leaned over and inhaled.  (Made me want to go over and see if I could smell marshmallow aroma through the bag.) Marshmallow-scent inhaling continued till Gramma called his name, then off he went with a presumably happy nose.

Pretty Pink Peonies 
Monday afternoon the peonies were just popping open their sweet blooms.  Tuesday the bush was pelted most of the day with rain.  And again for a brief minute today.  But...the blossoms still nudge my beauty meter.  I so love the way they brighten the front of our house.  They might look a teensy rain-bedraggled today but I'm betting that tomorrow they'll be happy and perky once again.

All day long I've tried to think of something to spark my gratitude.  Managed to come up with a couple things:  a snug roof protecting us from the rain, clothes to iron, a fun book to read and most important of all - someone who never seems to mind my perpetually gloomy state of mind and bestows hugs in a never ending supply.  There is always, always something to be grateful for.

Beginning Of The Week

It has been a few days since I've posted.  Obviously.  Been thinking what has been worth posting.  There are only a few notables from my recent history.  (Nothing exciting or extraordinary.  Just my everyday life.  And I read a column just this morning about the value of the everyday life - the fact that if that is the life you have and enjoy, then why not?!!)

• I generally consider seeing a (live) deer a good omen.  One came bounding down the hillside at our moving car.  Thankfully it turned and went down the side of the road instead of into our car.  He must have known it wouldn't end well had he continued into the road.

• Waiting in line at an eatery to place my order.  "HI,HI,HI" piped this little voice.  The source: a little 3 or 4 year-old-pigtailed-cutie who then proceeded to tell me all about her friend, the little stuffed elephant in her hands.  She demonstrated how he can play peek-a-boo with his ears, showed me his tail and wanted to be my friend.  Her excitement was barely contained.  She brightened my day.

• Went out for the mail and discovered yet another gopher hole.  This was apparently dug within the last few minutes.  The Husband thought perhaps he saw the critter when he went straightaway out to dribble bait into the hole. Seriously, again?

Roses = beauty
• Entered the garage on an errand and wondered why the hood of my car was popped a bit.  Wondered how long I'd been driving around like that?  And how the heck did it get that way?

• Dropped a gift off for a friend and marveled at the beauty of their dogwood trees.  (If not for the rain I could have snapped a picture.)

• Watched a girl (about 12 or so) wander down the sidewalk - in the rain - shoes hooked around her fingers, dancing along.  Literally.  Perhaps she was rehearsing something from her ballet/dance class.  Whatever.  She surely presented a lovely image, dancing along in the rain in her bare feet, seemingly oblivious to anything but her thoughts.

• Felt like an idiot when I decided to be an adventurer (on a small scale) and take an unknown road to our destination.  Sorry, My Friends, for driving you all over the place only to end up virtually where we started.

• Mentioned to The Husband this morning I seem to be perpetually grumpy.  Came home to a sweet love note and these fragrant roses.  Still feel grumpy.  Things just smell better.  (Thanks, My Love: you 'll never know how grateful I am you found me. Please don't ever leave without me.)

Friday, It's Friday

Began the day with my walk on the trail.  Wasn't quite quick enough with my phone/camera to get a picture of the cute cat sunning itself under the tree.  Wish I had been faster.

Pink: such a lovely color on trees.
The Husband had his camera and phone at the ready.  We had to choose between a number of snaps of the morning sun twinkling on the tri-color beeches.  They are pretty much at their pink peak and what a stunning color it is.  Too bad the pixels can't do the actual color the justice it deserves.  This little area (taken through the window from the stair landing) is fun right now - the sweet woodruff is in full bloom (on the right through the branches) the labrador viola is still blooming and it all looks lush and green.

I must be in a pink mood.  The Husband treated me to some desk shelf organizers and a wastebasket in a cute pink.  Totally cleaned off my desk.  And my spirit is much more at peace as I sit here.

IKEA:  ready to help if one can't read picture directions.
I laughed out loud - the instructions for assembling the shelves had this picture.  I think it was the expression on the question-mark-guy's face that got me.  Who says humor is dead?

In between, I've done all the laundry, finished up the ironing, been treated to lunch out with The Husband, indulged in the $1 frozen yogurt cone at IKEA, stitched on the baby blanket I'm making for the lady I visit teach (her baby is due in July, and she is very patient with two visiting teachers who are old enough to be her mother) read a couple pages in Henry B. Eyring's new book (promises to be an uplifting read), practiced a little piano, and generally enjoyed the day.

Today's gratitude:  for little things with big impact, especially on my heart.

And Life Goes On

Bookending the day:  funeral in the morning, wedding shower in the evening.

Celebrated the 88 years this woman spent on the earth.  Her passing, of course, leaves a huge chasm in the lives of those who love her.

A bridal shower for a young woman in our ward - she gets married a short time after her brother enters the MTC for his mission to Japan.  (I haven't seen her mother without tears in her eyes for a few weeks...) This young lady literally glows.  (Wondering if I ever looked like that about my future husband and our future life together?  I'm guessing - yes.)

At the shower, the (almost) bride's cousin was there with her 8 day old daughter.  A precious bundle topped with tons of dark hair.

And life goes on.  We rejoice in each stage, weep together at times, and share each others' joys.

Reminds me of this quote:

What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?
Today's hope:  for wisdom to find the joy in each day, however hidden it may seem.  And for the ability to lessen another's difficulty along the way.




Progress At A Snail's Pace

Thoughts abound.

1.  Witnessed interaction between two women.  Woman 1 did not respond to (what she perceived was insincere) bonhomie from Woman 2.  Woman 1 stated her heart was so wounded/broken/damaged from prior treatment from Woman 2 she simply could not muster the emotional fortitude, so she walked on.  Woman 2 was insulted.  Woman 2 (maintaining her complete innocence of any and all wrong doing) followed up with rebuking and recriminations resulting in dissolution of friendship.  Both women lose.

2.  Heard an early 20-something woman on her cellphone in a public place talking about "the last time I was in jail."  Obviously not the first time.  Wondered what was so awry in her life that she has been jailed multiple times.

3.  Watched a white-bearded (makes one think he had some wisdom) 50-something man in a challenging manner call a 60-something man names.  In public.  Because the second man was in the way of the man's view of something.  The overt reason is trivial and inconsequential.  The back story remains unknown, but the question is still there.  What drove this man to be so totally rude to another without even the hint of kindness?

People are hard on each other.  The time we are living in seems fraught with tension, stress, disappointment and fear.  So we lash out.   We preach one thing (kindness/love) and behave the opposite.  Our minds know how we should behave.  Our emotions often govern differently.

I frequently look at these kind of situations as a test.  Often I fail.  Sometimes I pass.  And occasionally it is too close to call.  But I continue to try.  Each day brings new opportunities to hold my tongue, to respond with a smile instead of a snarl.  And at the end of each day I once again kneel to ask forgiveness for the wrongs I succumbed to.

Hopefully I am making progress.  It seems so slow.  I feel like I'm moving forward slower than a snail.

I watch the response to tragedy - the recent tornado devastation in Oklahoma is an example of how things can bring out the best in people.  Commendable. But the day to day treatment of others exposes the true state of our hearts.

Jason F. Wright said this (in his column about Abercrombie and Fitch):  "Beauty is demonstrated in the way we treat others, especially when we disagree with them or when they look different from us."  And I add - even when they mistreat us.

And I read this the other day:  "Compassion is the universal language."

Today's hope:  for the strength to be kind.  Always.  For the recognition of others as children of God, who have their own set of (mostly hidden) challenges.  For the ability to quickly and completely forgive and move on.  For awareness - of all things good in this life.

Monday Sure Comes Around Quickly

The Husband took a vacation day on Friday!  We played the day away - haircuts, movie, food, relaxing around the house in the evening.  One of those rare days when we just mentally relaxed - we both needed it.

Then the weekend seemed to pass all too quickly - with a few errands, a small delayed birthday celebration for the youngest son, visiting with a friend in a rehab center, church, home teaching, home teachers here and before you know it - it's Monday again.

Will I bruise from this blood draw?
Which we started out at the dentist's for a check-up / cleaning.  And Yay! No cavities for either of us.  (Although I have a cracked crown that will bear watching...it's an expensive replacement.) Then off to have our health assessment for some cash incentive from The Company.  Height, weight, blood pressure, blood draw.

It's official - again - I'm a fraction under 5'2".  (The 12-almost-13-year-old granddaughter has topped my height.)  Weight:  too much to document.  And blood pressure:  he kindly took it three times till it got down around where it usually is.  (Not fond of needles.)

Observations from the last few days:

 - The rain surely makes everything look green and lush and beautiful.

 - High Priest Socials are better when they're shorter.

 - Watched some people throw money on the table to compensate the wait staff for the horrendous mess their mostly unwatched children left.  It makes my heart sad that they found it easier to just pay for their ill manners than to teach their children to sit down (instead of wandering around the tables carrying/spilling/dropping food and drink everywhere) and behave appropriately in public.  I was supremely embarrassed for them all - parents and children alike.  And, correct, it isn't my business.  It does, though,  make me sad.

 - After a week without a treat that teensy square of Bake 360 brownie from the freezer nearly made me swoon.

 - Enjoyed being invited to accompany someone when they sing in church on Sunday.  Practicing for something specific is always a pleasure.

 - Primary yesterday wasn't near as much fun as usual.  Didn't enjoy how the Stake managed things for Ward Conference.  (Thankfully we're all different and everyone doesn't have to do things the same for them to be acceptable.)

Music To Me

This quote was on today's page of my calendar.  Perhaps I've posted this quote before, but I really like it.

I've been thinking about music a lot and its different forms and how it enriches my life.  I would be bereft without my piano (even though I got a bit burned out from church choir and am s-l-o-w-l-y returning to its embrace). I have spent a small fortune (thank you gift cards) on iTunes for my iPod. And I even have a country music station on my car radio.

The last few days I've been particularly aware of the music of the birds in our area.  These are only a few whose sounds have touched my ears:

Chickadee
Robin
Meadowlark
Oriole
Dove
Scrub Jay
Baby goose (following its owner around her yard) - it squeaks really cute
Finch
Quail
Woodpecker

This is by no means a comprehensive list - I know there were birds whose songs I don't know enough to identify.  How uplifting to my spirits to hear their lovely morning greetings.

Today's gratitude:  for Heavenly Father's love showered on us in the form of music.  I sing praise to Him.

Healthy

The Husband and I are being particularly careful about our food this week.  Wanting to be super healthy.  First thing Monday morning:  dental check-ups then a health assessment for his work - trying to eke some extra benefits out of the system.  We want our blood to be happy for the testing.

Hard to capture with the wind blowing.
Since I slept practically none last night I was awake and out the door early this morning.  Halfway through my 5 mile walk I remembered I hadn't grabbed my step counter.  Again, for that healthy benefit from work.  Lost out on recording those 11,000 + steps.  (Frownie face...)

Visiting teaching, chatting for a minute with our son (sorry, son that I had to cut you off, I was going to be late) and getting hugs from 3 of the grandchildren are all contributors to good health.

Went to Kohl's with my 30% off sticker - hoping to get a nice wedding gift for the shower next week.  I always check out the sales.  Looked at the back of a tablecloth for the price.  Regular price $34.99.  Clearance marked $6.99 - sold!! The cloth rang up at $3.49, then I received 30% off and the net cost was $2.44.  And she scores!  Equally contributing to my good health.

And one of the best contributors to good health:  flowers!  In any color, size or shape.  I love flowers.  Our Hawthorne tree just keeps getting more and more pretty.

Today's gratitude:  For good health in all its forms - mental (at least I think I'm mentally healthy, others might think differently) emotional, financial (that one is - as always - a work in progress), physical.  And for knowing that tomorrow night The Husband will return.  That is always good for my health.

Why?

Why is it this hot this early in the season?  Yesterday was over 90 degrees.  Yes, in May!  Today was upper 80's.  I was going to tough it out without turning on the air conditioning until The Husband arrived home.  It seems so silly to cool this entire house just for me.  I capitulated.  The air conditioners are running full blast.  Oh, bliss.

Why, when I wanted to do something kind for someone did everything seem to conspire against me?  I finally managed to "make do".  We'll see how it turns out.  Hopefully she will enjoy that we were thinking of her as much as she enjoys the kouign aman. (Do a Google search.  They are absolute heaven-for-the-tastebuds.)

It appears that our lovely tri-color beeches will go straight from just popped leaves to end-of-summer-brown-crisp instead of giving us that stunning spring pink that we so look forward to.  It's that heat thing.

Aah, that air conditioning feels so good on my toes!
Received an Ulta gift card for Mother's Day.  Spent most of it today.  Bought luxury cosmetics.  Fabulous treat.

Today's gratitude:  for the ability to have the home phone's calls forwarded to my cellphone.  Gives me such a sense of security knowing that The Husband and I won't play quite so much phone-tag.

(And after looking at this picture decided that I really do have 61 year old feet!  I am so grateful for them.  They carry me many places.  They have endured blisters and broken toes and stress fracture and more blisters and arthritis, just to name a few. I have bunions and callouses.  Yet still, I walk many many miles each week.  I'll wear my aging look as gracefully as I can.)



Day Of Gifts

I'm learning to not dread Mother's Day quite so much.  With no expectations, the day managed to pleasantly surprise.  I've heard from three of my four children.  I've been showered with gifts.  I have felt cared for and received hugs from ones I love.

And I'm feeling pretty content.  Life isn't really about gifts.  They are a physical representation that someone cares.  How lovely.
Roses and Chocolate
Blooming Hawthorne
Sparkly cap for shade.
Quilled Reminder of Hope and Love.



Thinking, Again and Always

I've always got a few thoughts swirling around in my noggin.  The Husband sat in my chair and mentioned something, and my response was I'm not fond of fake things.  Nails, hair color, bosoms, diamonds, chocolate, friends, emotions...I'm more of an enjoyer of natural things.  (This is not intended in any way as a criticism of those things that other people enjoy or of other people.  I'm just stating my own innate tendencies.)

I've been thinking about this a lot since attending a play at Hale Theatre the other night.  Saw some people we know there.  The Husband was able to ask them a couple days later how they liked the play.  All four of them hated it.  Yes, the play was dated in dialogue and setting.  But the basic message was one of concern for another/friendship.  I've wondered why these four people disliked it so much.

Then the other night we went to dinner with some friends who are 13/14 years older than we are.  Such lovely people.  People who have associated with some other very prominent people.  And who have money. Yet, they are unfailingly kind and gracious to us.  Friends.

Mother's Day Greetings.
I like that there are those out there willing to put their hearts on the line, so to speak, and befriend those who might not be exactly in their own social strata.  We all can use reminders to be kind to everyone not just those who can help us climb the social ladder.  Not just those we think won't be an embarrassment.  Not just those who are kind to us.

Every single one of us needs a friend, a kind word, someone's time.  And conversely it is good for our souls to be the one who reaches out to others regardless of their station in life.  Regardless of how they treat us.  Rudeness should never be the goal, although it is often the product.

I have failed at this more times than I like to remember.  And yet, I struggle on.  And will continue to do so.

Today's gratitude:  for those reminders that prick my conscience.  I need them.

My neighbor brought over this cute little cake filled pot of cookie (butterfly) flowers.  She spread them amongst the neighbors, wishing all the women happy mother's day.  She is an example of kindness and goodness.

Fun Friday

Embroidered whole cloth quilt.
I woke up this morning in the mood to do something different.  So...I headed off to the HMQS (Home Machine Quilting Show) for a diversion. Sheer eye candy.  Perused hundreds of quilts.  Some lovely ones and some not-quite-so-lovely (beauty can be in the eye of the beholder).  I was glad I wore my comfy shoes.  There is big money in quilting these days.

Whole cloth quilts are my all-time favorite.

Arriving home I asked The Husband if it wasn't time for fall yet.  77 degrees out and I was tired.  Good thing there was a Jamba Juice between the quilt show and home.  (And a good thing I've got my sparkly toes on ready for sandals!)

I have two packages (one from each of the daughters) waiting for me to open on Sunday.  (I really do like surprises!) The Husband is providing me with some fantabulous brownies and for the first evening this entire week there's nothing going on tonight, we can stay at home and be chair-veggies in front of the dumbing box.  Or maybe I'll actually get to read a book.

Heaven scent.
And for the first time this week I'm actually in a decent mood.  Must have been all the lovely fabrics. Or maybe the Jamba Juice.  Or is it the endless supply of ready hugs from The Husband?  (He walked out to meet me on the last part of my morning walk.  A neighbor we only know by sight (she was out walking her barely dog - it's teeny) said we are really cute.)

I carried this little sprig of lilacs on my walk - inhaling their luscious fragrance every few steps.  Joy.

10 Thoughts For A Wednesday

 1.  So love how fresh the air is after a summer-style spring thunderstorm. Made my morning jaunt extra fun.

 2.  The lilac tour has begun.  I've actually stopped my car, jumped out to inhale deeply then continued on my way.  Also made several smell stops on my walk.

 3.  Have had several people "like" one of my online book reviews the last few days.  Makes me feel important.

 4.  Our paper shredder shredded its last.  (We'd had the previous one for over 12 years so I think we pretty much just wore it out.)  We ordered a new-improved version from Costco that arrived today.  Who'd have thunk shredding paper could be fun?

Good oriole nesting place.
 5.  Visited a friend who has relocated from the hospital to a rehab center.  She looked so lovely - she'd just had her hair done. I even got a smile.

 6.  I've been very used to seeing our old cottonwoods through the window in skeleton form.  Have so enjoyed their stark beauty against the sky.  Still get almost startled when I look out the window and see green leaves covering those bone-branches.  Love it.

 7.  Managed to finish my 5 miles this morning with nary a bark-attack from any dogs.  Second day in a row for this.  Tender mercy that I didn't even know I needed until it arrived.

 8.  The baker at Bake 360 has promised his fantabulous brownies for the weekend (Mother's Day).  I can't stop thinking about them.  Can't wait for the first bite.  Will mourn the last one.
New needles = happy tree. YAY!

 9.  And yes, yet another tree picture.  So love this signal that the tree is happy.  This is also the time of year I wander around touching all the new pine needles to see which ones are soft.

10.  I've always wondered why the lists are 10 things long.  10 things I like about...or My 10 favorite... or 10 things I hate....

11.  So just for the sake of rebelliousness my 11th thing is that I'm so grateful one of the tiny blessings that follows me around is the one of finding parking spots on the end.  Happens about 95% of the time.  Saves my car from dings.  And that green light thing:  it's a huge/small/welcome blessing to hit more green traffic lights than red ones.  Makes me happy.


Mental Meanderings

Four years and a couple months ago, I decided to start a blog.  (Don't really consider myself a trend follower, but perhaps in some areas I really am.)  I wasn't sure where I was going with it.  I just had this desire to "say my piece".  Probably only 2 or 3 people actually read this blog; that's fine, it somehow fills a need I seem to have.

I don't consider myself a writer - or photographer - it just seemed easier to put my thoughts out there via computer keyboard than pen-and-paper-journal.  (Although I still use one of those for certain things.)

I am prone to fits of negative thought.  I haven't ever really had much self-esteem, building self esteem wasn't part of my upbringing.  So I have to fight those contrary tendencies of mine.  (And yes, I often wish I was more content, that I didn't envy others even the teensiest bit. I have many, many faults.)

The thing is, though, I've discovered a benefit from this blogging thing I wasn't expecting.  Throughout my day in the back of my mind are little tidbits I tuck away as possible blog subjects.  Not wanting to be a "Negative Nelly" it seems those little tidbits are often happy things.  Or things I find uplifting.  Or beautiful.  Or kind.  Something worth sharing.

In other words, I think I have become more aware of this life of mine and all its blessings and possibilities.  And that is a good thing.

I was reminded of that just this morning as I read this:  "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."  - R. W. Emerson.  Then I went looking and found the rest of the poem.  Funny that I hadn't ever come across this before.  (Or perhaps I did and forgot...I'm getting to be that age.)

Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day,
and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt, crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a
new day;
begin it well and serenely,
with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays...

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And I absolutely have to share these two trees.  I really thought the blossoming trees had peaked and the beauty of those flowers was finished for the season.  Not so as my morning walk revealed to me.  I will ever be grateful for the beauty of this world and the kind souls that live in it.



Click to see a larger version of this beauty.



It's Only One p.m.

And the day has already served up interesting things.

In church:  the speaker was talking about having some wonderful...and he paused.  The cute 5 year old sitting behind us piped up, "kids!"  We tried to giggle quietly.

The kids in Primary were the very most reverent I ever remember them being.  Wondered at the reason.  They must all have been having a good day.

Watched a sweet little scene.  The Young Men were up preparing the sacrament.  And there was the YM president (I think he's probably about 5'8" or so) standing facing a 15 year old (probably 6' 1" tall) who can sometimes look kind of sloppy.  They were having a conversation, but seemed oblivious to anyone / anything around them while the president straightened, tucked, and straightened again the tie of the YM.  Both walked off with a smile.  Glad I watched that little exchange.

Listened to a 9 year old express his testimony in such a matter of fact way it was clear he understands (and reveres) his relationship to Heavenly Father.

Remain ever grateful for The Husband who stands ready and willing at all times to help.  I was able to sit on the piano bench without fear today after he brought his tools to church and tightened the wobbly legs.  (I'd already begged and pleaded to all the leaders to take care of the bench - before I fell on my keister in front of everyone - with no results.) Thanks, My Love.  You are my Hero/Prince/BFF.


Update: the first hummingbird and orioles of the season visited our feeders today.  At least the first we've seen this year.  Happifies The Husband.

Kindness and Joy

We (The Husband a bit more than I) frequent a local burger eatery.  Enough so that we've (again, The Husband the most) made the acquaintance of the owner.  Last night he shared this experience with us.

He employs a young man, a tall drink of water, who The Husband has taken a bit of a shine to.  The young man's mother is a long time patron of the burgery who asked George if he would consider hiring him; which George did, no application or interview necessary, the young man was just instantly hired.

Young Man works two hours each day.  He clears and cleans tables, wipes down benches and chairs and maintains the cleanliness standard nicely.  (He is pleasant, quiet and might, perhaps, have some mental challenges.)
Lone tulip coming up through the weeds = joy

The Husband likes to leave Young Man a tip for his service.  To let him know his efforts are recognized.  Young Man appears to like tips, but never, never would ask for one.

Apparently others have become aware of Young Man.  One customer had a button made up for him to wear - something like Restaurant Captain.  I wish I could remember exactly - but the the sentiment is clear:  this is a Young Man with a purpose who is doing his best to fulfill that purpose.

Unexpected gift of cute socks = joy
George told us last night that recently a customer followed Young Man into the restroom, handed him $100 and said, here, this is for you.  Didn't want a fuss made out of giving Young Man some reward for his service, didn't want to be identified, just wanted to be generous.

My heart is warmed.  And my faith in humanity somewhat redeemed.  Occurrences like this happen.  Really.  And if they happen frequently in our little corner of the world, they must be happening all over the world as well.

I find my optimism renewed.  I guess I didn't realize how starved my soul was for some nourishing.  Nourishment that I received yesterday (in various forms) at Women's Conference.  I guess playing the piano for Sr. Primary isn't quite enough to fill my reservoirs.

Today's gratitude:  for joy found in unexpected places, by unexpected people, in unexpected ways.  Joy, a true blessing.

It Was A Very Fine Day

My cousins invited me to go to the Women's Conference at BYU.  I've been more than several times in the past.  But quit going when it got so crowded and I got frustrated.  It's been quite a few years since I went.

While I wouldn't say it was an extraordinary day, I will state that it was just the perfect "shot in the arm" for me.  I so enjoyed spending the day with my two cousins - even though we left many a conversation dangling and unfinished as we went on to other topics, classes and ideas.  They are delightful women who I am pleased to call family.

Just a few of the thoughts I jotted down (some are paraphrased and unattributed quotes, others are what I remember of what the presenter said):

 - Grace happens anyway.  The least we can do is be present for it.

- If we "own" the lives we've been given we can find greater joy in them.

 - A portion of something from Jeffrey R. Holland (a favorite of many of us):  Salvation is not a cheap experience.

 - Meaningful and real change takes place one on one.  We can find many examples of this in the Savior's life.

 - People look at my six days of the week to see what I mean on the seventh.

6" x 65" in roughly 6 hours.
We snagged some "take and make" kits (crocheted scarves) on our way into the conference this morning.  My goal was to completely finish my scarf since I won't be back tomorrow.  And...success!  I did it!  (I actually had to start over, I had an uncooperative skein of yarn.  This was the first beginning.  I forgot to snap the finished product.)

Today's gratitude:  Where to begin?  For a husband who encourages me - always - to broaden my horizons, to do fun things, to learn and grow without ever a hint of anything negative!  Thanks, My Love!!  For a comfortable, reliable car to take me places where I can learn and grow.  For comfy shoes in which to walk over 8,000 steps today.

And most of all on this particular day - for a couple sweet women who invited, included and imparted great kindness to me, especially at a time when I didn't realize how much I needed this specific kind of uplifting.  Let's do it again next year.  And maybe I can get my daughters to come, too.


Morning Walk

I generally start out my morning walk / bike ride with a prayer.  I wander along, sending my thoughts/hopes/gratitude to Heavenly Father.  I hope He is fine with me walking and praying at the same time.  I often feel like I can better formulate my thoughts and listen / respond to guidance when I'm out by myself, in nature.
That weather is headed straight for me.

This morning I set out without even a concern for the weather, other than to check the temperature for clothing parameters.  It was clear, the sun was brightening the sky and it looked to be a perfect morning for a walk.

About 15 minutes along I had finished communing with Heaven and was taking stock of my surroundings when I had to re-trace my steps to be sure I was seeing what I was seeing.  Off to the north the mountains were disappearing.  There appeared to be a wall of raining clouds filling the valley.  Really?

Seriously wet and cold.
I'll be fine, I thought.  It wasn't even that breezy.  On the return home, I got to that same spot and calculated that I could make it home just fine.  As quick as I could snap my finger it was snowing and in no more than a few seconds was a white-out.

To my rescue came my Prince, (still wearing his robe) riding his faithful white Charger.  It was only roughly another 3/4 of a mile to home, but still he came.  I looked pretty much like a drowning cat, sodden and cold; but a grateful one.

Lunchtime - and I was set on making something a bit out of the ordinary, something I don't usually do.  Sort of a teensy thank-you to The Husband.  Unfortunately, I was so wrapped up in doing one part I forgot about the other part and burned it to charcoal.

So, for the rest of the day I'm staying inside  (and away from the stove).  Even though the sun is now shining in a mostly cloud-free sky.

Today's gratitude:  for parts of life that are never boring, but provide mini-adventures along the way, reminding us not to take the good things for granted.