All I’ve Got…

I would imagine you’ve noticed that it’s been a crazy week in the world. Well, many weeks and months, I guess. Years, even…

There are all the routine attention grabbing things in life. New ways of eating. A lot more shopping. Sarah, our Newfie, got stung by a bee, right in the corner of her eye. She’s fine now. (Really!) Things to write. Things to edit. Things to plan. Things to read. Things to wash and water and fix. A new mailbox to install. (The door fell off the old one.) And a different door that suddenly doesn’t close right. Soup to make. Appointments to keep. Travel schedules. Well, you get the point.

Then there are the big things for so many of us. The truck bombing in Nice. The racial issues we face as a nation of human beings. The political chaos that is running rampant in America. Hunger. Violence. Homelessness. Bigotry of all kinds. Climate change. This morning, Baton Rouge, again. And on and on and on.

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To Everything There Is A Season…

The other day I was weeding through a bunch of my pictures on the computer. (Understand that this is progress for me! I’m still really a shoe box kind of person!) It seems the more the writing grows, the more art I need, and thus, the more skills!

One picture really struck me. You know, one of those ones you look at and say, “Awwww” and move on because it wasn’t at all what you thought you were looking for? I moved on and went back and moved on and went back quite a few times. And then I began to wonder what this picture was saying to me.

As you’ve probably guessed, that’s me on the left, Mom in the middle, and my sister, Molly, on the right. It’s possible that this is the only reasonably decent snapshot that exists of the three of us since about the time I started first grade and decided I hated having my picture taken.

The obvious question is, why this picture, now?

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Bike riding and life…

Back in the dark ages before Angry Birds and tablets, bikes were a big thing. At least for me!

My first 2 wheeler was used and red and rusty. My folks didn’t believe in training wheels and this was long before bike helmets. It took me a while to get the hang of it. Now I know why!

I’ve spent the last 15 years or so learning hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming (NLP). One of the first things learners must wrap their heads around is the seemingly counter-intuitive notion of focusing on what you do want…on where you’re going, rather than focusing on what you don’t want.

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Hot Tips for Mothers’ Day!

Next Sunday, May 8, is Mothers’ Day. I don’t know about you, but I have a bit of trouble keeping up with the holidays that move around on the calendar! So, here’s a fabulous hint for breakfast in bed or brunch along with a couple of ideas for last minute gifts. But first, a brief history lesson.

The story I learned, and like the best, was that early celebrations of Mothers’ Day were held for Northern and Southern mothers who had lost sons in the Civil War to come together and tend cemeteries where their sons lay in hopes of forming friendships among the women and working for peace.

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Of all things, a Democrat!

You know…in these days I feel a bit like a poor, orphaned child adopted by the Hatfields and the McCoys. It’s the election!

As far as I know, three of my four grandparents, my parents, and a sizable number of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were or are Republicans. Many of those who have passed on seem to be Republicans still!

Elizabeth, my mother’s mother, worked full time for the state Republican party. She answered phones and came home with fingers bloodied from stuffing envelopes. Somewhere, among her things, was a rhinestone pin that read, IKE.

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No Rules in Art!

It’s about 3:00 in the afternoon. The Easter traditions have been observed. Our kids are doing the “leavin’ on a jet plane” thing. This Grammy is pretty tired.

It’s been great! A whole week with the Mighty Mini Women! Still pretty mini, but mightier every visit. At 6 and 8, we still have the occasional meltdown. I noticed, though, that their first move is usually saying what they feel or want or need. I’m thrilled for them!

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Notes from a happy grammy…

It’s Spring Break and my kids are here. Most of them. Kelly will be here in a couple of days. The girls are taller, even since Christmas!

The little artists are busy. A while back I painted the front closet door and the  back of a bookcase in chalkboard paint. Best idea I’ve had in a while!

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