by jphilo | May 12, 2016 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- Baby bunnies in the flowerbed, a flock of twitterpated goldfinches in a grassy ditch, and broken robin egg shells on the road. Spring has sprung!
- After serving on the steering committee for an upcoming weekend camp, I have realized that event planning is not my calling.
- The HBO adaptation of Richard Russo’s Empire Falls is wonderful in so many ways. A favorite book by a favorite author who wrote the screenplay. Perfect casting of so many top tier actors, including Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Newman, in his final film role, nails his part. And his blue eyes still shine.
by jphilo | May 3, 2016 | Top Ten Tuesday
Mother Day will be here in 5 short days. Here are 10 things I love about the holiday.
10. Mother’s Day is the one day of the year where moms get the pay off for losing their figures, years of sleep deprivation, and total lack of privacy: breakfast in bed that consists of burnt toast, rubbery eggs, and cold coffee served with a side dish of crumbs between the sheets.
9. Wannabe women actors improve their acting skills when their children ask them if they like the kittie earrings they picked out as a gift.
8. Mother’s Day and spring flowers appear in tandem. Perfect timing!
7. My early Mother’s Day present was an espresso maker and my daughter, the barista, who will give me lessons on its operation.
6. Mother’s Day means going out to eat, and thus avoiding the what-to-make-for-supper decision, not once but twice: once with my mom and once with my kids.
5. Spending a substantial amount of time selecting the perfect card for Mom. Not an easy task since so many cards don’t describe her style of mothering. At. All. But I enjoy the task and always manage to find one that makes her smile.
4. I appreciate spending Mother’s Day with Mom more as the opportunities to do so dwindle year by year.
3. May 11, 1929 was both Mother’s Day and Dad’s birthday.
2. My adorable grandkids: Sam, Molly, and Tad.
1. My children, Allen and Anne. Could I love you any more?
What do you love about Mother’s Day? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Apr 1, 2016 | Daily Life
Walking outdoors is one of my favorite things. Except when it’s cold and windy. So lately I’ve had to talk myself into walking outside in the morning. This post from 2013 proves this year is just like years gone by. But more that that, today’s Fantastic Friday post explains why walking outdoors is worth the cold, the wind, and the internal battle that get a person’s feet out the door.
The Cardinal Says It’s Spring
These April mornings,
When my walks begin.
I need a pep talk to push my feet
Out the door and down the lane.
The grass is brown.
The tree branches grey,
The wind is cold,
The landscape bare.
Still the cardinal,
bright red with promise,
Sings words to warm my frozen, winter soul.
“It’s spring! It’s spring.”
What says spring to you? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Feb 25, 2016 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- New favorite sound: Grandson’s belly laugh when his fingers touch my toes and I jump back in mock surprise.
- While it’s true that all politicians hold themselves in high regard, I don’t think electing a megalomaniac for president is a wise idea. Wake up, America!
- The three robins hopping around our yard yesterday were a hopeful sight indeed. Once the ground thaws, they can dig worms for entertainment instead of chasing dead leaves swirling in the wind.
by jphilo | Jun 9, 2015 | Top Ten Tuesday
Life’s been rough at our house lately. So I’m fighting discouragement and a tendency to dwell on what’s wrong in my world by giving thanks for the small and good blessings that are part of each day.
10. The weather’s been so pleasant, we’ve hardly needed to turn on the AC.
9. The propane company sent a letter saying our bill will go down over $100 in September.
8. At this moment, the weeds are pulled and the housework is done.
7. The herb garden provided fresh parsley, basil, and cilantro for several meals this week.
6. Our first CSA produce pick up is today.
5. But the CSA strawberries started early so we feasted our way through 2 delectable quarts…and I took some down to Mom last week, too.
4. Revisions on my mystery novel are moving along and the escape therapy is just what the doctor ordered.
3. The Man of Steel and I will take Mom to a family reunion in Minnesota this coming weekend. She will complain during the whole trip and then thoroughly enjoy being queen for a day in the presence of her nieces and nephews.
2. My daughter held the phone close to our 2-month-old grandson’s mouth so we could hear him coo. Happy tears!
1. In the last week, God arranged encounters with 2 dear friends and a sister who understand my current struggles and the time spent with them was soothing balm to the soul.
What blessings are you thankful for this week?
