I have been off the radar for quite awhile. I guess getting used to working again plus painting kitchen cupboards and working on scrapbook have kept me away from the computer.
Recently I have been watching old videos which have been transferred to DVD. This makes them much easier to view once again. A few of them are scenes from Christmas gatherings, and these have caused me to ponder the vital importance of the people in our lives.
I have noted that all the gifts given at these events are most likely gone and forgotten, but the people are embedded in my heart and soul. It is so amazing to watch the same faces that have been a part of my journey since the beginning as well as those of my children and other family members.
While I am not saying that gift giving wasn't important; I am simply stating that what I took away from the wonderful peek into the past is that we should never take the important people in our lives for granted. These people have formed and shaped us and been with us through good times and bad times. I feel they are a part of the cells of my body. Gifts break and lose their luster; these special people do not. At times it seems impossible to me that those times and some of the people are gone now; we always think we have tomorrow.
It is so important to remember all those faces and voices that have now been taken from us and silenced. This is what keeps them alive in our hearts forever. We need to share them with our younger generation so that when we are gone, they will live on through stories, photos and videos. Some one will need to keep us alive in their hearts, too!
Thought for the day: It's surprising how much memory is built around things unnoticed at the time. Barbara Kingsolver
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Monday, October 26, 2015
One of Those Days
I don't know about you, but on occasion I have days where I just don't feel up to par. These days it seems like things that I normally can deal with on a daily basis rub me the wrong way. Today I was feeling selfish which is incredibly difficult for me to do. When I try to be selfish, I end up getting angry and lashing out because I know things probably aren't going to change. I will continue to be a caretaker who has difficulty being selfish and taking time for myself. So today I felt sorry for myself and was angry that I have been taking care of other people for almost 40 years.
When I was trying to nap and my husband was being too noisy, I got up and decided to take a walk. The first thing I determined while walking is that I was going to make some thing for dinner tonight that I wanted (quinoa and black bean enchilada bake). As I walked I was able to sort some things out in my head.
I passed by the Evergreen Cemetery just outside of town and decided this would be a good day for that type of visit. After wandering around and finding headstones that told me interesting stories in very few words, I happened upon the grave of a young girl who had been the daughter of our neighbor across the street. I knew that she had lost a daughter to drowning at the age of 7, but this was the first time I saw her name and details of dates. Not for away from her stone was another girl who was the same age and died the same day. It dawned on me then that there had been two girls who drowned the same day.
Tears welled up when I thought about this day that had started out like any other, but by the end of the day these two little girls were gone. It made me also reflect upon the fact that people we meet every day have stories and pain that we don't know about. They are way more than what we see so maybe it's a good idea to be kind.
Thought for the day: Always be kind for every one is fighting some kind of battle.
When I was trying to nap and my husband was being too noisy, I got up and decided to take a walk. The first thing I determined while walking is that I was going to make some thing for dinner tonight that I wanted (quinoa and black bean enchilada bake). As I walked I was able to sort some things out in my head.
I passed by the Evergreen Cemetery just outside of town and decided this would be a good day for that type of visit. After wandering around and finding headstones that told me interesting stories in very few words, I happened upon the grave of a young girl who had been the daughter of our neighbor across the street. I knew that she had lost a daughter to drowning at the age of 7, but this was the first time I saw her name and details of dates. Not for away from her stone was another girl who was the same age and died the same day. It dawned on me then that there had been two girls who drowned the same day.
Tears welled up when I thought about this day that had started out like any other, but by the end of the day these two little girls were gone. It made me also reflect upon the fact that people we meet every day have stories and pain that we don't know about. They are way more than what we see so maybe it's a good idea to be kind.
Thought for the day: Always be kind for every one is fighting some kind of battle.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Prolonged Detour
In July I posted about going back into the workplace, and at the time I thought it was temporary. However, they liked me so much that I am now permanent. It's a good place to work, and I am working 2-3 days a week. With the current situation at the railroad, I know in my heart that I need to do this. I also am aware that this job came along right when I needed it, and it nicely fulfills their needs and ours. Who knows what the future holds and how long I will be there, but for now it is my reality so I make the best of it.
So I now go confidently on a new path.
It's all good, right!
Thought for the day: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. (always a good one!)
So I now go confidently on a new path.
It's all good, right!
Thought for the day: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. (always a good one!)
Tansy Mae
A couple weeks ago I was speaking to a friend about our new cat. It seemed that it was a surprise to her, and she inquired as to whether I had blogged about it. After thinking this over for awhile, I realized that the reason I had not blogged about her is because I didn't want to be disloyal to Henry. I didn't want to put words out there that would verify that Henry was gone, and I had replaced him.
So here goes: Our new cat is Tansy Mae. Tansy is an herb with tiny yellow flowers that I have always enjoyed, and Mae was my mother and sister's middle name. I decided an orange cat was in order to satisfy the memory of two lovely orange cats I had when growing up on the farm. I searched Craigslist for awhile and finally decided it was time to once again have a cat in our home.
When I went to pick her up at her home, I found the place to be quite chaotic and basically a mess. There were two small dogs running around, and Tansy didn't come when called. We finally found her curled up sleeping on a chair. She was not afraid to ride in the car which I found unusual for a cat. She was quite skinny, and I wasn't sure if this was her normal build. Now that she has been with us for about four months, she has filled out nicely.
I can now say I love her and she makes a nice addition to our home. I know my love for her can never be what it was for Henry; he was a very special cat who fulfilled very special needs in my life. I also now realize I don't have to give up that wonderful memory of Henry just because Tansy now has my love.
We still light a candle every Thursday evening for Henry as that is when we lost him. The magnificent sunflowers and zinnias that surrounded his grave this summer were a testament to him.
No matter what life takes from us, we must go on.
Thought for the day: That last page turned is a perfect excuse to write a whole new book. Toni Sorenson.
So here goes: Our new cat is Tansy Mae. Tansy is an herb with tiny yellow flowers that I have always enjoyed, and Mae was my mother and sister's middle name. I decided an orange cat was in order to satisfy the memory of two lovely orange cats I had when growing up on the farm. I searched Craigslist for awhile and finally decided it was time to once again have a cat in our home.
When I went to pick her up at her home, I found the place to be quite chaotic and basically a mess. There were two small dogs running around, and Tansy didn't come when called. We finally found her curled up sleeping on a chair. She was not afraid to ride in the car which I found unusual for a cat. She was quite skinny, and I wasn't sure if this was her normal build. Now that she has been with us for about four months, she has filled out nicely.
We still light a candle every Thursday evening for Henry as that is when we lost him. The magnificent sunflowers and zinnias that surrounded his grave this summer were a testament to him.
No matter what life takes from us, we must go on.
Thought for the day: That last page turned is a perfect excuse to write a whole new book. Toni Sorenson.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
A Room with a View
In our home there is a small back room where I spend quite a bit of time. It houses the television, books, children's toys, etc. It is where Maxine and Tansy hang out with me. It also has patio doors where I can view the backyard very nicely. It is from this window that I watch the hummingbirds flit around, drink their nectar and often sit on the clothesline. I can see the gardens, flowerbeds and sunflowers. At times the squirrels sneak by the window in their quest for nuts, seeds or whatever. The fairy garden is within view so I can watch fairy world all summer long.
Another thing I can see is a neighbor's backyard and their hammock. I marvel at how much entertainment that hammock provides for this family. During the school year, the kids are on it before they leave for the day. After they leave, the mother comes out and spends time there. When the mother has a friend over, they both sit on it. Since it is always out in the elements, I am suspicious as to how it might smell, but it doesn't bother them.
I may not have a plush room overlooking the Eiffel Tower, Central Park or the crashing waves of the ocean, but I do see many delightful and interesting things from that tiny room here in Colfax, WI.
Thought for the day: You can observe alot by just watching. Yogi Berra
Inside Out
A week ago I was with Aria and Melody, and it was raining. Therefore, I decided to take them to the movie. I am so glad that we went because not only was it one of the best movies I have ever seen, but during it a very memorable moment occurred.
We went to see Inside Out which Melody had already seen, and I had been wanting to see. The theater has reclining seats so Mel, Aria and were very comfortable while eating our popcorn. So the premise of the movie is giving us a peak into the brain and our emotions. The emotions portrayed by characters are joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust. It is done very cleverly and in a way that you can relate to the different scenarios and reactions by the emotions.
As the movie goes on, joy and sadness get taken away from headquarters and are trying to find their way back. Along the way, they met Bing Bong, who at one time was Riley's (the girl who houses the emotions) imaginary friend. Of course, as she grew up, he was pushed to the side while other life events took over. Bing Bong and joy eventually end up in the area of forgotten memories and work very hard to get out. In the end, joy gets out but Bing Bong does not. You see him start to fade away, and he will be forever forgotten. At this moment, I look over at Melody because I am crying, and she is crying, too. She flies across Aria's seat to give me a big hug, and then Aria joins in. So we had this amazing moment when time sort of stood still. I think for Melody to understand the significance of things lost as time goes by is wonderful, and for me it reminded me of all the losses in my own life and how at some point in the future, Melody and Aria will be grown up. Going places with Baba will be a thing of the past. Also, we learned that sadness is an important emotion, and we should allow sadness at times and not try to be always joyful. Deep stuff came out of what could have been a simple kid's movie.
I applaud the writers and all those involved in this film. It was darn good.
Thought for the day: A memory is what is left when some thing happens and does not completely unhappen. Edward de Bono
We went to see Inside Out which Melody had already seen, and I had been wanting to see. The theater has reclining seats so Mel, Aria and were very comfortable while eating our popcorn. So the premise of the movie is giving us a peak into the brain and our emotions. The emotions portrayed by characters are joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust. It is done very cleverly and in a way that you can relate to the different scenarios and reactions by the emotions.
As the movie goes on, joy and sadness get taken away from headquarters and are trying to find their way back. Along the way, they met Bing Bong, who at one time was Riley's (the girl who houses the emotions) imaginary friend. Of course, as she grew up, he was pushed to the side while other life events took over. Bing Bong and joy eventually end up in the area of forgotten memories and work very hard to get out. In the end, joy gets out but Bing Bong does not. You see him start to fade away, and he will be forever forgotten. At this moment, I look over at Melody because I am crying, and she is crying, too. She flies across Aria's seat to give me a big hug, and then Aria joins in. So we had this amazing moment when time sort of stood still. I think for Melody to understand the significance of things lost as time goes by is wonderful, and for me it reminded me of all the losses in my own life and how at some point in the future, Melody and Aria will be grown up. Going places with Baba will be a thing of the past. Also, we learned that sadness is an important emotion, and we should allow sadness at times and not try to be always joyful. Deep stuff came out of what could have been a simple kid's movie.
I applaud the writers and all those involved in this film. It was darn good.
Thought for the day: A memory is what is left when some thing happens and does not completely unhappen. Edward de Bono
Please don't go!
First of all, let me say that today is one of the most gorgeous summer days in my memory. The temperature is perfect, the sky is blue, there is a slight breeze, and we still have flowers and vegetables to admire.
On Labor Day I spent a few hours sitting by the river reading and contemplating the end of another summer. I wanted to shout and ask summer not to leave us. As I watched the river continuously flowing, I knew in my heart there was no way to stop summer from going any more than I could stop loved ones from leaving. I thought of my parents, my sister and other relatives no longer with me, and once again nature seemed to mirror life.
I know that summer will once again arrive just as sure that I know that fall, winter and spring will come and go. However, as I watch the hummingbirds darting about, the monarchs sailing through the air, the majestic sunflowers, wispy cosmos and vibrant zinnias, it occurs to me that next summer won't be exactly like this one. The next season will be totally different and therefore, there is no guarantee the hummingbirds will return or the flowers will be as lush.
Here are a few highlights of the summer of 2015:
Brian got his ham radio equipment set up (finally)
Picked some yummy strawberries with grandkids
Buddy came for a visit and loved the countryside
Fairy garden keeps getting better each year
Said goodbye to my red bug with Aubree and Ethan
Visited Sue and had a marvelous bike ride
Finally able to grow some beautiful zinnias
Pool time with the grandkids
Lots of luscious tomatoes this year
On Labor Day I spent a few hours sitting by the river reading and contemplating the end of another summer. I wanted to shout and ask summer not to leave us. As I watched the river continuously flowing, I knew in my heart there was no way to stop summer from going any more than I could stop loved ones from leaving. I thought of my parents, my sister and other relatives no longer with me, and once again nature seemed to mirror life.
I know that summer will once again arrive just as sure that I know that fall, winter and spring will come and go. However, as I watch the hummingbirds darting about, the monarchs sailing through the air, the majestic sunflowers, wispy cosmos and vibrant zinnias, it occurs to me that next summer won't be exactly like this one. The next season will be totally different and therefore, there is no guarantee the hummingbirds will return or the flowers will be as lush.
Here are a few highlights of the summer of 2015:
Brian got his ham radio equipment set up (finally)
So you see why it's difficult to say goodbye to such a wonderful summer because it was a good one!
Thought for the day: When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and like a dream, glides away. Sarah Helen Whitman
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