Spring 2013

Is it possible that I haven't blogged since last June? Wow, I stay busy. This spring it's in the yard every chance I get. And last Monday while playing Bridge, the cards were so lousy that I wished I was pulling weeds!
We've been visited for the very first time by a flock of American Goldfinch. What a joy it is to watch these colorful birds gather at our feeders. We've lived here for over 35 years and this is the first year for the Goldfinch. I hope they remember the good seeds and come again next Spring. For nature's surprises, I am grateful.

Relaxed mode

Could it be true? Can hyper vigilant people change? After our July beach vacation, I discovered that I didn't really need to blow my hair straight. My hair is not curly, but has an unruly wave. I always felt the need to tame it. Now I tried the relaxed look out on my visits to the dentist, Bridge club and Woman's club and got unsolicited positive feedback. Then, I realized that maybe my control freak mode was fading away. I had been making a conscious effort to say yes to my husband's requests, to not contradict his statements, and not suggesting "better" ways to do things. And it came easy. Could it be true? Can hyper vigilant people change? Or is this just a faze in my biorhythm? I guess time will tell. But for now , I'm grateful .

Excerpt from Letters from Philly

      Today proved to be a hot sunny day but also windy. It would really have been fine if it wasn’t for the wind.



  Taking advantage of the sun, we took pictures of Susan. First out in the backyard. Oh what a task. We just couldn’t get her to smile. She would look all over but where we would want her to. Everything attracted her but what should. When she would look the right way she would be wearing a frown, but mostly biting her lower lip. I don’t know if she’s teething or what but she does this constantly now. Then she started sticking out her tongue. Ever time I would push it in, out it would come again. Mother usually makes her smile but even she failed. I’m beginning to think your daughter is camera shy.
                                     

Isn't that funny!

 

Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas

Writing a book was not on my to-do list. I had no desire to sit at a computer for hours and struggle with words. One of the early stories related about my first year of life was a quote of my Grandfather. “She always wants to be where she ain’t.” Neither had I pictured myself sitting still for as long as it takes to play Bridge. But when I got hooked on the game those hours playing Bridge seem to fly by. As with Bridge playing, the same happens with this book. I sit at the computer and the hours melt away.


When I found the letters that were written by Mom and Dad all those years ago and saved so securely, I was drawn into a world I didn’t anticipate. The letters themselves tell a story of the young bride who is a new mother in Philadelphia coping with her experiences as her husband was serving in the military thousands of miles away. Interjecting my thoughts on the common threads that run through their entire lives is my pleasure.

Now you know some of what I've been up to in the past year since I've posted. I guess retirement means doing things I haven't done before and not doing the things I used to do. Maybe I'll get back to posting regularly.

I am so Grateful

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Today, I feel especially grateful even though I have empathy for all those who have lost so much in the terrible tornadoes this past week.

I have been retired since Jan 1st and I'm using my time differently. I would work in my yard all day if my stamina would let me and the heat would let up. I'm picking roses and green beans and the sunflowers are getting taller than me.

I play Bridge 5 times a month and am practicing the piano more and playing Freecell less.

We had a wonderful party at our home for the family Easter gathering. I cooked and baked for three days prior so I could enjoy the day with everyone. It was the first time in a long while that we set up two long tables in our Florida room to host 17 people. We enjoyed showing off the fruits of our labors and were blessed with weather that allowed for sitting on the patio and watching the egg hunt.

All of this to say, I'm happy today and I realise that, as tornado victims, it could all be gone in a minute. I feel blessed to live in the present and recognise my blessing.

For, This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Still blooming

The roses are still blooming and I'm still picking. Can't hardly come inside for the call of the garden is strong in the Spring. My sunflowers are 10 inches high, and my green beans are, too. I'm growing Dahlias for the first time and they are finally up. The daylilies are in full bloom as is the Confederate Jasmine. The grass isn't growing too fast and the trees have put on their new leaves. It's a wonderful time in Central Florida but we could use more rain. The April 90 degrees is a bit too hot, but I'm grateful for what we have.

Holy Roses!

Holy roses it's been a long time since I posted to my Gratitude journal. I've been called by the spirit of Spring to be in my yard as long as possible. Then, of course, there are the naps to recuperate from being in the yard as long as possible! But the rewards are plentiful this wonderful time of the year. The roses are especially rewarding as well as the fragrance of Confederate jasmine. The mosquitoes haven't found me yet and the humidity is low. I grateful for living in Central Florida. Thanks Mom and Dad, for relocating all those many years ago.