Journaling space....

...where the Robin sings her morning song from the maple tree,

 doves coo back and forth in the distance, and jet noise 

echoes in the dark, clouded sky.

Writing down thoughts on morning pages 

& savoring my first sips of coffee,

 while the old retired preacher begins his daily morning walk across the street.

"A mile and a half." he shared once.

He's dedicated.

I wonder if this is his "God time", like this is mine.

Polly is playfully bouncing about chasing a dark,

bird-sized moth that

flutters just out of her reach.

A cool breeze moves in and I take a deep breath.

I start to think of my people.

The video I received last night from my nephew...

how most of the men in my family have served in the armed forces,

and how strong and resilient the women are,

and how they all laugh at themselves, and find 

humor in life's challenges.

Their stories.

And my friends who have been like family.

Our stories.

I am filled with gratitude and appreciation.

A goose flies solo overhead.

I settle deep into the details of my moments, my story,

and relish this time & space for my thoughts.

A place just to be.

A space that's getting harder to find 

in the real world.

A place where I can sit in silence

and get to know my own voice.

morning notes...

second morning on the porch this year..

focus on your own peace

silence is powerful

trusting is a moment-by-moment choice

allow difficulties to be your greatest teacher

hard times shape you more than you realize

you either become a reflection of your pain,

or a reflection of your hope

*rain*

"In the old days, a logbook was a place for sailors to 

keep track of how far they've traveled,

and that's exactly what you're doing-

keeping track of how far your ship has sailed"

#journaling

you appreciate things 

that a busy world convinces you

 are not worth noticing

bless the highs & lows:

they are what make life

a magnificent story

Breathe. Relax. Go with the flow.

bring your full attention to each moment

find the beauty & the awe

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Wherever you are, be there totally."

"Yet they need not accept this-

help is within themselves.

You can feel it within you-

an inner drive for happiness.

The close interrelation between this Inner You

and this Outer You,

the almost uncanny power of each to change the other-

can change you from drabness to

joyous self-fulfillment."

~Ad for Pond's Cold Cream March 1949~ 

"You can look at optimism and pessimism

as two different outfits in your closet,

and you decide each morning

which one you are going to wear."

April 11, 2026

Time goes by so fast....

one minute my kiddo is here,

and I have a dog.

 The next minute, four days

have flown by, and they are packing up

to head back home

leaving  grass seeds scattered on the bathroom floor (from work),

and a red ball laying in the middle of the living room.

Sometimes I miss having a dog. 

Sometimes.

They make great walking companions,

and it's a great way to connect with other 

people. 

You can't do that with a cat.

I've seen my neighbor try.

notes lately...

you are always in a state of creation

you create your reality in every moment

of every day

you can choose to focus and think 

about the things you want more of in your life

and experience more of the things that 

make you feel good

create your best life

bring some good friends with you

choose love, always

it always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, and always perseveres

(1Corinth 13:7)

when there isn't clarity in a situation,

why not assume the best?

"A promise is only as good as the 

character of the one making it."

Peace is an umpire

It there is a lack of peace,

stop

you are created for relationships,

and communication is the heartbeat

of a strong relationship

where others fall short,

God fills the gaps

show up for your vision

move in that direction every day

"Your future is created by what 

you do today, not tomorrow."

keep your mind on what truly matters

allow life to flow freely

with acceptance and calmness

when you feel you've reached a dead end

turn back & trace the path

that connects to other streets

other people

there are ways of getting where you're trying to go

you might just need a little help

there's no shame in asking for directions & guidance

(it happens to be my specialty :)

live like you are loved

because you are

deep

abundantly

and with love that will not fail

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Nothing last forever,

although we often underestimate how long

it will last in the meantime."

"Life is a collection of moments

you might have appreciated more

if you had only known they were moments."

"It's not the meaning of life we seek.

Life is getting the kids off to school

and the dog fed.

It is the meaning of meaning we seek."

April 10, 2025

It was raining, muggy & warm.

Our nurse managed to snag the last

available oscillating fan.

I selected the Flintstones on TV, and my doctor

was going to lunch to eat spaghetti.

He didn't get to finish.

It's utterly crazy that it was 31 years ago!

Happy Birthday Brandon!! I can't imagine 

life with no you.

xoxo

be well...

💝

"Fall in love with the art of living.

Fall in love with letting things be.

Fall in love with listening.

Be still in the sun,

where the winds ever-gently blow,

knowing it is here,

in  moments like this,

you are living,

and you will grow."

Weekend getaway....

to visit family

and that feeling I get when something

just speaks to my heart...

Movie night

while we wait to be seated for dinner

a room with a view

Easter with Jim, Josh, and Rutie

My grams brother, Jim's Dad


...it looks like,
smiling faces crowded around a table at dinner
a thunderstorm when we are all gathered on the couch for a movie
coffee huddles in the living room while
telling stories and catching up
meeting another cousin
a family walk on a pretty day
(traditional anniversary) pineapple upside down cake baked a
week early so I could celebrate  their 50th too
singing little ditties together
a feeling of ease, peace and contentment

a very, very, very, special weekend.



notes to self...

Love! This is great!
we visited the new Trader Joe's.

It's nice to be with the kids,
it's just what my soul needed.

the only thing standing between your current
life & the adventure you want is faith
don't settle
risk believing for greater things

be honest & vulnerable

Ruthie's mom was a "Rosie the Riveter"

take nothing for granted,
allow thankfulness to be as natural as breathing

weak on your own
strong together

return "home" where you are loved & safe

you are not off course

be the kindness, be the hope, be the sweetness,
these are the ingredients that fill your 
sometimes weary heart

it's about having things matter to you so much
you are willing to overcome a couple of impediments 
to get to them

keep your heart open 
and teachable

knowing who to call is where it all starts

be well...
xoxo
💝

"You can look upon life as dust to dust
or you can look upon life
as seed to seed."

"The hardest thing about reliving the past
is reassembling the original cast."

"Thanking God today for the love of family
the loyalty of friends
and the kindness of strangers."