In moments...

...of stillness,

when you are faced with both 

the good and the sucky emotions

keep looking where the light pours in.

notes...

 God has a way of breaking open the dam

it feels sucky....but beneficial

it's rainy, thundery, and cool

 perfect for some quality porch time with Fritzy

they leave today

I'm not a fan of "the leaving"

 I often tear up when hubby gives his

wave as he leaves for work

relax and enjoy the present moment

you need to release your emotions

 in a safe place

God will relieve and refresh your soul

He is your refuge

your safe place

you are wise to conduct a 

spiritual self-examination

redirect your focus on the needful

areas of your life-

such as building your faith 

and character

continue to listen and

expect that whatever He reveals

will bless your soul

test your own actions

without comparing yourself

to others

you don't need to be the "same"

decide that what you have is special

and you are going to pursue it

with everything you've got

take note of the good, the bad, and everything

in between

 feel it all

remember to breathe

go deeper

see the value in it all

learn to be appropriately vulnerable

choose people who you can

 safely share yourself with

there's enough Love to go around

be well...

xoxo

💞

"They are wild and free,

the ones who embrace life with joy.

They are peaceful and serene,

the ones who find time to be quiet and still.

They are joyful and creative,

the ones who open their minds to 

possibility and growth.

You can be all of these things!

Find time for quiet and see the world

as full of possibility.

Embrace all that comes your way."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

Allow yourself...

...the space each day

to find wonder in the ordinary.

When you look for wonder,

it's amazing how it reveals itself.

notes...

had thirty minutes before Tai Chi class

 I stopped to visit my favorite park

Brandon and Fritz are here.💖

take your time and go

from mindless to mindful

do something different

clues for happiness are all around

find your flow

you are on a path distinctly designed

for you

the more love you hold in your heart

the less room there is for fear

You are unique and different

be on fire to know the truth of your own soul

there is no one-size-fits-all

"What if God, who writes you love letters

everyday, and they go unopened?"

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you want more time in your life,

show time some respect."

"Happiness is simple.

Everything we do to find it is complicated."

"Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand everything better."

 

Learn how...

...to inhale everything you need to inhale,

and exhale with all that you have.

Be still right where you are.

It is through moments like this

that you can find peace.

 Go outside to embrace the stillness.

Let nature do it's work in you.

You don't have to know the direction 

of every step ahead

to end up

where you were meant to be.

notes:

He came home holding a huge bouquet of daisies in his hand.

I'm all bubbly...."how special!! Thanks hon!!"

"they were going to get cut down anyway"

"they're still special...!"

"might as well not waste them."

"still special..."

(having a moment with my kiddo)

quit something to 

prioritize what's important

you are not defined by what you do

but who you are

look for areas where

you need to let go

be thankful

trust life

don't give in to dull disappointment

keep your hopefulness alive

learning to trust

means surrendering to the 

need to know what

will happen

hold your plans loosely

knowing they are prone to change

breathe deep

you will learn what your meant to learn

you will grown how your meant to grow

don't be faked out by what isn't valuable

or lasting

be patient

determine to make better decisions in you life

moving forward

bump your mood with a deep breath,

 exercise

nature

meditation and prayer

do something nice for someone

the choices you make in your life

change your reality and that of those around you

be well...

xoxo

💝

" The average teacher explains complexity;

the gifted teacher reveals simplicity."

"You know how every once in a while

you do something and a little voice inside says,

'There. That's it. That's why you're here.'...

and you get a warm glow in your heart

because you know it's true?

Do more of that."

"You can't give your life more time,

so give the time you have left

more life."

 

Slow down...

....dawdle and linger

 take the scenic route

pause instead of rushing past

  make the stops along the way

keep your heart open

so the ordinary joys

the everyday miracles

can float in

 freely

when they will

every single day.

notes:

I can't think of a better gift than just being his mom..

but him slaving over a hot stove to fix me dinner?

OMG! The best!

#mothersday26 #beststeakever

'God is not in the earthquake, the storm,

or the lightning,

but the gentle breeze with which touches

your back.' 

just be available

listen

draw near

look at things that actually exist,

not all the things that don't

don't live distracted

allow space

enjoy the fulness of nothing

it's the moment that magic happens

stand firm in your faith

'God has already given you

everything you need to

lead a beautiful life.

Take inventory.'

look beyond the surface

look for the lessons

look for meaning

play your part well

the best is ahead of you

life is short

make choices that matter

'perfection is being who and where you are today;

it's accepting and loving yourself

just as you are.'

allow yourself pleasure

you're worth it

breathe deep and know peace

without knowing what comes next

be well...

xoxo

💝

"I don't ever crave extraordinary moment

anymore.

Just small, gentle hums of beauty

streaming from below,

above, simply from paying attention.

Sound. Light. Shadow.

Art. Warmth. The night.

The morning.

Dreams that are not faraway

but exist right here-

already in my days,

hands, and heart."

"It occurs to you one day that the reason 

God didn't always answer your prayers

is that He was answering your

Mom's prayers."

"Remember, being happy doesn't mean you have it all.

It simply means your thankful for all you have."

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."

Welcoming Spring...

...with the house wide open, putting on the tea kettle,

as I watch hubby and Brandon

 grab shoes and clothes in the washroom as they get ready to head out to work.

(having a moment..)

Taking in all the familiar sounds of the neighborhood

as I sit in the doorway getting fur-kissed.

Kids chatting as they walk to school, the neighbor greeting his chickens

a "good morning", Otis howling somewhere in the distance,

and the trash truck making it's Friday morning rounds.

Listening to Grams (chick-a-dee) on the feeder, a jet flying over, & Mr. & Mrs.

Stanley, ummm...playing in the tree.

(cardinals)

The yard is looking a little ratty....

and for the first day of Spring...

I think I'll give it a fresh mow.

Notes to self:

"Grams on the feeder"

Life showers blessings daily.

Stillness is more audible than any sound.

'Better a patient person than a 

warrior, one with self-control

than one who takes a city.'

Proverbs 16:32

Real strength builds up;

it doesn't tear down.

Criticism attacks, love mends.

Love shows our blind spots.

Love is humble and kind.

Choose your thoughts well. Daily. Moment by moment.

What you pay attention to grows.

If you're tuned into things that don't make you feel good,

it's time to flip the switch.

You have a choice.

Focus on what you want to grow.

Love. Gratitude. Happiness. Joy. Faith. Peace.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Enjoy the little things,

for one day you may look back 

and realize they were the big things."

"You normally have to be bashed about a bit by life

to see the point of daffodils, sunsets & uneventful

nice days."

~Alain de Botton~

"Stop confusing being busy with being fulfilled.

One fills your calendar. 

The other makes you feel like you 

are living your life the right way."

~Yung Pueblo~

"You may think if you let go, 

everything will fall apart.

This is evidence of your limited understanding.

It's possible that everything is going to pieces

because you refuse to loosen your grasp."

Ordinary day...

door open letting the outside in, sunshine and

a fresh breeze blowing through ...

 birdsong and chimes filling the air.

Brandon in and out for work.

Fritz in and out chasing squirrels.

Repotting houseplants on the stoop.

Chatting with my neighbor over the fence as

 she announces a new arrival coming soon.

Goats!!💞

And a spontaneous lunch outing at the quaint burger joint down the street.

I'm happily geeking out on this last day of Winter..

Notes to self:

It's never about all the things you know & even believe;

it is what you do about what you believe.

Train your thoughts to be positive and hopeful.

If you think about good things, you'll feel better.

Be purposeful, the most important work

you have in life is to be yourself.

Recognize your blessings.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"We believe:

An ordinary life can be extraordinary,

there is beauty in IMPERFECTION,

and that magic can be found in everyday."

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly,

despairingly, acutely miserable,

racked with sorrow,

but through it all I still know quite

certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."

~Agatha Christie~

"The magic happens after you accept 

that you can't regulate other people's

emotions or experiences.

That's when you start living your

most authentic life.

Some people will get you,

but what matters is that you get you.

Be kind, help others, 

but don't forget to live for yourself."

~Yung Pueblo~

Presently

.... taking changes in stride as they are...

an not how I wish they were...

moment by moment.

I chose to ditch worry, and to trust.
To believe, and accept as best I can.
It was a choice that lead me toward a
more positive outlook.

I am choosing to keep it simple. 
Slow.
Enjoy all the ordinary moments.
It frees up so much energy.
I can see what's going on, and notice more of what's right.
There's so many little, beautiful things worth noting
in the course of a day.

Yesterday....I went to the orthopedic surgeon.
I watched as the people entered and left.
I noticed most everyone was smiling, &
 how oddly comfortable it was in the
 great big mixture of us. 
Noticed the light-hearted conversations, and attention to each other.
A few youngsters were on their phones, and a distinguished man sat reading his book.
More connections being made, than not. 
Some of us (me) gravitated toward the sunlit atrium,
while others stayed close to where they'd be called.
Giggles came from a little girl squishing in between her Mom and Dad in chair built for two.
Folksy, upbeat music streaming overhead added to the appeal.
A family of Amish entered, and Mom removes her outer bonnet, to expose an inner bonnet.
The man tipped his hat and nodded a greeting.
Outside the window, a huge space is filled with smooth, round rocks...
I love rocks.
I notice that it's a fountain....and tell myself to come back when it's warmer,
to see it in action.
(Checking in earlier) the receptionist shares that my Dr. is an adorable 33 year old that acts like a big kid.
I have visions of Gray's Anatomy dancing in my head.
I get called to go back. 
I meet my doctor.
He's not "McDreamy".
  More like, McCharmy.
He's wearing an orthopedic boot on his right foot from a pickleball accident.
I like him.

He sits across from me with the X-rays,
and then tests my trigger fingers. 
(no bone spur as told by NP)
2, on my right hand. Stage 2 middle, stage 3 thumb.
Stage 1 on my left thumb. 
"Injections" he suggests.
"To fix, or to band-aid?" I ask.
He is confident it will fix.
 I order 3.
He says "we're going to play, good cop, bad cop."
I tell him I want to be the bad cop.
He tells me he is, and his assistant will spray my hand with
a cooling spray making him the good cop.
 as he "bad cop's" each of my fingers.
"Your not going to love it." he says.
I told him I might cry.

I didn't love it, I didn't cry.
It was not as bad as I had heard from
others in the past.
I just turned my head and breathed as they
shot down the perps.

"Come back in June if you're still having problems...
cancel if your good."

*smiles & *happy waves good-bye*

Today....sore and stiffy, however
quite a positive shift in mobility and the ongoing pain.
Yay!
Extra bonus:
Brandon and Fritz have been here for work...
 and bunking here this week, it has been fantastic.
All is well with my soul.
*big exhale*
Over-the-top-giddy with gratitude.

be well...
xoxo
💝


"When life takes the wind out of your sails,
it is to test you at the oars."

"Life is short,
God's way of encouraging a bit of focus."

Honestly...

...as your thinking goes,

so goes your entire being.

Brandon, nature, lunch, and friends.

Yup! I took a nose dive this week. 

Self-doubt, mainly, but it grew into

a big-hairy-monster in need of an exorcism.

God provided exactly what I needed.

Some pre-exorcism journal notes & quotes. 

(the cleaner version of some come to Jesus moments)

Me: "....then bam. Down I went. I tried to lift, but nope.

The weight wouldn't let up."

Ha! 'Respond to hostility with love.'

Blew that!! I don't think the F bomb is very loving.

"What the heck is this anyway?"

"I'm tired. This sucks!"

J: "Your racing mind makes it hard to hear My whisper."

Me: "Father I've lost hope. I've lost the anchor for my soul."

Cue...*Blue Jay's piercing tones*

look it up:

'encourages authenticity & speaking ones truth. Take time for some 

areas of your life. Be brave.

Fight for ones rights.

'Blue Jay's loud piercing tones keeps away misfortune.

Guardian in the spirit realm.

It shows up when you're in a dilemma.

New change.

Coming of age...

Protection, understanding & spiritual direction.'

*(followed by Psalm 34:18)

'He is close to the broken hearted & saves those who are

crushed in spirit.'

*(followed by a tantum of sorts. Not pretty.)

J: " It is crucial that you realize deeply 

that your worth & value do NOT depend

on anyone else.

You have to claim your own inner truth."

Me: "I get that. My heart is closed today.

I'm p--sed off!

I need You. I am not open to You today.

Very little.

Thanks for the Jay.

It makes sense....but I don't know what else to do.

So I'll do nothing.

I want to be angry. I want to hate this.

I want to be authentic today.

This is me being authentically F---ed up!

Thank you for your provisions...

& for loving me anyway.

 xo

Amen"

Thankful that my kiddo stayed a couple nights while he was here for work.

I tried to push it down while he was here...

but Nope. That weight wanted to go.

He was a great support while I sat with my spinning head.

be well...

xoxo

💝

....when something feels impossible, it may take some time

to find your way.

' ...I hope you know the taste of hope on an ordinary

Thursday,

when you don't feel okay,

and you rise up anyway.

Listen for the high pitch song of the blue-bird,

the sound of rain.

Listen for any little reminders of Life,

feel it call you by your name.'

"It takes great love and courage to excavate buried dreams."

"Where there is great love there are always miracles."

"...not to be a 'would-be-if-I-could-be

or a could-be-if-I-would-be.' Just be."

'....while I have learned that dreams need doing as much

as they need being, I have learned that

being always comes first.'

Brandon, 

I have always felt the need to have my act together, and

be at my best. Be..."the perfect Mom."

Thank you for allowing me to unravel at the seams...

and helping to free me from the unrealistic

expectations that I put on myself.

Thank you for showing up.

And allowing me to go through my ugly, weak, scrappy moments...

and to show nothing but love and understanding through it.

You help me to see the humor in the worst of times.

You remind me of who I am, and refresh faded dreams.

You lift me.

Then you take me out to go have some fun.

Thank you for showing me what real love does best.

Thank you for teaching me to embrace life.

You are all of the best parts of your Dad and me.

I am so proud of who you are and what you stand for.

I love you so much.

xoxo

Mom💖