Weird and Wonderful

Today I spotted a lilac...in October no less. Part of my lilac bush had an infestation of those webbey worms which I sprayed a few weeks ago. I haven't had time to prune the affected branches and now the top of those branches are blooming and budding into LILACS! They smell delightful of course, but it makes you wonder....Weird but Wonderful!

I thought to myself, "there must be a lesson in this somewhere" but after a few minutes of scanning and pondering I decided just to enjoy them! I picked one and stuck it over my ear while I cleaned house. Who wouldn't want the smell of lilacs in October while vacuuming! I guess that was my lesson.

Is there a purpose for Dust Ruffles?

I don't want to sound like a cranky old lady but.....oh yeah.....there she goes... Cranky. Get it off your chest.

What are Dust Ruffles for? Is it to keep the dust out from under your bed or..... does it keep you from seeing the dust?

I swiffered my bedroom yesterday and an Amazing amount of whatever came out from under my bed. The scraps of popcorn I recognized.

So if it was to keep the dust and popcorn and whatever else out, it isn't working. If it was to keep me from seeing it....it worked.

WHO KNEW? After all, it is summer! Who can be troubled with frequent swiffering? I'd rather sit on the rocks at Moose Point in Searsport.

Also part of life

Little feet, new babies and wonderful moments fill our lives but also part of life is loss. Even in loss, for us, there is joy and hope.

Bruce's father had his "homegoing" in June. When I got the call I was teaching a class at the church. One of the students asked if he could pray for us and our family.

A quiet joy stole in as the vision of the painful life left behind and the perfect life coming dawned in my heart. The relief for him to awaken from his dementia to the glory of God's presence and experience the grace that he had taught became very real to me.

Although it is difficult to see one's parents age and fail, the Dawn for them is just around the corner so it is at the same time, Glorious.

The meaning of Mum

I visited my mother last week after she had her teeth removed and top denture put in. She was subdued, probably a little traumatized by the experience as is to be expected. Very quiet.

I sat next to her and talked, patting her knee occasionally. She mostly looked straight ahead even when I'd say, "Mum" to try to draw her in and tell her something," Mum, we're going to throw you a party for your anniversary." once in a while she'd look sideways and smile a little or nod.

Afterwards I thought how the meaning of "Mum" for me has changed over the years. It doesn't conjure up images of a dear authority figure or friend any longer. It used to mean a confidant or cozy encounter with shared memories galore or even an "atta girl" that means so much even when you are all grown up or never learned to rely on such things.

Now "Mum" feels like the name for a fragile girl who trusts others to take care of what she cannot do. "Mum" means we will do the best we can together to keep you safe and happy. I'm hoping she can hear the meaning when we say "Mum".

Battle of the ....summer eating

So how is your summer diet going? Have you had enough corn on the cob dripping with butter or ice cream with hot chocolate and nuts? Not yet? Have you gotten on the scales lately? Have you tried on your jeans lately? Man! Are those things related to each other? I didn't know. Tomorrow is Labor Day....then I'll do better, really I will! And then I'll start with apple crisp, beef stew and biscuits...just a few comfort foods thanks.

So I got this ad for a "cleansing" weight loss plan. An old friend sent it....and tells about losing weight off his butt.....Is that what I want to hear? PLEASE spare me the particulars......and I don't take stock in anyone who is a bean pole by birth ....and a guy to boot....who talks about losing weight off anywhere.

Thanks, I needed to vent.

Timing is everything

The SAD thing is....I only drink decaffeinated coffee! But I still need a pot of that delicious black brew every morning.....and I indulge in a cup of regular tea in the afternoon....a tad of chocolate after dinner....and that's it! Oh, the reason I gave it up? Aging and menopause issues.

Until tonight at the baseball game, I drank a diet coke...kind of by accident, I'm usually VERY CAREFUL..........so I'm up at 12:30 fooling around on the internet! I often wondered where people had all that time to put together their websites....now I know! Guess I'll get some work done seeing as I"M UP!!!

I'll pay for this tomorrow. Oh, it's today all ready.

Good Hair Day

This was taken at John's wedding reception. Nice looking folks huh? This was Before The Bear Went Over The Mountain!!! Someday I'll post the after picture. YIKES!

Painting in Maine

My assignment for the summer from my painting teacher was to do some "paint sketches" out in the open, just painting the basic shapes and not worrying about detail etc.

So today is my day off.....and I'm sitting in front of the computer in the basement... grrrr... because it's pouring rain out!

this is the picture of what I would LIKE to be doing today! haahaa