Words to Live By

Dec 22, 2014

The past year has been interesting. Fun. Exciting, Challenging. Eye Opening. I am left wondering, at times, what the next day will bring and how I will navigate the waters of uncertainty that sometimes accompany living life.  I am always striving to be better.  To do better.  To be all that God created me to be and yet so often I fall short in that endeavor. The past 4 years I have taken the lead of Chris Brogan (author, journalist and social media expert) and chosen 3 words to …

In His Pocket

Dec 4, 2014

Mr. Diamond (Chris) and I have an interesting relationship.  We have always had a lot of fun together and he reminded me not too long ago that we have been together an amazing 2/3 rds of our lives.  That is a long time in dog years as a favorite pastor used to say. The geographic separation is wearing a bit thin as we are at almost 5 months of him being in Texas and me being in Iowa.  The good thing is that we DO get to see each other.  More than some other couples who have to be separated …

The Sun Still Comes Up

Nov 24, 2014

Did you ever think about that?  The sun still comes up. Every day.  Some days it may be hidden by clouds.  Some days it may be covered with raindrops.  Some days, heaven forbid it, there may even be snow that covers the brilliance of the sun but it ALWAYS comes up.  Without fail. I was just pondering that fact this past week when I have felt the burdens of several of my friends.  If I could offer one word of comfort to any of them it would be just that fact---the sun still comes up.   No …

Somehow I Remembered It Differently

Oct 30, 2014

When I was little I lived in this house.  My grade school friend, Beth Rich Brown (Yes, she now has MY maiden name) was in Hannibal, Ohio recently and took a picture of my old house and sent it to me.  How sweet was that??? I have very fond memories of living here --at least for the years that I can remember.  We moved here the summer after I was born in April so the first few years are a bit of a blur but I do remember this old brick house with fondness. I remember the spiral staircase. I …

You Call It Juglans Cinerea—-I Call it Agony

Oct 17, 2014

Anybody out there recognize that picture?  Anyone out there know what that is?  The scientific name is Juglans cinerea but the common name is Butternut.  Not squash although the above picture shows a squashed butternut in the Mason City Public Library parking lot.  It is a type of walnut. It is sometimes referred to as a white walnut.  I refer to it as agony. Why, in heavens name, would I call this simple and seemingly innocent item "agony"?  It doesn't look like it deserves that title at …

Share Your World–2014–Week 40

Oct 9, 2014

The challenge is to answer these questions that Cee posts over at Cee's Photography and link up to Share Your World weekly.  I am doing it kind of hit or miss but it is a fun little exercise and allows me to have a blog post that you guys can join in on if you want!  Join Cee or if that isn't your thing feel free to answer one or more in the comment section. Remember our Comments for a Cause recipient this month is Hawkeye  Harvest Food Bank. You’re given $500,000 dollars tax free (any …

My Favorite Things Week—Letters For My Little Sister

Sep 24, 2014

Every day this week I have shared one of my favorite things. Today is no different.  But today is different because I am over the top excited about the giveaway. Wait---I have loved everything I have posted this week but this one has a special place in my heart because I have a teeny tiny part in it. My blogger friend, Cecilia Gunther, has a wonderful blog at The Kitchen's Garden.  She is an amazing New Zealander living in Illinois on a sustainable farm.  She inspires me. Actually she …

Chance Encounters

Sep 19, 2014

Last week was traveling week for me and I had a very uneventful trip to and from Ohio unlike the week prior when I tried to get to Chicago.  Now that was a disaster from almost the first mile.  Thankfully my time traveling to see my mom was easy and fun and I encountered a couple of interesting things along the way. When I was in the waiting area at Minneapolis St. Paul airport I sat amongst a bunch of Target employees. They were having several lively discussions and were definitely having a …

Stand If You Are Able. Don’t Fret If You Can’t.

Sep 18, 2014

I recently spent a few days visiting my mom in Ohio and one of the things that we did was attend church on Sunday morning at her home church, Christ United Methodist in Alliance.  She has come to love this congregation over the past 14 years or so and after attending with her numerous times during that time I can certainly understand why.  They are a gracious and welcoming congregation and I always enjoy the services.  I think one of the things that I really enjoy about their services are that …

Life is Too Short

Sep 12, 2014

Life is too short. Life is too short to not take the time to do something fun every single day. Life is too short to not use the good dishes or eat in the dining room. Life is too short to not wear the expensive perfume. Life is too short to not say what is on your mind. Life is too short to be wasted on silly disagreements. Life is too short to not stop and admire every beautiful thing in nature that we happen upon. Life is too short to not embrace new things. Life is …