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Kindness Challenge (wk2) & CTST: Find kindness
I’m a little late because the dreaded flu bug got a hold of me late last week. The kindness I noticed around me was encouraging, although I didn’t feel well. My husband and I even remarked that living in a smaller town, people are nicer to each other, whether you talk with them at the local grocery store, restaurant or gardening center. There’s a sense of community even if you don’t personally know everyone. It also seems more important to frequent local, family-run businesses versus large company chains, because you are usually supporting generations of families. It’s sometimes the smallest acts of kindness that stick with me. A co-worker bringing…
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2016 Kindness Challenge
Week 1: Start your day with kindness Practice kindness to myself? What an odd concept! When I think of being kind, it’s usually in relation to other people. Whoa! I’m not saying that I am kind to everyone. I strive to be kind to others, for sure, but I’m not always successful. And, I’m usually kicking myself for not doing something, for not noticing the person’s need soon enough. I don’t plan kindness for me, specifically. Sometimes I will treat myself to pizza or ice cream, but beyond that, everything I do seems to be by necessity. I will go to bed early if I’m exhausted and it’s the end…
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Accidental gardener
You’ve heard of the “Accidental Tourist”? Well, I’m more of an accidental gardener. The plants that I pay more for, that I put a lot of thought and care into, are the ones most likely to NOT survive. At least it seems that way. My husband and I have been trying to get a rose garden going and some plants do well while others wither and die, never making it to season two. Then there are the plants that I buy at the end of the season, from roadside nurseries or the “leftover” pile at Menards. These include discounted plants that even the stores don’t think are going to last…
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A to Z Challenge: “S”hepherd, the Good one!
David’s Psalm 23 has always been a favorite of mine. There is something about the Lord as our Shepherd that I find comforting. It’s an image that is relatable and reminds me that God is active in my life as someone who gives guidance and refreshes my soul. My friend Sandy knew this and cross-stitched a beautiful pattern of the Good Shepherd, had it framed and gave it to me as a Christmas present. It is amazingly beautiful! It has a prominent place in our dining room, where Joe and I see it each day when we enter or leave the house through the garage. My friend’s artistic rendering reminded…
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A to Z Challenge: “G”ood, good Father
Continuing a bit with yesterday’s post of “encouragement”, I had to share one of my favorite songs. I can be in the car, streaming WBGL at work or home and this song begins to play at the appropriate time. It warms my heart and soul. Chris Tomlin sings the version that I know but the song has a neat history behind it with its original writers. The song was written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown. Tony grew up without a dad so the only person he’s ever called father is God. I had a very loving, warm, hard-working father who had an awesome sense of humor. He loved photography…
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“W”here did the summer go?
Can you believe it’s July?! Where did the summer go? I had knee replacement surgery in April, recuperated in May, fell twice and began recuperation again in June. I’ve noticed the seasons change and have been outside some to enjoy it. We’ve had a lot of rain, too, so it’s made the corn tall, the rivers full and the greenery lush. Before we know it, it will be August, then September, then fall, my favorite time of year. I know, for a lot of people in the midwest, they prefer summer to other seasons so I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I thought I’d list my 10 favorite…
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“R”est
Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. My husband looks longingly at our cats and our dog, when they sleep. He says, “Wouldn’t it be great to be that relaxed?!” It’s like they abandon all striving and let their kittie/puppy dream states take over. Once in awhile you’ll see them twitch or whimper – I think one of them is having a bad dream but he or she could just as easily be chasing the bird/squirrel of their choice. I recently had a knee replacement and this meant that I had to sleep on my back, with my leg elevated on a pillow, above my heart. Talk about uncomfortable! It’s hard enough to…
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Blogging A to Z: “I”-n memory of … good friends!
Bestie Sandy (left) and Becky, having a toast to something wonderful, at St. Mary’s Supper Club. A good friend of mine passed away from lymphoma in April 25, 2013, and I miss her. There are those people that you meet and you feel “right at home” with. Becky was that type of person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and many times we’d laugh until we were both in tears. She loved animals and rescuing them, she liked telling people’s stories (she was a journalist) and she had a big heart. She’s a big reason that I have one of the loves of my life, my dog Hershey. And,…
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St. Francis
I’ve always loved animals. When I was young, we had turtles, a Welsh Corgi and my parents raised and showed English Springer Spaniels. Today, my husband and I have one dog, Hershey (although he prefers to think of himself as a person), and four cats (three are rescues). I shared this love of animals with a good friend of mine, Becky, who passed away last year from lymphoma. She was with me when I spied Hershey as a puppy and was supportive of Joe and me adopting him. Did you know that St. Francis of Assisi, who lived from 1182-1126, felt he could communicate with animals and that he was…
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“F”aith that’s teeny, tiny and trusting
Have you ever said, “I wish I had more faith?” I have. In one of my recent readings, I was reminded that it’s not up to me to have lots of faith. Jesus talks about having faith the size of a mustard seed (Luke 17:6), which is fairly small. What’s more important – what I need to keep in mind – is the object of my faith. The all-knowing, always-present God is with me. He is the object of my faith and he’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yesterday I blogged about my experience getting into Journalism school. When I was younger, I had faith in God that couldn’t…
