What it takes to get through the day

There are times when we grumble about life's everyday hardships. About the many things we have to do to during the day and how much time it all takes. And then we see something that makes us think about what everyday life might have been for those generations that were here before us. More simple perhaps, but lots of effort to do almost anything.
     I just think how long it took them to get anywhere especially without roads of any kind. When we put life in perspective . . . it often helps us appreciate what we have.

to thank someone

I have been around an increasing number of people lately that have been extremely ill, either acutely or chronicaly. All ages, young and old, but mostly in between. And of course seniors in their 70's and even late 80's. There have passed some anniversaries of the deaths of special people in my life.  Death . . . it's something we can't avoid.  We all end up there somehow.

But it may be closer than we know. We all start dying the second we are born.

So why do we as humans waste so much time?
Why do we hold grudges? Why are we hateful? Why do we nurture anger?
And I have to think,  that we, myself included, never say thank you enough. We never say I love you and really mean it enough. We never tell someone that their presence in our lives has made a difference. We need to look into the eyes when we talk, the words need to come from the heart and we need to hug a little longer.  The trival meaningless things are just that. Forget the insignificant negative things in life.

Remember the who, what, when, where and why.  
WHO needs to hear the words I love you ?
WHAT  do I need to do to show them how important they are to me?
WHEN was the last time I really thanked someone for being in my life
WHERE else can I be thankful?
WHY am I waiting another minute?

So today, thank someone, appreciate someone, love someone . . . 
You may not have that chance tomorrow.

I know I have lots of thanking to do.

A paying it forward - thanks

Paying it forward . . .


      in today's mail I received a lovely  envelope with a surprise in it from my friend and fellow blogger Lori Anderson at PRETTYTHINGSBLOG.com.
     It makes me happy to get something in the mail that isn't a bill, advertisment or junk mail. Not too often do we get fun mail. Personal snail mail is becoming rare.
     I remember as a child, my uncle used to write letters to me, of everyday simple things. Just getting the envelope addressed to me made me happy and feel special.
     Lori's envelope took me back to that time. Thank you Lori. Won't you stop by and visit her at her blog, she really does have pretty things to show you and kind words to share as well.


In honor of paying it forward . . . if you send your name and address (no matter where in the world you live) to my email (check my profile page, it's there), I'll be sending out a few Paying it forwards myself . . . maybe one to you. Won't you consider sending someone a snail mail, think of how much you appreciate it.

Going through Life

      At what age in life do we go from being young, attractive and desired; a vibrant person, to becoming a hardly noticed, often overlooked, sometimes dismissed senior?  And what age is a senior?  Is it 40, 55, 62, 70?  Age is irrelavant. I've always thought that old was 10 years older than what I was. It's not a sudden thing although at times it feels like days pass like hours.It's a slow progession this thing called Life. Shadows slowly come over us as rays of light shine on the next generation, flirting and bathing in the wholesomeness of vitality. Youth not understanding all that life still will unfold to them, roads to travel that they never planned on..

Chocolate seduction

      Chocolate. I LOVE it. There is no other food that has a hold on me like this smooth creamy melt in your mouth sensualy delightful taste of milk chocolate.

      Oh, but not any chocolate will do. I really dislike the inexpensive brands that have a waxy sugary taste. After you eat a few bites you have an almost nauseous feeling of sugar overload. Yuck.

     I am talking about really good chocloate, the special stuff. Chocolate that can transcend you with a single bite as it slowly disolves over your tastebuds. I'm not really a fan of dark chocolate, although dip a lusious ripe red strawberry in dark chocolate and I may be in heaven for a minute.

      My ultimate favorite is Lindt brand. And even in Lindt there are levels of indulgic delights for me.
The best of all Lindt happens to come in a rather large size, a 3.5 oz  bar, okay so it is a huge chocolate bar.

THE BEST is Lindt Excellance Extra Creamy Milk.

 I usually buy every bar they have which might be a dozen at a time. Most of my friends have never had it, some have never heard of it, even the self proclaimed chocolate lovers. Unbelieveable!

      I will give a bar to those that I believe have a true appreciation for indulgence of this mood altering substance. And each time, each and every time, I have added a new loyal fan.

I am grateful for . . . .

I am grateful for all the people in my life that make me LAUGH

Uncertainty

How sweet the memories of the past. Sunny days of playing in the breaking waves of the oceans. Carefree and running on white sandy beaches. Inhaling the fresh salty air. Watching animals and people living in a beautiful, safe world. 
We have had a lifetime of taking nature for granted.
This earth is our most precious jewel for it cannot be replaced. Treat each other more kindly, we all need more love and understanding as we tread into our uncertain future.

Welcome the Sun

The morning sun is welcome to enter my home every day. I don't want the sun to have to sneak in through a crack in the drapery forcing its way inside. I put out the welcome mat by leaving my bedroom windows wide open, no blinds, curtains or drapes as covering. Now, it is notable that I am so NOT a morning person. But I love how the sun gently comes calling. Slowly coming over the horizon, sometimes partnered with clouds and sometimes boldly on it's own. The sun's brightness and heat make their way delicately and gently into my room. The sun comes to me as it does all of earth, the birds singing it's daily debut. If the sun doesn't get my attention, it gets brighter, hotter and I find that I cannot ignore it's calling any more. It has an in your face engaging force that is undeniably persuasive.  The sun has given me the invitation to rejoice in the opportunity to live another day.

He stole my heart

     He stole my heart. I think it was the baby blues that seduced me first. We met as strangers on a stairway in the late evening some time ago. I was on an extended trip, leasing a darling little condo on an island. He came by one night, watching me and keeping a safe distance. He was coy and had an engaging personality, a seasoned flirt. His voice teasing me with his repetitive meowing.

     The next night he was back,

Appreciating some simple things today

Simple things I am grateful for today:

 . . . The fresh feeling of running my tongue across my just brushed teeth.
. . .  seeing my friend's lips turn into a smile when she sees me unexpectedly.
. . . a sincere and long hug that comes from the heart.
. . . a bite of extra creamy milk chocolate melting in my mouth.
 . . . being able to hear the sounds of baby birds chirping in their nest.
 . . . sitting next to the lake in an old fashioned andironack chair and feeling the serenity of nature.
 . . .  feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
 . . . the relief that putting on sunglasses brings to my squinty eyes.
 . . .  having the opportunity to live life another day.
 . . . the comfort in knowing that I am positive and hopeful and have not given up on people.
 . . . seeing a dog that was adpoted from an animal shelter, licking and wagging it's tail with her new family.

To honor our military and families

How many times have you heard "I support our military, and their families, and all they do for us"? Many times right? I'm sure you have said these words yourself. I know I have. But how do we really support them? What do we really do besides a nice phrase of thanks, not even to them, but just in general? Our military offer everything they have to protect us and serve us in any manner they are called upon to do. Leave home,