Monday Musings ... self care

How do you care for yourself? Would you be willing to share your tips? How do you handle stress?

I made a decision that when the shelter in place orders become effective in our community, I would continue  many of my regular routines. Since the words quarantine and its impact  were new to me, I made a decision to try to continue with areas of my life that I could control.

• Keep my routines. What does that mean? Going to bed at the same time. Getting up at the same time. 
• Pray and study
• No pajamas until bedtime
• Make exercise a priority 
• Wear make up everyday
• Take time to clean
• Discover the lost art of writing letters
• Ask for help when I was troubled
• Music
• Reconnect with friends
• Pray and pray  

In this picture... my hot hair rollers, make - up brushes.
Flowers from Trader Joe

Pet of the week, Pickles

Pickles the Pomeranian  is this week's pet.  Pickles is a bundle of sweetness topped with a dash of adorable. Pickles and his owners arrived in our community a month ago.

A  Pomeranian is a toy breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzles and pricked ears. This breed is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and northeast Germany in Central Europe.

Since arriving from the west coast, our new neighbors had to self quarantine for two weeks. Since, then, they have become familiar with many of our  neighbors. From their porch and driveway, they are engaging social distancing conversations.

Pickles is also learning important skills ... becoming housebroken. What are some of the traits of this breed? Intelligent, sociable, friendly, playful, active, and extroverted.  Welcome to the neighborhood Pickles.
😊

Happy Earth Day...

Happy Earth Day!

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. 

Blessed Earth is a valuable resource to inspire faithful stewardship of all creation. 

Visit their site by clicking on this link: BLESSED EARTH

I think I will order the book: 

Reforesting Faith: What trees teach us about the nature of God and His love for us

Tasty Tuesday

"If you really want to make a friend, 

go to someone's house and eat with him ... 

the people who give you their food give you their heart."

Cesar Chavez

Monday Musings ... locker room conversations

“Every time I undress in the locker room of my gym, I see women bearing the scars of liposuction, tummy tucks, and breast implants.” Martha Nussbaum

Martha Nussbaum words do not describe my experience in the locker room.  . In our locker room, we discuss our upcoming joint replacement surgeries, physical therapies, gym shoes, swimsuits, yoga classes, children, grandchildren, upcoming  Bar Mitzvahs, Bible classes, empty lockers, towels, hair products, and yes… breast implants after a double mastectomy.

Once I  return to classes at the Y, I will miss Sally.  On Friday, April 17, she passed away. I don’t remember much about our last conversation.  Our last contact was on Face Book. She was wishing my friend and cousin well. The kind and gentle Sally… I will miss her. 

Lord, help me treat each conversation with tender care.  

Peace be with you

"Now Thomas (also know as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among then and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.

Thomas said to him,  "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:  - 24 - 29

Pet Proverb

" A house without a dog, or cat, or a little child

is a house without 

joy or laughter."

Proverb from Scotland 

Friendship Friday

"If you go looking for a friend, you are going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you will find them everywhere."
Zig Ziglar

Do you agree with Zig Ziglar? I do!

This week our evening Book Club had a Zoom meeting. Next week, we will have a discussion. How are you staying connected with friends?  Do you exchange emails, give updates, send cards, and call friends? I need to send a few emails to reconnect with friends. What about you?

I like what Zig 

Silent Saturday

In stillness

Earth awaits

the Resurrection

 unknown

Good Friday

"No pain, no palm;

no thorns, no throne;

no gall, no glory;

no cross, no crown.

William Penn

Holy Week

God

does not want a 

Holy Week

but a 

Holy

Life

from Catholiclink

Pet of the week, Indigo

Indigo is the pet of the week. The reason for the name... her blue eyes. I met Indigo on the walking path near our home. This picture was taken before social distancing.

"It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring
into our lives and even how much closer we become with other because of them."
John  Grogan (Author, Marley and Me) 

Friendship Friday

I think everyone needs a friend who will  inspire, encourage, challenge, and be available in times of joy and sorrow.  Maureen is that kind of  friend to me. She demonstrates those qualities in her daily life. How do friendships develop? It requires intentionality.  Real friendships do not often happen by chance.

Maureen and I have know each other for over a decade. Over the years, I have a front-row seat to observe how she navigates her busy life.  As a wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, she is a gift to those who know her. I am grateful to call her friend.  Our friendship began when she was the Teaching Leader for BSF. Bible Study Fellowship..Today, she is serving overseas with as a nurse consultant with CURE International click here for more informationCURE .

 We (her family and friends) are praying for her safe return from Africa.

Maureen in on the left. 

Walking Alone

"I love walking in the woods, on the trails, along the beaches, 

I love being a part of nature. I love walking alone.  It is therapy.

One needs to be alone to recharge one's batteries. "

Grace Kelly

Time alone in nature allows me to see the beauty of the nature and God's creation.

When do you like to walk alone?  

In the picture below, you see a escalator. 

Do you see the one person to the left? They are wearing a mask.
I think, walking alone a city would be bit eerie. What do you think? 

Thanks to my son for sharing this picture from D.C.