Pet of the week, Molly

Molly lives in our neighborhood.
Kelly  ( her owner) was gracious and allowed me to take this picture.
Kelly and her husband have been running for 366 consecutive days,
In the early morning, I enjoy seeing their lighted running shoes.
I also really like their brick sidewalk.
Stay safe... 

Molly is this week's pet.

"Be grateful for all the good things.
Don't let unforeseen events or unfortunate moments define who you are and your continued strive for goodness."
Quote from Golden Woofs
Home: Sugar the Golden Retriever

What does friendship look like?

 What does an authentic friendship look like? Sometimes friendship looks like a afternoon conversation on a porch. At other times, friendship is a conversation over the phone, afternoon teas, and spiritual discussions. Mature friendships grow and develop into treasures.


An article in Psychology Today lists 7 Traits of True Friendship:
Friends who are empathetic ...
Friends who are selfless ...
Friends who are trustworthy ...
Friends who share interests ...
Friends with different perspectives and backgrounds ...
Friends who are humorous...
Friends who are team players...

My friend, Jill.
The artist.
Visit her site click here: Fine Art

Thursday's Tea

"Life  is like 

a cup of tea;

To be filled to the brim

and enjoyed with friends."

Words...

"Good writing is efficient writing. The ability to say a thing clearly and directly is rather to be chosen those than great riches. All the books on English style say so, and they are right.  But efficiency, Ward Farnsworth rightly insists, is only the beginning." These words are from Barton Swain in his recent column BOOKSHELF from the Friday, May 22, 2020 issue of the Wall Street Journal

There is a clear connection to written words and spoken words. Words are important.
Listen. Really listen in a crisis.
So.. clear speech is vital in communicating. Listen to spoken words.  Listening to words can change the outcome of situation. When we listen ... then act with compassion... what will happen?

"Please I can't breathe.

My stomach hurts.

My neck hurts.

Everything hurts.

They're going to kill me."

George Floyd

Say his name

Monday Musings ... Memorial Day

"We don't 

know them all

but we owe them all."

unknown

Friendship Friday

Why develop new friendships?  Do you enjoy science that informs your decisions?  To me, this fact is fascinating."The Harvard Nurses' Health Study is one of many bodies of research showing that the more buddies  we have , the less likely we are to become ill as we age."  Irene S. Levine, professor of psychiatry at the NYC School of Medicine. Sept. 2010. 

So... how do we maintain friendships that change with various life events such as: health challenges,  divorce, widowhood,  marriage, relocation,  personality quirks,  job relocations, and other various milestones of life...

communication... intentionality ... concern ... 

Over the past few months, I am gained a new circle of friends.  Every night at 8:55, we join together for a prayer conference call. I am new to the group. They have been praying together for almost five years.  If you are calculating that is nearly 2000 days. 

On calls, we laugh, sing, read scripture, discuss issues, share praise reports,  invite other share in praying for our burdens, and sharing our insights. Last month, we finished the book of Deuteronomy. Now, we are reading, discussing, and  studying the book of Joshua. 

In the background of the calls, we often hear all sorts to shenanigans.  We hear  babies jabbering, conversations that are not muted,  rustling of paper, etc. One of my favorite sounds is hearing a bird in the background.  Zoe the  cockatiel is the bird I hear on the calls. 

This beautiful one is one of the youngest women at the call.  Zoe is sitting on her cage

Tasty Tuesday

"Food is for eating.

and good food is to be

enjoyed...

I think food is actually, very

beautiful in itself."

Delia Smith 

Sometimes good food is best shared.
This is the  Tres Leches dessert from Chuy's. 

Monday Musings ... joy

"There is no news that you receive that should
take your enthusiasm and joy for every day." 

Sandra

Every Square inch Podcast

Lament and Hope After a Terminal Illness Diagnosis

Traveling ... road trips

I want to go on a 

Road Trip,

listen to 

good music

and discover beautiful places

quote journal 

After weeks of Shelter in Place orders, I think many of us are ready for a road trip. I know, I am.
I am ready to  plan a trip, make hotel reservations, pack my bags, gas up the car and go...

Almost a year ago Jeff Guinn wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal, titled, The Invention of the Summer Road Trip.  In this article dated, June 29 -30, 2019, he stated that at least "50 million American families would climb into their vehicles and speed off on road trips. "That was 2019. I wonder what 2020 will look like.

Today, the  landscape of daily life has dramatically changed.

Back in 1920, the world was just beginning to explore and appreciate the wonder of Road Trips. According to Jeff Guinn the author of Wall Street Journal article, noted that on one trip the following individuals were together, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and the author John Burroughs.

How did they decide on their route?  Edison said,  "We steer by the sun and the compass only."
If Americans plan to take road trips this summer, they will need  more than the sun and a compass. We will need to consider the  health guidelines that may vary from state and state.

Short or long, I want to take a Road Trip in 2020.  What about you?

Walk or worry

Are you able to walk 10,000 steps each day?

"Rather that fixating on the steps you take each day, focus on the decreasing the number of minutes you spend sitting down.." Hilary Potkewitz

I admit, I focus on my daily goal of 8,000 steps. This has not always been the case.
Before the STAY-AT-HOME orders, I didn't always keep track of my steps. Since I attended Water Aerobic classes five days a week, I assumed I was getting sufficient exercise.

 Now, the Y is closed, I count my steps. For me, it is a motivator. I like reaching this goal. In addition  to Fitbit counting my steps, I have increased my daily activities by cleaning closets, walking the dog, and various other activities.

Something happens when I walk. I worry less. I feel better. I have become more familiar with my neighbors. I have engage in more conversations.

Now, I need to work on my eating. 😐
One step at a time.

Tasty Tuesday

"Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors."

Alice Walker

Monday Musings... wisdom

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed:

her husband also, and he praises her."

Proverbs 31: 25 - 28 

Friendship Friday

"There is wisdom in having multi-generational friendships. We can all attest to the benefits of having friends that are in similar seasons and life stages as us but to only have friends in those categories limits your maturity. You NEED women who have been there, done that because they see things that you can't. They know what you are learning. They've prayed what you're praying. They've walked through what your stumbling over. If you want to live wisely, attach yourself to women that have lived way longer than you and watch what happens. You'll become the woman you've been praying to be.

Jackie Hill Perry

To women who are older... we need young women in our lives... We need fresh eyes... we need a different perspective ... we need to listen with humility to their questions... we  might offer advice with humility... we need each other. 

Thrifty Thursday

"It's smart to be thrifty."

Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

1894 - 1982

I think it is  ironic that Bernice Fitz Gibbon  a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame coined  this sage advise"It's smart to be thrifty" regarding the benefits of being thrifty. She created this phrase while employed at Macy's in New York City.   She was a genius in marketing and advertising.

As I scroll through my Instagram feed, I see  people who regret some of their online purchases. QVC and Home Shopping Network are just two examples of how some folks are making decisions regarding purchases.

For me, I am finding treasures in my closet. Wow... I can wear this or that... at other times, I see things are new and  need to be given away. I am also discovering craft projects that need to be finished.

In this time of quarantine what are you discovering? Perhaps you have unearthed pictures that need to be mailed, notes that need to be written or items that may be donated.  One of my friends has decided to offer a traveling library.  She takes pictures of her available books and  offers to deliver them. I think she is giving them away. What a clever idea! 😃Two friends are making face masks and giving them away.

On being ordinary ...

"All of God's people are ordinary people 

who have been made extraordinary by 

the purpose he has given them."

Oswald Chambers

Tasty Tuesday

In recent days, we have heard that fast food restaurants are experiencing shortages of ground beef. In addition, some grocery stores  are limiting the packages of meat that patrons may purchase. Have you experienced any dilemmas while you shop for food?

If you bake bread like my cousin in North Carolina, you may have experienced shortages of yeast and flour. While there in no reason to panic. I believe you might be wise to prepare.  Plan, prepare, and do not  procrastinate. While we prepare... experience joy in your daily living. Find simple ways to celebrate life. Savor each moment.  Life is a gift from God. Enjoy this gift.

Last week, my hubby celebrated had a birthday. We celebrated with a delicious dinner and an amazing birthday cake.

Monday Musings ...

 Q  ~ Quiet your soul
U ~ Unite as one with God
A ~ Act with Godly love
R ~ Read your Bible
A ~ Activate your faith
N ~ Nourish your soul
T ~ Talk with God
I ~ Intercede for others
N ~ Nestle in the presence of God
E ~ Elevate God in Worship

Author unknown


Tomorrow...  Tasty Tuesday Quarantine Cooking