July 2020

July was indeed beautiful. Independence Day Weekend was filled with family, fun, and sparklers. We enjoyed sharing meals together with those we love.  We gathered around the family table and ate simple meals of  hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad.

We celebrated the gift of ordinary days, birthdays, and anniversaries.  Our calendar  is  no longer filled with road trips, hotel stays, and vacations. Instead, we continue to Zoom every week.

... then comes a cancer diagnosis for my  great nephew. Aaron is only twenty- seven years old. Life has taken a sudden turn. In spite of this news, we can be intentional about making each day count.

Sometimes, day will be difficult. Create a special moment.
Take a moment to tell those you love... that you love them.
Call and talk to your love ones. Pray... and trust God.

Mask

"Do they love you or the mask you put on everyday."

Shimika Bowers

"As of Thursday, 29 states and the District of Columbia have instituted  or announced statewide order requiring face coverings in public, with similar by varying requirements."

Source: NBC Chicago 

Please be safe, considerate, and respectful... wear a mask or face covering. It is a small sacrifice for you and for others. 

Photo Credit: Jonathan ( my son) 

Friendship Friday

Who was your first childhood friend?

My first cousins were my first friends.  Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of playing games with my cousins. I remember playing tag, hide and seek, and red light green light. We had silly contests... whose name was the longest... who had the most first cousins... or simply catching lighting bugs.

Summer days were sweet when they arrived in the country to visit us.   I wonder did they feel like they were stepping back in time... gravel roads, one sidewalk in front of our house, gardens, chickens, and a cow name Sukey...

Of my regular conversations, I always appreciate talking with  my cousin Cindy.

I recently posed this question to her,  "Besides your parents, who was the most influential person in your life?" Without hestiation,  she named our grandmother.  Our grandmother was a beautiful example of love, commitment, and giving in the community.  Cindy remembers how she would often take meals to those in need. Our grandmother's example made a lifelong impact on Cindy.

Cousins are those childhood playmates
who grow up to be Forever Friends. 

a virtual conference ... transcends to a real connection

Slowly our  Zoom virtual  lives are becoming more familiar. As social distancing is a day to day reality, we attend meetings, trainings, and participate in religious services.

 Today was a bit different. In our dining room, today's speaker gave her presentation. I am in another room listening.   Women from all over our community and in other states were able to attend today's event.

It was good. It was real, real good.

Today's Speaker... my friend

Friendship Friday ...

 I am so grateful to call this amazing woman a friend. She is as she appears... strong, confident, intelligent and beautiful.  I wondered... How did she develop this strength?

Besides her parents, her grandparents were the most influential people in her life.

Her four grandparents instilled in her and her cousins the awareness that they could dream big and achieve those dreams. God allowed them to achieve their goals in different professions. 

Glenda achieved her goal of becoming an attorney. She is the managing attorney for a local municipality. Besides her family and being a parent of an amazing young woman... what give her joy?  Volunteering in the community.  

One of her favorite scriptures is from Romans 8: 28.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

This week she is celebrating a milestone birthday! She looks fabulous at fifty. 

Thankful Thursday

William Wordsworth wrote this word:

"Rest and be thankful"

Earlier this evening, I spent a few moments talking with a neighbor. I told her, "I love seeing you drive your red Jeep. She said, "I love driving it!"  We went on to share a list of things we enjoy... children riding their Barbie Bikes, neighbors playing Corn Hole Games, 4th of July Parades, the sounds of athletes practicing in their backyard,  the bouncing of basketballs on concrete,  children laughing, family get-togethers, friends and gift of prayer. 

During this season of  cancellations, I think joy is tucked inside so many experiences. Small joys... sitting on the deck with a cup of tea, reading, listening to music, and the comfort of sharing our lives.

I am thankful for the times we are able to comfort one another when we experience a loss.  

Yesterday, one of our neighbors  provided a home cooked meal.  I was able to rest from spending time in the kitchen.  I am thankful.  This act of kindness made a difference in our day.  

Monday Musings ... conversations

conversations... on porches, over fences, at dinner tables, on the phone, FaceTime, Zoom meetings, training, conference conversations, one on one conversations, encouraging conversations, rebukes, email conversation with Mah Jonng buddies, conversations over ice tea,
 sidewalk conversations,  group text conversations, nighttime conversations, morning conversations,  evening prayer time with friends, conversations with your doctor, dentist conversations, school conversations, family conversations, cousin conversations, and prayer time with God...
and so goes the list
What conversations did I miss?  What would you add to the list...

"A conversation is so much more than words:

a conversation is eyes, smiles, the silences

between the words. "

Annika Thor

Pet of the week, Journey

The definition of the word journey ... "The act of traveling from one place to another."
Sometimes, we take a journey from one state to another state, or from one city to another, and in some situations, we may experience pain and move toward healing.

 This week's pet, Journey is a sweet metaphor of this truth. Journey is small in size ... and huge in personality.

Friendship Friday

"All of your lil "friends" 

who let you sit in 

the comfort of your 

bad habits don't 

love you as much as 

the people who dare

to challenge you 

to be better."

from an Instagram post

Gardening

I enjoy my tiny garden.

As a city dweller, I have to be selective in what I grow. My space limitations requires that I am intentional about the plants I choose. Years ago, I planted pumpkins. The vines almost took over a large part of our lawn. I will not make that mistake again.

This year I have planted sunflowers, Swiss chard, tomatoes, peppers, basil, peppermint, and cucumbers.  Most all of my plants have done well with plenty of sunshine, water and feeding.
Today, I had my first tiny harvest... cucumbers

David Hobson said this about gardening,
" I grow plants for many reasons: to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience for novelty, or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow."

I would add one thing to his list... I have a garden so I will eat the fruit of the plants.

Do you garden? If you plan now, you will have time to have a fall garden.