sunlight

 "She turned to the sunlight 

And shook her yellow head

And whispered to her neighbor

Winter is dead."

A.A. Milne When We Were Very Young

your world grow bigger...

 "From the moment you hold your granddaughter in your arms for the very first time everything changes. She makes your world grow bigger, and your heart fuller and life simply means more because she is in it." 

Years ago, we ( J and I) visited the Durham Museum. Our most recent visit, we experienced such joy with our granddaughter. What are children able to do? Plant virtual vegetables, play with Legos, walk through a train, see model trains, learn how the trains operate, and eat a meal. This experience truly made my world bigger... I hope it made her's as well. 

 

Monday Musings... Mandela

 Mandela: The Official Exhibition. "The exhibition is designed to educate, entertain, inspire, this immersive and interactive exhibition features previously unseen film, photo, and displays of more than 150 historical artifacts and personal items on loan from the Mandela family, museums and archives worldwide."

What cities hosted this official exhibit? The exhibition opened in London, England. It made its U.S. debut in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. Then it traveled to Portland, Oregon . Currently it is in Omaha, Nebraska. Then, it will end in Mandela's hometown of Mvezo, South African. 

What will visitors  experience? 

Gallery 2: Early Years 

Gallery 3: The Struggle is my Life. 

Gallery 4: 10,000 Days The Prison Years ( 1964 - 1990)

This exhibition is both sobering and inspiring.   There is only one drawback to the exhibition. What is it? One three cities in United States are fortunate to be able to host this event. 

"We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice not in love with publicity but in love with humanity. "

Nelson Mandela 

My hope is in you.

 "But now, LORD, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 

Psalm 39:7 

Sugar

Sugar is the pet of the week.

Sugar is the adorable dog with a pink tail. She is preparing to becoming a pet therapy dog. I wish her luck. Where did I meet her?  I met this sweetie at a local bookstore.  😀💝

Sisters

 "Sisters don't need words -

we've already got our own language of 

eyes rolls, sighs, winks,

laughs, and screams."

Unknown

The language between my sister and I  was developed over  decades . A slight touch to our eyebrows would have us dissolving into laughter.  After watching Dracula movies, trips,  college, dating, weddings, marriage, pregnancies, funerals, hospitals, and countless dinners... then, we had texts, emails, and phone calls.  

Today, Beth would have been 73. I miss her. 

Thrifty Thursday

Do you love a good bargain?  I do! I found a great place to look for bargains.  The is store "1/2 of 1/2 Name Brand Clothing. Are you familiar with this store? If not, here is part of what they say on their website: 1/2 of 1/2 (Name Brand Clothing) offers to our customers the best department store and mall store name brands on current merchandise at the best possible prices, usually 1/2 of 1/2 retail."

Entering the store for the first time was a bit jarring to me. All around me, I saw racks and racks of clothing. It was overwhelming. I did not  know where to begin. Mentally, I had one item I wanted to purchase. Shoes. 

 After a few moments looking at clothes, I headed to the back of the store where the shoes were located. I saw a pair of shoes that looked they might be a great purchase.

Yes. I found what I needed. I actually needed a cute pair of shoes. 

One of the best part of visiting their website is reading what their customers tell them about cleaning, repairing, and stain removal for the treasures they find. 

This brand of shoes normally retail for between 100 and 130 dollars. I purchased these for 17. They are comfortable and have great cushion.  There is one slight defect. What? The velcro attachments are a bit off. Other than that, they are perfect. 

Wednesday Words

 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are 

open to their prayers;

But the face of the Lord

is against those

who do evil."

1 Peter 3: 12 NKJV

Tasty Tuesday

 "Mexican food is so full of color, life and music. It's like a pinta exploding in your mouth. "

 Kate McLenna

Monday Musings ... Zooming

 Many of us are returning to more in person events. Slowly, there seems to be a cautious return to what is an "almost" normal part of  life. Depending on the guidelines of public or private spaces, we are learning to adapt. 

Are Zoom meetings and gatherings slowly fading away?   My thoughts are a bit mixed. Virtual meeting and classes have been a great benefit to continue to stay connected. Yet, I love in person worship services.

In early in March,  I taught Sunday School via Zoom  while  visiting in D.C. Then last week, I attended revival services that were held in Lexington, while I was in Indianapolis. Today, I participated in Amazing Book Club Discussion via Zoom. 

Who attended today's book club discussion? Most everyone was in Lexington. Our discussion was led by a friend in Florida.  Another person logged in  from Nebraska. So... in the midst of being hundreds miles away, we stay connected.  

I would not have been able to teach class, attend revival services or be part of today's book discussion if Zoom were not available.

There is a cautionary part of this... when possible I think in person connection are the best. If not, Zoom is a great option.  Here is my encouraging word... send friends or family a text. Let them know you are thinking of them. 

 

Spring

 "I glanced out the window at the signs of spring.

The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding,

the sun almost bright."

M. Kaufman 

💮

Murphy

 Murphy is this week's pet. Looking at Murphy, can you guess the breed? Any guesses? Murphy is a Labradoodle. I know... the spots made me wonder. 

"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished." Dean Koontz

Dogs are often great conversation starters. Complete strangers are often willing to open up and have a conversation. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with people. Spread some joy! 

Friendship Friday

"The service that the whole worlds needs from the elders is not the service of hours spent and time put in  and documents finished and machines fixed. There are untold numbers of people who can do all of those things. No, the service of elders is not a service of labor, it is a service of enlightenment, of wisdom, of discernment of spirts. Only the carriers of generations past can give us those things, because wisdom is what lasts after an experience ends."

John D. Chittister, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully 

I love listening to my friend. She shares about growing up in New York City, growing in  her faith as a Christian, marriage, motherhood, and being married to a police office. Now, life is different. As a widow, she shares memories of her husband. 

I am always grateful for time we spend together. I treasure our friendship. 

Irish Blessing

Irish Blessing

May there always be work 

for your hands to do.

May your purse always  hold

a coin or two.

May the sun always shine 

on your window pane.

May a rainbow be certain

to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend

always be near you. 

may God fill your heart with 

gladness to cheer you.

Source: Irish Quotes 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 Special thanks to JCS for sharing this photo. 

😁

Tasty Tuesday ... hot dogs and popcorn

Last Saturday,  we were in Transylvania's gym cheering  Trine's Women's NCAA Basketball  team in the sweet sixteen tournament.   At the end of the first half they were down by ten points.  In the second half they showed such poise and tenacity. 

 We enjoyed a close game as the  Trine Thunder advanced to the Elite Eight. 

 It was so much fun.

What did we have to eat at half time? Hot dogs, popcorn, and water. 

On Sunday afternoon,  they defeated the Transylvania's Pioneers. Now, they advance to the Final Four which will be play in Pittsburgh. 

Hot Dogs and Popcorn were delicious. Victory was sweeter! Go Trine!  Bring it home to 

Angola, Indiana. 

Monday Musings ... suffering

These words are from Ann Voskamp

 "After all kinds of heartaches I didn't know quite how I was to going  live through.

I'm here to stake  my life on it ...

How would understanding  the reason  for suffering matter more than knowing  that our 

Abba Father stands with us in it? 

How would it help to have a God who is small enough  for us to understand, standing with us 

when only a God whose ways are far beyond our ways could  help us  stand with us in  all that we face?

If we had a God small enough to understand, how could He be great enough to stand with us 

against in all that we face." 

 

Think, travel, celebrate, charm, decorate, dress, live-colorfully

Kate Spade 

1962 -2018 

In the midst of life experiences, take time to celebrate the big and small events in life... 

Tasty Tuesday

 "It's not what's on the table that matters,

it's who's in the chairs."

Source: Pinterest

I often share pictures of food, drinks, and table settings. I know what is most important. It is the family and friends who are gathered around a table for a meal. 

Monday Musings... silence

 "We are a peaceful nation.

But if we remain silent today,

we will be gone tomorrow."

President  of Ukraine,  Volodymr Zelensky

Do what is right

 

"Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight..."

Deuteronomy 6:18 

Sequin ... the pet of the week.

 "Sequined is something covered with small shining  spangles."  Source: Wiktionary 

Sequin is positioned close to the cash register at a restaurant here in Washington, D.C.  Sequin's presence brings more a of smile than protection. In addition, if you have a pet like Sequin you never had to worry about pet food, veterinarian bills, or housebreaking. Of course you miss all the emotional benefits of having a pet in your home. 

our children ...

 This week, we celebrate the birthdays of our children. Born a little over two years apart, we love celebrating their birthdays.  On Tuesday, we celebrated one birthday. Tomorrow we celebrate another one. As parents, we often did special celebrations. I remember taking cupcakes to classrooms, birthday parties at home,  girls ice skating in Nashville,  boys on the go- cart track in Franklin , sleepovers, and lots of special menus.

Today our celebrations center on being together.  I hope the echoes of how we spoke to them as children speak to them today. I trust the words we offered  inform and anchor them today. As accomplished adults, I trust they rest in the fact of God's  unconditional love and the love of their parents.

"The way we speak to our child matter, for those words travel 

beyond their ears, 

settling into the creases 

of their hearts

and crevices 

of their self-worth."

Source: Words from an Instagram post

How do you celebrate birthdays? What about your  children and grandchildren?  What about your friends? This year, I have several friends and family members who will  celebrate milestone birthdays. I need suggestions.  Are you willing to share?  

People and Profit

The late John Lewis said this... 'Tell the whole story. It should be told without apology or anger." I think when we share the truth of our country's history, we share the truth of our painful past, our country's progress, and the hope for the future. 

Today, we spent hours touring the National African American Museum History and Culture.  So much information ... As descendants of slaves... I cannot help but think of my family that were enslaved and sold for profit. Yet, I think of how they must have dreamed of a better future for their children. We are the reality of their dreams.

Here is one of the quotes from one of the exhibits.

 " In the domestic slave trade, the brutality that connected people and profit was clearly on display. Dealers were meticulous in their assessment of the values of enslaved people. During slave sales, enslaved people were forced to deliver a good showing to bring in the most profit; a glum display sometimes brought a whipping. Pleadings for loved ones was not tolerated Slave dealers believed such behavior made for a poor behavior which cost time and money." 

Below is a picture of the currency from Omaha that was issued for  domestic slave trade currency.  The currency of many cities was on display. 

March ...

 Over forty years ago, I was in Ball Memorial Hospital having just delivered my daughter. Looking back on those first twenty-four hours, it was an exquisite experience. Every part of her little body was perfect. Her sweet face was framed by dark hair. Holding her tiny body made me smile. 

In the nursery, she turned her little face around and let out a cry that make other babies join in the crying. Today, she is more likely to make people smile rather than cry.

What has changed over the years?  Everything and nothing. Every part of my daughter make be smile. Her curly hair,  her smooth caramel skin, her smile,  her keen intellect, her compassion, her sense of humor, her love for her husband, daughter, and friends... and so much more.  

Happy Birthday to my favorite daughter. 🎂🎈