World Letter Writing Day

Get ready... tomorrow, September 1, is World Letter Writing Day.  "This day is set aside  to encourage people worldwide to pick up a pen, grab a piece of paper and write a letter."

How did I discover this fact? From Alexa on Question of the Day.   So today, this was the question pointing to the fact of World Letter Writing Day. 

I love writing letters, sending cards, and receiving letters. There is something sweet about putting recording your thoughts and taking pen and putting them on paper. 

Take a moment... write someone a letter. 

🖋🧻 

Monday Musings ... transformation

Here is an online definition of the word transformation.  ..." A complete change: the act or process of changing completely. Transformation is the process of changing. An example of transformation is a caterpillar turning into a butterfly."

Special thanks to Kristen for sharing pictures of the transformation the caterpillar to a beautiful Monarch Butterfly. 

Last week, I was chatting with Kristen at the front desk at the YMCA  before  heading to my water fitness class.  I don't remember  how the conversation drifted to the Chrysalis on her desk.  

Later that day... this Monarch Butterly emerged. 

Kristen had been raising Monarch Butterflies for over a decade!  I'm so intrigued!  I look forward to reading more about how individuals are able to raise Monarch Butterflies at home. 

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has to go through to achieve the beauty." Maya Angelo 

Life gives every person the opportunity to be transformed into something more beautiful. Every struggle we encounter, God offers us the opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD. What helps in the transformation? A daily diet of pray and God's word.  We can choose to become bitter or better. 

suffering ...

 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

For the earnest expectation of the creature eagerly waits  for the revealing  of the sons of God."

Romans 8: 18 -19  (NIV)

Doodle

 Doodle  or Dude ... is this week's pet. Doodle is a bundle of joy. He loves squeaky toys and empty water bottles. He has boundless puppy energy. When he is quiet, he is comfortable resting on Shelly's feet while she plays Mah Jongg. 

Our pets bring us such earthy joy. 

What is it that brings you joy? 

Fishing

 "Thank you, dear God, for this good life and forgive us when we do not love it enough.  Thank you for the rain. And for the chance to wake up in three hours to go fishing: I thank you now because I won't be so thankful then. "

Garrison Keller 

Friendship Friday

 "If there is such a thing as 

good marriage, 

it is because it 

resembles friendship."

What is a definition of friendship? One online definition shares this definition, "a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people."  I am so grateful that these words describe my marriage and my friendship with my husband.  

#44yearsandcounting 💌

National Thrift Store Day

"National Thrift Shop Day, celebrated  August 17 is all about supporting local thrift shops raising awareness for charitable organizations. Thrift shops aim to help those most vulnerable in the communities and give back to the needy.  Known by a myriad of the names, thrift shops are also referred to as consignment stores, second-hand stores, resale shops, and hospice shops. Volunteers willing to help out usually work at the shops, often sorting through donated times people drop off."  Source: National Day 

Did you shop at a thrift store today? I did! I went to Goodwill. 

Tasty Tuesday

"A waffle is like a pancake 

with a syrup trap." 

Unknown 

Monday Musings... waiting

Josie teaches me about waiting. First, she is sitting alert.

 Next, she begins to take a more relaxed pose. 

 Later, she will find a place  to rest on a sofa, chair, or in her bed. Then, as soon as she hears the door unlatch or hear the garage door open,  she is ready to go. What does she do? She runs to the door, wags her tail, and is ready to say hello. She is ready. 

How do you wait? Do you keep busy? Do you stay ready so you are ready to move at a moment's notice? 

Yesterday's message about waiting spoke to me about waiting on the LORD. While I wait I will watch, pray, and serve. 

 

Wait

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:41 (KJV)

Beauregard

"When was the last time someone was so overjoyed to see you, so brimming with love and affection that they literarily ran to greet you? A dog will do that for you - ten, twenty, thirty times day." Lionel Fisher

This week's pet is Beau! He lives in Omaha. I met him last week. 

Fitness Friday

Every  weekday morning, you will find me in a pool exercising in a Aqua Fitness class. Sometimes, I struggle to make it to class on time. No matter the struggle, traffic issues or weather challenges, I always love the feeling of satisfaction after class is over. It may be the combination of music, friends,  or endorphins, it is good to finish a class. No matter our age, there is always an exercise  we can find to fit our circumstances .

"Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And were does the power come from, to see the race to the end? From within." Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire

Tasty Tuesday

 

 These cookies were tasty as well as  adorable. 

The Baby Shower Brunch included great desserts! 

Mondays Musings ... baby shower

When was the last time you attended a baby shower?  The last time I attended a shower was a over five years ago. 🍼🐤🚼 Yesterday, I  was so happy that I could attend  a shower.  

  It was a joy to attend a sweet baby shower.  We are praying with joyful anticipation for a healthy and safe delivery for baby and mother. 

 

Flooding

It is painful to see, hear and read about the flooding  in Eastern Kentucky. There is so much devastation that is continuing to unfold. Buildings and homes may be restored or rebuilt. Sadly, only memories remain of the lives that were lost. 

"You cannot fold a flood and put it in a drawer because the winds would find it out and tell your cedar floor."

Emily Dickinson 

Tasty Tuesday

 "Everything can have drama if it's done right. Even  a pancake."

Julia Child

Monday Musing ... Road Trip

 

"Now, on this road trip, my mind seemed to uncrinkle, to breath, to present itself a cure for a disease it had not, until now, known it had."

Elizabeth Berg

Returning from our most recent road trip, I am most grateful to God for our safe arrival home. We traveled 3,700 miles. It was an amazing trip filled  with Birthday celebrating, cupcake eating, dog walking, bubble blowing, pizza eating, picture taking,  joke telling, granddaughter hugging, mimosa drinking, water chugging, soup eating, swim class watching,  hotel swimming, story-telling, fireworks watching, summer concerts, praying, reading, napping,  gas-checking prices, family visits, hiking,  bargain shopping,  conversations  and ...