Scream or Do Flips?

 

Do you ever have one of those days? months? years? I think everybody does. We try not to talk about it. Some are more successful than others. I have a friend who has had lots of those days/months/years. But this particular friend always laughs. When he used to live in the neighborhood, and whenever we would get together, for some reason during the evening he would always run and do a flip! He did this whether we were at a neighborhood gathering or a church gathering. We would always laugh and cheer him on. During the summer, we had a fun party and this particular friend was there. He is my age, which makes him 57. Halfway through the evening, we all said "can you still do flips?!"

 

Never to say no to a challenge he got up and did his famous flip! We all laughed and applauded. I think I'll start following his example. Even with a bad back, doing flips sounds better than screaming! (Or maybe screaming and doing flips at the same time) Whatever as long as I'm laughing.

Putting the Garden to Bed

It's getting to be that time of year. The flowers are still in bloom, but they are wilting a bit. Things are looking a little shabby. But the colors are vibrant~in a different way. That beautiful fally way. Where I don't have anything to do with it. The planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, caring for are done for the year and yet everything looks lovely in a way that I could never achieve. Is it because I stand back and let nature take its course? I have worked hard all summer to achieve some sort of masterpiece in my yard, and yet God provides us with the season of fall when all things come together and it is just how it should be. I can wander around my garden, look at my flowers with the added colors that fall brings and be amazed that I don't have to do anything but sit, enjoy and be grateful. The work is now complete.

As I walked down my path on this fall day, I look at each name engraved on each stone. A name, a date of birth of a child, a dear grandchild, marriage when loved ones joined our family. I have loved, nurtured and cared for each of these. They are colorful, vibrant and unique, just as all my loved flowers in the garden. I look at the individual names and appreciate the differences that each one offers. Just like when I mix all kinds of lovely flowers together to make a bouquet, then stand back to enjoy the beauty as those flowers together make a perfect arrangement. With my family, as in a garden, it is the Fall Season. I have done pretty much what I can and must stand back and allow God, (who certainly knows much more than me) to do His magic. And He will, He always does.
I just need to look out the window.

Crafting Beautiful

"The purpose of the craft is not so much to make beautiful things as it is to become beautiful inside while you are making those things."
-Susan Gordon Lydon

I have enjoyed making these flowers/pendants for our "Harvest Boutique." There is something to the idea of creating. Working with different fabrics, colors, cutting, stitching, creating something pretty out of nothing but scraps. If I can't get my hands in the dirt and grow flowers during the winter, this is the next best thing!

Good Friends

Kent and Betty invited us to go up to their cabin. They are the best at getting people together for a fun time. Never a lot of fuss, just everybody bring something and head on up to the mountains. They open their home, their cabin and their hearts to anybody willing to bring a little food and lots of laughter.

As we walked you could hear chatter and laughing from across the lake. We had people ask if we were a reunion or on some kind of retreat. "No, just neighbors," we would answer. Neighbors who love being together. Although spending just a few hours with this group is like going on a retreat.

Spending time with loved ones, laughing, enjoying the beauties of nature is good for the soul.

Thanks to Kent for always having a bright smile and a "Hi Neighbor."

No matter what hits him he stays upbeat and happy, an example to all of us who are blessed to have him as our friend.

Harvest Boutique

Two years ago my talented daughters, nieces and a few friends created the Harvest Boutique. They had such a good time that they decided to do it again! This time it will be in Park City and I have decided not to miss out on the fun, so I'm picking some of the most perfect flowers from 'Polly's Garden' and taking them with me.

There will also be delicious gourmet goodies, children's items, quilts and table runners, accessories, aprons, holiday decorations, holiday notecards, gifttags, stitchery, and much more. October 23rd is the date, so mark it on your calendar. Hope to see you there!

Overcoming Myself

Ever since I was little I have had an unexplainable fear of heights. I did not like bleachers, winding canyon roads, tall buildings, airplanes. I'd go up in buildings, mountains, airplanes, but experience severe anxiety. Some things have to be overcome on your own. Whenever I was in these high places I was usually surrounded by supportive people, but it did not matter. The strange, overwelming fear would just rise up anyway. Sometimes anxiety has to be put to rest by something inside. I remember the last time I felt anxiety over flying. I flew to England by myself to visit my son Nick. On the way I experienced a gall bladder attack on the plane and fainted. It was a horrible experience. It had nothing to do with being up high. But for some reason, after that I have not been afraid to fly. I finally decided that it was time to put my fear of heights to bed. On Saturday while at Snowbird I looked at that tram going up the mountain. I thought it looked awful suspended in the air so high. But, what the heck, I've learned that you don't die from anxiety so up I went and I found out...

there is a whole different view, from the top if you are brave enough to look down!

Sisters

As we grow older and we no longer have mothers around to love us. It is nice to have sisters who step in and fill the void. Sisters have been with us since the beginning through good and bad. We come from the same place. We have the same memories. We can laugh at things without having to say much. We can get a tear in our eye without having to say much. Each one of my sisters have a bit of my mom in them and I am grateful for who they are and the example they are to me. I love you both.

Happiness

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumned. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."

Denis Waitley

Hugs and Grandkids

On a day when I wasn't feeling my best, I was greeted by Jake with a big hug. I hadn't seen him for almost two weeks since we both had taken vacations. Sam almost jumped into my arms! After our little reunion, we dove right into our routine. Playtime and where is this toy and that superhero? Jake was missing his first mate's helmet and the first mate (he had the finns). It's just one of his many toys, but very important to him, so the first emergency (that's what he called it) of the day started. From his perspective it is an emergency and so must be treated as an EMERGENCY! So the first mission of the day for spy grama, spy Jake, and spy baby Sam. We emptied all the baskets and buckets of his toys one by one, looked through them and then put them back until - guess what, we found first mate and helmet! The best part of the whole deal is when Jake looked up and said, "grama, you are my best friend."

How grateful I am for sweet little children who love to hug their grama and be my friend.

My Pictures

While Jim was looking at the wildlife, I was enjoying the beautiful landscapes. I couldn't get over how just bales of hay could look so lovely as we drove by.

And of course, I can't walk by a flower without snapping a picture. These little wildflowers were on the path as we walked along Mt. Rushmore.

"Wildflowers...grow where they will and show up year after year - like a forever friend."
-author unknown

I love that quote, love the wildflowers, love the beauty I see as I pass by.