stellar saturday

If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude.      Maya Angelou

Today I love …

            Talking with Taylor … I so miss her

Real’ness’

            Unconditional love

            Yellow squash

            Running with the puppies

            Scalloped potatoes [again]

            New jewelry tools

            Feeling the love [thank you]

            Anita

            Netflix

            Time with Donna

Saw this quote somewhere this morning … can’t even remember where now … love it.

See what you can do

when you put your mind to it

and take a leap of faith?

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

Finally … thanks to Ryan, my computer is up and running once again. Yeah! Thank you, thank you.

Yesterday was Ryan’s 30^th birthday … can I really be old enough to have a 30 year old son? Yikes.

Spending time with Donna is always so great. I so miss our overnight hang out times. We had a wonderful Thursday night and Friday. We had our first real fire in the fire pit … lovely. I’m a little [no a lot] nervous about fire, so I don’t usually light fires. It adds so much wonder to the evening, as well as keeping mosquitoes at bay.

Being with Donna always helps me to feel more centered and confident with my life path. It was a perfect, relaxing couple of days after a month of crazy [and fun] busy.

I love this notebook that Taylor sent to me … perfect words, right …

Garden fun:

Our weather has been making it difficult for the garden to thrive. I water in the mornings and evenings – though it just isn’t enough – 100 degree sunshine baking on it all day long is taking its toll. Still producing enough for meals each day, and the cucumbers are beginning to sprout – finally – yeah … and the pepper plants are growing nicely … it will be fall before they produce; which will be great. If anyone would like any spaghetti squash, just yell; there is an abundance of them, close to being ready to eat. And they are so yummy.

 my new tree is settling in nicely ... new leaves and looking healthy and happy

 petunias don't seem troubled by the hot hot weather ... they are growing beautifully with such brilliant colors

 love my fish pond ... they are finally feeling at home ... returning to their old habits of taking food right out of my hand

Babbling:

Sometimes we have a tendency to take more notice of negative – rather than seeking and appreciating the positive. I had a great experience at the post office the other day. Mailing 2 [very heavy] packages to my Alaska Fam … and the post office person recommended that I put them in different boxes [one price boxes] and save 30$ … She got the boxes, gave me tape … took 10 minutes to help me switch boxes. I was so grateful – and a tad surprised … customer service isn’t always so great … thank you thank you.

I love my new sign ... thank you Amy xo 

If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.       Carl Jung

Stay cool and have a beautiful weekend ...

Until tomorrow xo♥

Be what you want the world to be

magnificent monday

One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.” — Michael Cibenko

Tidbits from the homefront:

Hello – I hope everyone is having a great start to a great week … and staying cool. I had the most wonderful, relaxing weekend. My friend, Anita [who is quite psychic when it comes to me], thought I sounded 'a bit off', and she drove up to see me. She arrived early Saturday morning and we had a great day. I so miss her not being close by. Sunday was filled with garden fun and creating jewelry that I am loving.

I remember saying this winter [as I was complaining of freezing] that I would not complain about how hot it got in the summer. I was wrong. I’m trying hard not to complain, though last week it was above 100 degrees for a few days in a row. Yuck. I need big ice blocks for the swimming pool. How nice it would be if the pool was warm like this in the freezing winter …

My computer has been having some serious issues – hence, I have not been able to post. I have missed it, as well as all of the other technology-related things I do daily. It has given me an opportunity to do some quiet work, creating, reading, figuring out my life, and just sitting outside in the evenings listening to the amazing nature that surrounds me. I love it.

The job search is going nicely. A few different part-time gigs are coming my way … I’m excited to have new experiences and schedule all so that Jacob and I can do new and interesting things when we begin [again] working together in the Fall …

Garden fun:

The veggie garden is growing beautifully – in spite of the boiling temperatures. I’m starting to see little bits of cucumbers and the green pepper plants are getting stronger each day – yeah. I will post pics when I get my own computer back up and running – hoping that will be tomorrow. My son, Ryan, is the computer guy – and we are hanging out tomorrow. He has decided he wants a dog – we will have a fun day of visiting shelters, as he chooses the newest member of his family. Can’t wait.

Please check out my etsy shop – I have not been able to get new things up – I will soon – though there are many cool things [if I do say so myself] there now. Great gift items – please share the link with your friends. I really [need and] appreciate your support. Thanks xo

http://www.etsy.com/people/PatriciaA

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” — Alexander Graham Bell

Until tomorrow … I hope  xo

thankful thursday

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Today I love …

                        Having an abundance of tomatoes

                        Reading

                        Air conditioning

                        New opportunities

                        Old friends

                        Wonderful neighbors

                        Scalloped potatoes

                        Pizza – delivered

                        Thunder storms

                       

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

In all of the years I lived in Florida, I never remember the temperature being this high. At 1:30 today, the outside thermometer read 112 degrees. It is so hot, even the dogs don’t want to be outside. Lewis, who usually wants to walk and run for as long as he can keep me walking; turned around today after about 3 minutes and wanted inside. Smart puppies.

 sam

 lewis

 my karmaB

Yesterday was a great day – I secured a wonderful new work opportunity. Starting to work with Alison at Lake Norman Learning Center. Not certain what I will be doing as of yet – going to work part time with the kids, and also develop some after school arts and enrichment programs. I am excited. I so love what she has done with the center … the energy feels so wonderful, and everything, inside and out is so bright and clean and new … lots of happy little kids running around yesterday. Renewed my spirit for sure.

Check it out … perfect learning environment … such a wonderful, loving, learning environment for children … I am so excited to have the opportunity to become a part of it … http://lakenormanlearningcenter.com/

Garden fun:

I am so excited with the abundance of tomatoes … my son, Ryan, tells me to pick them when they are green [to leave more energy for the plant to produce more] – so, this year, I did just that. Throw [place] the tomatoes in a brown paper bag, and in a couple of days they are red and delicious. Tonight I am making tomato sauce from my home-grown tomatoes. Excited.

The cucumbers are finally starting to blossom.

I should have cucumbers for myself and many to share – very soon.

This summer I have turned many people on to spaghetti squash … my garden is producing quite a few each day … love that many people who didn’t even know about spaghetti squash … are now loving it.

 We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

Until tomorrow xo♥

Be what you want the world to be

wonder-filled wednesday

“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past can be different”

Today I love …

                        checking stuff off of my list

                        fresh tomatoes

                        morning walks

                        oranges

                        intelligent conversation

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

Busy week here. Yesterday I spent a few hours hitting the street in search of a job. Today I am, again, working on making my own job here. I am going to [finally after the move] get the kiln out and fired up. Today I am working on times/dates to offer beginners glass classes here. I think that will be fun. Hope I can get enough people who think it will be fun too.

It is going to be another boiling day here … so inside work is best for me.

I am closely watching my new tree – so far, so good. It seems to be acclimating itself to the new home.

Garden fun:

                                                      Last night's dinner - from the garden

For many years people have told me that mums don’t come back year after year … these surely do/have … and I was surprised to see them blooming so beautifully in the midst of a heat wave … always remembered them blooming in the fall.

Babbling:

Another book I enjoy revisiting [often] is Circle of Stones Women’s Journey to Herself by Judith Duerk. I was reading it this morning and because of this following passage, found myself lost in thoughts/memories of my Aunt Florence. What a strong woman she was …

            How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you?

                A place for you to go … a place of women, to help you learn the ways of

                woman …a place where you were nurtured from an ancient flow

                sustaining you and steadying you as you sought to become yourself.

                A place of women to help you find and trust the ancient flow already

there within yourself … waiting to be released …

                A place of women …

                How might your life be different?

As a young person I didn’t think about the fact that I was surrounded by strong women; women that gave me a sense of knowing and loving oneself.

Especially my Aunt Florence – excerpt below about her –

1963

She was funny.

She was very smart.

She was a real mystery to me.

Everyone in my family looked strangely at her, and always told me never to eat anything that she brought into our home. My Dad used to get so irritated when she would say that he bit his fingernails because he was in the war.

Boy, did that make him angry.

My Dad liked to pretend there was never a World War II.

She wouldn’t let him forget it.

Maybe that was the problem.

She promised me that as soon as I knew all of my multiplication tables, she would bring a typewriter to me and teach me how to type …

fast, like she did.

I remember, just like it was yesterday, the day she came over through the snow, carrying an Underwood Typewriter.

We had to put it out on the front porch.

Why?

Because my family was very odd when it came to my Aunt Florence. Dad said she smelled like moth balls, and Nana said she ruined Uncle Let’s life.

They never like her. I liked her. I loved her.

She was magical to me.

She floated here and there, almost always wearing red. She was busy and always smiling. Her car was filled with shoes and purses … just in case she needed to refresh her outfits.

Her house was a mess.

It was a beautiful, old, white, two-story house, surrounded by lovely huge trees. Between our house and her house was an empty lot. We played there all of the time. I was constantly distracted by my curiosity. I always wanted to go inside, but, I was forbidden to do so.

A few times I peeked through her porch windows, and one time I walked right in the back door to see … ugh … dishes, pans, clothes, bags filled with whatever … newspapers everywhere.

When she moved out of the house, early in my teenage years, the hardwood floors in the house were in perfect condition. I don’t believe anyone had ever walked on them. For more than 30 years they were covered with debris.

Her husband, Lester, was my grandmother’s brother He was a bit off his rocker [as my Dad would say].

I don’t remember him before he had his accident. At 30 years old, right after he married Aunt Florence, he fell from the peak of a house he was building … right down to the concrete basement. Hit his head pretty hard, and never was the same again.

For some reason, my family blamed Aunt Florence for Uncle Let’s life changing from one of a strong man to that of a confused boy. I never could see that.

To me, she was a wonder. Magical.

Typing away with the patience of a saint, hands gloved … it was cold on that porch. She kept her word. She taught me home keys and all of the tricks to getting the paper and carbon paper in the typewriter straight. After a few lessons, she said I was ready to do it by myself. And she gave me the typewriter.

Keeping one’s word. She never told me to keep my word … she showed me … by keeping hers. Living life as you want to … no matter what all the ‘other people’ say.

She still sparks bright red wonder inside of my soul.

New item in Etsy Shop

I love these cat pillows … I first made them as a gift for my sister, Cathee, and my friend, Lois … loved them so much I decided to offer them in my Etsy Shop – please check it out – coming next = dog pillows.

http://www.etsy.com/people/PatriciaA

Hoping this heat wave will pass soon … stay cool!

Until tomorrow xo♥

Be what you want the world to be

tempting tuesday

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." 

~Erma Bombeck

Today I love …

            Just about everything

            My new tree

            Yellow stuff

            Veggies from the garden

            Rockford files

            Petunias

            Cold showers on a boiling day

            Happy puppies

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

Another beautiful birthday celebration last night … Becky brought a yummy dinner and a beautiful gift … and a Japanese Maple Tree from Taylor … We had much fun. It was great to be with her, and hear all about her journey to Alaska.

I decided to plant the tree close to where the labyrinth will soon be. I think it is a perfect home for it. Brad got it in the ground – and this morning, it seems to be doing okay … I was touched when Becky said that she got that one because it looked as though it needed some TLC.

We sheared Lewis … he is much cooler in this boiling hot weather. And so cute.

Garden fun:

                              happy birthday maple tree - thank you taylor - i so love this tree

 yellow rose busy - doing so great

the fish are getting comfy in their new yard ... starting to come out in the a.m when i go to feed them - i was wondering if they ever would come out - yeah -

Babbling:

Conversations with Becky last night really reawakened the gypsy [wanderlust] in me. Maybe I am really getting to the end of my ‘stuck’ place … I feel I am. I’m feeling a different kind of alive today. Grateful grateful.

Not certain what is around the next corner … though feeling very excited with life.

My lovely Aunt Kaye gave me a beautiful quote tonight … I so love it –

“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past can be different”

So love that … says so much.

"Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do

but never gets you anywhere"
— Erma Bombeck

I trust everyone is having a beauteous week - xxxooo

Until tomorrow xo♥

Be what you want the world to be

monday monday

Happy Birthday Martha

Today I love …

            Planning new gardens

            Morning swim

            Zucchini from the garden

            Dinner with Becky

                                               

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

Saturday afternoon was a celebration of life for Mavrine Reel [Zack’s Grandmother]. What a beautiful celebration – for such a beautiful person. I was filled with sadness and joy at the same time. So grateful she is no longer suffering, fighting her battle with cancer … and, selfishly, sad that in her human form she is no longer here with us. Mae was such a loving person. Always positive, always showering her love on everyone … RIP … always in my heart … miss you.

In many ways, Mae reminds me of my Aunt Kaye. Filled with love and beauty. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to spend time with her while I was in Massachusetts for the reunion.

When I began writing my blog, I posted a few essays from a book I am working on – today I want to post this one again … about my Aunt Kaye.

1971

The stands were filled with people. It was difficult to look and to find the family and friends that I was looking for.

And, all of a sudden there she was.

I hadn’t seen her in probably 10 years.

Didn’t even know if I would recognize her.

Didn’t even know if she would really be there at my high school graduation.

Aunt Kaye. My mother’s sister. She always stood out.

Exuded class, mixed with a confident sweetness.

The lump in my throat was huge. I didn’t want to cry right there on the bleachers.

But, I did.

The graduation went along as graduation ceremonies do.

And there she was. Right in front of me; arms extended.

She was definitely the most beautiful person there.

She told me how proud my mother would be. That didn’t mean too much to me at the time … but, her saying it added some importance. We talked of family, and how God brought us to this day, and all of the blessings that he bestowed on everyone.

She always God Blessed everyone. She was beauty.

She was the epitome of fragile strength. Dainty, delicate and certain. When she spoke, everyone listened. Not because she said they had to … she demanded nothing.

She commanded everything.

Because her heart and wisdom were apparent to all.

That day, I filled with pride thinking of all of the times that people said, “Pattie, you are just like your Aunt Kaye.” If I was going to be like anyone, being like her would be just fine with me.

Garden fun ...

I love being able to have beautiful cut flowers in my home from my own garden. Planted many more seeds today ... I seem to be cutting them faster than they can grow. 

Babbling … may be Ranting:

Still thinking of my rant from the other day ... another piece that often saddens me – we judge others and say things about them even when we have no clue who they are, what they are dealing with in their lives, or what has happened to/with them today.

Example - The day of Miranda’s funeral, my friend Donna and I stopped at a local grocery store [on the way home from the funeral – on our way to have our private school-family funeral]. Standing at the register, the cashier person said [snottily], “What’s up with you two – you look as if someone just died.” We calmly said – “Someone did”. Hoping she will think, with her heart and then head, before blurting something so insensitive out … having no clue where someone is coming from – and/or where they have been.

Let’s all keep spreading the light …

Thought this quote was worth a repeat …

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.
~Martha Washington

Until tomorrow xo♥

Be what you want the world to be