Tales From My Tree

It all started innocently enough with my admiring Amanda and Matt's first Christmas tree.  It’s so lovely in its simplicity and lovely colour scheme.   In passing I looked at my tree, and in comparison it looked rather…..loud and full and a bit garish.   And then I looked closer and saw 20 years’ worth of love on that tree; sweet memories, good times, and good friends. 

There is a white porcelain angel with a filigree gown that lights up from the bulb inside; received from one of my daycare kids,who still calls me Mrs. Tetcy, even though he’s almost 13!

There is a little pudgy hand painted angel made with dough and sparkles that I received from my neighbour Monika, who has moved away and we’ve lost contact because of multiple moves and addresses.  

There is a sparkly and mirrored blue star that I fell in love with when it was on the front of a Canadian Tire Christmas flyer…and I bought one for myself, my sister and my friend in Holland.  

There is an entire collection of stars!  Stars are my absolute favourite!!  There is a collection of sparkly white and blue stars that were purchased on an annual trek to IKEA.  A couple of brass ones scooped at the annual school bazaar when I helped organize the seasonal gift room with some friends.   There are even some stars from Dollarama, surprisingly stunning.

There’s the funky little snowman from the East Coast made from 3 sea urchin shells and glued together, painted and sprayed with sparkles, a souvenir from a friend who visited my neck of the woods.

There is a collection of homely green and red ornaments purchased on our first Boxing Day sale as newlyweds…because our tree was sparse at best.  Our tree was kind of ugly.  I affectionately described its branches as having the consistency of a toilet brush, you know the one!  But it was ours…. 

And then about ten years I received some ornaments that decorated our family tree when I grew up: the frosted golden pinecone, a rainbow coloured cone, a small green globe with embossed curlicues and a red and yellow globe with a little chick on it.  There are lovely “one of a kinds” that my mom had purchased at craft fairs over the years and a few of those are on our tree now; A bittersweet addition because my mom had passed away.  Maybe someday my boys will go through my things and pick their favourites.

There is a little ceramic polar bear with a green felt scarf that I bought when I was in university because my sister was selling them to raise money for her class trip to Quebec City.

Then there’s the collection of merry-go-round and hobby horses that I collect.   The collection stands at 4, they’re not as common as you might think.  Not like the stars!

There’s a white globe with red paw prints on it from Bronner’s that we received for dog sitting over the holidays one year.  

There is an acrylic reindeer and a hobby horse set that was purchased from kids down the street who were fundraising for their school.  That was in the old house, and they have since moved away, and I have forgotten their names, but every year we think and talk about them when we open the little red and white box to hang these things on the tree. 

There is a set that used to have 12 shiny golden globes, and only 9 survive.  They are identical.  You can tell when they’re missing from the tree.   There is also a set of blue globes in a matte finish that we bought at the GEMS Spring Fling for a dollar, still a complete set of 6.  I love ANYTHING blue.  

There is also a set of clear acrylic drops found at IKEA on another annual late November pilgrimage.  I love how they reflect the light.  I think of the good friends and road trips.  It’s the trip on which I stock up on wrapping paper.   We head out first thing in the morning, take a break for lunch (I always have the salmon)  and then we resume.

There are some homemade cookie cutter ornaments made by one of the boys.  One of them is a “club”…in honour of having just acquired the life skill of “penny poker”.    There’s a matching little cookie cutter person painted with black and gold….not sure the significance of the colour choice.  These two never stay in the box.   

There are two Coffee Break and Story Hour craft ornaments.   One is a juice lid with a picture of Joe (on the floor of the camera store where we had to take a pic to see if the flash would fire).  It has festive lace on it.   He made it in story hour…finished by the teacher with hot glue!  Priceless.

There’s a blue flocked pendant that I bought at Linens and Things just because I thought it was beautiful.  It was a little treat to me, and it reminds me that it’s okay to treat myself occasionally and appreciate lovely things.   I suppose I could justify just about anything with that kind of reasoning!

There’s a little lime green star with French knots made from silver thread, a product of some cottage industry from Haiti.  

There are two baby’s first Christmas ornaments.  Thoughtfully purchased on Boxing Day when they were on sale.  The neat thing is that those are only meaningful to us; they have a random quality to anyone else who sees our tree.

There is the homemade cinnamon scented gingerbread boy that was made at school during a pioneer life workshop that has long since lost its scent.

There are collections of snowmen, angels and Santas.

There is a beautiful colourful glass pendant from Taiwan, purchased by my sister in law in her native land at a local market there.  

The newest little ornament is a metal tag with a cut out snowflake.  It has been on the tree for two days.  We received it at the Teen Challenge Farm this week.   They held their first annual Festival of Lights and we were able to tour the grounds, speak to some students and life coaches, and hear the choir sing some traditional and not so traditional Christmas selections. (They rapped the First Noel).  We met the student we sponsor and spoke to him for a while, gave him a little something…and headed on our way home to exchange gifts with our own little family.   

In passing…I see my cluttered tree. We still have coloured lights.   We still have tacky green tinsel garland.  But for all who are putting up their trees for the first time, I can’t wait until you have 20 years of stories and love on your tree.  Our tree contains little glimpses of where life has taken us over the past twenty years.  Little bits of time and memories that come out at Christmas time.   Each of us has their favourite ornament and memory.   Ray’s favourite ornament is his Boston Bruins globe.   He’s just about ready to give up on them…but not quite.  He always hangs it on the highest branch.    Everyone knows at least some of the stories and we retell them every year: our very own oral tradition.   If we only hung up some of the ornaments something would be missing.   I’ve tried the Martha Stewart tree.  But it’s just not us.    Sorry Martha.

Sights of the Season

 
There are few things quite as festive as a bit of snow for Christmas.    6 Snow days worth, right before the holidays,  is probably a little much, but we'll take it!   Snow days mean sledding at Sprucedale and  giant, warm sandwiches. Joe improvises with his sausage-on-a-bun after he discovered that we only had kaiser buns in the freezer. I took the snow pics this past Monday, our first real day of snow. Craig is shoveling and Blixie is helping.  She loves to play in the snow.   I decorate a little bit for the holidays...   But... one of my favourite bits of holiday spirit is a huge raisin bread given to me every year.  I cut it up, freeze it, and make it last as long as I can. Toasted with Dutch spiced gouda...mmmmm.   Tastes like love to me!

What makes the holidays festive for you?

The Sound of Music

Music figures prominently in my life. I wonder why that is? I’m probably too introspective for my own good a lot of the time. I need to figure things out, maybe that’s part of being a details person. Knowing the details enriches the big picture so much more. It’s the difference between 3 megapixels and 12. Some people are content with the 3, I seem to have to enlarge and crop the big picture at times, and zoom in on the small stuff and define it. Often, I end up with less understanding than I started out with. Sometimes, my understanding grows…. It helps me to know how I fit into the picture, and maybe even where.  Maybe that's more extrospection.   Maybe it's both.  Dissecting music is one of those things today.
 
It is common knowledge that there different languages of love. People show love in different ways, and likewise, people feel love in different ways. How fortunate you are when your spouse or your kids speak your language!!! In that vein, I think music must be the language of my heart and my soul.

One of my favourite Bible verses is Zephaniah 3:17. “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” I recently reread the whole chapter, which is about Jerusalem. Zephaniah is a prophet; he is talking about the future of Jerusalem. About what she looks like when she rebels against God, how God continues to live within her, and how He will judge….but also what will happen when she turns back to Him, and how He will then bless her when she looks to Him for her strength and deliverance.

I am amazed that God chooses to reside inside of us. Of all the places He could dwell He chooses the fickle human heart. It changes a person, knowing that He rejoices in what He sees there, and equally how He grieves when we disappoint Him with what we do and say; how quickly things fall out of harmony when our way is contrary to His Way. I hate that feeling. I’d much rather sing a part than a solo.

Recently, a friend of mine was struggling with something and I sent a card with this verse on it. Sometimes the part of the verse that strikes me is that “God is with us, He is mighty to save”….at times I need the reminder that God has the strength to defeat the giants in my life, strong enough to carry me through the struggles, that He is WITH me. Other times I’m struck by the “He will quiet you with His love” part…when I am particularly anxious about something, it soothes the worried mind, and I really “feel the love”. I LOVE that "He will take great delight in [me]!!!  This last week I was struck by the last line “…He will rejoice over you with singing”. Does that mean after the struggles are all said and done?

It was right after I sent this card that I bought the new Third Day CD “Move”….of course….it’s awesome. “Sound of Your Voice” in particular resonated with me. “Sing your song to me, oh, there’s no greater thing than to listen to the sound of your voice. When I hear your song, I want to sing along.  And I listen to the sound of your voice. “ (Go here for a sound bite!!) 

What a neat thing to think about! When God sings over me, I get to sing along! I don’t know if that’s theologically correct, but if music is the language of my soul then it makes sense. It gives a word picture, or at least a sound to God’s love for me. His love for me, the invitation to be in relationship with him, to be a part of the Score that lends rightness to my life. My desire to honour Him and seek His will for my life, and then doing it to the best of my ability….can be a beautiful sound. The sound of a soul singing the song that was created and written for it by her Creator. That makes it okay to sing, even in a valley.  I finally figured out that the song does not depend on me or how I'm feeling....The song goes ON!   It's all about God! Some days I can sing at the top of my lungs, and some days I climb into His lap and He has to do all the singing. (I’m sure that even David, with all his lyrical abilities, had those kinds of days when he ran out of words.  Although he sure knows how to write a good lament.) His song is my strength when I am weak. I hear it and am revived. I want to sing along again to this melody that infuses my life. It is water for my thirsty soul.

I think that we all hear music. I think we all make music.  Always part of a grand scheme and score.  No one else’s symphony will sound exactly like mine, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we all have the same Composer.

Such Is Life....

Today is a good day in a month that has seen many ups and down.   Just to be honest....there have been a lot of downs, but that makes today's UP a great one.    Such is life, isn't it?   And if I can't be honest here, there's just no point.

I ran for the first time in over a week.   The sun was out in full force and the sky so blue(...after three days of snow and snow days.)  My sweet hubby is home from being out of town on business.  My laundry is done.  I have two new great CD's and one has such upbeat songs on it....and none of the boys in my house like it (much)...  Such is life, isn't it?   And I'm excited about my two meetings tonight.   I also got an encouraging email a little while ago.    So I'm celebrating my UP day.  Such a sweet blessing!

God is good...all the time.

Playing With Letters

I have had a card idea in my head for a couple of weeks now and finally got it out on paper.  I love playing with paper and having coffee with friends at the same time.    It really gets the mojo going!

Long AmazingTrip

On the way home from a community building event, my friend Barb and I were reflecting on the path that our lives take sometimes.   We train up our children in the way they should go and the Bible says that when they get old they will not depart from it.  This is something each of us wants for our children and grandchildren.  But it's not in our parental control, it's in God's hands.  

Conversations like that make me really thankful for the Godly friends I have in my life, especially the Godly women.

So what does this road look like??

It reminded me of the wilderness trip Ray and I went on this summer, where we cleared very old portage trails.   The trail always had a starting point, "the landing", and a destination, where we finally put the canoes back into the water.  You need a plan and a map, you need to be prepared,  you need equipment, and you need a guide.  Wilderness camping implies that you find yourself in a wild place, that most likely someone has gone before you, and someday someone will come behind you and  retrace your steps.

Isn't life just like that sometimes?   ...Just like a portage trail.   If we are fortunate, then we can follow the path that our parents have walked before us; the same path in which they trained us up, and one from which  we have not departed. We look forward on that trail, hoping to catch a glimpse of what God's will is for our lives. It's like searching for the next blaze. We read the map, which is God's Word.  We can see the trail, but spotting a true blaze confirms that we are on the right path.   God often sends definite guideposts along the way, to show us which way He would have us go.    In my life, this can take the shape of a word from a friend, the peace that comes with making a right decision, an affirmation that the leap of faith was the right way to go, and most often, God's Word in the Bible.    In the bush, if I was scouting out the trail and saw a blaze, I would flag it so I could find it on the way back to haul my gear.   The way forward or toward the future is not always clear.    We set out in faith, especially when we follow a calling.  But that look over the shoulder reveals a path of flags that line up perfectly.   The trust we place in our Guide is never misplaced. He guides our steps on the path that He already laid out.   When we don't know the way, we can trust our Guide.

Sometimes things fall onto our paths that we have to step around, obstacles that we have to deal with in order to continue on our way.   Sometimes there is no way around them, and like on our trip this summer, you have to break out the heavy equipment to go through them.  In life, things crop up that impede our progress. Stressful situations, like a blow-down on the trail,  can take our focus off the path, disrupt our momentum, or result in losing our bearings. It helps so much in times like that to look over your shoulder, spot the last flag, and remind yourself where you've been and where you're going.  And to reinforce your trust in your Guide.  

I think of my parents who followed God's leading to start a new life in Canada over 30 years ago.   What a leap of faith that must have been!  A journey marked by many affirmations that the decision they made was the right one.    I love their story.   Serving on the school board is the current trip I'm on.   There are times when I it's really easy, and I can easily say that I am where I should be. Other days it can be a struggle, committee work and meetings can be discouraging.  Conflicts can sap my confidence, and have me doubt my ability and role on this trip, or whether I'm even qualified to be here. Deadlines can create anxiety.  But then there are days like the other day...where I spent the day celebrating the support that the high school receives from previous generations. You get so much energy seeing people who have walked the same path and who are now encouraging and cheering on the rest of us. So encouraging, and truly worthy of a flag!!!

On this journey, there are beautiful views, times of easy travel and companions with whom we share this journey. For me,  it continues to be a great adventure.  The wilderness isn't such a bad place to be because of the beauty I witness, the growth I experience, and the Guide who leads me.  The blazes are always there, and in the stories of the people I love...I just have to look for them...symbols of God's faithfulness to them, and to me.

It's a trek, an epic journey, and never just a stroll. You can stroll aimlessly on your own strength and reconnaissance.  A trek implies that you need patience, perseverance, courage, strength, a map, the right equipment, the Right Guide....and a piece of wilderness.

Never Too Old

Maybe YOU  already knew this, but the other day I discovered that THIS little fellow is a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar.  They especially love Parsley.   Well....don't mammas just ALWAYS  know just what their babies need!!!

A thoughtful company passed our name along to another company.  They must have thought it lined up well with our interests...and consequently we found a lovely calendar in our mailbox which should motivate us to donate to that cause...but has only succeeded in educating us about butterflies thus far. So thoughtful...and it just proves that you're never too old to learn something new.

A Mockery

The sun was shining almost all day today.

Operative word here: almost.

The sky has had beautiful big fluffy white clouds all day...except when I walked with the dog to the hospital to mail some letters.   At that time, the sky became ominous and the clouds heavy and gray...threatening rain.   I'm not easily defeated (most of the time)...and had been hanging laundry outside since 8ish (while it was still very sunny and the wind was chasing the clouds)....  I hummed and hawed about whether to leave the laundry out or not. 

Shouldn't have hawed so long...it blew in completely gray, and it starting pouring when I had about half the laundry off.   Isn't life just like that sometimes?    Okay...I'm going to say it...stupid rain!

I proceeded to finish my nice warm pea-soup...because by now it was cold, wet and yucky outside.  Good pea-soup weather.    And no sooner had I finished my lunch and rehung the laundry  in various places around the house....than the sun came out.  

It is now 5:30pm.    And the sun is still shining.    The sky is mocking me today....I would laugh along if it was even remotely funny.

For My Cardies

On most Monday mornings, some friends and I get together to make cards at someone's home.   This week we didn't, it being Thanksgiving and all....    I really missed it this week.    Instead, I made my cards at home after the Thanksgiving service at my church.  We don't just make cards, we have coffee, oatmeal cookies, and lots of laughs.  We see each others' new papers, stamps, and embellies...which can be so inspiring!!   However, when I make cards at home I don't have to pack up my stuff, packing what I THINK I'll need.   It's neat to have everything at my fingertips....but I miss the sisterhood part of it.    I couldn't wait til next Monday to use the new paper I picked up at the new scrapbooking store in Strathroy,  Up The Street Scrapbooking.   Must practice self control when I go into the store, but not when I'm making some new cards.    There are awesome new papers from My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found), and Prima (that's the bright floral one!)  The postage stamps are from a sheet of Graphic 45.   Most of the stamps are SU.   The word "birthday" is from CTMH.

There are a hundred things swirling around in my head today: the car has to go to the shop, have to present something at a meeting, had an awesome Beth Moore video session, write down the encouragements I felt while watching it(they evaporate so quickly),  miss my hubby, planning for college and university for my oldest, want to make some more cards, write a letter or two, should clean the bathroom, thinking about who to vote for in the municipal election, pray for a sick little guy out there,  look forward to the start of my small group, wait to hear about the beginning of the church organ repair, loved the interim report card of my youngest high schooler, ought to do another load of laundry, want to create something that my fingertips find,  and glad I ran yesterday so I don't have to go today....

That's a peek into my brain today...just a pile of little things...  I think I'll start with the laundry and then do the bathroom, and think of the cards and letters while my hands are busy....those are little splashes of what I call "rest for my soul", certainly not for my hands.

Always Wash Your Curly Parsley!

Just sayin'!

Does Max Know Joe?

Ummmmm...am I the only one who sees the resemblance????

Hands

I noticed recently that when I take photographs of people engaged in something, I tend to zoom in on their hands. Out of my 20 favourite holiday pictures (Click here : Lasting Glances, Sept 3), 6 or 7 of them show hands: a handful of plump blueberries, a handful of trail mix with a finger pointing to the last red Smartie, a hand with a Timmy’s turkey club, one holding a slippery walleye, hands tying flagging tape, preparing breakfast… I love capturing the detail of what the hands are doing.

Hands, in general, hold intrinsic appeal for me. They are an intimate but visible extension of a person. When observing someone, they may avert their eyes, but rarely will they hide their hands. Very few people are self conscious about their hands and there’s something open and honest about that. I love catching a glimpse of hands that look like my Dad’s tanned, calloused, work hands. And I love catching a glimpse of my mom’s lovely fluid penmanship in notes and recipes received from others. I have one friend who has real worker's hands, but they can tackle ANY task she sets her mind to, which makes them capable and beautiful. I have another friend with very graceful hands, and it's even lovely to watch her slide a Ziploc bag shut!

When I think about God, I imagine His hands…moving, orchestrating, never still. I don’t have a mental image of a face but always hands: creating, healing, feeding, welcoming, embracing, washing feet, sheltering…
We are created in God’s image. As created and creative beings, our own hands are a powerful extension of God in us. Every pair of hands has the potential to be used by God and do His work here: to make a meal for someone, to embrace a hurting heart, to clean up a mess they didn’t make, to make a simple repair, to pen words of encouragement, to drive to an appointment, to pull weeds, to deliver flyers, to bake, to pour coffee, and sometimes to sit folded on a lap while listening, or folded in prayer.

We use our hands to do these things not out of guilt, but as a response of gratitude. We respond when our hearts are moved by a need we see. So often these are small things for us. They are things we naturally enjoy doing. It is as simple as picking up the phone when someone pops into your mind. Maybe it involves bringing some muffins to someone because you thought of them while you were baking. It’s a matter of learning to listen to the subtle nudges of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we see the need and we respond. Sometimes we don't see the need because we are preoccupied with something else. Sometimes we say, "No, I don't want to". And sometimes we are the recipient because someone else responded to the Spirit moving their heart. That’s such a cool feeling!!

This is me with a mouthful of berries.

God can manifest His presence in miraculous and grand ways, but most often He chooses to move softly and almost silently by His Spirit, through those who seek to be His hands. People willing to bring a little bit of shalom to someone else’s chaos. His Kingdom coming one small act of Grace at a time.

I originally wrote this for the October issue of our church newsletter, "Happenings".

Joyful Reunion

I'm so excited!

I just found a CD I've been missing for 2 or 3 weeks.  Need To Breathe-"Heat"  I took it out of our church library during the summer and when I wanted to play it, I discovered that the CD case was empty.   Did I lose it or was the case already empty when I borrowed it?    Why wouldn't I have played the CD right away?   I lost a CD and it wasn't even mine! 

I found it.   In a place I wouldn't have looked for it.  It was in a case with another CD. (U2-"No Line On the Horizon".)  It illustrates how quickly time passes and how far in the past my holidays have receded, which seems like AGES ago!  The CD has traveled to Ottawa and home again, and then to Thunderbay and home again.  It illustrates how absentminded I can be when I'm on my way to do one thing and get interupted and put thing one on hold, and then never resume the task when thing two is completed.  

Listening to it was like having a visit with a long absent friend.   Really.   It's part of the soundtrack of my life and brings back the memories and adventures that happened during that listening period.    Good, good times.   As my adoring public, I know you would want to know.   You were so supportive when I couldn't find my favourite sweater(in February!!), and celebrated appropriately when it turned up.  Party on, people!

Life is all about the little things.   I love celebrating the fun little things: getting snail mail, having coffee with a friend, finding a long lost CD, reuniting two socks from the single sock basket,  and then posting it here...because I know my lads won't find it nearly as exciting as you did.   And it affirms other people in their absentmindedness that they're not alone....

So, Jannette, I found it...and I  KNOW you would come to said party!

Here's The Thing....

Please....don't be too impressed by the fact that I run.    If I defined what my "running" actually is....and why I run????  You'd move right along.

I turned 40 once.   If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Maybe it already happened to you. My Mom told me a long time ago that my metabolism would slow down when I turned 40.   Truer words were never spoken.    I was faced with a dilemma.  Stop eating chips OR start an exercise program.

The people who live here don't really go to the gym, unless they have a free membership. At our house, the exercise program is called "Ray's gym": You put on your runners and get out there.   BUT I can't run...(perhaps you correctly detect a bit of a whine in there....)  

And then I discovered "Couch to 5K in 8weeks".    The Couch was my starting point...that's where I eat chips.    5K didn't sound like a marathon.   And 8 weeks sounded like something I could stick to...it's not going take forever.   It didn't TAKE forever, but neither did it LAST forever.     I had to take some time off because I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder.    I stayed off.    And kept eating chips.

I was faced with the same dilemma: Stop eating chips or start running again.    A friend of mine announced that he was running 4K per day.   I was so impressed!!!!  And I was moved to start running again.    That was two weeks ago.    Today, I'm running 3's and 1's.   Run 3 minutes, and walk 1 minute....for 20 minutes...and in my case 3K.     In the grand scheme of things...that's REALLY slow. 

The important thing is....I can eat chips again!

Just Breathe

The other day I read a blog post somewhere about the unconscious activity of breathing.   Tampering with such a  natural process, and becoming conscious of it, can wreak havoc.    I was thinking of this the other day when I was running.    I use rhythmic breathing when I run...it helps to stave of the panic that I will run out of breath.   4 counts in, and 4 counts out, 4 counts in, 4 counts out.....and although my body screams for air, I stick to the rhythm knowing that I will quiet the scream with the next breath.   You can focus on the rhythm or you can focus on the panic.   

I cannot hold my breath and run.  I can possibly walk, and maybe do some work, but I can't run. Life is just like that. When I hold my breath, do I do that consciously or unconsciously?   How can the Spirit breathe into me when I'm holding my breath?  How can He move through me, when I'm not moving?  Some days I'm are stuck.  It happens.  You're waiting for something to come to pass.  You can't hear your song over the chaos.

When the situation in front of you has you contemplating your next breath, you know it's time to focus on something else.    And then I read "Trust Me and refuse to worry...for I am your Strength and Song."  Even on a tough day...you have to keep breathing.    The Song will come back, He never left!!  You just have to adjust your focus, in my case...that would be the eyes of my heart.   

If you are a praying people, now would be good!

This is where I run...

And then on my way home from an errand....this song comes on.    

I Don't Juggle Well

I had planned to write a brilliant post about rediscovering some favourite CD's for "On the TurnTable Today"....but ....

Instead,   I have had the most incredible case dropping things today.     First, I was on my way into the house, juggling my water bottle, keys and purse in one hand.   Somehow I ended up clutching just the lid of my  Nalgene bottle while the contents spilled into my purse.    Nice.

Then...a short while later....I took a mug of soup out of the fridge, bumped it on the open door of the microwave and it fell...inexplicably....and splatted half inside the microwave and half underneath.     I don't think I could have spilled more spectacularly....seriously! 

(Right now I'm listening to Gino...I can't even remember the other 4 discs.)

My Beautiful Square

I wouldn't want anyone to get the idea that I am unhappy living where I am.    The sheer volume of blog posts on Wabakimi might lead you to believe this...but like a sponge soaks everything up...it also needs to be wrung out from time to time so it can continue to function properly.  I'm all squeezed out now ;)

There is so much beauty in the everyday things around us, if we only look.    Sometimes we are looking down, focusing intently on something right in front of us...a task, a problem, a burden, and we can easily forget to look up.    And there it is...even when the extent of your sky is the little square above you....dramatic beauty presents itself everyday. When a cloud moves in front of the sun, the light still shines powerfully.  Isn't life just like that too?

Ray and I were staining the garage when these clouds moved in front of the sun.  We always seem to leave that task for the fall and then we run into the overnight temperatures being too cold for the stain to dry properly.  It usually ends up taking quite a while, but there's only one wall left to do....the side with the peak.

Occasionally we find ourselves on the road.  On Sunday we went to Chatham and had a great time visiting with Ray's family.  The Monarchs and friends were doing their thing. 

On Monday we headed out to Toronto to take in a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre.   A good time was had by all... most of the time!   The roof was retracted half way through the game giving us a clear view of the CN Tower. The Jays beat the Rangers and Joe entertained us all the way back up to Yorkdale station by doing chinups and such on the subway...it's how he maintains his lean physique. Craig...was mortified and sat with a different family.




Today is their first day of sharing a 45 minute bus ride to school and back home again,  everyday for the rest of the school year.    With yesterdays prelude, I'm wondering how that's going right about now.

Lasting Glances

I could write a blog post about the memories that each one of these pictures represents:my Dad's hanky, the last red Smartie, Jerry's SPOT, the frog and my Holeys, Timmy's turkey club, the flag and seeing the "true North strong and free"....

I decided it's okay to have 22 pictures in my Top 10.   It was just that kind of trip.  The best part? Hands down.... going with my best friend and sharing all the initial excitement and moments first hand!  It was amazing in so many ways, but it's time to put 'er to bed.

Maybe someday, you and I might find ourselves in front of a computer screen together and I'll tell you every single story.

Thanks for coming along!!!!   Over and out...for now.