Serene Sunday Morning

Wow. And just like that, it’s back to whatever normal is. Some things remain the same, many don’t. The Babe is working on the books at the VFW, and I’m thinking about what to discuss today. How do I do that? Life gives me many ideas. Sometimes not. The news gives me some, and many times, I decide from a daily meditation book for Adult Children of Alcoholics. None of those are sparking creative thoughts today. I refuse to call it writer’s block.

Right now, I’m watching CBS News Sunday Morning. I don’t watch it for the news part. I watch it for the featured stories. Today, those included the life and legacy of Buster Keaton, the Baltimore Museum of Art, transgender athletes, and a Russian Oligarch.

I’m one geek who would gasp in awe at the geodes, minerals, and other colorful, shiny objects on display. God created so many wonders in the world. He fashioned so much detail in all the parts of nature. We have such gorgeous surroundings many people never see. How many of us sleep-walk through life, never seeing the obvious, which is right in front of our faces.

Look around you today. What is within ten feet of you? How much life is scurrying about? You may have bugs you’ve never noticed before all around you, coming to life after the winter. Looking right down to the base of the dead flowers, you see new life beginning. Many perennials look like goners right now. Patience, Grasshopper! We need to appreciate all forms of life more.

One form of entertainment you don’t see too much anymore is that of the comedy of pantomime or silent movies. People like the comedic genius of Buster Keaton. His timing, his022, forever straight face, it just makes everything even more funny. Find him on YouTube. You’ll see things like a fake scenery side of a house fall over, and it falls around him standing there. An open window or door is always in place where he is standing. It’s used in many, many movies, tv shows, etc. Young kids may mistakenly think this is new, but it is not. It’s over 100 years old!

As we near the end of another month, the first quarter of 2022, reflect on how aware you are of your surroundings. Do you notice minute things? Slight changes go right by you? Maybe they don’t. Good for you if you notice everything. It’s a learned skill. What do you want to learn this year? Keep you eyes open. You’ll be amazed at what you see. Thank you for reading, let’s see each other tomorrow.

Spring-y Saturday

Today is the first day of Spring. Ah, yes, I believe we will make it now. Grandson Gavin is attending his first outdoor baseball practice today. I hope and pray we are able to attend his games this year. COVID has taken a lot from us. But, grass is greening up, allergies beginning, we know it’s Spring in Nebraska. During those spring days we can experience lots of weather changes. You can go from 60 degrees and calm to a real snow-dumping blizzard in 24 hours. Some of the bigger ones happen in April, and even in May. It never lasts very long, though. You won’t hear me complain, though. It’ll pass.

Gavin and his Dad, TJ. Two of my favorite guys! Outdoor Baseball Practice Begins TODAY!

One thing I’ve learned in my years on the planet, is things will always get better; and things could always be worse. Is it a glass half empty philosophy? No, I prefer to think it’s realistic. Just as spring always follows winter in nature, in our human lives take us from bad situations, to healing, even to gaining precious insights of all we’ve endured. New life replaces death. Growth expands a life, a soul, a mind. Gratitude and Attitude are everything.

My header photo today is a quilt I made, and the beautiful flower statue was a gift from my kids, Frankie, Nick, and Becky. It was from the times they were all still at home, the boys were working after school, and they pooled their resources and bought a series of these sculptures for me. I will treasure them forever. They pointed out to me they had human fingerprints on the petals; the Italian artist who created these was very precise. He made molds to hold the porcelain, and they bear his fingerprints. What a neat thing!

The Carpodimonte method goes back to the 1700 in Naples, Italy. They’re beautiful. I smile when I think of those kids spending their hard-earned money on me like that. They bought them from QVC, and were so proud. Good Times!

Life has so many passages for us to navigate. We are not meant to stay in one spot. Early death happens when people are too afraid to embrace the next stage of life. You cannot remain rooted in your past, it’s not a place to remain living. Memories are great, but your spirit is a living organism, it introduces every new spring to your soul. Your soul is where you discover new things and grow! Choose Springtime. Choose Creativity. Choose Life!

I love reading to little kids. I get all into the character’s voices, and sometimes the Grandkid’s look at me while I do the voices. They love it! I do too! I dream of having a book launch and be able to read to children. I’ll have get some people with toddlers and little ones. It would be so fun for me! And for them! I am thinking of having a pen name for my Kid-Lit, “Grandma Kathy.” What do you all think? I can add a page to the website for her, and one for “Jewell Publishing LLC.” Comments, please!

Many thanks to my friend, Billy McGuigan, the King of “Stuff We’ve Never Done Before.” I’m going to build my brand(s) all on one website. Just because no one’s ever done it, doesn’t mean it won’t work! Right, Billy? Your encouragement and Kate Whitecotton’s is so encouraging. I appreciate it so much! Folks, don’t forget about Billy’s new solo album, “Together.” The stories are rich. They’re real. They’re about love, moving on, uniting as a family in tough times, and all the stuff dreams are made of. They’re about living in a pandemic. The creativity soars. It’s a cure for COVID blues. Also, check out McGuigan Arts Academy. There are opportunities galore for your kids during school breaks and vacations. All COVID-safe, Socially Distanced.

Thanks for reading today. Get outside. Get some fresh air. Get moving. Shake up your routine today. Do something new. Listen to some good music along the way. Call an old friend. Call an elder in your family. Be Kind. Be Courteous. Be Thoughtful. The world will smile back at you. See you tomorrow, my friends.

Super Saturday!

As you can see, Goldie is conked out. It’s 10:05 a.m., CST and we’ve played catch three times already. I gave her the toy she forgot about, and she laid down in my office studio here at Raabe Ranch. Can you see the little squirrel underneath her? I wonder if the little guy is afraid? It just looks funny. She loves squeaking her toys. It’s funny when she does it over and over again.

Our VFW Post is enjoying great success with their new endeavor, Fish Fry Fridays during Lent. Many established events are cancelled this year, so we are seeing many people we’ve not met before. We can have members and guests, and guests sign in and out. It’s neat to see people enjoying themselves over a meal.

It was an nice surprise when my cousin Mike and his wife Mary entered the building. Mike noticed Dan and then me, and hugs and love were exchanged. They sat with us and we visited over may subjects, recalling our grandparents, his parents, and all sorts of things. It was a gift to start the weekend. When I see them, I just feel the love they have for each other and their family. Makes my heart happy. Thanks, Mike and Mary!

With that good feeling in my heart, I’m feeling some energy this morning. I have a few areas of clutter I need to clear once and for all. It will happen today, I’ve made my mind up. I think everyone has at least one place stuff collects. You may even discover some old new treasures along the way. I’ll let you know if I find anything fun.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

This is a perfect day for Spring Fever to start. There are a couple green things in the garden by the patio. I intend to spend more time with the flowers this spring and summer. I miss not having tulips, peonies, and even a couple lily plants here and there. I’ve discovered that while putting rock down is easier than mulch, it’s harder for me to weed and tend to the flowers. Of course, when you add in the fact both my knees are achy (the shots wore off in February).

Photo by fotografierende on Pexels.com

I’ve had some beautiful garden areas in the three houses I’ve lived in over the last 25 years. After a really bad breakup once, I dug up a lot of my yard to plant a new garden. It worked off the frustration and hurt. When I planted over 100 tulips that fall, I didn’t realize I’d be nearly bedridden in December. I had a benign tumor in my spinal canal, and had to do some intensive rehab to be able to walk again, and protect my now fragile spine. In the meantime, I met the Babe, and became very happy, feeling I could do anything. A healthy relationship does wonders for a girl. Or guy.

I’m not a big cry-er. It takes monumental things to make me cry. That spring, when those tulips all bloomed, I broke down and cried. For a long time. All the emotions bottled up inside of me The Babe hugged me until I felt better. It was just that I didn’t realize I would see those tulips bloom. After what I’d been through, I think it was God telling me, “It’s going to be all right.” And it was.

It’s time to take pen and paper and make a list of everything we’re needing to do. It’s a start. We’ll take frequent breaks, for sure. We may not be as quick as we used to be, but we’ll enjoy the day while we’re working. Hope you have a beautiful day. Thank you for reading, it’s appreciated! Be Safe out there, and I’ll see you tomorrow! I have a squirrel rave to tend to. Thanks, Goldie!

A Squirrel Rave! Thanks, Goldie!