Looky, Looky, May Is Here!

May means many things to many people.  Folks celebrate birthdays, Mother's Day, Memorial Day and the many simple joys the spring season offers.

May comes with a full load of 31 days for you to fill with work, play and everything in between.   

I'd like to wish a very Happy Birthday to those on my list of May birthdays.

Natasha is a friend I've enjoyed since I started blogging. 
Jeanne and I have been friends for many, many years.
My sweet friend, Stephanie, worked with me until she became a mother.
My Aunt Marcie is in her nineties and still beautiful.

Don't you just love this flower watercolor?

Mother's Day, on the 8th, is early in the month this year.   

I adore this cute painting.  Do you remember May Day and running with May baskets to neighbors' porches, ringing the doorbell and sneaking away?  What simple fun that was! 

May I add another idea?  "Kick them off and wiggle your toes."

I Ain't No Dumbbell!!!!!

After work today, I drove to NorthPointe to workout.  I pulled into a parking space, changed my mind about working out and pulled out of the parking space. 

Of course, since I avoided working out, I didn't even touch a dumbbell today, but I sure felt like one!!!!  Although, I immediately shook that feeling off.  It's finally sunny and warm today here in Wisconsin, too nice to be inside.  Looking back on my change of plans, I'm applauding myself.

I HOPE YOU'RE ALSO BLESSED WITH SUNSHINE TODAY OR WILL BE SOMEDAY VERY SOON    

How Are You?

This blog post is here just because.  Just because I appreciate you and would like to know how you're doing.   

It's Easy; It's Easter

 Are you celebrating Easter and the joy of resurrection?  Christ is risen and the beauty of new beginnings is evident in all of nature.


May every breath you take today be a in celebration of THE RESURRECTION.  May we all begin anew in our commitments to follow Christ's example.

EASTER IS INDEED EASY FOR US BECAUSE CHRIST DID THE HARD WORK



What You Are...

I read the book The Hours by Michael Cunningham.  I copied the sentence above on this piece of paper and it sits beside my laptop.

It's a wonderful reminder to me that being alive is amazing in itself.  Everything else is less significant.  I'm comforted by the message wrapped up in these few words.

I plan to take more time focusing on simply being alive with no thoughts of the future or the past.  It'll be a challenge but I believe I'm ready.

How about you?  Do you pause and let yourself simply inhale and exhale, oblivious to everyday stress? 

Come and Get It

We're having a rummage sale this weekend.  It's rainy and 38 degrees but we had quite a few shoppers already.  We didn't advertise, instead we put up signs on the busy intersections directing people to our garage.

I don't enjoy the setting up process but it's fun when people start to come.  Compared to the patients who come to the dental office, rummagers are in a much better state of mind.  I get a kick out of shooting the breeze with those who are browsing through our stuff.
  
We'll probably have the sale again later in the month when the city wide rummage sale is scheduled.  I know we'll continually clear out our closets, cupboards and basement as the days go by.  I like having plenty of time to decide whether I want to part with my possessions.  

I LOVE having more room in my closets and drawers.  I feel more in control when I'm not overwhelmed with an abundance of stuff I'm not even using.  

Well, I guess I'll go take another run through of the house and perhaps I'll add some things to the sale that will be just what someone else needs.

Update:  It's 6:00PM on Sunday.  We've been selling stuff since 8:30 yesterday with rain, snow and sleet, although today it's sunny but cool.  We made around $190 so far.  Not bad, huh?       

I Sense We're Blessed

My dear friend, Sarie, gifted me with this lovely book.

I turned the page and found this treasure.

Although leaves like these won't be present for several months, this photo displays the beauty of nature evident in autumn. 

Do we appreciate "the heavens, nature and God" as much as Anne Frank did?  Let's follow her fine example.  It really shouldn't be difficult for us since we are blessed with senses she never had.  I'd venture to say that Anne Frank had much more sense than all of us put together!  Do you agree?

(See my previous post for three enlightening books I highly recommend). 

Three Enlightening Books

I've read three enlightening books recently.  Actually, I haven't finished Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay.  The other two books are Little Bee by Chris Cleave and The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

If you want light reading, these books aren't for you.  Every one of these books tells a story of the horror that humans have carried out against other human beings.  I think we need to know and we need to remember even when the memories are painful.  

All of these books are extremely well-written.  I recommend them to all of you.  In spite of the emotionally shocking elements, I'm quite certain you'll be glad you invested your reading time in them.         

Nature Is Back From Her Winter Vacation



As I was doing yard work yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by this colorful display along the south side of our house.  Lon told me these are wildflowers.  Seeing them prompted me to search for new growth in other places in our yard.   



I found several plantings with new growth hiding under stray leaves and bark chips.  I uncovered the tender green new beginnings and promised all of them that I'll revisit them again and again during the spring, summer and fall months. 

I know I'll be astounded over the next several days and weeks as nature goes to work with her inspirational touches, paint brush and color palette.

Ever Eat at The Crow's Nest?

The Crow's Nest restaurant can be found at several locations in the U.S.  We ate twice in March at the Venice, FL location.  We will definitely be going back there again and again during our vacations to Siesta Key.

I had the best walnut-crusted salmon and the best filet mignon I've ever devoured before and believe me, I devoured them shamelessly.

If you have the opportunity to dine at a Crow's Nest restaurant, please do.  I have a feeling that everything on their menu is deelish!!