Day 32

Communication. Navigation through oral, visual and virtual vehicles can be complex and difficult.  Add in the ego and attempt to place our own ideas upon others further complicates things. Yet, every once in a while, we get it right. Usually this happens when we first listen, then think and then speak. I am learning this habit, but constantly need to remind myself of the steps in this process. Today, though, I had success when listening first to my husband, then thinking about what he had said and then responding. One less argument, one more bridge gaped.

Day 31

Friday Night Meals. For many families, Friday nights are pizza nights. For me, they are a little something more. As my husband is often away during the weekdays, they are the first night of the week when we, as a family, get to sit down and enjoy a meal together. Tonight, I have made pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, a green salad and a Best Darn Cake (pineapple, pecan cake with a cream cheese icing) all from scratch. To me, this simple country meal is a celebratory meal which will not only fill our stomachs but renew our spirits as we partake together. (And by the way, the secret to a great potato salad is lots of fresh dill.)

Day 30

Spring Cleaning. I love when the first warm Spring day appears and I can open a window or two and begin to air out the house after a long, cold winter. That first burst of fresh air always inspires me to begin my Spring cleaning. I start one room at a time, moving the furniture, dusting the cobwebs, polishing the old wood on the antiques, vacuuming and cleaning the windows. Of course, it doesn't last as the children shuffle in in their muddy shoes and the cat sheds her winter coat, but  I do love the feel of the house when it has had it's first Spring cleaning. Life renewed. Isn't it a wonderful?

Week Five Paintings

Pineapple Explosion!

Day 29

Anthropomorphism - an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics. Examples: The flower sadly wilted without the benefit of rain or sun. The woman placed the vase upon the mantle and it radiated the warmth of the room around it. Each night I cried as I imagined the poor animal shivering in the cold. (and so on... you get the idea.) In summary, I could no longer stand the idea of the homeless cat, so back into the bathtub it went today and is now purring happily in the extra bedroom upstairs. Silverbell, our first stray, is menacingly stalking the door in hopes of challenging this newcomer's position. And I am hoping we will be able to whether the allergies and asthma which may come in the future. Mom and Uncle Gene- thanks so much for offering to help support this new endeavor. I love you guys!
 
By the way, I really like this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUa2v1jc70Q

Day 28

Yes! Today I made it my mission to omit the word  "--"  and just say the opposite - YES!  It started out simply enough with the realization that I say the word "--" too often. In fact, my world and, in turn, my children's world is filled with the word "--". Because of this, undue stress is often self-inflicted upon our lives and so I thought, why not try something different. I will be honest. It was not  easy to do, but as the day wore on, it got easier. Examples of this include: Can we each have something different for lunch? Yes! Can we help you wash the cat? Yes! Can we ride our bikes? Yes! In the mud? N.... Uh ... (scramble) I would prefer you ride on the macadam! (Smile) (Macadam?) And so the day continued with the culmination at dinner time at my Mom's house, when my son asked me, "Mom, can I sleep here tonight?" "What?????" "Mom, I can sleep at Nana's house." "You mean you don't want to come home with Mommy?" "No." "Okay- yes." Hmmm? Wasn't everyone supposed to be in on this?

Day 27

Spring in the air and snow on the ground. What a strange sight this is to behold! My, how I wonder at the world in which we live when I can see the green stems of my plants peeping out from underneath the snow while the birds chirp and the warm sun beats down upon my brow. How nice it is to know that the snow will not stay but simply melt away and in another day, Spring will truly return.

Day 26

When I am old, I shall wear purple ... or so the poem by Jenny Joseph goes. Personally, most days I prefer black. Although when I am of the age of which Joseph writes, I may exercise the right to reconsider. Today, though, when there is hail in the air, the clouds are heavy with gray swirls and the winds carries a chill, I opt for turquoise to remind me of the sea which is deep and the sky which is unfathomable. Choose your colors well and stick not with those that carry heaviness, but with those which reflect the Spring in your heart.

Leaving a Comment

For those that have desperately tried to leave a post and have been unsuccessful, I apologize. It is a formidable task trying to understand the nuances of this program. Now, however, I have fixed the glitch and you should be able post following these simple directions:

1. Click on No Comments
2. Add your Comment to the Box
3. Choose your Profile Style (Use google if you have gmail)
4. You will be directed to Sign into your google account (gmail)
5. Choose a Blogger Profile (option #2) unless you use Google + and click enter
6. Choose a Display Name
Then, you will be redirected back to the blog where, hopefully, your comment will appear. - Sorry this is so complicated.

I look forward to communing with you ... someone ... anyone?