June is here

Happenings:

• I turned 62. Nothing big, no fanfare or celebration
• I spent four days @ my sister's home about 50 miles North. It was nice to get away but after four days, I was ready to be back home. 
• That's the first time I've been anywhere in years (if you really count 50 miles North 'anywhere)
• I planted a garden on wheels w/veggies & herbs and copious amounts of flowers I saved from death at the store. Everything looks very nice.
• I decorated my porch in a red theme this year. I don't have visitors so I pretty much enjoy it alone.
• I've been working a lot of hours because I don't really have anything else to do.
• I still miss my son deeper than words can say. Grief if never-ending.
• Even though I don't miss Dwayne, the thought that he died here alone while waiting on the ambulance during his heart attack hit me hard over the last couple of days. Heavy tears were shed.
• I still have my guy friend I talk/or text w/daily. I haven't seen him in the flesh but a handful of times since October 2024. Another story for another day.
• I joined "Substack" but don't really like it. Lol. I don't like the idea of having to pay to read folks' thoughts. They're truly not important to me.
• My sister is really pushing for me to create a book and/or calendar w/my photos. I've been starting and not following thru for years. We'll see.
• Temps, humidity & dew point levels are to become unbearable over the next few days. I don't have my A/C's in my windows so I'm hoping not to be miserable for too much longer
• On my off day (Thursday), I try to 'date' myself. The local museum was nice recently.
• I haven't done anything more to the spare room that I was chomping at the bits to paint. I patched a couple of holes in the wall but that's it. I'll try to get on that very soon.
• Oh, I'm lonely.

"March"-ing On

Well, it seemed like January lasted for 75 days, February lasted 2 and now March is here. My town didn't get a lot of snow this Winter, but the temps were simply brutal. I can handle cold; that's what they make the 'big coat', lovely squishy warm scarves and cute gloves for. Folks complained like it was something new. 😖

I've been reading over @ "Substack" a lot lately and today I created a profile. I don't know how often I'll write over there since I love my space here and have had it for-ever. But I was moved by the positivity and community and felt like I wanted to be a part of it. Then the introverted part of myself told me to post here. My fave writer there (so far) is "Alex Elle" and she's created a challenge called "joy spotting." I think it's the coolest. I didn't commit to join in but the idea is novel. 

I've been off work for 3 consecutive days (forced vacay) and it's so nurturing. Days off are usually Thursday/Sunday so it's nice to wake up on my own, sit in the quiet (TV rarely gets turned on) and let my mind wander. I've been trying to give my place the love it doesn't get when I'm working and I definitely feel like it's giving me a hug back. 🤗

Here're some 'joy spots' from this morning.

New diffuser. Me & the plants love it.

Yes, it's crooked. Lol. I fixed it, but you need much more than love.

"The Coffee Station." Coffee sign is placemat from Dollar Tree.

I don't know why I love things that SAY what they are.

Seeeee???????

Love how the rising sun lights up 'the jungle.' So do they.

Forgot I had this. Putting it to work.

I hope you find your spots of joy daily and embrace them. Gratitude is an amazing feeling.

Until next time ... 💋

Three Hundred Sixty-Three Days

 

"Did you ever know that you're my hero?"

As surreal as it still seems, my son has been gone from Earth for 2 days short of a year today. 

Time has soften the blow but the wind can still be knocked from my sails at any moment, at any time. I let myself roll w/the tide when it comes, letting myself cry until I'm short of breath w/a blinding headache. 

Then once it passes, I always thank God for his Master Plan, for taking away all suffering and for blessing me by letting me 'borrow' this sweet soul for 36 years. He changed my life in ways that are too numerous to count. I always like to say he raised me instead of me raising him. So much truth to that.

My usual day off is Thursday, but this week it (ironically) falls on Wednesday, the 4th, which is the day James took Jesus' hand and off to Heaven they went. It's been hard to kick memories of him leaving me and how bad it was, but my heart has learned to 'be still' & know that God orchestrates all things for the good. I know James is in a wonderful place, doing wonderful things and is filled w/happiness & joy & that pretty much gets me thru each day.

So, on that note, I don't know how I will honor my love 2 days from now. But whatever it is, it will be done with love.

Thanks for reading.

Glory In the Humdrum

Fall is here.

Happiness is a tiny waffle maker

Nerve-soothing "Sha-mo-lee" (as a friend calls it. Lol)

Glow on the Mantle, plus one of my girls

The Choleus on the patio continues to grow huge in the Fall air

Throws are mandatory ('always happy/everything happy')

On the line/in the wind. No better smell, ever.

Breakfast, courtesy of the tiny waffle maker 😋

Besides twinkle lights, tea candles are my 2nd love

"A Perfect Stranger" This is my girl, "Charlie" I met in the park on a photo walk.

I'm in love. She's so beautiful

Just one of the Hibiscus that continues to give me love

"Temu" is like crack. Lol. So many cool things. "Let It Be" is my go-to

I'm a Mum hoarder as opposed to letting die @ the store because  of lack of water 😠

I think everyone should always have posies in a vase for smiling purposes

"Enjoy whatever season you are in. There will be hard seasons, quiet seasons, turbulent seasons. Let God carry you through, ride on the wings of the Eagle. Seek, observe, listen and be grateful to God for all things. In Jesus name I pray, Amen"

In this season, I struggle to find joy. I found this prayer and it lifted my heart, reminding me to count my blessing, which are TOO numerous to actually count. Even thru the times when sit alone in the quiet, nap to escape, neglect self-care, I still need to fight the fog to find joy. The pictures above, alone, are just small reminders of how good life really is. And I am thankful. 

Happy May!

 

$9 bucks; put together in 5 minutes. Awesome stained glass.

The porch is "open." 

Hey. I'm welcoming all the blooms of flowers & trees everywhere in this fresh Season. I even re-seeded and planted grass for over 1/2 of my yard where the roofers left a buncha crap that killed the grass. You can see the straw I spread quickly. The  birds were acting like they were @ Golden Corral resty. It's growing like wildfire w/the temps, rain & humidity. Shout out to lawn guy, Jason, for totally tilling the ground. I was just gonna use a rake. Lol. Yay, me. 💪

Why is everything more cute when it announces its content?

Who says your 'grease can' has to be ugly? Lol.

This was a 'too cute - must have' until I found the one above that actually said "Honey"

Now, what to do? 😟

Filled w/my favorite

Thanks, Temu. 

The 'New Spring'

I napped thru the storm that brought on the fabulous rainbow. The last 2 pix are after the 'bow' passed. If you didn't see it, you'd never know it happened. 

This Spring is new for obvious reasons. It has a calm, quiet vibe to it that I've longed for but never thought would happen any time soon. We basically had no winter so everything is bursting out w/a vengeance, giving my sinuses royal hell. I'm still changing things; happy w/the bathroom going black/white & minimal. One room @ a time. I'm still trying to process .... life.

Amazing assembled while drinking wine

For the love of trees, the scheme became black/white