My Alma Mater

 What a great weekend. Slow, not too hot, a nice breeze, grilling, high school car washes, relaxing on my part w/card making & some reading. The Hall of Fame Kick Off Community Parade was today; son, me & mom never miss it. It's a tradition before the "big" Hall of Fame Parade next Saturday when the football players are inducted into the Hall of Fame, then they ride in the parade. It's a pretty big deal here in football town. It's almost surreal to see them 2 feet away from you riding on the back of a convertible. Sweet.

I picked up THREE more books at the library book sale. Why? Because I need another book like I need another eye. Lol. It's official - I'm addicted. I just bough the 3 from Amazon, Jesus Calling from Walmart, now these 3 in less than 3 weeks.

I found Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. I know it's years old, but I never read it & it was only a buck, so what's to lose? This copy was definitely well loved; it's FULL of highlights, underlines, marginal notes. The best.

The "Human Flag". Toss your spare change onto the flag.

Elizabeth Berg's Home Safe is another. I have always loved her books. So 'homey', real & honest. I've listened to a couple of hers on audio while driving to work. Love.

Lastly, Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins. A woman becomes VERY rich in a divorce settlement & buys and old town that used to be a 'slave town.' Even though it's a very sad, dark period of time, I love reading about slavery, while my heart aches.

There were a TON of Queens & Princesses. More than enough.. Lol.

One of our many churches, St. John's. It's magnificent.

Shot out my bathroom window. Hall of Fame Kickoff.

I'm over a mile away from downtown. Not bad, huh? :-)

Pictures by: me ;-}

My joy

Tall, handsome & beautifully autistic

This is my son, James. He is my joy because:

• he sees the goodness in everything
• he sees the bright side of everything
• he is honest (painfully - LOL)
• he only wants to please
• he only wants to be part of the team
• he brings happiness to whoever is around him
• he has a child-like vision of the world
• Matthew 18:3: And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
• he is so going to heaven
• he is most polite
• he is most kind
• he is most gentle
• he is always forgiving
• he is always willing to help
• he is always most happy, and when he's not, you have to really dig to find out why
• he made me really grow up immediately at the age of 24 when he was born
• he changed my world view
• he changed my behavior
• he made me let go of any poor thoughts I had of his father, my ex-husband, even though he has no memory of who his father is
• he keeps me even keeled
• he's accepting, even though he may be dissappointed
• he encourages me to buy him things, only because he never asks for anything. But Skittles
•  he thinks every day is a beautiful day & says so every morning
• when I slip a curse word or 2 (or 12), he tells me "it's inappropriate"
• don't let this serious face fool you - he has a smile as big as the sun
• he is unconditional love

Thanks, God. :-)

Picture by: me

Nature Sings

 How about these guys, huh? This was @ the Children's Garden at the park near my house. I love that section of the park; it makes me wish I had a little one so I could see it through their eyes.

But instead I saw it through my own eyes. Kinda like a child's. :-)

 Pictures by: me :-)

In my solitude...

My treat to myself.

We live in a very tense society.  We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude.  ~Helen Hayes




Picture by: me :-)

Choose Joy

"God, life is full of complexities, struggles, and hardships. It is very easy to become blinded to the good when the bad is all around. But today, I am making a choice to pursue Your presence more passionately and persistently, so that my joy will be full and my life complete. Thank You for reminding me that You are all I will ever need to live abundantly, richly, and joyfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen"

A perfectly patient Monarch

Sunset after a very long day

Pictures by: me

Wilted...

Let it go...

 Saying hello from the scorching Big OH. The temp. is 100, yet feels like 106. It has never been this hot in HOF (Hall of Fame) town, ever. I would go on and on, but why bother. We all know what it's like to be hot. Lol.

I treated myself to some bubbles @ the Dollar Tree today. So damn hot, it was all I could do to blow a couple, then I was done. Even though I was in the shade. Whew!

"D" got promoted this past week. Big congrats to him. He wants to shine. He is a good manager, yet so military. The Army will always be in him. Even all the way down to his clothes. I'll just say starch is a constant must in the house. His clothes could stand in the corner on their own. Lol.

Treat yourself...

I got 3 books from Amazon for $12 & that was only for shipping! The books literally cost $.01. I truly need a wall of built in book shelves. "Letters to My Daughter", "The Welcome Table", & "Dori Sanders Country Cooking". Firstly, I love Maya Angelou's words so her words of wisdom to the daughter she never had, yet we are all her daughters, is amazing. With both writers; I like hearing stories behind their recipes. D. Sanders wrote 2 other books (Clover & Her Own Place) & works the family roadside peach stand. How cool IS that? She completely rocks.

Touch the water

I happened upon this little lake in the middle of walking trails near work. I couldn't believe how green/blue the water was. Picnic tables were around, but I didn't feel comfortable so isolated so deep in the woods alone. Plus it was hot.

Blessings & cool temps to you.