Life's Loving Memories

  CHRISTMAS EVE "Maybe Christmas, he thought...Doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps...Means a little bit more! The True meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of 10 Grinches plus 2!" Dr. Suess Tis the day after Christmas Eve and all through my house Are the smell of the cookies that finally got baked. So off to the neighbors I walked in slow steps, and the neighbors were happy, and I was all done with the quest. Done... except for cleaning the dishes and pans that were thrown in the sink for this good little elf to sparkle and shine. Then off to the counter to make the mac and cheese and place in the oven at 375 degrees. I sat and drank coffee and nibbled some treats. And then what to my weary  eyes did appear, but the bird on the counter just waiting to take its breth taking bake. And now I sit here writing the blog that was meant to be written by yesterday's Eve. I hope you enjoy it, I and Hope your day brings, health, pe...

 THE HOLIDAY PEACOCK SHINES      "The message of the Christ is unconditional love, non-judgement, forgiveness, brotherhood, peace and oneness with God. Perhaps true Christianity is more of a lifestyle than it is any one particular religion."                                    --Dennis Merritt Jones What holiday memories from the past resonate in your mind? Going out on Christmas Eve to pick one of the last trees that was very inexpensive; ice skating with your siblings and coming home afterward for hot chocolate and popcorn; family feasting around the dining room table; feeling the happiness that came from giving and receiving; and the love that wove its way through the holidays.  This year Gary and I have a Holiday Peacock sitting on our patio, and a five foot Christmas tree sitting on the half-wall of our living room. Not everyone  had the same experience we have had...

 ON THE WINGS OF DECEMBER “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” –Hamilton Wright Mabie Gary and I are back from Thanksgiving in New Mexico. This is a shot of all the people who sat around the dinner table, and then took an hour's worth of pictures (sound familiar?). Now comes the time to start getting ready for Christmas. I think the general public started getting ready for the season in October, whereas most normal families are getting ready right now. Since our place is small, we have a Christmas peacock on our patio. Indoors we have a thin but tall tree (pictures to follow in my next blog). We all have our traditions around the holidays, homemade stuffing, cornbread, cranberry sauce, yams, and some kind of meat or meatless protein (many more vegetarians than there used to be). As I go to buy groceries or shopping centers I wish people "HappyHolidays", acknowledging that we are a collective of beliefs; we may call Spirit by many ...

Trees, Squirrels, and Family “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.” ―  C.S. Lewis  It's tightwalking time for squirrels again, those accurate paws, that furry, fluffy tail waving in the wind; all of those autumn indications that Turkey Day is lovingly looming around the corner.  A day for family and friends to get together for puzzle building, eating popcorns, and telling jokes that are alway way too pun-ish. (And please, no jokes about any of your family being squirrelly). This year is a great one for giving thanks. High points and low points; but still a great time to remember all our blessings. Wars may rage, and arguements over religion and politics may seem like they are taking center stage; but family, (some times the friends who are the family we choose), a roof over our heads and clean water to drink--these are among the many things to give thanks for. "Science of Mind teachses  us that we are all one, one with God...

GRATITUDE "A Positive shift in perspective...chosing prayer treatment instead of complaining." Life's Garden of Weekly Wisdom              --Sandra Lindsey Smith This is a picture of a rock I painted at our Center's end of summer/beginning of autumn Picnic. I an not that great at rock painting, but it was fun to try. The hardest part was painting the letters. I wracked my brain for the smallest word with the least letters and I came up with "Thanks" (after the fact I realized that "Peace" had fewer letters). Family and friends are important. Remember to  call, text, email-- or my personal favorite is to write to them and let them know how grateful I am to have them in my life. "Thank-you is the best prayer anyone could say."        --Alice Walker May you have many days to be thankful this year. Do you journal about gartitude? Try it, write down at least three things you are thankful for evry day for a month, year or for the res...

  H ALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN " Evil has o nly the power that we give it." — Ray Bradbury, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” What fun it is to dress up at Halloween. Being someone spookie, cuddley, a musician or a sports player takes some imagination and some thought. Being a teacher for some thirty years I always dressed up for Halloween. Perhaps my favorite costumes is when I dressed up like a musician from Queen. In fifth grade some friends and I dressed up like the adams family and when trick-or-treating as a group.  Today it is fun to decorate the house and have the neighbors over for hot cider. It is also fun to see the imagination that has been handed down to the kids of today. What analogy may we get from Halloween? Celebrating with others, sharing our creative talent, and remembering to take time to have fun! “ There are three things that I’ve learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.” — Linus, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Cha...

  PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS “Pumpkin dreams and cozy autumn scenes.” --Insta-Worth pumkin sayings Pumkins come in all sizes and colors. They live together in patches all over our continent. Such a variety, and they bring so much happiness to others. What a great analogy for life, living together in patches that work for everyone. Pumpkin pie, carmel apples, and family and friends to share it with. October is a wonderful month. Have you carved pumpkins At least one time in your life? By yourself or with many people, it usually brings such joy and laughter. Whether they are amusing, sad or extremely scary, the fun always bubbles over. "Sirituality is our choice. It is ours for the asking. We may have been raised in a religion that doesn't work for us but that doesn't mean we aren't spiritual; it means we haven't found the right fit. When you find that something special that does feel like home, you reap your spiritual harvest."    Sandra Lindsey Smith,  - -Li...