Nature Time

Today is Arbor day and Wednesday was Earth day - And this crazy time we're living in has been good for the earth. And it's been good for me.

I've spent a lot of time outside trying to reclaim my yard. We have a 1/4 acre of what we've lovingly always referred to as controlled over growth. And then my husband got sick and couldn't work it. Now it's just overgrowth. Well I want it back.

If you look at the whole thing, it's so overwhelming. We started last year with help from our grandson, our neighbors, and some great high school students. They helped clear out the berries and some of the bamboo. But this year, some of those berries thought they were coming back. Ha!

National Dandelion Day - Make a Wish

Today is National Dandelion day. It's supposed to be a day to educate people on the qualities of these bright flowers outside the scope of lawn weeds. They are edible, full of vitamins and minerals - and have medicinal properties too. But when I see a dandelion, especially when it's gone to seed, I see a wish. A childhood memory. Something that goes far deeper than vitamins.

These unpredictable times of what our futures will hold and what each day will bring, it is more important than ever to hold on to some magic. 

I've been using this time in captivity to clean some things around the house. get caught up on my blogs and to reflect on what I want from the rest of my life. There are so many things I could choose. I want to retire soon - I want to write a book - I want to take more time for myself. And more than anything, I want to remember that anything is possible. That family is everything. And that life is what we make of it.

So grab yourself a dandelion today. Make a wish - then believe in the magic and make it happen.

Have a lovely day.

Are We Living in a Suspense Novel? COVID-19 and Life as We Know it.

It's pretty scary times right now. The world is shutting down and many are dying. So many people don't seem to want to take it seriously. "It's just the flu". My friend in Italy, two weeks ago said just that. He's changed his thinking now. This is a very dark time in our history.

Who is Marie Kondo (a late exploration of the concept)

Who remembers Marie Kondo? I kept hearing about this woman and her "organizing method". I haven't heard much lately, but I decided to look her up.

The KonMari method of organizing looks at categories, not rooms. Hmmm.

I'm intrigued. I'm working on some organizing right now. So I decided to, finally, see what this is all about.

What is Valentine's Day

I remember as a kid, I loved Valentine's day. At school we made special boxes and everyone brought Valentine's for their classmates. But even then, there was an air of "I have someone and you don't". Remember the boy you had a crush on? He gave the snooty girl in class the best Valentine and the candy heart that said, "love" and "love bug", and you got the one that was blank? I remember that. It sort of hurt.

As an adult, my husband and I have had fun with the day. But never, ever did we expect diamonds or rolexes. And we always show each other we care in many different ways every day. Our anniversary was that special day to celebrate our love. 

It's Oscar Night!

Tonight is the 92cnd Academy Awards show! 

I remember as a kid watching the awards show with my mom. We got our TV trays and our TV dinner and loved to see what the celebrities were wearing and make our predictions of who would win and who wouldn't.

I was obsessed with old movies and the glamour of the night. I went to the library and scoured books, collected pictures -

and the night of the awards was full of excitement!

Times were different then. Celebrities flaunted their beauty and style

Spouses Day

After re-reading my last post, it seems appropriate that today is spouse's day.

My husband started to get sick on Christmas Eve and continued to go downhill until January 13. We were in the emergency room, urgent care, getting EKGs and multiple lab tests. He was so bad he could barely tie his shoes.

Now let me give you a little history on my spouse - the love of my life. He has been a functioning alcoholic for many years. He knew his health was at risk but all the tests on his liver showed minimal damage. What he didn't want to hear was other organs are being damaged as well - including his brain.