What We See Matters
My two oldest grandsons still talk and laugh about the times when Papa and I took them to the “red neck yacht club” in Oklahoma, Papa and I never gave them the “lifestyle of the rich and famous”. We gave them true grit, real outdoor living combined with the best fishing and roaring campfires and…
The Blessings of Sunshine and Showers
April and May showers have continued to bring us such beautiful, cooler temperatures here in Austin. I stepped out to my car and my friend’s delightful, playful, and friendly Labradoodle, Magellan, came bouncing (literally) to me. He was off his leash and he sees me. It’s like he’s taken a sunshine pill. He starts running…
Surprise!
I wasn’t a gal who liked surprises. I was the gal who prided herself in knowing what all my presents were under the Christmas tree. I did a good job of unwrapping and wrapping them back up again. I’m not proud about that conniving reveal about myself. On my 50th birthday, my precious and adoring…
Feeling a Little Anxious Today?
My sweet granddaughter from Frisco, Alexia, stayed over a couple of extra days when the whole family came up last weekend. We had such special girl-time together. I scored when she, who is her own style with the combat boots trend she loves to wear, let me find a girly-girl dress for her to try…
Making the Plunge to Swim with the Sharks
Okay – that title is misleading. I would never make that plunge, but I did make the plunge to get out of my comfort zone to mingle with others, talk to others and find great new friends. I know it’s hard to believe, but I was a shy, timid introvert as I grew up. I…
Are Your Giants Too Much to Handle?
I’ve been there. I know how it feels when my circumstances are looming over me like a hulking, colossal GIANT who is fierce, beyond my capability and he is throwing every negative word of doubt and unbelief imaginable my way. He is taunting, harassing, smack talking and my faith is challenged like crazy. Maybe that…
Do You Feel Unnoticed?
The saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers”. But even before May, it seems they couldn’t wait to show off themselves in a blaze of glory when my family and I were driving through the Hill Country last Saturday. The bluebonnets were celebrating. I should have taken a photo of them, but I didn’t. As…
Still Celebrating Easter
Looking across the room to my TV stand, I see two framed photos. One, with all my children and grandchildren and me. The other is one of my husband and me. It’s a way of introducing my neighbors to my loves. My family was altogether over the weekend — well, except for my sweetheart in…
The Rewards of Simple Obedience
I read about a canine trainer, Tina Zimmerman, who serves wounded veterans and first responders by way of giving them fully trained, obedient dogs to assist them. The dogs learn discipline and obedience and truly become “man’s best friend”. I saw a video of Tina expressing the beautiful relationship between a loving handler and a…
Lord, Have Mercy
As sure as the sun rising in the east is me saying those words when I’ve broken something, said something I shouldn’t have, heard about devastation or someone’s plight. Those are my “go to” words without even thinking. I say those words often – particularly when I don’t have adequate words to say otherwise. “Lorrrd,…