Miracles

Here's Your Sign

On a recent visit with my son's family, I noticed that Linley, my second grade granddaughter had posted a sign on her door. It featured an old-school peace sign fashioned similar to the 1958 campaign for nuclear disarmament where the lines represent a figure in despair with arms outstretched. She had colored it beautifully.

There was no doubt who the intended audience for the sign might be. It was stated plain and clear. I loved how she went from the broad and general to the specific and pointed. From:

No Boys!!!

Three exclamation marks to add to the importance of that statement. Then, an underlined specific:

No Busting in Brother.

This girl knows how to stress what is important.

A bit more explanation was in order. After all, there was space to define the term peace.

Peace is silence.

(I love that invented spelling is allowed.) Then, more information for the intended audience:

Harris now shhhhhhhhh now gooo!!

(I also love how she knows to add letters to show that she is extending a word out.)

I wonder if the sign works?!?

Today I noticed...The older I get, the less I argue.

The older I get, the less I argue and the more I silently judge.

Just 3 Things | #20

Somehow, somewhere along the way I clicked a box and now I get a daily email. I don't know where the offer came from. I don't know why I got it. I cannot figure it out. But, I'm glad I did it. 

I know.

Aren't you shocked at that? Most of the time all those first statements are followed by grumbling and grousing and asking for a way to make it go away. Most of the time there are complaints about the annoying spam email that clogs up the in-box. Most of the time something like that is a real pain in the you-know-where.

But not this time.

I'm actually really glad about it. If you are a Kindle user, I recommend that you simply do a web search for Kindle Daily Deals or Top Kindle Deals or something of that nature and see if you are led to a page where there are a list of discounted titles. These are not titles that you would never in a million years pick out even if you knew you were going to be stranded and terribly bored and desperate for something to read either. These are some really good reads.

There's fiction and non-fiction and science fiction and historical fiction and biographies and comics and cookbooks and children's titles and...well, I think you get the idea. There are usually multiple titles that are priced at $1.99. Y'all, that's less than two dollars. Those are thrift store book prices and yard sale hardback prices. Some of the titles are priced higher than that, of course, but are still a deal. I mean DEALS are to be had. 

When I was poking around and trying to figure out how I could recommend that you join this mailing list, but couldn't figure it out, I did notice that there is also an option to choose Print Books. So, if that is your preference, there is that option. At a glance, I didn't notice any listed at the low prices of eBooks but, then again, there is a cost for paper and covers and ink and publishing. So, there's that. I noticed percentages of discount ranging from 20% to 80% off and that means there are DEALS.

To me, a book lover of the craziest kind, I feel like I am part of that 'in-crowd' and getting sneak peaks and insider information when I get those emails. Of course, there are times when my virtual book shelf feels a little bit full and I could get overwhelmed with all the titles waiting for me to dig in. On those days, I give myself permission to just skim whatever is offered on the list and delete the email if nothing jumps out to bite me. See, I do have a measure of restraint!

- What I've Been Reading -

One of the books that was recently a part of this offering is what I am currently reading. The title is Florence Gordon and it is written by Brian Morten. I'm only about half-way done with this book but I'm truly enjoying it and I probably would not have noticed it if I were not a part of this mailing list.

I think the description is probably what sold me on this book. It just really grabbed me for some reason:

Meet Florence Gordon, a blunt, brilliant feminist. At seventy-five, Florence wants to be left alone to write her memoir and shape her legacy. But when her son and his family come to visit, they embroil Florence in their dramas, threatening her coveted solitude. Marked with searing wit, sophisticated intelligence, and a tender respect for humanity, Florence Gordon is cast with a constellation of unforgettable characters. Chief among them is Florence herself, who can humble fools with a single barbed line, but who eventually finds that there are some realities even she cannot outwit.

It might have grabbed me because I wondered if maybe I am a 'Florence Gordon.' Well, I'm learning that no, I am not - completely. But there are times when I really would like to be. Plus, while some of the described characteristics are not all that flattering, she really does have some glowing qualities to be admired.

I am enjoying this title and I've done some highlighting and note-making using my Kindle App. I'm even jotting down notes and ideas on sticky notes sometimes. I know - old school. One of the passages that really has stopped me in my tracks is an exchange between Florence and her granddaughter following a protest meeting at the local university. Florence had an exchange with her granddaughter. To summarize, there was a bit of a ruckus and police cars arrived. The granddaughter starts the exchange by asking a question:

"Starbucks now?" Emily said. 

"This is why we're here," Florence said. "To make sure the cops don't get out of hand."

"Are you sure that's possible?"

"Of course not. But sometimes it's amazing what a sobering effect an old lady can have. "particularly an old lady with a cane." 

What a powerful statement. It stopped me in my tracks and I've had to go back and read the entire chapter several more times. And...I have wished I knew of somebody else reading this book so I could have a conversation about that section and particularly that statement. It makes me wonder, is there ever a time when something I have said or done has had a sobering effect simply because I am an old lady? Will there ever be a time when I am that sobering effect? When have I witnessed such an example of a sobering effect? What was going on and how did it impact me?

- What I've Been Working On -

This week I've tackled a couple of simple projects that involved my sewing machine. Boy! Do I need a new sewing machine! But that is a subject for another day. 

I had a few rips and tears that needed some repair, a hem that needed restitching, and a sort-of-simple project I'd agreed to do for my son. He had a chair that is hauled around to the ball parks that has seen a lot of miles and a lot of ball-park hours. The back had simply ripped away from the support pieces. They don't always need that chair because he is usually coaching the team and Harris is usually playing in the game and Linley is usually playing with her friends and Jessica has another chair. However, sometimes one of them needs a place to perch between games or something and it is good to have the second chair. He asked if I might be able to make a simple slip-on, director's chair type back for it and I agreed to give it a try. He picked up some fabric and brought it to me.

After I did some tidying and organizing of the sewing corner of my office/workroom, I sat to catch my breath and gave the fabric and chair some thought about how best to tackle this project. Soon, I had a plan and dove right in. The fabric has a canvas-type feel on one side and a rubbery-type backing. I didn't want the backing to show and didn't want to have a lot of pressing and seam finishing. So, I decided to do a self-lined strip that folds over on either end and slides onto the support pieces.

I had ordered some upholstery needles for my machine and I am so glad that I did. The new needle slid right through the thickness of the heavy-duty fabric and made the job so much easier than trying to use a regular needle and get through a couple or three thicknesses of the fabric. The project went smoothly and didn't take long at all to complete. So, that was a happy win as well!

I sent a couple of photos to my son of the completed project and told him that there is fabric left over. He asked if I could make another just like it because the other chair they have is sort of on its last gasp. So, I stitched up a second one in less than half the time. It feels so good to have a project that is simple, goes quickly and smoothly, and complete!

-What I've Been Loving -

These warm, sunny days that we've been having lately have been so very nice. It just brightens my soul - even as I am peering out at it and coughing. I've found that, as I age, I really look forward to spring more and more. One of the harbingers of spring has always been the blooming of the daffodils and forsythia. I was out for a while yesterday and really enjoyed seeing all the cascading forsythia in different yards. Each spring I tell myself that I wish we had a forsythia hedge somewhere. Then, I pause and remember that the beautiful season is short-lived and then it just looks like any other bush or bramble. Still...

Daffodils have always held a special place in my heart. I recall that as a little girl, both my grandmothers had rows of daffodils lining the walkway up toward their front door. Theirs were thick borders and were great for hiding those hard multi-colored candy-coated marshmallow eggs during egg hunts. Then, my mother unearthed a rock walkway in front of our house when I was a bit older and lined it with daffodils, too. So, my children got the egg hunt experience as well.

After I moved here, my beloved father-in-law and I were chatting on the porch one spring afternoon and I mentioned how much I enjoyed seeing the beautiful daffodils. There was a little clump in the field in front of their home and he told me to go dig me up a few bulbs and put them where I could see them each spring and enjoy them. So, I did.

I put a couple of bulbs at the foot of our front porch steps. They've come up every year and had a bloom or two but this year they really have upped their game and look like little rays of sunshine.

I chuckled at how one of the clumps on the side of the steps has been shifted a little and looks like it is peeking out from under the yew bush. It probably got dug up by a mulcher and then just tossed back into the mix.

I put a handful of bulbs in the bed across the driveway at the back of the house. They have proliferated and really look pretty. I see them from a little different angle than this as I am looking out the window while washing dishes in the kitchen. Again, a burst of sunshine! I also think of my father-in-law and miss our little chats and secret shares of sweet breads. The daffodils have sort of helped me to enjoy the sunny, warm days in two different ways and I've been loving it! I hope your days have had some sunshine and maybe a daffodil or forsythia smile or two as well!

Sick...Again.

We've been sick.

Again.

I probably brought it home after attending a grandchild's basketball game. My son said that I sat in a hotbed of germs. I sat on the bleachers of their local high school gym. Children of all ages were there in the gym. He told me that I sat right in amongst at least three school teachers who have germy little people touching them and breathing on them all day long. He reminded me that I am not out mingling with the masses anymore since I've retired and my immunity is not so good. So, I probably picked up lots of germs there. 

I sort of think it all started with a sandwich that I got out of a refrigerated display when I stopped to fill up my truck with gas. Then, I may have picked up some sort of hot germ as well. At any rate, I woke up the first night barfing. There is nothing worse than getting sick at somebody else's house even if it is your own family's. 

When I got home I felt better and felt even better the next day and met a friend for lunch. So, I could have picked up a hot germ at the restaurant that day. Within twenty-four hours I was running a fever, coughing, sniffling, drippy nose, chills and shakes, aching and flu-like symptoms. It even sent my heart into afib a couple of times. I could feel it and used my watch to confirm but checked about a half hour later and it was alright. I did that for a couple or three days before I started to improve a wee bit. A couple of days ago, Mike started coughing, sniffling, aching... So, now he has it, too. 

Whatever all this is, it is not for the faint of heart. We are ready for spring and the end of being cooped up inside with folks and the germy season.

Happy Birthday, Corey!

 

Hope this year is the best ever!

Today I noticed...Good Things.

The amount of good things in your life 

depends on your ability to notice

them.