A cold and foggy morning
Unedited photos
Canon Power Shot
October 23rd, 2012
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Fog
Christmas Card Lane
Kalamazoo, Michigan has a special treat during the Christmas season. It is a single street where many of the homeowners put out a Christmas Card for all to drive by and see.
Our one and only drive, if we even took one down this lane at the holidays, was on Christmas Eve. My parents and I would go to the Christmas Eve service at church. The service would end singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.
On the wintery drive home, we’d take time to drive down Christmas Card lane.
It is a delight to journey this road at night, Christmas Carols playing on the radio, with friends and family in the car to enjoy the sights.
I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.
My Dad’s Friend or Enemy?
My dad was a passionate man. This passion I speak of was his strong emotion for certain things he valued in life. More often that not, his passion was shown with a kind word, a fun story, or a shared laugh. Once in a while, someone would get him going.
We had awesome vegetarian neighbors while I was growing up. They had their own chickens for eggs, their own garden to grow veggies, and their own fruit for wine. All of the dishes I ate at their home were absolutely delicious, well seasoned, and served with love. The conversation was another matter.
I feared that this adoring couple were friends with my mom, but enemies with my dad. I didn’t know how my dad could laugh so easily during the meal, but shout with vehemence after dinner while talking with the husband in their living room. Mom, the wife, and I always stayed in the kitchen around their warm and cozy kitchen table. Yet there was shouting in the living room!
It was years before I understood what the hollering was about in the other room. Turns out, the men were “discussing” politics. Both were liberal. Both were peace keepers. Both were Christian. Both were vehement in their beliefs. Both became passionate and boisterous in expressing their shared opinions. They were preaching to the choir. Or is that yelling at the choir?
Any which way, these men not only loved one another, they shared the same beliefs in many areas. They just happened to proclaim loudly those things that they believed most passionately.
Morale of the Story: Love is shown in many ways.
The Truth is Told!
I have the most amazing great nieces and nephew. I was recently overjoyed to receive the opportunity to sit for the youngest. We got to play, chat, read books, and sing songs. But bedtime came all too soon.
I put her to bed with a song and a book. I put her under the covers.
Not five minutes later she called out for orange juice.
I brought her much watered down orange juice in a sippy cup.
And the little sweetie pie says, “Oh, thank you very much! I’m not allowed to have juice in bed.”
I’ve never before sat for a child who told me the truth without my asking for it … after telling a lie. She made me laugh out loud, and days later I’m still giggling.
Morale of the Story: The truth will set you free … and it might bring forth laughter to the heart’s content.
Beauty
Where do you find beauty?
In people? I hope you do every day.
In play? I hope you do every day.
In things? Only when they bring you joy.
In memories? I hope you do every day.
In work? I hope no more than five days a week.
In God’s creations? I hope you do every day.
Where do you find beauty?
Get a mirror!
Morale of the Story: You are beauty!
Autumn Smells the Best
Oh, Autumn,
how I adore thee.
The scents are
the most divine.
The bold reds,
golden yellow,
and spicy pumpkin
shades all around.
Freshly slain grass,
and
dying leaves.
Oh, Autumn,
how I adore thee.
Blueberry Diaper
My cousin Julie loves me. I know this because she still talks to me.
When I was two years old, the family went blueberry picking. Julie enjoyed time with me, and we shared many blueberries together that day.
Later in the day, she offered to change my diaper.
I still hear, after she’s given birth to and raised two boys of her own, that that blueberry diaper was the very worst thing she’s seen in all the world.
My cousin Julie loves me. I know this because she still talk to me. And sometimes (near 40 years later) it’s still about the diaper.
Morale of the Story: Love is stronger than a nasty diaper.
Nurse Daisy
I have a cat that I wish I’d not had spayed. Okay, it’s not that I want kittens or anything – I don’t. But Daisy is such a good caretaker, I believe she would have been in 7th heaven to have her own litter of kittens. Normally, I would never say such a thing because I believe in responsible pet care – and spaying/neutering is a big part of responsible pet care.
Daisy has this amazing knack for knowing when I am in need. Her behavior toward me changes. Her compassion comes forward. She does it for my mom as well. Somehow, she knows when I have a migraine, a cold, or an emotional upset.
When I am sick or miserable for any reason, my cat Daisy is my nursemaid, mother, and comforter. She stays by my side, brings me her toys, and sings to me with her purr. Normally, I am not allowed to hold her paws, but when I don’t feel well, she puts her paw in my hand. If it’s a migraine where sound bother’s me, she does not purr. She comforts me.
There are three other cats in the house, and Daisy is mother to all. Granted that her own sister is from the same litter. They are probably only minutes a part in age. Yet Daisy behaves years older. Her sister is sweet, and she remains close when I am not well, but she has no desire anyone’s nurse maid.
I pray everyone could have a pet like Miss Daisy. One to comfort and care for you when you need it most.
Morale of the Story: My cat is awesome!
How do you Give Cheer when there is No Cheer?
There are some people in my life receiving bad news. I want to cheer them, but I don’t have anything to offer. The situation is not life or death, but it is heart wrenching. It’s a lay off. So what can I do when I have no new jobs to offer?
I can pray for them and potential employers.
Bidden or not, God is present. I believe in the power of prayer.
I can give encouragement because these people are talented.
Not platitudes, but real facts. Reminders of their accomplishments.
I can recommend them on LinkedIn.
I don’t know if all employers value this, but I was once hired in part because my colleagues had recommended me on LinkedIn.
What else? I’d appreciate your ideas.
Morale of the Story: Humor doesn’t happen everyday.
Humor Happens 