Category: Personal Blog

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The Next Year Begins…

“I’ve enjoyed every age I’ve been, and each has had its own individual merit. Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear to show I’ve been present, the inner rings of my personal tree trunk that I display proudly for all to see. Nowadays, I don’t want a “perfect” face and body; I want to wear the life I’ve lived.” 

― Pat Benatar, Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir

The past few days have been busy catching up from my birthday celebrations. Actually, I’ve had months of celebrating. It has been wonderful.

Going to leave you with a prayer I’ve shared before. It is especially fitting as I begin another year. The petitions in this prayer reflect my own concerns as I observe my aging self. I don’t think it was a coincidence that it came up in my search today.

This year I’ve been given time to think about my life as I traveled to Iowa and Colorado. As I’ve reflected on the past, I am surprised at the unexpected turns my journey has taken and the precious souls I’ve met along the way. There are some marvelous stories there to share.

Thank you, God.

“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples’ affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn’t agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil’s masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen” 

― Margot Benary-Isbert

I am…

B…simply being…

God bless.

~Peace~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Birthday Eve

“Perhaps it takes courage to raise children.” 

― John Steinbeck, East of Eden

In the past, I’ve used this day to thank all the people in my life who’ve helped me become the person I am today.

I wanted to do something different today because I realized I’d never written a thank you to my Mom or Dad.

I’ve been hesitant to write about them. I barely knew my Mom. What I know is she was my biggest and strongest advocate. Even though I am sure I challenged her every single minute of every single day, she allowed me my space. My Dad and I certainly had more time together. Even with all those years, I don’t think we really never knew each other. I think we both thought we’d around to it one day–we’d both taken small steps in that direction but time snuck up on us and caught us both off guard.

My mom and dad met each other later in their lives. I’m sure World War II had a lot to do with that fact. My mom was the middle child of her family and my dad the youngest of his much larger family. My mom lived at home with her parents, working a full-time, thinking she’d never marry. Being 27 years old when she married my dad, she always told me she was sure she was bound to be an “old maid.” My dad had been married before, marrying his high school sweetheart soon after he returned from the war. Sadly, shortly after they married, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She died soon after that diagnosis.

They Mom and Dad worked at Montgomery Wards in Fort Dodge and met at a local dance. Mom said when they met that first night, she knew immediately Dad “the one.” As a kid I thought that was the most romantic story–I can still see myself move very close to her and ask her to tell me the story of how they met one more time. In my mind, this short little story was every bit as beautiful as any ol’ Cinderella story.

They married and moved to Kokomo, a little community outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1953 that was a long way from Fort Dodge, Iowa. There were no planes to jettison anyone across the country. Long distance phone calls were very expensive for the average person. I think back on my days alone in Denver and sympathize with my mom. How alone she must have felt. She’d never lived by herself–always living with her parents and close to her sister and brother. This move may have been easier for my dad since he’d been overseas in the war, but I’m sure he was dealing with some degree of post traumatic stress along with the memories of losing his very young wife.

Through it all, they made it all workout.

I arrived in the early morning hours of September 25, 1953, and their lives were never ever the same.

Thanks, Mom, Thanks, Dad.

As I age, I see so many things in such different light. I sure wish you were here to share your thoughts, your stories,  and your wisdom. I admire you, love you, and miss you.

Thank you for me.

“Your children are not your children.

They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. 

They come through you but not from you.

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the make upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness.

For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He also loves the bow that is stable.” 

― Kahlil Gibran

I am…

B…simply being…

God bless.

~Peace~

 

 

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Good News Day

“Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.” 

― Roy Bennett

Yesterday I learned two very important people in my life received good news from recent medical tests. As I sighed with relief, my heart filled with joy.

Something once taken for granted is now seen for its true worth–a priceless, precious, gift for us all.

Dear God, I thank you. I am so grateful that you encourage me to celebrate my life with the wonderful people you have put in my life. Thank you for the many times you have blessed my life by answering my prayers. May I never forget your amazing goodness. Amen.

Maria Shriver, I’ve Been Thinking 

I am…

B…simply being…

May God bless you.

~Peace~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Winding Down

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 

― Leo F. Buscaglia

Things feel like they’re winding down in Hibdonville. Thank you for listening to my latest RV stories. Your encouragement and kind words were and are appreciated.

As I’ve looked back on the past two weeks, I see over and over again just how lucky we were in every story worthy situation. In addition to that insight, I see other important components. At the end of the day, we are all together–man, woman, three dogs, no one is injured, and we are optimistic enough we are preparing for the next adventure.

For me it’s important to note Michael and I stuck it out together. I’ve mentioned this in all my stories but I gotta tell you, my hat’s off to my husband. He was traveling in unfamiliar territory beside a wife with no sense of direction who randomly confuses right and left with three dogs panting in the backseat. His was not the easiest task in the world. Because we are all human and tend to take things we shouldn’t’ for granted, this is the type “stuff” that is under appreciated–if it’s acknowledged at all.

I thank you, Michael.

I love you.

“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow – this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.” 

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

I am…

B…simply being…

God bless.

~Peace~

 

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Inconveniences

“If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience.” 

― Robert Fulghum  

In all our years traveling by RV, we have never had so many “inconveniences” as we had on our latest trip to Colorado.

A blown tire, a new star on the windshield of the truck, and the top of the dinette table coming off sometime during the tire repair.

Through it all, we remained pretty calm. The dogs watched the two of us like it was all part of the deal. That fact alone is incredible to me and I am so grateful.

Our time in Howard at Pleasant Valley RV Park was wonderful as always. It is my home away from home place and re-energized my soul.

On the way home, we stayed in Santa Fe for a few days. The weather was wonderful and our lunch at LaFonda was delightful.

When we get home we were handed our biggest challenge.

We pulled up to our drive and Michael tried to open the garage door. His “clicker” would not open the door. No big deal–he does not use it often. We both expected it was due to a bad battery. I grabbed the dogs and headed up to the garage. I used the key pad and the door did not open.

Hmmm.

We knew there had some bad storms while we were gone. My initial prayer was that the garage door opener had not been damaged.

Little did I know how the tune of my prayers would change over the next few hours.

While we were gone, the GFI had been triggered in the garage. Unfortunately for us, that GFI controlled all the power for the garage. In our garage was a chest freezer and a frig/freezer. Both units were full and had been without power for probably a week or more.

All my radiology friends–remember those trips to the morgue during those hot summer days?

In a matter of minutes, I was transported right back to that spot at St. Francis. I could see myself pacing that long, dark hallway by the storeroom. Now I realized there was no one I could call for help.

Once again, the two of us got ‘er done. It was far, far, far from pretty.

Thank God for that heavy-duty mask I’d stashed away from hospital days.

I’m still not sure the little ‘frig will recover. The chest freezer was so full nothing had spoiled yet. This little Montgomery Ward freezer powered right back up and is working–just like it has for the past 40 plus years. It is the last thing I have from my Iowa days. Gotta tell you–tears filled my eyes as we talked about how it was not working very efficiently anymore and re-filling it was probably too big a risk to take.

Oh…isn’t it incredible the things that can stir up old and powerful memories? Those memories provided a very blessed silver lining to an otherwise very tough day.

“Sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” 

― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

I am…

B…simply being…

God bless.

~Peace~ 

 

 

 

 

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Simplicity

“I do not particularly like the word ‘work.’ Human beings are the only animals who have to work, and I think that is the most ridiculous thing in the world. Other animals make their livings by living, but people work like crazy, thinking that they have to in order to stay alive. The bigger the job, the greater the challenge, the more wonderful they think it is. It would be good to give up that way of thinking and live an easy, comfortable life with plenty of free time. I think that the way animals live in the tropics, stepping outside in the morning and evening to see if there is something to eat, and taking a long nap in the afternoon, must be a wonderful life. For human beings, a life of such simplicity would be possible if one worked to produce directly his daily necessities. In such a life, work is not work as people generally think of it, but simply doing what needs to be done.” 

― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution

Today was my second day of mowing with our new John Deere. I have to say in my wildest dreams I never ever thought I’d say I owned a Deere.

The plan was to take a picture of me as I mowed. A problem with that plan presented itself very quickly. Because it has been so very dry here from the moment I began mowing I was immediately covered in a substantial layer of reddish-brown powder. It’s not that I’m that vain. It just seemed kinda silly to take a picture of someone so very well camouflaged.

Now I understand why people in the old Western movies wore kerchiefs over their faces.

So, for the sake of storytelling, I took a still of “Bull,” our little tractor. He did a remarkable job today. I’m starting to get pretty attached to this little guy.

As I type I am having a hard time believing we are heading into the last holiday for this summer season.

As I pour my wine, I wish you all a very happy and safe Labor Day holiday. Take this time to rest and spend time with those you love. I am reminded daily time is promised to no one. Grab and treasure every minute. Let the small stuff go. Live and love like there is no tomorrow.

I’m taking my own advice and stepping away from the daily posts for a couple of weeks so I can spend time with people I don’t get a chance to see often.

Just think of the stories I’ll have to share!

“Thank you for the day and night,

for rainy spells and summer’s light.

Thank you for the skies of blue

and puffy clouds in grayish hue.

Thank you for the gigglefests

and midnight’s cloak to hasten rest.

Thank you for tomorrow new

and yesterday’s tomorrow too.

Thank you for “I’m glad we met”

and also for “we haven’t yet.”

Thank you for the peace of mind 

a grateful soul doth always find.

I am…

B…simply being…

I love you all and wish you a holiday filled with heartwarming memories.

~Peace~

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Resting

“I make no secret of the fact that I would rather lie on a sofa than sweep beneath it.” 

― Shirley Conran

Yesterday became a rest day.

I was exhausted. The early morning heat took its toll quickly as I worked in the front yard. Those weeds were a lot stronger than I’d anticipated. By the time I was done, my body told me in no uncertain terms she needed some time to refuel.

I listened.

“Each wave that rolls onto the shore must release back to the ocean. You are the same. Each wave of action you take must release back to the peace within you. Stress is what happens when you resist this natural process. Everyone needs breaks. Denying this necessity does not remove it. Let yourself go. Realize that, sometimes, the best thing to do is absolutely nothing.” 

― Vironika Tugaleva

I am…

B…simply being…

~Peace~

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Anticipation…

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.” 

― A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

When I was working planning a trip was stressful. There rarely seemed to be enough time to get it all together.

Now…I’m still a 5-star procrastinator. I’m sure there will be last-minute running around doing all those things I should have done much earlier.

The difference is I now have time to think about all the things I’m looking forward to seeing and doing.

In no particular order, I’m sharing my very short and simple list for our upcoming trip:

  • Sleeping with the windows open.
  • Wearing long-sleeve shirts and being chilly.
  • Waking up to the sound of the river right outside my door.
  • Fly fishermen.
  • Seeing mountains and pine trees.
  • The sound of wind through aspen trees.
  • Canyons with switch back roads.
  • Walking the dogs down the country road with little or no traffic.
  • Cows.
  • Horses.
  • Big Horn Sheep.
  • Afternoon beers around the picnic table.
  • Conversations with old friends.

I am…

B…simply being…

~Peace~

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Power of Music

“Ah, music,” he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here!” 

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 

As a kid I sang all the time–didn’t matter what I sang about–I made up my own songs.

I sang as I roamed around the house, as I ran through the neighborhood, and while I climbed and sat on the swing set in our backyard.

In school, I was always a part of chorus. Somehow I was always lucky enough to be part of the school shows in spite of the fact I could not read music.

As with so many things, time went by and work obligations grew. I had so much on my mind there was no room for music. My singing and my music fell to the wayside.

Over this past year I’ve rediscovered both. A lot of that is thanks to my friend, Lana.

Lana and her husband, Doug, know their music. I mean that in a very literal sense–they know the bands, the songs, and the history of if all. I’ve been the fortunate benefactor because they’ve always shared with me.

Now music is back in my daily routine. In fact, I just bought our tickets to an annual music festival held in a little mountain community in Colorado. I am so excited. I know I’ll be back in this peaceful valley, listening to the music that soothes my soul.

Thank you, Lana and Doug, for being you and sharing your love of music.

“Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.” 

― Hunter S. Thompson

I am…

B…simply being…

~Peace~

I am thankful for my friend, Kimberlee Salimeno, for allowing me to use her photo in my blog today. Thanks, Kimberlee, I love you. Please note, no-reuse of this photo without permission from Kimberlee.

 

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Sunday Dinner

“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” 

― Frederick Buechner

I’ve been thinking about family lately.

I think turning 65 is pulling at some heart-strings.

For many years every Sunday my sisters and I would get together for family dinner. I’d cook and we’d sit around. We’d share our stories of what happened to us that week, play cards, and drink some beer.

It was, by far, the most under appreciated time of my life.

As we begin our weekend, let’s all make a conscious choice to take time to appreciate those you love. Absorb every single moment, tucking those irreplaceable times safely away in that place you put all those special memories. One day these every day occurrences will give you comfort beyond measure.

“I may not always be with you 

But when we’re far apart

Remember you will be with me

Right inside my heart” 

― Marc Wambolt, Poems from the Heart

I am…

B…simply being…

~Peace~