Hot enough for ya?   Here where I live we are breaking historical heat records for the end of May.   Other places in the country are experiencing really unusual tornado outbreaks, and other places are flooding, some in areas that rarely do.  And…    It’s only May.  It makes you wonder how this summer is going to go.  And, it sure makes me wonder about climate changes and ‘global warming.’    Mr. President, it’s real. Just listen to the scientists.

My poor pugs can not handle the daytime heat and sun. So, I try to take them out in the evening but my chubby Daisy has such a smooched-in nose that she snorts and pants with even a really short walk.  So my pugs love to stay in the AC and sleep.  They have been doing a lot of that lately!   Lol

And…    My garden is so thirsty!  I’m watering every day.   I’m thankful that the home I live in right now has a separate irrigation system that is hooked to a pump that pulls the water from right out of the ground.  Here in the lowcountry you can find water really close to the ground!  So, it’s free water.   Therefore I can water and water!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I will take hot weather any day over cold temperatures and winter precipitation.  I’m not complaining.   I will gladly sweat and bake in the hot sun over the cold temps where I freeze down to my bones.  It’s the way my body is.   It’s the way my psyche works.   Please -give me sunshine.  Give me flowers.  Give me the beach and the rivers here.    Give me a ‘summer state of mind’.

Give me a Kenny Chesney song!   And, get all the country music cranked up! Summer and country music just go together so well.     It’s that time of year for the CMA Festival and for other country concerts.

I can live in shorts and flip flops all the time!

And…    Enjoy some watermelon and some juicy ripe tomatoes.  Butter up the corn on the cob.  Grill the burgers.  Have a chilled drink.

It’s sum-sum-summertime with lots of heat and the time of year that I like best!

A summer state of mind is freeing, with less obligations, and with long days, warm evenings, with time spent sitting outside, enjoying the weather and where you are.  It’s like being on school summer vacation… remember?    That feeling never goes away.

It’s a time where the living is easy.   Hello Summer!

Public announcement: you must stay very hydrated (does drinking wine count?) and wear lots of sunscreen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning readers.     I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks because it has been a whirlwind of a time recently.   May is always a busy month for me, because I like being outdoors during this month. The weather is lovely.   It’s finally ‘summery’ here and there is much to do in the yard and with my flowers.   I try to do something outside every day.  I have played golf a couple of times and have been out on the boat too.  I walk my dogs every day.

May is Mental Health month.   Being outdoors and enjoying the sun, piddling in the yard, all of those things makes me happy.   It is good for me mentally and physically.

The reality of the need for good mental health hit hard a week ago.   My Facebook friends have probably seen that I have put up some posts about the suicide of wonderful young man from my church.  He was only 16 years old.  Finishing up his sophmore year.  He was from a really good family.  His parents did everything right for him…   but, for some reason that we may never know, he took his own life.   It has been totally devastating to many and yes, we are all reeling from this loss.   It is the second suicide in two months from the local high school.  The month of May should be a time of celebration as the school year ends, but the students here are sad, scared, and fearful.  They are wondering, as are the adults…what is going on?

I think in our community, and in our country, the pressures put on our youth is like no other time.  Yes, growing up we all had school work, sports, etc. but something really seems different now.   I love social media but I know it can be a tool of hate and bullying for teenagers.   I worry that from the president on down we tweet and Instagram and Facebook in a way like never before.   Words hurt.   Meanness is becoming acceptable.  It’s just so easy to be mean online.

Occasionally I find myself in a ‘discussion’ about politics on Facebook – and I use that word loosely.   People lash out at each other.  And…..wow, the bad language used!  I am amazed that so many adults feel it’s okay to speak/type that way.

Does it seem that somewhere along the way we lost learning about respect?   Remember the threat about washing your mouth out with soap if you say curse words?   Parents taught their children to say ‘mam’ and ‘sir’ here in the south.

I was lucky that I grew up in a home where curse words were not used.  Never.  It was not accepted.   We rarely heard raised voices in the house.

Language has changed.   Words hurt.

Is there a connection between this and our mental health?   How can there not be?     How we speak to each other is how we treat each other – and it’s how we accept each other.    Teens are at a vulnerable age where words really matter.   They need words of reassurance and of acceptance.   They need to hear they are loved.

Their mental health depends on it.

 

 

 

 

So, I never thought I would see states go up against the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade.  I never thought our country would reconsider and think that it’s alright to take away a freedom for women to choose what to do with their own bodies and an unwanted pregnancy.

But here we are.

Once again, some people in power want to look at women’s personal issues, medical issues, and do it without a heart and without understanding .   I believe that there is not ONE woman anywhere who ever wants to go through an abortion procedure, or ever consider that it is a form of birth control.    To think an abortion is done without consideration of what is ‘best’ for the mother and her situation, her wellness, her life… is just plain ridiculous.   It should not be decided by a group of congressmen…    yes, mostly men.

I believe the decision for an abortion should be made by the woman, after a discussion with her doctor, and God.   Government should stay out of it.

Doctors ands hospitals should not be put in the predicament of deciding when it’s okay and when it is not.  The medical world should be free to offer clean, safe, monitored abortion procedures without fear of government involvement and punishment.

I also believe that our country has not done enough to help unwanted children.   I think we need to have a stronger system in place to help single mothers.  We need to support them, and especially the children.

I am a Christian.  I believe human life is sacred.  But, I do not know for sure when life begins…  at time of conception?   When a heartbeat is identified?  When a fetus is viable enough to live outside the womb?  When does the government identify this?   What gives the government the right to identfy it??  Right now, it’s at birth when a birth certificate is given – and a social security number is given.  Will the system change and certificates be given when the egg & sperm join together? or when a heartbeat is heard?  You want government to step in and make that decision?  I don’t.

Unfortunately too many sexual counters happen outside of love, and some are even created in rape.   Each case is individual.  Each woman has circumstances that we should not judge.

So, again, I can’t believe this is going on.  I worry that it’s a big political ball to throw around. And,  I believe it’s very sad to think of it as a political game issue.   But it is.

I never thought I’d see this happen.

 

I just read somewhere that Americans have taken Thanksgiving day and have shrunk it down to an hour around the table.   The rest of the day is about football and shopping.   Retailers totally ignore it and put up Christmas decorations in early November in hopes of exciting customers to buy, buy, buy for gifts for under the tree. Being thankful is not good for business.

So, it can be easy to forget being thankful.

We need to train ourselves to think in a thankful way – every.single.day.  Because, really…   Every day should be Thanksgiving Day!   It keeps us positive, and balanced.  It’s a great way to start a day…

so, here’s a list of a few things I am thankful for:

My hubby.   I don’t tell him enough, but I am VERY thankful for him!  He loves me – and he likes me!  He gives to me unselfishly.  He shares his life with me.   I’m a lucky girl.

My daughters and their families.   I am so thankful for who my daughters have turned out to be!  Caring, honest, good people – and they have made excellent choices in picking a partner.    I know it doesn’t always happen that way for families so I am extremely thankful for that.   And, of course, my two adorable twin grandsons – who I could never had known I’d get to experience such joy!   Love, love, love them!

I’m sitting here with the sliding door open and I hear the birds singing this morning. It’s a great way to start a day.

Also, I love my morning routine of my hot cup of Cafe Francais.   Then my daily start with my peanut butter, mayo, and lettuce sandwich on 9 grain bread.   Simple, wonderful.   I never get tired of starting my day this way.

I’m thankful for my health.  Good genes.   I’m thankful that I can move today, and get outside, and work in my yard.

I’m thankful for the love my pets give to me.   I’ve had dogs all my life.  I love dogs.  And now, I have experienced the love of cats – a different relationship for sure.  But, even cats bring me joy.  Pets are God’s way to show us that we are meant to live in unison with His world.

I’m thankful for music.  Again, it has been a part of my life all my life.  I’m fortunate to know a little bit about how to play it, and I think it has brought me to a deeper understanding of the beauty of music.   It is a big part of the passion of life.

I’m thankful for the experiences at my church.  I have many ‘aha’ moments there.  It’s a place of security, and of hope.  My friends give me unconditional love there.   I’m thankful to go to a place that let’s me continue to learn about God, and to keep my religious journey going.  To ask questions. To be around accepting people.   To share without judgement.

And…      clean sheets, a reliable car, good books, ice cream (for the good life it has given me), my daughters’ wonderful friends, sunshine, flip flops, and…

the opportunity of what today may bring!

Okay. I’m ready to make it happen now!

Take a minute and make a little list.   I hope you have a very thankful day too.

 

 

 

Happy Monday – Happy May!

I use this blog often for speaking my mind and my opinion on things – sometimes things going on in my neighborhood – my state – country – and world.   That’s what personal blogs are used for.   Right?   It’s a place to express oneself.  It’s a place to ‘let it out’ and to give a reason for individuality.  It’s a place to use writing as a form of expression.

I started this blog mostly so my daughters and family members could know me better.  Not just as mom, or daughter, or sister — but as ME.

So, today I have been thinking all day about my political posts, often which I sometimes share from other like-minded people I follow online, but, yes, occasionally I add in my own thoughts too.   My right. My Facebook page.  My blog.  My perspective.  My opinion.  My belief.   My opportunity.  My freedom.

I know I have offended some people from time to time by it. I don’t do it on purpose.   Mostly it happens because they do not share my same views.  Sometimes it’s because they only want to see pictures and they don’t want get into heavy issues online.  Sometimes, they just don’t want me to ‘speak out’ when it is different than how they think.

I remember back to how close the last presidential election was – and I  remind those who are not too happy with me right now that our nation was pretty evenly split. Our president did not win by a landslide. In fact it was an Electoral win but not a popular vote win.  So, I’m not alone in how I think.  Half our country thinks and feels the same way I do.

And yes…I realize:   Half our country does not.

I get it.   I don’t always understand why – but I still accept it.   I am not crazy.  You are not crazy.

I have learned through the past two years that where we are with our country is very divided and there is really no way to change anyone’s beliefs.   Both sides think they are right. Unfortunately both sides think the other is ‘misguided’ and ‘gullible.’

It is pretty crazy  how it has come to this.   I think we can all blame politicians, and the media leanings on the endless opinion hours.  We can also throw in what our policy priorities are, and what are family histories are… and even what are personal finances are.

I hope we can be open minded enough to think beyond ourselves in all this.  And in that I mean, I hope we can look at what is best for us all…  and to take ego out of it, and meanness, and to allow the differences.

I express myself because I care.  That’s good, right?   With age comes more concern.   I use my Facebook page and this blog to tell you about it.  I’m using passive, peaceful ways – with words.  Don’t like it – don’t read it.  Unfriend me if you must. It will make me sad… but do what is best for you.

I’m doing what I believe in – and I’m proud – and I’m HAPPY.

 

 

 

There are seasons in life.  There are stages… or ‘eras’ perhaps.

Childhood.    College life.     Marriage and then raising a family.    I’m in another one now.

The years go by quickly.  Looking back it seems like a blink of an eye.   Kenny Chesney sings “don’t blink…  just like that your babies grow…”   and they become adults.   It’s true.  When you are in those moments you don’t realize it. Busy times.  Lots of activities.    But, it goes by – and it leaves beautiful memories.

I’m into another season now.   I stay active because I still want to be involved and keep making memories. I want to do good while I’m here on earth.  I like to live in the moment, and experience what each day brings.  I want to have open eyes to find joy – and I do.  I love my hubby, my children, and now my grandchildren.  I love my church, and I love my music. I love my pets.  I love where I live and the nature around me.

Here’s one thing I struggle with though:  other relationships.   I put up a barrier.   You can know me – but only so far.   I have one best girlfriend and she and I get each other and we appreciate that we can just ‘be’ and not have to work on our friendship.  We understand this feeling we have.   We don’t see each other often (we live in different states) and we don’t even talk that often – but it doesn’t matter.  We ‘get’ each other.

With just about everyone else tho, family and friends, I feel expectations. I worry about letting people down.  I feel I don’t live up to who I should be. I think about it everyday.  So, I pull back – probably as a way to protect myself.   Thankfully I really like to be alone.   I prefer it.   And when I  want to express myself I find it easiest to do it here, in writing, or on social media.  I’m not good at the phone – at all. I sweat on the phone.    I like to share positive messages on social media – to keep myself and others looking for and seeing joy.  I think it helps to remind myself about it every day.  I share jokes too.  We all need to laugh each day.

I’m in a season of finding ME, and knowing ME, and yes, still working on ME.

Along the way I have lost touch with people and I have felt hurt and disappointed – in myself AND in others.  I have prayed for acceptance during this era of my life.  I have tried to accept our differences, because I really know time is fleeting. Feeling bad about it doesn’t help.    Living a positive life is important.   I’m working on living without guilt. I’m working on lots of  relationship issues.

My next season? What will it be?    I got a Maxine daily calendar for Christmas. You know who she is? She has a comeback for everything… she is sassy.  She knows who she is – for good and for bad.   Maybe that’s where I am headed.

I know I need to do something every.single.day to bring me happiness.   It’s funny… I remember a family discussion years ago about what we each want out of life.   I answered to be happy.  I felt I got some weird looks.   Is it that simple?    To be happy??     No.   But this season of my life is all about it.

 

Hello everyone!  Happy Easter!  I hope you had a wonderful celebration this past weekend as we heard the words of resurrection, of hope, and of eternal life through His grace.

I thought I would take a few minutes to catch up on a variety of subjects.

First, hello summer weather!  Here in the SC Lowcountry we are going to have high temps in the upper 80’s today and tomorrow.   I love this time of year! Springing into summer!  Shorts and flip-flop weather!    I did yard work yesterday and the day before, and I enjoyed being outside, beautifying my little piece of the world.

That brings me to Earth Day.   It was Monday, but really everyday needs to be Earth Day.  There is no doubt that we have been given this place to tend, and to keep beautiful for generations to come.   I believe the scientists, and I worry about global warming.  The changes have started to show.  We need to take it seriously and do what we can to protect our eco-systems.

I remember well going to Washington DC for one of the early Earth Day celebrations.    It was probably not the first one, but it was new — and I went because a bunch of musicians that I loved played a concert right in front of the Capitol.   Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt organized it.  A lot of their music friends performed.  Do you remember when they put on MUSE?   Musicians United for Safe Energy.    That was back in the 1970’s!  They were ahead of their time.   Back then the music of Jackson Browne spoke to me.   He sang then of a “Deluge” (weather changes) and the needs for “Everyman”.   And “Doctor my Eyes”… it’s hard to watch what is happening.

 

Am I the only one that really doesn’t care if Biden gets into the primary race?    I’m a Democrat so I have been keeping track of all the people jumping in, and I even watched a good part of the back-to-back Q & A’s with candidates on CNN Monday night.   My guy Mayor Pete was on last and I tried to stay awake, but I think I missed part of it.  ZZzzz    Anyway, it’s not that I don’t like Biden, but I really believe the Dems need a younger, exciting candidate.   We need someone to appeal to young voters.   Biden isn’t that man.    Mayor Pete could be the one.

 

Grandboys update:   Hubby and I kept them overnight this past Friday and Saturday. What joy!!  They are almost 18 months now…  babbling,  laughing, taking first steps, playing, hugging!!    Such sweet boys.    This Mimi is loving being their grandparent!    Hubby is pretty wild about them too, and has taken lots of videos of them. I’m glad.  At this age they change so quickly.  I remember my daughters as toddlers.  And, I am so thankful we have some videos from those days.  Back then we had that heavy video recorder that you set on your shoulder!  Ha     We have watched the videos from those early years over and over.  I just love hearing the little voices.

 

Our church Garage Sale is this Saturday.  It’s an annual event and somehow (did I volunteer all those years ago?) I run it…. with lots of help!  Actually Jane and I do it together.  Shout out to Jane!!   If you are a local, come on by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Saturday, 8:00am to 11:00am – to shop or just to say hello!    The sale is a church family event, good for the community, and we raise money that we give right back to local charities to help our neighbors who need it.    A win, win, win!

 

After the sale, I will set my sights on summer fun.  I have already some great music dates coming up. The CMA Festival is in early June and daughter #2 (in birth order) and I will be hitting Nashville together!   It’s always AMAZING!  She and I have the same love of lots of music…  she doesn’t tire of it, just like me.  I signed us up to attend a Fan party during it.  This year we will see William Michael Morgan up close as his fan party.  We also still have to register for the drawings for Meet & Greets, for the Lodge acoustic performances, etc.     There have been some changes to the festival this year, but as always it will be live country music from morning to late at night!

I also got tickets to see Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley in Charlotte later this summer.  And, I got us tickets to attend a unique event:   Tim McGraw and Jon Menchen have written a book about music roots together, and they are doing a small book tour.  Tim will perform some during it too.   Also in Charlotte.

I also have some great visits planned this summer. We are going to a cousin’s wedding in Virginia in just a couple of weeks.   My BBF is coming to the beach for her annual week here in June.   My family gathering in Lakeside, Ohio in July.    And we are inviting all to our 4th of July at the beach celebration.

What are your summer plans?    Are you coming this way?    Let’s meet up!

Sum – sum- summertime!   I love summertime!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning.    Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we remember Jesus meeting with his 12 disciples in the room for a meal.  This meal turned into his last meal with them, and the first communion given by our Lord….  eat this in remembrance of me.  Drink from this cup in rememberance of me.    So, spend part of your day thinking about this ‘gift’ we still partake in – and stop in for worship and Holy communion today.

It’s also Mueller Report day.  I just watched the press conference from Attorney General Barr, prior to his releasing the report (except all the redacted parts.)  It will be released to the public today too – most likely quite blacked out in parts.  Do you plan to pull it up online and read it?   Are you relying on your favorite ‘news’ network for hearing the results?     Are you happy or sad about it all?

I have felt all along if it looks like a rat, and it smells like a rat – it’s a rat.   There have been 6 or 7 Trump people already indicted and found guilty for illegal wrongdoings. I know enough about the meanness in politics to know that powerful people do things below the board.  They lose sight of truth. And, they do anything for a win!   So, yes, I believe the Trump campaign people, and then his administration lost sight, were scared of job security, wanted to be important, and more.

The big question is:   Did Trump know?   Did Trump  know ahead of time? Did he approve illegal actions and behavior? Did he coverup and fire people to keep it quiet?    (Is he really that smart? I question that.)

Will the Mueller Report answer all these questions?    I doubt it.  Trump himself never agreed to be interviewed by the Mueller independent group.   Think about that.   The man talks off script all the time and gets into trouble –  all the time.  His people clean up after him – all the time.  He can’t tell the truth from lies anymore.  He would shoot himself in his foot if he talked before the council.  So, he didn’t.

The Mueller Report will be dissected.  It will take weeks, maybe months, for all the back and forth…   and will anything come of it?     Again, I doubt it.

Sad.    I look forward to getting through these days…and moving on.  I hope America votes for an honest, intelligent, sincere, caring person next time.   We need a respectful and respectable person in office again.

But,  to keep my sanity, I remember that presidents come and go, and God is omnipresent.  I put my faith there.

 

 

We all watched on TV while the sacred Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned on Monday.   It was heartbreaking to see such an iconic building, full of art and religious relics, filled with flames.  We all held our breath wondering if anything could survive it.

Now that the fire has been put out and the experts have gone in, we can see pictures of the inside that are really quite extraordinary.  The fire started up in the roof area, which was the largest wooden part of the cathedral.  The walls, and floors, are stone.   So, the roof and the beautiful forest of wood above came crashing down, and rained ash over everything.  Amid the black soot and all those fallen pieces the large Altar cross still stood, undisturbed, and shining!    Wow!  The symbolism is profound!

Sometimes earthly things happen, and it seems devastating.   Life can be sooty, dirty, and scary.  Bad events happen and we can feel like there is a black cloud above us, dropping pain and hurt everywhere.    But, put your eyes forward – and look to the cross.  It’s right there in front of you.

The Notre Dame fire happened the day after Palm Sunday.   The Bible tells us that Jesus rode in to the city on Palm Sunday and was loved and honored by the crowd there.  The people shouted Alleluia and waved palm branches!!  But, it was the start of “Passion Week” – the last week of Jesus before his crucification, and then his resurrection.  After the celebration on Sunday, the people quickly turned – and doubted – and darkness came as the week went along.  Within just days humanity showed it’s worse, leading to denying him, and giving him over to authorities, and then standing by, watching, while Jesus died on the cross.

The people there had no idea what would happen on the third day.   But, we do!  We know that the cross was the way to everlasting life, given to us all by God’s love and grace.   So, we get to look at the cross differently.

I think of that bright and shiny cross in the midst of the destruction at Notre Dame and I can’t help but think… this IS Easter!

Did God cause the fire? No.  Why didn’t He stop it?  Because we live in a fallen world, where bad things happen.  Flames and black smoke – pain and heartache.   But in the middle of it all, straight ahead is our hope and savior.

This was a big AHA moment for me!

We love our pets – sometimes more than we love people.   If you have a dog or cat you know what I mean.    Most times they are very accepting, happy to see you, funny, and loyal.   They don’t ask for much.  They just love you.   And, we love them back!

Hubby and I have two dogs and three cats right now.   One of them, Kitty Girl, we adopted (or I should say that she adopted hubby) at our riva house.   She is a sweet little cat.  A cuddler.   She and her daughter Sabrina spend half of their time outdoors, but they love to come indoors and feel safe there for awhile.

The day before yesterday hubby could not find her and she didn’t come around for her food.  He searched and searched.   Finally in the early evening she somehow got out from behind some plywood in our shed where she had gone to be left alone.  She was extremely weak,  unable to walk, and had a bloody spot on her neck.

Our regular vet’s office was closed by then so we took her up to the emergency animal hospital in Myrtle Beach.  We weren’t able to say what happened to her, or how badly her injuries were, and we really didn’t know if she was going to make it.

But we love our pets!   So, Kitty Girl spent the night at the hospital and was hooked up to a fluid drip.  She got her wound cleaned and got a shot.  You don’t even want to know how much that cost.  Did I say we love our pets?

This morning Hubby picked Kitty Girl up, and then I took her to our regular vet’s once they opened up.  She will be checked out and observed today, and we will hopefully know more by the end of the work day.

I grew up always having a dog in the home.  The only time I did not have one was during my dorm years in college, and then right afterwards when I lived in my first apartment.    As soon as hubby and I got married we got a dog – and then another.  Since then we have always been a ‘two dog family.’    Hubby had dogs and kitties growing up.  So we have always been in agreement about pets in the home.  And as it has happened, we have had several kitty cats come around looking for a home over the last 12 years.  Feral cats.   We even had one mama cat have babies in our bushes.   So, we have had them come – and some go.   EVERY single time they go it’s hard.   Here are a couple of the names that I miss…   Midnight, Patches, Gizzy.  The male cats wander and we know why – even though we get all our cats fixed.  The females stay close.

I feel pets are God’s gift to us.  They bring comfort, love, and joy, and sometimes a ‘reason’ to keep on going.   We take care of them – and they give us so much back!

So, I’m saying a little prayer for Kitty Girl today.   If she does not improve from her injuries  her  daughter Sabrina will miss her – and so will my hubby.     So will I.