It is well with my soul…..

NO MORE CRUISES…………..at least for a while.  I was miserable due to wonky foot and strained muscles in my back. Everything I attempted to do was SUCH an effort.

The ship was too crowded, unorganized, room was crazy!!, and the bed so hard the floor would have been softer! I so wish I was kidding.

Been to St. Thomas (my fav. island) 3 or 4 times but the ship took so long to get there that I do believe I could have walked the distance faster….even with my still achey foot.

The food was o.k. but I didn't eat much.  What's that you say? You don't believe me?  Well my friend I came home 3 pounds lighter!   I love to eat but I simply lost interest while I wallowed in my pain.

Just not used to the heat and the humidity any more since I have been Minnesota acclimized. The Caribbean is HOT and HUMID. Next trip will be to Alaska. I am ready to see the blue ice. Never had a desire to go until a fellow traveler told me of her trip and how close to God you will feel. Well sign me up cuz that is all I long for, to feel closer and closer to God my Father.

I appreciate the opportunity to travel but I really feel more like I am having a vacation right here at home. Home is where my heart is. Who'd a thunk??? Color me surprised.

They're Here...................!!!

The day has arrived. The Cedar Waxwings are passing through on their way south. They are in a Cedar tree right outside my bedroom window.  I have a ringside seat for all the shenanigans going on out there.  First they land and sit there resting for a long time. Next they commence to eating the fermented berries thus getting drunk as skunks and flying into my huge bedroom window!

I am usually here to witness this spectacle but if I should be gone and miss them, I know they were here by the butt feathers smeared on my window. Usually they fly away safely but now and again I need to go out and rescue them and wrap them in a blanket to warm them up and give them a chance to sober up and get steady on their feet again.  I have held some as they have gone on to 'meet their maker' and then they are all given a proper burial.

I learned the first year that we were in this house not to 'pray to hold one in my hands'.  God is so anxious to give me my hearts desire that I have held way more than I wanted to.

As I write, another batch are eating  and getting snockered so I am in for another long day of search and rescue.

I have computer paper taped up in my windows to discourage them but it just doesn't phase a drunken bird. I tap on the window to get their attention but they are busy and can't be bothered to pay attention to me.  Oh boy, this is going to be A DAY!

YES, I mark the arrival date in my bird journal and as you must have guessed, they come on a different dang day every year.  (Figures, right?)  I do paste up my windows the middle of September to get ready for them.  I guess folks wonder what is wrong with me but they are not my concern.

I am thrilled to see them again because it reminds me that God in his infinite wisdom is indeed in control and they follow what He has instilled in them.  They are awfully cute with those little waxy wing tips.  This will only last for a day or two and then once again they will be winging their way down south, but while they are here their presence is duly noted!

I have a huge window in my bedroom and everyday the scene out of it changes. Some days it is sun-shiny and some days black with clouds. I watch the leaves turn colors and then fall to the ground.  I see the trees all skeleton-like........yet with their bare branches reaching Heavenward knowing that they will leaf out again one day soon and be green once again. Returning from the grave, so to speak.

I watch the birds a few at a time flying in and out and I wonder what they are saying as I hear them chattering.

When Luther's mom passed away, after the funeral, I was lying next to him in a state of  total exhaustion trying to think of something to say that would bring him some comfort. All of a sudden I noticed that big tree across from me.  There sat 2 huge Eagles sitting there seemingly peering into our bedroom window. It was as tho' his mom was saying to him that she was once again with his father and they were happily together again. Eagles never come and roost in the city!!  This was a miracle as far as we are concerned.  They sat there for  at least  an hour and were such a comfort and yet a mysterious 'happening' for us.

This morning  we were watching one of our favorite ministers on T.V. and frankly, I was getting very little from it as it was way way over my level of understanding. Then I looked out at my favorite tree.  Just at that moment 1000's of birds flew out of it and right over our bedroom. It was such an awesome site....looked like a bit of vortex.  How one bird knew what the other bird was going to do is just so wonderful to ponder! We ooh-ed and aah-ed and got all excited watching the goings on then it died down........... only to start all over again!  How did that one tree hold all those 1000's of birds?  The sky was black with birds.

 For sure, one of the most breath taking things I have ever experienced! 

Classes

I keep signing up for Art Classes and I am loving it!  Learning lots of new techniques and having tons-o-fun. :-)

I am getting the face part down and now starting in on bodies............and fashions. Whoopee!

I need to post some pictures.......tying string to finger................

Hurt Hearts

I hate when someone you think is a friend walks away and you  never know why.  I try to be a good friend.  When they don't say WHY they are walking out of your life it really hurts.

It makes me wonder what I could or should have done differently.  As I was pondering the subject something came to mind.....People are placed in our lives for a season, to love us when we most need it and when we are on our feet again they quietly move on to someone else in need.  Makes sense.  It hurts tho' but if you love them you have to let them do what they were put here to do.......help others.

So I smile again.  I am no longer needy.  I feel  good about myself. In Christ I can do anything he wants me to do.  He is my rock. He is my safe place.  

So go my friend.....
I enjoyed our time.....
Be happy!
I am happy!
Thank You.

I cry UNCLE !!!

O.K.  I enrolled in a fashion design course and there is a lot to learn in it.  I do o.k. with my larger faces but the itty bitty ones.......not so much.  There is a lot to cram into a thumbprint size. Plus I need to watercolor it.  the paint looks all blotchy and ooky on such a small face.  I have literally been drawing night and day filling the wastebasket with tons of wadded up paper. I need a break from it before I flip my proverbial lid.

So I have decided that I will organize my gazillion art supplies and start over fresh in a day or two.

The Housewives of O.C. last night was beyond the beyond!  I have never witnessed such bad behavior before.  I can't wait to get on over to Bravotv.com and see what everyone has to say about that final episode.

Going to Duluth and I dread boarding the dogs. Especially little Tater.  He can't walk anymore and can only see out of the one eye.  Luther is his seeing eye human and he will be so lost without him.  The others will adjust, they always do, but I am worried about my 'babiest  boy'.  The woman loves animals so they will be in good hands and she took excellent care of my little one last year.

Well, That is my life lately so over and out!

Could I huh???

I would like to meet the individual that created one of my daily med's.  Now I ask you, who in their everlovin' mind would pick a triangular shape for such  a big ass pill????  It is  as bitter as gall and consistantly hangs up in my throat. That bitterness remains for atleast 15 minutes no matter what beverage I consume.

I  am simply asking a favor of the universe , a special dispensation if you will.  Could I please just this once squeeze his little testicles.....nice and tight?