Thursday, August 28, 2014

Anticipation

I can hardly stand it!
It is almost time.
He has been gone all summer long with little communication.
We are down to hours now.
Alaska is a long way away.

Soon, I will be embarrassing him at the airport with screams of joy, hugging, and a huge colored sign welcoming him home.
He knows me.  The sign will be big enough for all the passengers on the plane he was on to see it when they come through baggage.  I miss the days when you could greet everyone right as they came through the gate.  Remember those days?
I am so ready to see my son.

What are you looking forward to these days?



Monday, August 25, 2014

Powis Castle

What a thrill to open the latest edition of my Victoria magazine and find among the pages a tour of Powis Castle!  Turning the pages brought me back to my own pilgrimage to this enchanting place not so long ago.
Let me be your tour guide to this centuries old showplace.
There is a walkway to get a peek at what you are about to see.  I was in awe.  Its the stuff of dreams.
My eyes were fixed on the topiaries.  Dessert for my eyes!
Here are our guys dwarfed by the topiaries!  Impressive isn't it!
 I know...WOW.  There are no words.  Simply breathtaking.  Can you see our friend John amongst the petals?!
This is a great place to get some walking in.  Actually, it felt more like floating.  Didn't seem real.
How does my garden grow?  Not like this one!  Just saying!
I saw happy people everywhere.  Happy happy happy people!!!
Look at the grass!  Lush.  Like walking on carpet.
It was a perfect day delighting in all things English!  My kind of place.  Go out and get this month's issue of the Victoria magazine.  It's the special British issue!  Happy reading.
                              Can you see why I didn't want to leave?  Byeeeeeeeee for now!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Purple

It was her favorite color.
Purple.
She was beautiful inside and out.
Alyssa
17.
Forever.
I remember where I was when I heard the news.
I was on a break from a class at University.  Just called home to say hello, and my husband told me the news.  I learned nothing the rest of the day.  I just prayed.

I think about Alyssa often.  She was the same age as my son.  They went to school together.
She would be a senior in college this year too.

Today I think of you Alyssa and remember a lovely girl full of life.  You will never be forgotten.

Click below to get a glimpse of who Alyssa was.

http://mygatewaynews.com/Content/Obituaries/Area-Obits/Article/Alyssa-Hagen/4/111/930



Monday, August 18, 2014

handwritten notes

I Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to "encourage one another..."

Texts, emails, and faxes instantly help us communicate with one another.  It is the technological age in which we live.
And yet, there is something so special in opening up a real mailbox and inside you find a letter.  A real letter written by the hand of a real person!  
These days, it is a rare jewel to receive one.
Emails are received many times throughout the day, and are very useful and convenient.  But, wouldn't you rather receive a note written on one of these cards...

 These have fast become my favorite note cards.  Notice they have teacups on them!  Surprise surprise.
So pleasing to the eye aren't they.  There are so many to choose from.  I received my order the other day.  A lovely handwritten note was enclosed thanking me for my order.  Details matter and this company has it perfected.  Want to check out so many more examples?
www.bluebirdteapaperie.com



Even the name is inviting!  Happy Writing.
 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Life lived simply

Lately, I've been writing down one thing every day that I am grateful for. 
It really helps to put life in perspective. 

Some things on my list:

1.  Scaling the steps in Stillwater.  I can climb.  I have legs that help me move.
2.  About a week ago, I attended my uncle's funeral.  I get it.  Life is brief.   
3.  My daughter made us an AWESOME dinner.  I did not have to cook!
4.  I saw an eagle soar and a butterfly flit past me both on the same walk. 
5.  I got to spend 3 hours in the car one day this week with my daughter.  We talked the whole time.   I learned more about her dreams.  It was priceless. 
6.  I am getting to know some really great writers.  I am so blessed. 
7.  An 85 year old woman tightly gripped my hand as I walked with her.  She says I helped her.  The truth is, she helped me.  Her laugh continues to make me smile, and I still feel her touch.  I think she is an angel. 
8.     Blueberries.  I love them.  I eat them by the handfuls.  At least a cupful has been part of my breakfast each day this week. 
9.  I wrote a few handwritten letters this week. 
10.  At present, I am reading 6 different books!  You can never have enough books to read!

So, what is on your list? 

Monday, August 11, 2014

A good night's rest

I've been thinking again. 
Thinking about those places so dear to me. 
Lawley House in England holds many wonderful memories.  I'd go back in a heartbeat. 
Take a peak ...
We roamed these gardens every chance we could. 
It really did look like this. 
The view from our window!  Incredible isn't it.  The England countryside. 
I read in this room.  I know, I am so blessed. 
I love the sign.  Such simplicity. 
Want to know more about Lawley House? 
www.lawleyhouse.co.uk

I look at these pictures and think, yep, this is me.  This is my heart place.  The English Countryside is where I belong.  Give me a cottage in England with some tea and a good book.  That pretty much defines who I am! 





 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Grace

Yesterday was 08-06.  August 6.  The day I married my BFF Dale. 
26 years ago. 
It hardly seems possible. 
A lot has happened in those years.
Some good, some not so much. 

Yesterday a wife and two daughters buried their loved one. 
She was married to him for 26 years.  When I heard that, my heart skipped a beat or two. 
The whole state of Minnesota  mourns this fallen police officer.  There are no words, except maybe SENSELESS.  Or TRAGIC.
It is just plain CRUEL. 
Life is not fair.  The evil ones play by their own set of rules. 
This coward took a cop.  A husband.  A daddy.  A brother.  A friend. 
Does he know the amount of grief he has inflicted on so many for so long?  Lifelong grief. 

The news media kept saying, "married for 26 years" 
That is Dale and I.  How is it that today I get another day with him, and this grieving wife doesn't with hers?
By God's mercy and grace I will love and honor and cherish him as long as we both shall live. 
I love you Dale.





Monday, August 4, 2014

Hiking in England

This past week I was in a kitchen store. 
Among other things, I bought a new scone pan.
When I went up to the register to pay, the friendly gal behind the counter made small talk.

"I just made some scones this morning." 

That alone perked my ears up! She went on...

" I just got back from England, and wanted the reminder of my time there even if it was just last week."

"Ok, I'm all ears,"  I said.   " Where did you go?"

She proceeded to tell me all about her hiking adventure in England.  Hiking in England?  I am in!
She showed me pictures she had on her phone.  It looked incredible.

When I got home, I told my husband that we have a new goal. 
We have started the research. 
Here are some websites in case you are interested too!

www.nationaltrail.co.uk
www.coast2coast.co.uk
www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk
I love the idea of walking from one  bed and breakfast to the next!
It sounds like you walk with just a day pack and then a company brings all of your luggage to the next bed and breakfast for you.  All you have to do is hike for the day and rest for the night at each stop. 
It sounds fabulous. 

You never know what information you will gather just by talking to someone in a store!  It is all about life and being friendly and great conversation.  Love it!

Have you ever hiked a long distance before? 
My resume consists of a walk down the Grand Canyon, 2 walking marathons, and numerous hikes in National and State Parks.