Life

July Random 5 – Aging apps, Shirley MacLaine and self-care

Posted on July 21, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Sunday, mid-July, and here we are cruising down hill towards August. Time for 5 Rapid Fire Randoms from my world. Ready? Set – Go!

1 Aging apps – friends on Facebook are posting results of an app that ages you by 40 years. Here’s one to try- ha!

2 Dog days of Summer – Our West MI Summer took it’s sweet time arriving. Our first 80F day was June 20th. But now that we’re into July – with more than 3 weeks of warm weather behind us – folks are already CRABBING about it. I was doing fine until that sweltering sweaty muggy stuff landed last week ~ the hot, humid, dank weather that steals your breath away at 6am. The humidity so high that you sweat AFTER a shower. Our local AM radio host cheerfully announced, “The heat index – with the humidity – is already over 90F.” I turned up the fan and suppressed my crabbiness.3 Grand Dames – I read a recent interview with actress Shirley MacLaine. Always liked her. Classy, smart, sassy … takes no prisoners. This quote resonated with me:

“I have what I consider just a perfect life … I eat what I want, I sleep when I want. Not that much bothers me. I think attitudes are a choice. Anger is a choice, peace is a choice, sarcasm – which is what I’m good at – is a choice.” ~ Shirley MacLaine

I wanna be Shirley MacLaine when I grow up!

the incomparable Shirley MacLaine

4 Stopping when necessary – As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten better at stopping what doesn’t work for me. Try something new but don’t like it? Don’t keep doing it. Order a new food that disappoints? Set it aside. The same goes for books – I LOVE to read, as in l-o-v-e to read. Summer = reading for me. But just recently I started a book with characters so awful – I had to stop. The female character allowed herself to be manipulated by a narcissistic and cruel man, a man who enjoyed the “game,” playing with her emotions and physical safety like a cat with a mouse. I could see where the story was going after reading just a few chapters. Yes, I knew she’d probably become her own kind of hero but I just couldn’t sit through the abuse.

So I stopped reading it.

I didn’t give it away, I didn’t turn in for re-sale or donate it.

I threw it out.

You might be empathic if …

5 Heading to a corporate conference this week ~ practicing self-care now – there – and thereafter!

Ever stopped doing what didn’t work for you?
Does Shirley’s quote resonate with you as well? Why?
How do you practice self-care?

Summer Days & Sully’s book

Posted on July 13, 2019 by emjayandthem

We’re nearing the end of our July vacation ~ and it always amazes me how quickly vacation flies by!

Ahh the lazy days of summer. It’s hot, sticky and sunny. Even with my 70SPF I have a warm tan with tan lines where my flip flops go and tank tops end. As when I look back at all we’ve accomplished and had going these past 2 weeks it’s no wonder we’re both moving a little slow this weekend.

I arrived home on a Friday after attending a 3 day corporate conference
Had new window treatments installed (involved moving furniture/etc out of the way and back again)
Played in a couples golf scramble
- all in the same day 😀
  - what was I thinking?
  - Say yes and you’ll figure it out later
Picked my sister up from the plane and, for a week, stayed up late and got up early, still talking
Visited the big lake (Lake Michigan) 2 x + Won and lost money at the Casino
Cried watching “Toy Story 4” and “The Mustang”
laughed at all the same places in “Bridesmaids”
Reveled in the ability to sit across the table from each other, laughing until we choked while finishing each others sentences
Skipped breakfast & enjoyed watermelon and cherries for lunch
Savored pots of coffee & tea out on the patio with sister, Sully and Hubbs … plus a cold beer or two, too

Mornings with Sully, an Emjayandthem (C) Photo

Up and outside early and to bed when tired with no alarm clocks – WHEE!
Celebrated the 4th with amazing fireworks, dancing fireflies and neighbors
Decorated the hall for the kid’s wedding and hosted the rehearsal dinner, ordered the limo, catering, bar, DJ and more plus managed the details!
Helped him get ready on his big day
- Cried with Hubbs and my sister at ^^ above
  - Smiled at his smile when he saw her
  - Cried again
Witnessed their vows, celebrated by dancing with our boys, my sister, hubbs and friends.
Polka’d till I lost my breath and then went out and did it again 🙂
Cleaned up the hall and tumbled into bed
Got up early & hosted a gift opening
Languished in the hot tub
Cared for, slept with and supervised grand-dog Sully ~ who is adorable and hilarious but a bit like having a 70lb toddler

Today I cooked up brunch, did some catalogue perusing and online shopping but still haven’t started on my books, there’s been no time. …. but I think I’ll take a page out of Sully’s book and go enjoy a nap in the a/c.

Sully nap, an Emjayandthem (C) photo

What are you up to today? Take any naps lately?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Faith, Family, Home, Life, Life Lessons, Love, Opinion, Patriotic, Personal, Thoughts, Writing | Tags: 4th of July, animals, dog lessons, dogs, fireflies, fireworks, Independence Day, lazy days of summer, movies, naps, no schedule, pets, relationships, seasons, simple pleasures, Sully, summer holidays, summer vacation, Summertime, The Mustang, Toy Story 4, travel, watermelon, wedding | 8 Comments

Sunday Random 5 – Golf, Joe Friday, Wedding Bells & Good Tired

Posted on June 23, 2019 by emjayandthem

Here we are nearing the end of June ~ it’s time for 5 Random Thoughts from my world. Ready? Let’s do this.

1 ) Golf – who knew I would have this much fun golfing? Even the lessons are fun! I tell him this all the time so I’ll tell you, too: Hubbs was right. You cannot golf and work. Beyond being together and being outside, disconnecting from my job is something I’m enjoying so much. I like what I do, but no one needs to do it a-l-l the time! 🙂

2 ) Good tired. We both worked around the house & yard yesterday and I went to bed early ~ It was a “good tired,” the tired that comes with aching muscles and sore feet but the knowledge you accomplished something. Then, to no surprise, I found myself awake at 4, then 5, at by 6:10 I threw the covers back with a “oh just get up already.” Laundry’s done, coffee’s hot and Salsa Chicken simmers in the crock pot ~ I’m enjoying padding around a quiet house on a sunny summer Sunday.

3 ) Joe Friday – Heading to another corporate conference this week ~ there have been even more organizational shifts with senior people leaving and new folks coming in. The bench is deep and the talent is impressive. And, as we’ve done before, we were asked to complete the Myers-Briggs personality test. I’ve taken this test many times over the course of my corporate life and I always get the same result – I’m an ISTJ —

ISTJ – The Inspector (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) ~ Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Highly capable and decides logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized – their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.

I’m Joe Friday! Google.images.com

However, the test is only as accurate as your answers are honest. And like we’ve all seen, there are some who “play it” up for the big cheese(s), sit in the front row, hang on the leaders’ every answer, and kiss the ring. These are the same people whose profiles never match up to who they actually are. I’m fine with my results because I know exactly who I am – the good, bad, and the ugly. And that’s exactly why such trips are so taxing!

4) Wedding bells – Our youngest son is getting married in just a few weeks! 10 minutes ago he was this little. But he’s not so little anymore. He still has the same laugh & love for life ~ and now he has a beautiful partner by his side, someone to call his very own. The love between them is palpable and we couldn’t be happier!

Corporate Family picnic, an Emjayandthem (C) photo

5 ) Summer Vacation – After this week’s conference ends comes 15 – count ’em – 15 days off! I’m leaning in for time with Hubbs, time with my sister, trips to the beach and Casino, visits with our boys & their girls, a happy wedding to enjoy and dance to, grilling out, grand-kids, grand-dogs, Golf, sunshine, sunscreen, watermelon, flip flops, tank tops, down time , new books and more good tired.

So, what’s new in your world?
Do you enjoy the feeling of “good tired?”
Ever taken a personality test?

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Faith, Fun, Growth, Home, Joy, Life, Love, News, Opinion, Personal, Random, Relationships, Romance, Thoughts, Travel, Work | Tags: Beach, coffee, conference, corporate travel, fun, golf, golf lessons, good tired, happy, ISTJ, Joe Friday, just get up already, kiss the ring, Myers-Briggs, personality test, sister time, sleep, tee it up, unexpected delights, Wedding bells | 8 Comments

The space between yes and no

Posted on June 4, 2019 by emjayandthem

Sometimes little nudges come from the most random places. Today, this popped up in Facebook Memories ~ it was a passage I needed to read again and I thought you might, too:

“In the space between yes and no, there is a lifetime. It’s the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it’s the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are; it’s the legroom for the lies you will tell yourself in the future.” ― Jodi Picoult.

5 Things I’m excited about today:

Road trip – tunes at the ready, coffee up!
In about a month our baby boy will be married; in < a month my sister arrives for the wedding 😀
We just got the news that another grandchild is on the way – oldest boy & his wife are expecting a baby in December 🙂
I’m taking my first golf lesson this week!
The days are longer, the nights are shorter and I do believe summer will be here soon!

And pie, always say YES to pie~

What lives in your space between yes and no? What are you excited about today?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Friendship, Joy, Life, Seasons, Travel | Tags: adventures, coffee, golf, grandchildren, Jodi Picoult, life lessons, pie, road trip, saying yes, summer, the legroom for the lies you will tell yourself, the space between yes and no, travel, wedding | Leave a comment

Random 5 Friday ~ Mothers Day, Coincidences and GPS

Posted on May 17, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday and time for a few randoms from my corner of the universe. Ready? Set? Go:

1 ) Mother’s Day as a child meant 3 things: a) Church/Sunday School, b) a family get-together and c) Homemade cards/gifts for Mom. Like they’ve done before, my boys asked to take me out for “a nice lunch.” They know this is the one thing I want more than anything from the store – time with them. We met up – they gave me their gifts and cards with notes of love and appreciation and I savored the moment. We laughed till we cried and I beamed with the love I feel for them. In my view, the greatest gift a Mom can ever get is children who grow up to be people you want to be with! We ate, we laughed, we leaned in. I felt the love then and still do. ❤

2 ) Whenever I have a “big” meeting or presentation to do I “bring” Mom with me – by wearing a piece of her jewelry as her reminder to “go get ’em, kid” – She’s met the Governor, Congressmen/women, Leaders of state, Senators, House Reps, congressional pages, Mayors & more ~ she’s with me every step of the way. And if I encounter any “nonsense” I’m not afraid to use my firmest “Mom voice” which of course I learned from her!

Just a couple of Mom’s rings – Peridot & Padparadshca Citrine ~ she loved her “right hand rings” from the shopping channel.

3 ) In meetings earlier this week I had one of those moments we’ve all had where you know the answer to a question not yet asked. Tingling and trying not to jump ahead I listened closely; when I shared my thoughts later the speaker pulled back, her eyebrow went up and a smile filled her face. “How did you know that?” she asked. “Because sometimes I just know.” We talked about coincidences and serendipity and how sometimes we find ourselves right where we’re meant to be; it’s up to us to recognize it when it happens. The more I acknowledge it when it occurs, the more it occurs for me.

Fate’s like that, I find.

4 ) Saw this and laughed out loud because 1) it is so true and 2 ) I admit that I often still revert to “old school GPS” – read on ~

5 ) I’ve been traveling weekly these past few months; one day easily rolls into the next, weekends have been full and a Tuesday morning can feel like it should be Saturday already. Memorial Day is next week and – gasp – it’s been 3 months since I woke up to this:

Winter 2019 – an Emjayandthem(C) photo

So, what’s new in your world? Experience any coincidences lately? Do you remember “70’s GPS?”

Happy Friday! 😀

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Fun, Growth, Holidays, Home, Joy, Life, Love, Mom, Opinion, Relationships, Seasons, Travel, Wisdom, Women | Tags: 1978 GPS, coincidence, fate, GPS, instincts, intuition, Mom's rings, Mother's Day, motherhood, seasons, serendipity, Spring, travel, weekends, winter | 4 Comments

Spending my Sundays

Posted on May 5, 2019 by emjayandthem

Sunday ~ windows open, birds chirping and lawnmowers buzz in the distance.

3 weeks ago ~ snow; today ~ 70F.

Hubbs hurried around earlier as he readied for golf; I slept in, savored coffee and started a pot of soup. He’ll be back later, wind burnt and sore, happy and tired. We’ll visit over soup and smile at the day.

It really doesn’t matter what season it is, there’s something about Sundays that I love most.

It could be the quiet stillness of the house.

It could be the smell of supper lingering on the stove.

It could be meandering phone conversations with my sister or cousin or none at all.

It could be me starting a new book or reading 5 magazines or sitting on the floor sorting .shoes.

It could be towels tumbling in the dryer and fresh warm sheets on the bed.

It could be me that I spend my Sundays doing whatever I choose.

“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to. Stay home on New Year’s Eve if that’s what makes you happy. Skip the committee meeting. Cross the street to avoid making aimless chitchat with random acquaintances. Read. Cook. Run. Write a story.”― Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

How do you “spend” free time?
- Do you feel compelled to be productive and get things done?
Are you able to let the day lead you?
- When’s the last time you had nothing to do and a whole day to do it?

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Blogging, Food, Home, Joy, Life, Opinion, Personal, Seasons | Tags: birds singing, chores, free time, golf, peace, quiet, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't stop talking, Reading, soup, Spring, stillness, Sunday, Susan Cain | 5 Comments

Random 5 Saturday ~ rooms, fasting and fools

Posted on April 27, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s nearly May and *gasp* I’ve hardly been here. As in, on the blog. I’ve driven to and been in meetings all over this state – an excess of 2,500 miles logged in the past 5 weeks. I’ve woken up and thought Monday was Saturday. I’ve wondered where I was – hotel or home? Too much, too much. I’m ready for some down time and soon. So, with that, I do believe it’s time for 5 Randoms from my world. You ready? Let’s go.

1 ) This room: I can feel myself, coffee in hand, meandering my way to that white patio chair ~ birds signing and me humming, you?

2 ) I accepted a last-minute speaking request Monday for an event on Wednesday. 150+ in the audience in a City I’ve never been with people I’d never before met. One had been in the audience for a presentation I’d given at a neighboring conference so that happenstance created the opportunity for this one ~ Motoring there, tunes up, I remembered this quote:

“Great things never came from comfort zones.” …

And I smiled at how much I welcomed the “break” in my ‘routine.’

3 ) Miss Kitty Kitters (neighborhood cat) visited us earlier in the week ~ Spring’s arrival means she moseys by and stops in for a pet or five. I don’t know where winter holds her, but she sure is happy to be out walking ~~the~~ her beat again.

She looks like this and is even cuter!

4 ) Something I’ve noticed working 5 days a week – office or home – I tend to eat on schedule. And sometimes, I think I eat because it’s time to, not b/c I’m hungry. ( It’s that old fear of low blood sugar shakes returning that causes me to do this, I know.) On weekends, I’m up early – between 6 and 7am – but I don’t eat until ~1pm… I mosey through the house, straightening this, cleaning that, and sipping coffee all the while. I eat around 1 and again at 6 or 7pm & then I am done for the night. And I’m just fine, not starving. Not one bit.

An epiphany — I’ve been “Intermittent Fasting” without even realizing it – this. is. how. my. body. prefers. things. to. be. A light bulb went on – I’m gonna give IF a go during the work week, too — for more info on the benefits of Intermittent Fasting (eating in a window only), read Gin Stephens’ “Delay Don’t Deny” – reading now .. and yeah, wow!

Most of a fast happens when you are asleep … hence break-fast

5 ) At a meeting several weeks ago a seemingly mild-mannered individual suddenly turned. Red-faced and angry, he snarled, looking for a fight. I didn’t take the bait. In that moment, I remembered these words, and I might have even said them out loud, I’m not sure. See I get angry, too, and I refuse to be bullied or talked over. The meeting soon ended, he’s likely still angry and Jimmy Cracked Corn!

And how was your week? Any AHAs recently?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Beauty, Growth, Joy, Life, News, Opinion, Personal, Relationships, Self Discovery, Uncategorized | Tags: arguing with a fool only proves that there are two, coffee, Delay don't deny, Donkey, dreamy rooms, eating, fasting, food, Gin Stephens, great things never came from comfort zones, health, healthy, Intermittent Fasting, Kitty Kitter, public speaking, tunes up | 12 Comments

Served what you deserve

Posted on April 7, 2019 by emjayandthem

This recent article about a suspected Rhino poacher who was trampled by Elephant(s) and then eaten by lions .. y-ouch!

It takes me back to working for a belligerent trophy-hunting executive years ago, the one whose African Safari journey ended in a big fat slice of Karma Pie.

this is what I imagine Karma pie to look like .. but maybe it’s chunky and hard to choke down?

Or the snarky sneaky lying rat of a boss who finally met his match and helped this believer drop 250 lbs in one day.

Karma’s coming!

Yep, every time I hear of a story like this, I’m reminded of something I’ve always told our boys:

Karma is only bad if you are

Do you believe in Karma?
Have you witnessed Karma coming full circle – in good ways and bad?

Categories: Attitude, Determination, Growth, Life, Life Lessons, music, News, Opinion, Personal, Quotes | Tags: bad people doing bad things, Culture Club, Donkey, get what you deserve, how a believer lost 250 lbs in one day, karma, Karma cafe, Karma Chameleon, karma is only bad if you are, karma pie, poacher gets killed by elephants and eaten by lions, rats, what goes around comes around, work life | 3 Comments

Spring / Slog Forward ~ 2019

Posted on March 10, 2019 by emjayandthem

It comes every year whether we like it or not: Daylight Savings Time. We Spring Forward – turn clocks an hour ahead and experts like to claim we’ll feel like this:

google images

And every time it has the opposite effect on me:

google images

So today, I’ll do as I’ve learned to do ~

I’ll cook a few things, but not too ambitiously.
I’ll read a while, but not too ambitiously.
I’ll workout a bit, but not too ambitiously.
I’ll go to bed a little sooner and give myself some grace to adjust … ambitiously.

But, after the winter we’ve had/been having, anything with the word Spring in it should be embraced 🙂

Still, I’m with Maxine on this:

google images

** No kitties were harmed in this post

What are your thoughts on Daylight Savings time?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Home, Life, News, Opinion, Personal | Tags: can we spring forward to May?, holiday, humor, I hate daylight savings time, Maxine, no matter how long the winter spring is sure to follow, Spring, Spring Forward, Weather, Why are we still doing Daylight Savings Time | 10 Comments

Random 5 Sunday ~ Cows, gifts, dogs and Bradley Cooper

Posted on March 3, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s the first Sunday of March, yay! I’m gearing myself up for several weeks of business travel and heading into some of the coldest temperatures of the year. Time for some Randoms from my world.

1 ) This picture describes this winter!

2 ) Lately my Facebook feed has been filled with political posts by well-meaning friends ~ I admit to having snoozed” a few ( to avoid seeing their stuff for 30 days) because I can’t take the rants. Give me pictures of your babies, kids, dogs, cats, casseroles or cakes. The other stuff I’d just as soon pass over. But this one, now this one made me laugh:

3 ) I asked our youngest boy for just a little bit of his co-worker’s “homegrown honey.” This is what he gave me. Nothing says love like a year’s worth of amber deliciousness~!

An Emjayandthem(C) Photo

4 ) Maybe it was the cold or just being home and inside but this year I watched the Oscars. Haven’t watched in years! Hubbs and I were “dog-sitting” our oldest son’s dog, Roscoe, and he watched the Oscars with me. It was a cold & stormy night (sounds like something Snoopy would write) and the winds were howling (the Bomb Cyclone was underway). Between us, we decided Roscoe-Doggus should have been nominated (and won) in the most dramatic category:

#highwindsequalhighbarks
#willbravethesnowfortreats
#workingPopsforpizza
#Nanaisasuckerfortheseyes
#moveoverBradleyCooper

Grand-dog Roscoe ~ we sure missed him when he went home. An Emjayandthem(C) Photo

5 ) Speaking of Bradley Cooper… this also made me laugh. (Bad weather can certainly = carb noshing!)

In case you missed their Oscar performance, see link below ~ ME-Ow!

And how was your week?

Categories: Animals, Family, Food, Fun, Holidays, Home, Joy, Life, Men, music, News, Personal, Relationships, Romance, Thoughts, Women | Tags: A Star is Born, bees, Bradley Cooper, cows farting, dogs, driving, grand-dog, heartfelt, homegrown honey, hubbs, Lady Gaga, love, love songs, me and carbs, most dramatic, pets, politics, Roscoe, sentimental, Shallow, snowstorm, sons, stupid quotes by stupid people, the Oscars, Weather, will brave snow for treats, winter, wonderful gifts | 7 Comments

Lake Days, “Bomb Cyclones” and conversations

Posted on February 23, 2019 by emjayandthem

My new summer tradition, established last year on my birthday, is this one: I get up early, coffee-up, pack a cooler and leave for the beach at Lake Michigan ~ about a 40 minute drive due West. There are audible smiles of joy as I pack and singing at full volume as I drive.

Easy-peasy free parking and lots of it, I set my beach chair, books and cooler up just before 10:00 a.m. near the water’s edge, with the chair angled towards the sun but so I can still see the waves.

Much like this guy below:

Grand Haven State Park, MI

~~~ ahhh ~~~at the Water’s edge ~ An Emjayandthem(C) Photo

As the day progresses, I turn to follow the sunshine. Books are read, snacks are savored, I dip in and out of the water and make trips up the beach to the bathroom, too. I might chat with strangers or little kids or no one at all. I pack up and leave as the crowds … crowd the sand ~ somewhere between 2 and 3 p.m. Long before this:

picture from Michigan.org

On my way out of town, I stop at the “Tasty Treat” for a vanilla/chocolate soft serve and enjoy it (and its messiness) all the way home……ahh summer!

We’re in the dregs of winter now – and summer will come again. Between now and then we’re facing such weather events like “bomb cyclones – rain, thunderstorms, ice and snow … and more power outages. So I’m glad to have pictures like these because they hold me over until the time comes again when we can complain about the heat 🙂 !

“Don’t knock the weather. If it didn’t change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn’t start a conversation.” – ― Kim Hubbard

What’s saving your life (in winter) right now?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Family, Food, Fun, Gratitude, Growth, Holidays, Home, Humor, Life, News, Personal, Seasons, Traditions, Travel | Tags: Beach, bomb cyclone, Books, conversations, don't knock the weather, Grand Haven, Kim Hubbard, Michigan, Reading, summer, summer delights, summertime traditions, talking about the weather, Weather, winter weather | 11 Comments

Books are a home

Posted on February 17, 2019 by emjayandthem

We’re mid-way through February and just out of five weeks of naughty winter. Bitter Arctic cold followed by a sixty degree swing in temperatures with freezing rain and ice storms, downed trees and power outages. Next came another band of snow … “Lake Effect” snow and more snow. Then wind, blowing the snow, making it skitter and scatter across driveways, rooftops and roads.

ice on the back steps .. so treacherous!

We’re a hearty bunch, us Mid westerners. We’re used to winter, and some of us (me) enjoy all four seasons. And, growing up in Canada or living here in Michigan, I’ve found the weather is always a safe topic no matter where you are – the gas pump, the grocery store, kids’ game or coffee shoppe. Weather is a favorite and “safe” topic in the check-out aisle, “So did you come through the storm(s) OK?” “Any damage at your place?” Quasi-strangers commiserating on a common theme affords a sense of community I long for.

This year, winter has kept us in more than out; yesterday was an “out” day — brunch with the Elders. The restaurant was packed with folks happy to be out and about. You’d never know it was 20F outside because inside, conversations flew easily over coffee being poured and the smells of bacon and sausages sizzling. People lingered, stopped by nearby tables to visit, and the chatter of so many confirmed all were happy to be there.

Winter 2019 – an Emjayandthem(C) photo

The reason for our gathering was two-fold: 1) celebrating a birthday and 2) creating a reason to get out & get together! It was Uncle Ron’s 81st birthday ~ he laughed and guarded his allotment of my home-made treats like a Quarterback shielding the ball. His sister, Auntie Karen, smiled with delight at the bag of paperbacks and cookies I handed to her. Not to be left out, Grandpa John, Hubb’s Step-Dad, tucked his cookie stash into the cab of his truck while shivering over one last smoke before heading home. We make it a point to get together on a regular basis and, for the reasons listed above, winter gatherings are always the feistiest.

Arriving home, Hubbs headed off to for a nap; I chatted on the phone with my cousin then snuggled into a chair with a new book – my 7th this year. Leaning in, sipping tea, I felt warm and wonderful and yes grateful – grateful for seasons and reasons that remind us that home is a wonderful place to be.

“Books, for me, are a home. Books don’t make a home–they are one, in the sense that just as you do with a door, you open a book, and you go inside. Inside there is a different kind of time and a different kind of space.”
― Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

How about you?

Any (winter) damage at your house?
Read any good books this winter?
Spring is just 31 days away 🙂

Categories: Attitude, Family, Fun, Holidays, Home, Humor, Joy, Life, Love, Personal, Relationships, Seasons | Tags: books are a home, brunch, elders, family, freezing rain, happy to be out, ice, inside a book is a different kind of time and space, Jeanette Winterson, Michigan, midwest, power outages, Reading, sleet, snow, storms, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?, winter, winter 2019 | 4 Comments

Life

July Random 5 – Aging apps, Shirley MacLaine and self-care

Summer Days & Sully’s book

Sunday Random 5 – Golf, Joe Friday, Wedding Bells & Good Tired

The space between yes and no

Random 5 Friday ~ Mothers Day, Coincidences and GPS

Spending my Sundays

Random 5 Saturday ~ rooms, fasting and fools

“Great things never came from comfort zones.” …

Served what you deserve

Karma is only bad if you are

Spring / Slog Forward ~ 2019

Random 5 Sunday ~ Cows, gifts, dogs and Bradley Cooper

Lake Days, “Bomb Cyclones” and conversations

What’s saving your life (in winter) right now?

Books are a home

Peeps Poppin' in

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