There are those mornings, even though the sunrise presents beauty in it's best form,
 that one just does not feel like facing the challenges, of another new day.

 Maybe it's quite simply, a bad hair day.......

Or, maybe, there is too much hair to deal with, and it all feels too soft and totally
unmanageable.

Perhaps you feel like the aging process has done you in.  Too many wrinkles and not
near enough moisturizer to help solve your problem:).

 Or, it may just be easier not facing everyone, or anyone.

Perhaps, you do not possess the energy needed to face the day.  You
might feel overcome with a feeling of sluggishness, and cannot get moving....no matter
how hard you try!!!

But, you know what?  People need you!  You are very important!  Your individuality is
what makes you so special!  Never mind that you might not have had the chance to clean your nose before you began your day.  That does not matter.  What does matter, is that you
embrace the unique person that you are, and that you offer that sweet heartwarming smile to
those you come in contact with.  I know that to be true, because on Friday evening, when we walked through the "exotic animal display" behind this sign...

We would have found it quite boring, if every one of the birds and animals there, would have looked
the same.  Celebrate your uniqueness!  It is a special gift from our Creator to you, and to those you meet in life.  We all need each other

Thanks for stopping by!  I wish I could meet everyone of you!

There are many times lately, where the to-do lists, the packing, the decisions, and the too few
hours in the day, cause me to be too focused on one hand, and yet too distracted on the
other hand, to notice the blessings that are all around me. 

Simple blessings.  I want to be aware of them.  I want to appreciate them and to be so thankful
for them.  Most of all, I want to look for them, in the everydayness of life.

~Like the abundance of fresh fruits gracing every roadside stand and produce section
of our county stores.

~Like this pretty chandelier that my husband purchased for me on my 40th birthday, and he
just had transferred for me, from the house where I live now, to the house where I am moving
to.  It's lights add ambience in any room where it is placed, and it always reminds me of how
it helped me to leave the thirties and enter the forties, those many years ago:).

~Like the multitudes of vibrant colored flowers that I see everywhere.  Perfectly created, designed,
and growing, adding huge doses of beauty everywhere I look.

 

~Like having my Mother-in-law visits and the kind, upbeat lady that she is to

all of us.  Here we stopped at one of our favorite country roadside gardens, and

picked up these flowers to brighten up her small apartment.  Five dollar bouquets

make me so happy, and made her happy too.

 

~Like the fact that my granddaughters still enjoy coming and working in my kitchen with me. 
Whether it is making tiny chocolate chip cookies, or...

 

 

~Or painting used jars with glow in the dark paint. and then adding battery operated
votive candles inside.

~Like the healthy looking crops of corn that are growing in every field in our countryside.  I

don't remember seeing the corn crop this abundant for years.  Truthfully, I drive right

past it all so often, without even recognizing the gift it is to everyone.

~Or, like the gathering of a dear group of ladies from our small church, when we raised our
coffee cups in celebration of the last chemo treatment for the beloved friend, in our midst. 

~Like the gorgeous summer evenings that we have had lately!  When the sun begins to set, the
green of every hue, produces scene after scene of indescribable beauty.  I captured this picture
last night, from the back seat of my husband's motorcycle. 

Riding cycle with him on roads like this, offers a time of therapy for me.  A time of clearing my
mind, and readjusting my focus.  I cannot get over the amazing beauty that I see no matter
where I look.

You see, I really don't want to be so consumed with "life", and all that entails, that I miss the simple blessings that are everywhere around me.  At times, one must look more for blessings
than at other times, but, one thing for sure, they are always there, in one form or another.

I discovered this song recently and it was encouraging to me.  I thought maybe you
might like it too.

Thank you for stopping by!  What simple blessing are you thankful for today?

The unique blue tin cans, filled with yellow flowers, graced the picnic tables in the big,
white pavilion. We gathered last evening for the "once a year" summer reunion, from
my dad's side of the family. 

It continues to be a joy to be a part of such a big, special family!  Actually, this is only part of that extended family.  Because of summer schedules, many could not attend.

Family photo taken by my dear sister-in-law.  That was no small undertaking, I might add.

And, for an extra special treat, we had one family share their exceptional vocal talents with us.
They sang, we took it all in, enjoying every minute.  Then, the last two songs, we got to sing along, and that was so meaningful.


"Think of your family today and every day thereafter.  Don't let the busy world of today keep
you from showing how much you love and appreciate your family".     ~The Fresh Quotes

The weather this past weekend provided abundant rains on Saturday and hot, sunny, humid weather
on Sunday.  The end of July at it's finest! 

I do hope you had some of your own memorable moments, as well.

Thank you for stopping by!