Cee’s wonderful prompt for daily flower pictures is probably one of my favorites this year as my yard is exceptionally pretty this year. Nothing died, which is remarkable with my brown thumb, maybe a little greenage is starting to show.
I too chose Dahlias for today as I two different varieties.
Flowers are as individual as people are with each having it own beauty and love to share. As you share yourself with others remember to share the beauty from within and pair it with kindness.
Day Is Over
The day is over and the night is near
Memories were made to hold so dear.
I think in earnest and reflect over this day
Of memories I made leaving nothing to say.
All memories made, some scary some fun
Will all be stored once this day is done.
Lift memories, thoughts and deep felt cares
To the Lord above who will always be there.
He watches with love as we close out each day
And promises to refill us with hope as we pray.
For the day is now over and night is near
So gather those thoughts and memories so dear.
Anita Neal
Photo Courtesy of Judi Beeler
There are times when God paints beauty in the sunset to remind us of His power and glory. When you day is over, take times to reflect on the gifts of that day and remember to always be kind.
Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.
Today’s prompt: Write a piece of prose or poetry around the phrase “nine years old, and she never had a chance”
Nine Years Ago
It was nine years ago today, that faithless day, when life erupted with come what may.
The car she was in, offered no shelter within, as it hit the black ice and began to spin.
With injuries so grave, her leg they could not save, now at age nine she must be brave.
Her dreams of dance, was lost at first glance, knowing now she never had a chance.
Some dreams are alive, a determination to thrive, beyond expectation they too survive.
For others can see, the grace that can be, regardless of crutch, the beauty of she.
Now dreams of dance, where once was no chance, joyfully fill her with happenstance.
Anita Neal
As life can sometime throw you into a tailspin, try not to give up but continue to strive for your dreams. And always try to be kind even when it is hard.
Cee’s Flower of the Day is always a fun read. The beauty of plant life all around us is fascinating. Come join in and share what you see.
Today I am sharing my moss roses. Very hardy and resilient to drought when I don’t get them watered enough in the horrid heat we are currently experiencing.
Its a small bloom but lovely shades of red and yellow.
I use them as accents with other flowers…
How fun to play with flowers, color and interesting potting ideas. And as always I remind you of the value of kindness and to spread it thick like butter on a warm piece of toast.
Do you have those days when you think…why did I get out of bed?? Linda G Hill has a post she shares periodically called “What Day is it Anyway?” so I have one to share with you that I am still not sure was real except for the spot still on my sidewalk when I got home…
Let’s start the day over..(Oh, good grief no) but only with words.
Got to sleep until 7 before the dogs wanted up, which was great as it is usually 6 when they start stiring. Don’t know why I complain as before retiring I was up at 5…but I am retired now…well semi, didn’t like full retirement.
The morning routine was normal – took my shower, had a bagel with cream cheese and was ready in plenty of time to leave for my part time job. I had plenty of time for a quick email to my boys to let them know I love them…it’s a mom thing. I get that done, put the puppy up, gather my lunch bag, my keys, my phone and set the alarm and I am good to go. I open the door and all hell breaks lose…
Scooting right between my legs into the house is a chipmunk aka ground squirrel. My bird feeder attracts them but usually they run from you. Don’t know what spooked him to run towards me…and Mimi, a coonhound/black lab mix, 65 pounds.
And the chase was on. I could not help but think of my friend Carl and his squirrel story as it ran through his house with his two small dogs chasing. Good grief.
Mimi is barking that high pitched coon hound holler/bark thing they do, tables are being knocked about, I chasing both trying to catch the squirrel with a dish towel that was being used as a dust cloth and then…the alarm goes off because I didn’t close the front door. Crap! I got it turned off before it went full bore and called the police, meanwhile squirrel and dog are going nuts but fortunately staying in one room. The squirrel made a dash for the hall but Mimi hit the broom going after him and knocked it down spooking the squirrel who did a quick u-turn right inside the bookcase since the bottom of it was empty. I grabbed the (new) round dog bed and covered him to keep him in there so I could grab him. I am crawling on the floor trying to catch this varmint, and I am sure this was an interesting chuckle for my guarding angel and who ever may have been watching from heaven. You know they do.
Thinking I have him, I get to my feet only for him to wiggle free and fall out of my hands…right into Mimi’s mouth. NO! I screamed and sweet Mimi dropped him but I think the damage was done. He lay there limp but I was able to get him back outside to hopefully regain consciousnesses and run/limp away. I lay him gently in the shady part of my front stoop and went back inside…to start the routine over. Got Mimi settled with a Milk Bone, reset the alarm and out I go. I check on the squirrel and he is still unconscious but seems to be breathing. I look toward my car…wait, where is my car…oh, crap again!! We had a bad storm last night and I moved my car to the garage in case we had hail. The garage is out back with the walkout basement. I park out from so I don’t have to deal with stairs. I lower my head shaking…I am not going back in that house, I will just walk around.
I get to the gate and can’t get it open. Because of the rain, the wood had swollen locking the gate in place. The people who put up my fence really did not understand what all was involved in putting up a fence…I am sure you have read my earlier post of that nightmare and me having to rebuild the front portion of my fence.
Now what? No way can I climb the fence. The triangle hoe thingy was laying there where I dug up some weeds the other day so I used it to slip in the crack between the gate and the fence and pry to gate open…eating up precious time in trying to get to work on time.
Finally got the gate open and I head between my house and my neighbors house to get to the back yard. Got to the garage, no issue, got to the car no issue. So I opened the passenger side door to put in my lunch bag and my breakfast juice and realize…I don’t have my purse. This time its D___!
I get in the car, drive back around to the front of the house to go get my purse. I almost have to body slam the gate to get it open – the hoe is on the ground inside the fence. I go inside, unset the alarm, grab my purse, reset the alarm and finally I am off to work! I did not shut the gate…just in case I needed to come back for some reason.
So, that was my day start…how was yours…
Life is filled with things that can drive us nuts if we let it. It is hard to keep our calm at those times but rewarding when we can. Sometimes we can even chuckle at life as it throws its curve balls. Remember to watch for those curve balls but swing hard for the good pitches. God will reward us when we do. And as always remember to be kind, even when you don’t feel kind…
In Linda Hill’s humor for a 1-Liner Wednesday, she felt a loss for words of “that feeling when”…
That feeling when you hear a baby laugh…
Nothing quite like it. Take that feeling and share it with others and try to always be kind.
Recently we started a new out-reach with our church to do evening encouragements. Normally people do morning encouragements to help get your day going but with Covid still among us and seeming growing for a second wave, we felt like all of our members could use some encouragement at the end of the day so yesterday we rolled out the Nightly Encouragements. The pictures are not mine but found on Christian websites that matched the message of encouragement I am trying to share. Tonight we are discussing the value of laughter. My hope is that if you decide to read on, that you are in some way encouraged to stand firm for another day.
In a time such as this, where we are weighed down with life around us…we need some laughter. We have been told laughter is the best medicine but laughter has many documented medical benefits as well.
With our hectic lives that we live, zooming here to there or staying closed off in our homes, we all need a little encouragement that everything will be okay…eventually. While no one can guarantee that, I can guarantee this…you are truly loved by God and I share this with you as a little encouragement to help keep you going.
To be encouraged is to be filled with courage, to face life as it moves around us. Let’s face it, there are many things we come upon that fill us with fear and discouragement, like… Is this what I need to do, am I good enough to get it done, did I do it right according to whomever, the list is endless… but Jesus encourages us with His word as He reminds us that all discouragements that have ever made in this world… He has ultimately squashed…
I forgot to write down the name of this flower so I don’t know what it is…but its a happy flower cluster and deserve Cee’s Flower of the Day.
Remember in all you do, try to do it with kindness. It brings out the glow of all you touch.
The Stillness of the Morn
In the stillness of the morning, before day has ere began
The fog fill the tress and hangs heavy across the land
The moisture covers thickly and drips heavy from the trees
No sounds of life among them, not even birds or bees
One dare not be the first, the break this eerie sound
In the stillness of morning, there is no sound around.
Anita Neal
Go Dog Go Cafe has this fun Tuesday writing prompt that I enjoy, I just like adding pictures to help inspire me. Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.
Today’s prompt: Write a poem or piece of prose around the words “in the stillness”.
As you read the many who play along, remember the stillness of the new day and try to always start with kindness. It will make your day be filled with imagination and love.
For the Love of 