Dear Reader:
I’m back home! Got in yesterday afternoon….rested, relaxed, a touch of tan, and filled with happy memories. I will start going back through emails and comments made by you while I was gone. Can hardly wait to read your thoughts…might take a few days but I will get back with each and every one of you!
Remember as I was packing last Sunday, for the beach, I took a picture of my lantana around the front yard pine tree and wondered if the rest of it would all pop out while I was at Edisto….as you can see it did!
That’s life isn’t it? Nothing in nature stays dormant or still for any length of time. Life is an action movie and to live life to the fullest we must jump into it and hang on for the ride, for as long as we can.
As we reminisced this past week over difficult times in our past…such as: raising children as single parents, health problems of loved ones, teenage years with all its ups and downs with our children…financial worries during the college years…aging parents and difficult decisions…we all just grinned at each other and said, “By golly… by God’s grace, we survived that out-of-control merry-go-round and we can finally climb off the horse (or giraffe) and step back down on solid ground.“
We, now, have the luxury of solitude when we need it, friendship when we need it, hugs when we need it, adventures when we need it, shoulders to cry on when we need it, and laughter/teasing when we need it.
Most of all…we finally have time to re-introduce ourselves to ourselves. Making friends with ourselves is probably the most important relationship that exists…because if we don’t like ourselves…it is hard to engage in a relationship with anyone else.
Jackson summed it up….”This is the age of contentment.” No truer words were spoken. Life still has its challenges but it also has it on-going opportunities for all of us…no matter the age.
These days…crises that would have taken us over the edge…are just ant hills…(like Beverly Barutio said of “little c”) simple “annoyances.” We have been there, done that, and can now distinguish between a skirmish, a battle, and a war.
Most of the time…life is a series of skirmishes. And even then…most of them can be avoided with a few “side-stepping” moves.
J. Peters restaurant chain has moved into the old Grovers Restaurant…we were thrilled to be back and the food delicious!
Thursday morning Brooke and I returned to Botany Bay with windows down and fresh air in…to refresh our eyes in one of God’s most beautiful playgrounds.
The entrance into Botany Bay is lined with oak trees…like in a setting for an historical movie or documentary.
Not sure what is stranger…our Edisto hats or the famous “Edisto Mystery Tree.” The common denominator…fun!
People are like wide-eyed tourists going through life…we don’t want to get bogged down with too much detail…we just want to see the sights. And that is what we did! (Aren’t we thankful that God takes care of all the details for us… so we just get to enjoy it all?)
Good morning sunshine!
“A doe, a deer, a female deer”…
More decorating ideas…
We have decided that our summer retreat will be moved permanently to a late spring retreat. The weather was the best we have ever had consistently…cool, beautiful blue skies, and low humidity. We literally lived on the front porch in the rocking chairs…talking, laughing, eating, drinking, and blessing the universe, God’s Home, for allowing us a “place” in it!
So until tomorrow…Stop the merry-go-round occasionally and get off…we have already lost too much time going around in circles…it’s time to wave at the dizzying world and walk away sometimes…where life is slower, quieter, and more peaceful….a place where we can be “content.”
“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh
* While I was gone last week Lachlan turned two months old…it can’t be…my goodness….slow down my adorable “head banger” grandson! Can hardly wait to see you again Sunday!
* …And talking about life and surprises popping out….look what was inside my door when I got home yesterday! This perfect saying… on the clay plaque Honey made. *Honey…I am putting it where I can see it each day….a great reminder that kindness should never falter…no matter what the circumstance!
* Oops…I just discovered an add-on “pop out”! While I was gone the fairies have obviously been busy…with some help from someone. I strolled through my garden to see how everything had fared and look what I discovered! (From the “Edisto Mystery Tree” to the “Fairy Mystery Garden!”)
ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Good morning, Becky!!!
Welcome back to “ordinary time.” LOL! Life is definitely more fun and interesting when spent with loved ones, and your Ya’s are most definitely some of your loved ones! And, I might add, y’all are looking exceptionally fine! Good company, love, and laughter always makes one look better, don’t you think?
I have another little surcie for you! It’s not much and don’t get your hopes up, but I’ll try to stick it in the mail today. I think you’ll love it! I was astonished by it and nearly passed it by – will explain as I mail it.
Life in the mountains is still rather on the frigid side. (Yes, we’re back in the mountains. But, now, we have the luxury of either being in Fuquay – surrounded by family [and grands!] – or in LLH, and if we decide to head to one place or the other for a special event [like a grand’s birthday next weekend!], it’s not such a big deal!) Anyway, as much as we love these mountains, I just do NOT like the cold! We’re still sort of cleaning everything up and out and hopefully we’ll be able to get out and get some activities (i.e., hiking!) done. Maybe even some golfing and kayaking is in the offing. I’m hoping to get in at least one hike today even!! With this being a holiday weekend, as Bobby says, “Yeah, there’s gonna be a few people out there!” LOL! Oh! and speaking of life in the mountains, I loved Honey’s plaque. She does such unique things with pottery! Talented!
Have a blessed Memorial Day and I say thanks to all who serve or who have served in our armed forces, and especially to your brother Ben. Pray his hearing went well.
Much love and hugs,
Sis
Happy Memorial Day back to you Sis! It is even a little cooler here…but the good kind of cool…highs in the low 80’s, low humidity, blue skies….perfect late spring weather. I admire all your hiking, and other outdoor activities you engage in….I just putt around in the garden and take strolls…but either way life is good, isn’t it? So excited about my surcie…something to look forward to.