“A Slice of Life”

slice-of-life-4

Dear Reader:

Even though Grandmother Wilson reminded me, on several occasions, to stop and enjoy a “slice of life” the expression originally referred to a short film, documentary, or play with  “slice of life” dialogue throughout…”unembellished representation of real life.” 

IMG_1606Simplified, the expression aptly points out that at some benchmark moment in our lives we come to the realization that the every day ordinariness of life is the life we come to cherish…where the true treasure of simply being alive thrives.

For example…when I went out in the garden yesterday two of Harriett’s day lilies had bloomed simultaneously and were breath-taking in size and beauty.

IMG_1596

download (2)They reminded me of the double mint gum advertisement with the famous Double Mint gum twins. The slogan went: “Double your pleasure, double your fun….Double good, Double good, Double good gum!”

Except this time it was the double darling lilies that took front stage in the garden…just an ordinary day with a “double good” surprise!

download (1)*A little trivia….Doublemint gum emerged in 1914  (following Wrigley’s  juicy fruit and spearmint gums.) The reason for the “double” was in the processing: “The unique double distillation process for the mint in Doublemint was the source of the brand’s name.”

IMG_1602Yesterday as I walked by the fountain the sun was shining through the trees at just the right angle casting light shimmers across the top of the water…. at the bottom was all those new pennies (many of you threw in for your wish) were shining like gold. I think, gals, it is a good sign that all your wishes will come true….double true!

Here is a sampling of the sights in an ordinary life that make us so happy….a cactus (one I gave Susan, a long time ago,  that she broke off and replanted for her mother and look at it now…I sure gave it to the right person) blueberries at Anne’s that we picked and ate right off the bush yesterday, and just peeks of life in every floral form that makes you happy.

IMG_1410 (1)IMG_1598

IMG_1599 (1)IMG_1600

IMG_1604 (1)IMG_1605 (1)

So until tomorrow: FullSizeRender

“Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

I am living that fairy tale every “ordinary” day! My penny wish, Monday night,  was to just keep living the life I am living right now…it far surpasses anything I could have dreamed of….

*And grandmother….life has sliced me the biggest slice of cake recently…I am “eating my cake and having it too“….living life to the fullest!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to “A Slice of Life”

  1. Harriett Edwards says:

    Glad you got the yellow one. It’s name is Look here Mary. The creator of the one was as amazed as you were when it bloomed for the first time and excitedly called his wife to come see the beauty they had. At least this is the story my Dad told about it. They were members of the Day Lily club and crossed and created several blossoms but none this pretty. Enjoy.

  2. Becky Dingle says:

    What a fun, adorable story….love it! Will have to share it tomorrow with the readers!

Leave a Reply