Dear Reader:

I never tire of stories that remind us that self-perceived or self-imposed stumbling blocks in our eyes often turn into our most important personal stepping stones.

I have been gone since last Friday….I am helping keep Rutledge and Lachlan, along with other family members, for Walsh and Mollie to take one last weekend together before the baby comes and life changes again for the Dingle family.

Friday night I went to the James Island Festival of Lights with John, Mandy, Carrie and the children to see all the Christmas post cards the schools made this year for the art contest. The lights are beautiful and it is a great way to bring in the Christmas season.

Then Saturday Mandy and I let all the cousins play together at her house before taking the boys back for naps. Tommy and Kaitlyn are taking a shift too over the weekend so it really does take a “village to raise a child…two actually….soon to be three.”

When I came across this unknown story  it once again reminded me of how important it is to use  all the talents we have been given…even the ones we don’t consider assets to ourselves.

“A Stumbling Block Becomes a Stepping Stone”

Arturo Toscanini was one of those people who turned a handicap into a blessing. He was extremely near-sighted and, at nineteen, was playing cello in a small European orchestra. He couldn’t see the music on the stand in front of him, so he had to memorize it.

One day the orchestra leader became ill and young Toscanini was the only member of the orchestra who knew the score from memory. That evening, he conducted the entire program without referring to the music. His performance was flawless. The audience applauded enthusiastically. 

Other chances to conduct followed, and Toscanini was on his way. If he hadn’t been nearsighted, he might have continued playing cello instead of becoming one of the finest conductors in the world.

(Bits and Pieces August 16, 2000) 

*As I return home later today I will get fun photos of the sights and sounds of the weekend together to share with you. Always fun to be with the grandchildren and always fun to come back home to my Happy Home.

So until tomorrow: A teacher asked one of her pupils, “What is the national’s capital?”  The reply was, “Washington, D.C.”

When asked what the “DC” stood for, the pupil added: “Dot.com!”

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Speaking of veterans….look at “Big Red” ….that geranium has lived almost a  decade to date and has battled freeze burn, insects, drought and floods…but still beams proudly, not with red poppies but bright red geraniums blooms. My hero! Love ya “Big Red.”