Where I've Been, Where I am

It seems I've been "all over the place" lately.  If not physically, emotionally and mentally.

Physically, there was a glorious trip to Grand Teton National Park.  This event is shared with members of a good friend's family.  It is a wonderful time of relaxation, fellowship, activities.  Kayaking was wonderful.  There were bald eagles and ospreys to admire and watch.  Mountain lakes warm enough to dangle toes in--which was a very good thing as our feet got VERY muddy when we took side trips shore!  There were wonderful rocks, wild raspberries for picking, and the ever-changing weather to keep our eyes on.  Five members of our group went white water rafting and had an exciting trip down the Snake River.  That water was refreshingly cool every time it splashed over the raft.  Hiking offered new experiences and vistas as we ventured into previously unknown territory.  It was a very good trip, filled with blessings.

A death in the family, another family member in surgery for biopsies (benign, thank goodness), friends dealing with infirmities...  a little too much drama for my taste, but there it is.  Life is like that.

Now I am at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California for my first session at the Academy for Spiritual Formation.  Twenty-four hours after arriving I am no longer frantically thinking "What am I doing here!"  I've gone from frantic to curious to questioning.  That's progress of some sort.  As usual, I am basking in the music and worship (three times a day!).  The homily for this afternoon's service was exceptional.  An interesting "take" on the ten lepers.  Much to mull over.

I am challenged, tired, inspired, and blessed.

Blessing to you as well.

July 25

Blessings abound!

 It's been a long time coming--but a good friend and I went kayaking after a year of not going.  And it was marvelous to be on the water again.  So many things to see, hear, and smell.  Nature in her glory!  I probably overdid it a bit as I'm paying for it with some neck and shoulder pain but it was absolutely worth it.  There is a peacefulness that I won't even try to describe.

A friend instigated signing up for a glass fusing class so today we experimented with making six different pendents.  The "baking" won't be done until sometime tomorrow, so she will have to pick mine up for me because tomorrow my husband and I are leaving on

vacation!

We will be gone two weeks.  Going camping in the Tetons, kayaking, hiking, being with family, potlucks, playing games (banagrams here we come!), fishing, and just having fun.  It will be fabulous!

I am looking forward to some quiet time as well.  There is still some reading to be done before Academy starts in mid-August.  And, of course, some writing and thinking, and thinking, and writing, and more reading.  The last book is a bit dry, a bit too studious, and difficult to get through.  Did I mention that it's also the thickest?  :(

Fresh vegetables are springing forth from a friends garden.  We are enjoying cucumbers, basil, dill, zucchini, beets and fresh garlic.  The lettuce, green beans, and raspberries are finished--but we sure enjoyed them while they were in season!  Yet to come:  corn, peppers, squash, melon, and one of my favorites--home-grown tomatoes!  Yippee!

I don't know how often I'll have an internet connection over the next two weeks.  I'll try to post during our time away.

In the meantime, may you be as blessed as I feel right now!

A Second Opinion

We have just returned from a larger metropolitan area about 2 hours away.  My husband was getting a second opinion about a recommended surgery on his foot.  The specialist, to no surprise, recommended the surgery advised by the local doctor--but suggested a different method and a bit more adjustment to one of his tendons.  What he said made sense and my husband really enjoyed meeting and talking with this fellow.  And not just because he has a Harley Davidson and they got to talk bikes and automobiles!  So it is now official--we will be scheduling his surgery some time this fall after he has finished his fall projects and had the winter to recuperate.  We'll be making several trips to accomplish this with this doctor--but have decided it will be worth it.  Yee ha.  I don't always enjoy driving in the winter (especially north), but this is the best option.

We are blessed indeed to have the resources and opportunities to have our health concerns addressed within the realm of the "insured."  There are so many who are not likewise blessed.  And I wonder how in heaven's name they take of themselves.

I  was reminded today that my husband and I enjoy a fairly quiet and peaceful life.  It has its frustrations, but generally we are content.  And that indeed is a blessing that many folks seem not have. So I am grateful for all that is good in our lives.

Blessings to you too!

Good News

There has been much to be thankful for the last few days.  A good friend got a positive report at the doctor's office.  My daughter is healing well from her surgery and is looking forward to getting back to some activities thus far banned (river floating, swimming in her friend's pool, etc.)  Today I did a short trip in my kayak and have concluded that I can (and will!) do some kayaking on our upcoming vacation.  I don't think it can make my shoulder any worse and it was absolutely marvelous to be "on the water" in the warm summer sun.  A mostly good day...

Oh--and I have discovered the joy of having a wireless printer.  Yeeha!

Blessings to you!

Finding time

It's not that I don't like to write daily--it's difficult to find a good time every day.  I've got some thoughts in the back of my mind as to a solution.  Will see if it works.

Blessings most notable over the last few days:

A good appointment with a Spiritual Director (and helpful comments from a friend as well!).

Two chocolate bars to enjoy.

Fabulous news about a friend's macular degeneration.

Maintaining an even keel (for the most part).

Fun and games at church this afternoon.  Several folks showed up to enjoy Aggravation, Banagrams, and more!

The second floor mats ordered for my husband's car fit well and he was pleased with them.  The first set I ordered were NOT what he wanted and boy, was he gritchy!

So, there's a brief synopsis.  Not meaty, unfortunately, but enough to remind me of happenings!

Blessings to you.

Pleasant Summer Days

It's often quite warm here--on the desert side of Washington State--but the last couple of days have been  pleasant.  Today, my husband and I enjoyed sitting under an umbrella at a local Starbucks.  The temperature was pleasant, a light breeze was blowing, and we enjoyed reading a couple of chapters in our current book.  Times like these are blessings indeed.  May you have such blessings in your life as well!

Blessings to you!

Kid's Movies

My husband, a friend, and I went to see Despicable Me 2 this afternoon.  What a hoot!  We laughed most of the way through it--and some of the scenes were downright hand clapping!   And the entertainment continued through the credits.   We had a great time.

So I'm thankful for folks with imaginations and abilities to make such fun entertainment come to life.  As my husband remarked as were leaving the theatre, "It's downright amazing what people come up with!"

Thank you God for small things that make us laugh, smile, and feel good!

Blessings to you!