Tiny sprouts...

Some things take years to come to fruition. The grapevines I have planted will take a while to produce significant fruit. Our ever expanding raspberry patch will take some time to turn into the cobbler producing thicket I dream of.


What a blessing that not everything in life requires long term patience. This happy sprout is a volunteer sunflower. In just one season... just a matter of a few months our yard will be alive with color. Yellows, oranges and browns will rise above the ground in a triumphant row spreading joy to all who gaze their way.

Yes... I sincerely love sunflowers...

Three cheers for spring and the wonder of new life!

Ordinary Joy...

This morning as I ran errands before leaving on an adventure with my best friend Betty, I turned down a street near my home. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw colors flash and I turned my head to look. I laughed out loud, found a place to turn around and came back to take a picture. With a grin and a light hearted bubble of joy I snapped the photo to share.

It was all I could do not to ring the door bell and inquire about the collection. Does a retired firefighter live here? Or just someone fun... I'm not sure... But, regardless, the happy yard made me stop and pause.

All around us each day, there are blessings... Kind words from strangers... Free samples of fascinating coffee drinks at the store... Even the joy of Christmas and Holiday cards bedazzled with snow or singing a happy tune... There is so much to enjoy... I pray that you will see something that makes your heart smile... something like my delightful discovery this morning... something simple... something ordinary... and yet so very special...

Happiness on my head...

My oldest daughter has a great love.
Her love?
A silly website with crazy cat photos.
(Feel free to check it out at http://icanhascheezburger.com/.)

An ongoing joke uses a black and a white cat to represent good and evil. The black cat is called, "Basement Cat" and the white cat is named, "Ceiling Cat". One day a photo showed a little black kitten wearing a black hat that looked like Basement Cat. Ever since, my oldest has been convinced we need hats to represent the cats. Today she made me one.

Sporting it on my head, I went to get pizza for lunch. Walking through the door of Little Caesar's, I saw an old friend who commented on the hat. It seems, her own boys are crazy for the silly website as well. She knew exactly who the hat was meant to represent. I called my daughter and laughed. What a delightful gift. Now to find a white hat for her!