Another beautiful day! I walked early this morning before sunrise and then settled into my new chair for a morning meditation. The trees are blooming here and the birds are singing magnificently all day long and I cannot help but feel gratitude for my life.

I drove to Rossville today to close out our temporary PO Box, and felt so very thankful for our new home. Thankful that we are settling in and thankful that I am close to Liz and her family. I love everything about my new life in Tennessee. I love that I am here - right where I am suppose to be.

I love watching my life unfold and I love looking for Joy in the unfolding. I can think of nothing better than looking for Joy every day.

Here's to the Journey!

I like to always do something productive each day and actually have a hard time relaxing if I have not accomplished some kind of chore before the end of the day. Today was no exception and when Jim got home, I asked him to help me with some things that I couldn't (very easily) do by myself. So with the chores out of the way, it was time to relax.

It was in the low 70's today and we began our relaxing evening sitting on the patio with a fabulous new black beer that we recently discovered. The beer is Xingu and it is very dark with a chocolate overtone. It is very smooth and it set the tone for a wonderful and relaxing evening.

Next, I made fresh ice tea for dinner with soup and sandwiches. At the last minute I spread a picnic in front of the fire place, and since it was beginning to cool down, I asked Jim to "build" a fire (which means turn the switch). We sat on the floor, with our simple dinner, and enjoyed immensely the ending of our day.

I love taking the time to soak up the Joy that is my life. I love, at the end of the day, looking back at the things I accomplished and relaxing into the evening. And one of these days I just might convince myself to spend a whole day relaxing - now that would be Joyful!

Here's to the Journey!

3 Big Questions

Tucker, Rollin and Fynneus spent the night with us and we had a wonderful time. They are always a Joy to be with and thrilling to listen to their hearts. They often say or ask things that are so unexpected that we are at a loss for words. This visit was no exception.

Tucker is 6 years old and getting more independent by the minute. This weekend he asked me to put his shoes on him and I looked at him startled. He has not asked me to do this in a long time. Then he quickly added "For a hug and a kiss!" So all day and night, when he need his shoes back on, he asked me to help, and I got lots of hugs and kisses! JOY!

Rollin, who is soon to be 5, spent some time with me just talking about angels, about his brothers, and about the wind. The wind was blowing and whistling and howling around the house, and we could hear it as we talked. One time, as it seemed extraordinarily loud, Rollin asked "How can the wind howl when it doesn't have a mouth?" A question I have never answered before. So we talked about wind, and how it moves, and how it makes sounds, and he seemed satisfied. But his question let me see a little of how his inquisitive mind works.

Then, sweet Fynneus, who had just enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with all of us, was feeling grateful for Poppa helping fix breakfast. After I washed the honey off of his fingers and cheeks, I told him to go tell Poppa how much he loves him. So, Fynn hopped down from his chair, ran to find Jim in the kitchen and asked very clearly "Poppa, how much do you love me?" Jim's answer: "I love you Big!"

Joy is the wonder of a child.

Here's to the Journey!

Over the years I have met two women that I have had such a bond with, that we swore we were sisters. (Maybe in another life?!) I met my beautiful friend, Pat, about 7 years ago when we moved to Florida. We bonded immediately, and then introduced our husbands to see what their reaction would be. They became great friends, and would often sit back with smiles as Pat and I were lost in our conversations of this and that. Although I have only known her a very short time, we often introduced ourselves as sisters. It felt that good.

Dena is my other beautiful friend that I have bonded with in a way that I imagine you bond with a sister. I met Dena when I was 14 or 15 years old and I thought she was the most beautiful person I had ever met. She actually became my sister in law for a while, and has moved in and out of my life sporadically. We may not see each other for years, yet when we do, the connection is always there. I saw her recently when I went north to visit family, and I was awed (again) at how beautiful she is.

While living in Florida, I gave advice to Pat about painting her house. She was going to try painting some rooms along with trim, etc, so I helped her sort through colors, but then she did all the work. She did a wonderful job, and it was a Joy to help someone with something that comes so natural to me.

On Wednesday as I was struggling with painting my family room. I had one long wall that was not cooperating (with my intention) and was covered with streaks. I was feeling a little down when I thought "Dena would know!" Dena is an expert painter, and has given me advice before. So I shot an email off to her late Wednesday evening, and her answer was waiting for me when I got up on Thursday. And of course it was the right answer - I now have a (mostly) streak free wall.

And so today as I thought of the many women in my life, and especially of Pat and Dena, I was tickled at our little connection through painting. And I was thankful to have this wonderful bond, that goes much further than painting, and that survives years and decades of our lives.

Here's to the Journey!

Living the Good Life

Life is good. That is my mantra today. LIFE IS GOOD!

Here's to the Journey!

I have a Gratitude Journal that Jenn made for me. It is heavy bond paper bound in blue suede leather and is only 4 inches by 5 inches. It is a beautiful book, and I keep it with me always. I have recently re-committed myself to writing daily the things in my life that I am grateful for, and as I write I really try to Feel the gratitude in my soul.

It is a very simple thing to feel gratitude and appreciation and as I take the time to truly express my feelings of gratitude and appreciation by writing them in my Journal, I began to find more and more things to be grateful for. More things to appreciate. I find myself looking in wonder at the dark morning sky and feeling grateful. Listening to the birds sing as I take my morning walk and feel such appreciation for the beauty of their songs.

Truly, Joy is learning to appreciate everything that is presented to us in this life.

Here's to the Journey!

Spring is springing for us! Tonight we went to the local nursery on the town square to pick out our tomato plants. I found some beautiful basil, Italian parsley and cilantro to begin my herb garden. Jim found some pepper plants and a jalapeno plant and now we have the beginnings of some amazing fresh salsa planned for this summer.

Joy is growing a garden. Joy is the beauty of watching the garden grow.

Here's to the Journey!