Tag Archives: friendship

Quite a “Thank You.”

Depositphotos

We just got back from Lunch Bunch and errands.

Our friend gave us quite a ‘thank you’ today for making the Freedom sign for her last week. She paid for our lunch, brought us a home-baked cake/bread with a huge, pretty bow on it, and hugged both of us. I feel that we should make her another sign for the extremely nice ‘thank you’! :0)

The sign said, “Don’t want $ – Want FREEDOM.” She stood on the side of the road across from a busy intersection off the expressway in Ft. Smith. She had a flag in one hand and the sign we made in the other. She said she had people honking and waving, and one man rolled down his window so he could yell, “Freedom!” and smile. It was a good experience for her and probably made some people who saw her happy.

(I’m happy to report that no one has damaged Yosemite Sam (our mailbox decoration) today. I’m relieved, and I hope to be able to one day take it for granted again, rather than driving down our driveway with dread. I will try to finish the repainting of the back of Wonder Wart-Hog this afternoon.

I hope that you are having a happy day, too.

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Filed under Friendship, kindness, Lewis Mailbox Decorations, Lewis projects

Favor

Pinterest

The daughter of one of our Lunch Bunch friends asked my husband and me for a favor yesterday. She is a very calm, kind lady. She is afraid our freedom is under siege.

She asked us to make a sign for her that said, “DON’T WANT $ – WANT FREEDOM.” (The only people waving signs in our part of the world are people asking for money and she wanted to be clear.)

We’ve never done this before, but we got a stiff sign board and spent much of the afternoon creating the sign plus cut a stick and a brace for the sign. My husband used some good nails with washers to nail the sign to the brace and stick.

We called them when the sign was ready and they came over to the house to pick it up. We showed them our shop, since they have shown an interest in the mailbox decorations and our efforts to refurbish our yard critters. Our friend seemed pleased with the sign.

I will check with her today to see how her one woman protest went.

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Split Down the Middle

BlazePress

Today was the first Lunch Bunch since our waitress, Susan, retired. We are all happy for Susan, giving her a good send-off last Friday, her last day, before she started taking care of her grandchildren. She has spent many years working hard, getting up early to go to work, do the prep necessary before opening the restaurant, making pizza dough, cutting up veggies, all the things that need to be done to have the place run smoothly. She’s still getting up early every day, but now will fill her days with life flowing from the plans of the grandkids. She grinned from ear to ear last Friday, clearly relishing the change of focus for her life.

So today we gathered once again. Mikey, our other treasured waitress, took our orders. We talked about the fact that SHE kept feeling that Susan was “just on vacation,” and would be back at work soon. WE kept thinking she would come out from the back, drying hands on her apron, smiling and joking with us.

One Green Planet

Things change and we must change with them. Susan has our permanent invitation to join us at the table for Lunch Bunch. We HOPE she’ll take us up on that some Friday very soon. Happy for her, sad for us, resistant to change…

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Filed under Challenges, Changes, Friendship

Made My Day

West University Place

Yesterday I received a card in the mail from a lady who used to have her work displayed on my website, Creative Artworks. As with many of the people who shared my site, we became friends, even though we have never actually met face-to-face.

Sandi is really talented. I think she could crochet a house if she wanted to. I was proud to have her work on the site and we enjoyed collaborating for several years.

As also happens, life got in the way and we lost touch. I think of her often, but I had lost her email address and the days went by with my being too lazy to write.

When I saw her name on the return address, my heart filled. Inside there was a really nice card. It said, “The best thing about knowing a person like you is everything.” Isn’t that wonderful?

I wrote a return letter and will mail it tomorrow. I’ve shared my email address and asked for hers, so this lazy lady will take advantage of a few minutes from time to time to reach out –

She made my day yesterday. I’m still smiling and feeling very lucky to know her.

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Eating, Laughing, Crying

Masterfile

Our celebratory lunch today for Susan went really well. One of our friends didn’t feel well and couldn’t come, but sent a present. We worked around customers coming in and being served, since our two treasured waitresses also do the cooking most of the time.

We gave her gifts that hopefully showed her how special she is. I also put a copy of the blog post I wrote this morning with one of my gifts and THAT made her cry. One of our group made a cake that we shared. There was a lot of eating, laughing and crying going on. My husband muttered about there being enough emotion today to float a boat. I noticed he got quiet a couple of times, a sure sign that HIS heart was touched, as well.

I hugged Susan before we left. I won’t believe it really, until we go to Lunch Bunch NEXT Friday and Susan isn’t there. She has a standing invitation to join us now, and I hope she will do it.

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End of an Era

Bright Side

Today is Lunch Bunch. I’ve told you before that two friends and I as the core – plus others who have joined us over the years – meet for lunch on Fridays at The Pizza Barn. We have done this for over 20 years now. We catch up on what has happened the past week, what is coming up, have great food, wonderful conversation, laughs and tears.

That remains – thank goodness, but there is a change. Susan, one of our waitresses, has decided to retire. Her last day is NEXT Friday, the 24th. She wants to spend more time with her grandchildren.

We are happy for her and are “crying into our beers” otherwise, selfishly. Susan IS the Pizza Barn. We have shared things every Friday with Susan, too. She brings us our lunches, and has helped us celebrate birthdays and Christmas, has shared good news and bad, and is as much a part of the group as the people sitting at the big table. We have exchanged birthday gifts. She is on my Christmas list. She is a friend.

She – with Mikey (our other wonderful waitress/friend) – gave us her retirement news last Friday. I was talking to another of the Lunch Bunchers this morning, deciding what we would do for the proper send-off next week. We are both really sad. We realize that’s selfish, but it’s a gut level reaction.

We will try to get her to come to Lunch Bunch, bringing the grandkids, but we know that it will be a rare thing, and that Lunch Bunch – one of the truly bright spots of our world each week – won’t be the same.

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Let Them Eat Cake

Giphy

One of our dear friends from Lunch Bunch decided to be really, really nice and bake my husband a cake. It wasn’t his birthday or any occasion. She baked him what she calls a ‘Mt. Dew’ cake. She has done this before, several years ago. It was absolutely delicious, but he’s a Type II diabetic (although he denies that and says he has a sugar problem). She couldn’t figure out how to get the cake to turn out right without sugar, so that was that.

This big beautiful cake was sitting at my husband’s place at the big table at Lunch Bunch Friday. My husband being thoroughly himself took out his pocket knife and immediately cut himself a piece, ate it, and pronounced it, “delicious.'” He didn’t share, also being consistent, cutting off a second piece and eating it. Our friend explained that she had finally figured out how to make it sugar-free, maintaining the consistency. There was a cup of real Mt. Dew, which does have sugar, but a cup in a big sheet type cake isn’t much.

My husband was telling me on the way home that we would have to throw out the rest of the cake, since he isn’t supposed to have sugar. I again explained that the cake was sugar-free, with only one cup of Mt. Dew in the whole thing. He got it that time and we have enjoyed a piece of cake each evening since. And it IS delicious.

It is NOT calorie-free, however, and my indulgence has my scales not only smirking, but laughing at me with its hand over it’s mouth. We finished it last night, thank goodness, so today I will be a good girl. I’m drinking a glass of water as I type this. :0)

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Even Longer

A. A. Milne – Winnie the Pooh – DreamsQuote

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I Feel GOOD!

Linda Ellerbee – Living Life – texturedsoul.com

I feel GOOD this morning.

Yesterday I had a glorious massage after SEVERAL days of mixing and spraying 2-gallon containers of weed killer, and then switching to 6 hours of using the power washer a couple of days ago, cleaning outdoor furniture, our deck, and the back sidewalk. My body was really anticipating the miracle that is Lynn Moody, my massage therapist. 479-629-7601. I spent the rest of the day reading, resting, and sleeping. AHHHHHH! I capped it off by getting a good night’s sleep last night.

Not even the fact that today is supposed to be very rainy can dampen my spirits.

We’ll go to Lunch Bunch in about an hour, catch up with our friends while enjoying chicken fingers, and then hit the local grocery store for supplies before coming back home.

Weather permitting, I’m hoping to gather the first harvest of the season from my veggie garden! My mouth is watering for a salad made with lettuce and spinach from our own garden.

I hope that you are safe and well. Enjoy your Friday.

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Filed under Friendship, Gardening, Great Companies Who Deserve Your Business, Mother Nature, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds, taking care of yourself

Lovely Gift

One of the gifts I received for my birthday recently was this beautiful pot of “Mime” roses with the solar-powered glass hummingbird. I finally was able to get some pics at night to give you an idea of how much fun it is.

It changes color very rapidly, but I tried to show you many of the colors.

I love the way that the hummingbird lights up, and then you can also see the reflection in the window.

Wonderful friend – perfect gift!

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Birthday Marathon

WordsOnImages

I have had a really nice celebration this year. My husband was raised not making a big deal of birthdays, so he doesn’t do much on anyone’s birthday, his own included. He simply doesn’t think of it. My friends and relatives make up for him, though, making me feel VERY special. I have received cards and texts, phone calls, and TWO Lunch Bunch Fridays where two weeks ago, the waitresses/friends at the Pizza Barn got me some really nice foaming soap and a tall, heavy candle that smells like Cranberry-Mandarin. Heavenly!

My birthday fell exactly between two Fridays this year, so that always complicates things on when we celebrate. Yesterday my Lunch Bunch friends gave me a special birthday lunch. I got some really luxurious hand cream (the foaming soap and the really nice hand cream are wonderful for chapped hands from all the hand washing we do now), and then a gorgeous plant (Mime Rose) with a solar-powered glass hummingbird to put in the pot.

I set things up, putting the flowering plant with hummingbird in the window. Last night when we were taking Amber out for her last outing of the day, I noticed the hummingbird was glowing, changing colors, and reflecting in the window! I’ve taken some pictures this morning, and I’ll try to get some tonight when the hummingbird is changing colors.

You have to look carefully to see the hummingbird up high above the mime roses.

You can see the hummingbird high above the plant in this picture a bit more easily.

Here’s a close up of the glass hummingbird. At night, it turns different colors, simply glowing and reflecting in the glass of the window. It’s stunningly beautiful. Hats off to the people who created this.

I just called my Lunch Bunch friend, thanking her again for such a wonderful gift. I love the mime roses, and I love the hummingbird. I’m a lucky lady. I’ll try to get pics tonight and share them with you tomorrow. :0)

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A “Proper” Birthday Celebration

My sister-in-law told me this morning that she and her Mah Jongg group helped their friend John celebrate his 80th birthday. She said, “He dressed up with a walker and shawl and scarf to get in the spirit of the moment. Lots of good chatter and neighbors honking as they passed. We think we gave him a “proper” 80th birthday.”

This is a beautiful example of the goodness of people even in the midst of the horrible pandemic, and I’m proud to be on the same planet. John’s wife was in the group originally. She passed away and her husband John was inducted into the group by this caring bunch of people. What a happy way to show John he is valued!

May we add our “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!” to the celebration.

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Sing It!

photo forwarded by a friend

We’re having a good day. It’s cold outside (35 degrees F., cloudy and gray, with a bit of spitting rain.)

We just got back from Lunch Bunch. One of our good friends and her husband was there. The other friend and her daughter weren’t. (My friend wasn’t feeling well, so maybe we can see each other and catch up next Friday.)

We hadn’t seen each other since the Friday before Christmas, so it was GREAT to be able to share a meal and catch up. We came straight home afterwards so that we could try what will be the last attempt at a ‘fix’ for our broken microwave.

We bought it in 2004, so we can’t complain that we haven’t gotten our money’s worth, but it would be wonderful if we could fix it. The mechanism that goes between the rotary turntable motor in the bottom to the part the plate sits on inside the microwave is the problem. We have mixed up some really good, apoxy-type glue to see if we can bridge the gap and make the parts work together again. (The plastic parts are not replaceable and we cannot remove them because one part is under a metal plate that is welded in.) So, this is a last-ditch effort before we either live with a microwave where the plate doesn’t rotate or we buy a new microwave. We have it glued now, and will look at it again tomorrow.

I will head out as soon as I finish a cup of coffee to the garage to do my elliptical trainer exercise for today. I’m looking forward to playing in my art room this afternoon. I have another piece started and am eager to see how it turns out. I am planning to take the bleeding tissue paper artwork I’ve done recently to Rags & Roses (the local shop in town where a friend and I share a booth ) either tomorrow or Tuesday. I will do my yoga practice when I finish in the art room. Today is DAY TWO of getting serious about our diet and exercise plan.

My husband is working on an addition to our house security system. He has the physical part done now, and is waiting for help on a password before he can finish up.

I’m in the middle of re-reading #32 in J.D. Robb’s (Nora Roberts’) In Death series. I’m re-reading the series in preparation for the latest to come out in paperback (# 51 Shadows in Death) that I received recently.

It’s a good day to have a warm, dry house and too many interesting things to do for the time I have.

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Where There’s Love, There’s Hope 5

Thanks to a friend for forwarded email with these wonderful photos.

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Where There’s Love, There’s Hope 3

Thanks to a good friend who forwarded these wonderful photos to me.

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Where There’s Love, There’s Hope 2

Photos forwarded by friend

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Arrrrgh!

Balanced for Life Yoga Therapy

My whole day thus far has been spent trying to get my computer updated.

I updated to the newest version of Windows, and then made a system disk, just in case my computer crashes with no warning. That took from 9:00 this morning until about 20 minutes ago. I was beginning to think I would die of old age before it finally finished.

I am not a computer or technical person. It’s all magic to me. I love my computer when it’s working and am ready to toss it out the window when it isn’t. Happily, it seems to be working okay now, except for a folder of images I’ve gathered for my blogs. They have names under an icon for a picture, all looking the same. Arrrrgh!

SO. I will limp along, hoping that if I can’t figure out what to do to fix it, it will miraculously heal by itself. (One can HOPE…)

Clipart Library

On a happier note, our weather is nice now, although it’s still a bit brisk outside. There is lots of glorious sunshine and the temperature is now 46! We will probably get rain Saturday, but no more forecasts of snow/sleet, and flying hairballs in the near future. I’ll take it. :0)

Pinterest

We will celebrate Christmas with the Lunch Bunch tomorrow, exchanging gifts, eating, laughing, and catching up. The next Friday is Christmas, and the following Friday is New Year’s Day, so we probably won’t meet again until January 8th. We’ll have to make it last.

I hope that your Thursday is an enjoyable one.

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Thoughts on a Friday 12-11-2020

Tricolor Heron_Green Cay Wetlands_Scott Helfrich_The Natl Wildlife Federation Blog

Mother Nature treated us well this morning.

We went to Lunch bunch and then did several errands afterwards. The rain didn’t start in earnest until shortly before we drove up our driveway. The rain is supposed to continue the rest of the day into the evening, and then we’re supposed to get more for sure on Sunday, along with cold fronts, so it was good to get things accomplished and be able to enjoy our warm, dry house now.

I spoke too soon about our window replacement yesterday. An hour before the guy was supposed to be here, he called and said he only had 2 of the 3 parts we needed. We agreed to try again when the part (backordered) arrives… I had taken most everything out of the dining area and had cleaned in preparation for the installation, so now I have an unusually clean dining area – an exercise in character-building now. :0\

After Lunch Bunch we stopped at Stu’s Clean Cookin’ in Greenwood to see what frozen meals they had to offer this week. I am so impressed with this company. Everything is spotless. Even though there are always other customers, we never have to wait long for good service. Sometimes we order ahead. Today we just stopped to see what they had. The man who fills our order is always very friendly. Great place to find frozen meals that are good for you, ready to put in your freezer or right in the microwave. Between Stu’s and another company called Real Food, we are very spoiled. They make it easy to stay on our diet, using that as the main meal of the day – UNLESS we are in the middle of a pandemic, tending to eat bad things as comfort food…

Yesterday I received a happy email notice that one of my hand-painted wooden Christmas ornaments sold in the local shop in Greenwood where I share a booth with a good friend. (These ornaments are all painted to resemble Gingerbread cookies.) Today I checked my Etsy shops and discovered I had sold an etched and hand-painted cylindrical vase called, “Fancy Butterflies.” This was bought as a Christmas gift – bought by one lady to have sent to another. I smiled all the way to the post office. :0)

I hope that you are having a great Friday, feeling ‘very spoiled’ by something or someone.

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Friday 11-20-2020

Miguel A. Landestoy – Bored Panda

Good morning! I hope your day is shaping up to be a fun one.

We will join our good friends for Lunch Bunch today. I’m looking forward to being able to catch up with what is happening in their worlds. One of my Lunch Bunch friends called during the week to say that she does NOT have to have surgery, so today will be a celebration. Two other wonderful friends are recovering from their surgeries, so I’m feeling very grateful today.

My ‘cull-the-books’ project is continuing, although slowly. I will make an effort to clean out several shelves in my bedroom today. I’ll take pics to share when the project is finished.

Have a happy, fun Friday!

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Admiration

SayingImages.com

When I was in college, I was invited to a yard party where a young college couple enjoyed a gathering of their friends and THEIR friends. I never felt so welcome, before or since.

Even as I was enjoying the feeling, I was aware that it emanated from the woman of the couple. Now I’m so old and doofus I can’t come up with her name, but I can STILL appreciate the way she made me feel.

The kindness simply flowed enveloping everyone. She had a lovely smile and a truly contagious laugh that made everyone around her smile, whether they heard what amused her or not. How beautifully unique and precious she was!

Now, more than ever, I appreciate kindness.

I have a beautiful friend. She’s wonky, with strong political views, but she makes an effort to do at least one kind thing each day. Something that may go unnoticed, but she does it anyway. A small example is when I was shopping with her. On the way to the store, she stopped the car by the side of the road in the neighborhood, picked up an empty garbage can that had blown across the road, found the lid, and put both beside the driveway of the owner. When we got to the parking lot of the store, she immediately offered to take the cart back to the store for the lady at her car. She leaps to help people carry stuff, or open doors. She is free with hugs (postponed with Covid) and big warm grins. I am trying to emulate her.

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Filed under Attitude, Favorite People, Friendship, kindness

Thoughts in the Rain on a Thursday 9-10-2020

“Singin’ in the Rain” – Pinterest

 

It’s very cloudy, 73 degrees F., and raining quietly here. We have our doors open so that we can ENJOY every minute of the rain and cooler temperatures!

I was unable to find any lettuce plants, so I won’t be planting in the brick planter near the house for the fall. :0(  We still have a few tomatoes, so I’ll just enjoy whatever we can harvest from that and the ‘nook’ planter as long as they are producing. Yesterday I got caught up pruning rose bushes, and then overgrown stuff from more planters, so I didn’t get out to murder the fire ants in the main garden. That will have to wait another day.

I DID get up and play a bit in my art room yesterday!  (I converted a bedroom to be my art room.)  It’s been forever, since other priorities have eaten up our days, so it was really nice to spend some time up there.

Thomas Merton – Healing with Art via Cathy Ruggiero

 

I decided I would make some bookmarks to sell at Rags & Roses, the wonderful local shop in Greenwood where I share a booth with my good friend, Carla.

I played with my Unicorn Spit paint that my sister-in-law, MaryLou, sent to me as a nice, ‘just-because’ gift I guess about a year ago now. I have SO enjoyed experimenting with what I can do with it, and have barely scratched the surface. I also used some rubber stamps. I let things dry overnight and will go up and spray the sealer on them next. When that is dry, I’ll do the finishing touches to make them into bookmarks!  I love choosing the ribbons, strings, beads, and stuff to add to them. :0)

 

“Caught Red-Pawed” – Audrius P. – Bored Panda

 

We have about a day and a half’s worth of BistroMD meals to finish. My husband and I got online last night and ordered some meals from the new local place in Greenwood called Real Food.  We can pick up our order Monday afternoon. In the meantime, my husband has asked me to make “Keto Chili,” Saturday, one of our favorite recipes from Suzanne Ryan, Simply Keto.

 

 

I’m truly delighted that I was finally able to find a place that the elephant ear plants my friend, Laufrain, gave me back in September last year would be happy. I wintered them over on the floor in our dining area by the window, and then put them out on the front porch when it was warm enough in the spring. They were very UNhappy there and almost croaked! I decided to TRY them in the planter we rebuilt along the front of the house, thinking they would get more sun, but would be more protected from wind here. As you can see, they are smiling!  (As you can also see, I will spray the ‘greenery’ in the rocks with KillsALL weed killer on the next dry day we have…)

Today I will work on the bookmarks. I’m not sure what area of the house I will attack on my decluttering project, but I’m leaning toward the shelves in our bathroom. We have a set over the toilet, and two floor-to-ceiling sets in the main part of the bathroom.

 

Amazon Handmade

I will also see if I can make any progress registering my shop on Amazon Handmade. We are still fighting over whether my Google Chrome is ‘acceptable’ or not at this point. I have upgraded to the newest version. My husband checked my computer and confirmed that. I’m still getting the screen that says I need to upgrade my browser to meet their requirements. ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

I hope you have a glorious Thursday.

 

 

 

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Hope

I’ve spent a couple of weeks now cleaning up storm damage, so it’s REALLY nice to find something that is thriving in our yard – my elephant ear plants that my friend, Laufrain gave me last fall!  I wintered them over in our dining area, then put them in pots on the front porch. They weren’t happy there and almost croaked. I transplanted them into this rebuilt brick planter in front of the house and they seem to like it here just fine!!!

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What Ever Happened To…

A nice person wrote and asked me if my elephant ear plants were doing well.

(I received these as a gift from Laufrain, a really good friend, last fall. I kept them alive over the winter, putting them on the floor in our dining area.)

Then I tried to put them in pots on our front porch. They were not happy there, and were trying to croak. I moved them to one of the brick planters we recently rebuilt, hoping they would be happier there, with a bit of protection from the winds we get up here on top of our hill sometimes.

 

They seem to be really happy here. Even with the awful storm we had recently, they were fine. I’m delighted. I love these plants and I think they look good here. :0)

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Poohism – Friend

A.A. Milne

“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside”

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Thoughts on a Friday, July 31, 2020

AginginPlace.org

Today we meet our friends for Lunch Bunch. Our ‘core group’ (Linda, Kay and I) have been meeting every Friday possible for over 17 years now. “Priceless”  just isn’t a strong enough word to describe how special this is.  Others come and go. Our husbands were made honorary members of the group years ago. Linda’s husband is gone, now, but we share memories of funny or touching things from the times he was able to join us. Kay’s husband has joined us recently. He isn’t working now, laid off because of the virus. He is at the age where he should have retired long ago, but loves the work. He is working now to define himself as much more than his work, and I’m delighted. He has a wonderful sense of humor and it’s fun to hear what he has to say. My husband has been a member for several years now. He presides over his ‘harem,’ ( :0) )  though now graciously sharing that fantasy with Bud now. We enjoy catching up with what the others have been doing, or hearing about plans for the future. We have borne the sad news together over the years, and have helped each other deal with whatever has happened. We had to miss a few Fridays due to the virus. Then the restaurant owner was allowed to serve us outside at picnic tables. Now we’re back in the restaurant, wearing masks in and out. It’s good to be back.

We will have to set our humane trap again tonight because it looks like we have ANOTHER raccoon. This has been a record-braking year. We have relocated 8 raccoons so far, and it LOOKS as if we will do it again..

We had quite a storm yesterday evening. LOTS of lightning, loud thunder, wind, and heavy rain for about half an hour that I was aware of. No damage, though. We are due for more today. Our grass and plants will be happy. My husband is frowning as he imagines the grass spurting up again.

 

This is yesterday’s tomato harvest. We are enjoying fresh sliced tomatoes for part of our lunches and dinners every day. It has been glorious. Even if the harvest stopped suddenly – as it sometimes does – we have been very lucky this year.

Not sure what today’s project will be. I’m trying to choose one area to ‘heal’ every day. Yesterday it was my kitchen desk and the shelves above it. I also spent a lot of time scrubbing one of the downstairs bathrooms. I have LOTS of good choices, as I am a slob. I’ll report later on what the choice is.

I’m doing really well on my exercising. Being able to add a gold star to my desk calendar is motivating for me – a person who hasn’t fully grown up. They motivated me as a child in school and I will still get off my duff and go earn one now. I’m giving myself one for each session on my elliptical trainer in the garage and each session of yoga stretches and abdominal exercises. So far, this is an 8-star week. I’ll go for 9 and 10 today.

I hope you have a wonderful day today, productive and enjoyable.

 

 

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Thoughts on a Saturday July 25, 2020

New Animalbook

  • It’s frustrating when your child is across the world from you and hurting. Thankfully, we chatted today, and our son is doing much better after a doctor’s appointment. There is 12 hours difference between us, but we got to chat a bit before he headed for bed. I am relieved.
  • I’m also relieved that my husband is doing much better after a stroke-type episode while we were at Lunch Bunch. He is also doing MUCH better this morning.
  • Our Lunch Bunch friends are all healthy and happy. It’s wonderful to have good, understanding, caring friends.
  • Our sweet dog, Molly, who has cancer, managed to eat half her breakfast this morning. She is resting comfortably now in her bed just behind me as I type.
  • All is calm and quiet so far today – and for that I am truly grateful.
  • Our lawn is turning brown and crunchy – my husband’s favorite – and our irrigation system is working to keep our veggies and flowers alive.
  • Since it’s very hot, we are thankful for good air conditioning and the ability to stay indoors today. We will get the mail, but that’s it, I think.
  • I’m working on updating important information spreadsheets today. If I finish that, I’ll work on bookkeeping.
  • I will get my 6th gold star for the week for doing my daily yoga practice.
  • I have lost 5 lbs.

I hope that your Saturday is a good one. Take care and stay safe.

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Birthdays

 

Today there are two people I know having birthdays –

Linda is one of my Lunch Bunch buddies. We celebrated her birthday last Friday, but her actual birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Linda!!!!!!!!

Meade Dennis Adams is the daughter of my beautiful friend/cousin-by-marriage, Murray in Thibodaux, LA.  Happy Birthday, Meade!!!!!!!

 

 

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Filed under Family, Friendship

Friendship

Lunch Bunch began over 17 years ago. We meet every Friday to share lunch, laughs, and news. The core group is Linda, Kay, and me. We have other wonderful people join us from time to time as they can, but the core is the basis.

This is Linda.

“Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.” – Swedish Proverb

 

This is Kay.

“When you cherish the value of the gift of FRIENDSHIP, it can never be lost, for what you always carry in your hearts is yours to keep forever and your friends’ too!”

 

This is Bud, Linda’s Husband – an honorary Lunch Bunch member.

“A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.” – Fr. Jerome Cummings

 

 

And this is my husband, another honorary Lunch Bunch member. (He refused to cooperate with my taking his picture.)

“Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.” – Anonymous

 

We are now eating at a picnic table in the parking lot of the restaurant, rather than inside, due to the pandemic. Our wonderful waitress/friends, Susan and Mikey come outside to take our orders and bring our food, chatting for a minute, even though they are really busy. We are very grateful to be able to once again share what is happening in our lives.

“The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.”

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Filed under Friendship, quality of life

Virtual Hugs All Around

LLAFP

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Filed under Attitude, Family, Friendship, kindness, quality of life

Friendship

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Mother Nature Makes Harvesting a Challenge

First thing this morning I went out to harvest some lettuce so I could take it to Lunch Bunch and share some with Linda, Kay, and the two waitresses at The Pizza Barn, Susan and Mikey. I knew we had rain forecast for today, but it looked like it might hold off until we could share lunch at the picnic table in the parking lot before it started.

I brought the lettuce in and dumped it all into the sink. 45 minutes later, I had several small heads of lettuce and a lot of extra lettuce leaves ready to put in bags.

About an hour ago, Kay called, telling me the forecast now said we would get at least two waves of storms – each possibly severe – with hail. We agreed to call off Lunch Bunch for today.  :0(

I let Amber into the truck and we went down the driveway to get the mail. Just as we pulled into the garage after getting it, the rain started. We haven’t had hail yet, but it’s obvious we are in for the day now.  The sky is dark, almost like night. The garage door is shut to protect our vehicles.

Now we appreciate being able to stay inside a warm, dry house and hope that we JUST get rain today.

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Filed under Friendship, Gardening, Healthy Eating, Mother Nature, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds