Week 29 - Mortality

It's been a month now that my Grandmother went to be with the Lord. I have her Bible and read it from time to time, just to remember, and to be grateful to the Lord for the wonderful gifts he gave me through my Grandmother.  I like to think about my own mortality as often as possible. It causes me to soak in life, breathe deep, and experience more fully, and more deeply the moments I get to have and share with others.

Week 28 - Nothing New

     

These are back in style. People are actually buying vinyl albums again. Surely, there is nothing new under the sun.

        3What advantage does man have in all his work
            Which he does under the sun?

      4A generation goes and a generation comes,
            But the earth remains forever.

      5Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;
            And hastening to its place it rises there again.

      6Blowing toward the south,
            Then turning toward the north,
            The wind continues swirling along;
            And on its circular courses the wind returns.

      7All the rivers flow into the sea,
            Yet the sea is not full.
            To the place where the rivers flow,
            There they flow again.

      8All things are wearisome;
            Man is not able to tell it.
            The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
            Nor is the ear filled with hearing.

      9That which has been is that which will be,
            And that which has been done is that which will be done.
            So there is nothing new under the sun.

      10Is there anything of which one might say,
            “See this, it is new”?
            Already it has existed for ages
            Which were before us.

      11There is no remembrance of earlier things;
            And also of the later things which will occur,
            There will be for them no remembrance
            Among those who will come later still.

Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

Week 27 - Grandmother

My Grandmother died, and in a moment, I remembered how kind she was, the smell of her home-cooked breakfast in the morning, and how she filled the words "hi hun" with so much love and affection. My Grandmother died and I miss her, but in the sweet by and by we will meet on that beautiful shore.

Week 26 - Merica

This week is half way and it just so happens to be July 4th! I’ve been to Ukraine, Guatemala, Canada, and France, but The United States of America is still the best country in the WORLD! This flag is NOT made in China. It’s made right here in the USA, with cotton farmed on US soil! I remember my time in Waterton Lake National Park in Canada. We took a hike that brought us close to the US boarder. My friend Jon said, “there is it, on the other side of that lake, the United States of America”. Y’ALL! I nearly leaped into the lake and swam across, I’d missed that gorgeous Red, White, and Blue SO bad!!

Happy 4th of July, y’all!

Week 25 - Reading

I have this love/hate relationship with books. I enjoy having books, I've even enjoyed reading them, but I'm a slow reader so I also get discouraged and end up taking months to read a single book (let's be honest, a year). It's a good thing I didn't resolve to read more at the beginning of the year, I would have failed immediately. Audiobooks, on the other hand, I consume like air. I've been an audible subscriber since 2011 and have nearly 300 audiobooks and that's just because I can rent them from the library and I podcast HARD! Serial, up & Vanished, That Sounds Fun, TONS of podcasts!!

One of the best questions I was ever asked was "What 5 books most influenced who you are today?" Now I'm asking you this question. Let me know!

Week 24 - Travel

I've never been afraid to fly. In fact, I rather like it. Especially the take-off and landing. As an avid weather watcher, I'll spend most of the flight hunched over looking out the window. The last time I flew, we passed by a field of giant cumulus clouds. Their size was so imposing; seeming to stretch on for miles. I don't think that side of the sky will ever become boring.

P.S. Did you know there is an Amazon Basics carry-on? I bought the hard shell and put stickers of places I've been!

Week 23 - Still Walking

We had a cold front move through San Angelo Sunday evening. The high on Monday only reached 77°F and it was glorious! I don't waste these opportunities. There are paved trails within walking distance of my home, and on days as beautiful as today, I took full advantage. Normally, I walk only 2 miles, but that day I walked the full trail and did 4 miles. Some people may ask, why didn't you run the trails? Um...because I don't hate myself! Actually, I have a temperamental lower back that doesn't appreciate the high impact of running, and it is faithful to let me know of its displeasure the next day...and the day after that...and the day after that. Thus, I walk. And pray. And breathe the fresh air. Days like these won't likely return until late September or even October. I like to enjoy them when I can.