We each have a Story to tell. Would imagine that 50% of everybody doesn't feel their Story is worth hearing so they never tell it. Your Story doesn't have to be fancy, complete with horrible childhoods and teen years that should never see the light of day again. The thing is there is value in every Story. Sometimes it make be hard to spot but we are all different and difference which makes us, us is one that can't be duplicated. Our lives look like a giant map of circles, all over lapping each other. There are not circles, duplicated on each other, stacking up like boxes on a pallet. Some may be similar but like every hair on our heads, no two are the same.

No one wants to sit through hours of Story. Just tell one, start there.

Pick a memory and just tell it. Practice if that would help. Write it, blog it, share it at coffee with someone. Maybe at book club, or in the parking lot waiting for the kids to get out of school. Tell your Story, don't get hung up on details, let it flow. It will get easier over time. The toughest part is learning how to share without, oversharing. That is a risk you just need to take and keep working on, refining it. The most important reasons for telling your Story isn't about you... Just tell it. Someone needs to hear it...

you just know...

Some things, we just stumble upon and they become a part of us. For me, it was photography, for Gage, it is football.

It is a natural as breathing. There is no work involved, no time to pencil it in. We are defined by it, we are known by it. This side of heaven, there are few times in life when this happens and when it does, we are forever, changed. No matter our age, it is still there. It never leaves us, disappoints us, or judges us. If we are feeling a bit down, we give it a pass and say, Next time.

Whatever it looks like to you, and you already know what it is and how it looks, let it steep. Never apologize for it is a part of who you are. Enjoy it, feel the Love...just know who you are...

the act of being...

Most of us aren't good at being, us. We powder, dab, rearrange and coverup the reality of who we are.

It is exhausting...To constantly be in the Spanx of life. To be pulled, prodded, only to find out that too much of a good thing, is still too much. We go and go and go and then wonder why we are so tuckered out. Family, work, friends, social media...it never stops and neither do we. It has become a way of life that is hard to stop. At my house, we remind ourselves daily, that we are now on vacation. If we need to be Somewhere at a certain time, we are but the rest of the time, we are purposing to run on vacation time. Nowhere to be and no need to hurry.

The Mall... there is a natural rhythm of the flow of traffic. On weekends, the pace is a bit more brisk and one tends to want to stay the course. Some decided again that. They do not run on Mall Time, they run on their time. What they need, when they need it. I couldn't help noticing my new friend on Saturday. Don't know how long he had been there or asleep but I grabbed my camera and caught him at what I would refer to as his finest hour. The tea lady in the background watched me with a big smile. As I put my camera back in my purse, I heard her say to a customer, Look at his wife, she has a great sense of humor. Got back in the Flow and off to the next adventure. Just the way it should be...

boys...

Two sleepovers this weekend. Different as night and day. There is just something about boys. They are wild and crazy, adorable and cute, loving and wild. Love every minute with them. They explain a lot about the male human, wish I had of known all this many years ago. It is all new and yet, they have a softness about them. Hard to explain, different from girls, yet about as sincere as Love comes.

Thanks for a great weekend, guys. I love you to infinity and beyond...

men and socks...

I didn't pack his suitcase for the weekend, didn't even look to see what he brought. However, I will confess, I would have encouraged and brow beat him into leaving his Old Man, Florida socks at home and taking his ankle socks, that he always wears, instead. I thought it was a given, short socks, short pants, Long socks, long pants.

When I took this shot, I noticed the socks. Usually, the kids comment but they must have been as distracted. Believe me, they don't miss an opportunity to point out Pop's fashion choices. Later in the day, when he changed his shirt in front of God and the kids, without missing a beat, Gage said, Ok, no more chocolate.

After we got home, I asked him what he was thinking with the socks. Didn't have much of an answer but you know what, this photo would not have had the same effect on me with short socks. We think we know what we want but Sometimes, Life knows better...

Hey Soul Sister...

Because it doesn't get any better than this.

In the mountains,
no place to be,

aware of this Moment, in time

because watching your girl sing, Hey Soul Sister,with everything she's got,

doesn't come along, very often,

but this very day, this very moment, I am well aware of what a lucky girl I am...

A River Runs Through It...

At first, it may not seem like a great weekend. Black skies heading to Idaho City, rain beginning to pour and I mean, pour. Eight of us, with a tent trailer and a van. I had tried to call the kids to see if we should turn around but cell service had already blacked out. The lights weren't working on the trailer so I knew when we pulled into the camp site, we were there for the night, anyhow.

Tough night, getting everyone fed and bedded down and we all fell asleep to rain falling on the roof of our temporary home. By morning, the sun was shining and it was a stunning place to be. More rain would come but we had learned to adapt and off we went to enjoy our time away.

Did we miss the Real World? I think so, batteries ran out and iPods went dark but fishing, smores and being together was a nice thing to do, instead. You can't help but be in awe of the view around you. More aware than ever of the wonderful gift of this life and how simply wonderful it can be.

Thanks Smiths and BanjoMan for a swell weekend. See you don't have to have electricity and running water to have fun but I admit, soooo glad to be home. Let's do it again, Sometime...

Must play to win...

What have we, the consuming public, done to have this disclaimer on many products? How dumb do they really think we are?

Ever buy a curling iron with the tag that shows an outline of a bathtub, wavy cartoony lines for water and a curling iron with a circle with a slash through it? This morning, it was the Idaho State Lottery's turn. Must buy a ticket to win? Has that been an issue down at the ISL Commission? Apparently it stuck with some of those folks who decided to protect themselves from further discussions on the Must Play To Win issue.

I am not a brain surgeon but I will bet you $100 bucks that the trend will continue. Not proud of it but they may know Something I don't...

911.

Nancy Pelosi said in Time magazine that her seventh grandchild asked her on Labor Day weekend, Yes, on the war in Syria or no, on the war in Syria?

Keaton had just turned two the summer before. He will not remember as well as Gage and Morgan who were yet to come.

I will never forget. Every Sept 11, I watch MSNBC and watch the Story unfold, yet once again. Knowing what I know, I wait for Matt Lauer and Katie Couric to understand what is happening.

I was 12 when Presidant Kennedy was assassinated. I remember very little. Too busy trying to survive the Everyday. Who was President was a low priority and later, when I realized that the family was deep-rooted Republicans, it made sense.

Anyone who was 10, should remember this day and teach it to those who can't. The hate and destruction we can have toward each other, can never be doubted or downplayed. To all those who gave their lives and those who did it willingly, I thank you and so do many more. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service. May God bless you all...

Long time listerner, first time caller...

That may define an introvert, in a nutshell. Yet, those words would never leave my lips, yet I might live them out, on occasion.

Made a bold move last week. Heard a little whisper, and went with it. It was not a big thing, unless you are me. Some places I am bold, don't mess with my family. I have learned that God can defend him self, that is not my job. In making my bold move, I was also good about the outcome, whatever that looked liked. A dear friend use to say, all we have to do is the right thing whether it is accepted or rejected. Not our call. Our call is in doing our part.

A lots of lives get all mixed up because they are not doing their part, and doing everybody else's part. If you just had five people not doing their part, imagine the mess you would have. Multiple that by a classroom, a church, a town hall meeting. You get the idea.

We need to show up. We can't always be the listener. Sometimes, we have to step in up and be the caller. Make the bold move, regardless of the outcome. Obviously, I have listened to too much radio. Yet, you hear this line, over and over again. Long time listener, first time caller, got Something to say?

Deep Fried Snickers...

Any sane person would understand that this is wrong on so many levels. Yet, here we are. One could say, Just because they make it, doesn't mean we have to buy it. Really, Really?

This screams out to most of us on a level that is hard to explain. Read today that all addictions, start with habits. Insightful. The same can be said of the good choices we make in our lives but Sometimes, they seem like we have less of them and they are spread farther, apart.

The boys bought these at Arts In The Park. They offered to share, I quickly declined. Not because I was put off by the whole idea of a candy bar that has been dipped in the same oil pond as the french fries, nor did the idea of a gizzlion calories, stop me. I know that one bite and we would be buying more. A few minutes later, I would decide that Something Sugary was a good idea and make the choice to buy and consume.

What was the difference? What made me pass one up but turn around and make a different choice? If I could figure that out and bottle it, I would be a rich woman. We are each a mess of crazy, bringing our family histories with us, wherever we go. We are human and that means, hard to understand and impossible to figure out.

Still, I could have chose to partake of both. That common sense I carry around served me will for a bit. Will be mowing the lawn later, and mowing fast...

Who am I?

Who am I? I am Zalaine Anne Linder Hoffer.

Soon after I was born, the race for my name was on. Literally, my parents raced to fill out my birth certificate. Dad won or else you would be addressing me as Heidi.

I believe our name should reflect we really are. Whose blood flows through our veins. History would tell you that my maiden name is Daniels and my married name is Dille.

My grandfather and his younger sister were adopted out by their father when their mother died. Their father didn't feel he could raise all of the children so the two youngest had to go. My grandfather was adopted by the Daniels family. I do not know if the girl was adopted by the same family.

I am no more a Daniels than I am a Dille. I married a Dille. I took my husband's name. It doesn't make me one.

I have felt strongly about this for years. In this day of adoptions, remarriage and turning into a mobile nation, who we are is getting tougher and tougher to determine. I believe we should keep the names of our bio families for our lives. Your mother's biological name and father's true surmane. You keep it all our life. It is who you are. The blood that coarses through your veins. Your true heritage.

If I ever find myself a widow, I will change my name to Zalaine Anne Linder Hoffer. I always said as soon as I was 18 I would change my name to something that anyone could pronounce. Sandy was the my name of choice. I never did. Now, I am use to it. Would it be the same with my surmane? Maybe but I like to think I would follow through. Strong feeling about this, will see...

no bucket list...

I am not a bucket list person. There are a few things I would like to do but if I don't, I am ok with that. Ok, maybe not ok but, grown up about it.

I think being in the Moment is a better option. Always having this controlled list in your head doesn't give you much room for improve. On a whim, we headed to the drive -in movie last week. I don't think it was because summer is waning. It was just a chance to do something the kids had never done.

The truck was loaded up with chairs and blankets. Didn't know if we could bring food in (we could) so we bought popcorn there. Wanted to try the glazed popcorn but they could only pop one kind at a time and had to wait, which they estimated would be half way through the first show, before the glazed would be available. By then, we were busy swatting flies and wrapping the blankets a little tighter.

No bucket list for me...but if we ever got a shot at Disneyworld, I would be over the moon, good...

summer weary...

After a couple of months, especially this summer, the heat just takes it out of you. You have forgotten the snow, the boots, the ever present coat and can't imagine never experiencing them ever again. Tired of sweating, trying to take an evening walk and just plain ready, for a cool down.

Kids go back to school earlier and earlier. School should not start the same week as the State Fair in any state. They also should not expect to wear tank tops and shorts for the next 2 months. School starts after Labor Day, the following Monday to be exact. The crispness of fall is overwhelmingly, all around you. The first day of school outfit should not contain any kind of coat but a few weeks down the road, will require a jacket in the morning.

Part of the lushiness of fall, is being summer weary. We are so excited about the cool down, we don't even realize that in a few short weeks. when Halloween is here, we might be wearing a coat over our costumes. We humans are a fickle people, most of us must ease in, very few can stumble from one season to the next, as if it was one continuous life. We have to take it in pieces, it is too overwhelming to look at the Big Picture.

This guy didn't wake up the whole time my family and many others, walked around him. The talking of the crowd, he had obviously mastered, shutting it all out. He has learned after many years of working at the fair, you have to get it while you can. Great image to learn a good lesson.

The weather guy tells us, we are in for more of the same next week. More summer heat. Will try to keep my weariness down and try to soak it all up, while I can. Sounds like a good recipe for daily living. Tomorrow, here I come...

Wild week...

It has been one crazy, good week. Started with the state fair and Kutless concert on Monday, right into Gage's 11th birthday on Tuesday. Wednesday had a bit of a reprieve but Thursday and Friday are jamming as we spend time with Keaton while everybody else, went back to school. His turn is coming next week.

I love weeks like this. They remind you of how fast time is really going and it feels like you are making the most of every minute. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of wasting time. To me now, that looks like I am not appreciative of day ahead of me. I am not seeing the big picture and now, more than ever, I need to grab the Golden Ring everyday.

Today Pops, Keaton and I am headed downtown Boise. We will hit Whole Foods for lunch, hang out and see how the Trader Joe's construction is coming along. The day could not get better when you have a 14 year old along. He is our joy, our time together is precious.

A little R&R this weekend and one more day with the boy. Missing the other two but we will scoop them up soon and bring them with us.

Everyday is the time to say yes, go and do. Time for me to start. Happy Friday, go and do...

pops...

Sometimes, at the beginning of summer, your name got changed from Papa to Pops. At first, it took a while to catch on. It started with Keaton and then moved to Gage and Miss M. It wasn't just you but also the other Papa Steve. So both of you have been, officially renamed with little to no fanfare.

Not sure I have missed the name bullet. Grandma Sue and I may not be safe. safe but when Keaton answered the phone yesterday, my greeting was, Hey Girl! There was also a lot of Zalaine talk going on yesterday. It makes me laugh because for a long time, Zalaine was too hard for any of them to say.

Chance is inevitable and names are as fluid as anything else in our lives. The only time we have to use the name we have been given is in matters, legal. One could go most of the entire life known as Bubba and no one would question it. The first 20 years of my life, I was Nainie and to this day, if I hear it, I know within 10 people, who is calling me that.

Guess I better get use to Hey Girl, looks like it may be here for a while...

Happy Birthday Gage!

We hit week, running. With school starting on Thursday and one more birthday celebrations, we started with the Idaho Stat Fair on Monday and Tuesday, to celebrate one of my most favorite people. We wills tart early and stay late, much to do and with a kid like this, he just makes our day.

Gage, Pops and I could not be more proud of you. Your sense of humor, your wit, your sarcasm... reminds us of well, us. You are such a wonderful kid, full of all those things they always told us boys were made for and then some. When I pray for you, I always smile. God has made you into this delightful creature that we can all enjoy. I pray for your grandkids and the kind of man you will be to lead them. They are a lucky bunch, although your wife may have her hands full with you, she will be a keeper.

So, go have fun today. Will walk through the day with you and savor each moment. Pops and I love you to infinity and beyond, always have, always will. XO...

Sweet Child of Mine...

We would like God's ways to be like our ways, his judgments to be like our judgments. It is hard for us to understand that he lavishly gives enormous talents to people we would consider unworthy, that he chooses his artists with as calm a disregard of surface moral qualifications as he chooses his saintsMadeleine L Engle.

This one line changed my life. My God got bigger, my faith got stronger and my world changed and the skies opened up.

Bridge Over Troubled Water/, became a battle cry not a suicide mission. At a particularly bad season of life, (the essence of) Love Shack bought me back to corporate worship. Hard to believe.

Dusty Springfield, I Only Want To Be With You.
Barbra Streisand, Papa, Can You Hear Me?
Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes, I Had The Time Of My Life.
Bonnie Raitt, Something To Talk About.
Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling.
Whitney Houston, I Have Nothing.

And a favorite of mine. It is my girl's ringtone. I always know it is her, and always brings a smile. Guns and Roses, Sweet Child of MIne

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that
special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry

Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me
of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by

Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine



Better words for the Love of God? I think not....

collage...

Collage is not a word I would have applied to living life but I think I need to rethink it. Our lives are many, many different pieces that come and go, all fitting together in so kind of mish mash that forms, who we are. None of our pieces do we share with each other, even if there are similarities. Each experience is a brand of sorts on our person and all those experiences, define where we are going. Not who we are but our reaction to said experience. Wouldn't it be something if we look at them like we do a photo poster. 60 experiences that have crossed our path, that have made the mark and the poster because they left that mark, on our minds.

I knew when I did this print that one photo would be in color. The placement would be in the same general area but the day I submitted this to Persnickety Prints, it was the orange pumpkin in that position. The day I got the poster, I decided I would have moved it over one, to the left. That was a different day, a different mindset. Tried other colored photos, a flag, a fire truck, a tree but the pumpkin was the choice and still is.

I know the color represents Something, deep down but I don't know what or why. Whether it is a creative or a lesson placement. My favorite number is 3. It never occurred to me to have 3 photos of color, just one. Always, just one.

We look at our lives in segments, seasons but the reality is as far back as we can remember, the photos were taken. Whether we remember them or not. They are embedded, as most all music in jr high is. We couldn't erase it if we wanted to but Sometimes, we are able to forget. Not music but certainly memories.

I might do this 60 photo collage of my internal thoughts as an exercise, to understand myself better. I don't think there ever is a Time Up on learning. I want be a better wife, mother, nana and friend. I want to Love that God Loves me more than I could ever ask or imagine and remember to live like I believe it. So much to learn, time to get cracking...

Watching Eleanor Longden's, Ted piece on the voices in our heads, stirred up some feelings of pieces to the Me puzzle. While I have never heard audible voices, the sound of addiction is very similar. Anyone who has addiction issues can relate and, I am not talking about the perceived bad ones, but the ones that universally, rule our lives. I never thought about using the thoughts that say, Grab those cookies and keep eating. I never thought that voices could use their powers for good and were here to help, not hinder. She talks about really listening to what one is being told and see a deeper meaning. To think of the voices as warning or teaching, they have always been a negative to me. Not any more, I am going to start treating them with a bit of respect, and working toward what we all want, a healthy person who will continue to be human but can change and grow and heal. Wow.

Her Ted talk is well worth your time and might change your life, I feel it coming my way, can't wait to see what happens next...

you, me and them...

The family.
We were a strange little band of characters,
trudging through life sharing disease,
and toothpaste,
coveting one another's desserts,
hiding shampoo,
borrowing money,
locking each other out of our rooms,
inflicting pain and kissing it,
to heal it in the same instant,
loving,
laughing,
defending,
and trying to figure out the common thread,
that bound us all together. Erma Bombeck

sharing the Love...

Ok, it doesn't always look like this but their love of music certainly bridges the elongated gap. There is nothing quite like sharing a pair of earphones. Do you get the whole musical effect? No. Do you feel that rich, sound and deep bass? No. Are a set of headphones better than a single earpiece? of course, if the music is your goal and Sometimes, it is.

Sometimes, it isn't. I have shared many a earpiece at a basketball or soccer game. There is conversation going on while the music plays on. In one ear, you hear the new and the familiar. In the other, you share in the common experience. There is much to be said about the common experience. I could write a book about it, a big book.

What you give up, you get back ten-fold. You will have time later to pump up the volume but for this little piece of time, enjoy the sharing. Enjoy the Love...

believe...

We all believe in Something. You many or may not, call it God but make no mistake, you have a belief even if it is to not believe.

Saw 2 documentaries last night and they couldn't have appeared to be more different. Johnny Carson and Steve Jobs. Yet, their Stories are very similar. They both had ferocious tempers. When Joan Rivers made the choice to not tell Johnny Carson about her TV deal with Fox, he never spoke to her again. She tried to apologize by phone but he hung up on her. He had made her a permanent guest host and she very well might have gone on to host the Tonight Show but their entire relationship was over in a second.

The same Stories are told of Steve Jobs and his less than stellar ideas on how to treat people. It was said that Carl Sagan was a very good friend of Johnny. It would lead one to believe that you could imagine with a bit of accuracy where his belief system was. Steve Jobs was so sure that he could cure his pancreatic cancer with diet that it would be too late to get help when he decided that he could not.

Everybody believes in Something.

And you might as well be all in. Go big or go home. Give it everything you have got. After all, you believe it, right.

Doesn't matter what the circumstances are. Circumstances are fluid, they are always changing. Your belief doesn't change, it is your reaction to it that is the key to where your affections lie. Choose wisely, make sure that is your final answer and then, go. Go and see if what you have invested everything for, holds up. If it does not, keep looking, keep asking. Don't give up. Ever...

3 red cups and a dog...

Summer is 2/3 over. Hard to believe that school starts in less than a month. If you have walked into any retail store in the last few weeks, even if you don't have kids in school, you have probably fought or gave in to the urge to buy new underwear. Back to School will do that to you, forever. Yes, me and mine have already been down that road.

Yet, there is more summer to be had. The kids and gkids leave on a little vacation starting tomoroow and Papa and I are in charge of the granddog. We are also in charge of his mental well-being, one that we don't take lightly. This year, we add continuing education for Banjo and the shell game, that was started last week.

You remember the shell game? You put something under three shells, mix them up and your opponent has to figure out which shell holds the prize. As mommy and daddy were enjoying their anniversary time, we decided to see if Banjo could find the treat under red solo cups. I thought this might be You Tube worthy, landing him and the kids on Ellen and perhaps, great fame and fortune. I was wrong.

Dogs have a great sniffer and I thought Banjo would have no trouble picking the cup with the pepperoni under it. He seems to be more successful with cheese but it could just be that he rammed the cup into the baseboard, and then, grabbed it. This entertained us for a long time until I decided he might have had too many snacks due to our experiment. Our past attempts with too much food and Banjo is not pretty. Nobody wanted Banjo to sleep with them that night, enough said.

It is our experience that Banjo will go into a deep depression when his family leaves. He doesn't eat or sleep, and won't play. He sits on top of the couch, staring out the window or by the door, waiting for them to come home. We have come to accept that he will always be this way and our only goal is to keep him alive until his family gets back. We will try the shell game this time, hoping for a different outcome. Just a tiny bit of a rally would do. If not, a professional dog counseling whisperer may have to be called in, and he has his work cut out for him...

chiropracter...

He is a devout Christian, but does not use his faith to promote his business.

Despite this warning statement, I chose him as a place to start. Needed a new chiropractor, found him and thought, will give him a try. It has been a week and a half. He thinks he has found the problem, I am not too sure but will play along for a bit more.

We will have a conversation about this statement. I just can't let it go. I just can't.


I don't believe that one can separate faith from Real Life. With this statement, he has already promoted his business. He has even told you how much his faith means to him. It is a kind of advertising that makes me, walk away. He is a straight-forward guy. Tells you whatever pops in his mind which could bring problems of its own but faith, whatever it looks like on you, does affect your business, personal life and the way you deal with people. Faith can not be separated out and corralled. Not true faith, true faith always comes shining through. Always.

Dr D and I will have the talk sometime this week. I will tell him I chose him, despite his web site words. Don't be ashamed of your faith, let it come out naturally. don't define yourself by your narrow field, God is so much bigger than we are. Go with it...

under construction...

We all know the drill. As soon as the weather turns warm, they start tearing up the streets with hopefully, the equipment and know how, to make it better. This one by my house, appears to involve some kind of emergency. Like following the trail of a leak, this one got dug up, went around the corner, in no way that made any sense. When they found the problem, they were done. After a week of this, it appears, whatever it was, is repaired to its original state.

In the mean time, we all were gracious and spent the week taking turns, using the one lane available. Yes, I did try to take a shortcut but it was an epic fail. To avoid the construction completely and go around the whole thing was a price I was unwilling to pay so wait in line, was the option chosen.

We were all very civil as we waited our turn for the flagger to turn the sign from Stop to Slow. It was obvious to anyone paying attention that while we can pretty much agree on the definition of stop is, there is a lot of wiggle room on the meaning of, slow. It didn't appear or was it reported that any flaggers were hurt during this job but I find it hard to believe. Whatever their pay and retire package is, I am all for it. I wouldn't take their job for all the benefits in the world. Heat, orange vest and the general public, they deserve everything they get, and more.

One can't help but see the similarities to road construction and Real Life. Maybe we do have flaggers when we are under going personal construction.

Nothing to see here, Just keep moving and keep it slow. Maybe we will never know to what extent someone is looking out for us at great personal peril. I sure like to think so. So maybe next time you see someone who is going through a heavy deal, remember to Slow down. If you can help, do. If not, just keep going. Don't add to the confusion. Watch where you are suppose to go, go slowly and be on your way. Do unto others...

Bridal shower...

The instructions are given by best friend/hostess for the first game.

Write one memory of you and the bride, do not say your name.

Further instructions would include, don't sweat it. Something easy.

Immediately I had mine. It always comes to me quickly, it is the Blink theory by Malcolm Blackwell. Fits me to a tee. Basically those like me, process information instantly and come up with an answer. It is not always right, true, kind or just but it comes in an instant.

The bride has been in school in Portland for the last few years so my exposure to her has been hit and miss yet I still feel a bit of a connection. FB, info from her mom and others, you get the picture but in an instant I knew what my card would say.

You will always be Miss M to me... She guessed me instantly. When we have history with someone, it never really goes away and obviously can be recalled, in an instant. She connected almost everyone to their comments. We even learned about shenanigians she and her friends pulled in high school, never revealed until the shower. Why you would a small someone in a dryer and even turn if on, seemed like something that would be shared as an oops. I think it might have been.

Interestingly enough, the one comment she could not connect the dots to was the person with whom she has had the shortest history with, her almost new MIL. Like it or not, we run a tight ship in our memories and they take time to mature and then, recall in a Moment's Notice.

It was a beautiful shower. The food, the decorations, the laughs... It was a great time. Congrats M&M. May your memories be tight, may you travel light and hold on to each other. Love and be loved. Share, play, dream and bake. Wish you all the best, Miss M...XO

prayer...

Prayer is so fluid. There are guidelines but no way is right or wrong. I remember being told that you had to get up one hour early in the morning, before the day's activities. It was implied that any other way or time frame would be less effective. There are lessons on proper prayer positions, and how to start and finish. I use to read everything I could get my hands on about prayer and then tried so hard to do it, that way. These days, to me prayers looks and feels so different. None of the many things I have read are incorporated in my prayer life today. I go on a wing and a prayer and am as fluid as fluid can be.

I love, love night prayers. It is dark, and cool and the noises have all settled in for the night. I am left alone to pray or really worship, as I like, except when it goes off in another direction and I am all up for that. Last night's prayer was not new and I love this one. It isn't about anyone I know or may know. It is about everyone who breathed today. Young and old, rich or poor. Born in the USA or anywhere else. Big city, tiny village. Man, woman, boy or girl. Healthy or sick. Everyone who took a breath today. Everyone.

Those who said Thank you to You, bless them.

Those who cursed Your name, bless them

Those who lost a bit of their faith today, bless them.

Those who said Hello, as they said took their last breath, bless them.

Those who accepted Your Grace today, bless them.

Those who walked away again, after hearing Your Knock, bless them.

Those who are so lost, they can not hear, bless them.

Those who are cold, hungry and tired, bless them.

Those who took a breath today, bless them.

campless...

So Mommy and Gage left Monday afternoon and the rest of us had to fend for ourselves until Friday afternoon. There was some prearranged time where we had tutoring and swimming lessons but the rest of the time, we were free to fend for ourselves. You might imagine that it would be hard to temper time with a 8 and 14 year old but surprisingly enough, it was a non issue.

We hit the snocone and ice cream establishments, as needed. I was not responsible for 2 of the 3 ice creams portions on Wednesday. We tried to stay cool and out of trouble, both had their own issues but in the end, it was a wonderful week. Did it look like their regular week, of course not. Whenever you add or subtract people from any given situation, the whole view changes and we must change with it. We each gave 100% and it could not have gone better. I got to cook, they got to eat. Everyone did their chores and then some. There was kindness and sarcasm, at every turn. I got to see their personalities as they are growing into their own persons. I loved every minute of it.

I am always a bit misty for a day after one of these weeks. Tired but a good tired, life will slow down again and I will be ready to go another round. They are wonderful little creatures and I miss them so...Suck it up, Nancy...you know who you are...

Oh, the possibilities...

This is a gorgeous patch of lavender. It could be in the middle of a large field of flowers or it could be a 2 foot flower bed at Sonic.Beautiful photo of lavender. What we see isn't always what it is. The older I get the more I understand how fluid life is and how I need to be aware of what is possible way more than what is. What is, satisfies the now, the small snippets that calm or signal the storms and make us feel safe or that the sky is indeed, falling. We do not have the luxury of being more than one dimentional. That is our lot in life and try as we may, always will be. Being able to understand that there is more than we can see, brings in a whole different mind set which brings in different choices, which changes our lives. That is what we can control, to understand there is More...


Ok, it is Sonic. My view with a Route 44 Diet Coke. Standing by the trash can, loving the light and the colors.

Have Keaton and Morgan duty next week as momma and Gage go to summer camp. Ice cream for dinner, one night. See you in a week. Oh yeah.................................................................................

14...

14 years ago today, this guy came bouncing into our hearts and has given us more than we could ever have asked for. We could not be more proud of this boy, he is the kindest soul I know. His heart has no boundaries. His love of music, is one we share. His love for God is unmistakable. He is the best big brother, son and grandson anyone could ask for. You know how we feel about you, and it just gets bigger everyday.


Happy 14th Keaton, we love you to infinite and beyond.XO

part time...

What comes to mind when you here, part time? Job? These days, it seems a lot of jobs are part time. For a variety of reasons, there is a negative connotation associated with a part time job. Most of us are looking for a full time, with benefits jobs, this day and age, they are harder to come by. We are living in an age where part time is starting to be the new normal.

I don't know if this sigma is fair to part time. Maybe it isn't all doom and gloom. Except anywhere else you apply it, it just gets tougher. There is the impressions that one is not giving it, all one has. That we are holding back, not living up to our full potential. We wouldn't want part time pay or part time 401k anymore than we want part time parents or friends. We are either all in or, waiting to be all in. Living with part time until The Ideal, full time comes along.

So what happens to us as a society if part time does take over? Is it possible that there is a positive in there, anywhere? I don't have the answer just my personal bias that may or may not, be accurate. I am a all in or all out, kind of girl. Right or wrong, I am driven by passion and whether a novel, or the way the light hits on of my favorite faces, I am semi-crazy and committed. I am 100% in everything I do, no reason that part time could not work for me. Need to keep that in mind, as the world changes, I don't want to miss a thing...

50% off...

Had to run into Walmart on the 4th and as I grabbed my needed items, the manager comes on over the loud speaker and proclaims that for the next few minutes, lounge chairs would be reduced from $55 down to $15. I had been waiting for the markdowns to start but thought I had at least 3 weeks to go. Today, Target's outdoor furniture was all marked down 50% and there was little left. In less than 10 days after summer officially starts, we are already in the 50% summer markdown and on to fall. The school supplies are already out, looks like have about a month to refill my pens and paper before the Halloween candy is out.

No wonder we are obsessed in our lives. We are a 50% world, living on the edge all the time. Summer is for thinking, dreaming, enjoying the warm sun. There is no time for Thanksgiving centerpieces and Christmas decorations. It is up to oneself to protect brain from this kind of overload. While I did cruise the school section just to see... I did not buy anything. Will I hold firm? Would like to say I would but I am under no illusion as to my weaknesses. I made myself a promise to use my powers for good and am trying desperately to stick to it, for myself if for no other reason. To prove a point. I do this often, part of the fun of living in Me Land.

So I am going to enjoy my $15 lounge chair, prop my feet up, grab my iPad and live summer like no body's business. I might not have all the answers but I have the ones I need for right now and that my friend, is huge...

looking up...

We humans spend a lot of time, looking up. For many reasons and most of them are related.

We look up at the skies to see things we never see on the ground. Maybe if the things that we were looking up were on the ground, we wouldn't be too interested but is Something we never know. We look up for a reason. It is not our default. Something draws us away from our normal and comfortable stance of looking ahead or down. There is a promise of Something way bigger than us, something that is off scale and needs to be, up high. Whether you are religious or not, looking up has that kind of quality. It is one that for a brief moment, we give it our full attention and expecting a reward for said attention. It may come in the form of an affirmation, either visual or perhaps, just an emotional response. We are giving ourselves up to Something higher than what we normally see. Something that commands we stop what we are doing and look up instead. Never miss an opportunity to look up. Another thing common to us all, we hate to miss anything...

4th of July...

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. John Adams.

Can not think of any place I would be on the 4th of July. The older lady at Walmart who was in front of me had her whole 4th of July, right there. There was some deli chicken nuggets, bottle of white milk, one ear of shucked corn and a 25' hose. I made up a Story about all her purchases and it made her smile. Even if you don't have a family around, or a big shindig to go too, you can celebrate the wonderous nature of America's birthday. For as young as we are, we sure know how to throw a party, imagine we always will.

summer reading...

There are few things that explain summer more than summer reading. It has a different pace than winter reading. It is slow, and outdooresy. The words hang over you like the heat, slow and steady.

I have a few books that I purposely read on in the summer. Madeleine Engle's, The Summer of the Great Grandmother, is one of my favorites. This year, Barbara Robinson's, The Worst/Best School Year Ever, is my new favorite. Telling another Story of the now famous Herdman's family, from the The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Story of a sister and brother family who are all familiar to us, in some way or another.

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie and Gladys - were the worst kids in the history of the world... I know them because they use to live next door to my daughter's family. They were the spiting image of the Herdsmans children. You could never convince me that this book was not a biography.

In Real Life, we would be appalled. Who could let their kids grow up and purposefully become, hoodlums? It happens all the time. We laugh at the antics of the Herdmans.

There were right there in the Woodrow Wilson School, all six of them, spread out, one to a class, because the only teacher who could have put up with two of them at once would have to be Miss King Kong. My father said he bet that was in the teachers contracts along with sick leave and medical benefits: only one Herdsman at a time.

Something magical about summer reading. Any other time of the year, it would not be as funny. It would not ring, so true and those chuckles that escape my lips, would never be. I spent many summers at the library, soaking up everything Nancy drew, that I could. Summer leands itself to a complete change of lifestyle. Even after all these years, the art of summer comes back to me, just like riding a bike - you never forget. The same applies to fall and buying new underwear but that is for a different season.

Grab yourself a book, pull up a chair and see if it isn't magical. Read something you have never read or a familiar one. Makes no difference, the reward is in the way you see it...

social media...

Twitter is someone at a bar who has a funny joke to tell you. Facebook is a relative that wants you to watch a slide show of their vacation. Matt Thompson via Bob and Tom.

Could not have described it better. There are many that would disagree with me and believe me, Facebook has been very good to me. Not unlike church, I have made some great friendships and even found long, lost relatives. Enough to stay loyal, for a time.

Remember My Space? Never go into it but it is the grandfather of social media. Maybe it is not fair to compare Twitter and Facebook. Maybe they really are apples and oranges but the thing is, we can only eat so much fruit. Unless someone wants to develop a 12 step program for those who binge on edible reproductive body of a seed plant.

Twitter clicks all the boxes for me. Latest news, a good Story and whatever the lastest thing Jerry Seinfeld is doing. If something personal happens, someone will let me know. Then why do I still have a Facebook account? Good question. Maybe loyalty, always hoping for it to kick it up a notch but remember...would you expect an apple to do a citrus job?

Maybe I will watch the 20 year olds and see what they do. AFter all, they are the future. Come to think of it, I don't see many of them on either platform. Will social media as we know it go by the way of cable TV. These 20 somethings won't pay for TV. Some have Netflix or Hulu Plus but most watch from the portable devices and don't have to see the latest episode of Downton Abbey, as it is happening. They are way better at delaying gratification that we are. Look out Cable TV, you make have to rethink your, Are you ready for some football marketing?The worse part, they will do be doing the same thing for their kids.

What will social media look like in 5 years, 10 years? Whatever its form, SM is here to stay. We are more and more mobile everyday. Move over AA, there is a new kid in town...

one year anniversary...

Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of retirement. It has been quite a year, health issues along with learning a new way, has felt at times, like we have been paddling just to stay afloat. Health issues are better, and learning how to spend more time together is getting to be a adventure. We refer to everyday as being on vacation, believe it or not - that has been a life saver. We laugh as much as we can, at our own expense is the best but keeping one eye on the proverbial clock, we know that each day is a gift.

We will celebrate tomorrow spending the day with our girl and grandbabies. Can think of no better way to mark the occasion. Whatever the day brings, we will be thankful for this year and for all the days to come. This last year has been a year of trial and error, and more trial and error. Thinking we have got it down, lets get ready to rubble...

Statues in the park...

I hate poetry.
I love Billy Collins.

Anything with his name, I will read. He makes it real without all that rhyming going on. Dr Suess is about all I can handle and, in small amounts. Billly Collins is the Real Deal, there is no turning away evern when it is hard and hurts. Something to learn, something to beleive in and something to be thankful for.

Anytime something teaches you something that you felt was worth your time, you tend to pay attention. Over and over again. Statues in the Park is a wonderful piece and it doesn't hurt that it comes from the book, The Trouble With Poetry.

Statues in the Park

I thought of you today
When I stopped before an equestrian statue
in the middle of a public space.

you who had once instructed me
in the code of these noble poses.

A horse rearing up with two legs raised,
you told me, meant the rider had died in battle.

If only one leg is lifted,
the man had elsewhere succumbed to his wounds;

and if four legs were touching the ground,
as they were in this case-
bronze hooves affixed to a stone base-
it meant that the man on the horse,

this one staring intently
over the closed movie threatre across the street,
had died of a cause other than war....

The poem doesn't end there but goes on to talk about others who have died in battle yet no statues for them. The statues of the sickly, the suicides, the murdered and the drowned. And, he ends it like this.

And there was I.
up on a rosy-gray block of granite
near a cluster of shade trees in the local park,
my name and dates pressed into a plaque,

down on my knees, eyes lifted,
praying to the passing clouds,
forever begging for just one more day.

progressive...

There are things in our lives that are progressive. That means that it is marching on, like it or not. There are also some progressives that can be held in check and some that, no matter what, we have no control over.

Some diseases are progressive. Parkinson's, MS and diabetes. In fairness to diabetes, it is agreed upon that with change, the disease can be held in check, sometimes even elimated but for most, it is a lifelong struggle at best. Obesity was offically changed to a disease last week. One is no longer obese, now, one has obesity. This is going to bankrupt insurance companies. Expect big changes in the workplace. Alcoholism is also progressive, just like drugs and food, it takes more and more to keep an acceptable level of being. Wonder why it takes 6 brownies instead of two to make the voices in your head...stop. Same disease, different symptoms.

The one we all share and can relate to is age. No human has ever beat it. Money cannot assure that the cancer won't spread, and spread quickly. Some of us are given many years, years to become parents and grandparents. To see the world change, for better and worse. Some are given shorter terms. Lives cut short, very little progession in their lives. Some never make it out the hospital doors. I always imagine they may see themselves as lucky.

We went bike riding last night with our kids and grandkids. Beauty and the Beast kept up pretty well for 3 or 4 miles and then we had to stop and sat at a picnic table while they continued on. It is hard to admit that you can't keep up but it needed to be done. We could have continued on and tried to kill ourselves to keep up but, somehow we have made peace with doing what we can do and being semi-ok with that. When they came back, we were ready to head back and finish our ride. It was a great night for biking, no matter how far you went.

With all things progressive, there are consequences. We do the best with what we are given and as the kids say, You get what you get and don't throw a fit. Whatever progressives are in your life right now, learn to make peace with. Give them due respect. It may be the smartest thing you ever do....

summer 2013...

School got out the end of May. Even though it is not officially summer then, we all think it is and act accordingly. Summer only started Friday and already there has been a week of VBS, swim lessons, tutoring and just finished a week of horseback riding lessons.

Morgan took to this like a fish to water. I imagine I will be visiting her on her big ranch in Ada County in the not so far future. Since she is not allowed to date until she is 30, she will need extra help with the animals and will not venture far. The boys are also liking being out and being told, You are the boss...make sure your horse knows that. What kid wouldn't like being the boss?

As I reflect on what the rest of this summer will look like, I can't help but thinking about last summer. I was sick, the sickest I have ever been. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. It was a dark time for me personally. I will never forget. Someone I know is going through a dark time this summer. I told them my Story and told them not to give up hope. While their memory of this time will always be difficult, I hope they can share their Story next summer with someone going through the same thing.

We almost have a year of retirement behind us. DH says it is still tough, just living with me should be a reward, all its self. Planning a big trip next year so think we will lay low this year. I feel better and that is fun enough for me. We have had a lot of adjustments this year and I think we have weathered this, pretty well.

So Summer 2013, bring it! Different mindset, different year, time to renew and party on!!!!

documentation...

last Saturday was family picture day. It a day that the sooner and better you smile, the quicker this whole thing will go. They are now at the age where they are more able to control themselves and smile for a few sconds. 381 shots later, it looks like we will be doing this again in a few weeks.

Not because of the closed eyes, of which there were many or the eyes looking around. It has to do with someone getting their bangs cut a few hours before Picture Time. You should also know that we had to stop at the same salon to have the bangs, fixed. That alone, tells the whole Story.

With multiple locations and the getting in and out of the car, there has to be some downtime. I love taking photos of them as a family and as much as mommy wants a canvas on her big living room wall with everyone smiling, down by the river..this is the one I would choose.

Really, the haircut is all you can see?

His charm just kept oozing out the whole time. Miss M was cuteness galore and Keaton's face just loves the camera. Despite the rough start, it was a great time.

Look forward to doing it again in a few weeks. Canvas worthy is the name of the game but these photos, the uncanvas worthy will always make me happy as all photos should do. Love you buddy!

Fathers Day...

Growing up in my house, parents were in two catagories, evil and the lesser of evil. My father was the lesser and understand that the lesser evil is still, evil. I can not relate to all the mushy stories about fathers and love and trust and caregiving. Not until that is, I look at my favorite son-in-law. I don't know how any child could go wrong with the love I see him lavish on my grandchildren.

When they were little, he went to every doctor appointment and has missed very few since all three kids were born. He is strict when he has to be, encouraging every day and shows his love everywhere. They might grumble and complain about the rules, now that they are older but not a one of them would deny that his love, surrounds him. The idea of God being a father figure, must have been easy for them to grasp. It was much tougher for me. I had no reference point and the ones I had were, unspeakable. I really thought that every day went on dates with underwear in a paper bag, in case they got lucky. My mormal wasn't and it took many, more years for me to grow up and see what a real father looks like.

Wherever this Fathers Day takes you, I hope it is a good one. Good memories, good Stories and if they are still around, a call or a visit. If not, look around and see if there are fathers out there that could bring the concept of God to you, firsthand. That is my Fathers Day wish for each of us...

beliefs...

We all have core and secondary beliefs. I would guess that core beliefs make up 25% of our belief system with secondary ones, picking up the rest. In both belief systems, there is change. Obviously more in the 75%, where the ins and outs of everyday life are played out. What is relevant one day, is no longer the next day. Even the core beliefs see change. Different seasons of life, changes you never saw coming, tragedy and surprises, can shake a core belief, forever.

We may be creatures of habit but those habits can be fluid. You may never pick up a drink in your life but still be an alcoholic. Addiction is addiction, some are just more politically correct than others. The thing about beliefs is we make choices from minute to minute, based on those beliefs.

I have added to my core beliefs, many times. I have also eliminated some. Some beliefs come with age, some with circumstance and the older you get, the more they change. Here is small sampling of what is going on in my head, today

It is not exercise if you don't sweat.

Living in denial is not for the faint of heart, the cost is very real.

When you make a choice for a lifetime, you must burn your ships. If you don't, you will, you will climb back on board.

man's best friend...

These two are pretty good buddies. They spent a week alone together a few weeks ago when the rest of us went to the Oregon coast. Banjo has spent a bit of time with us and it seems to suit him. Everytime we go to his house, hwe are greeted like royalty. Before we can drop a purse, or take off a jacket, he is all over us to give im a little love. He does firmly believe he should get attention before Freckles, Freckles or Blondie get any kind of a greeting.

He has no qualms about being your best friend if you are eating Something that hints of meat. Whatever you have is better than what is in his bowl, is his theory and if begging is what it takes, he has no shame. Likewise, when it is time to go outside, you are not left unclear as to what is going on and what is needed, RIGHT NOW!

He is our fourth grandchild. He loves Brandi, will lay at the door for hours waiting for her to come home. Saturday, at the yard sale, he was able to fall asleep in her arms, just like that. I have never seen anything like it. He feels so comfortable with her, it is a wonderful thing to behold.

While he loves my girl, he has a bit more love to share with the rest of us and poppa gets to have some one on one time with man's best friend, without the work, The perfect relationship...

yard sale, 2013 style...

It was a good day for a yard sale. With Ozzie keeping watch, we managed to unload quite a few treasures that we had been holding on to. Treasures that we, at some point inour lives, could not live without. Brandi had a great idea on how to market the Legos, $4 a bag, you choose. We had a father and son team that spent a good half hour in the blazing sun, going through all three containers. We thought they were crazy to sit and sift through all those pieces but it was obvious theny were on some kind of mission.

We had Sam or was it Phil?, he talked about himself in the third person and explained that he was into buttons and pins. Kind of creeped you out but we just went on. There were the offers that had no basis in reality and some good old fashioned, haggling. The old men who just wanted to talk,and the never before seen neighbor who lived a block over, that way. As it always is, a yard sale reminds you that life is not simple, and that every transaction whether human or financial, is an experience. We don't see the value of many things equally, nor do we agree on what is fair. It is a great place to practice manners, please, thank you and have a good day.

Some people want their new belongings put in a bag, some do not. When something is sold by the bag, there is always, always, someone who instead of buying 2 bags, insists on overfilling the one bag and pretending like no one will notice. And for those who speak of themselves in the third person, there are no words. Thank you again, Yard Sale, good lessons, good times...

one on one...

We all have times that we are better than we think. The times you think you were pretty good, probably wouldn't pass the mustard test. It is those time you are unaware but are present. I am most comfortable being, one on one. I like the idea of sharing with someone and being shared.

I can give you my full attention, the most I have in any given Moment.
I will laugh with you, I will cry with you.
I will thank God for you.

None of us are islands, onto ourselves, Some need more island, some need to get out more. Even my workout time is done on the island. because I have been forced by outdated machines, I am no longer in my little corner on the treadmill, by myself. I have to get out among the English, people on either side of me, and it is testing me Big Time. I had to ask at the desk today when the replacement machines would be in. They don't know, they have been ordered. I know they will not be there tomorrow, I will have to go to the mainland to get my sweat on.

One on One, when our time together was done, I would give you a big hug because I have been blessed by you sharing your time with me. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate the view from your side of the island. The older I get, the more I understand...there is much to see and by sharing, we all get to see just a bit more, get that one little piece of the Puzzle that might allude us otherwise. Thank you and much love from Island zalaine...

family...

Had a wonderful visit with Uncle Dean last week. First road trip of retirement, the 6 hour drive was breathtakingly beautiful. It is really a miracle that we made it, or that we found my uncle.

I had looked for him for several years. The phone number I had was no longer in service. I knew he had a heart attack a while back so put the two together and figured he was gone. Had heard from a long lost not relative that his wife had died, all the signs pointed to, I was too late.

For many and various reasons, have not had any contact with my father's side fo the family for many years, at least 25 since my father's death. I had searched Facebook before with little success but I tried and ried again, and about a month ago, they all popped up. Cousins, aunts and uncles, all in one place. So I knew my uncle was still alive, it was just a matter of time before I got his number and we were on our way.

We just stayed a day, he wanted us to stay longer but he had fishing and we had Keaton's graduation from middle school. We happily talked the day away and then dinner and then more talk. My cousin and her daughter and husband who live next door visited until the wee hours. We all were tired, hit the hay, day done. In the morning we visited a bit more and headed home.

You would think it would be difficult to catch up on 25 years yet it didn't go that way. I filled in blanks for him and he gave me some answers I had been looking for. He was only 8 when I was born and I spent alot of time living with my grandparents and uncle when I was a child. I told him I was sorry if I was a pain, he said I wasn't. He said I had brushed shoulders with Frank Sinatra as had he. He was in junior high and it made as big an impressions on him as it did me. He told me about his experience with Danny Thomas, wow.

As I have reflected back on the visit, of this I am sure. Being a Daniels has and always be a part of my DNA. We are natural Storytellers and comedians. We have big attitudes and most of what everybody does, hits us the wrong way. We would like to beat up more people than we do, and religion is such a part of our Story, not because we all believe but because we don't.

Thanks for the hospitality, Uncle Dean! Good luck on your next bass tournament, may God bless you real good...

draw...

Whether you consider yourself artistic or not, we all draw. We do it with our lives. Seriously, today I experienced it during the singing time at church.

Pastor Sam weaved the music together and it fell right into place. by the last stance of the last song, you could see it. If you understand that God loves you and you take that to heart, believe it... you will never feel alone. Will it change the cirmstances of your life? Will it hedge all bets about Bad Thinks happening to you? No, but you will never walk alone. That is the promise.

We draw pictures everyday with our lives to those around us. To those we are around alot, they will see more. A stranger may only have one shot at you and you may blow it. It may be a bad day, legit or not but make no mistake, you will draw a picture for them to take home and remember and if they ever run into you again, your drawing will come up for immediate recall for them, just as it has been for us and all the them out there whose drawings have crossed our paths.

Whatever your medium is, on any given day, you draw a legacy for all to see. Your words, actions,even your attention suggest a page, rich in detail.

What did you draw today? What did it say to you? What do you think it did for those around you? Whether scribble or prose, today's drawing reflects you and where your head is. Hope you drew an accurate account and left some good stuff behind, even if it only said, SOS...

exaggerate...

I can't imagine any of us like being associated with exaggeration but it is part of the human experience. Anyone who says it isn't part of their lives is lying, another thing that we all have in common.

We use exaggeration for many different reasons and results. To feel better about ourselves, to make ourselves look better in our own eyes as well as those around us. We use the Big E when we tell Stories because we think our Stories will be more interesting if the fish weighs 50 lbs instead of 3 lbs, 4 oz. When telling Stories of girl and guy behavior, exaggeration is a given, believe only 50% and you will be much closer to the truth.

If exaggaeration is about more.... Like the one old woman said to the other, I already told you more than I know, What is it called when it goes the other way? Imagine telling someone you weigh100 lbs more than you do? Then they would think you were tiny for your weight Or shorter, or not as bright. I may be on to something here. Accentuate the negative.

At times, there is a fine line between exaggeration and truth. When I say spending an hour every Sunday with my grandson in church is like heaven on earth to me, I am serious, yet someone else may think I am embellishing plight. In this case, I am not. I am very aware of every moment and the more days I have behind me than in from of me, I realize it more and more.

Exaggaration or truth,

I now weigh what it says on my drivers licence.

I have bumped into Frank Sinatra.

If I have ever told you I love you, it is as true today as the day I said it, no matter what...All truth. You look marvelous darlin, never better...All the Big E.