cff August 2014 | Simple and Serene Living

Saturday, August 23, 2014

SIMPLE SUMMER MEMORIES


Summer seems to be quickly winding down. The light is softening and the leaves are changing. Where has it gone. It seems that we waited so long for it to appear and in the blink of an eye it is disappearing. 

Taking with it the memories of fresh tomatoes.


of baskets overflowing with tree ripened sweet peaches,



of roadsides decorated with colorful wildflowers,


of children with bare feet and sunglasses,


of precious time with family,


and of lazy walks down country lanes.


They are after all only simple memories, but they are memories that can be pulled out and dusted off when the melancholy of fall sets in. To be relived in my imagination as I make new memories.

Enjoy your day.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014

life is real




There is nothing like spending a week with children to make you see what life is really about. You fall down and skin your knee, you cry for a few minutes, a bandaid is put on (preferably one with a cartoon character) accompanied by a kiss, and you get on with life. You enjoy the moment. Walking and swimming aren't seen as exercise. They are seen as times of exploration and fun. 


You are constantly learning and embracing new ideas. You ask intriguing questions and when answers are given you often come up with better answers of your own. Life is new. Life is fresh. You cry. You play. You move on to the next exciting moment. Life is real.


Life is not really about seeing a beautiful home on the internet and wishing it was yours. It is not about comparing yourself to others. Yes, we all like to see pretty homes, but the reality is that people just like us live in those homes. They may have more stuff, they may live in a bigger space, they may take more exotic vacations, they may have bigger paychecks, but the reality is they are real people, and my guess is that their homes aren't perfect. They have children who make messes. They have marital problems. They have illnesses. No one can really shut their eyes to the realities of life, because life is real.


While putting on a bandaid won't solve all of life problems, the loving of yourself when you apply the bandaid is a perfect start. Tapping into the wonder of who you are can help to bring peace into your life. Life is real.


Sometimes I just feel the need to go outside and stand on the earth in my bare feet. It helps to bring back memories of childhood. It grounds me. As I stand there I picture my worries going back into the earth. I look around and know that

Life Is Real

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Friday, August 8, 2014

big important event

I was a bit AWOL yesterday from the blogging world, because it was a big day for my mom.

A day for three daughters to take their mom to a fancy downtown restaurant.



A day to pick out a perfect meal (mom had quinoa for the first time)



A day to laugh and reminisce with sisters.



A day for mom to truck around the florist where she grew up. The same paths where she rode her tricycle as a little girl. Pretending to go to far away places. Many of those places she did visit while travelling around the world with my dad 



a day for a special birthday treat. 



After all turning ninety is a pretty big occasion. So mom says she is milking it for all it is worth. We are taking her to Berea for lunch today. It will be her third birthday lunch and tomorrow we are having her party. My daughters and grandchildren are coming up and will be here for a week. (I may be a little scarce for the next week)

Happy ninetieth birthday mom. I hope you have many more. We love you.

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Saturday, August 2, 2014

bits and pieces

Life is all about bits and pieces. All the little moments that add up to living. Most days are made up of little things. We string them together and call them life. Every once in a while something momentous happens, but on the whole it's the day to day little things that keep us going.

A simple meal made from fresh summer ingredients.


Stopping to enjoy a simple flower here,


and a simple flower there.


Following a path on a foggy morning, just to see where it takes you.


Wanting so badly to open that gate and walk through,


so that you can walk through fields of wildflowers.


Yes, it's the bits and pieces of everyday living that give us a simple and serene life.

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