SPRING CLEANING

Spring cleaning....ugh!! I have no idea why cleaning became a rite of spring. Anyway, I usually try like heck to ignore the urge to spring clean. Today, however, I was prompted to clean my bulletin board.

Some information has been posted so long it's no longer relevant. Some information is useful but I need to figure out a better way for me to access it. I have computer tips, travel tips, gardening tips. Unless I use the tips now and continue to use them regularly, how will I even know such tips exist. Posting notes on a bulletin board with other little slips of paper is not helping to add to my knowledge base.

For the computer tips I could commit to trying one each time I sit down at the computer. Maybe I'll try putting the other information in an e-document which I would review on a timely basis. I'll think about that.

One item on my bulletin board which will remain, is a printout of the words of "What a Wonderful World". The song is so beautiful and the words are so touching they make my eyes water each time I read them.

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do

They're really saying I love you

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

A TWO YEAR OLD'S WORLD

Life through the eyes of a two year old.... innocence, wonder and candor!



Making bubbles and watching them float away...sheer joy!


Where did the bubbles go? If I jump high enough can I catch them?


Can we look for the bubbles?


Airplane, airplane granma! If I jump high enough can I touch it!


A kitty! Hello kitty! Pet kitty! Bye, bye kitty!


Pretty flowers! Pink flowers! Pick flowers?


Run down the hill! Whee!!


Catch me granma!

BRAVE GREEN PLANTS

There comes a point every winter when I realize I've become too used to seeing snow everywhere. I have forgotten my front yard is naturally green. I have forgotten the many plants that retain their green leaves despite freezing temperatures and the two to three feet of snow that has covered them most of the winter. Three cheers for those brave soldiers!
Cheers too for the recent couple of days of warm weather (relatively speaking) and rain which have uncovered vinca, pachysandra, cactus, myrtle spurge, sempervivum, lamimum and hellebores. Plus, lo and behold, the star of bethlehem plants have started emerging. Could it be the ground hog was completely wrong and spring is actually right around the corner.

THE CEREMONY

The ceremony has begun. I'm watching CNN. The invocation has been given and Lady Aretha is about to sing. Her performance is stirring of course. (I love her hat, that's a real "church" hat.) Joe Biden's middle name is Robinette, did you know that. "Air and Simple Gifts", the musical interlude. is beautiful, it sounds so hopeful. It's now noon and BARACK OBAMA IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT!!!! The inaugural speech is powerful and inspiring, given by a man who appears confident and ready to accept his challenges. Our new president is challenging US, "get up and dust yourself off". "America is ready to lead once more". Wow, what strong messages our new president is sending to our friends and enemies around the world!!

INAUGUARATION MORNING

Tuesday morning, January 20, 2009. It was difficult to sleep last night, I was so excited about today's prospects. Right now I can't decide which broadcast to watch. Of course I'm tuned to NPR on the radio as always. When I can't be in front of the TV, I can depend on NPR to paint a visual picture for me. Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts are my usual morning show friends but I want to hear and see what everyone is saying...who are they interviewing. I want to hear poignant questions and thoughtful answers. The crowds in the city are unbelievable and despite the cold they all appear positive and genuinely happy to be a part of history. I have been snapping pictures of the television as the important people of the day come into view. It's all so awesome!!

INDOOR SPORT

I'm trying to think of something positive to say about the interminable Michigan winter. If I were an aficionado of winter sports I would be in hog heaven. The down hill and cross country skiers, as well as snow boarders and snowmobilers have been thrilled with the many inches of snow we've had so far. Ice fishers have been loving the days and days of sub freezing temperatures that assure their safety on the lakes. The Michigan outdoor sports people have great big smiles on their faces. Me, I sit inside flipping through the pages of seed catalogs.  Maybe the challenge of keeping my seed order below $$$ could be considered a form of indoor sport. 

SHARING

A friend sent me the email below. With her permission I'm sharing it with you.

Last night Tim had gone to bed, and I was doing my wait until you get sleepy routine. I looked out the family room window toward the bird feeders to see if I could spot any night feeders. The view was just perfect, and so beautiful. I found myself staring out the window, and when I would go back and sit down I would find myself going back to the window just to look. It immediately reminded me of a story I read to my children at school entitled OWL MOON. In it the author says, “The shadows were the blackest things I had ever seen. They stained the white snow, and the snow was whiter than the milk in a cereal bowl.” It looked like my yard was a giant glow stick. God had left the yard light on. The snow like the milk in your cereal bowl and the moon shinning on it was glorious. The light was so bright I could actually see the shadows of the trees on the snow. Then, the bunny hopping into the feeding place was just perfect. I went to the west side of the house to the sliding glass doors, and the yard to the west was the same not quite as bright but still picture perfect. I wish at that time I had Jera’s, my niece, talent for painting, or Phil’s, my nephew, talent for taking picture, but I could only capture it in my mind. The only problem with that is my mind is getting older, and how long the image will stay is a mystery. I had to share this with you all. I wanted to share it with Tim, but was afraid he would not be quite as thrilled with it as I was; being roused from a sound sleep might have put a damper on it.