Wordless Wednesday

Frozen Cookie Dough Gifts

 

I just love this idea from Melissa at No.2 pencil that was featured on the It's Always Autumn blog. Wouldn't this be a sweet gift for Valentine's Day? Actually I think it would be a great gift for any time. I know I'd be tickled if someone thought of me with this!

P.S. Melissa has more fun Valentine ideas at her blog. Check those out!

Wordless Wednesday

Good Morning Runners!

While on vacation here in FL I have been out running almost every day. It's amazing the different reactions I get as I run. Yesterday a sweet little man greeted me with "Hello, Missus". Today from a lady I passed and then came back to see her again greeted me with "Have a good day!". Some folks nod at me. A few shy ones will do a little wave. Once in awhile I'll get a "Good Morning". However, it amazes me that so many other people ignore me, scowl at me or look away as fast as they can. I realize that sometimes I look pretty wiped out but I don't think I ever look angry or mean.

  Cars and bikes are another matter. If you are on a bike and you come across a runner please don't just sneak up on us and then try to pass us. Announce yourself. If you are in your car, be courteous. It might cost you a few seconds to let me cross the road in front of you but if you stop and let me pass it will be safer for me.

I'm not speaking for all runners when I say it's fun to have you greet us. I'm hoping that you'll give it a try. It could make someone's run (and day) a little better!

Girls at the Beach

Hubby and I are having such a fun time here on vacation in Florida. We have been blessed with incredible unseasonably warm weather. This makes for great days at the beach. I couldn't help taking my camera along and capturing these pics of "Girls on the Beach".

 

Amish Girls...

Relaxing girls...

Sweet toddler girls in floppy hats...

 

 

 

Girls playing volleyball... 

 

 

"Mature" girls and their fellas...

 

 

 

 

Girls playing in the water...

 

 

 

  

 

Girls sleeping with their phones....

 

 

I am having so much fun noticing all the girls on the beach and all the activities they are engaged in. (These are only a few of the pics I've taken this week.)

Wordless Wednesday

Siesta Key Drumming Circle

 

I had never heard of a drumming circle until we traveled to Sarasota, Florida. There on Siesta Key Beach every Sunday an hour before sundown a group of "drummers" get together on the beach. They drum for over an hour as people on the beach settle in to watch and listen. Along with the drummers a few dancers entertain the crowd and eventually get them to join in.

 

This year we ventured back to the beach on Sunday night again. We were amazed at the number of people who  came with drums or percussion instruments such as maracas or tamborines. We were amazed at the number of people who came to be part of the audience. And again, we were so amazed at the number of people who entered the circle to dance, hula hoop or move in their own way to the beat.

 

 

The drummers drummed for an hour until the sun set. They stopped drumming for just a few minutes but the crowd was so big and so enjoying the drumming that they started again! Now people were dancing and using hoola hoops with lights.

It was an amazing evening and I can't wait to go again. If you are ever in the Sarasota area on a Sunday night be sure to go to Siesta Key Beach to be a part of the Drummers' Circle!

Wordless Wednesday

Choose Happiness and Tell About It

 

 

I saw this on the internet and I had to share it because I love it! How many times have we heard someone complain and we wish we could be anywhere else but listening to them. Then you realize you have been doing the same thing.

 

I've seen many people post on Facebook about choosing happiness. It's just as easy as choosing not to be happy. I'm realizing life is too short to spend my time being sad and/or depressed and/or feeling sorry for myself. It's time to stop dwelling on my problems and start sharing my joys.

 

So here goes...my grandchildren give me great joy. The first time the oldest one could actually say "grandma", my heart just about burst. The flowers in my gardens give me great joy. Not only because sometimes they surprise me when they reseed in the spring but I see that life,like my plants, continues on even after the cold and dark. My camera gives me joy. I am just a very beginning photographer but every once in a while I capture something/or someone beautiful and that makes me so happy. Playing piano gives me joy. Again, I am just an amateur but playing whatever song strikes my fancy can really lift my mood. My husband gives me joy. He is kind, patient with me and enjoys the uniqueness of people. He is definitely my better half. Running and walking along the ocean brings me joy. I can't explain it but being by the water just somehow fills my soul.Writing this blog gives me joy. I am free to express myself, offer tips and ideas and have fun reading your comments.

 

Whew, maybe that's enough talking about joy for one post.

 

Tell us please, what gives you joy?

 

 

Random Acts of Kindness

How timely that I came across this blog just after I wrote my last post. (I love her blog name "My kids eat off the floor"!) She and her family are going to do 26 random acts of kindness in honor of the 26 victims of Sandy Hook. Isn't that awesome? I'm thinking this really goes along with my word for the year (goodness) and I would love to do the same!

Care to join us? 26 Random Acts of Kindness. I'm hoping it becomes a habit!

Word of the Year for 2012

Every year I read about people having a special word to carry them through the year. Every year I think about doing it but that's just what it was...a thought. So this year I have actually, really picked my own word for the year..."Goodness".

I think it was brought on by the shootings at Sandy Hook. I am a newly retired second grade teacher and the horror that took place there shook me to my core. I cried for the principal, the teachers, the students, the parents and the community members that will never be the same. I simply could not believe there could be so much darkness and evil taking place right before Christmas!

So that brings me to my word. How to make any sense of this tragedy? Can't. Maybe you saw the quote from Fred Rogers that has been circling around the Internet. The one about "looking for the helpers"?That is what I want to be this year. Someone's "helper". If I (and maybe you'd like to join me) can add some goodness to this world I can help to keep His light shining. I don't understand it but I am going to trust God.

Have you ever picked a word to inspire your year?

Wordless Wednesday