My Reading Blog

First off, thanks to TWT for challenging us to write every day for a full month.  Thanks for all your time, hard work and sharing. Second, thanks to my daughter, Michelle, for inviting (encouraging) me to start this challenge 8 years ago. Third, thanks to all who have commented on my slices.  Your comments truly make a difference in my life. As I said, this is my eighth year of writing - and I said I wasn't a writer when I first began.  Guess I've proven myself wrong.  I can write, not elegantly, but from my heart.  I hope that when my kids and grandkids read these slices when I'm long gone, that they will know more about me and realize how important it is to have a voice. This March, I've celebrated my Dad's birthday, our anniversary, Michelle's birthday I've written about the weather and Spring I've written about concerns and frustrations and mostly, I've written answers to questions from our Question Jar, to give some of our history...

As I think back over the month of March and all that I've written, I feel a sense of accomplishment.  This was my fifth year of slicing in this challenge. Does it get easier?  Do I still wonder what to write?  Do I still wonder if anyone will read what I write? Questions I asked at the beginning and can answer today. Yes, yes and yes.  I've shared about family, projects, life, weather, and Max has written.  I've sat at the computer and somehow my fingers just start typing or I've sat and wondered.  It's been a great month and I'll continue sharing on Tuesdays,  This challenge began for me five years ago and has created a habit, a way of making me look at things differently, a way of remembering what has transpired, a way to share what's on my mind. Thanks to all who have taken the time to read and share.  Y'all make this special.  See you next Tuesday!

It seems like a short time ago that my daughter, Michelle (Literacy  Zone) challenged me to become a part of this writing community.  And now, this is the beginning of my third year.  This morning I re-read  my first SOLSC slice and I remembered how difficult I thought it would be to share my thoughts with others, let alone have anything to write about.  But, as that month went on, I found that it got easier, there was something to write about and my co-writers left comments!   And now as I begin my third year, I find that something is missing if I don't write.  It's addictive. I find myself so much more aware of what is going on around, I pay attention to the little things that happen each day, I see how blessed I am.  Oh, sure there are days when I struggle to make my fingers type something, but somehow I manage to get a slice together to post.  It's rewarding when Hubby looks forward to each Tuesday to see what I've written about...

The calendar says "The First Day of Fall" The temps are cooling down The mornings and evenings are refreshing The humidity is almost non-existent The hummingbirds are scarce The deer have turned their darker colors The sun rises later The sun sets earlier The dogwoods have started turning red The leaves have started to fall No air conditioning  No heat Soon we'll light a fire "just to take the chill off" A time to sit on the front porch, enjoying A cup of coffee Listening to the quiet and peaceful day And as one season ends and the next begins We feel relief from the heat and humidity And look forward to a long, long Fall before the snow and cold decide it's time to push it's way in.

Last week's post was about a stray lightening bug that ended up in our bedroom  http://myreadingblog-jac.blogspot.com/2013/09/tuesday-solsc-9213-just-one-little.html. Michelle left a comment regarding my last sentence - "How can one little lightening bug create such a BRIGHT light in the darkness?"  Michelle commented:  "I'm pondering your question at the end...I think that sometimes we all think we can't do something or make a difference, but we can. Just think what that lightening bug was capable of doing." And so, I, too, have been pondering this question.  Yes, we are only one person, but what an impact we can make on other individuals.  We can: Give a hug Smile Send a note or card Visit an elderly person Pray Call someone you haven't spoken with in a long time Bake a treat and deliver it to a neighbor Read a book to a child or elderly person Stop and help someone in need Give encouragement and praise The list is en...

Memorial Day - A Day of Remembrance and Thanks American Flags blowing in the breeze, lining the streets of towns Parades and Memorial Services celebrating our Heroes Cemeteries adorned with flags and flowers One day set aside to remind us of how fortunate we are One day set aside to be thankful for those men and women who died fighting for our country One day set aside to thank those who have served and are currently serving One day set aside to enjoy our freedom A service held before the NASCAR race to honor our Heroes Bagpipes playing Amazing Grace A 21 gun salute  The bugler playing Taps The Star Spangled Banner sung The Blue Angels soaring overhead Remembering those who have passed   Thankful that God has blessed us  Praying that God will keep our Heroes safe Praying that God will comfort those who have lost so much. Memorial Day - A Day of Remembrance and Thanks

A beautiful day Sunny, warm, a slight breeze A phone call A hug Happy Mother's Day Greetings from many at church A flower A card A faith bracelet & my favorite chocolates Dinner with friends With a lake view A glass of wine Delicious food Sitting on the front porch Enjoying conversation & peacefulness Remembering my Mom & how much I miss her.

Forty-three years ago today, Hubby and I celebrated our wedding day - the first day of spring.  It was a beautiful day - sunny and in the 50's - one of those nice days in Illinois.  Weddings in a small town in the 70's were much different from today's productions.  It was a simple ceremony with two bridesmaids and two groomsmen.  His parents escorted him down the aisle and my parents walked with me.  They gave me away that day to a man that I love more and more each day that we spend together. After the ceremony, we had wedding cake and coffee in the fellowship hall and then we opened our gifts.  My Mom made dinner for our immediate families and special friends.  Shortly after dinner, we left for our "honeymoon".  We drove about a hour south of where I lived and stayed overnight.  And then it was back home to pack all of our new belongings so that we could move to Delaware, where Hubby was stationed in the Air Force.   And so o...

Borrowing an idea from Michelle's slice last week, I thought I take a look at the song titles on my MP3 and here's what I came up with.  I listen to a lot of Gospel and Country music, so some of these titles might not be familiar to everyone. Sundays Are Made for Times Like These Joy to the World Right Place, Right Time Home Here in the Real World Somewhere Over the Rainbow Chasing the Neon Rainbow Are You Enjoying the Show A Good Heart Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You Dream On Fix You Never Give Up Pray For Me

I just read one of the Kids Blogs - they had just finished studying the 1950's.  I loved their comments - "it was boring", "I loved Leave it to Beaver", they commented about the poodle skirts and rolled up jeans, standing up in class to answer questions.  It was fun reading their comments on this era. I was in elementary school during this time and some of the things I remember were: We listened to The Lone Ranger, Fibber McGee & Molly, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, The Grand Ole Opry, Gildersleeves on the radio. We had a black and white TV that we could only get three channels on. We had a party line telephone and had to use the crank on the side of the phone to get the operator to make a call. We didn't go out to eat once, twice, three times a week,,, - all meals were homemade - no processed foods. We didn't have McDonald's. We had sock hops We wore dresses to school - no jeans We played outside and created our own games We worked arou...

No matter how old your "kids" are, you still worry about them and want to help them.  And sometimes I feel so helpless knowing that all I can do is pray that all will be okay with them. We've lived 600 miles from our kids for almost 14 years and there are times when I wish we lived closer.  I love where we live and I really don't want to move back to all the traffic and fast pace of the suburbs, and yet I think "if only..., then I could help out more".   I could be there for support and to give hugs. I could be there to help with my granddaughters - to teach, to share, to love. I could be there to help with wedding plans and welcoming our  future daughter-in-law into our family. I could be there..... But, I'm here and I pray and listen and let them know that I will never stop being their Mother.

Usually we have an abundance of sunshine in the Ozarks, however, the last couple of weeks have only given us a tease of sunshine some days, other days only clouds.  I thrive on sunshine.  It is my attitude adjustment. This morning when I was getting ready for my walk with Max, Hubby said, "Better take the camera, the SUN is shining thru the clouds". And so, upon leaving the house, this is the miracle that God showed us The colors were awesome - pinks, blues and purples. Then turning to yellows and oranges. And finally, the sunrise appeared (the picture doesn't do it justice).  It's amazing how quickly my mood lightened and all was well in my little corner of the world.  Thank you, God, for the sunshine. P.S.:  The sun was actually out all day and the temps got in the 50's.  Can Spring be far away?

Today, I thought I'd share a little about myself and maybe in making my list, I'll find more slices. Who am I? I'm a child of God - forgiven and loved A daughter raised by two wonderful parents, who are watching over me from Heaven Wife to a wonderful husband, who you will hear more about this month Mother to two great adult kids (still kids to me) - a son, Scott, who will be getting married later this year and a daughter, Michelle (from the Literacy Learning Zone) - they too will be part of my slices this month Grandmother to twin granddaughters - you've heard about them from Michelle and me, but there will be more. Sister to one brother Aunt to many Niece I'm a Stephen Minister through our church An Office Professional (glorifed secretary) part time Reader Writer (SOL) Scrapbooker Card maker Crocheter Cross stitcher Singer And because I'm a child of God, He has blessed me with all of these gifts that make...

I have a hard time believing that it can be March already, but here it is.  A beginning - a new month, a new challenge to write every day, new thoughts, new slicers - an exciting time.  I remember last year when Michelle (Literacy Learning Zone) my daughter, encouraged me to become involved in this challenge.  I can honestly say that I was definitely nervous (and yes, somewhat intimidated) about having others read my thoughts, but after only a few days and many comments from this great community, I found myself enjoying the challenge. And so, I made it through the whole month - writing every day and then, I went on to continue writing and sharing every Tuesday.  I missed a few due to vacations, but I have found that this has become a habit and I look forward to writing, reading, commenting and sharing. So, welcome to all who are joining us this year and to those who are returning for the 2nd, 3rd ..... times. Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting this challenge...

The sunrise glistening through the trees.  The headlines last week predicted ICE/SLEET/FREEZING RAIN/SNOW.  BE PREPARED. Hubby (along with the rest of our area) went to the gas station to get gas for generator and fill a propane tank.  The lines were endless.  You couldn't find a parking place at the grocery stores.  Those of us who experienced the ice storm of 2009 were frantic to get prepared. The day of the anticipated ice storm, it rain, snowed, accumulated on the trees.  But no power outages, no snapping of branches and little if any damage.  People stayed home and waited. The day after, this is the beauty that we viewed from our windows and during our walk.  We are grateful that we were on the very edge of the storm, and we pray for all those who received the brunt of the storm. The weight of ice on the pine tree. Ice melting then freezing and creating tiny icicles. Trees covered with ice trying to absorb the warmth o...

February 2nd will be 24 years.  How can it be?  Where did the time go? Twenty-four years ago on Feb. 2nd, my Mom passed away after five long years of battling cancer.  Even after all this time, I miss her.  It seems like only yesterday that I was talking to her on the phone, sharing what was going on with the kids, hearing the joy in her voice as she shared what she had been doing that week. She was a doer.  She cared about everyone and reached out to those who were in need.  Even as she suffered through the pain of surgery, chemotherapy, lack of energy, she never complained and always had something good to say.  Even on her death bed, she kept on giving.  A comforting word, a squeeze from her hand, a smile, words saying that everything would be all right. I remember how strong her faith was - knowing that no matter what God was with her every moment of every day.  I grew through her in my faith.  I only hope that I can live as...

                 The fog was heavy on this morning in November, as Max and I went for our walk. Turning back to look at our house, it was eerily ensconced in the fog. As we started up the hill, I turned back and saw the sun trying to break thru. The fog wasn't quite ready to give up yet, but the trees were starting to shimmer with the sun reflecting through their branches. As the sun continued to rise over the lake, the fog was quickly disappearing. And as we approached the top of the hill, we could see our shadows. But turning around, the fog was following us. And as turned around and headed back home, the sunshine and clear skies appeared.  And so began another beautiful day in the Ozarks.

Ah, the dilemma of what to write about and so it's time to fill in the blanks. I was ...    trying to think of something to write I am ...    excited about going on vacation at the end of the month I think ...  I'm ready for Spring I wonder ...    what it would be like to win the lottery I wish ...    for peace on earth I pray ...    that our President, Senators, Congressmen/women                        will find a way to get our country back on  track I always ...     hope for a positive outcome I can't imagine ...    my life without God I believe ...     there is good in everyone I promise ...    to complete one project before starting a new one I love ...     my family

Nothing much has been on my mind except for the many feelings that I have experienced for the past couple of days.                   Unbelief                         Horror             Sorrow                                   Fear                       Helpless          Angry                          ...

As we approach this Thanksgiving Day, I (like many of you) have given much thought to all that I'm thankful for.  I'd like to share my first thirteen with you today. 1.  For my God, my Savior and Friend 2.  For family, especially a loving and caring husband, our son and his fiance, our daughter, her husband and our twin granddaughters. 3.  For my many friends, especially my best girlfriend. 4.  For freedom - how blessed we are that we can speak, write and share our thoughts. 5.  For our military personnel - those who are currently serving and those who have fought in wars and in times of peace and who have dedicated themselves to our country so that we can continue to have freedom. 6.  For good health 7.  For our ministers, teachers and educators who share their knowledge with each of us, especially our children to help them learn and grow. 8.  For all of the animals (or at least most of them), for our pets who accept us unconditio...