Looking Forward

So I started 2019 back in December 2018.  As we were caring for my friend, Laura, I ran out of my daily meds and needed to get in to see my doctor for refills.  That's when I found out there were some major changes in my health.  So 2019 started with doctor visits and vows to take care of myself.  Getting to the gym has been difficult this month, since my calendar was filled with doctor appointments, but there's always the treadmill at home. I'm putting this out there for all to see so that I work on accountability.

So here we are on the last day of the first month in this new year and I'm doing well.  A whole lot less doctor appointments and I'm feeling so much better.

Chicagoland is nearing the end of this crazy polar vortex that brought us temperatures of -24.  Most people stayed inside and we endured! I did the same, but since I really, really dislike the cold, my mind was really here:

Atlantic sunrise

  

Our sub-zero temps really get me thinking about the spring and getting back into the garden.  I'm looking forward to these popping up.

Spring bulbs from Costco and Menard's

And this lady will watch over my garden this year.  She's 4 feet high, and ready to welcome the birds, butterflies and bees.  She will join this one that I found last year.  This little one is about 3 ft. high.

They make me happy.  They fill me with peace.  And when you fill the bird feeders to welcome the birds, and when the milkweeds welcome the monarchs, it feels like all is right with the world.

Yes, I'm ready for spring. And after this polar vortex stuff, I'll bet many of you are as well.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life

Sometimes, the words you have are the best you'll ever have.  This is a repeat from 2012 and 2013.  Now more than ever, we need this man and what he stood for!

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.  He had a dream.  A dream that certainly couldn't be fulfilled overnight.  A dream not just for himself, but for mankind.  "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the the content of their character."  Isn't that beautiful?    

I'm glad that I've witnessed in my lifetime a shift in how people/races interact with one another.  One man spoke up to voice what others felt in their hearts and moved us to the healing that humankind so sorely needed.  You see, as long as we hold those prejudices and hates, we are not free.  We are shackled by those hates; that anger.  And until we decide that what's on the outside really doesn't matter and that the only thing that matters is what's in someone's heart, we will never be free.  He said it best when he said: 

..."Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring -- when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children -- black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics -- will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Whether or not you have the day off today, have a wonderful day!  And just send a quick note of gratitude to your higher power that we were blessed to have heard the words from Dr. King's heart. 

It's Good (and Healthy) to be Back...Again

Last time I posted was in August 2017.  It's not like I've had nothing to say!  I think it's just making the time to say it on this page.  As the last days of 2018 exited, it was cause for me to say "good riddance."  Those of you who know me know that I lean toward finding the positive in my life.  But last year....whew!!  One for the books.

In April 2018, my middle sister lost her fight with cancer.  Younger sister and I took some trips to see her, aggravate her, care for her.  Y'know...sister things!  As much as we weren't that close, losing her had more of an impact on me than I would have imagined.

Then in November, a very good friend, and sister to Leanne at From Chaos 
Comes Happiness, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive ovarian cancer.  She was gone within a month.  I was grateful that I was able to help in caregiving for her.  But that one took a lot out of her family and friends.

Unfortunately, all too often caregivers forget to take care of themselves.

That changes this year.  This year, I take care of myself.  So that I can better take care of others when they need me.  So I'll be blogging more, and sharing my insights into this 365 day journey around the sun that we call "Life".  It's good to be back.  I leave you with this sunrise.

Daytona Beach Sunrise

Peace and Love to you!  It's good to be back!!