My Grama's Soul

let's make this year a year of discovery. whether you are redoing a home visiting a place you have never been planting the perfect garden becoming more gifted as an artist expanding your spirituality looking at YOURSELF to see who you REALLY ARE.. let's all of us.....make this year count. I..for one....want to become more of a "HUMAN BEING" rather than a "Human Doing" by that I mean spending less time with "busy work" and really staying in the present and EMBRACING THIS JOURNEY WE CALL LIFE. Happy New Year to all, Jo all photos:  Courtesy Better Photo.com

Thoughts of my MOTHER come crashing at year's end..... SHE died at 57~~~I was 31 One's mother is the guide post~~ the compass  the true NORTH STAR of one's life. When I think about my MOTHER...these thought's surface.. She was gracious in a very quiet sort of way She was BEAUTIFUL She was so very FRENCH She was giving..but that trait was stifled at every turn Her laugh was joyous and her smile even more so Her favorite color was RED She worked harder than anyone I have ever known She had her own private demons she was never able to put to rest As I sit here on this cold rainy day..I realize that I let her personal struggles cloud my vision of her...I harbor regret for that. I loved her dearly She was my guide post and my compass My TRUE NORTH. this last photo is a painting I purchased...it had no title...I have titled it JACQUELINE....It reminds me so much of my beautiful m...

THAT PRETTY MUCH SAYS IT ALL Hugs, Jo

JO PHOTO: COURTESY BETTER PHOTO.COM

THAT GLORIOUS SONG OF OLD FROM ANGELS BENDING  NEAR THE EARTH TO TOUCH THEIR HARPS OF GOLD. "PEACE ON EARTH~~GOODWILL TOWARD MEN FROM HEAVENS ALL GRACIOUS KING" THE WORLD IN SOLEMN  STILLNESS LAY TO HEAR THE ANGELS SING. HERE IS WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS...I SO MUCH APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU AND THE NEW FRIENDS I HAVE MADE ALL OVER THE WORLD!! hugs, JO

UNFORTUNATELY...it is not something you can find at the supermarket~~~ like MILK.... HOPE IS HIDDEN WITHIN... It is the 'IT' that makes the difference between getting somewhere....and getting nowhere. HOPE IS THE extra set of Muscles that will carry us through...when ALL ELSE has failed. WE INCREASE OUR supply of HOPE EACH TIME WE ENGAGE IN SOME ACT OF GOODNESS.. LET HOPE BE OUR GIFT TO THIS WORLD.... REMEMBER~~~"HOPE IS THE ONLY BEE WHO MAKES HONEY WITHOUT FLOWERS"...   Robert Ingersell Blessings as always, Jo

AND CLOSING WITH All photos:  Better Photo.com

WE had our wonderful grandson this past weekend.  He is 7, in the second grade, and of course has started loosing a few teeth.  (It just occurred to me that we start loosing things from the minute we are born.  OH WELL....THAT is another post.)  ANYWAY......We had a wonderful weekend ... eating popcorn at Target... He never wants to shop....HOW GREAT IS THAT!!! Watching SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN  HE KNOWS ALL THE WORDS so it is kind of an interactive experience. THIS little boy is such a sweet soul and I am so very grateful to have a small part in his life. I TRULY hope I make a difference in some  way. HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY DEAR FRIENDS, Jo

Today I'm joining Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Christmas Friday....she has an amazing group of ladies who are displaying some amazing Christmas ideas....pop on over to see them...her button is on my side bar. The above vintage shoe form was found in a funky little shop in Montana.....Called Red Neck Chic.... It appears to be and old boot form size 8 1/2.....WITH THE CLIENTS NAME ON IT of Russell.....  It also was labeled with a file number so the boot maker would be able to find it easily in his stock.....can you imagine going today to the shoemaker and having a CUSTOM PAIR of boots made just for you.. Ahhhh...days gone by. There is a small hole in the top probably where a rod would hold the form in place...I simply put a little tree star in the hole and added a little ribbon as a sort of anklet....repurposing for Christmas....I like that. Have a sweet day dear friends, Jo

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO FOLLOW MY BLOG I HAVE POSTED BEFORE OF MY LACK OF FAMILY....ONE OF THE REASONS IS BECAUSE I HAVE A VERY SMALL FAMILY....BUT ANOTHER REASON IS BECAUSE OF ADDICTION PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN SO PERVASIVE IN MY LIFE....AS A CHILD AND AN ADULT....it just seems as though it will never disappear... I have been in recovery for many...many...many years...but it seems as though many of the people I love are not able to conquer this problem. The anger...mental distress and depression that goes along with this dis.....ease is at times overwhelming... TO THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TOUCHED BY THESE PROBLEMS....YOU ARE SO VERY FORTUNATE....AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE....MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU because I know all about an aching heart. THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT HOLIDAY CHEER AND FOR THAT I AM SORRY sometimes I do feel like the little tree in the above picture...but I do know that my God is always sending angels my way and believe me.....I A...

Our current home has very high ceilings...although it is an old home..it was built in 1970's...the architect had great vision.  We have very high ceilings here...so we are able to have a really tall tree. Our tree is between 10 and 12 f ee t tall. YEARS AGO THIS TREE USED TO BE ADORNED WITH ALL WHITE LIGHTS AND CLEAR BULBS AND ORNAMENTS...IT WAS VERY ETHEREAL AND BEAUTIFUL....but a few years ago SWEET HUBBY and I decided we wanted to add more color to our Christmas...so hence this tree... I HAVE ADDED BURGUNDY AND GOLD BALLS OVER THE YEARS AS TIME HAS PASSED....AND ALSO HAVE ADDED ANYTHING ELSE THAT I MIGHT FANCY.. it is truly a tree full of whimsy and beauty....i like a little bit of both.. WE actually discussed not putting up a tree this year...but decided to do it as always.....NO....WE DON't DECORATE THIS OURSELVES....we have a wonderful woman who has helped us for years.. IN FACT she has told us she will do our tree forever....I KNOW she needs the income and I t...