My Grama's Soul

Wouldn't it be nice if we could darn our souls like we do a pair of socks? Taking a little stitch here...a little stitch there...closing those holes that continually fray and open into gaping chasms. I have posed this question to myself many times through out the years.  How does one address those nagging things that continue to unravel....never seeming to be fully repaired....yet constantly needing a patch here..a patch there. This is what I think.  First and foremost~~we have to be still and observe our own being.  You know....the stuff that is in there..you never want to face ~~ ANGER, RESENTMENT, ENVY, HATRED, LONELINESS, LAZINESS...just to mention a few. Then, we must bring it to the surface and be brave enough to face it.  Really observe it in the light of day.  Why do we have it....what is our payoff here for continuing in this behavior.  Don't fool yourself~~there is always some sort of pay off when you hold onto something that causes soul...

Today I'm joining lots of ladies to celebrate a little trip to Paris.  The beautiful Anita of Castle's Crowns and Cottages is our gracious host.  Please visit her to see all the other wonderful bloggers who are sharing their story. In 2007, my beautiful soul mate and I were fortunate enough to take a cruise down the Seine.  We were joined by long time friends for this cruise...beginning in Paris...and stopping at the various artist's colonies along the river. We had three wonderful days in Paris.  Now...we all know...three days is NOT NEARLY long enough to see this wonderful city.  One could live there..and still not be able to see all it's wonders. Anyway...here are a few photos of my adventure....Hopefully, I won't bore you to death with these.  LOL At the airport waiting for our flight,  it is obviously a long one...so if you travel...there....wear comfortable clothing. I know we all think France is the "fashion capitol" of the world...but...

I am a child of the 60's...although...I had a family at the time and a very responsible job.  I always just looked from afar at all the "flower children" and smiled at their antics and outfits. Now...entering the ripe age of my mid-60's .... I find I am a latent "flower child" myself.   I have fallen in love with color all over again....and can't seem to get enough of all the wild color combinations that are appearing out there. Found this great "Boho" bag at Anthro.....loved it the minute I saw it....it screams 60's and the little mirror flourishes are right out of India. Can't seem to get enough of blue....turquoise, aqua, indigo....you name it....I love it all. Found the old industrial cabinet while out junking....I'll paint it eventually...but for now....painted the lamp on it instead.  You guessed it.....a shade of blue with a little yellow wash.   This mirror frame...was another junking find...it was a red-brown.......

Most of my life has been happenstance Nothing much was planned But, always foremost in my mind ~ was Looking for that soft place to land People come and people go Not much planning there Many of them on time clocks But most just going nowhere Me, I'm of  a different bent No time clock in my life My calendar is empty Yet life is sometimes strife Today my goal is still the same I'm really just like you Just taking life as it comes Still paying my life's due When at last I'm called to rest My soul at last set free  I hope to land upon a cloud Having all creation to see My wish at last is granted It really wasn't planned My great God gave this gift to me My own soft place to land Hugs....gentle souls, Jo              Poem written by me......Photos by me~last photo Filkr

Had company for dinner again last night......this was my table. When my beautiful husband walked into the kitchen.....this is what he remarked..... "NOW...THAT is a happy table." I LOVE THAT!!!!! Have a happy day, Xo Jo

 ~~~~~ Ancient cultures and religions oftentimes believed in fate or destiny.......Your fate was determined by the stars, tea leaves, stones, bones or many other ways that were open for personal interpretation. Events were often blamed on fate and predestination. Modern society often questions the validity of fate. In today's world...why is it that some people seem to have all the luck....and other's none at all? Or why is it that some people have to blame everyone else for their unfortunate circumstance? I know that life....at one time or another....kicks all of us in the gut.....but where does one's responsibility begin and end about one's life. In my own humble opinion...I believe each of us is responsible for our character and how we handle what comes our way.  Having come from very difficult beginnings...I know firsthand how easy it is to blame my parents, my family, my job, etc....for whatever ills befall me.  But.....taking that one step further...

I am so very pleased to say that I have a little article being featured in the lovely on-line publication featured above. Please visit the lovely Mimi Blue here to obtain your copy. http://bonjourromance.blogspot.com This is the May/June edition and will be hot off the presses very soon! Have a beautiful Sunday, Jo

AH.......it is summer in Arizona....I know....many of you haven't even had Spring yet....but here it seems we go from Winter right to Summer...with almost no Spring in between. Summer is a time for having friends for dinner and cooking over the grill. Had our neighbors over last night for burgers on the grill and a very simple salad made from what was in season and on sale at the grocers. Cucumbers Tomatoes Red and Yellow bell Peppers Olives Garlic and herb season salt Pepper Golden balsamic vinegar Olive oil Easy-peasey to make.....dice all veges very small I start by adding twice as much vinegar to oil....but you can season as you like...salt and pepper to taste. This simple salad is yummy and actually is part of the Medi-fast diet plan...so it is low in calories as well. Tonight....more company....I'm making roasted chicken with rosemary...and my friend, Shirley, is bringing the salad. As we have gotten older, I've come to realize that we don't ne...

I love hopping around all the beautiful decorator blogs...I think the all white decor is lovely and the little touches of Aqua that seem to be everywhere are inspiring. HOWEVER.....at this point in my retirement life...I CANNOT AFFORD to redo everything I own and replace all my existing things...so with that thought in mind..I wanted to share a book with all of you that I recently came across.  It is written by Christiane Lemieux the proprietor of the wonderful shop DWELL. The above photos are in this inspiring publication...showing us that we can live with things we own and love and put them together in quirky ways.   SO....surround yourself with the things you love....don't pay attention to all the "decorator perfect homes out there". UNDECORATE...I say....make your home uniquely yours...don't have it be a clone of every other home out there... Each time you come home to your haven it should reflect who you are....not somebody else.  Don't ...