My Grama's Soul

I chose the above picture today because that little structure looks so alone and forlorn in that beautiful field of lavender. Same with the hollyhocks...all alone in the above garden.  I feel that there was once a thriving blogging community that blogged for the mere sake of posting something uplifting or beautiful or sharing a bit of useful information.   In my opinion, that seems to have been put by the wayside and replaced by Facebook or Twitter or some other social media platform. I truly miss all the blogs that seem to have disappeared from the net.   Do any of you agree with me on this? I have always been of the opinion that old things are the best things.  I guess that includes people too!! haha Just me spouting off...as usual. (o: Jo

Look at this beautiful hibiscus bloom....is there anything more lovely?   Any person who says there is no divine order to our world surely must be mistaken. With all the tumult around us constantly I challenge each of us to simply "go outside and smell the roses" or hibiscus for that matter. Just show gratitude for all this wonderful planet has to offer.  Instead of "whining" about what you don't have look around and see what you do have....and it doesn't cost a dime! Me on my soapbox today....Just sayin' xo Jo

    I love the above quote.  I came across it while reading something yesterday.  I have known a few people during my lifetime who seem to live this quote everyday.  In fact, in times past, I was quite guilty of the same thing. One thing about getting older....you soon realize that you have fewer days ahead than behind....so chose to use them wisely.   Just sayin' Jo

What a wise quote for the beginning of 2016.  I plan on staying PRESENT this year and enjoying every minute of it. xo Jo quote:  Values.com

Years ago, while visiting my beautiful aunt Ruth...we were talking about my blog.  She asked me why I began blogging and I replied something to the effect that I really didn't know.  She piped in with this reply..."I know why....you need to let the world know YOU WERE HERE".   After thinking about this a while....I believe that is the correct assumption. Perhaps....that is the only thing a blog is..an invitation for others to see that you existed and really lived. If one does not have an extended family..... who is there to tell your story?  With that in mind I have decided to create a collage of my life.   Pictures and cards of where I have lived and where I have traveled. Sweet cards from friends who really mattered....and beautiful cards I have picked up along the way. Oh...I know....when I die this will probably end up on the junk pile or in some second hand shop somewhere...but for now I will work on this little...

What if someone told you this would be your last day on earth.....you have exactly as the sign above indicates. How would you handle yours? be blessed, Jo

"There is a time in your life for everything~~but not everything all of the time." Anonymous  It seems as though when I take a little trip...I always spend some time reflecting about my life and the improvements I hope to make when returning home. All of us have the same 24 hours in each day and yet it seems as though I often fill mine with trivia and just "puttering" around the house.  I set little goals for myself and let other things get in the way.   This year I have turned 68 and have vowed to pursue some of the goals I have long neglected.   These goals are really fairly simple, actually....but it is just a matter of MAKING TIME.  I want to begin a solid exercise program, as I am having some knee issues and know this will improve my overall health.  I want to get more involved in being creative.  It seems as though I have just let that part of me disappear.  I want to spend more time with friends getting out of the...

I have not been in the blogging world for quite some time now.  I have missed it and I have occasionally visited various friends here.  It does seem that this summer's events have really put a damper on who I normally am.   As most of you know....we moved in late July....a downsize which we love..but was SO VERY MUCH WORK.  Unpacked in about 5 weeks.  I mean everything...pictures on the walls everything organized for living. THEN....on August 26th my wonderful soulmate had some very serious colon surgery.  We are not "spring chickens" any longer so recovery has been a slow process for him.  And, it seems, for me also.  LOL LOL Perhaps there is a tad bit of depression going on....but I plan on snapping out of it and getting back with the business of life. Speaking of which.....tomorrow is my birthday.  Nothing big planned, although we are going to be going on a little trip for a week or so with our traveling frie...

"I wanted a perfect ending.  Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear  beginning, middle and end.  Life is about not knowing, having to change.  Taking the moment and making the best of it..without knowing what is going to happen next." "Delicious Ambiguity" Gilda Radner I don't know about you....but as I have advanced in age, I am certainly more introspective than when I was younger. Not so much looking at regrets but looking at all the miraculous things that have happened during this time I have been here.   I have almost always thought that "CONTROL IS AN ILLUSION"....in fact....I firmly believe that the only one you can control is YOURSELF and your actions.  Oh I believe in planning for an outcome...but one must always be ready for an alternative ending....just in case. Now, mind you, that doesn't always mean I don't fume and fret over someone or something...b...

"Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism.  It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out."     Vaclav Havel Life goes on.......no matter what happens in it!!! xoxo Jo Pic by me taken while traveling across this magnificent country of ours.

Are you the type of person who can relish whatever life gives you?  I know I have not always been able to do this. It seems as though this particular concept has only presented itself as the years of my life have been increased....one year after another. When I was younger....I fought tooth and nail to have outcomes turn out as I desired.....although they rarely did.....I didn't get it. Getting older.....I did the same thing....trying to run away from uncomfortable things and giving advice to people I thought needed my help.....I didn't get it. I tried to retrieve people I had lost....by offering a simple apology.....they no longer needed me or no longer cared to have me in their life.....I didn't get it. It has only been in later years that I realize that EVERYTHING you are handed in life...is given to you for a reason.  So......you might as well LOVE WHAT IS.....because.....WHAT IS.....IS and you really have no choice but to get through this particular ...

Isn't it????? xoxo Jo Photo:  Style Carrot

Do you have ungrateful people in your life?  I know I do.  Some of them are more in my life than I desire...but I do try to weed them out as I can. It does seem that a sense of entitlement goes hand in hand with a lack of gratitude.  I believe we American's as a whole believe we deserve the PERFECT life....since we believe we live in the perfect society...or so we are told in every way possible.  There has never been the perfect life.....nor will there ever be. Life is difficult at best and at other times it seems as though events are insurmountable...as the recent Boston Marathon can attest to.  Our  country is one of the few in the world who don't have to live every day with a constant threat of danger.....I MEAN CONSTANT....examine Israel....for just a small example So...on this day.....after yet another tragedy.....I vow to up my gratitude quotient....by focusing entirely on what I have instead of what I don't have.  A...

I believe in the "Kiss principle"..... "Keep it simple silly".... hugs, Jo

Have you ever had a request from someone and been torn as to whether you should help them....or not?   This morning it happened to me in regards to my beautiful grandson.....I was asked to keep him all weekend and give up plans of ours that had been made for several months...because of conflicting schedules and illness..we have been unable to get together with these friends..who, by the way, are like family.   I explained the situation to the person requesting the favor and felt guilty the whole time.  The situation is quite serious on the requestor's end....and it was all I could do to say no, I'm sorry I can't do this.  You also must understand that we are VERY available to take care of our grandson most of the time. When I discussed the situation with my wonderful soul mate....his reply was quite simple.....Jo, you can't take care of everyone......keep the focus on our life and let others take care of their own. Such a simple concept....but a...

~~Quiet Time~~ Still the mind Slow your breath Breath in Breath out So Simple So difficult Mind always racing Soft breath Hard breath Breath in Breath out So simple So difficult ~~ Jo