Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Had a "wow" moment the other night, when we caught the last few minutes of an interview with a retired Marine on a
60 Minutes segment, entitled "Gold Star Parents."  Marine Major General Myatt, president and CEO of the Marine Memorial Association was recalling his early experience during the Vietnam War:

Mike Myatt: People asked me, "What do you say to the Gold Star Parents?" I say, "Well, you don't have to say anything to 'em, just ask 'em, 'Tell me about your son or your daughter'." Man, they'll just talk. They'll just tell you all they can about the son or daughter. And it's really something. I wished I'd have known this as a young officer 'cause I went to Vietnam and I had people killed out of my platoon. And I was going to go visit each family and the very last one was in Kansas. I was visiting them and I went to the house, and the father said, "Come on in." And the mother, she had on her apron. She said, "I just fixed dinner, would you have dinner with us?" I said, "No, I'm in a hurry, but I want to tell you about your son." And I told 'em how he was killed and everything. They really appreciated. Then, "Won't you stay for dinner?" "Oh, I better not." I realize now they wanted to tell me about their son. And I wasn't mature enough to know it.

"And I wasn't mature enough to know it."

That statement was the wow for me.  

Looking back, choices or decisions I have made, or behaviors I had, weren't from a place of meanness or lack of caring for others.  Oftentimes, it was, as General Myatt said, a lack of maturity.

The other important message that segment provided, I believe, was the fact that sharing with others who currently are, or have gone through, the same experience, is where one can find the strongest support.  Only another Gold Star parent truly understands the experience of losing a child in war and all that experience brings.  As with survivors of cancer, divorce, hurricanes, or war, only those who have walked the same path can truly know how another survivor feels.  And there is great comfort to be found in knowing you are not alone.

The segment is still posted on the 60 Minutes website.  It is worth watching.  Here is the link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-parents-of-fallen-heroes-unite-scott-pelley/

Tip for a Tuesday....

Add a touch of whimsy....

While scrolling through my "For the Home" pins from Pinterest to show the Englishman an idea, this caught his eye:

He really liked the look and suggested we try it.  Took some doing, but I managed to track down the seller of these vinyl appliqués on Etsy.

Here is our version:

We love it!!  Makes me smile every time I go up the stairs.

Here are the details if this idea catches your fancy: 

JaneyMacWalls

janeymacwalls.etsy.com

Grass Wall Decal with Birds and Butterflies - Stairs Set -

Vinyl Wall Art Sticker - HT106

(Our color choices: Lagoon Blue; Fire Engine Red)

Friday Fotos....

Our handsome boys.

 A new path in the front garden.

Seedlings, starting to sprout....

peas, radishes, cilantro, sunflowers, peppers.

Tiny gardenia bud opening and scenting the kitchen with the most glorious smell!

Wishing everyone a sunny and warm weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind.”

Queen Elizabeth II

Happy 90th Birthday to Queen Elizabeth!

People have remarked over the years that my mother, who lived to be 90, 

bore a strong resemblance to Queen Elizabeth. 

 I often thought they were right. 

Would you agree?

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Age is just a number......

Recently, I started rereading a book by one of my favorite authors, Rosamunde Pilcher,  entitled "Winter Solstice."  The two main characters are very close in age to the Englishman and I.  I was appalled when the female character continuously referred to herself as "elderly."  Oh surely not, I thought! When I shared this information with the Englishman, he suggested that perhaps the story was written quite some time ago, when people did seem old and sedentary beginning in their sixties.  But no, the novel was published in 2000.

I don't know about you,

 but I don't consider anyone in their sixties, seventies or eighties to be elderly.

I consider them lucky.

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

—Unknown

Friday Fotos....

Before and after.......

I think a crisp, white paint on doors and moldings really brightens the whole area!

Wishing everyone a sunny and warm weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

One of the many perks of aging....

British actress Julie Walters

c/o Woman and Home magazine UK

Friday Fotos....

Buddies

The view outside my window....

Cheers for the Lego Man!

Trying so hard to bring on the Spring!

Wishing everyone a lovely, snow free weekend!

Thursday's Though for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Dress for success....

  Perhaps like many of you, I often find myself "distracted" and drawn to the computer or some other electronic device - just to "check" one more thing.  Invariably, the minutes fly and I find that very little has been accomplished.

While the Englishman was recently on a business trip to Japan, I made a list of several jobs around the house I wanted to get to.  On the morning he departed, I donned one of my aprons. 

And do you know what I discovered?

 I spent far more time attending to my list than glaring at a screen.

Wood trim was painted a crisp white, shelves were cleared and washed, closets organized.

In part, I believe, because I put on that apron.

Years and years ago, my mother related a story to us.  A relative of hers worked for the insurance company which covered claims for an NYC bus company.  They were having to pay out sizable amounts of money, on numerous accidents, until he came up with a suggestion.  

He recommended that the drivers wear uniforms. 

 The result?  The accident rate was cut in half!!

He believed that the drivers, while wearing the uniform, took more pride in their work and paid closer attention to what they were doing.  The positive results showed that he was probably right.

It occurred to me that perhaps I need to don my own "uniform" of sorts, 

when I want to set about tackling my "to do" list each day. 

If I dress the part, I'll act the part.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Stumbled upon this wonderful website via the Brocante Home website(brocantehome.net).  This young lady has some extremely useful tips, in particular, those listed under the heading:

"Self-Care Power Hour"

which details for you how to actually develop a self-care routine that can work for you!

theblissfulmind.com

I highly recommend that you treat yourself and take a few moments to check it out!