“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
[Meditations Divine and Moral]”
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I could be mistaken, but I believe the bitter winter weather has sailed past Texas. Now, I’m not speaking for our neighbors to the north. Tomorrow is only April 1st, and anything is possible. But, for us, the buds are popping from their branches and fuzzy green shoots of grass, (and weeds of course), are bursting through the dry brown earth. However, if we don’t get a lot more rain, we’re going to have only dry brown earth this summer. “Hope springs eternal.”
Here’s a week in a peek. Enjoying the sun, fun, and friends.
Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future, but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.
~ Eileen Caddy
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The Fourth Sunday in Lent. Today, at Mass, The Gospel shared how Jesus gave sight to a man born blind. Father went on for quite a while, explaining what the words meant. In my own inexperienced words, if you have faith, anything is possible. A good sermon.
After church, I went off to the square for my new favorite breakfast. It is healthy and yummy.
I totally forgot that an anti-abortion protest was scheduled for this afternoon right on the main streets of the square. Normally, I’m all for freedom of speech, but there were some scary and graphic signs that were not suitable for the young children passing by.
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I soaked in the sun, sights and sounds of my surroundings. A young man was playing his guitar on a nearby bench. Jeremiah and Dawn joined me
for breakfast. Then I walked over to Sweet Spot bakery to visit Miss Elizabeth, baker extrodanaire. At closing, she gave me over a dozen cupcakes to share with my senior friends at Towne Creek. I visited there a couple of hours, then came home and went for a walk/run. Nothing is going to hamper me or hold me up in any way.
I’m setting my sights high and I know the most wonderful things will happen right now. I’m not waiting for tomorrow and neither should you!
i
“Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow…”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
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It was a beautiful sunny day here in McKinney. The Square was bustling with shoppers, families and diners. I spent nearly eight hours enjoying the hospitality of my favorite town.
Now, with daylight saving time, it stays light a lot longer. When I got home, the sun made some beautiful shadows on the wall. I am always amazed at the delightful way the sun dances with shapes and shadows.
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After snapping a few pictures, I put on my gym shoes and went for a long walk/run, hoping to chase the last couple of hours of sunlight. A beautiful orange sunset topped off the day.
“Birds of the same feathers flock together, and when they flock together they fly so high.”
― Cecil Thounaojam
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I keep finding feathers and pennies where ever I go. The universe, or my guardian angel is telling my that all is well. I know this, but the little reminders are helpful. Thank you universe.
I found this beautiful feather on one of my walk/runs yesterday. When the pent up anger and energy builds up, I am gifted with a feather or a penny to remind me that I am blessed, and that I am loved. Then a real bird comes to laugh with me and make me smile.
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I went shopping this morning, had lunch with my friend Zumba Karen, (not her real name), my friend Lynne with the baby called, (the baby is in school already), I went to Towne creek and shared the afternoon with my senior artist friends, went for a run, talked to my sister Jo, and sat to collapse.
Then, to make my evening complete, my son Joe called and we talked for almost an hour about his vacation and other such pleasantries. Life is good!
“An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
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I am so blessed to have so many true friends. You know how I realized how many true friends I have? Well, last night, I was on the phone with one of my best friend from back home, Lin. Her daughter just had a beautiful baby boy, and we were catching up and rejoicing in the miracle of birth. While on the phone, my friend Lynne, who lives just a couple miles away, was trying to call me on my cell phone, then my home phone. (Yes, I have about a dozen friends named Lin, Lynn, Lynne, Lynda or Linda. I joke and say all my friends are named Lynn.)
After four or five attempts, I finally told Lin, “I think my friend Lynne is getting nervous because I’m not answering the phone.” So, I hung up and called the worrying friend back. Yes, she was concerned. It’s comforting to know that friends are looking out for you. My mom and sister get nervous if they don’t hear from me every day.
Then this morning, I didn’t go to my Zumba class at 8:30, so Karen called me after the class. Why? Because I never miss Zumba, and she was worried about me. Again…great to have great friends.
This is my blessed life, filled with friends and family who care about me and who I love with all my heart. Plus, they have “the pluck” to tell me what I need to hear. And believe me…they do.
“True Friend” Hannah Montana lyrics
[Verse 1]
We sign our cards and letters BFF
You’ve got a million ways to make me laugh
You’re lookin’ out for me; you’ve got my back
It’s so good to have you around
You know the secrets I could never tell
And when I’m quiet you break through my shell
Don’t feel the need to do a rebel yell
Cause you keep my feet on the ground
[Chorus 1]
You’re a true friend
You’re here till the end
You pull me aside
When something ain’t right
Talk with me now and into the night
‘Til it’s alright again
You’re a true friend
[Verse 2]
You don’t get angry when I change the plans
Somehow you’re never out of second chances
Won’t say “I told you” when I’m wrong again
I’m so lucky that I’ve found
[Chorus 2]
A true friend
You’re here till the end
You pull me aside
When something ain’t right
Talk with me now and into the night
‘Til it’s alright again
[Bridge]
True friends will go to the end of the earth
Till they find the things you need
Friends hang on through the ups and the downs
Cause they’ve got someone to believe in
[Chorus 3]
A true friend
You’re here till the end
You pull me aside
When something ain’t right
Talk with me now and into the night
No need to pretend
You’re a true friend
You’re here till the end
Pull me aside
When something ain’t right
Talk with me now and into the night
‘Til it’s alright again
You’re a true friend [3x]
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Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
Etty Hillesum
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It was a dark, dreary, rainy day. I was going to go for a walk when I noticed the rain drops starting to dance against the window panes. Don’t get me wrong. I was thankful for the rain. It’s been so dry and the local lakes are down so much that water restrictions will be inevitable. But, rainy days still make me moody.
The day was such a blur. I did a little reading, laundry, paid bills, etc., but still couldn’t shake the blahs. So, I decided that maybe a nap would help. I never take a nap, and for good reason. I don’t sleep, but rather lay there thinking of all the things I should be doing or thinking about things that I shouldn’t be thinking. The rain finally stopped, so I put on my walking shoes and went for a double walk.
The fast pace and brisk air lifted my spirits a bit, but not quite enough. Then, I remembered that there was an evening Zumba class at the Y. I think it was at 6:30. What time was it now? I looked at my phone, only 6:10, so I scurried home, changed quickly and zipped off to Zumba. I never went at night before. It was pretty fun. I’ll have to remember that next time I have too much energy, negative thoughts and nothing exciting to while away the day.
“The day is an empty canvas, the shapes and colors are yours to choose.” ~Alex Noble
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We had our Tuesday Tea Time at Sweet Spot today. It was a leisurely laid-back day, enjoying visiting with friends and great food and sweet treats.
Miss Ann created a cool cross card.(notice the alliteration.)
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Miss Ginger created a hip heart card.
So, for my tip for today. I like to find interesting ideas on Pinterest. I saw this neat little mini birthday cake made from a brownie. Now, you know I need more ideas to be creative with my brownies. NOT!!! I’ll have to try this.
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After Sweet Spot teat time, my friend Zelda and I had dinner at Mellow Mushroom on the Square. We had pizza and salad. Very yummy. Our server, Maura, said, “Miss Toni, it’s me Maura, from Spoons.” I bump into old friends everywhere.
Then, we walked around the Square a while to walk off a little pizza. We popped into The Grand Hotel to visit with Oscar, who mans the front desk. He is such a sweetie pie. I’ve known him for years. He asked if we’d like a tour of one of the hotel rooms, as we were looking around and checking out all the neat paintings, sculptures and decor. It’s a lovely old hotel with a rich history.
There’s always something interesting to do in McKinney.
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“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.”
― Napoleon
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It was a good week to keep on keepin’ on. A busy week filled with activities, friends, road trips and a lot of exercise really helped fill the days. It’s getting a little warmer and HOPE springs eternal…or something like that.
“If it’s going to be a world with no time for sentiment, it’s not a world that I want to live in.”
― Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man
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Sunday is often a day of prayer, tradition, family and sentiment for many. When I was thinking of what to write about today, I went through my thousands of photos,(yes, I said thousands) to get an idea for my blog. Then, this phrase popped into my head. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” So, I perused my pictures for those four things.
Something old. A photo of my great-grandfather, Popsi. It’s very old.
Something new. I found a “lucky penny” today. That’s new.
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Something borrowed. I keep finding feathers. An sentiment of luck borrowed from my friend Lynne.
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Something blue. I took this picture from the TV a few months back. I was in awe of the beautiful blue on the screen.
“One of the best protections against disappointment is to have a lot going on.”
― Alain de Botton
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The twenty-four hours that make up each and every day are difficult to fill. At least five or six hours can be successfully occupied with sleep, but what about the rest?
Normally my writing group meets Saturday morning, but we didn’t today. So, I went to Zumba instead. That’s only an hour, and it went by too fast. I came home, put on my gym shoes and went for a fast walk, twice around. Then, straighten up the house, shower, change and head off to the Square.
A leisurely lunch at Snug while checking emails on my ipad. The yogurt parfait with all that yummy fruit and granola is divine. Plus, I got my usual “Hey, Miss Toni, ” and a big bear hugs from Daniel and Austin.
Off to Art On The Veranda to visit with Dana and Judy. Their shop is filled with fabulous artwork and handcrafted items made by local,artisans. There was a jewelry making class going on, so I stopped to check it out. Tammy Gilchrest was teaching a riveted stamped pendant class.
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Afterwards, I spent several hours chatting with Elizabeth and Kathy at Sweet Spot Bakery. I had some paints, brushes and notecards in my car, so I decided to sit there and paint a while, just trying to fill up a few more hours.
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It was a pretty chilly day. By the time I got home, but it was only 6pm and still light. Well, not to waste more day light or hours, I strapped on those gym shoes again and went for another brisk walk. Only a single this time.
Now, I’m just writing this blog, thinking about what to make for dinner and how to fill the rest of the night before those few hours of restless sleep.
Having a lot going on still isn’t a protection against disappointment, it just fills up the time.
Toni Andrukaitis 