“So. Monday. We meet again.
We will never be friends—but maybe we can move past our mutual enmity toward a more-positive partnership.”
― Julio Alexi Genao
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Another week in a peek. Unpacking, visiting with friends, and time on the Square.
Amazing story of heroism.
Two Heroes!
Marine dog, Lucca, was given a wonderful tribute in the Parade Sunday magazine. After more than 400 missions in Afghanistan, no one had been hurt by an IED when they were with her. She was the only one that the Green Berets felt comfortable hugging after a tough day.
Mamma Lucca, as she is nicknamed, was injured herself. Handler Col. Juan “Rod” Rodriguez quickly applied a tourniquet and she was air-lifted to one veterinary team after another in all-out attempts to save her life. They succeeded, but Lucca lost her right left leg in the action. You can see her honorary Purple Heart on her harness. Today she lives with her original trainer, Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham and his family. She continues to serve at VA hospitals and in schools.
Could someone please explain to me WHY this Hero’s Purple Heart is considered HONORARY??
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Farewell Salutes –
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“The great art of giving consists in this the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated.”
― Baltasar Gracián
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Today’s sermon was about the man who asked his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first refused, but then went later and worked. The second said yes, but did not go. So, which one did his father’s will?
Sometimes it takes some people a little longer to do what’s right. But then, they see that honor, faith and loyalty are the most important things in the world. Then, there are others who pretend or lie, with no intention of doing the right thing. In my opinion, even worse than lying to others is lying to yourself. You can’t do terrible things, lie, and cheat, and pretend you are good, when know in your heart that you are not. (Enough sermon.)
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I want to share a much more uplifting story. I have been going to 9 o’clock Mass at St. Gabriel’s for quite a while now. I love seeing the families and children who share their faith every week. The past few months, I go out of my way to say hello and introduce myself to people around me. I see the same faces every week, why not learn their names?
I usually sit by the most adorable family, a mom, dad, little boy, and baby girl. So, about three or four months ago, I started bringing a little Matchbox car in my purse for Landon. (I ran across a big bag of little cars a while back when I was packing up the house.) Before Mass starts or on the way out, I give the young boy a little car, he gives me the biggest smile and thank you, puts the toy in his pocket, and returns to his serious church demeanor. This makes my day.
It’s just a small token, but when this little boy says, “Thank you, Miss Toni, ” with his dark bright eyes, it melts my heart. I have found that meeting new people, making friends, and making people smile is a gift. It’s a special gift I give myself.
Landon is adorable. Look at that smile,
PS. After church, I went for a long walk, found a lucky penny, and picked up 8 construction nails, saving the world from nails in their tires. Later on, I visited with my friend Lynne, went for another long walk, and procrastinated away another entire Sunday. Love it!
“Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you”
Ogden Nash quotes
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I’m glad I’m past middle age. I’m not sitting home on a beautiful Saturday night. Oktoberfest on the Square. A gorgeous day, a lovely night.
I love McKinney!
Fun day at Oktoberfest.
“Spread sunshine and inspiration.”
― Juliet M. Sampson
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A beautiful crisp Friday morning prompted a short video clip of my invigorating morning walk.
I walked for about an hour, had breakfast, ran some errands, did some grocery shopping for myTowne Creek snack, came home and made a dozen sandwiches, then off to visit my senior art group from 2:30 until 6pm. We worked on a couple of water color projects, ate, chatted and there went the day.
When I got home, I put on my gym shoes, and went for an evening walk. What an awesome sunset! Too gorgeous not to share. Plus, I found a lucky penny on the home stretch. Am I on the home stretch? I hope,so.
“Getting older is a question of coming to terms with the fact that you’ll never know the secrets; and the resulting equilibrium is what gives the illusion of actually knowing them.”
― Paul Shepheard, How to Like Everything: A Utopia
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Another gorgeous day here in McKinney. Yes, voted #1 best city to live in by Money Magazine this year. Last year we were #2. I spent the day on the Square, and I mean ALL DAY.
I was sitting at Snug having my yogurt parfait when I saw Tommy, the wandering Troubadour walk in. Tommy and his guitar travel the country, playing music, visiting old friends, or camping out. He hadn’t been around since last year. I sat next to him on the bench, listening to some songs, and singing along when I knew the words.
I’d never heard this song, “I’m much too young to feel this damn old.”
My friend, Karen, called and asked if I wanted to have lunch. Well, why not. We had lunch at Spoons, then walked over to the visitors center to check out the Made in McKinney shirts. We walked around the Square and sat under a shady tree chatting a while, when we bumped into Lynne and her friend Mary. More visiting and whiling away the day. Next thing we knew, it was 5:30 pm. Yikes, I left the house at 8:15 in the morning. Where did the day go?
On my way back to my car, I popped into The Grand Hotel to,say HI to Oscar,,working the desk, then stopped at Sweet Spot to visit with Miss Kathy and Miss Elizabth. (More procrastinating, but I did find a lucky feather on my way.)
So as not to feel totally unproductive, when I got home around 6:30, I put on my gym shoes and went for a long walk. A fun day…by the way…I may be getting older, but I’m much too young to…let it bother me.
“Men are creatures of invention and are usually determined not to accept no for an answer.”
― Mario Stinger, Destined for Oblivion: As Nature Intended
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Determined to have a fulfilling day, I started out with a brisk walk, a nice breakfast, and back upstairs to unpack and tackle more bins and boxes. I worked until I dropped. Of course, I barely scratched the surface, but I could see a little progress…very little.
Later in the day, I decided that I was going to haul two heavy night stands from upstairs, down 17 steps. When I tried to lift one, I couldn’t budge it. Now what? I thought about those slider thingies, as seen on tv, but that wouldn’t work going down the stairs. Think! Hmmm? What can I use? Light bulb moment.
What is slippery and large enough to fit under the night stand? I looked around and saw a bunch of plastic lids from the dozens of bins strewn about. Voila! It worked perfectly. I ooched the night stand onto the lid and slid it to the edge of the stairs and kerplunked it down 17 steps, and across the hall, through the bedroom and into the closet. Finally, I gathered all my Herculean strength, gave out a big grunt, and put one stand on top of the other.
I did it!!! I didn’t take no for an answer, I didn’t give up, and I didn’t have to ask for help. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I break down and ask for help, but not until I try and get ‘er done all by myself.
I am a creature of invention. Or is it just called stubborn?
And guess what? When I started putting things into the empty drawers, look what I found! A little white feather! Yep!
“In order to move forward, you will have to stumble along the way, but every falter in your stride just makes your next step even stronger.”
― Lindsay Chamberlin
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My tip for today: Take it one step at a time.
I decided to tackle a little more unpacking and organizing my studio/craft room. After Zumba, I went to Home Depot and bought 3 large shelf units. It took quite a while to put them together, but well worth the effort. The problem was, I had to move a zillion boxes and bins already stacked to the ceiling against the wall where the shelves needed to go.
I also discovered, when attempting to get organized, sometimes you make a huge mess before it gets better. But, I’m going to take it…yes, you guessed it, one step at a time.
This will be an ongoing battle, and will not get done in a day or two. Maybe a month or two, or a year or two.
So, as not to put too much stress or pressure on myself, I worked about 5 hours, then took a break. By take a break, I mean, I went for a walk. It was a gorgeous night.
Tip number two: Take a break and take some pictures.
Here are a couple of pics from my walk.
A lovely sunset. I didn’t find any lucky feathers or pennies. I didn’t save the world by finding any construction nails in the road. BUT, I did bump into a rather large furry creature about the size of my hand.
Tip number three: Always know when to walk away and stay clear of certain furry friends.
I’ve stumbled along the way, but each step is getting stronger.
“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.”
― Margaret Thatcher
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After giving myself permission to have a lazy Sunday yesterday, I gave myself the challenge of having a productive Monday. It was a pleasant morning, only in the 70’s, so I went for a long brisk walk, about an hour. Yes, I found several nails in the road on my walk. I feel like wearing a red cape and a blue shirt with a big “N” on it, NAIL LADY, saving the world from deadly nails in tires, every day.
After saving the world, I had my leftover yogurt parfait with some added fruit and granola, sat out on my back patio, paid some bills, and checked my email.
Then, time to tackle the infamous media/craft room, better known as my “CRAP” room. Several hours didn’t even scratch the service, but ya gotta start somewhere, don’t ya? I felt quite accomplished. Updates later.
So, here’s a week in a peek.
Work is the grand cure for all maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind – honest work, which you intend getting done.
Thomas Carlyle
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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel Mt 20:1-16a
Today’s Gospel was the parable about the landowner who hired men to work in his vineyard, and promised them a fair daily wage. He hired different people during the course of the day and paid them all the same whether they worked all day or just one hour. The ones who worked all day were jealous and upset. The landowner explained:
“Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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My interpretation is why do we need to be jealous if we are being treated fairly? Why do we think we deserve more than anyone else? Why would we think it unfair if someone is generous to others? When you are greedy, jealous, or covet, it turns around and bites you in the… You know.
Enough with the sermon…well, maybe, “Honesty is the best policy.” Now, I’m done.
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After Mass, the Knights of Columbus had a free pancake breakfast for parishioners. I didn’t partake, but walked over to take some photos.
When I came home, the AT&T guy was finishing up my repair. Yessss! My internet and TV are back. Then, off to the Square for a yummy breakfast at Snug, followed by a leisurely visit with my friends Kathy and Elizabeth at Sweet Spot Bakery. It was a warm afternoon and a zillion people came in for ice cream and other sweet treats.
Miss Kathy and I walked over to Brother’s Pizza for dinner. Doc wasn’t there, but Vinnie made us a fantastic pizza. Doesn’t he look like a Vinnie?
It was a good day. I’ve been trying to post what I am thankful for on Facebook every day. I’m thankful for a lovely, leisurely Sunday. (Remember last week…I said Sunday was my day off and I wasn’t going to clean or unpack or worry about stuff. I done good!)
Toni Andrukaitis 