Monday:) Marvelous Montage Monday

“This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.”― Maya Angelou
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It was an absolutely fantabulous day, sunny, slight breeze, just perfect. I went to “buttkicking class” in the morning, home for an hour walk, did some chores, sat outside and had a late breakfast, then another brisk hour walk, and out to dinner with Zelda. After we ate, we sat outside and chatted. I stopped at a few stores on my way home, talked to my sister, did some laundry, now here I am. I do keep pretty busy.

  
   
We had temps in the upper 80’s. It was marvelous, especially after so many rainy gloomy days. 

 
A week in a peek! 

 

Sunday Sermon, St. Anthony Saves the Day, and a Sunset

“Loss is only temporary when you believe in God!” ― Latoya Alston

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The Fifth Sunday of Lent. Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. Jesus did not rush to save Lazurus and arrived days after he was buried. He went to the tomb, had them roll away the stone, and raised Lazarus from the dead.

My take on it…Sometimes God takes His sweet and lovely time when you need His help. But, if you have faith, and believe, He will answer your prayers. It’s never too late. Don’t give up. Sometimes there’s a reason.

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Recently, I’ve put my faith to the test. Last night, I was going through my wallet, and I couldn’t find my driver’s license. Oh man! Last I saw it was when I voted. Oh no! Did they forget to return it to me at the polls? I checked my wallet, emptied my purse, looked through pockets. I was going crazy.  This happened last week when I couldn’t find my bank card. I had the phone in my hand, ready to call the bank, when I decided to say a prayer to St. Anthony, then searched my purse again, and it was tucked in the folds way at the at bottom.

So, I decided, well, let’s try again. I said,”St. Anthony, I’m getting old and forgetful. Can you help me out again?” I emptied my purse yet again…couldn’t find it. I looked through my coupons, nope! Then, I checked the little bag I keep my library card, gift cards, and miscellaneous business cards. There it was, mixed in between my library card and a Papa Murphy stamp card! How did it get there? I smiled and said out loud, “Thank you, St. Anthony. You did it again!” 

If you’re Catholic and forgetful, St. Anthony gets a real workout. He’s my Patron Saint, being named Antoinette, so I feel I get special favor. 

  
St. Anthony of Padua is one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints. Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen articles, was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus—or a lily—or a book—or all three—in his arms. Many people give alms to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony.

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It was a beautiful day. I went for two walks, and was able to catch another beautiful sunset.

  

Friday:) Fog, Feathered Friends, and Friday Night Balck Russian

“Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul 

And sings the tune without the words 

And never stops at all.” 

― Emily Dickinson

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Kickboxing this morning at 8:30 kicked my butt. I am officially calling it buttkicking class. It drizzled, rained, and was misty out all day. There were only a few windows of opportunity to go out for a walk. I put up my hood and went out around 3. As I walked across the street, three friendly ducks were enjoying a misty picnic in the park. Perfect duck picnic weather.

  
I not only admire a glorious glowing evening sunset, but I am also enamored with the foggy mist on the horizon with its subtle shades of gloomy greys.

   
 
  
Friday night tradition. A Black Russian, complete with chocolate ice cream.

  
Unless they drink Black Russians…

This Is Thursday:) Through The Eyes Of An Artist

“Artists see with their hearts. They bring beautiful color, magical music, and wonderful words into a not so perfect world. A gift they share with everyone.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I like to think of myself as an artist, writer, and amateur philosopher. Student of many, master of none. I am a work in progress. Here is my day in a nutshell. (Because I’m a nut.)

I woke up at 7 am, checked emails, wrote a letter, called Mom, drove to Zumba, busted a move and thank goodness not a hip for an hour, glowing red faced, changed, drove to Art Club of McKinney meeting by 10, lunch with fellow artists, visited friends at Sweet Spot Bakery on the Square, went over to the Martin Place for Elaine Adam’s memorial art exhibit by 4, scurried home, went for a walk 5-6, and now writing this blog, then off to a divorce support group at 7-9. This is a typical day for me. I LOVE IT!

Well, never got this posted before my support group. It’s after 9:30 pm, and I’m finally able to take a breath and finish this post. This group session tonight was an eye opener. It makes me realize how very lucky and truly blessed I am. All I can say is…and this is not like me at all…but the world is truly F’d up. I need a drink!

Now, for some photos of my day… Art Club of McKinney guest speakers.

    
    
 
Lynne and Jeni won prizes for the monthly member artwork.

  
Lunch with the art gals at Cookie’s Mexican Restaurant.

   
Elaine Adams’ fantastic art show memorial at the mARTin Place. A beautiful tribute to a lovely and talented woman.

 
Elaine’s sweet husband of 61 years, Gil, family, and friend, Lynne.

  
The sky was gloomy and drizzly, but the sun kept trying to peek through while I walked.

  
The local ducks two blocks away from their pond were having a picnic on a neighbor’s front lawn. 

  
“Here comes the sun…”

Wednesday Words of Wisdom:) What Do We See Outside Our Window?

“If you want the people to understand you, invite them to your life and let them see the world from your window!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

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It’s true. I invite people to see my life from my window, sharing funny stories, sad tales, uplifting acts of kindness, but mostly, my blessed life filled with wonderful friends and family. I share the world that I see outside my window.

  
The view out of my front window.

We’ve had some pretty gloomy rainy days, but when the clouds rested their sprinkling for a while, I managed to get out for a walk. There is always something beautiful to see, even on a dreary day.

  
This photo says a lot. Yesterday, a glimpse of sun and a promise of blue skies.

  
The sun did come out in full force yesterday afternoon. The banks of the pond were flooded, but the ducks enjoyed the extra lap lane.

I bumped into Miss Bernadine while walking. We walked back to her house, where Mr. Vince offered us chairs and conversation. We probably talked for over an hour about Catholic school, nuns, children, politics, religion, etc. We pretty much managed to cover every topic known to man in our brief visit. 

  
  
This morning, it was just gloomy with unforgiving low lying clouds and sprinkles, with no hope of clearing. But, we could use the rain. The thirsty ground, grey-brown grass, and budding trees and flowers are most appreciative.

  
A not so timid rabbit, munching on a neighbor’s plants and grass, was enjoying the morning, and was kind enough to pose for a close-up.

Well! Now, you’ve seen my world outside my window. Each day a story. Each day a blessing.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“A gloomy rainy day is like a plush grey blanket that envelops the sky. So, I take a nap.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Rainy days and Mondays! It threatened rain most of the day. I made it to kickboxing at 8:30, got a walk in for about an hour, with just a few drops, off to lunch with Miss Zelda, a quick stop at Michael’s, filled up the car with gas, home in time for another walk in between drizzles. And, I still felt pretty gloomy and unproductive. So, instead of tacking a project, I took a nap. A good thing to do on a dreary rainy day. Life is good!

   
 
A week in a peek.  

Theme Song Thursday:) Under Texas Skies

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.” ― Elbert Hubbard

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We’ve had some beautiful warm weather here in McKinney, Texas. I went to Zumba at the Y this morning, then a nice long walk at 10. The sun was shining and the wind was strong, but exhilarating. I was pumped, and decided to get some massive housework done. I cleaned two bathrooms from stem to stern, including floors, mopped all the tile floors in hall and kitchen, and vacuumed. All this before I ate lunch…well, lunch was at 2. 

I was going to try and do some painting, but I decided an evening walk would be better served. Plus, I like to catch the sunset. It’s true… The skies at night are big and bright…da-da-da-da… Deep in the heart of Texas.

  
Every sunset is a miracle in the sky.

   
   

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

A photograph is a memory you can hold in your hand and share with the world. 

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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What would we do without cameras and phones that take pictures? They are instant memory recorders. Every picture tells a story, captured in less than a second, lasting a lifetime.

    

Wednesday:) What Horsing Around Looks Like

Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.
~W. C. Fields**********

What a wonderful Wednesday. No alarm set, a cup of tea, talk to Mom, a long walk, then an even longer lunch at Snug with my friend Linda. It was a gorgeous sunny day on the Square. After lunch, I visited with Kathy and Elizabeth at Sweet Spot Bakery. 

The mounted patrol always passes by the bakery back door because Ranger and Ontario know that Miss Kathy has special treats for them.  

 
  
Just one of the many sights that makes McKinney a fun place to live or visit.

  
Good horse sense.

  
A small town with a big heart and great people.

Montage Monday and My Magnificent Sunset

A photo cannot capture that breathtaking feeling you get when you see a magnificent sunset, but it’s with a try.

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My day in a nutshell…

  
I got up early to feed my doggie house guest, Miss Bella, and let her out. Went to my 8:30 kickboxing class at the YMCA, and it always kicks my butt and makes my brain work overtime, but I love it. Came home and took Bella for a long walk, lunch, emails, clean kitchen, procrastinate on Facebook, tinker on the piano, feed Bella, another walk, sit outside in the sun, more procrastinating, another quick walk to the pond to capture the glorious sunset…now, bore you with my day, and my week. I think I need a glass of wine!

Montage Monday…a week in a peek.
  
Now, for my magnificent sunset.  

   
Wouldn’t you agree?