Wednesday:) What Wonderful Things Did You See and Do Today, Miss Toni?

“It is good people who make good places.”

― Anna Sewell

************

The greatest way to way up every morning is THANKFUL. When you start getting old, like me, (Well, I’m not THAT old, but I’m Medicare old) the first thing I do in the morning is open my eyes, say thank you to the “Big Guy” upstairs, (No, I don’t have a sumo wrestler tenant) and begin my day with gratitude. I think of all the projects and people that will fill my day, and I feel blessed.

This morning, I got up around 7:30 so I could walk Bella before I met the JULIETS for breakfast. JULIETS- Just Us Ladies Into Everything Together Sisters. That’s a mouthful, but a rebuttal to the ROMEOs-Retired Old Men Eating Out that some of our guy friends belong to.

It was a beautiful morning. The sun was bursting through the clouds, as if to say… “ready or not, here I come.”

After walking Bella, I wanted to get a little solo walking in. (2 miles) As I walked briskly through the neighborhood, thoughts started popping into my head. They are not always happy pleasant thoughts. It’s been six years, but some of those dark memories of lies, betrayal, and pain filter into my brain, even on a gorgeous morning. Then all of a sudden, as if to say, “Don’t go there, Mija,” a beautiful dark butterfly fluttered right into my face and circled around me. I had to laugh and say, “OK, OK! Focus on your blessings.” I twirled around and tried to whip out my phone to take a picture, but I wasn’t quick enough. But, a few steps down the street, a similar, if not the same butterfly was sitting patiently on the sidewalk. I was able to take a picture, but it flew away when I tried to place it in my hand. (Butterflies come and talk to me sometimes.) This one wasn’t chatty.

Now, I was smiling and walking and singing show tunes in my head, and planning my day. I saw beautiful clouds, colorful crepe myrtle trees, and waved to the garbage truck as it passed me by several times. That’s more like it.

I met Pat, Linda and Loretta for breakfast at Starwood. Pat, the Cookie Lady, brought cookies, of course. Carlos, our server, was the grateful recipient of the ones we didn’t eat. While we chatted, I asked the ladies if they’d be interested in helping out Holy Family School with some food donations, maybe once a month or so. I told them that Kroger had Quaker granola bars on sale for 99cents this week, and if they picked some up, I’d be happy to take them over. Loretta and I stopped at Kroger after breakfast and purchased a bunch. (Loretta didn’t want me to take her picture, but I had to capture that lovely smile.

I ran a few errands on the way home, then took Bella for another walk. She loves her walks in the park. It was already getting warm, so we take short walks in the shady parts.

I just asked Google what the temp is and she said, “The temperature in McKinney is currently 97, but with the humid, it feels like 104.” Yikes! I think I said a bad word. It’s Fall, y’all. What’s with this weather?

A lazy afternoon, with a quick visit to the Vet for Bella to get some routine shots and such. She was a trooper. I think I was shaking more than she was.

I’ll finish up with my evening view from the park.

A wonderful Wednesday. I hope your day was just as wonderful. Oh wait, there’s chocolate ice cream in the freezer… it gets even better.

Tuesday:) Talking To My Butterfly

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

*****************

This morning, I woke up early so I could go pick up Bella, (my step-dog) I call her that because she is like my own, but she belongs to my friend and neighbor, Mr. Mike. We have joint custody, (inside joke) as he travels a lot on business and appreciates having someone who really loves her taking good care of her. (Isn’t she cute?)

The sun was just barely up when we walked through the park. I noticed a butterfly following us all along our path. I took out my phone to take a picture, and she was very cooperative.

I’m not sure if the butterflies are sent from heaven to give us a message or we are supposed to tell them our message to send back to heaven. Either way, I always talk to my butterflies and they are very patient and understanding. I told this butterfly, “Good morning, Mom.” She made me smile.

Lucky pennies or feathers or butterflies, it doesn’t matter what you believe. Your perception is your reality. I love my reality filled with pennies and feathers and butterflies from heaven.

Theme Song Thursday:) Broken Wings

“Take these broken wings and learn to fly.”

Paul McCartney

**************

When I was walking the other day, I saw a butterfly fluttering around the grass, hovering low. I reached down and she jumped up onto my hand. I lifted her up and saw a broken wing. We communicated a while, (yes, I speak fluent butterfly) and I could empathize with her situation. After our little talk, I put her down safely under a shady tree, hoping she would be safe and perhaps rest, mend and soon be able to fly away.

There was a time when I felt my wings were broken, so I could definitely relate. But, I had great faith and a wonderful family and amazing friends to hold me while my wings mended. THANK YOU!

GOD’S STRONG SAFE HANDS

You just found me there, with my broken wings

And a broken heart, among other things.

Then you picked me up in your strong safe hands

Giving only love, making no demands.

You wiped away the tears

Whenever I would cry

You always held me close

You never questioned why.

You kept me safe from harm

When nights were dark and long

You cared  for all my needs

Until my wings were strong.

Now you look at me, with my mended wings

And a joyous heart, among other things.

Then you set me free, with your open hands

Now the choice is mine, there are no demands.

So very scared at first

Much to afraid to try

I asked, “What if I fall?”

You said,”What if you fly?”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

Watch this video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ_TN1zmPW0

Tuesday:) Toni’s Tiny Yellow Butterfly

“Butterflies are like angels kisses sent from heaven.”

― Malia Kirk

************

I have this thing with butterflies. Well, there’s also lucky pennies and feathers, but I’ve had some wonderful conversations and visits with butterflies. Usually, I can’t get to my phone camera fast enough to take a picture, much less a video. Today, a tiny yellow butterfly followed me around, so I followed her with my phone to take a video.

Butterflies are my signs from heaven that make me smile. I smile a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARmylDZiNBY

Tuesday:) Two More Pennies and a Butterfly

“When God becomes glad with our good works, then He sends the cute animals, birds, butterflies etc. near us like a signal to express His happiness!”

― Md. Ziaul Haque

******************

Well, you’re probably tired of hearing about my pennies from Heaven and other such things, but for those who can relate and believe, they’re pretty interesting stories.

After I got back home, back to reality, it was time to unpack, go through the stack of mail, check bills and do some laundry. I only had a small carry on bag that only had photos, cd’s, some paperwork, my iPad and my pills, etc.

I opened up the washer to throw in some dirty clothes, reached up on the shelf for the detergent, and there it was, a lucky Penney. I just smiled.

Then, I emptied out the small blue bag, that I borrowed from Mom’s house on my last trip, and there in the tiny side pocket was … a lucky Penney. I smiled.

I had read on a friend’s Facebook post about cardinals being signs from heaven. I thought that was pretty cool. I hadn’t seen any cardinals in a while. But, when I went for my walk yesterday, there were two cardinals in the tree in my front yard. One male, one female. I smiled. I ran in to get my phone to take a picture, but they’d flown off.

Then, the grand finale was, near the end of my walk, a little white butterfly let me say hello and take her picture. Then, she flew past my face and hands. I waved and said hello…and smiled.

Friday:) Finding Freedom and a Butterfly

“Alongside the practical thought something else struggled and, like an escaped butterfly, took wing: the assurance of something wonderful awaiting her. Just around the corner……” ― Norah Loft

***********

My relationship with butterflies is more than remarkable. There are many myths and explanations for certain animals or creatures being spiritual guides. I believe anything is possible, so when I found myself frequently visited by butterflies this summer and fall, I appreciated the symbolism. I have many photos and stories to tell about these winged friends, but I won’t delve into detail right now.

We are deep into the winter season here in Texas, we’ve had some unseasonably warm days, but today was cold, grey and gloomy. But, after a deep freeze month long visit in Chicago, I decided that I needed to get back into my walking routine. This morning, I bundled up with hat and hooded winter coat, and off I went. 

I walked to the pond, then stopped to pick up my furryfriend, Bella. We did our usual circuit, but instead of going back up her driveway, (Mr. Mike’s house) she pulled me towards the park across the street and towards my house. I guess she wanted to go home with me. There was a little dog yipping along the fence on one side of the park, so we walked he other way. There on the grass, right next to the path, was a beautiful butterfly. I couldn’t help but think, “I very rarely walk this way, and there it was, a butterfly. Was it a sign?

(Butterflies have been associated with the transition between one lifestyle, personality, or journey into another. If you have been going through a major life change, you might spot more butterflies than normal as they accompany you on your journey and encourage you that everything will turn out okay if you take the leap of faith with grace and bravery.~ from http://www.powerofpositivity.)

Here’s the thing. It’s January. It’s cold outside. There arent supposed to be any butterflies out there. But, there was one there in my path.

My friend the butterfly was not dead. I picked him up, still fluttering, and I held him in my hand. And yes, we had a little conversation. And no, the butterfly didn’t talk. I did all the talking. 

I believe in signs. This was a beautiful sign for me today, assuring me that everything will turn out okay. The butterfly said so.