Hello everybody,

I can't say good morning, because somehow I let the day get a head start on me. Before I knew it, it was already past noon.I'm hoping that wherever you are there is music, either coming from your radio or a record player, or maybe like me, you're a whistler and a hummer.
  
My Johnny always threatened to change my name to humming bird, because I hum as I
do things. Always have, ever since I was a kid. I whistle too, though not as well as when I was a little girl, but doing it still makes me happy, still has the ability to lift my spirits.

 I was thinking, earlier today, how sometimes we don't realize just how rich we really are. Money can't touch a heart like being loved can. And a fancy car can't hold a candle to knowing somebody passed up something important so they could be with you. Things like that stand out, don't you think? 
   
I find that the older I get, the more I notice things that I overlooked when younger. When we're growing up, almost all of our thoughts are on ourselves. We're kids. We eat, sleep, play, cry when hurt, get hugged when we fall (hopefully). We want things: toys, CD's the latest, most expensive shoes, cars, clothes, money and anything else that suits our fancy.We're busy finding our own way, discovering things about ourselves, dreaming about our future, and wondering about adult things. We ran non-stop through life; never running out of energy. And most of us back then, got tired of being told what to do. We said "It's my life, my body, my future.

     Time passed, and hopefully we're wiser now; have learned things that not only help us live better, but help us to be more patient, more kind, slower to anger and quicker to forgive. I have learned so much by listening and reading; by taking long walks alone; by star gazing on a really clear night, and by truly taking time to smell the roses.
 
    Our world has become such a hectic, chaotic, fearful place. It's hard, sometimes to find that quiet place we need. But it pays to search until we find it, because it's in
the quietness of life; in listening to the birds sing, and the grass grow, that we find the peace we believed to be elusive.

I am doing reasonably well. Like all of you I have things I struggle with. But so far, by God's grace, I'm managing. I think about each of you every day, remember you in my daily prayers; always  asking the Lord to bless you for your kindness to me; for the awesome love and support you've given me throughout the years.

My gosh...when I say years, I realize we've really been blogging that long, haven't we? Some of you, stay on top of it far better than I do now. I miss being able to blog as often as I once did, but have to be realistic about my health and limitations. Don't always like it. But it is what it is.

Mostly, I am extremely happy. Truly! I have a GOD who loves me, and who never breaks a promise. If I have him I am truly blessed. He wipes my tears, gives me strength, guides my words and actions, and somehow, enables me to not only keep my sense of humor, but to view the world as a small child would. I think being able to do that, is what enables me to be content.

Thank you, dear ones, for always being in my corner, for your good wishes, emails, support on my blogs, and especially for your prayers.

I wish you strength, good health, love, laughter and peace.

Love you much.

   

Good Morning,


My goodness. It has been so long since I have posted anything that I'm wondering if my mind will cooperate with me. Well, won't know unless I give it a try so here we go...:)

What have I been up too? It depends upon how you look at it, I guess. Some people, observing my life, might think I have accomplished little since they last interacted with me. But on the other hand, there are people who have known me for  many years, and seeing me so idle most of the time, don't mistake that for laziness. They have come to understand me, to know that every once in awhile, usually when too much is upon my plate, I take time for solitude and silence. It is in those two things that I am able to regain clarity of vision, a better understanding of why my life is such a mess, and most of all, am better able to hear more clearly the things the Lord would have me hear.

One of my friends, awhile back, got her feelings hurt when she asked my opinion about one of her relationships, why I thought it was going so bad- was so painful. My answer was not to hurt her, but had been given based upon my own life experience.  What I said was "Honey, your problem may be simply that you are not a good listener. She was, as I was years earlier, when recognizing this about myself, defensive. "I am SO a good listener she said. And so
I tried to explain it better, and thankfully was able too.

I told her I'd always believed myself to be a good listener too, but one day, while having a disagreement with one of my teenagers, he said"  Well, Mom, you never listen. Never!"

At that time, we were in the middle of a heated argument so I really WASN"T listening, but was mostly wanting him to be quiet so he could hear what  I WANTED TO SAY."

Silent listening, I discovered, means exactly what it says, which is "Be quiet while somebody else is talking. And be quiet not only, but focus on what is being said." It is only when we are silent, and really focusing on what is being said, that understanding is born. And with better understanding the quality of our relationships improve.

This is one reason I love going for walks alone. We hear so much more, and notice so much more, when we are by ourselves, when we are not being pulled in five or more different directions at once- when we are multi-tasking, which in my opinion, keeps us from being able to embrace the really wonderful SHINY moments that are so often right in front of us.

I have been diagnosed with stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. It is not pleasant, tore a rather big hole into my comfort zone, which for awhile, caused me to feel uncertain and unsure of myself. I found myself falling back into the old way of coping, which was telling myself "I can do this. I will be okay." That didn't work years ago, and won't work today. What worked the best for me was remembering how willing the Lord is to carry my burdens, to help me with any problem (BIG OR SMALL), how quick he always was, and still is, to enable me to make it through each moment of the day. Remembering this, and leaning on Him, keeps me strong, content, and actually joyful. It is hard not to be joyful when i am so blessed:

My family has always been there for me, and every one of you dear readers. You have all
loved and supported me, always reminded me that I am not alone, that you are in my corner, just as I have always been, and will always be...in yours.

Life is good!!! Very good!!! It is full of opportunities to do better- be better. It is full of SHINY moments that make us smile, laugh, whistle, embrace, promise, and laugh again. Life is  full of KODAK moments. Let's not miss any of them.

 I am going to be a great grandmother again before long. If my last count is correct there are four little ones entering the world before very long. All of them are out of state little ones so will have to rely on photos for a bit, but that is okay. Photos are wonderful things.

Weather:
We are out of the cold mostly. Our winter wasn't particularly hard. We had little rain but at least got some, which is more than some people got. Still, wonderful as this season can be I am looking forward to the colors, fragrances, and newness of spring, which isn't that far off. I do miss having a garden, miss planting flowers as my Johnny and I always did. But there are
beautiful indoor plants and that is what I will start with this year. Indoor plants and some beautiful flowers for the patio.

Though I live in an apt. now, instead of a house, I am amazed at how much cleaning lies ahead for me, how much junk I need to dispose of. My goal is to scale down to only those things I actually use. I worked on this a bit awhile back, but had to quit...the pain was too much and the fatigue. Thankfully, my son does for me what I am unable to manage.

Writing:
Many of you have asked when, if ever, I will post another story, have asked if I would consider re-posting "We Get What We Give," and "After The Rain." I greatly miss writing, 
and have, several times, tried to get started on this. But between the fatigue and pain I was unable too. BUT... I have determined to do this, not just for those who have requested it, but

for myself as well. Having something to focus on besides how crappy I feel would be a good thing. And we sometimes need to demand more of ourselves. So I won't promise to get it done as quickly as I normally would, but will get it done. You will just have to be patient with how slow the posts get posted.

Have to stop here. Need to rest a bit and fix an early lunch, I had a very early breakfast and my stomach is complaining about it.

Do have an awesome day. Create some beautiful memories and get that camera out so you don't miss those KODAK moments.

Be good to others--and as gentle with yourselves.




BUY A JAR OF BUBBLES AND USE THEM. BUY  SEVERAL EXTRA SO YOU CAN
 PASS OUT A FEW. IT COSTS LITTLE AND ALWAYS MAKES PEOPLE SMILE.


Love you much,


BARB

Not to worry dear hearts. I'll feel better after I have a second cup of coffee.
It seems no matter how hard I try to unwind before bedtime, once I'm in bed..
well, I am no longer sleepy. Either that, or I go right to sleep, but wake up every
two or three hours throughout the night. It's the pits!

But aside from that, life is pretty good. Oh, like all of you, there are some
things that trouble me; things that involve loved ones. But I have learned that
worrying solves nothing. Better it is to trust in the Lord, and focus on the 
good stuff in life, of which there is plenty.

Everybody in this area is excited that we finally have triple digit weather behind us.
Now it's early morning cold air, sometimes lots of fog, but the sun still shows its
beautiful face in the afternoon. This weeks temps will be between 79- 90, which

is awesome.


Some things never change; like this holiday thing. Every year,
around this time, the stores fill up with not only Halloween stuff, but Christmas and Thanksgiving as well. Most people don't like it this way. But having been poor for most of my life. I can understand how some people love it. When I was raising my kids alone,
I seldom had money to spend on them, never what I would have liked too. So I loved
that there was Christmas stuff out early. That way I was able to do layaway the things I wanted to buy for  my kids. If I couldn't have done that....well, I don't like to think of how lousy their Christmas would have been.

My life: 
The last three years have been extremely difficult- very painful too. But, as
I always say, our greatest blessing are sometimes hidden midst our darkest, most
painful trials. Losing so many loved ones, having my health issues worsen so rapidly, having to come to terms with financial realities, and  trying to adapt to so many changes taught me a lot about myself. I learned how to ask for help, something I  had always found difficult. I learned that I am much stronger than I believed myself to be. I 
learned what a powerful thing faith is, and what a wonderful, loving, mighty God we worship and love.
    
My children ...are doing fairly well, though of course each one, like all of us, has
issues they struggle with. They have all grown up to be sons and daughters that I am
very proud of. They are far better parents than I ever was. This is something that truly
saddens me, for I'd have loved to be as great a parent to them as they are to their children. But I did my best. If I'd known better I'd have done better.


SOMETIMES....I find myself with closed eyes, imagining myself seated on a train seat,
I never wonder where the train is going, am just happy to be taking the ride.
I am staring out the window, watching the world fly by, feasting my eyes on on the trees, waterfalls, sagebrush, cars, trucks, houses, cattle, horses, barns, people and kids, as if it's the last time I'll ever see them. I do this when loneliness gets to be too heavy; when it feels as a noose around my neck. Taking a memory walk, or ride, reminds me of how blessed I am. Yes, my childhood was horrible, my teen years chaotic,
my early adult years heartbreaking and overwhelming. But midst all of that sadness and pain was so much SUNSHINE...so much good stuff the Lord blessed me with. Much of it is gone now, but each memory reminds me of how rich I was - and still am.

I hope that you are enjoying your day; making the most out of each moment as it
arrives. Moments are such fleeting things; isolated fragments of time, some small, 
some very big, each one giving us an opportunity for something. What that 
something is, only you know. Sometimes I know mine right off. But other 
times many days will pass, and suddenly I know what I ought to have done,
or could have done.

Relationships...

Relationships are so pleasurable- yet can be so mystifying and painful.  I have been 
doing a lot of deep thinking and praying of late, wanting desperately to heal some
broken relationships in my life. Sometimes the going is easy- other times, not so 
much. Good communication helps, being honest, open and tolerant helps too. 
   
With all the junk in my past I've failed in  a lot of areas, but am working 
hard to clean it all up. Some may work out- some may not. 
But it is important that I try. Why? Because there is nothing worse than
 regret, nothing worse than years flying by, and one day you hear 
yourself say "If only."

Good news....
I am going to be a great grandmother again: three more babies coming,
 if I have  the number right.  About the time I have it right I hear another
 baby is  due down the way.
 New life! An awesome thing!

Regarding choices:
It pays to think before speaking or doing. Why? Because our life
is what it is because of choices we made- or failed to make. And down the way,
it is our final choices after all, that  determine what our ending days will be like:
who is in our lives- or out of it; and if we have comfort
 or even a hint of understanding.

On life's journey,
Dear hearts, keep on keeping on, no matter how steep the hill;
the rewards are always greater than the trial just experienced.

HOPE....
Hope is the flame within our hearts that keeps us alive; keeps us creating 
dreams, building towers in the sky. Hope keeps us alive in spite of ourselves.
Without it- life disappears.

If you're  by any chance, feeling misunderstood, lonely, unloved and
perhaps unwanted, remember that our needs are sometimes greater than
other  people can cope with; the hole within us to huge for others to fill.
Just remember that what man cannot do...God can.

Well, guess I have said what I wanted to say, except to say you are always

in my prayers. Always!

Be good to yourself.....better to others.

   Love you much,
                                   BARB

It's been awhile since I have posted. Sorry about that. Mostly it is because I kind of got lost- just a little bit. Once I realized it, I created a plan to help me find my way back. I'm
not used to getting lost; haven't been for a lot of years now. It isn't something one chooses to do, just something that happens for a variety of reasons, some of them being:
the death of a loved one, financial difficulties, the loss of jobs, the loss of a home. There
is the grief over runaway children too- children on drugs, and of course serious health issues. The list is endless.


My getting lost didn't surprise me. Not really. I mean, how could it? When we have too
much on our plates it's hard to remain centered. The more trials there are- the heavier their weight- the more painful, the more likely it is that we'll lose our way. Life is hard!
Very hard!

Our sufferings, sorrows and trials  cannot be avoided. And though we will all experieince
them it's not something anybody looks forward too. Our burdens can feel so painful, so heavy that we feel isolated from God. Our faith falters, sometimes disappears for awhile, as if it never existed. Doubts follow suit, washing over us like the ocean against the shore.

We see our trials as a bad thing, either forgetting, or not realizing, that it is midst our darkest, most difficult moments that God is the  nearest- as close as our breath.
 
I used to believe that God allowed trials in my life in order to teach me something. I never began to grow spiritually until I understood that I had everything backwards.
God didn't use my trials to teach me something (though I usually learn something from them). What he wanted, was for me to recognize that I needed to unlearn something.
 He wanted me to understand that because I was going about something in the wrong
way, nothing in my life was going right. And until I truly understood that, he was unable to set the crooked paths of my life straight.

Now, every time  a new trial confronts me, I know to look for God in it,
rather than be intimidated by the trial. The more I do this- the larger, more
strong my faith becomes. Whatever your burden today, however heavy or painful, I encourage you to look for God in it. If you do, peace will return to its rightful place in your life.

Part of this post is from today's post in my Spiritual blog. I'd not planned on writing in this manner, not in this blog. But considering how things are in the world these days, and considering how hard life has become for us all, I thought sharing it to be a good thing.

I am praying that all of you are doing well, are happy and surrounded by the people who love you, believe in you, treasure you, and appreciate you. I hope you never forget how much you mean to me, and will always mean to me. Some of us don't comment much on blogs any more, but do it via email or Facebook. Things change,I know. But to be honest, I rather enjoy seeing comments, even if only a couple. It reminds me of former times, when J-Land existed, and each morning, and sometimes during the night, we'd visit one another- often till the wee hours of the morning.

Stay sweet. Be good to your hearts.  Keep them full of love, patience,

kindness, tolerance, faith, and always Hope.


Love you much,

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. So sorry about that.
 Do I have a reason for not  posting? Not really, just excuses mostly: too hot,
 too busy, too much on my plate, etc. The truth is, I just felt the need to be 
lazy for awhile; to do nothing except the things I've felt like doing, things I
 never did because of lack of money, or lack of time.
   Sometimes, it was simply that doing something for myself always made me
 feel bad, as if I was being selfish. I bet some of you felt like that at least
 once in your lifetime, usually when your kids were growing up. 
 I was a single Mom till I met my Johnny, so to spend money on myself,
well, it just wasn't something I felt I could do. Not really; not when a child's
 shoes just wore out, or when one of my kids needed something for school.

It took me a long time to get past that feeling guilty thing. It was well
worth the struggle.

This week I bought myself books I'd wanted to read, writing tablets, pens,
and checked out house plants. I so miss being able to work in the  yard. 
No matter where I lived I always had flower gardens. But now, with my
 pain level being so high, and the problems I have with my legs, 
and back- hands too, I have to settle for indoor plants, which is okay.
 They really brighten up a place.

Just checked the weather report. That bright light you saw wasn't lightning,
 but my smile, when I saw that temps were not going to be as high this week.
 102- 109 is just a bit too uncomfortable, especially when the humidity level
 is high too. We're actually supposed to have a few days in the high 80's. 
Sounds so good.

Imagination:

This word always makes me smile, always brings to mind memories of
 my children when they were small. As well, it reminds me of myself when 
I was a youngster. So many of the adults during those days, were always 
telling me "Stop acting like a kid. Grow up."
 I found this confusing, and it made me very sad. I was confused because I
 (was) a kid- only ten. How does a kid not act like a kid?  I was sad 
because their words made me feel like they were asking me to stop
being the person I was.
 
Imagination, even today, keeps me going; keeps me hopeful, content, 
eager to meet whatever challenges life may throw at me. My imagination 
has allowed me to travel all over the world,  allowed me to see myself in
 a better place, doing the very things people told me I'd never be able to do.

I love taking memory walks; always stop at the places that made me so
 happy, many of those places being the dinner table. My four children's
 minds were so active then. I loved the way they expressed themselves.

This morning I thought of conversations I'll never forget, like:
When my daughter was five and I had a hard time getting her to eat
 her vegetables. One night, she sat at the table pushing some broccoli
 around on her plate with her fork, while making the most horrible faces.
"I don't know how these trees can be good for me." she said. "when they
 taste so nasty."  Her younger brother laughed and said "Just pretend 
they are Christmas trees."
 Another time she asked if Jesus liked spaghetti.
"He might." I said.
"Good. Cause I'm going to save him some of mine."

Remembering this conversation reminded me of one I had with my dad,
 so many years ago. I never got to spend much time with him so jumped 
at the chance to go in the car with him one day. I don't remember where 
we were going, but never forgot the conversation, the reason being the 
way my mind worked.
  
 We'd just driven under an overpass.
 I asked. "Dad, how many boxes of oleo could you stack from 
the ground to the top of the bridge?"
   "Not sure. Quite a lot I guess."
   "One hundred?"
   "Maybe."
   "More?"
   "Don't know."
   "Less than that?"
   "Not sure."
  "Well guess."
     He changed the subject. His plan didn't work. I asked how far the stars 
were from our house, and what made them so bright. I asked how the 
man who made cars knew how to build one, how old would I grow up to be,
 and who invented paint? Who invented rubber?
I asked why the  water we drink is a different color than than ocean
water. After awhile he began to get frustrated. He didn't get mad, just
 sighed and said. "Doesn't your mind ever shut down?
 
  I'm smiling as I type this part because the answer is still the same.
 No! My mind never shuts down. I'm just as curious today as I was when
 I was a kid. A car passes our house and I wonder where it is going,
wonder about the people in it; if they are happy or sad, if they are related
 or just friends, if they believe in God or not.
 
Imagination is a wonderful thing. Today, my imagination is one of the
things that propels me forward, keeps depression at bay, as well as worries,
fears, etc.
It helps to visualize good, positive, wonderful things, pulls one down if
the mind is filled with negativeness. Life is hard today, harder than it has
ever been- and not just for me...but for you- for us all. That is why I do
my best to encourage my kids to hold tight to the sense of wonder, to
not get so focused on all that is wrong in the world. Focusing on just the dark
side of things, the painful, depressing side, does nothing but keep us from
experiencing those special shiny moments that are placed within our hands
each day.

Don't overlook them, dear hearts. And pray that I don't either. Being
grateful (keeping track of our blessings) enables us to be content, and
will enable us to enjoy life to the fullest.

I've got to get busy now, have chores waiting.
Don't forget how special, how unique you are.
Don't forget to take care of your hearts; keep them full
of sweetness, kindness, mercy, love, tolerance, patience,

and HOPE.




for always being in my corner, for your friendship, love and support.
love you much.

Before Johnny and I moved here we lived in Eugene, Oregon, in one of those beautiful apartment buildings for people over fifty-five. While there I'd take a walk around the grounds every day, mostly with Johnny, but often by myself. There was a lot going on in my life, some really hard, painful stuff, and I was getting discouraged, sad, fearful and was, too often, sitting on the pity pot, thinking about just throwing in the towel and giving up.
    For about three weeks, while walking alone, I'd see this elderly woman, probably about eighty or so.-(-lol It just occurred to me that in two years I'll be 80 ).
Any way, to continue...this dear lady was in a wheelchair and always looked very sad.
 I'd always say hello to her. She seldom answered, but once in awhile would nod her head, acknowledging that she heard me.
    One day, while walking by I saw that she was crying, so didn't hesitate to go over to her. "What's the matter, dear?" I asked, while sitting down beside her.
    "I'm okay." she said, wiping her tears with her fingers. "Really." she added, as she looked up at me. I could see that she wasn't okay, that she was hurting really bad. I didn't want to pry but did want to help, so silently asked God to show me what to do.
    "You don't have to sit with me." she said, suddenly, while twisting her handkerchief in her hands. "There's nothing you can do anyway."
   "I'd like to try."I replied, "but can't help if I don't know the problem." She looked down, began wiping her tears as they began to rain down her cheeks.
"I'm old." she said, the pain in her voice so deep it was all I could do to keep from crying myself. " I"m old and wrinkled and of no use to anybody."
   "Oh, but you are."I told her.
  "No! I'm not! That's why you always see me sitting here by myself. My family lives right here in this town but never come to see me. They just dumped me here and left."
    God gave me the words to say to her. "I'll be your family." I said, and hugged her before she could have a chance to protest. "Would you like that?" Her frail arms returned my hug and she broke down- cried so hard I began to cry with her. "Will you?" she asked in a quivery voice? "Will you really be my family?
   "I will." I said, and was.
 That was the beginning of a new chapter in her life- and mine. I walked with her every day, sometimes Johnny went with us. I'd read her stories, and Johnny and I took her for long rides and to dinner with us.
    One day, knowing she was missing her family more than usual, I wanted to cheer her up, wanted to make her laugh. I went to the store and bought two huge bottles of Bubbles and two bubble pipes. I wish you could have seen the joy on her face when she opened the bag and saw that pipe and jar of bubbles. "I remember these." she said, while opening the bottle. "I used to spend hours blowing bubbles for my kids."
   "Well now we can blow them for each other, can't we?" I said.


I grew to love that sweet lady. It broke my heart when she died a few months later. That experience with her taught me a  big lesson; that all of us can make a difference ...can put some SHINY moments in  another persons life if we are willing to try.
   I have, since doing that with that lady, bought many bottles of bubbles, always have some with me in case I run across someone who is sad, lonely, lost, or in need of a friend. I encourage you to do this for somebody, especially somebody like this precious lady. Bubbles, most people think, are for children. But that isn't true. Bubbles are also for adults  willing to view and experience once again, the world through a child's eyes. The best part about trying this is that afterwards, you  feel so good; feel good because you made a difference.Well, I'm  behind on chores so better get started. I hope every one of you has an awesome day; that you're surrounded by people who love you, believe in you, and take time to have some fun with you.

I shared this post again because I have discovered that there still aren't enough people reaching out to others. There are still far to many lonely, hurting, friendless people around us, oftentimes just across the street.

I share bottles of bubbles, magazines, and books. One of the things I love most to do is leave encouraging notes and little surprises for those who serve me: waitresses, cashiers, service station attendants, mail men, etc. The cost is little- the rewards enormous. A few dollars spent on magnets that say "Great job"  "Thank you." "You're really great at what you do." "You really stand out."  can have a lasting effect on another person's life.
   Leaving a post it for a new waitress saying " Hang in there. Tomorrow will be better." Is a huge help too. Of the many surprises I leave I have the most fun with the bubbles. I think it is because we all miss those former years, when life was slower- the world a safer, more calmer place. Sitting with friends and blowing bubbles lets us be a kid again, reminds us that one is never to old to have fun..to enjoy life.

Have an awesome day. Do something for somebody else. And then...do a little something for yourself. YOU count too.

Love you
Barb

I have been up since 4:00 a.m, and would you believe I am out of coffee? Though I only drink one cup a day most of the time, not being able to sleep left me with one horrible headache. Thankfully I'll be able to get some coffee in a bit. I won't drink it out of the cup above, but only because I don't have one like that. I think I will drink it out of the cup my daughter sent me as part of last years Christmas present. It is so beautiful. It's
one of those larger size cups; says "May the God, the source of HOPE, fill you with JOY, and PEACE. Romans 15:13 on it. It is painted in gorgeous autumn colors. Beautiful way to start one's day, isn't it?

 This morning's air was cold upon my cheeks when I stepped out onto the patio. It definitely helped clear my head a little. I wasn't happy that I lost so much sleep, but love waking up early like that; love sitting in the semi darkness, listening to the world wake up-watching it too.
  
 The solitude does something to my heart; always makes me acutely aware of the Lord; of all the beauty he created for us, and of all that he has done for me, and continues to do.
  The silence of the early morning hours is a gift, one I may unwrap as slowly as I choose, and I always unwrap them  slowly. I am never in a hurry to get pulled back into the hustle and bustle of the world- into it's noise and chaos.

I was thinking, while unable to sleep, of the millions of people in the world who are friendless, alone, hurting, sick, worried and afraid; was thinking of how different the world is from the world I knew as a child- even as a teenager. Back then people would linger over the fence, chatting while working in the yard or hanging clothes. A house would burn down, and the whole neighborhood would rush to help, would be providing needs before having to be asked. Back then I could ride my boyfriend's bicycle all over town without having to worry about being kidnapped or raped. My sisters and brothers could play out past dark, and Mom would not have to be worried about them.
Kids got bullied back then, just like today, but the bullying didn't lead to suicide.
The bullying was usually a few punches thrown, a bloody nose and black eye and it was over.

The thing that saddens my heart the most is how fearful everybody is, and the fact that families are not as close as they once were. The internet, cell phones, computers, etc, have taken the place of handwritten letters and personalized phone calls. Everybody (children and adults alike) are in a hurry), are so busy ...each into their own life that

they scarcely know what's happening with the rest of the family, are usually shocked when a crisis arrives and a family member is in trouble. "I didn't realize." is the response.  I didn't know."

Life is such a huge gift, but we take it for granted; always assume whatever needs doing can be done tomorrow. The thing is, there is no guarantee that we have the  full 24 hours that we run our lives by. Bad things happen, and not just to bad people.

We need to do our best to face up to things; to not stick our head in the sand when a crisis hits, hoping the problems and issues will disappear. It doesn't work that way. True- a crisis is no picnic- but if we'll just dig deep and pull up some courage, we'd discover ourselves to be much stronger than we believed ourselves to be.
It doesn't hurt to remember that ATTITUDE is everything. It really is. 
The older I get, the more I realize just how true that is.


Geez! Just read what I've written.What a mess! Well, just hope you understand how hard it is to focus without sleep. I'm going to try to get that coffee now.


Do I have any closing words? Yep!


AND...take time to smell the roses.

Thanks for listening, for caring, for your support, prayers, and friendship.
Love you much.

BARB