LOVE AND LAUGHTER

Good morning and welcome to Thursday morning in my little corner of the world where the sun is shining and the birds are singing.    It is going to be warm today and hotter still tomorrow and then another cool change will carry us into March and Autumn.

I have every chance of the sun shining on my face and the gentle breezes blowing and if you don't have that where you are - try to remember the warmth of the sun and the touch of the breeze as you wish and long for warmer days.

Laughter is so important and healing and healthy and I have learned to laugh at myself and some of the silly things I do.  

I will share a silly/funny thing I did this week - I have been getting quotes for a new screen door on the front of my home and had three quotes.   We then saw an advertisement on the back of the local paper and submitted the request for a quotation.   What I didn't realize until the man arrived to measure and quote was that this company was one of the original three.  !!!   When the guy walked up to the door and said  "I have been here before"  I could only reply with  "Yes, you have" and then apologise for the inconvenience caused.  I felt silly but had a big chuckle at myself later in the afternoon.     He must have thought I was a very silly old lady - but it brought a smile to my day.

Can you recall the laughter of your children - the endless giggles and chuckles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCQ24gXfRrc

Take some time and watch these gorgeous babies laugh and laugh.

It is difficult not to smile when watching this - I hope you enjoy.

We live in a troubled and distressed world and I believe we need all the love and laughter we can get to lift the gloom and help us to get through the difficult days.

Important thought though about laughter, laugh with people and not at them - share the humour without ridicule and pain for them.

I have learned to laugh at myself and it is very liberating and good for my health. 

Going to post something that will bring a smile to those who have had the experience of hospital gowns and times in hospital - this always makes me smile.

Have a wonderful day and one filled with smiles that will cheer you as you make your way through it.   Look for humour in your world and enjoy it.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart and for sharing the joy of love and laughter with me.

Take care,

Love and hugs,

I WISH FOR YOU

Good evening - it's been a long and difficult day, but I wanted to call by and share this lovely piece with you all.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart, a thankful heart today.

Love and hugs,

Linda.

xxx

ALL OF THESE THINGS

Good Afternoon from the City of Adelaide, where the sun is shining and a strong summer wind blowing.  The sky is a grey/blue and certainly cool for the last day of January.    I am having trouble believing that the first month of 2015 has come and gone and now we head into February.     February for us can often be the hottest month of the year, and I somehow think that Mother Nature will turn up the thermostat after letting us have a deliciously cool January.

The piece at the top of this page is a quote that I have known for a long time and have saved on my computer and often go back and enjoy it again.

All of these things in our lives could only add joy and pleasure to our days and I wish them for each one of you. 

Imagine if you will, SMILES when there are dark or dreary thoughts and situations that are not pleasant.   Smiles to chase away the gloom.  COMFORT for those days too.  Comfort comes in many forms - it may be HUGS (oh the sweet comfort of the human touch), it may be a bowl of warm soup on a cold cold day or a long and iced drink in the shade of the garden when the sun is warm. 

RAINBOWS - the pure joy of looking into the sky and seeing our earth wrapped in the orb of a beautiful coloured rainbow brings so much pleasure and I wish that for you.  SUNSETS at the end of days - a perfect painting in our sky - totally free and ours.

FRIENDSHIPS - old or new are to be cherished along with all that goes with them.    The shared memories of days gone by, the laughter and the tears and the lovely getting to know you times with a new friend.

FAITH - to sustain you and hold you sway when doubts arise.

CONFIDENCE to be who you really are, and the COURAGE to stand firm and hold your ground when the tides of life pull at your anchor.  CONFIDENCE and COURAGE to face whatever life deals out to you.  It may not be the hand you wish for, but COURAGE and CONFIDENCE to play the hand you are dealt.

PATIENCE to wait for things and patience to hope for things.  PATIENCE with a fretful child or an aging relative who tells you the same story over and over again.   PATIENCE to know that they are doing their best and coping with whatever is happening to them.  A lovely quote from Maya Angelou completes PATIENCE:

And LOVE to complete your life.   LOVE in all it's forms brings a glow to our lives,  knowing that there are people who LOVE us in spite of what we are and how we behave.   

I wish all of these things for you and I thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a heart filled with so much gratitude for my life, my family, those I love and my beautiful troubled world.   May you find peace and calm this weekend and may the sun shine brightly in your little corner of the world.

Love and hugs.

IT''S RUBY TUESDAY ONCE AGAIN

The air is warmer and the sun has been shining in my Fair City today - definitely a change in the air and a day when no rain has fallen.   It is getting towards end of day now and the damp air is coming in but I am thankful for the warmth of today.

It's been an interesting day - busy and yet not much achieved - but a day when the phone has rung hot and messages come in thick and fast.

We are out to dinner with a friend for his birthday so that will be nice and I have enjoyed a warm spot in the garden with coffee and my book - nice things to do and much enjoyed.

Today it is ten years since my Father died and I miss him - I miss the discussion, the debate, the poetry and the laughter and yet I would not wish him back to watch him struggle to breathe.   I would not wish him back to have had to witness my illness and transplant - it would have broken his heart.    But, that said - I do miss him.

This photograph was taken when I was about three or four years old (a very long time ago) and was taken on Bidston Hill in Cheshire, England and I remember it like it were yesterday - I can hear his voice and his laughter and feel the rough fabric of his jacket.

It has been a nice day of remembering the good times and the special times we had together - the visits to the Market and always a gift for me - and always something special to eat.   In later years it was the coffee and the political discussion and debate that I remember - it would be interesting if he were here today to discuss our current political situation and the forthcoming election.

Each time I do a crossword puzzle I think of him and his neatly filled in grid and folded paper.  I remember walks in the snow on Christmas morning to see his Grandmother and oh so many special times.   These memories are a blessing.   It was my Father who encouraged me to discuss and debate and then when I had a varying opinion to his he didn't like it very much.  He is gone but at least I had those times and shall carry the memories with me.'

Listen to Glenn Miller and "String of Pearls"  I grew up on a staple diet of Glenn Miller but this was his favourite and is one of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg2vtWezWbw

On this special but ordinary day - please know that you are valued and appreciated and that you do play an important part in my life.  

Thank you for visiting the Musings of a pensive heart today - pensive but a happy heart to have been blessed with these memories.

Love and hugs,

Linda 

THANKFUL THURSDAY ONCE AGAIN

Good Afternoon and welcome to Thankful Thursday - there is always something to be thankful for and Thankful Thursday, naturally follows wonderful Wednesday.   Wednesday was the day I received my life saving Liver Transplant and Thursday was the day that I woke from surgery and became aware of how very blessed and lucky I was.   I had survived the surgery and now was on the road to recovery.   Hence they are both special days and I get a weekly reminder of just how lucky I am.

Spring winds are blowing here but the sun is shining and it is quite chilly, but a beautiful day in so many ways.   I am blessed to have the support of friends doing some maintenance work for me today and the day is going very quickly.

Life for me is very sweet and I am thankful each day, but there are always for everyone of us, things that get in the way and cause us to stumble on our journey and I try to stumble through life gracefully and with good grace.

I am aware of the friendships I have and those who love me and care for me and are prepared to catch me lest I fall and to encourage me on my way.

I count my family and friends as very great blessings and it is lovely to laugh together and discuss things in detail.  It is good to hear the suggestions of others and to accept that they know better than me.

I am learning that when I stumble to make it part of the dance and get on with the next part of my day and my life.

I have met and become friends with many people since my transplant and since reaching out over the Internet and I am thankful for both of these experiences in my life.  My life is richer and sweeter and I am blessed because of both.

I hope whatever you are doing today brings you joy and that you meet many friends along the way.  Strangers are friends we just haven't met yet.

I noticed this morning that the birds are singing louder and earlier and the sun was up earlier too.    My late afternoon is now extended because of the changing of the seasons and both the plants and weeds are thriving because of the spring rains, which I am assured will bring beautiful flowers.

Sharing a picture of my favourite flower with you in the hope that the sunshine of these daffodils brings some sunshine to your day.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing - if you stumble make is part of your dance and enjoy the love and laughter, flowers and stars that surround you and fill your sky.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a heart today that is filled with the wonder of love and friendship and the changing of the seasons.

Love and hugs,

LIFE IS A DANCE

Good afternoon and welcome to Thankful Thursday in my little corner of the world - where although the wind has been bitingly cold, the sun has shone and given us a reminder that spring is coming followed by summer.

We only have today - and whilst it is good the anticipate the future and look forward to don't waste a moment of today - be present to each and every moment.

I have had a day of lovely and very ordinary things.   Shopping early, the purchase of a newly released book (which I can't wait to get started on) and a quick visit to a shut in friend with a book and chocolate.

The shops were not busy (I was early ) and the roads were quiet too so all in all it made for a lovely day.   I am so pleased to be able to do these normal ordinary things again and will enjoy doing crosswords with a friend in a little while.

Staying warm has been difficult because there is still the chill of winter in the winds but my laundry has flapped in the wind and looked lovely.

We are due for a pleasant weekend weather wise and I have no idea what is on my agenda - but I do have my new book and if I can find a spot in the sun and out of the wind that will be a nice way to while away some hours.

The lake was lovely this morning with choppy waves and white caps - but still brave souls ventured out in their sailing craft.

I am expecting mail from overseas and although some did arrive today, there is more to come and it is very exciting - the anticipation is wonderful.  I have cards galore and I am blessed indeed.

On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for so very much - for love and laughter, music and magic, flowers and friends, books and boxes, coffee and chocolate, letters and love.

My daffodils are still dancing and those on my desk are still standing tall and bringing me immense joy.

I am happy and healthy and quote a friend ...............

"how lucky we have been  - a journey through some bumps, but overall a fair and steady star has guided us thus far."   How true these words are and here's to many more star guided days.

Take care as you journey and be present to each moment of today and every day - don't miss a moment - enjoy it all.

Thank you for visiting the musings of this heart that knows love and friendship and is eternally grateful.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

MUSING ON A SUNDAY EVENING

Welcome to Sunday evening in my little corner of the world - and the days just seem to be going by in a whirl ~ seems an eternity since I posted a blog message and I don't seem to have achieved much either.

I have had a very social few days - lunch out on Friday and then a movie on Saturday and dinner out and a big nap this afternoon - I am still in the running for the gold medal for napping.

I woke this morning to find this beautiful daffodil in full bloom and dancing on the breeze - truly beautiful and a certain herald of spring and if you look very closely you will see petals from the almond tree in the tub - along with the fairy and cherub keeping watch over the bulbs.

Spring stirs my soul - I find joy in the waking up of the world and the new life and blossoms - autumn is still my favourite time of year "Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness" John Keats ~ and I love the mellow days of sunshine and cool evenings.   I am very aware of the changing of the seasons and I think that it is because I am thankful to still be here to see each one.

This is a clip for the movie we saw on Saturday - very Australian and very interesting.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/2237215793/The-Sapphires-Trailer

An interesting film which covers parts of the Vietnam War, politics and events that happened in Australia.   There were funny parts, sad parts and as usual I came analysing exactly what some parts had meant.

and this is the hotel where we had dinner

The Largs Pier Hotel 

It was lovely to be out and about and to enjoy the company of friends, but I got tired and came home early.

This is the joy that is mine days in the sun, people who love me, laughter and kindness in my life, those who share their time and their story with me and allow me to be part of the making of memories.

I took some time out today to write some letters on paper - good old fashioned "snail mail" and generally that isn't a term that could be used with mail from Australia to USA, but recently it took 115 days for two cards to arrive from East Coast USA - now THAT IS A LONG TIME.  Both the sender and I were delighted that they turned up at all - I have no idea where they have been but suspect that they could have traveled by sea mail and not air mail - slow boat to Australia.

I have friends on holiday this coming week and I am hoping for nice weather, good company and good food and that they will be able to make wonderful memories with family and friends.   I hope the fishing is good Raymond.

I have lots I want to do this week and will make a list and then enjoy crossing them off as they are achieved - I am heading in to clean the bathroom - so if I don't appear for a while someone best come and look for me - a job I never relish - but my new steam mop should make that a much easier job (I hope).

This says it all - and I should have a much better attitude to doing those sort of things, because I have lots of time to do them ~ but I am a dreamer, a writer and I get side tracked easily. hehehehe

Thank you for visiting the musings of this thankful heart on my Sunday evening - or whenever it is for you.

I hope the sun shines for you and you are able to find a quiet spot to unwind, relax, read, or take a nap during your Sunday.   Enjoy making wonderful memories each day and remember to be a little kinder because everyone you meet is carrying some sort of burden and you may be the only contact they have with people that day.   Let the sunshine of your smile warm some one's heart.   

Make that phone call, send that text,  send that photograph that you have been promising to send - pick some flowers, send some flowers - bake a cake or cookies for someone - just be loving, caring and kind.

Love and hugs,

Linda

LIFE IS AN ECHO

Welcome to Sunday evening in my little corner of the world and I can't believe it is Sunday evening already.   Where has the weekend gone ?  I have had a busy few days and been tired today.  I guess getting out of bed a little later makes for a shorter morning.

Alexis and Naomi called in to share with John and I the news of their forthcoming overseas holiday in October, which they booked yesterday and are very excited about.  I love to see them so filled with their ideas and dreams and find it is lovely to see them putting their dreams into reality.  2012 will have been a big year for my kids and I am delighted to be here to see them bloom.

Later I did a browse around a local shop and bought lots of bits and pieces, cards and a few little things for CHRISTMAS - now that's scary isn't it?  155

days to go and I shall enjoy every one of them.

What is echoing in your world - are you experiencing good things like those you have put out there.  There are so many things and circumstances that affect our lives - we may be doing very well in our own lives, but the circumstances immediately around us can be daunting and often impact on our energy and attitude to life.   Deep down inside all is well with us, but living with sadness, illness and sour tempers can drag us down and leave us leaving less than up to par.

Some people can be very nasty and difficult and make life miserable for others - even those who are part of a family network and I often wonder why these things happen - is it because they are not the centre of attention, or is it the nature of the beasts, a guilty conscience or jealousy.     Only they know why they behave thus and there is very little we can do about their behaviour - they are responsible to that and it is up to them to make the changes and face the consequences of their actions.

We are responsible for our actions and the consequences of them and life is like an echo what you send out does indeed come back.   Give out kindness and kindness will come back to you.   Laughter is something that comes back often - be happy, be kind, be caring, be gently and see what pleasures and riches are yours.  Share the joy that lives in your heart and feel the warmth of love and friendship.   Make the phone call, send the text message, the email, the card or the letter and surprise someone.  

Taking care of others is very important, but it is also very important to take care of ourselves so that we can send out positive echoes.

I had dinner out with friends last night after a full day beading class and by the time bedtime came I was exhausted and almost crying tired ~ it was a lovely feeling to snuggle down in my warm bed and just not move and to feel the lovely waves of sleep drift over me.   The concentration at the class is very tiring and I had a mistake with the colour of the main bead and was disappointed with the overall effect, so it has been pulled apart and a much lighter champagne colour bead will be purchased to replace the brassy gold which I just couldn't deal with.  The gold colour was just too "brassy" for me. Lesson learned - go for something lighter  ~ I am sure when I get the right beads it will look much better.  I will post a picture when I do get it finished.

We are now at the start of another working week and I hold you all in my heart and thoughts as you face the winding down of your weekend and wish you courage and strength for your week.  If you are off to the Office to deal with a pressure job and difficult people ~ try putting out some positive thoughts and I hope they come back to you.

If you are a parent getting children off to school, or dealing with school holidays - I hope that you can enjoy the nice thoughts that come back from the kids - they can be difficult.

Several of my friends have a young family member leaving home for the first time to make their way in the world, hugs for you - it is a bitter/sweet time - we miss them but are happy that they are making their way.   Be confident that they will be fine - that you have given them roots to ground them and wings that they can fly.

Wherever you are and whoever you have to deal with, please be sure to take care of yourself, nourish and nurture yourself and know that you are doing a great job and are much appreciated.

Thank you for visiting the musings of my heart ~ a heart that cares and supports you as you journey on ~ remember the "Joy is in the Journey".

Love and hugs,

Linda.

NURTURE THE CHILD WITHIN AND LAUGH

Welcome to Wednesday and I hope that you remember your childhood with affection and good memories ~ remember that feeling on the swing when flew higher and higher and did you ever jump off when the swing went forward and thus rush to get away from the returning empty swing ?  

I watched some children playing in a park today and thought how different their playground are to the ones I knew as a child.   I couldn't take a photograph or would have been in trouble and could have been accused of all sorts of dreadful things.    

The playgrounds I remember were very basic with plain and simple swings and slides, and metal monkey bars to swing from and many happy hours were spent there.  The playgrounds of today are much more complex with all sorts of brightly coloured and curly metal features.

I wonder if the children of today have as much fun as I did on the swings and roundabouts their landing places seem to be cushioned more than when I took many tumbles.

Play is very important in the life of a child and I believe also in the life of an adult and we should strive not to lose our sense of wonder and play.

It is wonderful to have that special someone with whom we can be so completely ourselves and be silly with.

Silliness is good - very good.  !!

The sound of laughter is wonderful ~ the first baby giggles and then the older tittering laughter which grows and develops into a certain style - high pitched or a deep belly laugh.  

Laughing so much that tears just run down your face, your tummy hurts and you make a hasty dash to the bathroom - all part of the fun of being friends or part of a family.    There are things that although they happened years ago,  still bring laughter to my family,  The silly things we said and did.

The things the now grown up ones did as children and who blush and get embarrassed when we parents recall them at family functions.

There are times for tears and they are very healing and times weeping with someone are very special times, but just as healing are the times when laughter rings through our hearts and home and we revisit those times.

For you may there be those healing tears cried with someone you love and just as precious for you may there be those times of laughter, those silly, funny,quirky time that are cherished in our memory.

Let laughter ring out in your heart and may it bring joy to others and thank you for visiting the musings of this happy heart.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

SOMETHING WONDERFUL

Good Morning and welcome to my Sunday morning on what started out to be a grey grey day but the sun is shining right now and although it is quite cold, it is a very lovely morning.   I am certain that something fabulous is out there taking shape, emerging, peeking and calling my name.   I shall enjoy every moment of this wonderful Sunday.  

I am sitting at my desk listening to lovely music and with a cup of steaming coffee and peace reigns supreme.  My coffee is in a lovely mug which was a very lovely surprise gift from a special friend and that makes it all the nicer.

Music always soothes and calms me and evokes emotion and reaction and there are lovely thoughts and memories attached to songs and pieces of music.

I am watching very carefully my garden where I planted the daffodil bulbs for the first sign of life - but I am being impatient and know it is too early yet. I am waiting for the wonderful growth to happen.

The miracles of the technology available to us today just blows my mind - this is a photograph of Sunset on the Jersey Shore in USA taken not an hour ago and here I am in Australia putting it out to the world again.  It is very lovely and would have been amazing to see. 

Beautiful sunset

A greeting in the sand

I am getting used to working on a lap top (named "Isadora") not sure if you give names to your computer but I do and Isadora and I are going to be going places and she will travel in style in this lovely computer bag(a gift for Mother's Day from my girls.)

and I am patiently waiting for it to arrive from New Zealand and I can't wait - I love getting parcels and packages - some I know about because I ordered them and others just a total and beautiful surprise.

Sunday is turning out to be fine and warmer than the last few days and it is my intention to take pen and paper outside and write a letter - old fashioned "snail mail" is very special to receive and hand written letters from "my hand and heart to your hand and heart) are cherished and enjoyed often.  I guess you could say I am an "old fashioned girl" and that's fine with me - I am learning to seal my letters in the old fashioned way with a seal (learning being the operative word.)

The something wonderful in your day may be something which appears to be small and insignificant but which changes your thinking - A smile when you are feeling low, a surprise early morning phone call, news of a new arrival in your family, news of recovering health for someone who means a lot to you.  Keep your eyes open and your heart open to the wonderful things that can happen in your life.

I shared a lovely roast lamb dinner with Ilona and Narelle last evening and it was really lovely  - not only the meal but the company and laughter which we shared.


My evening will be spent with my family for a belated celebration of Mother's Day - I am thankful to my Donor for the gift of life which allows me to be part of family celebrations and that is something VERY WONDERFUL. 


I am so very blessed to be alive, well, happy, loved and cared for - more wonderful things.


Be aware and ready to accept the wonderful things in your life.


Thank you for visiting the Musings of my heart - and thankful and contented heart filled with wonder. 


Love and hugs
Linda

WEDNESDAY @ 103 WEEKS - NO MORE GRINCHES

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~~~~~~  Dr Seuss

Welcome to Wednesday - 103 weeks since transplant for me and in one week's time it will be 2 glorious years - 104 weeks  or  730 days - and am I counting? - Yes indeed I am.  I am counting every sweet and precious second of the gift that was given to me -it is life itself and I am thankful.  Yes I am well, yes I am delighted and yes, I am happier than I have been for the longest time.  There are times however when tears just fall - times when the whole concept of what has happened and where I have been totally overwhelms me.

I truly didn't realize how ill I was until I suddenly felt better after transplant - I knew I was ill, but not how serious it was.  Breathing again, pink skin, more energy - all parts and only small parts of the amazing miracle that happened to me.   I used to think that being pregnant and giving birth was the only time that I got to take part in the making of a miracle - but not so.  The generosity of a total stranger allowed me to be part of another miracle and to walk a different path.   I am changed in many ways and a similar journey for others binds them to be forever. The Transplant Community is like a family - hence why I am Transplant Aunt to young Tayden  who's picture arrived in my mailbox a little while ago- isn't this the cutest little guy?

Tayden

My morning started off with a check in with a friend for whom the emotion of transplant and the fact that he is alive was overwhelming him for just a little while.   We are sure the medication we take plays havoc without emotions too - and it was special to travel that particular bend in his road.

I then went out in the car to visit my housebound friend Jenny who is currently waiting for a hip replacement.    We laughed and reminisced and exchanged Christmas gifts.   This is my gift from Jen - a lovely Christmas bowl in The Nutcracker design.  I am very blessed and spoiled - I love it.  The little pate knife is in the form of a candy cane.  Thank you Jen.  I love it, will use it and will cherish it 

Apparently there are lots of accessories in this collection so I may be taking a trip in the post Christmas sales to see what matching things I can gather.

I have had a successful day with cleaning out fridges ready for the onslaught of food that will need refrigeration - it never ceases to amaze me how we have things packed nicely in the fridge, we take them out, each half of the stuff and then we can't fit the rest back in the fridge.    At lease that's how it is at my house.

The weather is warming up and it is still looking hot for Sunday but I did hear just a whisper that the temperature my not be as high as they originally though which is fine with me.

How are your plans and preparations going ?  I am still in the calm mode - panic hasn't set in yet and I don't think it will.   I have paced myself and done things slowly.   I have an early visit to the Pharmacy tomorrow and then Friday VERY early to get the fruit and vegetables.  Then I shall be home without having to go out at all for goodness knows how long, four days at least. 

I hope your plans are running as smoothly as mine are - I have had several "Grinch" visits - 12 cards and envelopes - just gone,  the star from the Christmas tree missing, and a parcel that took forever to get here. Both sender and recipient were much relieved when it did, but I refuse to be drawn into the Grinch mode - no "Bah Humbug" here.  There is just a very big dose of TINSILITIS, which I hear is now in pandemic proportions and is also happening in Philadelphia .   I have been informed that both Joe's partner and I are tooooooo toooooooo much - to which I replied  "Well that is as maybe but we are cute too.".

I have chosen my word for 2012 and that word is INSPIRATION  and I am sure I can find lots of things to inspire  and indulge me and between Christmas and New Year I shall be revamping my "Linspiration and Lindulgence "Blog to coincide with the new word.   Look out for this Header in the new Year.

The word ATTITUDE has served me well and I have been always aware of my attitude to everything and have learned a great deal.

I hope that all is well in your little corner of the world, that the stress levels are low and that there is music and laughter in your hearts and your homes.

Thanks for calling by to read The Musings of My Heart and I send my love and care to you .

Love and hugs from my happy heart.

FRIDAY AND HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdRSRTqOyi4

Enya - How Can I Keep from Singing

Good Morning and welcome to Friday Morning in my little corner of the world - the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  I slept fitfully but am awake and alive on this Friday morning for me.

It is not yet 10.30 and there has been much joy in my day already.   The day started as it usually does for me with a cup of steaming coffee and a full email box to get through - lovely ordinary pattern to my day.   I then chatted with a friend and checked a group and there was laughter and sharing there - Oh the joys of friendship.

I was fortunate enough to share some photographs from a friend and as promised have deleted them - photographs are only a reflection of an image - the real person is inside  - rather like age and weight are just numbers. 

Green traffic lights , no congestion and no waiting at the Post Office - even time for a cheery chat with Donna and Pam and oh the joy of finding something special on sale at the Post Office.  What happened to Post Offices just being Post Offices - now they even sell sewing machines.,!!!     No I didn't buy a sewing machine - I have a perfectly functioning one of those.  But I did buy and am delighted with - a very reasonably priced pack of Dr. Seuss books:

• The Lorax
• Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose
• I can read with my eyes shut
• OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO 

I was wanting to buy a copy of Oh the places You'll go for Ashleigh who just turned 16 and haven't got to the Book Shop yet - so problem solved - Book in the mail to Miss Sweet Sixteen on Monday.

The three remaining books will go in my "gift cupboard" and will find a home with a child soon enough.

I had to wait in line at the $2.00 shop but it was a chance for a chat with two lovely ladies and then it the car park a big burly workman was having morning break in his truck (eating a pie in a paper bag) - I smiled and he said "Have a good day Mate.! - oh the joys of living in Australia where I am the workman's "Mate"  bless him he made me smile. 

  In the car and home again -  with Billy Joel singing away on my CD player that has only recently decided to work again.  Italian Restaurant was the tune I drove home to - no red lights and easy traffic, a lovely Christmas card in the mail, a parcel (but not the one I am longing for) .

Home to more laughter and music - Life Is Good.  It's been a real Australian morning - sharing Waltzing Matilda with a friend, and "Clancy of the Overflow" with a very warm and caring Love Your Liver Group.

I am finding lots of bruises lately - must be my medication and my clumsiness - I never recall hitting myself but the bruises just appear - they also go away too.  

This is what I have woken to this morning on my patchy Stevens Johnson skin.  It is a bruise - another mark that proves that I am indeed alive and living well.   Hey, the skin may not be decorative but it is functional and that's what counts and I beat Stevens Johnson and am alive to tell the tale.  Look it up sometime if you have a strong stomach - it is not for the faint hearted.

I shall get on with my day and do the chores that I have to do with a thankful heart - and thank God for dirty dishes .

"Thank God for dirty dishes

They have a tale to tell

While other folks go hungry

We're eating very well."

I have laundry to do and other things - I don't like four letter words - wash, iron, cook, dust, tidy, etc. etc. but these things must be done and I am thankful to be well enough to do them.  


This morning has brought such joy to me and chased away any melancholy that was lingering.   Thank you to all who were part of that and with all that is happening in my life 'HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?"


I wish you all a beautiful day/evening/night wherever you are and no matter what time zone you are in - you are in my thoughts and prayers - I am blessed indeed.


Love and hugs,
Linda.