last year, this year

Our annual trip to Chelan and my favorite view.

The difference?    Fires in Canada 

Make your bed

again, make your bed..


If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day.
It will give you a small sense of pride and will encourage you to do another task and another. By the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into another task completed and another. 

            Even if you have a game today

Even if you want to run and play 

even if you are leaving on a jet plane

Even if you think you  are a princess

 There is always time to make your bed

making your bed can set the stage for a time to plan your day

Just throwing the covers up  can do the job   

and at the end of the day you will come home to a bed that is made. A bed that you have made. 

If nothing else got done on your list, at least you made your bed
And a made bed is an encouragement that tomorrow will be better. 

Having someone else make your bed is nice too, once in awhile. 

Now if you don't want to take my word for it, just listen to a very important looking man who represented the Seal Team at Texas University.  You can find it on Youtube ..Word Motivates, and so does making your bed.
 You can also read your Bible and know that you should obey your mother and I am sure your mother told you to make your bed.

Ready... MAKE YOUR BED ! 

I would like a glass of water

Here is the setting:

Happy Hour at Outback.

4 senior citizens in the booth,
hostess says: Tyler will be your server and will be with you soon

and soon the conversation starts:

Tyler : Good evening, can I get a beverage order started for you?
Barb:  I would like ice water with lemon and  a straw
Rog: I would like a glass full of ice and then pour water in it. Lots of ice and water
Darrell: I like ice water, no lemon
Kathy: water no ice please.

Tyler returns with the beverages

He remembers each one correctly, even a little bowl of lemon wedges

Rog: Can I ask you a question?   Why did I get a small glass and everyone else got a large glass?

Tyler: Well, you asked for a glass and all the others are plastic. I thought you wanted “glass”.  Do you want a glass of ice, can I get you more?”

We struggle to say, no it's all good 

thank you

 then  burst out laughing. 

( if you are not at least smiling, you are probably too young, or maybe you just had to be there. )

a walk in the park

but first lunch

she treated me to the very best and healthiest food 

                  a walk through Whole Foods

We ate outside and she pulled out 
placemats, silverware, cloth napkins and glasses for our Kombucha 

then we rode over to  Marymoor and took a walk in the park

Blackberry garden...we picked all the big ones 

It was a beautiful day
With my beautiful friend




A day to remember
with my friend who is unforgettable

I am blessed

A Day to remember

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon.

Genesis 1: 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Today we saw the moon ( think of a bb) slip in front of the sun ( compared to the size of a 6 foot beach ball )   and completely block out light !

Living a distance from the path of the "lights" there was very minimal light change, but a noticeable temperature change. Perhaps 10 degrees.  With the proper glasses, protecting our eyes, it was very different. We saw a black sky and a golden crest of the sun.   
Or, with my back to the sun, holding one plate with a pinhole in it and letting the "light" shine through it to a second plate, and then seeing a crest of the sun. The light shone through a pinhole. 
That is amazing, that is a miracle

my only picture..no comment

Observing the observers  

View from my window 

Many people had gathered at the library and the park next door.  Today was my turn to volunteer in the book shop. From the window I could see part of the crowd.  Families.  Adults, children, pets.

I love to watch people. 
One of my favorites is a father holding the hand of his little girl.  Not her wrist, not the back of her neck, but her hand.  I wish I could explain the feeling it brings.  Maybe because my own father never held my hand. He was not a part of my life. There is something so sweet, tender but protective.  It was a distraction but a good one. And  I know the hand of the Lord is upon me and my life.  He is in control of the entire universe and He loves me.  
That is amazing. That is a miracle. 

Your take will be different.

 Hubby was not at all interested...until he saw pictures in the news of the darkness and brightness, etc. Then he was very impressed

                 My friend Ellen wrote

I am sure many insights about the solar eclipse will be circulated in the days to come.  It reminded me about what faith is all about.  Sometimes the situations of our lives tend to make us think that God is not there.  Everything looks black, dark, and hopeless.  And then a glimmer of light suddenly appears, and we know, without a shadow of doubt, that the Lord has always been with us following through on His promises never to forsake or leave us.

"...let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:11-12)

                It is 24 hours later and life goes on.  Dishes still need to be washed and the floor swept ( we are having company for dinner, so it won't wait )

             But, let's remember the wonders of God's creation, small and great ! 

   May your day be filled with reflections of our amazing God.

    We are blessed

    I am blessed

Next stop Wisconsin

The Real B & B 

We had been invited to drop by our friends as we were passing through Wisconsin


We are so glad we did

Hostess served coffee and sweets
and we sat and chatted in her cozy kitchen 

The pictures explain themselves, so I will just add our delight when our friends told us to stay with them next time we are passing through.
and my disappointment in the "cloud" eating up the rest of the photos of this charming home.



if some 5 or 6 year old comes over and shows me how to retrieve those pictures, I will be happy to share them.

Caforio's

Back in time --early summer 
           We took a road trip


This is not our first visit to Caforio's , but each visit seems to get a little better

Most often we come in the winter, so our visit in summer was beautiful


the backyard

 this is a video

The front yard 

and the tub with jets

always a memorable adventure
This time  Naperville

First stop
Metal works
and a lesson
He who does not work, does not eat ! 

The Newspaper 

in the old days
the only way to ride 

Going to the Chapel 

Baptismal 

Back home to
Sharon's happy place 

Any craft and she can help you
Take a seat, and she will do it for you 

Leaving Illinois, we stopped at another happy place
Daughter and son in law at
Cafe Crop !

Good Morning

Hi Marti, hope this makes you smile today 

Treasure found in an old building on the farm 

inscribed:    to Sharon
lovingly yours,
(your other Dad & Mom )
Bob and Marti
Ps. 37
Dec. 73 

Lots of memories connected with Bob and Marti and Spokane
Very Grateful ! 

Kathleen

                       Kathleen and Me 

We were friends since the 60's .  Roommates in Oak Park. 
 What fun times, and different.
 Life was different so long ago.
We  were only together for about a year  but for me, many  lifelong friendships.

Conference time in Des Moines


She started to call  herself my little sister
two Kathleens in one family
too much fun 

A few years later I got married and then with our kids we took a trip out East. Our kids loved Kathleen, she spoiled them like they were her own nieces and nephew.

We caught  up from time to time
a reunion in Oak Park, hosted by Russ and Sharon Caforio

Ice cream at  Peterson's
A trip down memory lane
Where was Norm? 

  ( our final night was at the nearby hotel - Kathleen and me - we jumped on the bed )


When her nephew Todd got married, we were together again - fun time with her sister in law Joanne Keisling.  - Kathleen and me - we jumped on the bed )

Mostly phone calls since then . She always wanted to know how our friend Fran Erisman was getting along  Our Oak Park memories  helped to keep us connected.

The message that came from her sister was so shocking, so unexpected.   I could not find the words to respond, except to say that I would be praying.  
 My eyes were swimming.

And I have been praying and knowing how much her family is hurting.
and me,
I am hurting
I did not get to say goodbye


One day we will be together again...soon, I think