a Rose at the end of its life -- is still beautiful

Checking the box

We’ve had instant coffee for years. Instant oatmeal, microwave popcorn and meals. Today we have instant music , instant TV shows, and instant movies. I still love the wait for, anticipate, look forward to, is today the day – my order is in the mailbox. Part of the fun is the anticipation because our minds and attitude are as much of an experience as the actual experience. I like surprises. I understand though, that (especially the females of our species) there is great joy and happiness in planning, researching, hoping for and anticipating a joyful event. Yes receiving a CD in the mail is a joyful event, small one, but joyful none the less. Part of living a content life is to not become jaded and enjoy the little things like a child does.

I do not remember if it started with us , or the grandchildren, but Mom would make a simple chain out of construction paper and hang it on the wall. Our birthday was 20 days away ? 20 links in the chain. Each morning we would cut a link of the chain. As the chain became shorter, our joy would become greater. What a great idea. So when you can not wait for that birthday, vacation or Christmas day to arrive – make a chain (mental and/or physical) . It will increase the pleasure and joy of the event.

Mom's Face

Judy, my wife of almost 33 years took some students to Austin.
They went on the Austin ghost tour which began at the Moonshine Cafe. When she returned home she said that I did not even know what I had taken  a picture of,  of course I did not. After returning from the tour,  a picture I took of the moon appeared on her screen saver and she said that your Mom's face is in it. I looked , and was taken aback. It was Mom's face. Mom passed away Jan 17, 2011 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  It is one of the pictures I have framed in our living room. Sitting in the chair , looking at the photo, it is the perfect angle to view the image.

 Here  is the picture - I have outlined the image .

I admit I am comforted by the image. Here is a photo of my mother and father.

Thank you mom for looking down on me. I love you and miss you.

Just Startiing

Shaylynn has inspired me. I will give blogging a go. You can look at her blog at
http://oxfordimpressions.blogspot.com/