Falling for Fall all over again...

My favorite time of year is almost here.  I love the cooler temperatures, the journey of the setting sun across the horizon hinting at shorter days ahead.  I love the sweaters, the warm socks, the cocoa and tea in the evening, throws on every chair to curl up and get comfy.  I love the changing leaves, the fall rain and early frost on the lawn.  And of course, pumpkin EVERYTHING!  The colors are breathtaking!

I love the Halloween and fall decorations already being set out at Dollar Tree, and you know they're making room for tinsel and lights to follow close behind.  Memories of fun Halloweens with my kids and their costumes pop into the front of my mind. And actual 'trick or treating'.  Yes, it was a real thing!  My birthday is in October - another year of grace and blessings for which to be grateful!  

But for me it's got to be Thanksgiving that fills my heart with the greatest anticipation and excitement!  I love it most of all!  As a child, we had the most amazing Thanksgivings with family.  Sometimes they were in Missouri, and sometimes at our home.  But they were epic.  At least in my mind that's how I remember them.  They were simple and humble, but filled with the love of family.  The menu was the typical fare you'd expect and always included Mama's homemade egg noodles and "idiot's delight".  I have my own version of a similar side dish called "pink stuff".  It's at every family gathering.  Every. Single. One.  We made an 'orange' version of it this year and it was a real hit!  So pink might have to change to orange for Thanksgiving this year. 

Typically, I tend to get a little nostalgic around this time of year and this year is no exception.  But there's a lot of change that's happened for us recently and I can't help but feel clinging to the familiar is a mechanism of processing through it all.  Oh, the change isn't bad - but different is still different.  Our days are a lot less hectic and a lot more restful - something we've both been needing for a very long time!  And I'm grateful for it all. 

I feel our lives are a little like a tree.  We are created from a seed, we need the proper tending to grow and mature.  We experience the seasons of life.  Each one different from the other, but at our core we bear the marks of past years within us, like the rings of growth on the tree. We weather the storms of life and yes! they sometimes can change us forever. The wind, the rain, the ice and snows of life.  After many years, our exterior shows the season of change.  Hair color, a few more wrinkles, etc.  But even the old tree still bears the wisdom of its lifetime and isn't useless.  Its canopy can shade the young shoots under it from the blazing sun and allow it to grow and mature to some day take the place of the other.  We are still a part of the circle of life that takes place year after year.  

We don't know the length of this life we live, but each day should be treasured as a precious gem, whatever season it may be for us.  Because it is.   May you be blessed, and may you gratefully appreciate the gift that is today. 

Until next time......

kellie 

 

I am who I am

'Embrace it, it's inevitable,' they said.  I never thought the day would come, but it finally did about a year or so ago.  I just got tired of coloring (my hair) and I got tired of how it was really looking 'un-natural' when I did.  

Oh, and I thought I'd hate it when all the 'color' grew out.  But guess what?  I 💓💓💓 it. 

I love it because it is who I am today, and represents the gift that I have been given of still being here on this earth.  

Last year --- and I guess I've been in denial about it --- I almost wasn't.  Here anymore, that is.  And in the last 2 weeks, two gentlemen (both exactly my age) we knew and used to hang out with when our families were younger have passed from this life.  One from a battle with cancer, and one from covid.  Life is such a fragile and precious thing.  Way too precious to worry about fake hair color.

Yes, I finally reached that point that happiness doesn't come from a bottle of hair color.  But not just that.  I'm what you would call a 'woman of size' - and a short one at that (!).  But I'm healthy.  I've tried to change that, but it isn't easy.  I'm not saying I've given up, but it's a lot less a priority than it used to be.  God doesn't love me any less because my hair is turning white, or I buy my clothes from the size above L/XL......

We've just begun a pretty significant life-changing event this month, and there may be even more change in the near future.  But it's all good change!  I'm ready.  Take my life, Lord Jesus, and lead me where You wish me to go.  I will follow.  With my white hair and my XL sized capris, I will follow You.  Always.  

In Christ and Mary's love

kellie

                                

Step back

 This morning’s swim presented a good reminder: When you’re in the light, it is sometimes hard to appreciate it. You got to step back, and take in all the beauty you’ve been given.

Just something I wanted to remember.  Words and photo belong to my son. 

It's so true though.  Sometimes we have to step back to see things from another perspective.  There are times to be in the thick of it and concentrate on the micro-particles - but we can sometimes benefit greatly by looking at the bigger picture.  

Until next time, kellie 

Grace in the mess ~ A journal entry

Good afternoon dear friends.  I hope all is well with your soul.  Here's a little snapshot of the goings on (or lack of) here at Terra Dulcis this fine Sunday afternoon.  It is the feast of Corpus Christi.  (The actual feast is the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, but it was celebrated at Mass today.)  We were blessed to have a short procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament through the Church today as well.   

Currently I'm listening to:  

**the click of keys; 

**the blowing of the cool air coming from the AC unit (it's getting a little muggy today);

 **and --------- well, that's it.  I'm sitting in the living room with only the outside light pouring into the front door.  Allie's sleeping on the cool tile at the entryway, her favorite spot.  A few minutes ago, she was snoring her head off, but has since woke up, shifted her position and is dozing off again.  

Wearing:  

** long jean shorts and a really pretty dark blue dressy blouse which I wore this morning. I do hate to say it, but blue really is my color.  My eyes generally turn whatever color of blue I'm wearing and just pop!

Praying for:

** just about everything - but specifically I just finished the 30 days of prayer challenge for my husband.  It was both challenging and wonderful!

** a friend whose cancer is becoming more aggressive

** the priests who celebrate the TLM / EF (traditional Latin Mass) at our parish, and our Deacon.  They are extraordinary men and we are so grateful for their dedication to their vocations and our Latin Mass community.  The Deacon also preaches sermons and prepares our youth for the Sacraments.  We are having Confirmation at our parish in August.  I'm so grateful for both our clergy and our amazing Parish families.  

** All of mine and my husband's siblings.  We have both lost siblings over the last several years - so I'm praying for both the living and the dead.  We miss the presence of Pam, Robert, Jack, Frances and Baron among us.  I pray for my 3 sisters who have lost their husbands, and my sister whose husband is ill.  

** My children (5), their spouses (3 are married), my 14 grands.  I pray they stay strong and faithful as the world around us becomes more and more challenging.  

** Prayers of overwhelming gratitude for a private intention.  

Pondering:  

** all the above; the future; some possible changes in the near future

** this world is not our home, but is but a journey to our true home

Current project:

I've always got something in the basket by my mama-bear chair.  Normally, I don't like this much color change (every row!!) but I do love how this easy and fast pattern works up.  

What's cooking?

**Well, tonight I'm doing good ole' fashioned burgers on the grill.  I do love cooking outside, although I really love it when one of the guys does the grilling for me.  Then, I'll pop some french fries in the NuWave air fryer I recently got at a yard sale.  I'm lovin' that thing!  It made the best darn cherry pie I've ever had in my life.  Where has this thing been all my life!  

** the rest of the week?  eh...... we'll just have to see.  

Looking forward: 

**See above (*) a private intention; 

**getting in some swim time with my BFFs this summer.  One friend and I rock the BeeGees and do water aerobics to the music.  She does laps and I dog paddle from one end to the other.  The crazy thing is I've been in the water all my adult life, but I really don't know how to actually swim.  Not SWIM, swim. 

** Family visiting this summer.  There is a distinct possibility all children and grands will be here at the same time.  This has never happened.  I'm being cautiously optimistic...

That will be one shin-dig and lots and lots of pictures will be absolutely obligatory. 

Well, there are pups to feed and preparations to be made for getting back to work tomorrow.  And I've gotta get that grill ready for some grub. 

Until next time ~ Toto corde meo (with all my heart) 💖

kellie

Panem nostrum

 

Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie. 

                                               Give us this day, our daily bread.   

That line stuck me yesterday at Mass. I know that sounds ridiculous.  It isn't the first time I've heard it! I call it Divine inspiration - and of course, it was the great Feast of Pentecost.  I also call it a moment of clarity.  I've been having those lately, thanks be to God.  

It's a reminder to me to not get too far ahead of myself.  I'm a worrier by nature.  My sister and I joke we worry enough for the rest of the family.  If you want something worried about, we'll add it to our list to free up your day!  But all joking aside, worrying gets you no where!  "Pray, hope and don't worry" St. Padre Pio reminds us.  

I have come to the realization that 'daily bread' isn't just the food we eat.  It isn't just that we have food - we need food to live of course.  These words taught to us by our Blessed Lord Himself are reinforcing to us (daily) that He will provide.  In fact, we must remember this is the ONLY prayer Jesus taught us during his ministry to be prayed by all the faithful.  It isn't a very wordy prayer, but is it ever packed with meaning.......every line.  Every. Word.  His Word.  

Our daily bread means that for this very day our thoughts may be peaceful.

Our daily bread means that for this very day our anxieties and fears may be calmed. 

Our daily bread means that for this very day our faith remains strong.

Our daily bread means that for this very day we may manfully endure any discomfort, pain or inconvenience for Jesus's sake.

Our daily bread means that for this very day we may forgive others and ask to be forgiven of our shortcomings. 

Our daily bread means that for this very day we need to feed our intellect and soul with God's holy word and prayer.  

And most importantly, Our daily bread means that when we can, we should receive the Most Blessed Sacrament in Holy Communion.  It is our spiritual food which our souls need for nourishment and grace.  

Being mindful to pray for our daily bread doesn't mean we don't think about tomorrow.  Of course we are mindful always of tomorrow.  But tomorrow isn't here....today.  Today we only have this very day.  

Remember, Christian Soul 

Remember, Christian soul, that thou has this day, and every day of thy life: God to glorify.
Jesus to imitate.
A soul to save.
A body to mortify.
Sins to repent of.
Virtues to acquire.
Hell to avoid.
Heaven to gain.
Eternity to prepare for.
Time to profit by.
Neighbors to edify.
The world to despise.
Devils to combat.
Passions to subdue.
Death, perhaps, to suffer.
Judgment to undergo.

This is the day the Lord hath made ~ let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Until next time, Be the Light!  Kellie

I almost missed it .....

It was one of those posts you might just scroll over quickly and miss.  But something brought me back to it.  Not 'something' in fact.  Divine intervention might be more correct.  

             'Pick someone and pray for them for 30 days.' 

Easy peasy, right?  I mean, say a prayer for someone for 30 days and you don't even have to tell them about it.  Just pray.  It sounded like an easy enough suggestion.  So I liked the post and silently committed my decision to do just that. 

But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself for a minute.  Let me explain.  Boy, this is kind of hard.  It's embarrassing.  Ok, just out with it.  Like ripping off the band-aid.  I have a hard time at private prayer sometimes.  There.  It's said. I mean, I'm great when it comes to praying with others, like the rosary with Tommy or at Mass.  But at home at private prayer, sometimes I can't stay focused.  I'm easily distracted and my mind has way too many tabs open at the same time.  Or I'm constantly making lists of tomorrow's demands while trying to prioritize their importance.  

It's probably not just me.  And I don't like this about myself at all.   However, that innocent suggestion couldn't have been more perfectly placed in my path.   Of course I have prayed my entire adult life.  There have been seasons of progress and seasons of regression as well.  But once I had set my mind to praying for a specific person -- and made the commitment for 30 days --it has begun to allow me to focus in a way I haven't been able to for a long time.  

It's almost as if I feel that if I slack off, it isn't fair to my 'person'.  And while it is anonymously, I feel a sense of obligation to the person and to God to finish what I started.  The need----the drive---- to begin the prayers each day is so uplifting and comforting.  And while I originally just planned to say a few memorized prayers, I've begun offering a holy hour for their intentions, bringing in some of my older prayer books, even singing hymns.  

It wasn't too long ago, this problem of distraction was even brought up in confession.  And what Father replied was very encouraging.  He said we all get distracted, even him!  But he also said we are somewhat like the animal tethered to a post.  He might go in circles, but he will never wander off.  In prayer, we might circle the post we're tethered to, but if we keep circling we won't wander too far away.  We'll always return to prayer, our tether.  It might come in dribs and drabbles, but eventually we'll return.  

Who knew a little post on face-book could give me just the incentive I needed to start this journey.  I needed a new perspective, to look at prayer for the complete benefit of someone other than myself and my needs.  I'm grateful for this change of perspective at this particular time.  I look forward to the next few weeks and have a feeling I might just be picking a 2nd person and start it all over again.  Praise God.  

Until next time, Kellie   

 

 

Porch sittin'

 

Who else loves just sittin' out on the porch?  Not being on your phone, not on laptop.  Just sittin'. 

It's good to sit quietly occasionally and just ponder.  Ponderin' can take some time, so don't rush it. 

Make it a point to do a little porch sittin' and ponderin' on a regular basis.  It's the best minutes of the day; and never a waste of time. 

Live fully, forgive when you need to and be at peace.  Until next time.  Kellie