Category Archives: Light Hearted Living…

The Reason

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The Reason for the Project

This tile was the reason for the slow project we undertook…

We’ve been in our house for four years. Love living here and love how much time we can spend outdoors. Like any house you move into, there are projects needing attention. Initially, we focused much of our attention on outside areas. In the house, there were a few things we couldn’t wait to change; and a few other things we didn’t like, but didn’t know what we wanted to do. The guest bathroom fell into that category. 

What we had before any changes

Today, I can say that I’m glad we took our time with this project. Our house is older, so some features are older. Hahaha. The guest bathroom had not been updated in years. You can see from the before photo what I mean. 

Yet, I loved the tile in the bathroom and did not want to sacrifice it for a remodel project. My preference for the tile made the process slow. It also meant we would have to live with the existing cabinetry. Now that we are on the backside of the redo, I’m glad we went slowly. 

Hubby hated the old shower doors. Removing them allowed us to feel like the existing tub was workable. We each hated how the drop ceiling light box made us feel like the ceiling was right on top of our head. Removing the box and exposing the lights created the need to find something suitable. We are both suckers for lighting. So, the quest for lights was a fun part of hunting down materials for the bathroom. Tom cut out the existing sinks and found drop-in sinks to fill the holes and which allowed us to keep the tile counter tops. 

We both found the wall of mirror to be too much. Finding a pair of mirrors to replace the wall took longer than we expected. 

Paint colors were picked out, and the room was transformed. With all the major replacements done, the bathroom was shaping up. Yet the cabinets looked so old. I painted and antiqued them. Though it is said, this decorating trend is outdated, we have laughed. It may be outdated, but it is much more current than what we had. 

Completed transformation

By taking our time, we ended up with a unique bathroom to enjoy for years.  

Joy

Light Hearted Living..., , , , , , ,

Summer is running,
already running away
It just arrived…

We spent a day at the county fair,
what a day it was

On a whim 
we entered the Butterfly Farm exhibit
Enclosed environment filled with 
beautiful
fragil
graceful
free
curios
butterflies

And people
All captivated or standing in awe

Numerous varieties of butterflies
each with their own colors and markings,
different species were drawn to various colors

They were emboldened and landed on whatever drew their attention.
The people moved among these winged creatures.
Enchanted by their movement,
their color,
their beauty.

We left the butterflies
Enjoyed other exhibits
Went out to dinner with friends
Returned home, contented

Reflection afterwards
brought the realization
most were smiling in this butterfly environment.
Leaving one wondering 
when and where was the last time so many people were visibly happy?
why does it not happen more frequently?

Yes, we left the butterflies
yet a part of their spirit remains within me.
I say,
Bring on the butterflies!

Returning

Light Hearted Living..., , , , ,

March was a whirlwind.

Weather changes
Time adjustments
Traveling adventures
House projects
Some quiet downtime

Midwest adventures.
Just a few photos…

Orchids and fun

Celebrating 95 years around the sun. Still looking good!

Traveling is fun, but so is returning home.

Last night we went to the theatre to see Tartuffe. 

It has been years since I’ve seen a Moliere play.

What a treat!
I’d forgotten how timeless his work is.

Kudos to North Coast Repertory Theatre for doing such outstanding work with this masterpiece.

Handstamp

Light Hearted Living..., , , , ,

A weekend at the shore

Seemingly at the very edge of the world,

Steps from the deck descend the rocks

Then end.

High tide rolls in

Obliterating the bottom steps

And sand below.

Waves crash upon the rocks

Spraying high into the air

Then dropping on the deck

before returning to the sea.

Other waves role in splashing against the house.

The tide recedes

and the ever-constant cycle repeats.

The sun comes up and then,

The sun goes down with

God’s majesty on full display…

As his hand stamp sunset ends each blue day.

February Sunset at San Clemente

In Between

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The Beginning

Dinner in Milwaukee

Stage set for five days of non-stop activity.

Trip was planned around a family wedding.

Sister provided our resting location.

Visited with as many family and friends as time allowed.

Good times and memories abounded.

Last sight in Milwaukee

The Ending

Thanksgiving 2021…

Light Hearted Living..., , ,

Our second in this house

Much different from the first

When we shared a simple meal alone

This year–

Family, food and laughter filled the house

More food than we needed

Laughter abounded

Memories to savor

Traditions from years past

Introduced with new foods and different stories

For 2021, this event is over

Yet, the memories linger

Thanksgiving 2021

Seven Dwarfs Humor

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Storm Clouds

Nothing else matters more than sharing kind thoughts with friends and those you care about. Let me tell you a few reasons why. Friends carry one another burdens. Friends make friends laugh. And friends make life fun. I have friends scattered around the globe and they enrich my life. I’m the connection point in this story that spans three countries. I hope the story stretches even farther.

It all began as the result of a writing prompt from an Irish group I’m part of. They gave us about 10 minutes to answer the following question.

If you were one of the seven dwarfs, which one would you be?

My initial reaction. Ugh. What am I going to write?

Then the words flowed. I read, and to my amazement, the group laughed.

The next day, I was chatting with an overseas friend, suffering from the effects of COVID, and she stated she knew she was grumpy, and hated feeling so. I offered to share what I written, hoping she’d find humor in the piece.

What I received back was totally unexpected. It was delightful and left me laughing. My husband, not wanting to be left out of the humor, read both pieces and joined me in the laughter.

Words are so powerful. If you can share something which will lighten another person’s burden—I encourage you to do so.

Here are the two pieces. If you have a response to either, please leave a comment.

Who knows what type of dialog we may get going here…

The prompt:

If you were one of the seven dwarfs, which one would you be?

Today, I would be GRUMPY. You know how they say one gets up on the wrong side of the bed? How can that be? I share my bed, which means I only have ONE side to get up from. If I’m GRUMPY today, and only have one side to get up from, does that mean I’ll be GRUMPY again tomorrow, and the day after?

I can’t bear the thought of having the name GRUMPY hung around my neck. It feels like a two ton weight. Carrying this burden around continues to wear me down.

“Get outa my way! Can’t you see? I’ve got a load to carry and you’re making my work harder than it needs to be.”

“Don’t you smile at me! There’s nothing to be happy about today.”

“You. You, over there… Stop talking about me. You’d be GRUMPY too if you had to lug this rock around with no one to help you.”

“Don’t go telling me what to do. I’ve gotta mind of my own.”

“When will this terrible day end? …and who else is going to show up thinking they can tell me what to do.”

“What’s wrong with this porridge? It isn’t sweet, and it has lumps in it?”

“Time for bed again already?”

“Hey you. Shut off the lights and shut up your mouth. I wanta get some sleep.”

The response:

Hi, I am GRUMPY this week and I am told Covid is responsible for that bad feeling. I have been SNEEZY, SLEEPY, DOPEY and DOC too. I was so HAPPY to talk to you again today, but when I am better, I think I will be my old self BASHFUL again xx

All the dwarfs loved your poem and amazed you got that out in a few minutes. Thank you for sharing it with me, love from BASHFUL xx

–by Sony Gordon-Farleigh

Still learning…

Light Hearted Living..., , , ,
Fall 2021

Almost a year of tending a rose garden

No prior experience

Gaging water and fertilizer needs

Spraying insects

Pruning for shape and plant health

Always guessing

Questioning decisions

You think you have learned

Then the seasons change 

So do the needs of the plants

Sigh!

Cooler temperatures arrived

Buds abound

First cutting this season

I know way more than last year

Yet know there is more to learn.

A Morning in My Life

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…By Shamu

I uncurl from my sleep and stretch, allowing my front paws to touch your arm. You’re still sound asleep and I’m hungry. I knead on your arm, but you just roll away. That will never do. I stretch a few more times and jump to my feet and come up by your face. I butt my head against yours. With groggy eyes you glance at me and rub my ears. Still you don’t arise. I decide you must be told what to do, so I start to talk to you.

“Oh, Shamu, why do you insist on such early mornings? Okay. I’ll get up.”

You slowly grab your robe to head downstairs. I’m way ahead of you, talking all the way. You set out fresh food for me then fix your coffee. I pick at my food, then saunter around the kitchen looking out the patio door. I know you’ll never let me outside. How I would like to get out, but only if you’ll come with me. 

Waiting for you
…by Felicia Marie

I stretch out on the couch and watch you until you come and also sit on the couch. I roll over and approach to sit on your lap. You know I want to be close to you, but you never sit still for very long. 

Your daughter arrives, and I approach her. She will pick me up and cuddle with me. I purr and butt my head against her. She’s grand and I love her, but you are still my preference. 

In Charge
….by Felicia Marie