Reflective time alone

I have discovered that to remain productive over the long haul I have to balance busy times with downtime. In order to do that I have had to create space in my schedule for personal reflection, time to think about life. This is easily done while riding in the car, LaVern is driving of course. I close my eyes and allow myself some time to daydream, to review my priorities and mull over the events of that day. This time taken refreshes my spirit and allows me to step back and look at the bigger picture. Sometimes of an evening I will brew a cup of tea, curl up in my chair and sit quietly, reflecting. What is important to you? Spend some reflective time alone!

Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.....Saint John of the Cross

Horno, Earth ovens

While in New Mexico we noticed that all of the Native Americans had either one or two Hornos. These are beehive shaped adobe ovens. They use them to bake bread and just about everything else. LaVern has always had an interest in building one so after we got home we started researching alittle. Once again with the internet we have found thousands of web sights, videos and ideas. This is a picture of an earth oven which is probably what we will build as there isn't adobe in Iowa! We do, however have clay soil. I think it would be a perfect place to cook the Thanksgiving turkey!!

Independent thinker

Think for yourself. Going along with the crowd can seem easy at first, but it may lead you down a wrong road. This is difficult sometimes living in a small rural town. The easier route would be to just agree with the "home" crowd and not "make waves". I have found that it is much simpler to live by my own convictions than to imitate someone else's style. Granted I am sure that alot of people think me wierd, different, "out there" but I know myself. God gave me a good mind and I am going to use it. I would much rather be an independent thinker who is willing to choose simple values over sophisticated, heated arguments. Nothing to be gained there.
Choose the company you want to keep. Positive, energetic and fun people. It has been said that our life is what our thoughts make it. My days are full of joy.

Adventures

While back in Iowa last weekend we had 4 of our 7 grandchildren with us. My mom asked me what we "did". I guess she thought with no electricity there would be nothing to do. Here is the short list of our activities:
1) Made sand castles in the sand pile
2) fished in the pond with cane poles
3) Played dominoes in the evening
4) Explored the fields
5) Drew pictures and colored
6) Walked barefoot in the mud
7) Played twistie on the rope swing in the huge cottonwood tree
8) Caught frogs and catipillars
9) Climbed hay bales in the barn
10)Chased cats
11) Visited several Amish country stores and saw horses and buggies

The list goes on. Didn't have enough days to do everything! Here is a great hint if you have kids that like to draw. Go to your local newspaper and buy an "end roll" of paper. Not expensive, probably a couple bucks. I have a big long table in the kitchen so I stretched a big piece of this paper across the entire table, set the kids up to the table with colored pencils and crayons and they had a blast. They thought it was way cool and you end up with a mural when they are done! I dumped the crayons and pencils on the table so no fights. Great, cheap fun!

Late bloomer

A late blooming adult is a person who does not discover their talents and abilities until later than normally expected. In certain cases, the individual may be as old as 83, and retirement may lead to this discovery. How long does a person have to be called a "late bloomer"? Is there a deadline? For me, the drive to be myself, to use what I've got inside, sent me on a path that was more down to earth. That is why now I can sit at home on one of my free days and indulge in new creativities. There are not too many plump, pleasant, middle-aged women who take up Native American flute playing, for instance. Or decide to start running again at the age of 58. I feel like I have only just begun experiencing new things. And why not? Carve out some space for your passions! Spend time learning a new hobby. Tomorrow I am going to experience reiki attunement.

Just keepin it simple

I like to think that I am just keepin it simple but most would describe this as a "redneck hot tub"!! Back on the farm and needing a break. Found the clawfoot tub overturned down in the "south 40". Don't know how it got there but appeared to be useful so with the help of our son Ross, a little wagon and the riding lawn mower, we brought it up. The clawfeet were gone so we had to prop it up on cement blocks. Put a cast iron, two burner camp stove underneath and hooked up the propane. In short time I had nice hot water and a great view. It has been a long time since I just laid around, thinking of nothing........pondering the air. Blue sky with rolling white clouds and frogs singing in the pond. It just doesn't get any better than this. It is what I would describe as "simple living".

JOY

I have been asked several times about my heading, particular the Take Joy. The only way to have true joy is to remember to put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. J-O-Y
Some people have y-o-J, putting themselves first and Jesus last. Others just have y-o and too many people with just y. My purpose in life is to smile alot, sing God's praises and have JOY. Smile and pass it on...............JOY