Category Archives: people

Jan1

Reflections

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Missouri is experiencing a winter blast on this New Year’s Day.  Daydreaming about sunny days at Hilton Head Island (October 2010) and Valhalla on Island Lake in Minnesota (July 2011) … wishing to be in warmth and sunshine … I reflect where 2011 went and where 2012 is going like the sunrise and sunset …

Sunrise at the Cabana

 

Valhalla Sunset

Birthdays, holidays, a graduation, and homecoming court were celebrated with family and friends.  These are frequent with 6 children, 5 grandkids, 2 sets of parents, 5 siblings, 6 neices & nephews, grandparents, and old & new friends.  But one celebration was bittersweet. The life of my 95-year grandmother was celebrated at her memorial service in August.  Grandma Paula’s  last Christmas, she is pictured with Grandpa Earl, our youngest 5th generation grandson, Eli and his mommy, Rachel .

 For 9 months in 2011 Dean and I were apprentices for an organic farm called EarthDance Farms in Ferguson, Missouri. We enjoyed it so much that will do more than same as “sophomore farmies”. We purchased our very own greenhouse so we can play in the dirt even more.  Here is a photo of Dean & I as Santa & Mrs. Claus for Ferguson’s 4th of July Parade themed “Christmas in July”.  We celebrated our nation’s  freedom with our EarthDance friends before the Minnesota vacation to Valhalla to see old friends.   My 33 & 1/3 high school reunion came in September, and Rainer’s homecoming court in October.

“A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the friends he chooses.”  Proverbs 21:19

So glad my husband is my best friend, and together we choose good company.

Dec29

Like Blooms From A Potted Geranium

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“Change is here to stay”, and we as people are constantly changing.  Like blooms from a potted geranium.  Each opens from a bud.  And then dies to make way for more growth.  Growth is what makes me “me”.  Hopefully, we evaluate our identity on a regular basis. I know I do. I do this with conversation with friends, family, acquaintances, or the new person I just met. Also, I spend quiet time in thought and prayer about who I am and my purpose on earth. But more than anything, my identity is found in how I serve those around me. Busy wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, wellness administrator, culinary professional, instructor, and farmer; serving in all those capacities. I have many blooms on my potted plant.  How about you?

Dec28

Living Green Things

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I want to be in my greenhouse today, but instead I need to be at my office.  I have a few green things growing near my desk.  They are green reminders of the living earth opposingly different than the fax, copier, laptop, printer, and phone system made of hard plastic and metal screws.  My co-worker dubs each of our plants with a name  characterized by who gave it.  I have a beautiful arrowhead philodenren named “Brian” after my ex library co-worker who give this to me 8 years ago. Three out of 5 ladies enjoy the living green things in the office.  Yesterday I welcomed a red-leaf philodenren we named “Peggy” after the lady Dean & I bought the greenhouse from.  I need the oxygen my plants provide and the pleasures of seeing living green things 24/7.  Friends forever …