Happy to See Me

Happy Day 59

Baby James loves me and makes my heart so happy. 

Shannon Street Memories

Happy Day 58

My grandparents lived at 1340 Shannon Street - a happy, magical place. I loved visiting and have happy memories of crumpets, sour dough waffles, Beep, Winder Dairy milk, and my grandparents who really loved me.  I loved all the big old trees, piles and piles of fallen leaves and horse chestnuts. Their color is perfect and I love to stop and gather them. Funny how such little things bring back a flood of memories. 

We were lucky to purchase their home and enjoyed thirteen wonderful years of happiness. Camelot. Holly was nine months when we moved from our State Street apartment "on up to the east side". Over the years I brought home five more babies, my angels from Heaven - Camille, Melissa, Jessica Marguerite, Anne Elizabeth and David Eugene. Shannon Street- Irish and lucky. 

We were so blessed and happy. 

Brilliance

Happy Day 57

Fun morning hike to Wire Mountain. Leaves, mountains, vistas and friends are absolutely brilliant. Grateful. 

A Good Heart

Happy Day 56

I read this book in the spring, before it was announced the 2014 Pulitizer Prize winner. I have been thinking about it today and grateful I know that no matter the state of mind or heart, we always have agency. We can choose a good heart-placing God, faith and family above one's self. I'm grateful for good choices, even when they have been hard. 

I'm grateful for covenants and promises kept. I'm grateful for self-control and respect. I'm grateful for truth and the blessing of an eternal perspective. I'm grateful not to be tossed to and fro on the winds of worldly self-indulgence. At the same time, I'm so sad for those who willfully cast themselves into the fire. 

"Only here's what I really, really want someone to explain to me. What if one happens to be possessed of a heart that can't be trusted--? What if the heart, for its own unfathomable reasons, leads one willfully and in a cloud of unspeakable radiance away from health, domesticity, civic responsibility and strong social connections and all the blandly-held common virtues and instead straight toward a beautiful flare of ruin, self-immolation, disaster?...If your deepest self is singing and coaxing you straight toward the bonfire, is it better to turn away? Stop your ears with wax? Ignore all the perverse glory your heart is screaming at you? Set yourself on the course that will lead you dutifully towards the norm, reasonable hours and regular medical check-ups, stable relationships and steady career advancement the New York Times and brunch on Sunday, all with the promise of being somehow a better person? Or...is it better to throw yourself head first and laughing into the holy rage calling your name?"

     Donna Tartt

Best of all he loved the Fall

Happy Day 55

“Best of all he loved the fall
The leaves yellow on the cottonwoods
Leaves floating on the trout streams
And above the hills
The high blue windless skies
Now he will be a part of them forever"

Ernest Hemingway aptly expressed my feelings for this season - such a glorious time of year.

 I savor these beautiful fall days, cool nights, brisk mornings, pumpkins , brilliant leaves, bulb planting, harvesting, running, crunching leaves beneath my feet, cozy clothes, comfort food, change, a fresh start, new beginnings...

Rise to the Occasion.

Happy Day 54

Matt and Holly treated me to a delicious soufflé lunch at the French restaurant, Rise, a wonderful Dalllas favorite of Laura Bush.  I ordered the cookbook, "Rise to the Occasion" and look forward to cooking  my first soufflé. 

I've enjoyed a wonderful week in Dallas with the Mathisons. It is fun to be a part of their busy lives, filled with so many good things. 

"Rise to the Occasion" - my new mantra. This is my season of testing but know "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." 

    Philippians 4:13

Older and Wiser?

Happy Day 53

This morning was quiet and a bit lonely as I ran through beautiful Highland Park. Old homes and old neighborhoods are my favorite - new just can't compare. Preservation of old homes is becoming a thing of the past as is preservation of our Judeo-Christian laws, ethics and sense of morality. 

We lose so much - history and traditions, time honored values and firm foundations - as old is tossed aside and replaced with new and trendy.  Older and wiser?  I hope so. 

                   Dallas Country Club