I believe in angels. I believe they are all around us and want to help us. All we need to do is ask. I love it when I’m out on my walks and I see a feather. Yes, I know they’re from birds, but I often think it is also a reminder that my angels are near. Always present, protecting, guiding, and loving. So the next time you see a feather….remember, you too, have angels around you. Make sure to whisper a prayer of “thanks.” ?

Are you a “I’m Drowning” or “I’m still afloat” kind of person? I’m trying desperately to grab onto the floating idea. It sounds better. Feels better. Even if my head is just above the waterline, I’m still afloat. Even if it bobs under now and again, I’m still afloat. I’m not going under, yet. I may never. So, I’m still afloat and I am going to celebrate it. Finding the positive in a crazy world is what I like to do. Celebrate friends, even if you’re bobbing up and down in the waterline…you’re still afloat!

I lost my sole…..literally….

These beautiful old hiking boots took me places. So many places. This is my thank you….

Thank you hiking boots…our very first adventure was on the cross island trek on Rarotonga, Cook Islands. I have memories of Pa, a lunch along a river, jumping from the rocks, and mosquitos.

Thank you for taking me on so many wonderful and scenic hikes on Mt. Rainier. The beauty of Spray Falls, the wonder of Carbon Glacier, Mowich Lake, and Paradise to name only a few. We hiked in drenching rain, blasting sunshine, and cold winter snow.

Thank you for taking me along beaches in Washington, Oregon, and California. For getting me across salted lakes, rushing rivers, and peaceful rain forests. The memories are rich and full of nature.

I am so grateful for the 23 years we had together. Now, I will find a new pair of hiking shoes. I hope they last 23 years. I hope they take me places all over the world. I am already looking forward to the next adventures.(Edit)

After a year and a half of COVID teaching, I got to go back to work this week with all students on campus. It was a joy to see them all so excited to return to school. So many students wearing new shoes, backpacks, and ready to learn. Parents were just as excited as the students too. Teachers, students and parents wore masks but at least they were all at school.

I’m so excited to be back in person! I’m completely worn out though…emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Just a reminder to be kind to the educators in your world. They are working hard and give all they have to make a difference every day in children’s lives. Teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, librarians, custodians, lunch personnel, administrators…..it takes a lot of amazing people to make the school a wonderful place for students. Do me a favor and thank someone at your school this next week. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.

I absolutely love cloud art. I often see images and other times I just see beautiful cloud creations that sometimes takes my breath away. One of the best thing about cloud art is it changes quickly. One minute you can see a turtle and then the next it becomes a duck. I’m sharing two images today with you of cloud art. I know what I see in them. What do you see?

I hope that you take the time to look up and see the beautiful art display above us. It is such a gift and it can do wonders for your soul.

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s about the journey and life is meant to be treasured. Time is precious so enjoy the moments. Stop to look at the flowers, go for a walk, have an adventure, and most importantly, spend time with those that matter to you. All you have to do is slow down.

Slowing down is exactly how I spent my July. I spent time with my husband, friends, walked, smelled flowers, and went on an adventure. Yes, all month long. I took the time to enjoy all life has to offer with absolutely no regrets. I made memories.

The choice is yours. Slow down and enjoy all life has to offer or race through life too busy and too tired to enjoy this beautiful world. As always, the choice is yours to make. I choose slowing down. It’s much more peaceful and satisfying. Try it!

Wishes….we all have them. We all make them. We all hope for them. The best part is some wishes come true. So be careful what you wish for. Believe in what you wish for. Make sure it’s worthwhile. So, go ahead, close your eyes and make a wish. My wish is that your wish comes true. ?

Change.

It is the ONE sure thing in life.

What starts out one way inevitably changes. We need to be okay with change. We need to accept it. We actually need to celebrate it. As I watch my son and daughter grow into adults, I see big change coming my way. Rather than feel sad because my children are grown, I find myself embracing the change. I am excited to see them spread their wings. It isn’t always easy, but I believe in them and their futures. As for me, I’m relishing more time to pursue my interests. More time with friends. More time with the love of my life, my husband.

Change. It’s going to happen. It’s entirely up to you how you accept it. My suggestion, embrace it. Change can be beautiful.

There’s so much happening right now. There are good and great parts. Then there are the parts that tie my stomach in knots and cause chaos in my brain.

I’m not exactly sure when these knots will untie or if they will only draw tighter. I just know the knots are there. Yanking. Pulling. Taunting.

We all have knots to varying degrees. I’m just hopeful that sometime, I’ll be knot free and my whole brain can focus on the really great parts happening in my life, not the knots.

Different paths. Different choices.

Whatever path you choose, sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes you can’t see it at all. Sometimes you’re lost. It can be windy, straight, hidden, and treacherous. Nevertheless, it’s a path. It will get you to a destination. Where, depends on you.

As Robert Frost so aptly stated in his poem all those years ago,

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

I love finding flowers in unlikely places blooming in all their glory. It reminds me, that no matter the circumstance, we have choices…we can thrive or die. It’s a matter of choice and perseverance.

Life is hard but we can choose to plant roots and grow. We can bloom no matter what. That’s what I want to encourage you to do, bloom, right where you are, no matter the circumstance. You have all you need inside yourself…you just have to believe.

I have these two amazing friends. Whenever we get together, both of them, more often than not, dress beautifully. Dresses, skirts, blouses….you name it. They look amazing. Then there’s me. Jeans, tee, and most often a sweatshirt. What I love most is they always say, “you do you.” There is no judgment, only acceptance and love.

That’s how everything should be. Cake or pie? You do you. Chocolate or Strawberry? You do you. Biden or Trump? You do you. Covid vaccination or no? You do you. I say this because I feel very strongly that we cannot tell others what to do. We can model it. We can suggest it. We can offer an opinion if asked. What we can’t do is cut people off just because they chose something different than we did. We must respect each other and allow each one of us to “you do you.”

So, the next time you see someone being exactly who they are, I hope you can say to them, “You do you” and mean it.