Tag: single mom

The Flower Cart

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Lastnight, my daughter opened the backdoor and gasped. There was a Tarantula perched on the doorframe outside. I’ve seen them in stores, and know people have them as pets, but to see one that closeup was exciting to say the least. Then my daughter said, “They’ve always been out there. We’ve just never seen one until now.”

This morning, while it was cool and overcast, I spent some time cleaning up the yard. Just straightening things up, kind of like we do inside the house, but this was outdoors. I had sat the empty flower cart up against the fence for Winter, but it was time to pull it out. Even sitting empty it emanates character. It’s one of those vintage pieces you wish could talk and tell you where all it’s been.

I wanted to move it out into the yard, but didn’t know where. Then it was like God showed up beside me and pointed out a good place for it. I rolled it across the yard and positioned it in a barren spot covered in yesterday’s birdseed. Walking away I thought, “That’s a good place. The birds can use it as a perch while taking turns to eat the seed below,” and went on with my day.

I finished washing the dishes and stood by the kitchen window gazing at the flower cart. That’s when I noticed a Blue Jay sitting on the handle checking it out. He hopped down to the bed of the cart, and then onto the ground to eat some seed. It was exactly as I’d envisioned, but if I wouldn’t have taken that pause at the window, I would have missed seeing what God had planned all along.

Have faith there’s a plan, and God will use anything to show us. Today, He used the flower cart.

The feature photo is a notecard created by artist David Arms and you can view his work here.

Warrior

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I received a letter from my friend Dawn over at Aging With Grace. Writing and receiving letters is one of my most favorite things in the world.

She noted the time of year, and thought about the flowers I’ve probably planted, but this year I planted very few. Actually, I bought my first giant bush! It’s a Bottlebrush bush that is well-known for attracting butterflies.

I planted it in front of the kitchen window so we’d have full view of every butterfly show. A few Monarch’s were fast to find it, and it’s a treat to get to watch them up close. My thrive or die philosophy hasn’t worked very well this year, because the few flowers I did plant are definitely not thriving. 😂

A month ago, I noticed some plants popping up near the arbor that I wrote about last year and you can see them here. These were not planted by me, so I don’t know how long they’ve been here, or who planted them, but they’ve multiplied since last year and filling in the empty space.

Maybe that’s the theme for this year, is simply giving the yard some space to fill in at it’s own pace. Looking out the kitchen window at the bottlebrush bush, I noticed a couple of plants from last year breaking through the dirt. I had no idea they would survive the cold and return.

Planting new flowers doesn’t inspire me this year, but the ones that survived the Winter and are making a coming back inspire me to no end!

Those are some kind of Warrior.

The Warning Signs

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In previous years, my path has been altered for me by an increase in rent. If I couldn’t afford the increase that was a sign, it was time to move on. God has blessed me with two jobs I’ve grown to love, so I’m grateful that’s not the case today. With new construction popping up all over our neighborhood, I came to a crossroad and it looks something like this.

Do I want to stay? If so, for how long?

You see, you have to take note of the warning signs, and there have been quite a few! I was talking with my friend on Marco Polo and she began recounting the signs we’ve seen since last year. When I told her my rent increased she said, “Just in case you need one more sign Barb, here it is!”

Last year one of my favorite neighbors moved back home to Kentucky. I’ve written about her in She’s That Neighbor, but we keep in touch and remain close to this day. Right after she moved, a builder removed the woods next to our houses, which was mentioned in A Moment’s Notice.

I paid attention, but to really drive it home, the washing machine flooded onto the floor, and right after we got that fixed, the dryer broke. (These appliances are less than 4 years old) The most recent thing that happened was a puff of smoke emitted from behind the stove while it was preheating.

I was listening in the stillness when these words rose up. “Start where you are and with what you have.” Looking at the items we’ve accumulated over the years, I began asking myself, “Do I love it and is it useful?” I can begin by blessing others, and keep my eyes open for more of the warning signs.

Feel the Music

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Thank you for supporting my dating excursion.

This afternoon, I’ll be in a suite at a Bed and Breakfast for a couple of days. I can’t recall the last time I traveled by myself. It’s been 6 years since stepping inside a B&B, but my heart holds a never-ending love for them. I see two rows of stepping stones along the path. One is logical, paved by thoughts. The other is of the heart which can be scary, but God is there.

I booked the B&B a month ago, and have been watching as the weeks fly by. It’s in one of my favorite small towns, only an hour away. Travel doesn’t always mean get a passport and board a plane. It’s about a change of scenery, and being plucked from the normalcy of what you know.

I purchased this tote to use as a weekend bag and to inspire travel.

America and Beyond

It felt frivolous at first spending the extra time and money on this trip, and bag, but when friends and co-workers began asking, “When are you taking some time for just you?”, I listened. I’m looking forward to waking up in a different bed, and not having three animals pacing the hallway.

Thank you Stu, at Something to Stu About for sharing a Feel the Music in your Post Picks. I went to his Blogsite to pick up links to tag him in this post, and he had just posted about ‘Stillness‘. It was ironic to see his post since I’d booked this trip to dwell in some stillness with God.

Stu says, “Through stillness, we learn to pay attention to what God is doing in us and around us.” Make a space for what matters, which for me, is Him.

TobyMac-I Just Need You

The Right Time

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I’ve not found the right time exists to do anything worthwhile. Sometimes we get caught up waiting for the right time, but that’s a long, unproductive wait. My quality of writing can reflect my mood, so I like to ensure I’m in a good headspace before clicking the publish button.

God, I will take care of the quantity. You take care of the quality.

Julia Cameron ~ The Sound of Paper

My friend and I continue to Marco Polo every week. She’s a writer as well, but we have different styles. We share this one secret to sitting down and enjoying what we write, and I’m here to share it with you. Write before work.

It sounds easy, but I’m dedicated to my work, so it doesn’t take long for the inner critic to start in on me not to write. I’ll have nonsense thoughts similar to, “You’ve got so much work on your plate today, and need to do that first”, or “You have people looking for you that need your help.” The inner critic will make any daily activity seem more pertinent than writing.

My friend and I’ve found if we dive into our work/job before writing, we won’t write that day. I can force myself to write after work, but it’s not fun, and it usually gets trashed. Writing should be fun, so I write before work.

Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash

If you go to work early, try getting up a bit earlier to write. There’s no need to agree with our thoughts that we don’t have the time when we can make the time. Plan on it and create some space to write. By taking time, you’re inviting it to be the right time.

Here’s more tips from Barb on how she writes:

The Right to Write, The Blank Page, The Bottom of the Page, and Watch Your Time

The Extra Mile

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Walking to a neighbors house, I saw another neighbor who asked, “Walking down to the lake?” I replied, “No sir, I’m going to get fresh eggs.” He looked rather puzzled and replied, “You need a golf cart to scoot around in. It’s easier.” I just ginned and said, “But Dan, I don’t do easy.” He chuckled.

My daughter brought home flowers and it was the most magical bouquet I’d seen in years. They were freshly cut, wrapped in brown paper and when she handed them to me I could feel the weight of them. There was a florist card laying inside I didn’t recognize, so she went on to reveal the whole story.

She had stopped at the market I frequent for flowers, but didn’t see anything that spoke to her, so on she went to a flower shop she knew I loved. The lady inside told her to walk into the cooler and pick out what she wanted. I can imagine the look on my daughters face walking into a cooler filled with flowers. I’m sure it was overwhelming in the most delightful way.

She chose a few of my utmost favorites. A couple of long-stemmed roses, daylilies, a few gladiolas, and the most ginormous hydrangea blossom known to man. She remembered I like greenery to be used as filler.

She was holding a paper bag from the market as well with chocolate cold brew and Brie en Croute. You see, she just wanted to stop time that day amidst our schedules and celebrate her sober Mom. It was my AA birthday, and I don’t very cry often, but with all of this the tears were near.

I’m sure there’s a much easier way to buy flowers, but my darling, fill it with meaning and go the extra mile.