Everything is beautiful.
The world is gonna’ find a way….
We must not close our minds,
We must let our thoughts be free….
Please, let your dreams be beautiful.
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Sing It Ray
Tag: family
Affirmative, Captain #SoCS
We need to get this straight. I will affirm here and now that I have felt less than inspired in the last week. I’m working on the novel-still…maybe forever..but really loving the progress. It is just not something one can easily do at the end of a work day or week, popping from pragmatic, ordered thinking into fanatstical dreaming reality.
I mean I usually can, but lately the world has just felt so…heavy. I affirm I am not a fan of old Man Winter. And I love men in general. Just not sadistsic, self indulgent, harsh and cold troublemaking men. Just why Mother Nature has him in her circle is beyond me. But then, taste in friends is always quite subjective isn’t it? It takes all kinds of people to make a world. If we were all alike we would either be hugely bored or constantly fighting ourselves.
There’s Spring
Glorious Summer
Fleeting Fall
And WTF Winter!
I affirm that life is wearying at times, and when I was younger I held older people in the highest regard, seeking their wisdom, understanding and encouragement. For the most part I am exposed to situations in which older people are viewed and treated as outdated, stupid or at best uninformed, and gulity of some heinous crime of destruction that most of them are completely unaware. Perhaps the crime is just being older than 30. I thank God each day my children are not this way.
When I was in the Christian church growing up, we were taught to always put yourself in others’ shoes, to empathize and express compassion. There was a humbleness in being a child of God. I suppose there has always been a double edged sword aspect to religion..any of them, just as there is duality of spirit within each of us. I just know that I would rather stand quietly alone, with my hand in His, than stand with a mob of angry, accusatory, self righteous finger pointers whose main goal is to be the best, the biggest and the chosen. Since when did being a Christian become a popularity contest?
I affirm that God’s greatest gifts exist all around us, that peace can be found in the tiniest miracle of life, that entertainment is free in Mother Nature if you just take a moment to breathe and to feel her presence. Soul healing does not exist in a book or a prayer. It is in your own hands, the ones given to you in this life. Perhaps we should stop shouting, ”God, save us!”
Maybe it’s time to whisper, “God help us to save ourselves.” We have to stop making our own messes then blaming everyone else for them, which includes..
No, honey, the devil did not make you do it. We all have a choice and the light and dark exists in every one of us.
I affirm that when I love someone it is forever, even if you choose to cast me aside. Anyone who has ever found a place in my heart will remain there forever, and my family means more to me than anything. If they hurt, I hurt. When they are in pain, it is mine. When they are happy, my world is perfect. I know no other way.
(A light tap on any photo will show the caption)
Grandkids rock!
Cheers to beers!
I would be lost without this shadow
Love is all around
The face of pure happiness
My favorite place to be!
Friendships take time to become beautiful
Always my Dad
Through every thing
I love the friends I have made here, in this magical realm of blogging, where like minds can meet and feel less alone, share ideas and laughs. We all do such a wonderful job of encouraging, lifting one another up and being there. Thank you to any and all who have done this for me. And if you feel like a beer check out Dan’s frozen corner of the world. Now, he has some Winter tales…
I affirm that I am ready for Spring, budding flowers, buzzing insects and balmy breezes. Meanwhile, we can always dream..in fact I must insist that you dream with me, or we might not see her face again!
What do you see when you step outside?
Thanks to Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt, ‘affirm’.
Wide, Wide World of Sports
from the thrill of Victory….
To the agony of defeat…
You can be a Tiger in the woods..
If you listen to the beat!
“Don’t make me use this wand!”
Hands down…..
Christmas magic happened this year. Love, laughs and sweet surprises….
Happy New Year!
PS In the real time world of sports, let me just say,
“Go Saints!” Sorry Dan. We haven’t had a stellar year since their last ride to the Superbowl, about ten years ago, I believe….
Traditionally Twisted/ChristmasFun
While I wish all my family could be together for the holidays, I was thrilled to have two of my sons and their sweeties to share this special time with. Here are a few of the highlights. We have always been big movie fanatics-no wonder they all love movies and music. One continues to play music any chance he gets while another has chosen the film industry as his work.
We watched all the usual traditional Christmas favorites as well as the freaky and fun new additions over the years. One of our favorites, especially for my hubby and youngest, was A Christmas Story. “Bumpasses!” And “You’ll shoot your eye out!” ring throughout the house every year and the laughs always come during the final scenes of the turkey tragedy and Chinese dinner. Farararara…..
So, when we saw the suit in the store….
Oh Ralphie, that is so adorable….not! Lol
No waaay!
An official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle!
Here’s a bunya hug!
I need a drink for this….
Oooohhh…..yes!
Do I have to wear it?
Now I’m ready…….
Thank you guys for so much fun this year!
Cheers!
Well helloooo there.
NinjaBread men!
Pickled Tink
Shhhh….don’t tell the Huskers.
Night of Lights at the Botanical Gardens
Oooohhhh warm by Wahlburger
Can’t escape us!
Oh fuuuudge….
Chicken and Sausage gumbo, potato salad and cornbread. Yes. I made that! With great help from Hayley, love!
🤣
Book ‘em Santa!
Ninja complete
😀
Cheers at The Optimist. Thanks Willard and Sarah!
It’s a door!
A wahlburger’s welcome!
Making Luna proud
Nothing like a hike
I miss you all!!
Scenes From a Wedding/Day 2 #SoCS
“In this Kingdom there shall be shots!” And more shots. We killed Mr. Jameson in quick time. 😉
This post is brought to you sponsored by Linda Hill’s #SoCS prompt .
Today’s prompt was dom. Visit Linda’s place for more great posts from talented bloggers.
Back to the Wedding Weekend. I know I left you dangling last time. You will be relieved to know there were no arrests, a few more incriminating photos (which are locked in the family vault for blackmailing purposes later) and we had a fun night. The best thing about Lincoln for me is the variety and uniqueness of the venues that always seem to surface. Being a small city, one can easily hike from one venue to another which, I would think, cuts down their DUI incidents significantly. However, their auto accident rate is likely substantial as we witnessed first hand…but that was another day.
The place we went to that took us a step back into the 80’s and 90’s was the Arcade Bar. A simple idea really-install some vintage popular video games, skee ball, foose ball and pinball. Put up a bar and open the doors. Even the ‘old folks’ like us love it.
Mom and the ‘baby boy’ and his sweetie
The bride and me. I love this gal.
Skee ball! Oh yeah…disclaimer: alcohol does not improve skill level.
Brothers in action
Pinball! I used to be good. Used to be…
The alleys are filled with street art. And amazing lighting.
Mom and The Groom. Number One son
Let’s shoot skee ball.
Haymarket Lincoln. I love it!
Of course getting there is tedious, since we often fly into Kansas City and drive the rest of the way. Even driving from Omaha can be nerve wracking. But the scenery is pretty and the highway pretty much a straight shot. This time of year the colors are just beginning to change to Autumn.
I always love our 5 min ‘jaunt’ through Iowa.
Ahhhh….this is our exit!
So many open places and so much endless sky!
I always love that I can say I have been to Iowa. (But it wasn’t heaven-Field of Dreams reference. See the movie)
We actually spent all of this day doing food preps. And having shots. It was a simple wedding but there are still lots of things to do. They had all worked so hard before we even got there, with family helping to get the yard ready and everyone preparing food. I always love being in the kitchen so it was a bit of heaven for me to be able to contribute. Oh, and Ellie also loves being in the kitchen. We kept pointing her to get out. Tell me, though, how you could resist sharing a nibble with this face?
Of course I did! Several times. She is such a sweetie. As are her brother and sister from other mothers…
Junebug loves to hide….
It was during the potato salad prep that I found our food blessing for the event.
Even the potatoes knew it was meant to be…
Willard made his ‘famous’ deviled eggs. Yeah…it’s a family thing.
Willard at work on the eggs
His Sous Chef, lovely Sarah
Yuuuumyy….
All in all, a very good day before the big day! That called for a nice, leisurely stroll around the neighborhood at sunset. I have already shared a post about the beautiful church we saw. Here are a few more shots from our walk.
With such gracious hosts, how could we not have a marvelous stay? They even left candies on our pillows!
Very exhausted Wedding Planners. Still, we enjoyed some take out Thai food at the end of the day.
Thanks, Hayley and Ande for being such wonderful hosts in the midst of your own chaos of preparations. The love is so real with you guys. We enjoyed every. Minute!
Oh, these guys? My number three son, Matthew and his son Noah. This visit was all about some Maw Maw time for me too!
Our next day would bring the rest of the troops in!
Oh, I need to mention again that in another city, number two son and his wife were delivering their baby on this day! 😱💕
Miracles all around.
Love was defintely dominating the show!
She’s So Lovely
Okay, well, I am making up for lost time here, and my Mother’s heart is very full. While I was up North for a wedding for one of my sons, another was in a city elsewhere in the state of Nebraska helping his wife to deliver a baby. Unfortunately I was unable to be there for the event since both occasions were taking place only one day apart. I can only hope they show her my photo and when I get back there I can make up for lost time.
Meanwhile, I have to show her off, beautiful big bundle of joy that she is. 9lbs 1oz of pure heaven. My sons says she is a very good baby; and he should know since he was the easiest of the four. Never caused me one moment of stress, and now he deserves some of that action. 😉
Her name is Rayne…
She has five (yes, I said five-including a set of adorable twins) siblings to love, spoil and ruin her. 😂
They made it to the wedding! Got some Maw Maw hugs in. I’ll post a Mom photo when she gives me the ok.
They are all a mix of both parents. This one, though…I think looks like Dad.
If she has his sense of humor, life will be wonderful for the whole house!
Lincoln Church/#Thursday Doors
Unlike my tenacious blogging buddy, Dan Antion, I don’t have a lot of research to add to this week’s door photo. The First Plymouth Church of Lincoln was beautiful and peaceful. My new daughter-in-law and dear friend introduced us to it while on an evening walk during our recent trip to Lincoln for their wedding. She thought I would like it. I loved it! Just click on the link above to find out more about the services and mission statement.
From their website:
“First Plymouth Congregational church is a merger of two congregations. On the morning of Sunday, August 19, 1866, First Congregation was organized in what was then known as Lancaster, Nebraska. It was and is the first congregation to be organized in the town. One year later, the name of the town was changed to Lincoln.
In 1869, the congregation completed its first building, a 25 by 40 foot structure at 13th and L streets where the Cornhusker Hotel is now located. The congregation grew and prospered along with the city…”
There are now two locations of the church.
The church is broadly diverse and non-denominational with intricate architectural accents-a work of art canvased against a bright Nebraska skyline. There is even a sitting garden with a wall of internment memorials, simple yet significant.
I am sharing it here along with a few other images from our walk. Happy Friday my friends. It has been a long week now that I am once again so away far from my precious treasures…
I was captivated by this magical garden
My good friend from the water…
Gazing balls always entice me!
Beautiful Rose of Sharon blooms
So many alleys, so little time for exploring.
It was a nice evening for a walk. The church was only a few blocks away which gave us a chance to enjoy the beautiful old homes and landscape. Eventually the church rose ahead of us, partially hidden in the shade of the trees.
Hayley tells me the bells ringing on Sunday morning is really beautiful. I am sorry I missed that.
The garden has a beautiful view of the distant skyline and is very peaceful.
As a photographer, it was the architectural details that really caught my eye. If you ever get to Lincoln, you should at least drive by for a visit.
With the sun setting, we took a few more photos and headed home. We had a wedding to be ready for! Next time…..
Norm Frampton is on holiday until October, but visit the link for this week’s guest host site and more great doors!
