I haven't been on Pleo for more than a month of Sundays! How is everyone? Let me hear from you!

Here is a small sampling: 1. My youngest brother, Michael (will be 40 in August) and, 2. my oldest niece, Heather (32 years old) and their children: Brittney, Chance, Zayne, Bella, Grayson; 3. My Dad, and some of my sister's (Debbie) children

I have had several opportunities this week to think of how the good and the bad both seem to appear simultaneously or at least in close approximation to one another. There constantly seems to be an on-going balancing act to eschew evil and pursue the good, even when it is in taking a positive perspective amidst the negative events occurring in my week by focusing on the positive things versus wallowing in my self-pity. It seems I have had more than one reminder this week, some more serious that I won't mention. It is an apparent challenge in our every day existence to shift the focus to the positive away from the negative or to find the joy in the midst of trials: a biblical principal.

Here are a couple of the least serious events that I will use as cases in point:

While attending my middle son's Academic Awards program at his school, and while attempting to take his picture, all at once the camera slips out of my hands as I send it slamming (and I mean slamming!) into the hard floor. Of course the damage crippled it beyond any immediate use. Disappointment at having a camera in need of expensive repair, and realizing my son had still gotten his award and that I HAD successfully taken his picture, presented a tug-of-war to my perspective-taking skills. I could wallow, or remember there was still something good to glean from the occasion.

Then to add fuel to the fire, the next day after a thunder storm, one of my sons walks out on the deck after the rain and exclaims that there was a rainbow. A spectacular rainbow it was! From horizon to horizon with distinct color separations; it was a feast to the eyes. Once again, would I cherish the moment and appreciate the opportunity to view with the naked eye such splendor, or would I bemoan the fact that my broken camera lay useless and unable to fulfill my desire to capture that not-often-beheld beautiful promise in the sky.

Not certain that I won these smaller battles in perspective this week, nor the more serious challenges. However I do know this: There was STILL a rainbow in the clouds!

"Mommy, Mr. Ed was the Papaw with the cane, right?" Yes, baby. "Well, did you know when Papaw gets to heaven that he won't have to use that cane anymore. He's like that squirrel in one of my movies that goes to heaven & sees that giant acorn. But then a strong wind blows him out of heaven; but, that won't happen to Papaw Ed. He will get to stay in heaven and grab on to what he wants, but it sure won't be that old cane."

Step granddaughter
Brittney Hartsell
Age 4


Ah, the simple but profound insight of the innocent.

Crazy Crafty Challenge....

The first FIVE people...

...to leave a comment on this blog will receive something made by me. However there are some limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make. I'll do my best, but there's no accounting for my crazy taste.
2. What I create will be just for you, unless you specify that you want something for a spouse or child in your post.
3. It will be done within a year (might take a while).
4. You have no clue what it is going to be and I'm not going to give you any hints.
5. I reserve the right to do something really crazy or fun.

Here's the catch: if you choose to do this, you must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This will be fun! When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog.