Renewal

Dedicating this song to my husband of 37 years.

Life has been good to us. Sometimes things get busy and we fail 

To see the beauty all around us but some time spent enjoying quiet nature helps. Oh sweet rest and relaxation , mountains and streams. I love it and I love you.

seeing mom in my reflection

I looked in the mirror today and saw my Mother, not literally yet I know that she is also seen in my features. I wish she and I lived closer but reunions are great. I always have her in my heart . I hope that her beautiful heart and love for God and family also shines through mine. It might sound a little mushy but I don't care. Life is too short .

This is her beautiful face and smile. I love you Mom!

Good morning sunshine :)

It's a bitter cold winter day but the sun is shining bright and I have my sweet grand daughter here for a few days. It makes it feel all warm and happy!

Good morning!

It's a cold winter day but I am thinking sunshine.

Sometimes I feel like winter is going to last forever but it is actually only 58 days before Spring is officially here. So cheers to a hot cup of Dunkin Donuts Coffee with some yummy Coldstone Creamery coffee creamer . Soon my winter walks will be Spring but until then I just gotta keep moving.

Have a great week !

Yeah I love her :-)

Personality of the Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are friendly, curious and extremely playful. They love to socialize with people, as well as with other dogs. These dogs can be outgoing but extremely gentle, making them a good choice with children. They have been described as puppies at heart, never seeming to lose their energy or zest for life. These dogs tend to be very intelligent, which also makes them clever and willful on occasion. They love to spend time playing with their owners, taking a jog, or accompanying them on hikes through the woods or mountains. They are happiest when they are with their families, or at least with other dogs in the backyard. All of these characteristics add up to a great family pet, as long as you are prepared to handle some of the challenges that Siberian Huskies can present.
Personality And Training

Because a Siberian Husky tends to be very playful and energetic, plenty of social time is required to keep this breed from getting bored. If your dog gets bored or lonely, it can become destructive of its environment. The best way to prevent this problem is by incorporating your dog into your family unit and keeping it with you as much as possible. If you are going to keep your husky outside much of the time, a second dog will be good company and a consistent playmate.

A Dog's soul

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Dogs Soul

    Every dog must have a soul, somewhere deep inside
    Where all his hurts and grievances are buried with his pride.

    Where he decides the good and bad, the wrong way from the right,
    And where his judgement carefully is hidden from our sight.

    A dog must have a secret place, where every thought abides,
    A sort of close acquaintance that he trusts in and confides.

    And when accused unjustly for himself, He cannot speak,
    Rebuked, He finds within his soul, the comfort he must seek.

    He'll love, though he is unloved, and he'll serve though badly used,
    And one kind word will wipe away the times when he's abused.

    Although his heart may break in two, his love will still be whole,
    Because God gave to every dog an understanding Soul!

    Unknown

Somewhere in Time

I just got back from a walk with my beloved husky Nanook. I am more like Eeyore when it comes to cold damp winter days. it's just not that much fun to me to be out.  Nanook however has her beautiful husky tail curled up like a sled dog and her pace faster than normal. She loves the winter! Sometimes I like it OK. I like it when the snow softly falls in huge white flakes and cover the branches of the trees making it look like a wonder land. My favorite season is Spring though. Late in February those little green daffodil leafs start poking through the cold earth and usually by at least the last part of March there are bright yellow flowers. They come like kisses of sunshine and hope promising the best is yet to come. Soon the song of the spring birds will be heard , flowers will blossom, trees will bud. Somewhere in time Spring is waiting for me.

The picture is a mix of some photo I found from the movie Somewhere in Time and me at the Break Wall in Marquette, MI in the Spring time. Soon I shall return.

Cheer up all sad winter hearts and embrace the good things. Perhaps a cup of hot chocolate and some good reading would be nice, if that doesn't work a long winter's nap is good. Wake me up in Spring!

Song of Solomon 2:11,12
See! The winter is past;the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

Somewhere in Time!

Coffee and a Chat

I've been spending some time away from the internet world of connecting in chat and concentrating on other things which really aren't "things" at all. I'm not against online friends and I do relish the thought of being able to share and glean from people in places far and near but there are times that come along that remind me it is also good to take a break sometimes. Within these times I refocus on the simple but beautiful world around me in different ways. I am challenged to reach outside of myself and to make a difference in a positive way with my family and friends . I've recently had an amazing home cooked Chinese, Philippine  style lunch with a new friend that I met shopping in a second hand treasures type place. Oh I know it takes trust with wisdom but part of the charm of living in a small community is although it's not like The Andy Griffith show and the town of Mayberry it is pretty nice here and safer than a lot of cities. Besides all that I really do believe she or I or the fact that we began talking was a God send. She is a recent widow moved here from New Mexico where my daughter's fiance is from. We had a conversation piece to begin at just with that fact. She told me of some of the places I should visit when I get the chance to travel to NM The Land of Enchantment. She like I was interested in getting together with other ladies in an informal setting for Bible Study or simply the social aspect many women crave in connecting with others . I haven't been close to anyone in a long while. The friends I had moved away and it's hard long distance and then I went through some personal situations that left me depressed for some time. I am on the healing side now. I'm not where I want to be but on my way with the spark of hope and trust I need that all is well. I have been painting my kitchen cabinates which has long been on hold. they are looking great all bright and white.

Back to the lunch as I said, it was amazing! Her home looked so pretty , she had a gift in decorating and she definitely has the gift of hospitality.  She is a beautiful little Philippine lady close to my age.  There was another lady there also so now I have two friends. I found us three to have so much in common and yet so much we can be enriched by in our friendship. My friend L has traveled to a lot of places I can only dream of going I enjoyed seeing her post cards and pictures and things she had gotten from these places.

I am richer than I was a couple weeks ago not in money but because of a new door of friendship that God provided. He knows what I have need of and for that I am thankful.

Simplicity

 One of my favorite things to do is taking walks and photographs. These are from the last part of December. sometimes we have snow on the ground here sometimes not. Although I prefer the Spring months when the flowers are blooming and trees are budding each season has a beauty of it's own.

“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

“It is not your beautiful face or soft skin that kills me; it is your simplicity and being you.”
― M.F. Moonzajer, A moment with God ; Poetry

“Wherever you go, go with inspiration and aspiration.
Whatever you do, do with love and concern.
Whomever you see, see with purity's beauty
And responsibility's glory.”
― Sri Chinmoy, The Wings of Joy: Finding Your Path to Inner Peace

I love home

The big white dog is a Great Pyrenees. He belongs to one of my married sons. I baby sat him for a few days last week. He is a big baby.

I like the photo because it speaks of comfort to me. The young man on the recliner is my youngest son. Home is a place where one can relax. I have a peaceful home and I love it. There are a lot of fancier places than mine with more room and expensive furniture and there is really nothing wrong with having more' it just doesn't happen to be on my priority list. I am content.

Did I mention that I love home?

My youngest son and his niece. This cute little red head is my youngest grand daughter.

  "The Home I Love"

Some homes are quiet, polished, neat
But one I know is far more sweet
Where tiny smudges on the wall
Tell of fingers dear and small.
Where toys are sometimes strewn about
And doors are banging in and out.
Where little children play and sing,
And laughter's often heard to ring...
The home I love is filled with noise
Of happy little girls and boys!
- Kay Hoffman

                                          Me and all the grand children

Choosing Joy

Good morning to you. It's a bright new day. I am determined to begin with a thankful heart knowing that my cup is full and running over, no not my coffee cup but the cup of  the blessings in my life.

There are challenges and there have been disappointments. I haven't always handled things well but there is a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from past experiences.  I had a Pastor once who would tell the congregation, "Don't waste a good mistake!" OK so mistakes aren't really good but they can be teaching tools as can the experiences that others share with us. Even the mighty men and women in the Bible had some bad pit falls but they rose back up embracing God's grace and strength and made a positive difference in the world surrounding them.

I've made some unwise choices through stress and disappointments regarding my own health. I have a long line of diabetic genes yet I've allowed myself to gain weight. aw but the Holiday's are extra hard. I'm starting on a brand new weight loss journey. My goal is 20 pounds by May 14. Then we shall see from there but I think that's a good number.

I'll probably save some tips and inspiration I find along the journey. Weight is just one thing though. The measure of a woman or man is from within although not being healthy as I should or fitting into my favorite things makes me feel down. I am excited really. I think whatever we aim to accomplish must be done with excitement and vision to make the mark. There are other things I am determined not to get me down.

Hebrews 12:1,2  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…

This doesn't speak only of a physical weight but more so a spiritual heaviness, the discouragements, the failures, the guilt of the past, the unkind words or deeds of others and forgiveness. Forgiveness is freeing.
I choose today to be the best me that I can . Anything that comes between God and His best for me. He has placed so much potential in each of His children. It's a beautiful thing so share a smile and a kind word. Got a worthy goal? Keep your eyes on the prize and go forth with JOY!

Spring's Song

So long the winter , so warm the heart,
Kissed by hope this tiny spark,  winters chill cannot quench.
Patience holds on with faith not sight till the first glimpse of mornings light

As I embrace the journey that leads to Spring's song.

X

CherylLynn

This is the time of the year when it feels like winter is never going to end. I am determined not to let it get me down. There are things happening in my life that I do not understand. Last night I gave into some discouraging emotions but there was enough of that spark of hope and trust to help me through. Whatever else happens Spring will come again, the flowers will bloom again and new life will be everywhere. Until then I pray to stir up the flame within and not to lose the song of my soul. The winter birds sing, why shouldn't I?

His eye is on the sparrow. I am resting in His love.