Feeling powerful like the Olympians!

It’s all in the mind, isn’t it! Yesterday a friend sent me these lionesses.

I was thinking what perfect timing. I was feeling that way, strong, powerful, unstoppable.

We don’t feel like that every morning, but there are days when our energy is at an ALL TIME HIGH!

I did start taking some vitamins lately. Maybe that’s been helping, making me feel like Superman!

I’m off to go walking. Now, I just need that perfect song that goes with these lions.

How about this. Hats off to the Olympians who are FIGHTING for GOLD! They must have some powerful songs and/or motivational talks they listen to when they need to erase a bad performance, come back the next day and FIGHT to WIN!

Have a great motivational day!

Some new friends…

I was visiting a friend. We were out walking. It was early evening and these little birds were out in full force. They were chirping and chirping and flying so fast. I was lucky to get a few photos, because they do not rest in one spot for long. I’m not sure why my IPhone has the photos looking a bit blurry.

This bird was interesting. Look how disheveled he looked. I imagined my mother telling my brother, “You aren’t going out like that. Go comb your hair.”

We’re almost into August, soon Fall will be here. It’s nice to be out walking and enjoy our nice weather.

Enjoy your summer!

Morning breakfast, a pipe, flowers…

I went walking the other day. It was early in the morning with a bit of rain, just a drizzle.

I came across this group of pigeons eating breakfast.

Then I saw this pipe thing on a tree. What do you think it is for?

Then some flowers.

I enjoy mornings when everything is waking up and coming alive.

Have a great weekend!

Walking… No more tulips, now ROSES!

Just as soon as the tulips came and we were in awe of them, now they are gone. As I walked yesterday, I noticed that roses are blooming. Pink is my favorite color, so I loved this.

At this time of year, I always think of St Therese of Lisieux who on her deathbed said she would “shower us with roses from Heaven.” They say if you pray a novena to St Therese, you will know she heard your prayer, because she’ll deliver a rose to you. WELL, not hand delivered, but you will find or see a rose and instinctively KNOW it’s from her, she has heard your prayer.

This happened to me! Years ago, I had been laid off my job. It was Spring, I saw roses and thought of her, so prayed for guidance. I waited, looked, hoped — nothing!

Until one day, I was at a coffee shop. I finished my coffee, went to throw my cup away outside and there was a bouquet of roses in a glass vase sitting by the garbage area. WHAT?? How strange and MIRACULOUS at the same time. Not one rose, but many. Now, granted, they were by the trash on their last leg, but to me, who had prayed – I KNEW they were my sign. Something “good” would happen. Yes, a job soon came!

So, on this bright sunny Wednesday, I wish you ALL a special day full of roses!! Look for your sign!

Happy Mother’s Day!! Time for Dragon Boat Racing Practice…

Today is Mother’s Day. My daughters had asked me earlier in the week, “What do you want to do for Mother’s Day!”

I chuckled… They were thinking breakfast, coffee, etc. I had another idea. For years, I’ve been talking to my daughters about Dragon Boat Racing. I was on a team in Seattle and also rowed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Teams are all over the world! It’s a lot of fun. Anyone can join. Yes, the teams want to win, but they also like to have fun. It’s similar to Ultimate Frisbee, the more the merrier. So, I told them I’d love for them to come to a new beginner practice.

Good news, they were on board. We’ve never been in a canoe together, so this should be a fun outing.

Oh, in the photo, you see that coyote on the dock?! He was added there to stop the birds from pooping. I’m told he does a very good job.

Have fun, make it a great day! Happy Mother’s Day!

IPhone – Photo Memories… 2023 New Year’s Eve already?

If you have an IPhone, you probably have the feature where Apple shares a daily “memory” from your photos. Sometimes the photos are endearing, other times, I think, “WHAT, why haven’t I deleted that!”

Today, the memory was of New Year’s Eve. I’ve moved on from 2023, so why did Apple choose THAT memory. At the same time, I felt I needed to be respectful, as it was the Virgin Mary or my Guardian Angel who might have wanted me to have this nice memory.

On New Year’s Eve, I was visiting a friend. We needed exercise, went walking. At a long stop light, I happened to look up and I saw this gold dome with the Virgin Mary. Of course, I had to walk over.

I thought I would have a view of the golden dome in front of the church. Instead, I saw this Manger scene on the top of the building. This church had no grassy area, so they got creative.

I walked to the side of the building, again, I could not get a clear look of the Virgin Mary on the dome. Even on the back side, NOPE. Interesting design for this building. The Virgin Mary looks down into the church.

So, I’ll admit, I am smiling. Signs from Heaven come when we least expect them. Like today.

I have a 94 year old friend who is not doing well. I take this as a sign, a reminder, check in with her.

Have a wonderful day! I’m off to make that phone call! 💕

Walking: Gardening – Observations

Do you have funny thoughts when you are walking? I went to visit a friend. We were walking the neighborhood. As we were talking, I stopped, giggled and had to take this picture.

I’ve always enjoyed gardening. Trimming the hedges, raking leaves, etc. I saw this bush, and immediately wished I had my gardening sheers with me. All those funny shoots sticking out, needed trimming.

Further on our walk, we came across this gigantic sunflower. Isn’t it amazing?

All alone, it grew so tall in such glory. There is a daintiness in this sunflower’s stance too.

There is beauty all around us. We just have to slow down to see it.

Have a great weekend!

Photography… I got the perfect shot!

Life is interesting. Yesterday, I knew I needed to go walking, but I was going back and forth on “when.” You know how that is. One side of our mind says, “DO IT NOW,” but the other side says, “It’s cold outside, wait until later when it has warmed up.” The good old excuses.

I decided to get it done. Near the park where I walk there is a Catholic Church. When I go walking, I always stop and visit Jesus, say a quick prayer, and continue walking.

When I got to Jesus, I was amazed to look up and see the sun shinning perfectly on his face and his right arm/hand as if he was going to bless my head. Might sound silly, but as I was raised a Catholic, that was the first thing that popped in my mind.

I did apologize to Jesus for not going to Sunday mass. I just don’t enjoy it. I go to church when I want to. I like to go during the week, just pop in, sit for a few minutes in the quite dark church with many candles lit and feel at peace for a few minutes. OR as I mentioned, make a point of walking by church and stopping by when I go walking. That offers comfort too. No matter what struggles, we know we are not alone.

In the end, I would say most of us feel we are spiritual, we do believe in prayer or God or “something,” and we pray “our way.” That’s the best. My mother always liked the Buddhist teachings. We can pray anywhere.

There are so many things we need to pray about right now. Wars in Ukraine/Russia, now Israel, natural disasters, the migrant situation, inflation, illnesses, family/friends passing away, the list goes on.

So, I say, “Thank you, Jesus, for making me smile.” The sun shinning on you, was special indeed.

Glad I took that walk when I did!

Sports: MMA Cage fight, Elon Musk & Mark Zuckerberg

So, is this going to happen? An MMA fight between Twitter and Facebook.

At first, I thought it was someone making a joke or trying to fuel the flame between the two. However, it does seem that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are in talks to take their competitiveness to the ring. It’s a good reason/goal to get in shape.

If this fight happens, wherever it happens, it would bring billions in revenue. So, greed would win over humanity?

Isn’t there enough violence in the world without adding a spectacle like this?

Would you watch it?

Summer FUN, a Pub Cruiser!

Have you heard of Pub Cruisers? Lots of cities have them. A fun 2-3 hour tour of the city, accommodates 16 people. Drink beer, get exercise and stop at bars/restaurants along the way.

I happened to see this group going by in Michigan. They were having a great time.

What are you/we waiting for?