Trees and Strawberry Jam

I did quite a bit of walking today, more than I have done since my surgery last August. I better get used to it, my car quit this week and it's quite a chunk to get it fixed. Since it is going to cost more to fix it than it is worth, not to eager to have it fixed. Not sure what I am going to do, had to cancel all of my appointments for the month and David's. Not sure how I will get to the pharmacy to get our meds, but I must believe the universe is working out the details. Fortunately, the grocery store is within walking distance, just a bit of a hassle if I need several items or heavy items, but can manage. 

The trees were so pretty today, even if they are still bare. Something about trees that comfort me. I couldn't help myself, had to snap a picture. And then there were these two friendly geese that paid no attention to me at all. 

 Strawberries are arriving and they are really juicy and sweet this year. I made one batch of freezer jam. I love that stuff. It is good on just about anything and taste just like fresh strawberries. I have made only freezer jam for several years now, got hooked after making it the first time. And, it is easier and quicker to make.

Made one of my favorite summer desserts, meringue topped with whipped cream and berries, drizzled with some homemade dark chocolate syrup. I could eat this every day. I sometimes use other berries and kiwi, didn't have either, so just strawberries today. 

Well, it's time to treat David's feet and take my meds. Hoping for a good nights sleep tonight. 

Shine like

the whole

universe

is yours.

Rumi

Feeling Thankful and Grateful

The drains were removed from my face yesterday. I am in the healing mode... and believing the healing is accelerated.

My gratitude for the wonderful care I received at Truman Medical Center is not measurable. It is one of the best hospitals in Missouri and the country as far as I'm concerned. Not only that, the doctors are so darn good looking, pure eye candy. :)

I'm feeling stronger !

Trying not to overdue it - my house needs cleaned so badly. I am telling myself that it is ok, that I do not have be concerned with the dirt right now.

Wow, hard to believe this summer is coming to an end soon.

I am looking forward to feeling and being well, ready to get back to work making things. I have dreams of getting into making things and selling them.

photo by spbm

My healing room for a week and half. 

fried green tomatoes

Wow, I can hardly believe we are into August already. I am not sure why as a child, a month lasted forever, now, a month feels like a week. My only complaint about summer, as much as I try not to have any, but I cannot help it with this one: chigger bites. I get eaten up by them when I go out in my yard and do any yard work or hang my laundry out. I just do not understand how I have some of these problems when I live in the city? These bites are so annoying, they itch for days, and they itch more each day for several days. My daughter got some while we were hanging out her clothes, she read somewhere to rub deodorant on the bites to stop the itching, it really does help, a lot!!! If anyone has any tips on how to keep these things from biting you, be sure and leave a comment. I'll try anything.

The stores already have green tomatoes for sale, seems a little early to me, but makes me very happy. I love "fried green tomatoes"! When I make them, it is the only thing I eat. I made some last night and they were..."AMAZING!" I have one left to cook for dinner tonight, but I am headed to the store today to get more. I seldom fry anything, but I make an exception when it comes to fried green tomatoes.

    photo by spbm

I do not measure anything, but here are a list of the ingredients:
mix together in bowl>>>
flour
corn meal
salt
pepper

in a seperate bowl, mix>>>
egg and a little milk

dip sliced tomatoes in flour and cornmeal mixture, then in egg and milk mixture, back into flour and cornmeal mixture. fry in heavy skillet with about 1" of vegetable and olive oil, heated hot but not too hot, they will burn if the grease is too hot, and they'll be soggy if the grease is not hot enough.

Some of my beautiful zinnias, blooming and thriving. Hollyhocks did not have the huge blooms they normally have, but still gorgeous.

   Photos by spbm

 Rumi quotes are good for any day of the week. :)

    photo by spbm

Wishing everyone a wonderful, relaxing, and lovely weekend!
xoxo

thank you is not enough...

 

photo by spbm

St. Lukes Northland Hospital.

 Photo by spbm
St. Lukes Northland Hospital

Photo by spbm

I just felt the need to write this publically, to say THANK YOU to my beautiful, amazing daughters. They do so much for us that words can never express enough how grateful we are. They do more than children should have to do. David is still fighting the infection in his feet. He had to have emergency surgery relating to his heart the past week. They literally do things that keep their father alive. I pray the Universe blesses them in amazing and wonderful ways...because they are amazing girls.

moving water

photo is from: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animalia/275115872524283?ref=stream

See fear, and you won't see love. See love, and you won't see fear. The vision of one world costs you the vision of the other.

~A Course in Miracles

  photo by spbm

Moving Water

When you do things
from your soul,
you feel a river
moving in you,
a joy.

When actions come
from another section,
the feeling disappears

Don't let others lead you

They may be blind
or, worse, vultures.
Reach for the rope of God

And what is that?

Putting aside self-will.

Because of willfulness
people sit in jail,
the trapped bird's wings are tied,
fish sizzle in the skillet.

The anger of police is willfulness.

You've seen a magistrate
inflict visible punishment

Now see the invisible.

If you could leave your selfishness,
you would see how
you've been torturing your soul

We are born and live inside
black water in a well.

How could we know
what an open field of sunlight is?

Don't insist on going
where you think you want to go

Ask the way to the spring.

Your living pieces
will form a harmony.

There is a moving palace
that floats in the air
with balconies and
clear water flowing through,
infinity everywhere,
yet contained under a single tent.

From The Soul of Rumi. Jelalludin Rumi. Translated by Coleman Barks.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Last night while doing a little reading before going to sleep, I read something that got my attention and I have been giving it some thought...I think I agree with this:

It is not our experiences that mold and shape up, but whatever exerts the most power over us.

I always thought it was more about the experiences that made us into the person we are, but really, it is about what exerts the most power over us. Think about it, and see if you agree.

Dance

Photo: SPBM

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”

― Rumi

Unfold

Photo: SPBM

“Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.”

― Rumi

Let it be

Let the lover be disgraceful, crazy, absent-minded. Someone sober will worry about events going badly. Let the lover be. ~Rumi

throwing out the old

"Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth."

— Rumi

Have you ever wondered why it is that the people we love the most hurt us the most? Or, why we in return hurt those we love the most?

I get annoyed when others try to simplify people and relationships. People and relationships are very complex - always have been, always will be. If it were possible to scratch the surface of a person or relationship, we would never uncover all the different colors that have made us/them into the person we/they are today. Tomorrow, the next day, and until the day we die, we will evolve into someone different. Next year, if we could step outside our own skin and see the person we are today and the person we will be next year, we would see someone all together different. We will think and act differently. My hope is that it will be a progression and not a regression.

I know I will be carrying a new set of baggage and hopefully, I will have left some of the old behind and the new will be a lighter load and a more attractive set.

My goal is to let go and throw out the memories and experiences that have wounded me so deeply (which I am not so good at for some reason). Perhaps I am afraid to let go of the bad and hurtful experiences; maybe I allow them to define me? No longer do I want to define myself or be defined by the memories that haunt me, or, the people who want to define me. I am guilty of trying to see myself through the eyes of family members. NO MORE!!!!

"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet."

— Rumi

"Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death."

— Rumi

Rumi - One Whisper of the Beloved

Something like...BEAUTIFUL!
 

"Oh soul,...

“Oh soul,

you worry too much.

You have seen your own strength.

You have seen your own beauty.

You have seen your golden wings.

Of anything less,

why do you worry?

You are in truth

the soul, of the soul, of the soul.”

Rumi

This beautiful photo is for sale @AmandaRaekEtsyShop