Life - a Glimpse

 If I wouldn't return to any place where something embarrassing has happened to me, there wouldn't be many places left that I could go to.

Another place would have been added to that list this morning.

Everything was uneventful until it was time to get my coat and leave. I was holding my keys in my left hand and without thinking I tried to slide it into my left coat sleeve, only it got stuck midway.

I had my right hand posed ready to slip into my right sleeve. It grew a mind of its own and went plowing into its sleeve instead of helping my left out of the bind it was in. The situation became much worse when halfway into its sleeve one of my nails decided that now would be a good time to tear and catch on the seam.

So there I was, both arms stuck in awkward positions halfway into their respective sleeves, neither of them showing any inclination of releasing. I stood their flapping trying to free myself. The only thing missing from the scene were some seagull noises.

In Aisle Two

     It seems every time I go grocery shopping there is something that happens that I can relate to the family at the dinner table that evening. 
    Today's little experience wasn't funny, embarrassing, or frustrating. Instead it was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced in a grocery store.
    I was rapidly checking things off my list, but as I turned the corner into aisle two, the scene in front of me made me stop and simply watch.
    A sweet, little, elderly lady was walking up the center of the aisle. She was holding her pink clutch in front of her like a bouquet, and walking in the slow measured steps of a bride walking down the aisle. The far away look in her eyes made it evident she was not seeing her actual surroundings. I wished I could see what she was seeing in her mind.
    She got to the end of the aisle and stood still for a few seconds and then returned to reality. Our eyes met and we smiled at each other. She walked away and I resumed my shopping.
    I felt as if I had just witnessed the most tenderly sweet moment.
    I've been thinking about it ever since. I'm thankful I got to witness it. It has stirred something deep inside that I can't quite explain.

Snippets of Life with Steven

    The teeny tiny pencil that Steven has been using for way too long finally wrote its last word.

    "Friends and family, " he said, "come gather around the trash can for this solemn occasion as we say our final good bye to my little pal. We wrote many great things together, and some not so great. The memories I made with him can not be erased."

    A few dramatic dabs at his eyes and then he was off to get a new pencil to continue his school work.

~~~~~

    There were errands to run and upon leaving the last store Sharon told Steven to hop on the cart, and went running to our vehicle with him squealing with laughter the entire way.

    The few items we got were tucked into the back, the cart placed into the corral next to us, and we got in. As we were seat belting ourselves Steven sighed a happy sigh, "That was fun!" he said.

    I started pulling out of our parking spot. His voice became all chipper: "So, Sharon, same time tomorrow?"

~~~~~

    The house was quiet as Steven and I were focused on the project in front of us, when all of a sudden a peculiar noise started.

    We looked at each other and tried to listen a bit more intently. The added concentration did nothing to solve the mystery of the noise, so I got up to investigate.

    I was halfway down the hallway when Steven came flying up behind me, and grabbed my hand. "I'll go with you!" he said.

    My heart melted into a hundred little puddles at his protectiveness.

    We got to the end of the hallway and discovered the snow and ice on the roof was melting rapidly and hitting the window and outside windowsill creating the weird unexpected noise.

    He dropped my hand, we both laughed, and then returned to our project relieved that everything in our world was still alright.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I decided to participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge once again. So without further ado, here we go.

 1. Besides the predictable name-rank-serial number, what's something you know by heart?

Account numbers for various monthly bills, passwords, several phone numbers, a handful of addresses, a pile of songs, the cute little German prayer my Mom taught me as a wee child, the order of the colors in a rainbow, assorted passages of scripture, the times tables, the alphabet, a few favorite recipes, and more I'm sure if I took the time to think.

2. Something recently that had you tickled pink?

Getting to spend time with our grandson.

3. How do you define the word romantic, and are you one? 

To me being romantic is simply keeping the one you love in your thoughts so much that you're continually looking for ways to serve, care for, and do things they like. A gift or two here and there for an extra touch doesn't hurt. 

4. Finish this verse with your own original thought....'Roses are red, violets are blue...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I'm feeling blessed
I hope you are too

5. Five little things you are loving right now? 

1. My reading glasses - oops I just admitted to needing them, but they sure make things easier for me.
2. My favorite cozy blanket.
3. My favorite teapot.
4. Celery - random I know, but it's my favorite snack.
5. Flourishing houseplants.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Steven and I tried to build a snowman. We gave it our best effort, but the snow was not the right consistency so we ended up simply making a giant pile of snow instead.

I think he enjoyed it as much as he would have had we been able to build the snowman. It's the time we got to spend together that counts.

Cooking as a Newlywed

     The day after our wedding as LV and I were packing up our wedding gifts to move into our home we came across a pretty glass casserole dish with a divider down the center.
    LV picked it up and said, "Oh! I'm already looking forward to eating the casseroles you'll make in this dish."
    I tucked that bit of information away as we finished packing everything up.
    Fresh meats and vegetables weren't an option for us the majority of the time back then. We grew all our own food, but it was canned. Recipe books were used for desserts not main course.
    Several evenings after setting up our house I was trying to come up with a plan for supper. I decided to make that casserole LV had been looking forward to.
    I filled the one half with mashed potatoes. I drained a can of green beans and dumped them in the other half, poured a beef gravy over both, and popped it in the oven.
    I served it with a smile, and he ate it without a single word of complaint.
    I still laugh when I think of it.