Perspective

Someone once said - There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, avoid the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

Let Go!

It is coming up on two weeks ago that I fell in the early morning hours with cup of coffee in hand and suffered an avulsion fracture to my upper arm.  This is when the ligament breaks away with a small amount of bone attached.  Evaluating the injury on my own, I attempted to raise my arm.  I could not.  The tears flowed all the more!  For, now, I realized the effect this injury was going to have on 'MY' holiday plans!  The doctor put me in an arm sling until Dec. 28 when they will re-evaluate my injury.

Of course, God had to remind me many more times to 'Let Go'!  When frosting the birthday cake Jon baked for his mom that fell on my slippers and kitchen floor.  We went to the store and bought her a cake to celebrate her 94th birthday.  My visit with Jane about my fall and she reminded me it happened to get me to 'slow down'!  My response to her, 'Oh yes!  There is this big flashing sign in my yard!'  Then the book that I had earlier ordered arrived in the mail......'Let Go' by Sheila Walsh.  Yikes!  The voice is getting louder and louder.

Yesterday I allowed my good friend Diane to decorate the fireplace mantle for me.  What a gift that was to receive!  A task removed from my list.  I removed lots of tasks from my list just by saying.....'it is OK....I can Let Go of that desire'.  Letting Go has allowed me to see and hear more of the Christmas message this year!  What seemed so incredibly devastating that early Tuesday morning, has turned into a blessing.  I am relieved of the burden of accomplishing so much in the month of December....so much that is only realized by me....and makes no difference to whether the Christmas Holiday happens or not.  By Letting Go, Christmas will happen in the Anderson household with all the love to be shared and memories to be made! 

Stormy Days

Where do the fish go in such stormy days in Big Stone Lake?  This storm was produced by the lowest barometric pressure in history!  Sustained winds at 28-32 mph with wind gusts to 55 mph.  These winds lasted from midnight Oct. 25 - 3:30 a.m. Oct. 28.  Even the birds did not give up on days as this.  I witnessed them at the bird feeders, flying with all their might to get some food to sustain their little bodies from the approaching cold.  I am in awe of this powerful wind and water and reminded in the calm of the storm how blessed I am! 

PRICELESS!

Saturday afternoon cooking provided a feast for Diane, Bill, Kim & Jon!

Cheeseball n' crakers
Warm Roma tomato salsa 'n chips 
   (tomatoes from the farmer's market that morning...simmered in the afternoon)
Napa Valley Zinfandel 2006

Oven roasted seasoned baby potatoes
   (from the farmer's market)
Acorn Squash Casserole
   (pineapple, cinnamon, sugar & butter, Farmer's market 3 squash $1)
Mushrooms & Sweet Onions sauteed in butter and wine reduction
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Venison Loin (hunted from the woods)
Multi-grain Prairie Bread, still warm 
   (hand kneaded with wheat flour, golden flax, poppy seed, sunflower seed, honey)

Warm Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
Coffee

Mixed with low light, laughter and conversation the taste was PRICELESS!

Reflection

Just have to step out before I give in to the tasks of the day.  Water and sky meet while the birds fill the air with messages of their move.  I am enveloped in the color, sound and calm of the morning.  The afternoon sun sends it's share of diamonds on the lake encouraging me to stop and take a look.  The day closes as gentle hues fill the sky reminding us to rest in it's warm glow.  Reflections all the day through provide beauty if I but allow myself to receive them.

Seasons

Ah, yes, the chance to retreat everyday.  The opportunity to renew and refresh one's spirit  in whatever brings you joy!  Enjoying the rich taste in that first cup of coffee this a.m. and looking forward to the morning sun's ray in our home.  Docks come out of the lake today.  Neighbors gather to say good-bye to summer.  Just as nature makes ready for the changes ahead, so does Jon.  Everyday a little more of our home, that extends to the shores of Big Stone Lake, disappears!  The earth begins to quiet itself.