Category: Fun finds

For you, I would keep working on me.

Many years ago, I wrote a post about this little 2″ x 2″ tile that I pulled from the floor during the demolition of my parents’ cabin. These very old tiles were so fragile, and my efforts to extract them mostly ended in them crumbling to pieces. It took a long, careful effort to dislodge this one. I wrote how the process of removing this tile was like helping people make changes in their lives. I displayed this tile to remind me to be patient and gentle with others, but I was definitely overlooking a beam in my own eye.

Later, I found this quote, “For you, I would keep working on me.” This challenged my reason for having this tile on display. I realized that I should think of myself as the stubborn tile.

I still display this tile, but it is no longer just a reminder to be loving and patient with others. It reminds me to keep working on me, and that it is God’s hand that lovingly frees us.

For Heavenly Father,

For Richard,

For my family,

For my friends and neighbors,

I will keep working on me.

Goodness

I admit that I have felt so weary of winter lately, but this crocus was a hopeful sign this afternoon when we stepped out for a walk.

Our new neighbors were awake this morning when I opened my kitchen blinds at 6:45 am. They made no effort to hide their morning routine framed by their vast uncovered windows. I find it comforting to see serenity and life in that house, at last.

I had an anonymous friend send me gifts throughout 2021. She mailed me themed monthly gifts, anniversary and birthday gifts, and basically overwhelmed me with generosity. She made a difficult year easier. As I read her final card to me, revealing who she was and why she did this kind thing, she told me about another gift she had given. Every day of 2021, she had prayed for me by name, which really means a lot to me. Last night she gave me a last array of gifts, not via mail, but in person: my favorite candies and a gift card to my favorite restaurant. I gave her the handmade doll I had wrapped and waiting in the closet for the day when we would meet. Goodness, so much goodness.

Bright spots

In this assortment, you will find things that I would like to remember about this week. Wouldn’t it be sad to forget *that* sunset? Or that Mark came home excited about the progress he made on his woods project… And that I worked on a quilt and found a few happy surprises… Wouldn’t it be unfortunate to forget these happy little things?

Museum of miniature art

I have opened a miniature art museum on my front porch. It delights me to find the children in the neighborhood are displaying their art here. I got the idea online and sent invitations to create pieces no bigger than a library card. Slowly, the art began to appear. Paige kindly contributed a piece early on just in case no one showed up. 🙂 I have never “caught” anyone leaving art, and that is part of the fun. What will I discover in the museum today?

New Game

Image taken from game website

Daniel recommended this game to us, so we tried it with a few friends last night. It’s a series of questions to inspire conversation and connection. We laughed and had fun and talked about important things. I recommend it. It is mostly a talking game, but I will tell you that music was a big part of it, and we came away with a few choice drawings.

We’re Not Really Strangers is the name of this game and we played it with people we know well. Daniel first played it with people he hardly knew at all. Both groups had fun.