Disclaimer: I can't count.

I started a post the other day and it vanished. Nothing magical about this. It was easy - with a wave of a finger, POOF!

The vanishing post was one of two thoughts I'd been lugging around. These days, more than two thoughts is too fatiguing. (That's not true - lugging more than two thoughts has always fatigued me, but I love to blame IPF for everything, which OMG, that reminds me of a 3rd thought.)


*tilt*


I'm going to start with the third thought. I abuse the word *love*. I think a lot of us do. I use it so much, the whole meaning has become diluted, diminished. Lately, I've been trying real hard to come up with alternative words. Is this a serious problem? No. But I've become wary of its overuse.

For example just today:

I love this weather
I love my first cup of coffee
I love the invitations I ordered
I love the book I'm currently reading
I love cheese grits
I love my carpet

Get the point? This isn't a risk to national security or anything less. It's just unnecessary hyperbole of pleasure.

But it's better than the flipside. I'm also sick-to-death of haters. Hate is another word that gets casually tossed around. This past year I've read or heard this kind of stuff - superfluous hate bandied about with perfected ease, which is unsettling to me.

People who hate certain celebrities.
People who hate the idea of bleached hair.
People who hate the United States for reasons beyond my comprehension.
People who hate people who keep Kosher kitchens.
People who hate the weather.
People who hate dogs or cats or babies.

People! Get.A.Grip!

Just for the record, I'll always prefer lovers to haters even if they're talking about loving their grandma's hominy casserole... and I hate hominy. (Sometimes I get such a kick out of myself. LOL LOL LOL.)



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A few days ago I started a post about invisibility. How we're programmed, taught, or instinctively know when to become invisible.

I think we all keep lots of things invisible - our hopes, dreams, or disappointments. I keep elements of my life invisible so people won't worry. I keep certain elements of my life invisible so people won't misunderstand.

I actually wrote a damn fine post about invisibility, but ironically, it vanished. Poof! Became invisible. GRRRRR.


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The third thought I've been thinking about recently is my ability to be more patient these days. When one becomes seriously ill and depends on lots and lots of people - patience is a delightful bonus. Lots of things happen. Lots of things are purchased or done or prepared that are very different to my choices or requests... and it's 100% okay because I've discovered the pleasure of patience. So what if I'm brought medium eggs instead of large. Who the yolk cares! It's an egg for God's sake. Isn't that wonderful? I've learned that an egg is an egg.

Just rolling. Going with the flow. Being grateful for the generosity that infuses my days. It's about not sweating the small stuff. Praise somersaults from my lips no matter how much someone has missed the mark. I must confess that I LOVE this ability to be more patient.


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Some photos from Reenie's Reach



Bonus Cousin Betty Ann visited for a couple of days. She drove from Kansas City and plans to return later this summer. She's gentle and kind and very funny. Her presence is soothing.






Long Locks - Betty Ann brought this delightful *doll* that is now perched in my office. She said it reminded her of me and the many years I had long curly hair. I smile every time I look at it,






Mary Elizabeth and me. ME is a precious woman I met several years ago. She has become a remarkable addition to my life. Among her many, many gifts, she's an amazing writer.





Nancy & Mary Elizabeth - These two remarkable women visited me last weekend. The contrails of their love and merriment continue to stream through my home.






*Some days you just have to create your own sunshine*


ME gave me this delightful Sunshine. The other day I was gathering *stuff* for photos and couldn't find this gift from her. In most households this wouldn't be a problem, but in my home... well, something can easily be swallowed in the chaos, um collection. I looked and looked and couldn't find it. *low-grade panic* Seriously. You think I'm exaggerating. Put something down in my home and it's like *Where's Waldo*. And then I remembered the photo I took of Nancy & ME as they left - and remembered where I'd placed this wonderful beam of joy - by the front door. Phew!







Betty Ann's gift from Santa Fe - This arrived in my mailbox the other day. It's a remarkable addition to my collection. It's an exquisite piece wrapped in mystical wonders.






The other day a rare *burst* of energy propelled me into action.






While I was resting, these beauties appeared on my front porch. Thanks, Linda!





While I took a quick snapshot of the geraniums, Mr. Cardinal became quite vocal, distressed. Outside my office window there's a hanging fern where Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal built their home. Just very recently the babies hatched. Mr. and Mrs. have been busy busy keeping the flock protected and fed. He's in the tall shrub - scolding me. I dashed back indoors. (Please note that I'm pointing at Mr. Cardinal.)

And so the miracle of life goes on... right outside my window... right inside my heart.

Thanks for stopping by. Love.