Time For a New Look and a Little Music

I thought I would add a little bit of music to my blog... Those who would prefer to view in silence only need to turn the music off by scrolling down to the "play list" and turning it off.

Otherwise... enjoy!

It's been a While

Sarah and Her Father in Spring 2001, Tokyo, Japan

Wow... time sure does fly...

It is beginning to look and feel like Spring here... I am sure it will get a bit chilly for a few more weeks... but Spring is sure to come... Yesterday, I was snooping around my yard... and caught a glimpse of plump buds on my Clematis!

Most of the reason for my break from writing has been my son... he has been walking and moving all on his own again! It took him about a week and a half to get up the strength... but he has been working slowly to the point of now being able to climb the stairs on his own! And, he has been getting into his share of trouble as well... His most recent mishap was a misstep into the dogs water dish! (Those casts soaked up the water in seconds!) I worked hard to dry his foot and air it out... Yikes! I have to keep my constant eye on this little guy... In just a couple of weeks, he will hopefully be cast free and able to walk outdoors and get as dirty and wet as he likes... he will enjoy the warm Spring weather for sure!

Sarah has also been working hard... She prepared for and participated in the District 4H Horse Bowl with great enthusiasm... although she did not place this time, she came in 11th! Which means she is next in line as an alternate in the event that one of the other 10 cannot participate in the State competition... This was her very first year participating ... and, I think she did a fine job! Sarah is also preparing for the District level 4H Oral Presentation which she will be doing on the 4th of April. These are all great experiences that are preparing her for real life as she grows and matures... what a blessing to have such fun while learning and developing skills for the future...

As for her love of horses... she is enjoying her work with Wyatt. Last evening, at a ride night, she actually got up the courage to Lope! She said is was a bit scary... and, she was worried she would not be able to stop the horse... yet, she did and she enjoyed her new experience!

It feels good to be at the end of our long winter... I am looking forward to what is ahead and busily working and enjoying the gift and miracle of life... one day at a time.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

Sarah and I read this poem today ...

Life's Mirror

If we could look into life's mirror,
A picture of our lives we then would see.
We'd see ourselves as others see us,
And bow our heads in deep humility.
We'd not find time for cheap or idle gossip,
For cutting words or faint and faltering hearts,
But see ourselves as in a mirror,
And at ourselves we'd point the poison darts.
We'd feel the pain we often caused others,
By thoughtless words we were so swift to speak
if we could look into life's mirror-
We'd humbly kneel, and true forgiveness seek.

By Mary Mae Nedrow
("The Girlhood Home Companion", Volume 5, Issue 3)