Dirt Facial

 Have you ever had a dirt facial?  

Not that fancy kind that comes with cucumber slices and soft music playing in the background. 

 The one I got yesterday was free of charge ... courtesy of softball field dirt and the Texas wind. 

In this picture...Mylee is bunting the ball to bring in a team mate who was on third base. 

Sam and I spent a good portion of the afternoon at the softball field watching Mylee and her team play...AND WIN...two games. You can't beat watching your granddaughter play ball, while listening to the chatter coming from the dugout and the rhythm of cleats. Makes for an awesome afternoon...

The wind...YEP....it showed up too!!

It was blowing steady and strong yesterday...  Time after time, the dirt from the field would lift up and swirl straight toward the stands.  This is how I (all of us) were able to get that free grain facial. 

Got to have a Pickle in-between the games....lol

By the end of the day, I'm certain I had a light coating of infield dirt all across my cheeks.  My hair though...oh yes, it had plenty of volume that I wasn't expecting.  

When it's your grandchild out there on that dusty field, playing her heart out...then a few grains of dirt go practically unnoticed (at first).  lol.  

I loved seeing the team work coming from these girls and I loved the sound of the girls chanting during the game.  As an added bonus, it was fun watching the team giggle as they connected between the games.  They were creating great memories that they won't even realize are golden until years from now.  

The girls inventing their own games between the softball games. 

The best days are not polished, so I've heard...they are not neat...and sometimes they are not clean.  This one certainly was not clean!!!

As we were leaving the games and I was busy brushing off all the dust from my face, I realized that being a supportive grandparent is important to our grandchildren even when it's dusty, chilly or inconvenient.  

Most likely, Mylee will not remember how windy it was at the ballpark that day, but she will remember looking up into those stands and seeing familiar faces cheering her on.  If this costs me a little dirt on my face.....Well, I'd gladly take that facial again.  It was a fun day!

Happy Sunday...

shug...🥎

A Bird in the sky

                                                     

Oh my goodness....just look at the sky...

This was our view on Thursday evening.  The big Pecan trees are still bare with their branches stretching upward, which I think added to this photo.  Behind them was the most unusual sweep of color.  The sky was a soft blue, fading into blush, and then....right in the center...a streak of glowing peach color. 

What I saw was a bird!!  Wings lifted high and feathers flowing as if it had just taken off.  

Isn't it funny how two people can look at the same sky and see something entirely different? Some might see a streak of light, while others (like me) see a soaring bird. 

The branches in the foreground are empty right now.  Winter has stripped them down the their bones, yet just beyond those bare limbs, something beautiful was forming..

Color...Movement....Promise.  There is always motion in the heavens, even when the trees look so lifeless.  The clouds, the dormant tree branches, the stunning colors of a swoosh, it was as if they were whispering "Lift your eyes."

I'm thankful that my focus was not ground level and that I looked up to see what the sky was speaking to me.  

Those bare trees will bloom again...The birds we hear at dawn will return in full chorus...and if God can paint a bird across an evening sky for no reason other than beauty....I can rest assured that HE is tending to the details of my life too.  I'm taking this as a quiet promise and I'm going to rest in His goodness.  

Sending Hugs to all...

Shug..

 

Not too Hot....Not too Cold

Not too Hot.....Not too Cold.  Just Right!!

I stepped outside yesterday afternoon and let the soft warmth of the day settle around me.  There was a slight breeze that was just enough to let me know it was there. Makes a big difference when you have a soft breeze verses wind. 

I didn't even realize that school was out, but in the distance, I could hear kids playing outdoors!! We all know that this is a sound that you don't hear often anymore.  I enjoyed listening to the steady rhythm of a ball bouncing and what I really loved was the sounds of laughter that echoed across the area.  I can tell you that it really feels wholesome when you hear the voices of children having fun and just enjoying being kids.  Reminds me of old days.

As I looked to my left, I could see my neighbors tulip tree.  I promise, when I was in the back yard a couple days ago....(taking pictures of the mushrooms) ... there were NO blooms on this tulip tree.. I think the little rascals popped out over night.  LOL

 I will say that there was nothing timid about this gorgeous tree and all of it's blooms.  It was simply flourishing in the exact season it was created for.  I ended up standing there much longer than I had planned because I was just in Awe of it's beauty and the variation of colors that really stood out.  And that slight breeze that I felt, it was  carrying a subtle scent coming from the blooms....it reminded me of a musk smell.    

After I sat down and began to journal about the tree and the soft breeze, I began to think about "Why do I often allow my heart to worry when God keeps giving me days like this?"

I mean... The breeze wasn't worrying  about where it was going.  The tulip tree had no worries of having enough rain or sunshine.. The children were not overthinking their  laughter. They had no concerns about life other than to have a          good time.

It was as if everything felt so free.

    Did you know that worry is Heavy!  But yet, yesterday was so light....I felt like I had permission to breath deep and just relax.  

OOoooo this all felt so good and I think I want to spend another afternoon doing exactly what I did yesterday.  

The day was certainly not too hot and it was definitely not too cold.  

Shug...💜

Dotta....We go Way Back

 My dear neighbor, Dotta.....the one I've spoken about so many times through the years...💛💛💛

I am thankful for my neighbor....

Joining Michelle today

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It still makes me smile that she was my 5th grade teacher, and somehow life keeps circling us back together.  We have both moved over the years.. She has moved..we have moved...seasons have changed....addresses have changed, and yet we always end up neighbors again.  This feels like more than coincidence to me...  God winks!! This is exactly God's goodness upon both of us.  

Dotta and I have so much in common.  The way we raised our families as well as the value that we both place on our homes.  It's the love we pour into the little details and especially our shared joy of decorating.  If there is a season, a holiday or any reason to celebrate, I can assure you that she is already three steps ahead of it.  

I have to share her absolutely gorgeous Easter tree with all of you.  Is this not the happiest thing you've ever seen?  The oversized blue bow is perched proudly at the top, and then she had the pastel ribbons dancing all the way down....PLUS the whimsical garland of colorful eggs winding through the branches.  I told her that it looks like Spring took over her sitting room.  Even the little yellow wrap at the base of the tree looks creative and cheerful..  This lady amazes me.  

Dotta is 87 years YOUNG!!  This lady moves with purpose and she certainly plans with excitement.  She inspires me more than she probably realizes.  In her case, it is clear that creativity does not age out.  

She has been my teacher in more ways than one.... In the classroom way back in 1965, and now in life, she teaches me that friendship can span decades and that hearts run deep..  

Great job Dotta....Your tree is gorgeous.  I love You!!

Shug...💛💙💜💚