Waterfall Whispers and a Hodgepodge

Waterfall Whispers and a Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce at:

here

 1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

You do not have to have your whole life figured out the minute you walk across that stage.  Many people think graduation means you are suddenly supposed to know exactly who you are, what career you want, where you will live, and what comes next.  Real life rarely works this way..  Give yourself permission to grow into your future.  

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Oh...the cowardly lion!!  He spent the entire journey believing he lacked courage, when in truth, courage had been inside him all along. I know that I already have the courage to walk the road I am now on....  Courage is choosing to move forward even when fear is sitting beside you. 

3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

Honestly, anytime I return home after being gone for several days, I feel it. I may enjoy the trip, the restaurants, the visiting, and all the excitement, but there is something comforting about pulling into my own driveway. Home is where my favorite chair sits, where familiar smells linger, and where I can completely exhale. Nothing quite compares to sleeping in your own bed and waking up surrounded by the little everyday things you love most.

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

Oh yes...we own a grill, a smoker, and a pellet grill.  These are all NEW since last year, and have never been used.  Sam has always done the outdoor cooking but has not felt well enough to do so.  I enjoy burgers as well as ribs and brisket.  HMMM... not sure I can remember the last thing that was cooked on the old grills.  

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

One memory I replay often is the sound of my grandkids laughing and playing outdoors.  These moments still warm my heart.  I have a digital picture frame that rotates photos (all day long)...Goodness...each time I walk past it and I see the old photos of the kids growing up, memories pop up.  I sometimes carry those memories with me for the rest of the day.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My random thought this morning is about a picture that I recently took.  The sound of the water tumbling over the rocks made the world fill a little less loud while I was standing there enjoying the fall and the roses.  Places like this are so peaceful and as I watched the water flowing over the rocks without hurrying, I couldn't help but think how the rocks themselves, have sat there through storms and all kinds of seasons that change over and over again.  They just are!!  Yet...everyday, they bring smiles to faces over and over again.   

This little corner of beauty feels like a reminder to me that life does not always have to be at full-speed.  Just keep a smile on your face and keep moving.  

Happy Hodgepodge Day....

Shug....