Kicking the Can



Early morning walk

 I think I may have mentioned to you that I have a short attention span. Not the totally short attention span like some folks who can't follow a conversation to the end of a sentence or can never sit still. I am more typical of someone with an ADD diagnosis. I can zone in on something that I find fascinating. For instance, I spent 30 minutes this morning researching the chemistry, uses and qualities of carbamide. Really.

Until I was about 11 I was under the impression that I had inherited my paternal grandmother's build and looks. She was dark and small. I had visions of becoming a jockey. While outwardly doing math or science quietly at my desk, inwardly I was urging some modern day Man  O' War to a total upset at the Preakness. I mentally perfected all the jocky moves while everyone else just thought I was doing my school work. Sadly, under the influence of an onslaught of estrogen, I discovered that I had inherited the stout genetics of my German ancestors. I bargained with myself that I could perhaps be a sulky racer. They could weigh more than jockies. As I grew skyward and developed ankles the diameter of my friends' calves, I allowed those dreams to slip away.

choke cherry blossoms

Running Gear!

Today, those same genetics have blessed me with strong bones and durability. However, my inner jockey/athlete is perfectly camouflaged behind a frumpy, fat lady in ankle length prairie skirts and her husband's running shoes.. So, as I find myself walkng in the morning to try to uncover bits of the inner athlete, I once again find my short wired brain multitasking. Mere walking is not enough for this brain with its visions of grandeur. No, it has to find something to do. After watching daylight come and reviewing the taxonomy of the half million or so species of plants and animals on my walking route, it became bored. Until I found the beer can! Oh what joy as I kicked that can for 2 miles. My walk flew by. My heart was light. I had rediscovered something that had occupied endless hours of my childhood. I kicked away. I was light on my feet. I swerved and dived to keep the can down the middle of the roadway. It was only later, as I was revisiting the fun I had, that I thought ...of the ...neighbors!

The Can! Before Picture

I have good neighbors. Across the river, though, at least one set keeps a spotting scope set up in their front room. I happen to know they routinely glass the hill near my house for deer and elk. They are not nosey people, just avid outdoorsmen, but they have discovered a number of suspicious activities by accident while looking for critters. I know this because they have sometimes called me to ask if someone had permission to be on my property and things of that nature. Oh my...




The Can, After Picture. Safely stowed for next time...or not.



I can hear it now.
"Honey?"
"Yeah."
"You gotta see this!?
"Elk?"
"Um No! Come look!"
"What is she doing?"
"I don't know, it kind of looks like soccer moves, or square dancing."
"Did she just bounce something off her head?"
"Looks like a beer can."
"Does she drink?"
"I don't think so."
"Wow. This is pretty interesting. I don't think I have ever seen a fat lady move like that."
"She is probably going to hurt herself!"
"I can't watch,"
"Me either!"

So. If you are bored while walking and you find a can. It can be fun and good exercise. It can also affect your neighbors. I think beer cans should come with a warning like this. "The attorney general has determined that kicking this can for two miles in the sight of sane neighbors may be deterimental to your standing in the community."

There are some stories you should not tell on yourself. As soon as I publish this, I will probably decide this was one of them.

Lawana
P.S. I kind of hurt my knee a little bit with this shuffle kick maneuver. It is okay though, I tell folks it is a soccer injury.

Bits and Pieces

Here are some things you may not know, or care to know, but I need to share. Our oldest son is a helicopter pilot. He is a decorated hero. He has a wonderful wife and his children are beautiful. We pray for him every day. They have a Chiweenie just as we do. They NEED our prayers if their chiweenie is anything like ours!

Our second son is also a decorated hero. He is now working in the defense industry as a civilian. His wife is a gift and his boys are way too sweet. There is another baby on the way. We are very proud of them all and pray for them every day, even though they do not have a chiweenie. They do, however, have Spud, the talking, "Woody" impersonating cat. Amazing!

Our third son is on a boat in Bristol bay trying to catch all the sockeye salmon in the ocean. He left his precious wife here to hold down the fort. We pray for them though they neither have a chiweenie, nor a Woody impersonating cat. They do have a very sweet marriage and lots of cute names for the adorable children they will have some day. Oh and this daughter-in-law tries to alienate the affections of my new kitten, Strongbad, whom she calls Kevin!

Our 4th son is bearing down on his 18th birthday and hoping to transition to supported independent living. He now owns a rice maker, two Tupperware containers with lids,and  an electric teapot. I am pretty sure visions of sugarplums are dancing in his head. We pray for him daily, though he owns no Chiweenie, no Woody impersonating cat nor does he rename and try to steal my kitten Strongbad!

Our 16 year old son is driving, a lot, everywhere, every day. He would drive to the bathroom if we would let him. I think he drives in his sleep! He has suddenly become blind to the dents and faded paint of the decades old Chevy Cavalier we let him use. It has an engine...and wheels...it starts...and runs...it is therefore a thing of beauty. We pray for him every day for obvious reasons!

Our 15 year old daughter is away at camp...for the first time...in the far away land of Idaho. She could have driven there. She could probably run the camp. She might be having fun right now without us! We pray for her daily, though she has neither a Chiweenie, nor a talking cat, nor visions of sugarplums, nor the alienated affections of Strongbad/Kevin. She does;  however, own a pig named Ariadne. Hey! Are there boys at that camp?

Our 9 year old son has prayed diligently to get to go to VBS. God has said, "Yes." and has provided a way for him to stay in Missoula with friends. (Thanks R and S!) He will be staying away from us for four days and 3 nights. I am not sure that is allowed. He will probably not even notice we are home alone without him. We pray for him because Vacation Bible School with Brother Larry Hoyle is amazing, challenging and possibly dangerous!

Our 6 year old daughter is amazing. With paralyzed legs, she is taking her world by storm. She is able and impressive. She is visiting with friends this week. She hopes to play in the water with her little friend Eve. We pray for her because she can get into more trouble than  2 Chiweenies, 2 cats, talking and non talking, a driving 16 year old, a helicopter pilot, a commercial fisherman  and a whole summer camp full of kids combined.

My beloved has migraines that mimic strokes, strokes that mimic migraines and sometimes both at the same time. That happened today during church. After 5 hours at the E.R. we determined it was the former. I am so thankful there was no stroke. God is so merciful. The dad to all the amazing young people I mentioned before needs to be in good shape to keep up with them.

In the stress of the hospital visit, I left my purse in the grocery store. Thank you God and whoever the honest person was who took the purse, untouched to the manager.

I thank God for my family. For health, safety and happiness. I hope you are enjoying these blessings too.

Lawana
P.S. We had frost here in my yard this morning! June 27th and frost!

Life Is Too Short To... (renumbered)

                                                                             
Maybe it is because of the stage of life I am in, but I constantly think, life is too short to, or not to...
Here is a list of things I have thought about lately.
Life is too short ...

1.To live with unloved clutter
2.To watch movies you do not like
3.To finish boring books
4.To sweat the small issues
5.To spend time with people who are critical
6.To have friends who drain you of energy
7. To live in regret
8. To go to bed angry
9. To tell the story "my" way only
10. To live without hugs
11. To live with unnecessary bad odors
12. To.have an ugly cat! (Gotcha L.)
13. To have picky, ungrateful children
14. To be grumpy or be with folks who are
15. To be jealous or envious
16. Not to give the benefit of the doubt
17. Not to call your parents
18. To forget the to do list
19. To be owned by the to do list
20. To forget charity
21. To whine
22. To feud with your neighbors
23. To seek vengeance
24. Not to have flowers
25. Not to listen to good music
26. Not to remember your manners
27. To wear uncomfortable shoes in the name of fashion
28. To compete with people who are photoshopped and airbrushed
29. To keep clothes in 5 different sizes that don't fit
30. To hold your tummy in
31. Not to train your dog
32. Not to bury the hatchet
33. To drink a skinny latte
34. Not to invest in a child or young person
35. To frown
36. Not to stargaze
37. Not to daydream
38. To forget about PB&J
39. Not to take risks
40. Not to dream

This blog is like my kitchen table. You are all invited to pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and stay a while. If you can, today, share your heart with someone. I would love to hear what is on your mind and in your heart. Life is short, live it well.

Lawana