An Old Rocking Chair

Several weeks ago my mama and I stopped at a yard sale, where I found an old rocker. It is just like one that used to sit in my grandmother's living room. The best thing about it was the $10 price tag. I think this style was pretty common in the 1940's and 1950's. The carved arms and rail are pretty, and it's comfortable to sit in.

 I have the perfect place for it on our screened porch, next to the chaise lounge where Rowdy dog takes his nap. Now I'm looking for fabric to recover it, something old fashioned or perhaps a modern print.  It appears to have the original faded light brown fabric, webbing and cushioning. I've decided not to refinish the wood, since it has a well used, kind of distressed look. I'll just use Old English polish to clean and freshen it up.

Once I finish the project, I'll post an update. It may be a while, since we're already using it just like it is. And, sewing is on the back burner at the moment because of our camping schedule. Ten days at Defeated Creek was wonderfully relaxing, but this week I'm catching up on chores like laundry and yard work. I did use my free time at the campground to design a dozen new quilting and sewing projects, but I have no clue when I'll have a chance to start them.

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.” --Glenn Turner

“I've had some of my best ideas while sitting on the porch in my rocking chair with a glass of sweet tea.” --Anonymous 

 

Just Breathing Isn't Living

Life is yours to live. Why wait? 

 

 
“From anywhere you are,
there is a path that will lead you to where you want to be.”
– Ralph Marston

Warm Wonderful Spring

What an unusually warm year we're having! Winter was mild and spring is at least six weeks earlier than normal here in Tennessee. Highs in the 70's in February and 80's in March have coaxed my flowers to show their faces much sooner. Everything has come up beautifully green, lush, and ahead of schedule.

Early iris that ordinarily bloom in April produced their gorgeous colors during March; later ones are showing their faces now. Our trellis is exploding with hundreds of New Dawn rosebuds. My great grandmother's old fashioned pink rosebushes are blossoming now instead of on their traditional Mother's Day. I had to cover them up last Wednesday night for the 35 degree light frost of blackberry winter. Yes, that's right, blackberries are blooming and will be ready to eat long before July.

My lilac bush is covered with pretty sweet-smelling blooms.  And, believe it or not, my mama and I picked two gallons of luscious sweet strawberries on April 6, a full five weeks before they regularly come in. We've already mowed our grass three times.  Our apple trees are sprouting tiny apples, which the deer are enjoying immensely.

I'm not sure what this early development means, but I am thankful for the wonderful weather and Mother Nature's show. April is one of my favorite times, probably because it's my birth month. Warm sunshine, a few rain showers, pretty flowers, and breezy days on the screened porch make me happy. I only hope that all these early warm days don't transition into a long hot dry summer.

Today is my birthday.
I will eat cake and have fun.
I will absolutely NOT act my age.

Happy Without Winning The Lottery

I had a very interesting conversation with my sweetie last week. With all the hoopla surrounding the $640 million lottery, we were laughing about what we'd buy if we happened to win (we didn't, by the way). All the usual big ticket items came up: beach vacation, red sports car, bigger tractor, furniture, truckloads of fabric and fancy sewing/quilting machines, a greenhouse, shortwave radios, tools, houses or condos for our parents, etc. Oh, and diamonds, of course! 

 

We considered how our lives would change with such a huge amount of money. That responsibility would not be fun. I bet we'd worry more than we do now. We'd spend a lot of time managing the portfolio, talking with financial advisers and avoiding panhandlers or long-lost distant relatives. It would be so much more stressful to have mega-millions than it is to just have enough.

I realized that I'm pretty satisfied with my life as it is. We're enjoying retirement. I love my home and don't really want a bigger or newer one. While watching a cute gardener or landscaper work in my yard might be nice to think about, I prefer to do my own digging and planting. It might be fun to buy expensive stuff or go to exotic places, but I think it would get old fairly quickly.

With the exception of the homes for our parents, it occurred to me that most of the items on our dream list are attainable if we really want them. Of course, we'd have to choose between a few of the most important. All we really need is to make plans for what we enjoy, and follow our dreams.

Our simple tastes tell me that I wouldn't make a good multimillionaire. I am happy with what I have and wouldn't really change much about my life. However, I really do want that red sports car, so I might need an extra hundred thousand. Guess I'd better buy a lottery ticket now and then.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.  ~Vernon Howard 

^^^^^

 

Honey, If It Ain't Your Tail, Don't Wag It

Sometimes people get too concerned about what is happening in the lives of others. Most, like me, mean well and only want to help or offer suggestions to fix a problem for a friend or loved one. After all, I'm a logical woman and a pretty decent problem solver. A little help can be a good thing. It's nice to offer someone an alternative idea or a neutral assessment of their issue.

Occasionally though, you're just butting in where you don't belong. Taking on other people's burdens can cause you a lot of stress. You might need to keep your mouth shut instead of volunteering yourself to fix every imperfect situation that comes across your path. The challenge is to know when to help and when to let people muddle it out for themselves. A wise man once told me that as a rule, folks don't like to be told what to do and how to do it.

I've collected a few good quotes that remind me to think before I jump in there. Feel free to share. I hope these make your life happier, reduce conflict, and maybe give you a laugh!  

“Don’t sign on for more problems than you must. Resist the temptation to involve yourself in other people’s zones of expertise and responsibility.” ~ Twyla Tharp

“Don't concern yourself with things that don't concern you.  If it's not your business, don't make it your burden.” ~ Author Unknown

“He missed an invaluable opportunity to hold his tongue.” ~ Andrew Lang

“Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own.  You may both be wrong.”  ~ Dandemis

“Just remember, there's a right way and a wrong way to do everything and the wrong way is to keep trying to make everybody else do it the right way.”  ~M*A*S*H, Colonel Potter 

 

“Don’t interfere with somethin' that ain’t bothering you none.” ~ Old Wild West talk

“Make somebody happy today. Mind your own business.” ~ Ann Landers

“If no one asked you for advice, keep your thoughts to yourself.” ~ Author Unknown

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