There have been dozens of spring blossoms featured on this blog from many blue-skied, sunny afternoons and there will be dozens more. I simply can’t help myself. Wherever you are, I hope you have a Monday that is as sweet as these flowers.
Good Morning! Welcome to the rest of your life. Today is day one. There are no records or strikes against you and no limits to what you might achieve. Dreams do come true. What are you doing today to achieve yours?
Today I am kissing the weekend goodbye with a photo gallery from my most recent adventures out on the trails. Even the tiniest speck red on the wings of a ladybug or the faint blush of fresh spring blossoms is enough to make me long for the kaleidoscope of vivid greens, yellows, blues and nearly every other color under the Sun which graces Valparaiso amid the heat of summer. What colors did you notice today?
The seasons are changing and soon the days will be far too long and hot to cozy up in your favorite flannel so be sure to enjoy it while the chill wind still breathes whispers of winter. To everyone nearing the end of a tedious work week, have a fantastic Friday! Don’t be afraid to crack open a bottle of your favorite beer to celebrate.
Once again I find myself trapped in the cyclical self improvement kick that never seems to stick long enough for me to feel like I’ve really got my life together. After months of social distancing, working from home and generally trying to avoid going insane in the quiet of my apartment, I am at last on the upswing of an emotional and mental slump (again). But we all have to start somewhere. Sometimes that just means starting over for what seems like the thousandth time.
Today I greeted all of my work conference calls with confidence, I tidied my kitchen, I went for a run in the cool April sunshine (and discovered the pull of midwestern bird watching) and I cooked up a pasta dinner for the week. Looking around, it doesn’t feel like much. There are more conference calls and follow ups waiting for me tomorrow. The dishes neatly stacked by the sink still need washing. I still wish my belt sat just a hair more loosely around my hips and spaghetti was hardly a health conscious dinner choice.
However, the only way to move forward is by putting one foot in front of the other. Today I took the first step. Did you?
Good morning everyone! I don’t have anything groundbreaking to share today, just some April blossoms that are brightening the streets of Valparaiso. Good luck with your Monday, wherever you are, and be sure to enjoy the season.
A lot of people say that Friday gets too much attention but I say that there’s nothing wrong with loving your weekends. The world needs more reasons to make merry. Don’t ever feel ashamed to celebrate your Friday’s. However, it is far past my bedtime, and any reasonable person’s bedtime, as I write this post. Last time I had sleeping habits this bad I was a poor, terrified college kid who’s worst fear was losing her scholarships to engineering school. Fear is a powerful motivator in the right setting. Unfortunately, the ability to force myself to maintain consciousness at ridiculous hours in the morning has all but left me in the last two years. Sometimes you just have to go to bed so I bid you all a very good night.
I couldn’t resist snapping this photo while out for a morning hike around Indiana National Dunes with my family this weekend. As a family of hearty Colorado hikers, we happily embarked on a new adventure, choosing the longest trail we could find which is a loop that skirts the very edge of the state park. The return trip is mostly walked on the stony beach. I found many improbably shaped, weather smoothed stones. Of course, I had to show them to my dad, the Geologist of the family. I can’t wait to explore more in the coming months.
Good morning and welcome to a fresh start. This weekend was full of blessings, everything from my family spending three days hiking, eating, drinking and relaxing with me in Indiana to finally completing my sacraments of initiation in order to fully enter into the Catholic church. Congratulations to everyone who participated in a similar celebration on Saturday evening. You are reborn! I hope everyone had a happy Easter as I did, surrounded by family for a long sunny weekend.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the week leading up to Easter and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. While Holy Week is a time of reverence and celebration for Christians everywhere, this year’s festivities hold particular significance to me as the week will conclude with me completing my baptism, confirmation and first communion at the Easter Vigil mass.
After almost two years of questioning and preparation, I will finally officially enter the Catholic church. I can’t wait! Not words I ever thought I’d use to describe the electric enthusiasm with which I approach these holy sacraments. Happy Holy Week! May yours be blessed.
Girl of Steel 