10/31 #solsc Just too Tired

 We’ve been gone from home for 20 days. We started home Friday and drove about 7 /2 hours. Another 6 hour Saturday, and finished up Sunday, getting home about 3:30 in the afternoon. 

Now, I love a good road trip. The snacks. The stops. Listening to the radio. Or, for a good listen, “Storied History” by Charles Chestnut. The man spins a great story and makes you feel like you are right there in the action.

But the downside to road trips is the tiredness that sets in. I could use a vacation from my vacation!

So, until tomorrow….

6/31. #solsc Don’t Forget to…

 smile at strangers                                                                                walk often

                                        call your mom                    be grateful

focus on the good                            be the good                                            always have a book

        take the pictures    (Print the good ones)                    cuddle Sophie

Don’t forget to….

listen to live music                        be kind                                           see the good in others

                move your body                                write something somewhere                take the trip

buy the best seats                        pay attention to the change of seasons

5/31 #solsc Crybaby

 My name is Deb and I am a crybaby.

Sad. Of course. I’m going to cry.

Happy. Yep, I cry.

Sappy Hallmark movies or commercials. Blubbering idiot.

I don’t mind those times so much. But when I’m really angry? Geez, I  hate when I feel the tears welling up. I just think I’m so weak when that happens.

Today it was frustration that set me off. Driving in an unfamiliar area, bad directions, a little stress. And there they were— the tears. And I snapped at my husband. 

But when I apologized and blamed the frustration for snapping and the tears, he said, “We’ve been together over 40 years. You think I don’t know what causes those tears?”

And then he shut up. Because that’s for the best.

4/31 #solsc Sounds of Silence

 

Sophie and I have a good rhythm going in the morning and it has carried over into our trip to Florida.

While my husband sleeps in, we enjoy our lazy morning on the patio; me in my pjs and a cup of coffee, Sophie with her rock (she’ll tell that story at a later date).

The birds sing out good mornings, easing us into the day, giving us all the background noise we need. I read and write in the stillness and Sophie sits and guards the yard.

As the rest of the neighborhood wakes up, the birds become silent. Replaced by lawn mowers and motorcycles in the distance, who sing out their own good morning. The leaves skitter across the roof as the wind picks up, Sophie pounces her rock across the cement.

Eventually, we hear the good morning barks of the neighborhood dogs. Sophie joins in, wishing them a good day.

3/31 #solsc Sophie Says Hi

 

Hi! My name is Sophie and I am 3 1/2 years old. Deb is my mom. She loves me a lot and even named the blog after me💕 

I’m a really smart girl, so Mom said I could write for her today She says sometimes I’m too smart for my own good. But she thinks maybe I need to go to puppy school. 

Huh? If I’m so smart, why do I need school? 🤔

I know how to tell time. When the sun comes up, it’s time to get up. And a little while after that it’s time to eat breakfast. If I leave a little bit, Dad thinks I’m not eating enough and he gives me a little milk and cereal.

I love milk and cereal. 😋

After I eat my first breakfast, Mom and I go for a walk. Or we play Frisbee in the backyard. Sometimes, we even do both! That’s the best.

Mom eats lunch after that, but she doesn’t share with me ☹️ She says I don’t need people food. Good thing Dad’s around or I wouldn’t get anything good to eat!

Sometimes, I take a nap in the afternoon, but I try to stay awake just in case Mom and Dad do something fun. We go play in the backyard again after that. Or, sometimes I go play by myself, but that’s not as much fun.

I also know when it’s supper time. I make sure to let Mom know so she doesn’t forget. Sometimes at supper she puts stuff in my dish.  Frozen carrots are one of my favorites. But I really like it when they have hamburger and rub the package on my food. Soooooo gooood! 😋

And every night after supper and before I go to bed, Dad and I share a banana. Do you know how good those things are? I could eat a whole one by myself, I just know it. But Dad says we have to share, dang it.

Well, it’s just about time for cereal with Dad, so I’m going to say goodbye for now. I hope I get to talk to you soon!

Bye! 😘 

2/31. #solsc I Was/I Am

 Just like every year, I looked over my opening blog posts to see how I introduced myself and my blog. This year I realized things have changed a lot in the past few years and so have I. Maybe it’s time to update. 

I used to be an English teacher whose favorite class to teach was Creative Writing. I loved mornings with students, all of us quietly writing. It seemed there was always something to write about. 

Nowadays, my writing comes in fits and spurts. I struggled sometimes with what to write about. I guess it’s why this blog has been dormant. I’ve lost my voice. But I do write in my notebook most days. I’ve joined the100 Days of Notebooking group on Facebook and it does keep me writing. 

Kind of.

I used to be so busy and I thought that was a good thing (most of the time). I taught three or four different English classes, coached competitive Speech, took part in many committees, and tried to keep up with grandkids, being a dog mom, and keeping in touch with family and friends across the state. It kept me busy, but there wasn’t really time for me. 

Today I sit here, lounging in my pajamas, sipping on another cup of coffee, and having to check my phone to see what day it is. When I’m done with this post I’ll shower and change. We’re going to brunch with friends later, so I’ll put on “real” clothes. I’m still a grandma and dog mom (a new dog for those of you who followed me before), but this time it’s different.

My life is quiet and peaceful. My time is mine to do or not do whatever I want. 

And today, I want to write.

1/31#solsc It’s March 1st

 Technically, I’m not a newbie.

.I’ve done this before.

But I haven’t really, truly participated since 2018.

That’s a long time. 

So maybe I am a newbie.

Because I’m going to try again.

It’s March 1st, and it’s time to write.