Challenges on the porch...

 What kind of challenges are you facing these days?

Well, I am entering my 70th decade so...challenge. I am in good health. I do get tired so much earlier than I have in past years. My energy wanes more quickly. My eyesight is weaker. I think more about falling while biking or walking. (I fell on my bike last summer into a large mud puddle. No pain, very smooshy  mud. My adorable biker clothes were soaked with mud. My biker shoes.) Nice people tried to help me up but were laughing so much it was hard. I care less about a clean house or what people think. Is that a challenge? Seriously the challenge that is most hard to face is losing friends and family as I age. People I have loved my entire life are gone. 

Random pic choices.

We all have our vices...

 We all have our vices, what are yours?

Well, I don’t smoke or drink. No drugs. But I hate to admit I have a few vices. I would rather eat dessert than vegetables. I love good chocolate. I read instead of sleep. House keeping is my last priority. I can only accomplish tasks under pressure. Last minute. I cannot make myself prepare ahead of time. I do not have a stocked pantry. 

I missed writing  my blog yesterday but I did attend a crawfish boil. It was an experience to remember! Delicious. Very spicy. The Brussels sprouts were lovely to look at but too spicy for me. The live oak tree was huge and gorgeous. 

70th Birthday Celebration #2...

Birthday dinner at the  Cajun Tex Restaurant in Marshall, Texas with Kelley, Craig, Cade, Clay and Kendall. Delicious étouffé, blackened shrimp and crawfish for me with beignets for dessert. Po’ Boy sandwiches, alligator, (really), crawfish and shrimp. Hubby ate fried fish and  his favorite gumbo.

What habit do you have that you would like to replace?

I just read about Sleep Procrastination. It describes my worst habit. I can’t sleep. But I do nothing to promote a healthy sleeping routine. I read or play my games until all hours.  I know I should keep my kindle, phone and books out of my bedroom but I can’t make myself do it. I tell myself it is my “me” time. I worry so much about not sleeping that I sabotage my sleep. I would like to replace this habit with a healthy bedtime. Relaxing, meditation, a warm bath. Stop sleep procrastination. 

Run, Rabbits, Run...

 Today I watched my 14 year old freshman granddaughter run varsity track. She ran the 1600 (the mile). She beat her personal best time and came in 4th place in the District meet. She qualified for Regionals next week. The student athlete’s abilities are amazing. These kids are fast. The weather was balmy. Texas track is fun to watch. 

What are you still learning about yourself?

The older I get the less I know. I really thought I was so smart. I am now smart enough to know how much I don’t know. 

Another day on the road...

 Marion, Illinois to Atlanta, Texas today. Long ride but so worth it. My daughter, her husband and two of their teens. They have grown up so much in the time since we’ve seen them. Kendall talked about the poetry she loves and quotes. Atticus. Books she is reading. To Kill a Mockingbird and Turtles All the Way Down. Track she will run tomorrow at a meet. She runs the mile. Today she ran two miles then soaked in an ice bath. Clay talked about books he is reading. Game of Thrones and the television series. Very enthusiastically. I read one book in the series and watched one show years ago. Too violent for me. He can’t believe I didn’t love it. 

When you look at the world, what is most fascinating to you? 

My answer might be a little off subject. I am most fascinated by the youth I talk to. They are so bright and committed to learning. Exploring life and what is ahead for them. Books, music, poetry, science. I feel like I am sharing their excitement. Experiencing the enthusiasm of youth all over again.

Irises at a rest stop in Arkansas. They were huge and beautiful. 

Road trip...

 I rode 625  miles today in the car. On our way to Texas. I am the mom who wanted  my kids to live next door. Texas, Florida and Traverse City, Lansing, Chicago, Austin...are some of the places the girls have lived. 

Today’s question: What would be you perfect day? 

Wake up to a cup of coffee and Apple strudel. Sit in my chair in my cozy living room until I wake up. Watch the Today show or Sunday Morning. Take a walk or bike ride if the weather permits. Read whatever book I am reading, Transcendent Kingdom is today’s book. Sit on my old front porch for a while. A little more reading time. FaceTime my grands. I love seeing their faces and hearing about what us going on in their lives. My first question is always “What are you reading?” Make a delicious supper for me and my hubby. I love setting a nice table. Sitting down with him and talking about our day. A very ordinary day. Just perfect for me.

                      My mother at 18 

        My mother’s parents as young as I have ever seen them

           Helen and Stella my mother

 Minnie and John Nedeau with their children on the Isabella farm

Questions on the porch...

 What is the most physically painful thing you have ever experienced? 

I have given birth to three children. One without any medication at all. Painful, but not the most painful. I ruptured a disc in my lower back about 25 years ago. I went to Green Bay for surgery. Waking up from that surgery, a compressed nerve released, almost killed me. The pain was excruciating. It lasted about 24 hours. Nothing helped relieve the pain. I just had to get through it. So there you have it. My most physically painful thing. 

Spent the day packing our car for a road trip. On our way to Texas to visit our middle child and her family. We are going to make it for a regional track meet. Our freshman granddaughter will be running the mile. I am excited to get in the car and go. It is the longest time we have gone without  seeing this family. Miss them so much. It is hard to communicate long distance. They are so busy with work and school and teen life. 

                                       The Middle