The 2010 Winter Olympics have come to a close. It’s probably for the best really; no more camping out on the couch, stuffing my face and cheering on my team. It’s definitely best for my poor, frazzled nerves. I mean really, we’ve just emerged from two weeks of nail-biting suspense in the halfpipe, speed skating … even bobsledding – and did you see that final hockey match? Good night nurse!  This girl needs some time to recover. But before I injure myself attempting a yoga pose, a running narrative on the games …  

• We tend to take it for granted, but the United States is pretty darn lucky to have a neighbor such as Canada;  
• Eyebrows in the shape of wee pyramids make me giggle;
• As do outfits that accent a particular body part; 
• Billie Jean belongs to Michael Jackson, plain and simply. It should never, EVER be reproduced – especially if the end product sounds as if it should be played in an elevator; 
• It would behoove some announcers to adopt the following lyrics, “You say it best, when you say nothing at all … “
• A blind snowdog is too, too much;
• The stories of the Olympics are what make the Olympics;
• Some remind us of the greatest sacrifice an athlete can make;
• Others give us a glimpse at courage;
• Truly great athletes are a bit like magic-men – for a moment in time they allow us to feel as if we too can capture glory;
• Gracious losers are the true winners;
• Coaches who truly care about their atheletes are just as great as the athletes themselves;
• Sometimes an athelete should have won, but didn’t;
• That doesn’t turn silver to platinum;
• Diadrea is not a good idea for a license plate; when you’re driving past it looks like diarrhea.

Okay, so that last bit wasn’t really a part of the Olympics. But I did see it on my way home one evening, after which I watched the Olympics. 

And with that, we bid a final farewell.  Thank you Canada; goodbye winter games … we’ll see you in Sochi …

For my faithful readers, thanks for hanging out with me this year.  For those who are new, here’s what you missed:

I’m thankful for …

• Grace
• Laughter
• A few tears
• Mom’s sausage dressing
• Pilgrim’s pumpkin pie
• Books
• Music
• Dreams
• Answered prayer
• Unanswered prayer
• Times of quiet
• Moments of excited chaos
• Happy memories
• Family
• Friends

I’m thankful …

hat in the world?!  Yeah, I’ve really got nothing to follow that there exclamation – I just wanted an excuse to use this drop cap*. Isn’t it fabulous?!  What in the world was the first thing that popped into my mind, Whoa dude was a close second.  So many wonderful words begin with the letter “W” …

Winner – Wonder – Wander – Wabble – Wacky – WAFFLES – Waters – Welcome -  Whim – Whiskers – Will – Willow – Wild – Window – Wine – Wisdom – Wish – Wooded – World – Worship – Wedding – Whifflers – Wit – Wigannowns – Wink – Whiz – Write. 

Put them together and they just might tell a story that goes something like this – Waffling whifflers waded waters while wacky wigannowns wandered willowed woods.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about it. 

*Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische.  Thank you Jessica!

It’s autumn. *sigh*

I am going to pretend that the weather is crisp, the sky grey.  I’m going to hang the Welcome Fall sign out front and eat stuffed acorn squash for dinner.  I’m going to light candles, play a little Classic FM from the Netherlands, and write a letter or two.  And I’m doing to anticipate all that is well and good about autumn …      

Beautiful fall colors…

Pumpkin patches …

The warmth of candlelight …

Comfy Sweaters …

Steaming cups of Hot Cinnamon Sunset …

Scrumptious edibles that make you exclaim OhMy …

And snuggling up to a good book (C’mon, like you didn’t know that was coming)!

Happy first day of Autumn dear readers …

may it be the grandest season of them all! 

*a bible, as my guide

*a passport, for unexpected adventures

*an umbrella, for when the rain falls

*bandaids, to cover hurts

*a tissue, to wipe away tears

*a song, to sing

*journals, sketch pads, and pens, with which to capture imagination

*a book, to take me away

*hair band, with which to pull back my hair and get to work

*chapstick, for that unexpected kiss

*bread, to share with a friend

*champagne, to toast the good times

*a camera, with which to save memories

*dancing shoes, to be foot-loose-and-fancy-free

*marbles, in case I lose mine

*candles to light the way

*seeds, to plant flowers where there once was but weeds …

What would you pack in your satchel?

So what’s so great about summer? 

What’s so great indeed … 

• Fireflies
• Garden parties
• Fireworks
• Iced tea
• S’mores
• Fresh cut grass
• Starlight
• Flowers
• Long walks with the one you love
• BBQs
• Laughter around the campfire
• Water fights
• Butterflies
• Fair food     

And that’s precisely what I wish for you, my dear readers – the bright side of summer!