Pandemic Preparedness

Should the World Health Organization indicate that any of the following conditions are threatening to pose serious concern, you might want to hang with me and the purse:

Gastritis

Migraine

Rhinitis

Sinusitis

Influenza

Halitotis

Tonsilitis

Dermatitis

Cosmetic deficiencies

Sterilization needs

Skin abraisions

Gingivitis

Affluenza

Spiritual emptiness

ANY condition of the lips

Should we need shelter, I have the tape measure and nylon to secure it for us. Should we need levity, I have some great little cartoons, Music? Covered. Face mask? That hanky should work. Stay calm. ( I have some help for that if you need it.) Everything will be okay.

Wednesday Link Love

Things kind of shook out in pairs this week. Like, walls for instance...........there's this one, and then there would be this one.....

This gorgeous Spring sighting , and these......

I am mesmerized by these beautiful beautiful colors and people...........India and Yemen

And these beautiful maps.....london and boston

Two recipes I want to try- this one, and I'd make one whole pan of them for my sister, and then I'd like to try my hand at these.

Two absolutely lovely things that will sap away time if you aren't careful- I swear this one makes my blood pressure drop to within normal limits! And this is mighty fun and relaxing too.

And finally, a couple of videos along the same line........here and here

What Money Can't Buy

I wanted to use 8 Things Money Cannot Buy for my 8 things this week......but then I found this, and it's so great, I decided the kindest thing I could do tonight is route you right over to Marc and Angel. Read and enjoy, and leave me a comment about something that you would add to the list.......
I would add that money cannot buy:

• Family wisdom and tradition passed on and on with a huge weight of importance
• Chiayim's dimples and the sound of his voice, Shameka's gorgeous eyes and her great sensibility, Kendra's equally gorgeous eyes and her enthusiasm and kindness to others
• the deep tenderness of knowing you are God's beloved child
• health
• the esteem and trust of your friends and family
• your children's love and respect
• a remedy for grief or depression
• another Earth

Anxious to hear yours!

Music Monday

I had a great song/video in mind to share tonight, but youtube is down for maintenance. So, in lieu of that, I thought I would share my 10 most recently acquired iTunes songs.

Girls with Guitars- Wynonna Judd LYLE SINGS BACK UP ON THE CHORUS WITH HER!!

Rocket Man- Donovan Hiller

Iga Bani- Ali Farka Toure'

Homeless- Sarah Mclaughlin and Ladysmith Black Mombozo

Easter Song- Keith Green

Give me Jesus- Sara Watkins

Emmanual- Chris Boti- I recommend this one no matter what your tastes are.

Wildewood Spring- Eliza Gilkyson

Last Date- Floyd Kramer

Come on Get Higher- Matt Nathkanson

As you can see, I'm all over the map! Give a listen to a few of these if you don't know them.

When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. ~Author Unknown

I finally got the courage to venture into my back yard yesterday after a long cold season of neglect. Weeds abounded, but these are the young green ones that look almost like something you meant to have there. And there sat these two old friends- a little worse for the wear, but keeping up a brave front. I enjoyed my time there so much that I paid it another visit today, and tonight have been looking at seed catalogs.

I taped up a picture this week of the same back yard in 1999, the year of it's heyday. I went out every morning first thing and spent a good 30 to 45 minutes weeding and calling each plant by name and pinching things and moving things. The picture was taken on June 28. One month later, I very suddenly became a mom. I've hardly cast a glance back there since. I've been growing more important and more beautiful things.

As I am grappling with sending Shameka off in the fall, knowing Kendra is just a matter of steps behind her, and having already long been discharged by Chiayim, this may be the year to plant and tend and weed again. I'll plant perrineals this time!

On my daughter's 18th birthday

To a Daughter Leaving Home
Linda Pastan

When I taught you

at eight to ride

a bicycle, loping along

beside you

as you wobbled away

on two round wheels,

my own mouth rounding

in surprise when you pulled

ahead down the curved

path of the park,

I kept waiting

for the thud

of your crash as I

sprinted to catch up,

while you grew

smaller, more breakable

with distance,

pumping, pumping

for your life, screaming

with laughter,

the hair flapping

behind you like a

handkerchief waving

goodbye.

I first read this poem when Shameka was 8 and was learning to ride a bike. Today she turned 18, and we gave her a fitting gift- a new bike. I feel called like an evangelist to tell every mother of every 8 year old to look long and hard at them as they ride away.

And Shameka- don't forget your helmet. I love you

Continuing a theme.....

of party ideas from the girl who never gives or goes to parties!!!
Zange was turning 21 so her sister got this great idea for her surprise party. She made an instuctional video showing how to do this dance. Imagine Zange's surprise? Do you think anyone will forget Zanbe's bday? Read the whole story here http://jessiesharingthecaring.blogspot.com/2009/04/dance.html