
Spying any peaceful bluebirds nesting? Catching a glimpse of random daffodils or tulips pushing their way through the earth's thawing surface?
Spring has officially sprung, finally ... and I know you're joining me in heaving a deep sigh of mingled relief and gratitude that the season of the relentless nor'easters is over and done with.
One can only hope.
I've been penning these end of the month posts since forever. They're fun to pull together because they're personal and there's lots of pictures and resources ... and I don't have to drum up anything terribly profound or noteworthy to set before you.
Simply put, this is where I find myself the last week of each month.
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I don't do any social media except LinkedIn ... that's where you'll find my ongoing reading link-list of anything and everything I find remotely fascinating. I'm right there with all the goodies. You need to be a LinkedIn member to read, but it's free to join and not at all difficult to set up your page.
And it's a very good move if you want to connect with others of like mind ... if you volunteer, if you're a writer, if you're in the workplace, if you're in ministry, if you're out and about.
Out of the 60+ links I've shared in March, these are the 8 I'm hand-selecting for you ...
Sarah Bessey
Erin Loechner
Joni Eareckson Tada
Joshua Becker
Jenn Granneman
Kate Wagner
A.J. Swoboda
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On a recent late afternoon jaunt to an ocean beach disturbed by yet another storm's vicious high tides, we came across a large hunk of old bricks cemented together, probably an old well dislodged from its former hiding place up on the now eroding cliffs. Ever curious, I attempted to prop it upright to get a better look ... and in the process it fell square on my right foot, crushing it into the sand.
Thankfully, I had on my $14 well-worn gray faux-Uggs which cushioned the impact. And my ever patient husband admits that he had to try twice before he could lift the monstrosity off my foot so we could hobble half a mile back up the windswept beach to the car.
Let's just say that it's given that old phrase 'a ton of bricks' a startling new meaning.
Long story short, my foot quickly swelled up in a most unattractive fashion and has evolved into a hoof-of-many-colors, mostly propped up and iced the past 11 days. X-rays show it's not broken. I'm grateful, yes. But let's just say there'll be no cute sandals, much-needed pedicures, or perhaps even a shoe that doesn't hurt for quite awhile.
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Speaking of damaged feet {you can't make this stuff up!}, last summer, a grandchild ended up with a ginormous splinter in her tender little foot which took forever and a day to remove. Trust me, it was a trauma for all within hearing range. I swore that it was finally time to completely tear down the rotting deck with its shards of splintered wood that threatened anyone young / brave / foolish enough to walk on it unshod.
We're following through. A three season porch is coming to be, thanks to my husband who gets by with a little help from his friends. And much to my delight and ongoing suspicions that our backyard just might be a site of an old farmhouse dumping ground, a few very fun pieces of dishware, an 1850 bottle, and other interesting bits and pieces have come to light in the upheaval and digging.
I don't know what's more exciting ... the excavation's findings ... or that outdoor space that's destined to become my new favorite room?
I think it'll be the room.
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'I have become clear about at least one thing: self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.'
~ Parker Palmer
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I honor my mom as we celebrate her 88th birthday. She's a very private person who probably won't be all that excited if / when she spies this picture. But she's the light of our lives, a godly, kind, never-a-complaint inspiration who keeps us all where we need to be, the gently powerful matriarch prayer warrior. Three generations of her family and her seemingly endless supply of friends and fans all arise and call her bless-ed.
I'd love if you'd pray for her in this challenging season of her life ...
Bless your springtime, your Easter gathering, and your beloved people.
He is risen indeed ~
P.S. I'm already chomping at the bit over our next Book Club Open House! Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 19th and grab your copy of Adam McHugh's The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction! As I hit the publish button, the Kindle edition is crazy-priced at only $3.99!
Please check out all the details ... Sneaking a Peek At Our Next Life-Saving Book.
And if you've never subscribed, now's the time and here's the place.
P.S.S. Lord willing, we're going to be talking about the pitfalls of blogging in April ... the situations / emotions / decisions that trip us up or find us kind of vulnerable. I'm not quite sure where we're going with this, I just know we're headed in that direction. Give me some input, please!
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penguin & fish artist unknown
What a blessing to have your mom with you at 88! Happy Birthday to her. AND OUCH to the foot!!! SO sorry!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
So much goodness in this one post, Linda. Happy birthday to your Mama...that's the best thing! Clicked on several of your links so now I'm headed over to read. I'm still not on LinkedIn; maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteCan you loan your husband to come to Indiana to work on a back porch for us? We already have a patio with a metal covering. Piece of cake for someone who knows what he is doing. :) Thanks for the colorful update. Hope your foot heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteLoving so many things about this, Linda. As usual. xx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your foot! I hope it heals well and quickly. Your porch is coming along nicely - looks like it will be a real plus. Belated happy birthday to your mom! Thanks for the info. about Linked-In. I had never considered using it because I thought it was for business people, but I just read an article about writers using it, so I think I will check it out. I am going to keep this post in my Feedly until I have time to click through to some of those posts - they look very interesting! I am so glad it is officially spring! I trust it will feel like it soon.
ReplyDeleteAfter knowing about your foot issue and seeing the picture of your clogs - I think you need to reassess your foot attire entirely! Liked the picture of Mom - hope we are the non-complaining type when we are 88 years old!
ReplyDeleteSo much great stuff packed in this post! Sorry about the ton of bricks on your foot! Ouch. But lovely about the treasures you have found and the new porch! Adam's book sounds great and at a good price too. I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteI still have my mother, too, Linda; she'll be 90 in July! And my MIL will be 87 next month. We are so fortunate to still have them with us, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteHope you foot is doing much, much better. I can't begin to imagine how painful that much have been!
Have a blessed Holy Week!
Linda,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Mom! Love your outdoor living space....I live in mine :) Sorry about your foot...we don't realize how much we need our feet until we can't use them. Is Spring truly coming. We had a little snow just the other day and I live in NC???? Easter blessings to you,
Bev xx
I love these posts. And you're right -- you absolutely could not have made up that story about your foot. So crazy!
ReplyDeleteTake good care of you!
I love this! The introverted article is spot on. I also love Joanna Gaines so hearing her speak about being secure in our identity was good.
ReplyDeleteI hope your foot is on the mend! Yikes that must have hurt. I’m with you on seeing signs of spring and being forever grateful. Winter was too long this year. I pray this week is a beautiful walk toward the cross and a time to rest in promise of hope that Easter brings.
Happy Birthday, Linda’s mom. I know you read these posts.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I read the 9 things introverts want ya to know and this one made me chuckle: “given our quiet nature, we’ve been held hostage more times than we can count by long-winded extroverts.” It reminded me of Dustin’s hostage situation. Maybe the preacher was an extrovert.
Wow, now I see why you needed a possible later date for foot healing. Egads, prayin it heals quickly.
Can’t wait til June to see the porch. I love screened in porches. Remember mine in PV apartment?
Also read “Are Home Renovations Necessary?” and I disagree with Wagner. If you ever want to sell your home, you may need some updates so why wait til you have to do all at once. I agree that HGTV makes us want to keep up but some of it makes us aware of what brings value to our home. Besides HGTV is about the only thing on TV where everybody is so happy and in love....refreshing? Or deceiving?
Always a joy to visit you, my friend! Love the 3 season room!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your foot, Linda! I hope it heals soon! Happy Birthday to your mom! I'm sure glad you get to have a 3-seasons room! If we had one, I think it would be one of my favorite rooms, too! :) Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI love your labor rates poster :). What fun to build a room apart from the house. I love the idea of a quiet (bug-free) place to relax.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your foot. Ouch!! And yes, that room is sure looking like it could be "the room." <3 Happy Birthday to your mom. Much love, Simply Beth
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter my sweet friend! God bless! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
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