This is what I saw when I looked out my window at 7 a.m. A few minutes later it started to shower. And the temperature dropped to 73 degrees. After a week or two of heat and humidity and no rain, I’m loving it!!!!
Oh what a beautiful morning!
Month: August 2019
Kids and Imaginations
When one of my grandsons was younger, I brought a whole truckload of styrofoam packaging home from work. Nothing special. Just something they were going to trash. My husband thought I was crazy, but Caleb had so much fun. First he used them like giant Legos. Built forts and castles. And then he got another idea. Construct a suit of armor. You can tell by his face he was dead serious about getting it just right. That’s when his big sister dubbed him the “knight in packaging armor.”
Kids and imaginations. They go together. Even though he turned 13 this year, he still has one. And I’m betting he’ll never grow out of it.
Dinner And A Movie Monday – Meet Joe Black
The movie stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani. The screenplay is loosely based on the 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday. It was the second pairing of Hopkins and Pitt after Legends of The Fall.
His daughter, Susan, is considering marriage, but her father can tell that she is not passionately in love. He tells her “Stay open. Who knows? Lightning could strike!”
Joe Black (Death) arrives at Bill’s home in the body of a young man, explaining that Bill’s words have piqued his interest. Susan falls in love with Joe. She tells him she has loved him ever since that day in the coffee shop. Joe is attracted to her as well, but he realizes he must set aside his own desires and allow Susan to live her life. Bill makes his peace with his daughters.
This is one of those movies that makes you think about truly important things in life. It doesn’t really matter how long it takes to recognize them as long as you do, because you’ll never be truly content until then. Also, Anthony Hopkins is one of my favorite actors.
Susan meets Joe at an old fashioned diner. One of my favorite places to eat. Especially for breakfast. Everything is fresh and hot. Served with strong, hot coffee and pancakes if you’re lucky!
Yesterday
This is something I wrote a long time ago. One of the first things I ever submitted to a contest. Needless to say, it’s gone through some editing since I won first place with it. A writer never stops tweaking!
These days, I just sit out on the front porch in a daze. My family doesn’t know what to do with me. To them, I’m an old woman living in the past. They don’t know I can time travel. Snicker all you want, but it’s true.
Anything can trigger it. A gentle breeze lifting the hair on my arms, the sound of someone’s voice, smells like honeysuckle or roses, children’s laughter. The memories come, faded at first like old black and white photographs of days gone by. And if I concentrate on them long enough, I’m young again, full of hopes and dreams and promises.
It’s a trip. Sparks of emotion exploding into fireworks. An aching lump in my throat. Joy mixed with regret. Bittersweet. Too much to bear sometimes, but I can’t stop myself.
When I was young, I charged ahead at breakneck speed without savoring precious moments or taking the time to breathe. Learned my lesson far too late. Now I take my time. Close my eyes and watch everything unfold again.
This is where I want to be from now on…
Purple Sage
I have purple sage growing on the east side of my front porch. I planted it several years ago for a little variety, hoping it would be as hardy as the nonflowering shrubs along the front. June and July can be mighty hot and dry in Texas. But sage blooms gorgeous purple flowers when we do get rain.
A few months ago I trimmed it back because it had gotten a little spindly. Don’t know if that had anything to do with it but when I went outside after a shower, I noticed it had bloomed more than ever before. Isn’t it pretty?
August has arrived
Can you believe it? Just yesterday I was putting out the flag for Memorial Day. Making plans for my grandson’s second birthday. Looking forward to plans for the 4th. Counting the days until vacation. And now it’s August 1st. Where does the time go?
Like it or not, it’s time to start thinking about shopping for school supplies and clothes. Spend a weekend at the lake while there’s still time and the weather’s still good. Go swimming, cook out, make homemade ice cream!
Enjoy it while you can before it’s gone!
Susan A. Royal 