Long Hollow

A Max Update

August 1, 2014

Earlier this week I let you know that my old puppy Max had slid downhill, health-wise. Thank you so much for all of your well wishes, both here and on Facebook.

There is power in well-wishes. I truly believe that, especially after watching Max rally the past few days.

His rally isn't 100%. He's an old dog, after all. But he's eating again, and for five mornings in a row, he's been waiting for me on the porch at sunrise, ready for our walk.

Monday morning, we only made it a short way down our road before he decided it was time to head back home, but that was an improvement!

The next morning, thinking it was going to be a repeat performance and we wouldn't step foot into the woods, I skipped my routine dousing in mosquito spray for the first time in months.

And so naturally Max decided we were going to take a long walk, all around our property. We went to the far side of the big pond, up the hill, back down to the little pond, where he wobbled his way across the stone dam and then went swimming.

I was ecstatic. I didn't rush him, just let him wander where he wanted (except not through the fence bordering our property, even though it was tough telling him no about something), grateful I didn't have anywhere I needed to be for a few hours.

That long walk must have worn him out; Wednesday morning was another short jaunt to the dumpsters and back. But the past two days he's ventured farther once again, checking out all his favorite places.

I realize he still has congestive heart failure. Cataracts. Hip Dysplasia. Elbow Dysplasia. He's having a tough time controlling his bladder, like so many other older men and women.

But I know he can't stay with me forever, so I wash the blankets over and over, and keep an eye on him for any signs of real distress or discomfort. The day will come, I know, and I know what I'll need to do, and I'll do it.

Because I love him.

Until then, you'll find me heading out the door each morning just as night gives way to dawn, carrying a fragile hope in my heart that Max is waiting there for me, ready for our walk, just one more time.
In regards to thinning hair… becoming a guinea pig.

July 29, 2014

Besides the initial embarrassment, it was actually kind of scary when I broke down and started using minoxidil as a last desperate measure to save my hair a few years ago. I worried I would sprout hair on my chest or grow a beard or something.

Thank goodness nothing like that happened. I believe the minoxidil did coax a few more hairs to grow on my head, but even if that's just wishful thinking, at the very least it stopped the thinning.

Through the number of responses to articles I've written on my experience, I realized how common the problem of thinning hair is for women my age, and yet how very little has been done to find causes or solutions. There's a lot of hearsay and rumors about different products, but very little science behind any of it, and there can be some pretty serious side effects with a few of the supplements.

Why do we bother? You can cover up flabby arms or age spots or even wrinkles pretty easily, but unless you wear a wig or a hat, your hair is exposed for the world to see.

Even the least-vain of us cringe when we have a bad hair day, so when it becomes a struggle just to keep your scalp from shining through your hair, we cross our fingers and try product and product, hoping for a miracle.

So when I heard about a Vibrant Influencer network campaign for a new line of products by Redken aimed at thinning hair, I signed up, despite being a little cynical from previous experience with products that didn't live up to their claims.

I figured it was a win-win situation: I would receive free products to try, plus get paid a small fee for posting about my experience!

(Never fear - the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Redken and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.)

So… on to my review.

I've been using the products for about a month now. I received four of Redken's new Cerafill thinning hair solutions: the Defy Shampoo, Defy Conditioner, Dense Fx (a "hair diameter thickening" treatment,) and the Texture Effect hair and scalp refresher.

I can't say I've noticed a difference in the actual thickness of my hair, but I know from using minoxidil that actual growth takes more than a month. But I think the products do make my hair appear thicker, and it also seems healthier than it did a month ago.

At first I wasn't crazy about the smell of the products, but they grew on me, and I like them now, although I'd still prefer scentless. At least it's a clean, fresh smell, not perfumy.

The shampoo lathers and rinses easily. The conditioner felt warm and tingly after a few minutes. My hair felt conditioned without being weighed down, which is a problem with many conditioners on thin, fine hair. But a good conditioner is necessary, especially if you color your hair or use heat to style it, as I do.

I wasn't sure how much of the Dense Fx to use at first, but figured it out after the first couple of days, lightly spraying at the base of my roots and gently fluffing it through my hair with my fingers. It worked great as a volumizer. It's promoted as a growth stimulator, but again, I don't think a month is long enough to tell if it's made a difference or not.

The Texture Effect really did freshen my hair. I've used dry shampoos before – I think this is similar – but I always felt they were just gunking up my hair. This was more energizing and made my hair look like it did when I first styled it.

Redken says the products are safe to use along with minoxidil (they even have their own version) and on color-treated and chemically-treated hair, and from my experience, that's true. My hair feels better than it did a month ago.

My takeaway? I plan to continue using them. I can't vouch for the claims that Redken's Cerafill line promotes new growth of hair, but I do believe they are good products for thin hair, for keeping it healthy and helping it look as thick as possible.

And that's more than I can say for some of the other products I've tried!

For more information on Redken's Cerafill line of products, go to their webpage HERE and go HERE to find a Redken Salon near you.
Old puppies, morning walks, and other sweet!s

July 25, 2014

Whether it's the heat or just old age catching up to him, Max has gone down a pretty steep hill lately.

Just last week we took the long walk, around the curve and down into the creekbed. But now he can't walk far before having to stop and rest. Our walks have gotten shorter and shorter. This morning we barely made it past the next property before he was ready to head back home.

I'm not sure if that's due to his congestive heart failure, or because he hasn't eaten much of anything in several days, despite our coaxing. TG even tries to feed him by hand, a trick that has always worked in the past. (He's a little spoiled.)

He's still drinking and "marking his territory", if you get my drift, so that's a good thing, but I sure wish he'd start eating again.

I'm hoping it's just the heat. We're keeping him and Belle inside all day and half the night. It hasn't made a difference in his appetite, but it obviously makes him happy, and I'm grateful for the chance to repay some of the happiness he's provided me in his short life.

It's only been about ten years since he wandered up to our house and adopted us. Sure, he's a big dog – a German Shepherd/Great Dane mix, our vet guessed – and typically they don't live long lives, and yeah, the orthopedic doctor who diagnosed his elbow dysplasia when he was 18 months old said he could be lame by the time he was 7 years old even if we fed him the right food and gave him all the supplements.

But still ... ten years just isn't enough time with that old puppy.

However, this is a sweet! post, so I'll focus on the sweet moments with him over the past week…how happy he is to see me first thing in the morning … how eager he is to get started on our morning walks … the joy in his eyes when Belle kisses his whole face … the pride in his eyes when he watches her run circles around us … the way he snuggles against me, almost knocking me down … his "Look how cute I am" pose, with one paw looped over his nose …

It's amazing how they fit right into places in your heart you didn't realize were empty, isn't it?

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.

For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.

~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

Here are a few other sweet!s from the past week or so…

Wednesday: spending hours with your mom; celebrating your baby girl's birthday with pizza and chocolate cake; laughing and reciting lines while watching "Goonies" with your son and daughter

Thursday: discovering your aloe plant survived the winter after all

Friday: your mom winning in dominoes; an evening with all of your kids, your husband, and your brother-in-law from Arizona; a message from a longtime friend; a beautiful bracelet from your goddaughter

Saturday: showing houses in the morning and again in the evening; bridal showers; your brother-in-law wanting to visit your mom; playing 3-13 with family

Sunday: when everything falls into place, despite some disappointments along the way; steady traffic at your open house; visiting a dear friend from church with your mom

Monday: your husband noticing, and fixing, your flat tire, even though it made him hit traffic on his way to work

Tuesday: getting to work early and accomplishing a lot before lunchtime; the flexibility to run home and let your puppies in the house on a hot day; sharing cookies and watching "Andy Griffith" with your mom

Wednesday: a morning walk with your puppies for the first time in five days; time with good friends you don't see often enough; coconut milk chocolate mint ice cream with pecans and hot fudge

Thursday: the feel of raindrops on your skin; cancelled meetings that allow you to work from home; lots of showings on your listings; social time with your colleague-friends; ping-pong, ping-pong, ping-pong (especially when you win!)

I hope you've had a week full of sweet!s (share them in the comments!) and this next week you find so many more your cup overflows!
Daughters (and other sweet!s)

July 16, 2014

They grow so fast, don't they? One minute they're crawling around on your stylish-at-the-time-rose-colored carpet, exploring and investigating… picking on their older brothers, trying to stir things up…cuddling in your arms because they're still shorter than you and easy to pick up…

…and then suddenly they're wanting to explore far beyond your carpeted floors. And while they may still be picking on their older brothers, and every once in awhile they'll snuggle their head on your shoulder, they're now several inches taller than you and impossible to pick up.

Yes, one minute you're holding them in your arms, counting tiny toes and fingers and praising God for the miracle that is a baby girl, and then somehow in the next you're wishing them a happy 23rd birthday (but still praising God for the miracle that is a baby girl, all grown up.)

Gosh, they grow so fast. And what a sweet! it is to witness the jouney.

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

~Author Unknown

Happy birthday to my baby girl, my hero these days, who does such an awesome job of taking up my slack around the house so I can focus on my real estate business. May she always believe in herself and her gifts, and see her own dreams come true.

Here are some other sweet!s from this past week. Despite my intentions of writing less more often, the week got totally crazy…but in a good way. Be sure to add your sweet!s in the comments!

Wednesday: precious five-year-old boys who talk to you at Starbucks and tell you about their birthday parties; roadrunners

Thursday: moonlight glazing your hollow; authentic Indian food on a beautiful evening with friends and laughter after a long day; your client's offer accepted after ping-pong-ish negotiations; two new listings

Friday: helping your son's friends find a new home; watching a movie with your son when you've hardly seen him all week

Saturday: meeting the neighbor to one of your new listings and his dog, Otis; the neighbor putting the "For Sale" sign up on the lot while you visit with Otis; watching "Fiddler on the Roof" with your daughter

Sunday: a slow-paced morning; watching your old dog swim and dragonflies play tag from the bank of your pond before church; inspirational boosts from Joel Osteen and the Garden of Eatin'; Reuben sandwiches; brave friends who will spray wasp nests for you; hanging out with dear friends all afternoon

Monday: joining others on committees to make things better; taking time to work out on a crazy, busy day; completing things that have been weighing on you; sisters, for a million reasons

Tuesday: discovering a Deepwater/Deer Park girl in Spicewood, Texas (Debbie, DPHS Class of '71!); rain falling through sunshine; visits with your mom; potential offers on your listings

Wednesday: reflecting on all of the ages of your beautiful daughter, and giving thanks that she's yours

As you twirl through the coming week, I hope you find tons of sweet! moments to treasure!

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.

~Author Unknown
Chuck-Will’s-Widows, and other sweet!s

July 8, 2014

After a long day, I pulled up to my house at dusk and stepped out of the car, my brain whirring with the day's events and to-do's still left on my mental list.

Then the chuck-will's-widow sang to me, pulling me back into the moment and the beauty around me…

…the dusky blue horizon … the glint of our metal roof, peeking out from the hollow, surrounded by cedars and oaks … the quiet of the dirt road, and the soothing sound of a night bird's song.

Between grandpuppy-sitting and the 4th of July… and winning a multiple offer situation, yay!… this has mostly been a great week, so I had another title in mind for this post, involving puppies and parades (I like alliteration.)

But after spending a few hours with a friend who is mourning her dad, followed by a visit with my mom, I knew when the chuck-will's-widow sang to me this evening that he would get top billing.

Birds sing after a storm;

why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?

~Rose F. Kennedy

And here are a few other sweet!s from the past week…

Tuesday – going on a property tour for first time in awhile; watching your mama walking, even if it's with the help of her awesome therapists; having your client's offer on a home accepted over three others

Wednesday – a backseat full of dog; your daughter's help taking both of your puppies to the vet for check-ups; clean reports on your puppies from the vet; surprise parties; taking a belly dancing class with a good friend you never see otherwise

Thursday: pancakes; accountability meetings that keep you on track for your goals; getting another year-long promotional price on your phone and internet service; visits from grandpuppies

Friday: celebrating your country's birthday by sleeping in and walking your puppies; watching fireworks pop above the horizon from your back porch

Saturday: riding on a float and sipping mimosas in a 4th of July parade in a small town; your friends' Model A painted Longhorn Orange; finally meeting someone in person who you met via your blog, who has property in your town he wants to sell; bobbing in a lake on a gorgeous day for a few hours while catching up with a friend

Sunday: knowing your kids arrived home safe and sound from a weekend in Chicago; spoiling your grandpuppy; showing houses; a great inspection report on your client's new home

Monday: your husband fixing your favorite shoes for you; lunch from Yummi Tacos with a friend; seeing friends you haven't seen in awhile; getting a hug from your oldest

Tuesday: office meetings and free lunches; La Grange, Texas; memories of road trips and eating at the Cottonwood Inn restaurant with your Daddy; being there for a friend who is mourning her daddy; seeing a longtime friend and the parents of another friend who you haven't seen in decades; a neck massage from your son

What made your heart soar, or at least sigh, this week? Share it in the comments! I hope this next week is sprinkled with sweet! moments for you!
Piddle-farting on the 4th of July

July 4, 2014

I'm rocking out on my back deck (literally…in my rocking chair), sipping iced coffee, listening to a few birds chattering nearby. It's a hot summer day, but I'm in the shade. It feels great, thanks to a breeze.

My grandpuppy Josie lies nearby. Her mama and daddy are off on an adventure and we were happy to puppysit. I don't get to see her very often.

Belle and Max are both lounging in the air-conditioned laundry room. It's too hot for old Max, and Belle doesn't stray far from his side.

No, it's not an exciting Independence Day, by any means, but I'm savoring the slow pace of it…the freedom to sleep in and take a long morning walk with my puppies, to start one thing and go off on a tangent without feeling guilty.

Tomorrow morning I'll ride in a parade and enjoy fireworks after dark in my little town. For some reason I still don't understand, we're celebrating the 4th on the 5th this year.

I hope you're having a wonderful Independence Day!

Happy birthday, America!

How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy.

~Paul Sweeney
It feels so good…

July 1, 2014

Following up on my vow in yesterday's "Happy Birthday, Long Hollow" post, I'm going to try to share more "short and sweet"s here rather than dumping it all at once on you. We'll see how that goes…

I can't describe how it feels to help someone move closer to their dreams…especially someone you've known for almost twenty years…

… someone who helped you get a job when you needed to pay for kids' braces and drivers education…

…someone who is just one of the sweetest people you've ever met.

When I got the phone call this evening letting me know my friend Kim's offer on an adorable home was the one accepted out of a four-offer situation, I really couldn't believe it. In fact, my phone rang three times before I answered it, because I expected to hear "I'm so sorry, but…"

Instead, I heard, "Congratulations…"

Pinch me. I must be dreaming!

This was actually the second house we'd tried for. The first went into multiple offers right away, as well. Would you believe this latest house had only been on the market 1 day?

It's crazy around here, folks, I'm telling you.

Before getting into real estate, I asked all of my Realtor friends to share their input. One friend had loved it, but had eventually gotten a job with a steady paycheck and set hours. "You work 24/7", she told me.

But I was already working 24/7, and not making any money. It was worth a try, especially in a job where I could help people.

Some days are tough, I'll admit. But days like today make it all worthwhile.
Happy Birthday, Long Hollow…and other long overdue sweet!s

July 1, 2014

Today is life – the only life you are sure of.

Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you.

Live today with gusto.

~Dale Carnegie

On my left, a chuck-will's-widow sang to the sliver moon hanging in the dusky sky. On my right, a frog answered from the pond in a deep baritone. And in between cicadas chirped a staccato rhythm.

Belle at my feet, I rocked in my chair, adding my own squeaks to the evening symphony.

A strong breeze playing along the deck.I thought it was sweeping the mosquitoes away, but when I finally stepped back inside last night, the tiny bites on my arms let me know I had been wrong. But those brief moments catching my breath were worth a few little bites.

There's no definitive line between work and play for me anymore. My phone is never far away and I wear my Keller Williams name badge just about every where I go… because you just never know when you're going to meet the next person you can help.

But there are times I don't answer my phone, like during visits with my mom or in church or meeting with a client…or at a Shake Russell concert, like Sunday (although I did wear my name badge! You just never know….)

Shake Russell is a Texas music icon, one of my favorite artists for several decades, so I treated myself by going to an afternoon concert at the Saxon Pub on Sunday with my friend Maggie. She's been a fan of Shake's even longer than I have and had been urging me to go for over a month.

I'm so glad she did. It was long overdue, just like the rest of these sweet!s, so I'll get right to them…

Wednesday – a class on Facebook and a Realtor/happy hour/networking event, where you bump into a friend of your son's who you've known since they were in middle school

Friday – an afternoon spent visiting with a friend at her sister's house that has an awesome view of the Colorado River, aka Lake Austin; dancing under the stars with friends at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse; finding a parking spot when the lot is technically full

Saturday – your son putting together a dresser for your mom; watching him with your mom, along with a half dozen episodes of "Who's the Boss"

Monday – the joy on your old dog's face as he swims in a pond on a summer morning; word that ground is breaking on your client's new home

Tuesday – fawn triplets following their mama; a meeting with a buyer in the afternoon and a seller in the evening

Wednesday – giving thanks for lasting friendships with amazing people…whispering "goodbye" to one and shouting "happy birthday" to another

Thursday – working while cheering on the U.S. in the world cup with your daughter; celebrating a friend becoming a U.S. citizen; watching the sun set on Lake Travis with colleagues; evening breezes; dancing with friends on a Thursday night

Friday – a friend reporting to you about the memorial service for another friend, because he knows you wanted to be there but couldn't; great finds at Goodwill, thanks to your daughter's sharp eye; celebrating a dear friend's birthday; Siamese cats and sweet dogs

Saturday – touring model homes; being able to stop and visit your mom on your way home, no matter where you've been; grilled chicken for dinner, courtesy of your daughter

Sunday: Shake Russell's distinctive voice; the face of a dear friend you've missed; still being able to vent to your mom; a roadrunner couple crossing the dirt road in front of you; fajitas for dinner, courtesy of your son

Monday: new leads; showing cute houses to friends; your daughter keeping up with the laundry, dishes, and the home invasion of ants trying to escape the summer heat; your husband making it home safely after working 24 hours

"This is a big step for me – putting my thoughts out there for anyone…or no one…to read. Why am I doing it? I think it's to satisfy my conflicting needs of writing (a solitary journey) and connecting with other people. I really have no idea what I'm doing yet, so it will be fun to see how it evolves…"

That's what I wrote in my very first blog post ever, here on "Long Hollow" six years ago this month. And it has been fun to see how it's evolved, and to think about how it expanded my world, connecting me to wonderful friends around the world.

Happy birthday, Long Hollow!

I had completely forgotten about its birthday until someone wished me a "happy work anniversary" on LinkedIn. I'm so glad LinkedIn is keeping track!

Many of my posts were short and sweet back then. I need to get back to that, instead of waiting until I have two weeks' worth of thoughts to dump on you.

Nevertheless, I'm going to leave you with one of my first, and favorite, posts, because rediscovering it this morning was another sweet!

I needed the reminder.

Coming back from the doctor this afternoon, tired from the weekend and too little sleep, and feeling depressed because I always believe the worst-case scenario when something is wrong, I stopped at HEB.

"How's your day going?" the check-out boy asked. He was only about seventeen, tall, thin. Shaggy-ish brown hair.

"It's great," I said, but he was still looking at me. His question had been a real one, not just an automatic greeting. "I'm just a little worn out," I added.

"I thought so. I see it in your face."

I couldn't bear to spread this "down" that had taken control of me, and especially not to this sweet kid. I was ashamed that I had let it get to me – I have so much to be grateful for.

I smiled at him. "Every day is a great day." That's what I believe, even if can't always feel it. But he made me remember. So…I said a prayer for him on my way out.

God has a way of dropping gifts in our path. Somehow, he knows just what we need. God bless that check-out boy.

And God bless all of you today! Thank you so much for stopping by to say hello, whether you've been coming around for six years or this is your first time.

Don't forget to share your sweet!s with me in the comments!
Ky, my friend

June 26, 2014

“It was an odd friendship, but the oddnesses of friendships are a frequent guarantee of their lasting texture.”

~Ford Madox Ford

First thing this morning, my heart was broken.

I was preparing to do my homework for a class, had barely started eating my cereal, when I checked my email and saw the message from my dear friend Ky's son, letting me know he passed away on Monday.

And thus began a day of tears.

I just saw Ky in January at our second DuPont Old Farts Club reunion. Sure, his hair was all white, but otherwise, to me he hadn't aged a bit since we first met in 1982. He was energetic, all smiles, so happy to be there and reconnect with the rest of us.

I never, ever suspected that would be the last time I saw him. Maybe some of the others. But not Ky.

After all, I've actually seen him two other times since we both hung up our hardhats, at the weddings of two of his seven sons.

He loved to talk about those sons and his wife on our long twelve-hour shifts. He would also tell stories about having to leave his home in China when the Communists took over, and then years later having to flee Viet Nam with his young family for the same reason. He told me he learned English from reading Reader's Digest magazines.

I loved his stories.

Ky never called me "Barbara". It was always "Barbie." And that was okay. I can hear him even now.

I don't remember how or when we became such good friends. It just happened. As odd as it seems, there was something inside each of us that transcended gender age, nationality, religion…even language.

There was something that was the same, allowing a forty-something Chinese Buddhist father of seven sons and the twenty-something Texan Baptist newlywed woman to form a friendship that would span decades.

Ky enriched my life. The tears that flowed today were in sorrow, of course, that his open and honest smile would no longer shine in this world, but they were also in gratitude for knowing him and relief that I didn't miss an opportunity to see him when it was given.

Ky knew how much our friendship meant to me, which gives me peace, and my memories bring me smiles. I guess I can't ask for more than that.

Thank you, and may you rest in peace, Ky, my dear, dear friend.

Ky's death wasn't just unexpected to me. It caught his family by surprise as well, so please keep them all in your prayers. He left an awesome legacy…as good men always do.
Outrage, blood, and other sweet!s

June 17, 2014

It might seem strange to count outrage as a sweet! But today I found out another real estate agent approached one of my clients when he was working in his yard and tried to seduce him away from me.

Not only is that a huge breach of ethics, but it hurt my feelings and made me mad!

I posted about it in one of my Realtor groups on Facebook and was so relieved to have one after another Realtor express disgust and dismay about it. Several had experienced the same thing. Most urged me to report him to our board, and I would if I knew his name.

One even referred to the guy as a snake. Sweet!

So, yes, shared outrage and supportive anger can be very therapeutic, and definitely sweet!

A few decades ago, I donated blood after working several 12-hour night shifts in a row. I didn't crawl out of my bed for a couple of days. I was completely wiped out.

Soon after that, I married Tom, a Rh+ man. Since I was Rh-, I had to have a Rhogam shot after my babies were born, which prevented me from giving blood for awhile.

Secretly, I was relieved. I just didn't have time to be that worn out ever again!

But the knowledge that I'm O-, very rare, kept gnawing at me, and I began to feel guilty about not donating. So today, when I realized the Bloodmobile was right there in our parking lot, I didn't even think about it. I just went out and did it.

I gave blood.

And then proceeded to have a normal day. Go figure.

If you've been hesitant like me, just go do it. You'll be glad you did.

Before this week gets away from me, I want to post the sweet!s I've gathered since my last post. I'm going to start with a photo I spotted on Facebook. I'm not sure where it originated, but I'm grateful for it. I feel it was written just for me:

Coffee and wine. Always two unspoken sweet!s of my week.

And now for the rest…

Wednesday: watching a hummingbird flit around your yard and rest on a tiny branch; finding out the issues with your iphone aren't terminal; coffee and conversation with your mom and her friends

Thursday: cardinals serenading you on your morning walk; touring million dollar homes and wedding venues; fortune cookie wisdom; a quick visit with friends

Friday: a job where you're continuously learning something new; a hug from your precious great-niece, visiting from Montana; finally experiencing a Torchy's Taco

Saturday: your old puppy swimming; a butterfly fluttering outside your window when you're feeling blue; an orange moon rising

Sunday: Garden of Eatin' inspiration; two new leads before you get home from church; your sons helping you with your mom; all of your kids together to honor their awesome father; watching the season finale of "Game of Thrones" with your kids

Monday: chocolate cake, baked by your daughter for no particular reason; a son who will rescue daddy-long-legs

Tuesday: sticking to your time-blocking schedule; giving blood; watching "Walker, Texas Ranger" with your mom

It's been a fast, up and down, roller coaster week. In other words, normal. So here's a random quote to finish up my post, just because I think it's beautiful.

I wish all of you lots of love…

"Love is watchful.

Sleeping, it does not slumber.

Wearied, it is not tired.

Pressed, it is not straitened.

Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle."

~Thomas a Kempis

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