Ordinary Wonderment: 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Relevant Blessings (Unused Skill Sets)

My friend Poptart & I at the Big Splash! Event

Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind. ~Catherine Drinker Bowen

Happy October, dear Reader! After a very creatively-productive summer, I must admit to feeling a tad deprived as we hit that time of year when the flow of creative work begins to slow down. Then today, came along a little shining moment to remind me all is not lost and I have not yet reached artistic hibernation for the winter (or longer).

I came upstairs to my office this afternoon and heard the news that my 'little article that could' had made it onto page 16 of Vitamin Retailer Magazine's October 2012 issue. Yes, there it was in my hands, in full color on glossy, trade magazine paper and accompanied by a few of my photos. (I've never been glossy in full color before!) True, it's only a little re-cap piece about my company's 50th Anniversary Big Splash! event this past August. Just a little blurb thanking the vendors and staff who participated and made the celebration a rousing success at all 11 of our stores.

But, you know, it felt really good to do all the familiar, necessary stuff for writing up a press release or local event: gathering company facts and figures; asking for a few quotes; visiting several stores on the big day to photograph all the fun; and writing clean, informative copy for a deadline. I haven't written for a deadline (other than my own bedtime) in a very long while and it felt pretty darn good to play writer again.

When the article made its way, along with some photos, into our parent company's September newsletter, it was great to see my coworkers, supervisors and the staff at our stores recognized for all the hard work and effort they put into making our 50th anniversary such a success. But that was the limit of any aspiration I had for the little piece. Somebody said something about maybe submitting it to Vitamin Retailer, but I got busy with other projects and promptly forgot all about it. Until this afternoon.

It just goes to show, dear Reader, in those moments when we're caught up in the busyness of work and life, that those might be the moments God uses to remind us the skills we've developed over a lifetime (but maybe aren't using right now) are not just wasting away on a shelf in the back of our brains. He has given us these skills and the reoccurring opportunities to use them for a purpose. We won't always know what that is. But, when we do finally recognize these moments for the relevant blessings they are, we're one step closer to embracing His plan for our lives. Maybe today I'll be a writer. Maybe tomorrow, I'll be a data entry whiz or just a photographer. Whatever I am, I'm always a child of the living God and able to choose to walk in His perfect will for my life.

God Bless you, dear Reader, and may you sleep tight tonight!

Quote courtesy of the Quote Garden.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Jail Bird Arrested for 3rd Time

Jail Bird (aka Micah) after her "arrest" last night.

A cat, after being scolded, goes about its business. A dog slinks off into a corner and pretends to be doing a serious self-reappraisal. ~Robert Brault

Thought you might enjoy a quick laugh this morning, dear Reader. Last night, the above-pictured pooch offender somehow got outside unsupervised and decided to take a jaunt through town all by herself.

Fortunately, a neighbor, living on a street we can't find on the town map, found her in his yard and called the local police. After we realized she was missing and had been searching all over town in vehicles and on foot, Aunt called the police and was told she was down at the station. Neither of us even knew where the police station was--we are hardened criminals after all--so Aunt Chef & Uncle showed us how to get there.

Then, after an appropriately contrite conversation with the very attractive officer on duty, we got to take our little Jail Bird home. This time it didn't cost any money to spring her from the hoozgow. Bonus.

Yes, dear Reader, this is not the first time Micah has been picked up by the local authorities. She escaped from Cousin once in southern Illinois and escaped another time from our house during a visit last year. Alas, she now has a reputation with the law. But the officer did say she was "awful friendly."

So, to commemorate her 3rd release from police custody, I snapped the above shot and submitted it to my favorite new website (I'm hoping it will become your favorite too): dog-shaming.com. If they approve and post it, millions of people around the world will soon be laughing at her adventures. There's some real humdingers already on there, by the way. So, check it out and have a wonderful day!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Today's Bounty from the Farm

It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato. ~Lewis Grizzard

The middle of September is already upon us, dear Reader! I find myself asking the same repetitive question every two weeks or so: where does the time go? Well, as I never seem to find a satisfactory answer, I shall just move on and tell you about Micah's first trip to the farm today.

Her Royal Cuteness came out to visit with her doggie cousins and get some quality socialization time. Plus she's been bouncing off the walls at home, so dear Aunt & I hoped this might tire her out a bit. In fact, she had a marvelous time! She "helped" clean stalls, rode along to get shavings and walked very quickly behind (notice, I did not say chased) Aunt Chef's accidentally free-range chickens. She sniffed everything that needed sniffing and happily used her long lead to clothes-line unsuspecting buckets. A very satisfactory day, I gather.

But Micah wasn't the only one enjoying a marvelous afternoon at the farm. Here, dear Reader, are some photos I took while playing with Micah and then blissfully picking gorgeous, ripe veggies in Uncle & Aunt Chef's garden. Enjoy!

Green leafy happiness and cherry-red life, bursting with seeds. ~Terri Guillemet

Show-stopping Peppers

View from the Tomato Vines

Tomato Bliss!

Giant Yellow Squash

Perfect time to pick!

Lovely Coleus

Sunflower

Coleus

Squash Vines

Ben, Miniature Donkey

Tessa, German Shepherd

Uncle's Truck

On the Horse Barn

Keeper

The man who started it all.

For Aunt Chef

Lovely Iron Ornaments

Silo

Micah, resting

Hard-working Farm Poodle

Julia keeping watch.

It was a good day!

Fresh Peppers

Keep as near as ever you can to the first sources of supply—fruits and vegetables. ~B.W. Richardson

Quotes courtesy of the Quote Garden.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Summer of Bridal Showers

The Gift Table

Clasp my love around your neck,
Wear my heart on your finger.
My soul will be your pendant:
I live to adorn you -
You're the precious one.
~Grey Livingston

Ah, dear Reader! After the hottest and driest Illinois summer I can remember, it's finally beginning to feel like fall! Hurray! But before I embrace the long-awaited season of knee-high boots, plaid skirts and scrumptious sweaters, I want to give summer one last peck on the cheek and share with you some of my favorite photos from the two lovely outdoor bridal showers I was blessed to photograph in August.

So here, in no particular order, are beautiful brides, gorgeous guests and delightful Pinterest-style parties! Enjoy!

Julie's Shower...