* IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK*

Once again, I am stunned about how long it's been since I blogged.

 No excuses this time...just that I hope to post more often.

 ~~~~~

I'm happy to say that life is so much better again and not because anything extraordinary happened, but because I remembered how to...

 

Bloom Where I Am Planted!  

And I really love it when blooming includes fruit and chocolate! 

I do believe in myself.

I'm back to my old wacky self...and I DO mean OLD! 😊

                            And autumn is coming soon...my favorite season! 

 Oh, one more thing. I am thrilled to say my friend (living intentionally) 

and I are meeting for lunch next Wednesday! I'm looking so forward to it!

(I have no idea why my paragraphs aren't following my orders to post properly. 

If anyone has answers, pleat let me know!)

 

* It's Monday! *

Hey everyone! I've been busy with different activities and just haven't been able to finish a blog post. I started writing one for "I Wonder" and couldn't get to the end of it. I think that was this past Thursday. Then I remembered my "Nostalgic Sunday" posts and thought that would be fun to do yesterday. Well, as you can see, it's Monday evening...

Some of my recent "activities" 

1) I've been doing a lot around the house. Ron and I are slowly getting our remodeling done. I don't remember if I mentioned about our purchase of a double-wide mobile home, in a senior community (55+ years old). We bought it 2 years ago and began taking it apart and putting in new. We moved in about a year ago and the work continues. We got it at a really good price and knew we could fix it up to make it our own. I told Ron that if I hadn't watched that TV show, "Flip or Flop", I would never have believed we could make it beautiful! Maybe I can post some "before and after" photos later as we keep working on it.

2) I'm also very happy to announce I've been writing!! I'm working on my sequel in the fact that I've found a bunch of notes and have been trying to get them in some kind of order. I'm also working on a story for a Chicken Soup book, and plan to write something for another one that's not due for quite a while. 

3) This evening I cut up carrots, potatoes and onions and put them all in the refrigerator in storage bags. Tomorrow morning before I leave for work at 6:00 am, I'll dump them all into my crockpot which is ready to be plugged in...and of course, I have a round roast to put in with the veggies. Mmm, that sounds so yummy to me. It's the kind of food I crave in the cooler/colder weather. How about you? 

"A few days ago, I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." -- Eric Sloane

* IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES *

My title kind of says it all, doesn't it? It's spring time, or autumn, 

depending on what part of our beautiful world you live on. 

That's the "Best" part.

~~~~~

Then, we have the COVID-19 virus....

Obviously the "Worst" part. 

~~~~~

I sincerely hope all of you are well and staying 

away from people as much as possible. 

~~~~~

I hope this isn't the New Normal because

I can't imagine living the rest of my life 

as a germaphobe!

(And I love to give and receive hugs!)

~~~~~

I have some photos to share of outdoorsy things

and will post them when as soon as I get them ready!

* Nostalgic Sundays *

I haven't thought about my "Nostalgic Sundays" blog posts in such a long time, but just this moment when I wondered what I would write about tonight...it came to me 😀 (Most of this was written ON Sunday!)

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

I feel a little bad because it's been almost a month since my last post and I'd promised myself that I was going to blog regularly again...Hmm, what are my excuses?? 

1) Well, one excuse is that I gobbled up another great book! The Headmaster's Wife, by Thomas Christopher Greene. There are 3 or 4 other novels with the exact same title, so if you're thinking about reading it, make sure you get the one by THIS author! (I never read much of the book reviews of a book or the inside flap, etc. before I begin it, because too many times it tells me too much about the plot.) 

This was another page-turner and had at least one "jaw dropping" moment! If anyone reads it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

2) Another excuse is because I worked 4 days last week instead of my usual 2 days and I was exhausted every evening. I have a long commute, which is "okay" for 2 days, but not 4. Ha Ha!

3) I've been helping Ron a little with our renovations. He does all the hard work and sometimes I hand him a hammer, screw driver, etc! 😊

4) Charlie and I are still enjoying quite a bit of time on our porch. He wants to go out there all the time, even when it's a bit too cold for me! I do cover up with a blanket sometimes. I need to get a little heater and lamp for it because that would help a lot, to read and/or write!

    *Being in the screened-in porch always makes me VERY nostalgic. Especially when the crickets are chirping and I hear the sound of a train in the distance. I close my eyes and I'm about six years old again, sitting on my grandma's screened-in porch in Greenfield, Iowa. I would love to go back to those days...*

“It shocks me how I wish for...what is lost and cannot come back.” -- Sue Monk Kidd, Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story

Wishing everyone a happy and safe week. 

Here's a couple of photos from a couple of years ago.
I never get tired of looking at autumn leaves...

or reading beautiful words about autumn.

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." - Eric Sloane

* I haven't posted a photo of Charlie lately....have I? *

Charlie brings so much joy into our lives!

I think he looks pretty happy, too, don't you?  

~~~~~~

I was snacking on something and he's using his best 

Please share with me, Mom look!

~~~~~~

We've had lovely autumn-like temperatures and that makes me really happy!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! 

.... AND AUTUMN IS TEASING ME!

I love autumn, and lately we've had a few days of delightful temperatures and low humidity. 

I know we'll continue to have hot and humid days for a while, but for now, I'm basking in the promise of sites such as these.....

all photos taken by Becky Lewellen Povich
(Most photos will enlarge if you click on them)

* THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN? *

Hello All ~

Although tomorrow, September 22nd is the first day of autumn, it certainly doesn't feel that way in my little part of this great big world. In fact, we're having a heat wave...We did have cooler temps here and there a while back, but we knew it wasn't time yet for that to continue. It's been 90⁰F + here, plus very humid! I am SO ready for my favorite season to return...and fast.

Hopefully, to help make it feel a bit cooler, here are some favorite photos I've taken over the past few years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

 

I found this quote online somewhere

and it just spoke to me...

 

Goodnight!

 



* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

 

 

Gosh, I almost forgot another Nostalgic Sunday! (That's why there wasn't one last Sunday...I forgot.)

 

With it being autumn, or so the calendar says, I love reminiscing about my Catholic School days. Strolling home from grade school, carrying an arm load of books, and purposely zigzagging through crunchy leaves, I'd go over the day's events in my mind...

 

(my uniform was similar to this, solid color, no plaid)

 

I enjoyed Sister Marie's English class, but as always, hated the torture of Arithmetic word problems.

 

The cafeteria's lunch was one of my favorites: a bowl of chili-mac, a peanut butter sandwich, celery sticks, and milk to drink.

 

That boy I've had a crush on for over two years actually said "Hi" to me today! Be still my heart! At least I think it was me...I looked around and nobody was behind me...

 

~~~

 

Although my family moved around quite a bit during my very early school years, I attended the same grade school from the middle of 4th grade through graduation at the end of 8th grade. I loved it there!

 

And I so love the fact that I grew up in an era where kids were safe walking to and from school, and/or riding their bikes to friends' houses, and not coming home until it was almost dark. I think growing up in the 50s and 60s was undoubtedly the BEST time to grow up...for which I am SO THANKFUL!

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Happy Nostalgic Sunday!

* HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO MY CANADIAN FRIENDS! *

Hello Canadian friends!

 

I wish you all a beautiful, blissful day.

 

I hope you enjoy some time with family and/or friends.

 

And whether you have a feast or something simple, I hope you remember all the little things in your lives to be thankful for.

 

 

I'm looking so forward to our

Thanksgiving next month!

 

 I can already smell all the amazing aromas  J

 

 

My favorite autumn mug!

 

 

My very first cloche!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." -  Melody Beattie
 



 



* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

 

 

 

Yay! It's October and we've finally had some cooler temperatures here at the new homestead. I LOVE fall, as I've expressed many, many times on my blog! The leaves aren't changing colors yet, so I'm posting photos from times past....thus, the Nostalgic Sunday post. :)

 

 

 

 

These three pictures were taken on November 13, 2012...almost four years ago. It seems like a lifetime ago, and it seems like just the other day. Our lives were in the midst of changes, big changes, and the downsizing began.

 

 

I miss that house sometimes, and the happy memories that were made there, but one of the best things about "happy" memories, is that they go along with you, no matter where you are.

 

When I think all the way back to every house/apartment I ever lived in, I miss every one of them for various reasons(except the two crappy apartments in Germany...thank goodness we lived in nice ones the majority of those years) And even during those years of unhappiness and loneliness spent with my first husband...I have fond memories of the places we lived, because I enjoyed so much of how I made each of them into a "home." Does that make sense?

 

I've told Ron many times over the years that I would be happy living anywhere with him, no matter how small or old the place might be, and that's how it's always been and I know it always will be.

 

 (P.S. The new background photo is one I also took around the same time.)

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

* YIKES - IT'S OCTOBER! *

Wasn't it just five or six days ago that I wrote about it being September 1st ?? As I've said before, sometimes I wish I could lasso the earth and slow it down...a lot! But, since I'm not Superman or Superwoman, I guess I'll have to skip along the treadmill of life with everyone else! (I don't jog...I skip! It's much more fun.)

So if life must rush along, then I'm glad it's autumn again...my favorite time of the year, and October is my favorite month for various reasons: birthdays, football season, the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs! J  Go Cards!

I just love this comic strip. I think it came out in 2012 because that's when I first posted it.
Thank you, Patrick McDonnell, creator of Mutts!

Below are some of my favorite quotes about autumn:

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

 

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration 

 

 

 

* A SPLENDID AUTUMN MORNING.....AND * BOING! *

♪♪ It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor.... ♪♪

 

 

Vern and I went on our usual morning walk this morning. It was sunny, crisp and just beautiful. I decided it was a good day to take a couple of photos of him and the crunchy leaves. He was moving as I took these with my cell phone camera. They came out pretty good, didn't they? 

 

 

 

  We walk past this dazzling fire bush

  every time we take our usual route.

 

Okay, so what part does the word BOING! have to do with today? We've lived in our townhouse for a year and a half now and every morning Vern and I walk outside through the garage. I hit the button next to the light switch and we meander towards the opening door. We're usually at the door as it's going up and I bend slightly to walk on out.

Do you think it's possible the door was rising slower than normal, or was I just not paying attention when I smacked my forehead on it?!

B O I N G!

(be sure to click on the link)

Ahhh, a story to add to the klutz chapter of my sequel!

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend....and my next post should have a variety of information.

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." - Eric Sloane

 



* DELICIOUS AUTUMN *

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

My beloved Vern last October, 2013.

(I'm the one at the other end of the leash and taking the picture!)

 

 

Vern and I continue to go on several walks every day, especially when the weather is so beautiful. At 7:30 this morning, I actually saw my breath when I exhaled, just a little bit, but still...I love the crisp, cool, autumn temperatures! J

  

 

I've got a lot going on right now and still not finding the time to blog. Hopefully..soon!

* A BRIGHT, AUTUMN BACKGROUND *

                        ♪ The falling leaves drift by my window.
                                     The falling leaves of red and gold. ♪

Ahh, I love autumn! It's my favorite time of the year, and today I decided to add some glorious fall colors to my background. This photo is one of the trees in our front yard in November 2012. (We've since moved, but I get to see thousands of beautiful leaves in my new neighborhood, too.)

It may be a bit "too busy" for my background, but I won't have it up for very long. Soon it will be time for another change, as in the changing leaves...!

Ba-Dum tssshhh...Rim Shot!

 

 

 

I hope to be back to blogging sometime soon. I miss everyone very much!

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables



** It's So Good To Be Alive **

Today is one of those amazing, autumn days that just makes me feel alive! Cool and crisp, with sunny, blue skies. Gentle breezes, leaves floating down from tall trees. Vern and I took a long walk; I got re-energized, Vern came home and took a nap! ☺ (Sometimes it's the other way around!)

Vern on the daybed in my office/spare bedroom.
He can look right out the window and see what's going on, and nap when he wants, also. 

Happy Fall, y'all! 

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." --  Nathaniel Hawthorne

Autumn is Here!

If you've read my blog in past years, during fall months, you know it's my favorite season. Not everyone loves fall, in fact, some people downright dislike it! I've heard the expression, "Everything is dying in the fall. How can you like it?!"

Pardon me, but the trees and other living plants are not dying! They are going into winter hibernation, so they can bloom again in the spring! You know....that long winter's nap?

I'm looking forward to witnessing and reveling in, the changing colors of the leaves here in our new neighborhood! My anticipation is like waiting to see a beautiful painting.

Photo taken by Becky 11/2010

Below are some of my favorite quotes about autumn:

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." -- Emily Bronte

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration 

* Thanksgiving is More Than Just One Day *

While Vern and I walked yesterday, I marveled at the glorious leaves, some of which still clung to branches, many covered portions of yards, and others skidded and tumbled along the streets and sidewalks. 

I thought again how everything that has previously happened in my life has brought me to where I am right now. How every event that occurred, whether happy or sad, has been part of my life's path. 

When I was a child the route was chosen for me by my parents, and then when I was a young adult, I decided my own course. Sometimes I needed to make a detour and other times the detour was already in place ahead of me. 

Countless people waste so much precious time fretting about "If Onlys." 

If only I'd taken that job I wanted.
If only my parents didn't do this or that.
If only I had more money.
Etc. 

I learned a long time ago to stop thinking that way. When and how did I figure that out? I really can't remember, at least not at this moment. 

All I know is this: I'm very happy. And material things have nothing to do with my happiness. Can I say that I'm glad every "bad" incident happened in order for me to be in this blissful state of mind? I guess that's what I've been trying to say. It's that domino effect.

Although I sincerely thought I knew what my feelings were about everything in my past, I didn't really begin to know until I began to write my memoir. I still have more to think about. More to learn. More to delve into. I'll just have to start on "the sequel," I guess. ☺

~~~~~

This post doesn't really seem like a Thanksgiving one, does it? I may have gotten a bit too reflective, but my point is this: 

I am alive. I am here on this beautiful earth. My life is not perfect and neither am I! But I'm grateful & thankful, every single day of my life for every single thing that happened along the way. It has made me who I am. 

~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!

And have a cup of yummy flavored coffee with me, with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles on top!

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control you own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." -- Susan Polis Schutz