The Swan Family, Cutting Grass, and Leftovers

Blog Pause Day 4: The countdown continues!  It's time to review another selection of posts from 2013 as we're headed to the new year.  We start with a fun tale of the candor that only can come from a child in "The Swan Family," move to a heartwarming story in "You Always Feel Better After Cutting the Grass," and wrap up with the good news of new chances in "Leftovers and New Mercies."  Enjoy!

To Humor You: The Swan Family

There once was a family of swans who was happy and loved to swim in a tiny pond on top of my kitchen table.  The dainty baby swan was flanked on either side by the daddy and mommy swan, always kept close and safe.

Continue reading "The Swan Family"

To Make You Happy: You Always Feel Better After Cutting the Grass

This evening I cut the grass until the setting sun dictated that I needed to stop.  There's something about a freshly mown lawn that conjures a deep sense of peace within me.  In fact, if everyone on my street manages to have their grass cut at the same time, I find myself transported to a nearly euphoric state of OCD bliss.  All is right with the world.

Perhaps it's the smell of fresh clippings and gasoline, the perfect lines criss-crossing the yard, or the methodical sense of progress.  Perhaps it's how the drone of the engine drowns out all other distractions, including my own thoughts.

Tonight as I raced the sunset, I remembered one summer afternoon when I was twenty.  I was grappling with a complex young adult issue (a.k.a., boy troubles) and had hoped to speak with a friend.  She wasn't there when I arrived, so I got back in my car to return home.

On the trip back, I noticed an elderly woman cutting her grass.  Her gait was slow; her yard was large.  I still vividly can remember how a green leaf was stuck in her white hair, as if she just had a tussle with her apple tree.

I stopped, feeling slightly foolish, and asked if I could help.

Continue reading "You Always Feel Better After Cutting the Grass"

To Give You Permission to Call It Quits on a Rough Day: Leftovers and New Mercies

For dinner last night, I served leftover Chinese takeout and pizza from the weekend.  It was one of those meals when I microwaved individual plates, added grapes to the menu as an afterthought, and scarfed down my food before we rushed out the door to soccer practice.  A flurry of reminders (grab your shin guards) and warnings (just-get-in-the-van-NOW) must have lingered in the air even after I slammed the door shut behind us.

Continue reading "Leftovers and New Mercies"

See you back tomorrow for Day Five of the 2013 Blog Pause!