I took a quick tiptoe through the tulips this morning to capture the beauty of a few of our tulips. It was just a quick tiptoe, as the dewy grass is cold—even for this avowed barefoot gardener.
Our newest addition to the garden is a yellow magnolia, which has been slowly opening her tulip-shaped blossoms. I think our cold and windy conditions of late has caused some browning on the beautiful petals. But she’s still giving us a beautiful little show in her first year in our garden.
Today’s favorite daffodils…
Or maybe this happy little clan?
Or this beauty robed in white?
Oh, it’s SO hard to choose a favorite.
We’re back from our Hawaiian adventure with Mia. What a grand adventure.
Now I am settling back into the comfort of life’s routine. Sleeping in my own bed with my favorite pillow. Spending Sunday with our church family. Doing laundry in my own washing machine and not having to put $7.00 worth of quarters into the machine for each load!
Today I slept in until my body woke me up….and was almost late for work. It brought me joy being in BeeHive’s kitchen baking up treats for our residents again (many thanks to Karen who filled in for me while I was away).
In the midst of my baking joy, my heart remembered that my journey with BeeHive began 5 years ago today. March 25, 2019 was the day I accepted the help of BeeHive in caring for my mother in her journey Home with Alzheimer’s.
Facebook confirmed that memory with two reminisce posts. Many of my friends and family were praying as I moved Momma out of my home and into her new bedroom at BeeHive. We arrived just in time for lunch. While mom and I ate lunch, Wayne and Beth moved mom’s things into her new room, setting it up much like her bedroom in my home. After lunch, I walked mom into her new space and she settled right in and was soon napping.
I sat in her room watching her sleep for a bit, then met with Gina to go over some move-in details. When we were finished, I was not quite sure what to do with myself. I wrote about that here…
Momma would live here for the last 14 months of her sojourn on earth. Here she would be loved and cared for with the level of care I could not provide. She had friends around her, good food, fun activities, someone to help her every hour of the day or night, and someone to help her to shower (something I couldn’t offer her at my house).
Placing her in assisted living memory care was a hard decision. And the right decision.
Thank you, BeeHive!
It feels like a little wet weather is headed our way. Before it gets here, I am enjoying reading a chapter or two in this serene spot. Just noticed today that this pond is home to a solitary black swan.
I’m finding this to be a fantastic read. Best read with your Bible open.
Some of my readers know I have been following a ketogenic way of eating for the better part of a year. Our grandgirl Mia chose Hawaii as her graduation trip destination. Having been there once before, I knew eating keto might be tricky. Voices around me advised me to forget about the “keto thing” while I’m on vacation. But I knew it wasn’t just about gaining a few pounds, it was about setting myself up for a setback in how well I was feeling.
I decided I would just try my best to make good choices.
This appetizer of roasted Brussels sprouts and Polynesian sausage was my choice at Kalapaki Joe’s in Lihue. It was delicious. I’m pretty sure the marinade wasn’t totally on my plan, so I left as much saucinesses behind on my plate as I could. Very filling and an overall good choice, given my options.
Continue reading “Staying Keto in Hawaii”Tropical paradise is all around me on this lovely island of Kauai.
Just reminding myself of a little something my sweet momma wrote on this day back in 2016. Click on the link below to read what she wrote. May it bless your heart as much as it does mine.
It brings me joy when I find a little prayerful note written in my mother’s handwriting. Seeing what was on her heart and mind at certain times of …
A Prayer for Grace
I may be just a tad bit biased, but this is probably the clearest explanation of how to prepare for retirement health costs that I have read. I’m blessed to have had my husband Wayne pave the way several years before me when it came to researching Medicare options. Read on for his take on what to consider when decision-making time comes along.
I was doing a little blog post cleanup today and came across this one from four years ago. It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly four years since my sweet momma took up her heavenly home. This felt like “just yesterday” to me as I read through it once again.
I often use my mom’s study Bible when I spend time reading and reflecting. I enjoy discovering what she marked and underlined on almost every page. Her notes in the margins are a really valuable tool for my personal study.
This little story that follows is a page out of my experience and observations as mom neared the end of her life on earth. It’s also a reminder to me of the life lesson I am still learning.
Continue reading “Bump, bump, bumping along”I have three reasons why I would make this excellent article required reading for anyone even remotely involved in dementia care:
All things come. All things go.
Behaviour Support Specialist • Emotion-focused Care Strategies
Ketogenic Diet & Lifestyle
thoughts on the spiritual journey
For all who appreciate the beauty of words, flowers and homecooking
the joy of creativity
Part of something bigger in a small town garden.
The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. - Isaiah 50:4
A selection of plants I have grown in North West England plus a little meandering into other areas.
Connecting the Americas, Bridging Cultures Supergringa in Spain: A Travel Memoir
Travelling is my joy of living. Sit back relax and come with me.
Barefoot Lily Lady 