#barefootlilylady – Page 2 – Barefoot Lily Lady

Succulent Love

Every now and again I spot an old chair forlornly sitting at the curb. Someone didn’t want it, so they left it there in the hopes that someone else would want it.

This is one of those chairs that came home with me.

I made a succulent garden in this roadside treasure chair last summer too. It was so lovely.

I can’t wait to see how this year’s chair garden fills out. I’m already enamored with its beauty. I’ll keep you posted.

Tulip Love

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.

Daffodil Love

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.

A Beautiful Reading Spot

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.

Staying Keto in Hawaii

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.

The Beauty of Kauai

Tropical paradise is all around me on this lovely island of Kauai.

A Prayer for Grace

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

One Foot in Front of the Other

I went for a walk today. According to my pedometer app, it was just a 1.8 mile walk around my neighborhood. It was something I had been putting off. But I did it and it was . . .

Brisk. Refreshing. Enjoyable.

Why is that first step out of the door so hard to take? I’m not sure of the answer to that question, but I am glad I took that step today.

I’m not very good at following through on new year’s fitness goals, but recently decided it’s time to add some movement to my weight loss journey.

I really don’t have good excuses as to why I don’t walk more often. My beautiful neighborhood and a nearby park offer great walking opportunities.

Dozens of people walk or run past my home every morning on their way to this treasure of a park. I really need to stop finding excuses and just get out there and join them. One foot in front of the other.

The local Rotary Club has created a fantastic walking trail near my workplace too. I have purposed in my heart to take a lap around that trail before work tomorrow. There’s also a sweet little conservation area which is somehow connected with the trail system in Oregon. It’s kind of a hidden treasure which I should really explore at different times throughout the year.

So, here’s to a 2024 with lots of first steps out of my front door.
Cindie Winquist, budding walking enthusiast

My 2023 in Flowers

It seems to me that the year 2023 whooshed by in a hurry to 2024. The gardener in me is already plotting out what I’d like to see in my garden in the next growing season. I thought it might be fun to reflect upon some of that beauty of last year as I look forward to the growth and beauty in the year that lies ahead. Won’t you join me?

A-Z Caregiving Tips (R-S)

Time to revisit my little series of A-Z Caregiving Tips. The photo below is the article which inspired me to make my own A-to-Z list. Let me pick up where I left off and invite you to join me this week for R and S.

Repeat gently, looking toward me if I miss hearing something.

One thing we caregivers do a lot is repeat ourselves. When our loved ones have trouble understanding what we say, it’s important to repeat things. It’s also important to communicate in a way that includes facial expressions, which provide important information for our loved ones. Because my mom was also very hard of hearing, she relied even more heavily on my facial expressions.

The person who has dementia needs you to sit down on their level, look them in the eyes with all gentleness as you speak. I say “gentleness” because it is very easy to have a look of annoyance or irritation when you feel like you’re repeating something for the umpteenth time. Caregivers must be aware that the non-verbal messages we communicate with our body language and facial expressions speak louder than the actual words we speak.

Facial expressions can be difficult for people with hearing problems to understand when we’re moving. Think about how often we call out to someone in another room during the day. Or when we talk to someone in passing as we’re busy with other things. If you’d like more information on this topic, click here for another great resource.

(With all respect to the original author of this list, I didn’t quite see how standing up for the environment relates to caregiving, so let me proffer my own version of the letter S.)

Step back and take a break.

Being a caregiver can be very stressful. I often felt overwhelmed while taking care of my mom. During those moments, I had to take a step back and take a break from all the pressure. For me, that meant leaving my mom with my husband for an hour or two so I could go to the gym. Sometimes he called me back home, but most of the time, I was able to enjoy some time for myself and relax.

It bothers me when I hear caregivers lament that they have no one to help them. I know that it is too often the case; but more often than not, the reality of the situation is that they (we) are afraid to ask for help–or reticent to accept help when it is offered.

I believed I was the best person to take care of my mom, but I also realized that I wasn’t the only one who could do it. It was important for my well-being to take a little break sometimes. I would reach out to our church’s private Facebook page and ask for someone to spend time with my mom for a few hours so I could do something else. Most of the time, someone was willing to help.

There were times when a friend would say something like, “Hey, my daughter and I would like to stop by on Monday to color with your mom. What time would be good for you?”

I learned two important lessons: Ask for help, and never refuse an offer of help.