Da Vince Code

This book is a great mystery and is interesting in some facts written about Da Vinci, his artwork, and the Louvre. The way Dan Brown writes is brilliant in that he blends truth with his imagination and leaves one trying to decipher fact from fiction.  It would have been interesting for me to be in a book club at this time discussing the different views from other readers.  There is no proof of his allegations written in the Da Vinci Code and that is what I went away with.  Being Catholic, I can see why all the controversy surrounds this book, but it hasn't changed the views on my faith.  There was only one line in this book that brought tears to  my eyes.  It was when the bishop realized the wrong that he did and told Silas that "forgivness is the greatest gift from God and to just pray".

Square

.

 

 

How ingenious is this?

It's that time of the year again for watermelons and I thought this article would help all those , who like me,  have a watermellon every week in the fridge during season.  I always say that there is a solution to every problem.  This is one of them!  

 

Soar

                                                  One can never consent to creep
                                                   when one feels an impulse to soar.
                                                                 Helen Keller
Summer vacation is officially here and I feel like a kid in a candy store not knowing what to do first.  There are road trips to plan, old friends to meet up with, mountains to climb and glistening sunsets to watch while gliding over the water.  I just can't seem to sit in idle while there are opportunities to grasp at.  Plan I will,  go I must... enjoying will be the easy part.  :)

Have I also looked inside to see all that I can see?

 

I have seen the love in your eyes,  yet you speak of none... Have felt the  warmth of your touch,  yet you keep at a distance... This dream that awakens me combined with the sound of your heart,  is in the closeness of your space.... It has woke me up inside, as the dream continues...

Jam

 

One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.

Eleanor Roosevelt

 

I've been spending the past week putting up strawberry jam preserves and strawberry toppings for ice-cream, cakes etc.  The sweet taste of the strawberries will please anyone's palate.  There is something with seeing the end result that satisfies even the sense of sight let alone the taste.  I have one more day of canning these strawberries, then it's off to some other task.  Lucky me, I get to taste as I go along.   :)

Prom

 

 

Tonight was the Prom for Kelly.  She was excited and looked beautiful.  There were 7 couples going together in a white stretch hummer and they all seemed to looked forward to a night on the town.    First, they went to a Japanese restaurant near us, then off it was to the Roxy in Atlanta to dance the night away.  Back to our home for the after party later on and hopefully fun will be had by all!

Outdoors

 

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.
            -- Ralph Waldo Emerson  

This photo is the first of my roses to bloom this year.  It stood brightly in the morning sun for all to see.  With summer around the corner, there will be lots more like this to adorn  my yard. 
We have one more week of school here in our area and  I can't wait to have some lazy days hanging out at the pool with family, friends and a good book by my side . The pool opened last weekend and it gave me a glimps of what is yet to come.  I wait for the easy schedule of summer each year and love it.  How fortunate I am to have this time to spend with my kids enjoying the outdoors and once again forming a bond which will stay with them year after year. 

Quiet

 

Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.
            -- Peter Minard

Today I found myself feeling quiet as I was going about my day.  My inner peace was present and it felt good. This quiet can feel like freedom when it is present, which is something that I yearn for at times.  But, other days it can make me feel lost and wondering why that is.  I didn't question it today.  I looked around at my surroundings and absorbd the day with the beauty so abundantly given.  Quiet has once again shown peace

A Happy Life

 

 

Me

By Dan  

Hi, my name is Dan.   I was born in Pittsburgh, PA.  I moved to Virginia then moved here in Georgia.  I am ten, in fourth grade, have blonde hair, and I play soccer.  I have a lot of friends and a happy life.  That's me!

 

 

Daniel gave me this letter written by him at school. What struck my attention was him saying he has a happy life.  I couldn't resist smiling when I read this.  We should all be able to include this line in our own writings.  I know I do!   :)

Mother's Day

 

My life has been graced by a powerful love that never ends. A love that puts their life in front of all.   It has strength, yet a softness, which brings guidance along with trust.   It has surpassed all my expectations and leaves me with a comfort that is fulfilling.  The satisfaction of this love has overflowed many times  and keeps me smiling throughout each day.
I am a Mom.    :)

Indian Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel and I went to the Indian Festival yesterday with his class and had a nice time.  They had demonstrations of how the Indians survived back in the day with dress, food and livestock.  We both tried the bow and arrow and I was surprised how powerful the bow really is.  I did hit the target once.  I would have to say I would be pretty dangerous using that kind of weapon!  lol

Picasso - boy with a pipe

 

 

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.

Pablo Picasso

The art world today had some big news!  Picasso's painting sold for $104 million! 

He painted this at the young age of 24 while in Paris and it's now the most expensive piece in the art world.

Writing

      

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think. Edwin Schlossberg

 

Sometimes I feel alone in what I write.  My thoughts are thrown together in what seems like an instant, but the context is something that has been following me as I move through this life.  My words can surprise some and question others.  Yet, they are mine to relish in.  But then also, I read other's work that moves me into another plane of thinking, broadening my mind and showing me that I am far from alone in thoughts.  We can be shaped by words from famous quoters and fellow journal writers and made aware of a different angle of thinking.  Whichever way we interpret those words, they are still there to contemplate over.  Creativity can spill out and
our world made better just by letting those skilled writers
enter our world.  

Sunshine

When do the dead die?  When they are forgotten.
Whe does a city disappear?  When it no longer exists in the memory of those who lived there.
And when does love cease?  When one begins to love anew.  Of this there is no doubt.
The law of Love   -  Laura Esquivel

Today is one of those mornings where the sun is shining so brightly that it seems to be catching my eye at every turn as I start my day.  It's begging me to go out and feel the warmth and maybe escape just for the fun of it.  I will definitly have to find part of my day to do just that!  :)

Freedom

 

 

 

 

 

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Speech, September 22, 1936

 

Freedom has been the word that has been flying around our house the last few days by my oldest son.  With him just finishing his first year of college, it seems that he feels he will have to adjust to living at home again.  Him adjust?  I beg to differ.  I did see him mature with each visit during the year and that made me think of the adjustments that all of us will be making when he moved back.  On one hand, it is exciting seeing him as his own person.  On the other hand, where did the time go?  It seems that the busy years flew by and then all of a sudden they are making their own decisions with us standing by hoping they are the correct ones.  I remember that time myself and how good it felt, but I don't remember thinking of how my parents felt about it.  He will move forward,  with that smile on his face,  knowing the whole world is in front of him....and I will be right behind him,  hoping that MY freedom has been achieved.    

 

 

My heart seemed lightened as I entered your world today.  In my mind your smile was as perfect as I remembered.  Your presence seemed everywhere around me and the comfort was soothing.  The warmth that always came my way was here and a smile came to my lips as memories came flooding back.  I thought I heard your voice....
call my name.

What a great time we had last night at the Prince concert!  We were about 20 feet from the stage and it was exhilarating with the energy coming from the band and the full house at the arena.  He gave out his new CD to everyone that attended, which made the over hour wait in downtown Atlanta after the concert more bearable.  His music was coming from every vechicle!   Needless to say, I am exhausted from only a few hours of sleep, my ears are still ringing, and I feel the ache from dancing  all night.....what a good feeling!    :)