Wordle

 

 

I am really not sure how this will look to those of you who subscribe to my blog and receive my posts in an e-mail.  You may have to link back to the website to see it but first try clicking on "display images".  As a matter of fact, click on "always display images" if that is an option.  That way you will be ab;e to see any photos I have with the post.

Anyway, I came across this website ( http://www.wordle.net/) some time ago and stumbled across it again this morning.  Since I LOVE words, I LOVE this website.  It is really fun to create your own Wordle.  You can even type in your blog and it will create a wordle using all the words from your posts.  Words appear larger depending on how many times they are written  I tried it and guess what word appeared larger than any other...HATE!  I thought that was pretty funny.

Happy Sunday!  Go Saints!

Dina

Rejuvenation

I am beginning to sense a theme here.  Last Wednesday night, when I wrote last, I had gotten to spend time out of the house, ALONE.  When I returned, I told my mother-in-law, who was watching the kids, that I felt as if I had slept for eight hours.  It was so rejuvenating.  Here I am one week later, feeling well rested once more.  I had a small bit of time ALONE again today.

Often the very things I love cause great stress.  It is ridiculous.  Today I went to three great places, all of which can bring on bouts of hyperventilation.  First stop was a fabulous toy store which should probably be called a toy boutique.  At least, that's what I would call it.  (Yes, I do have fantasies of owning a toy/book boutique filled with any and every European, wooden toy known to man.)  What fun to peruse all the brightly colored, well made toys.  I picture my kids (possibly wearing lederhosen) spending hours blissfully ignoring the tv and computer to nourish their creative, imaginative powers.  Somewhere between the wooden knights' castle and the board games, reality sets in.  Closet space, budget and family game night come to mind.  Barely enough, never enough and often ends in tears and/or arguments.  It is often painful to move from possibility to reality, isn't it?


Next stop was an adorable cupcake shop.  Generally, positioning myself in front of baked goods causes stress.  Talk about moving from possibility to reality.  I want a bite of everything but have to commit to just one.  Reminds me of the hair color episode back in England.  I have to remember, I was not marrying the hair color and this will not be the last sweet I ever eat.  Today was different.  Today was simple.  She had me at pumpkin.  Add cream cheese frosting and it was a no-brainer.  Everything about this miniature shop on Magazine Street made my heart sing, from the mounds of beautifully decorated cupcakes to the turquoise walls, right down to the bistro-style table and chairs inviting you to linger a little while.  Pure bliss.

On to another favorite- Whole Foods.  I sigh the minute I walk through the doors.  It is an absolute feast for the eyes, not to mention the smells and all those great samples to taste.  Until visiting this store, I didn't know produce could make me smile.  Honestly, it is God at his best.  Can you believe He created all those beautiful fruits and vegetables?  It almost makes me want to be a vegetarian.  I said ALMOST!  Don't even get me started on the bakery or the salad bar.  The best part about the salad bar is that I don't have to marry one dish.  I can date them all!  Who thought wheat berries could look so good?  Today I had curried chicken salad, basmati rice salad and chickpea and vegetable salad.  That pumpkin cupcake was the perfect finish.


I was wondering what it was about my outing that made me feel rejuvenated.  What had my heart singing, feeling invigorated?  Then I realized the common thread was beauty.  The finely crafted toys, the handmade sweets and display after display at Whole foods are all beautiful.  What does beauty show us?  Very simply, when we encounter beauty, we encounter God.  I'll end with this lovely quote I found.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting -- a wayside sacrament.
Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

May you see God's handwriting all around you.

Dina

PS.  Thanks for all the great comments after the last post and for sharing your hate!

Where to Begin

Generally, starting at the beginning is a good idea.  The problem is the beginning of life-as-I now-know-it seems a distant memory.  Actually it was just the day before Labor Day when Mark left for a job in DC and I was left to run our household alone.  He was gone from then until just about two weeks ago.  He came home for a visit and left this afternoon.  I wanted to talk more with no kids around to interrupt us.  I wanted to bury my nose in his neck a little longer.  I wanted to hold back the tears so he wouldn't feel guilty leaving me here alone.  I couldn't.  Then I turned around to my daughter's precious face looking at me, trying to figure out my sorrow.  I could almost see it penetrating her.  Besides, there was carpool, homework and dinner.  There was no time to curl into a ball and cry.  That is good- MOST of the time.  It could be beneficial, occasionally.

That being said, I want to jump in where I am right now.  No time for back story.  Feeling the need to share the details of how we arrived at this situation has had me paralyzed in writing the blog.  I miss it.  I feel inspired.  So here goes.

Tonight I just wanted some time away from the house and the kids.  Thankfully my new neighbor who happens to be an old friend (yes, long story there) took me to the bookstore.  Bookstores are one of my favorite places.  My friend spotted a book called The Hate Book.  It was covered with pictures of rainbows, unicorns and sunshine.  We laughed at the bizarre combination of title and cover art.  I couldn't imagine liking anything about this book being the Polly Anna, glass half-full, rose-colored glasses girl that I am but I couldn't resist just a peek.  Well, the next hour and a half was spent thoroughly enjoying the book, chatting with my friend and making my own hate list.  I didn't know just how hateful I was and it inspired me to share my random list with you.  I hope you will make your own list and maybe share it with me.  Okay, maybe just one thing you hate...as a comment to this post... pretty please?

I hate that I haven't blogged since August 14.
I hate that I have great ideas for blogs but don't stop to write them or at least jot notes down for later.
I hate knowing I would probably never go back to those notes.
I hate that my fingers are not as fast as the thoughts flying through my head.
I hate that the best jobs for Mark are in DC but we really want to make a life in New Orleans.
I hate that lots of people don't "get" New Orleans and love it like I do.
I hate that we couldn't live in England longer.
I hate that I can't speak another language.
I hate that I didn't always read the assigned books in high school.
I hate that there aren't enough hours in the day.
I hate that I can't be in New Orleans, Nantucket, New York, Paris and Disneyworld simultaneously.
I hate the way most people drive.  I hate that I think I am a better driver than most people.

I hate that since Mark left, I haven't read, written or knitted anything.
I hate that I can't remember half the things I wanted to share with you.
I hate wondering if anyone cares to read my "postcards" now that they are from New Orleans instead of the UK.
I hate cucumbers.
I hate that I will never get to sing and dance on Broadway.
I hate that I didn't realize until now how therapeutic this is
but
I
LOVE
that
I
am
writing
to
you
again.

Shall you take a turn then? (read in a British accent) :-)
Dina

PS.  I hate hitting "publish" then having to wait on comments.  I hate that I often need instant gratification.