April (Snow) Showers

Posted on April 8, 2016 by dinahoverlien

Somebody forgot to tell April that it’s spring.

So I will.

Dear April,

You are supposed to be bringing gentle rain to cleanse the earth of nasty gray snow.

You are supposed to be warming the ground and calling out daffodils.

You are supposed to be giving midwesterners a lift, a spring in their step.

You are not supposed to be blanketing the grass with ice pellets.

You are not supposed to be making us wear turtlenecks and sweatshirts.

You are not supposed to be stealing precious spring days from us.

Shape up, April. We need you.

Sincerely, Me

spring

Dear You,

Thank you for your reminder.

Let me remind you that it IS spring, whether it feels like it or not.

It IS spring, whether it looks like it or not.

It IS spring, no matter what you are wearing.

As Lilly Pulitzer said, “Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.”

So shape up. The world needs you.

Warmest Regards, April

“Spring is coming soon. Our words must tell of it. Our mouths must sing of it. Our prayers must ask for it. Our actions must reflect it. Our lives must embrace it.” From “Hunting Hope” by Nika Maples.

Dear April,

I guess you showed me. Thank you for your cooperation. (As soon as I posted this, the snow melted.)

Love, Me

Birthday Boy

Posted on March 9, 2016 by dinahoverlien

boy

PB was born on a Saturday in March, exactly 59 years ago today.

When news of his arrival reached the extended family, congratulations started pouring in. Among the cards and letters was a note from Auntie Eileen and Uncle Jack.

“Congratulations! Sure glad to hear that it’s over. Must admit we were a little disappointed he wasn’t a girl…”

I suppose that’s what happens when you’re the fourth boy.

But, let me tell you, I sure am thankful he was a boy. What would have become of me if he had been a girl? I shudder to think about it.

So, today I celebrate the birth of my best friend, my partner in life and ministry, and the guy who still makes my heart go pitter-pat.

Ruby Tuesday

Posted on February 9, 2016 by dinahoverlien

It’s Tuesday, and Ruby came to visit.

She, with her deep-sea blue eyes,

her wispy strawberry blond eyelashes,

and her soft-as-silk red hair.

She came to steal my heart.

It’s been a delightful Ruby Tuesday.

More Winter Than We Need

Posted on February 2, 2016 by dinahoverlien

“There seems to be so much more winter than we need this year.”
– Kathleen Norris

I agree, Kathleen.

Especially today.

As the headline yesterday said, “Blizzard To Pummel State”.

Well, the pummeling has commenced.

What’s keeping me sane during this Groundhog’s Day snowstorm?

“I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”

Today I will shut my shades, sip my coffee, and share some of the things that are saving me right now.

My own little corner in my own little room.

This is where I go to find out what I’m thinking.

I never really know for sure until I pick up a pencil and start writing.

My bullet journal/planner extraordinaire.

New in February: rainbow colors!

Raspberries and blueberries on my cereal.

I can close my eyes and taste summer.

Extra time for reading, studying, and writing on a snowy day.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.” 1 Timothy 1:17

Waking up to this cutie every morning.

There’s nothing like the sound of her little voice calling, “Opa! Nonnie!”

Listening to the “What Should I Read Next?” podcast on my hand-me-down iPod.

And Sandra McCracken’s “Psalms”.

This is Mark. Mark the Bookmark. His feet stick out the top of the book I’m reading.

He makes me smile.

I tried to find more Marks to give as Christmas gifts, but not one could be found in the United States of America.

I saved the best for last.

These guys. Half a dozen grands. How I love these six little people.

They are wild and sweet and irresistible.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Is it still snowing?

The Gift That Keeps on Bending

Posted on December 30, 2015 by dinahoverlien

What do you get the guy who has everything?

A knee joint, of course.

I gave PB a new knee for Christmas, complete with a two night stay at an all-inclusive resort, of sorts. The get-away included all the meatloaf and cable TV he wanted, loungewear with a breezy backside, and hourly blood pressure checks. The ice machine and crutches were extra, but I threw them into the package deal.

Upon checkout, PB was presented with a lovely tote bag filled with goodies — a plastic cup, a box of kleenex and a cute pair of bright yellow socks. And a bottle of pain killers.

I guess PB and I won’t be going out dancing this New Year’s Eve.

But then, we’ve never gone out dancing on New Year’s Eve.

Or any other Eve.

At least we can still kiss at midnight.

He sure knows how to close out 2015 with a bang.

Butter Disappointment

Posted on November 11, 2015 by dinahoverlien

You know how it is when your toast pops up and it’s perfectly crusty — not too dark, but crisp enough to crunch?

And you grab the peach jam jar with all those little bits of sweet summer swimming in the sugary gel?

And you have the knife blade in hand, about to slather that browned bread with a base-coat of butter?

And you take the dish with daubs of divine creaminess dancing around the edge?

And then you lift the lid?

You know how that is?

Little Boxes

Posted on October 7, 2015 by dinahoverlien

I love little boxes.

No, I’m not talking about those little black ones tied up with a bow and containing sparkly diamonds or shiny gold jewelry.

Instead, my heart goes pitter-pat for these little boxes.

Let me explain.

I’ve been reading up on something called a bullet journal — “The Analog System for the Digital Age”. The purpose of this journal is to organize your life and boost productivity using a good old-fashioned notebook and a pencil. It started as a simple, streamlined system created by an art director in New York City who “specializes in interactive design and usability”.

I have no idea what that means.

But then some really creative artsy people got ahold of this thing and took it to a whole new level. After perusing the “Bullet Journal Junkies” Facebook page, I got hooked.

As it turns out, there’s a whole culture of dedicated fans who have very strong feelings about the best notebooks and writing utensils to use. They also are extremely supportive of each other and offer newbies tons of encouragement.

So I dove in with a Moleskine journal and some Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens. Now I see what this really is all about.

This is a way to create a completely customized planner. I decide what goes in and what stays out. In other words, it’s a control freak’s dream.
This is a glorified chore chart. I remember making job lists for my kids when they were learning to make their beds, get dressed, go to the potty. After every completed task, they got a sticker to put on the chart. A chart full of stickers usually meant a trip to town to buy a toy. It was pretty effective. Instead of stickers, I get to color in little boxes with my new pens. It’s pretty effective.
This is an ingenious mix of a right-brain organizational tool and a left-brain creative outlet.
Some people need a little box to color in at the end of the day to give them a sense of accomplishment.
I am one of those people.

Here’s a peek:

See all those orange boxes? They make me so happy.

This is my habit tracker — it’s keeping tabs on my behavior, helping me stay accountable to the good habits I want to develop.

Yeah, I’m not about to disclose what those habits are — that might be a little too much accountability. I know it’s working, though, because I caught myself thinking, “If I don’t eat my 1/2 pound of raw veggies today I won’t be able to color in my box.”