Love and Laughter after 60 Years

This morning I came across this cute little story about the friendship between a couple who've been married 60 years. The husband has Alzheimer's now.

"The Gottliebs recorded their story in Los Angeles as part of the StoryCorps Memory Loss Initiative." (npr.org)

To listen to their interview click on this link and then click on the Red "Listen Now" button at the top of the article. It's sweet to hear their voices and how they giggle together.

Do you find laughter useful when dealing with stressful situations? If so, please share. I'd love to hear from you today.

I pray that you have a beautiful day, ladies and gentlemen.
xox, Cheeky

Image courtesy of StoryCorps.

Friends Make Us Better

"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another." -Eustace Budgell

Thank God for friends who light our world with peace, love, honesty, acceptance, and compassion. Friendship is a beautiful thing.

You are in my prayers today. xoxo, Cheeky

Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life

In 1994, Anne Lamott's book, "Bird by Bird...Some Instructions on Writing and Life" was published.

I have no idea how she managed to record so many of my unique thoughts and feelings about writing. Or how she made them sound way more articulate than I ever could. I mean, back then, she didn't even know me.

Actually...there's a 99.999% chance she never will (ever the optimist I just can't bring myself to type 1-0-0-%). But after reading 150 pages of "Bird by Bird," I feel like I know some pretty important things about her. And THAT (to me), is a sign of a really great book.

One of my favorite things about her writing is the compassion and humor it conveys. I also love that Lamott is a Christian. And am secretly pleased to see swear words in a book written by someone who calls herself "born-again." I know this is not good.

One of my favorite lines is from the chapter titled "Index Cards:"

"I like to think that Henry James said his classic line, 'A writer is someone on whom nothing is lost,' while looking for his glasses, and that they were on top of his head." (Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird, Anchor Books, 1994)

Isn't that great? What good books have you been recommending lately?

Thank God for books. I pray that you have a blessed Monday, ladies and gentlemen. xoxox, Cheeky

NOTE: Image from PBS.

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Gardeners

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

I have no idea if the flower in this picture is a weed or a rare perennial. What is know is...I think it's beautiful.

Today I am grateful for ladies who know the difference between a weed and a plant one purchases. Thank you for adding beauty to this world.

And to the garden club ladies in our community -- thank you for allowing me to tag along. I'm happy for the chance to putter in the garden with you. I pray that you enjoy the beauty of this gift we call Planting Day.

xoxo Ladies and Gentlemen, Cheeky

Mini-Breaks

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen! Today Rick Warren's Purpose Driven advice was stellar. His interpretation of what God says to us made me smile.

I pray that you have a God-kissed day. xoxox, Cheeky