"Problems With the First Snow Contest This Year" by Susan Pearl

 I missed seeing the geese fly over this year on their way to the South for warmer weather.

It is special to me to see the geese formation and I am surprised I missed it. 

I have been marking my calendar for over twenty years.

An older person told me that three months after the geese fly over should be the first snow.

So three months after the geese fly over I mark "first snow" on the calendar.

In the over twenty years I have done this it has not been right,

Not even one time.

So this year on the day of the first snow I am turning the calendar back three months-

To write "Possible Geese" on the appropriate three month prior date.

It may be the first year it could be right,

But after its zero track record I don't really think so.

At any rate, I am not making any bets without the geese verification.......

Unless I call the Wildlife Department.

They might not understand the first snow game I play each year.

I just have to do to a better job watching for the geese next year.

I didn't realize how much I look forward to playing my first snow game

  until I missed seeing the geese.

"Chime Time Takes too Much Time" by Susan Pearl

 We have a lovely mantle clock inside our front door.

It is not only beautiful to look at, but--

Our clock has beautiful chimes to hear each hour on the hour.

But what is it really there for?

It has been years and years since we have heard the clock chime telling us the time.

We stopped winding it.

We stopped winding the clock because- you know how time goes-

Oh, so fast!-----and it doesn't last, so soon it has past.

We just felt we were spending too much time-

 winding the clock to tell us what time it is by hearing a beautiful chime.

Besides, we got the chimes mixed up with the door bell, too.

So we thought not winding the clock was the best thing to do.

The clock is there because we like the way it looks.

But the bonus of the chimes we choose not to use.

Too many trips to an empty porch answering the door.

Plus time spent winding the chimes wasn't needed anymore.

But, I do miss hearing the beauty of the chimes,

Maybe we can wind the clock from time to time.

I think that would be fine.

 

"The Fairest Tree in the Land" by Susan Pearl

 The fairest Autumn tree in the land,

Was planted by the hand of a very wonderful man. 

He was the dad I didn't get to know.

So it was important to me to watch the red maple tree grow.

 He planted the tree in the Fall and he was gone in the Spring. 

Probably not realizing how much joy the red maple would bring. 

I am so thankful he planted the tree. It has been like he gave a special gift to me.

"The Thoughtful Way" by Susan Pearl

 I'm no Cinderella story.

An earthly prince I may not ever meet-

but, still the promise of love I keep. 

My Knight in shining armor is the Kansas farmer who pledged his love to me.

We have had a very good life together building memory after memory,

Two ordinary people with an extraordinary love,

The kind that movies are made of.

We keep the promise of love alive-

By giving and saying everything good we could do or possible say.

Building each extraordinary day in a kind and thoughtful way.

That keeps giving more and more extraordinary love than ever known before.

"Friendship Class" by Susan Pearl

Several years ago I had an idea for a short story about bullying.

I told the idea to our oldest grandson who was in grade school then.

After I told him the story I asked how he liked it. 

He answered, "I just wish they would have found a way to all become friends".

I thought that was a beautiful answer and I am writing the story now with a friendship ending in mind.

Rudolf was the name of a new student at school. Before school started the bullies took a red washable marker and colored his nose red for the holiday song about a reindeer with a red nose.

The school bell rang and everyone went to their classroom.

People were surprised Rudolf had a red nose but everyone knew who likely did it. The bullies were laughing the hardest.

The teacher explained that she wanted to have Rudolf introduce himself and tell something about himself but if he wanted time to attend to his nose she would allow for that.

Rudolf said, "That won't be necessary.  My name is Rudolf and I was named after my Great Uncle Rudolf Faircamp. He was a Fireman. He lost his life in a fire right after he rescued eight children. He handed the children out the upstairs window and after the last child the floor collapsed and he fell through the floor and died. He was a hero.

A student in the back of the class began waving his arm. He had something to say. Rudolf nodded for him to talk.

The student excitedly said, "That eighth child was my Grandfather. I have heard this story many times. I am so proud to meet you. I hope we can be friends".

The teacher asked the class, "Who would like to be friends"? Every student raised their hand even the bullies.

It was a wonderful schoolyear and was remembered for being the best class that ever graduated from the school. It was like they all were friends.

Thank you to our Grandson for his wonderful idea.

"Heart of Gold" by Susan Pearl

 Well, look at you with your heart of gold.

Ever ready to help for the good of all

Ever desiring what is best and filled with hope for everyone.

They say that gold is a precious metal that gives a bright reflection of us to see.

And shows back to us the possibility of what we all can be.

They say "The Golden Years" are a special time of reflection.

A time of seeing what has been done by those who have gone before,

A time of knowing what we need to do, to achieve what we believe to be true,

And build a lasting treasure of things being better for generations to come,

So in their "Golden Years" they can reflect on what we have done,

With our hearts of gold to bring in a new time and answer a call-

That will reflect love and will forever shine for the good of all.

"My Cat Rim Glasses" by Susan Pearl

 The head cheerleader wore cat rim glasses.

I was counting the days for my eye appointment.

If I needed new glasses I definitely was going to order cat rim glasses.

 I think it was 1963.

Wow, everything went like a charm.

I told the cheerleader I had ordered cat rim glasses just like she had.

She answered, "These old things? I can't wait to get my new ones. They are the new block style frames

and very highly fashionable"

I think my mouth dropped open.

So if ever people want to find me in the 1963-1964 High School year book- I'm one of the very, very few wearing cat rim glasses.

"Meow".

"Timing Sure Does Make a Difference" by Susan Pearl

Timing sure does make a difference.

When in High School I met a transfer classmate who had an unique haircut.

I liked her haircut so much I had my hair cut the same way.

I asked her, "How do you like my hair"? 

She answered, "I'm so tired of this style.  I'm growing my hair out and can't wait for a changed new look.  This hairdo really is out of date".

Her words did not lift my day.

Sixty years later:

Earlier this week, I followed an on line instruction video on cutting my hair.

I thought it turned out nice. 

So I was reviewing the video to make sure I did my hair cut right. Instead, I found that the video had been removed and would be shortly replaced with a more updated hair cut instruction.

I thought, "Oh, no. Not again."

Timing sure does make a difference.

"Very Good Friend" by Susan Pearl

I have a very good friend. We have been friends for over seventy years. We met in first grade. 

One unique part of our friendship is that when we went our separate ways we have only written letters to each other. No texts, no emails have not ever been a part of our communication.  Maybe a brief, twice a year, phone call but that is getting too late because I am becoming hard of hearing.

We both agree there is something so special about finding a handwritten letter in the mailbox from each other.

I think we may have ESP because I have received a letter from my dear friend the same day my dear friend has received a letter from me. Now, to answer the big question, "Who owes who a letter"?

In over the seventy years that we have been friends, I can truthfully say, my good friend has not ever once hurt me.  My dear friend has not ever said or done anything to cause me to shed one tear. 

In fact I have had over seventy years of inspiration-

Over seventy years of encouragement,

Over seventy years of non-judgemental and unconditional love,

Over seventy years of having a curious awareness of the greatness and grandness of life.

WHAT A SPECIAL GIFT I HAVE KNOWN -

THANK YOU, MY VERY GOOD FRIEND!

"Task Becomes fun Routine" by Susan Pearl

In my mind I can still see your cute face as we made eye contact while making the bed.

The freshly washed and line-dried linens had a fragrance of the outdoors.

It was a simple task to make the bed but we had made it into a fun routine.

While putting on the top sheet we would raise the sheet up as high as we could, up an down,

Higher, higher- "YES"- we could get a quick peek of each other on opposite sides of the bed.

I would pretend to be startled and yelp. You would laugh.

But it was over too soon, so we would do it a couple times over again and then again. 

Higher, higher- the sheet would be fluffed, "YES"- we would get another quick peak,

Complete with a startled "Yelp" followed by more laugher.

I think you were three to four years old but now you are over six feet tall.

In my mind I can see your cute face as we made eye contact while making the bed. 

It was fun but didn't cost a penny yet it gave million dollar memories.

"Could be a Solving Thought" by Susan Pearl

Throughout my life I have had some frustration about the behavior or words of others.

Many, many times I have tried to overcome my frustrations but wait-

One day this year I started talking about my latest frustration when the person I was talking to stopped me by interrupting. 

In very few words this person turned my thinking around.

Could it be? Could it be me? Are you kidding? What?  Is that possible? ME???

The words were:  "You're making way too much out of it". 

I had the answer inside of myself and needed to be shown--

"You're making too much of it."

What was the frustration about, well, even trying to remember is "making way too much out of it". 

And that's the end to a whole lot of frustration by applying a new thought that may be a solving thought. 

"Two Conversations at the Same Time" by Susan Pearl

 My husband ate lunch at a different town yesterday-

So today I asked him if he had a good lunch.

He said, "Well, the potato salad-", 

I interrupted, "Are there still some potatoes in the basement?"

He answered "Yes".

My husband patiently continued saying, "About the lunch-

In a loud voice I continued asking, "Does any of the potatoes in the basement have sprouts"?

He answered, "A few. Why? What do you want to make"?

I answered, "I was thinking of making a potato salad but since you just had some yesterday I will

   make potato soup".

'Sounds delicious"! he exclaimed.

I added, "I am so glad we had this conversation about what to fix for dinner. 

We should do this more often".

"Pet Peeve" by Susan Pearl

 I do have a pet peeve,

It irritates me to be interrupted when I am talking,

Because I like to finish what I am talking about.

If I am interrupted I can lose my train of thought. 

If I lose my train of thought it can totally escape me.

My husband thinks that interrupting someone, also, includes-

Interrupting someone from watching TV.

He said especially if the interruption takes place at a very important part-

of what they have have been watching.

I asked him for an example.  

He said, "Like the other night I was watching a good show on TV when they said,

   "And the verdict is"_ just then you blurted out from across the room,

"Did you thaw out the chicken?"-".

I interrupted my husband by quickly saying,

"That was the thought that escaped me when you interrupted me talking."  

"New Motto" by Susan Pearl

We are now on our way to our 60th Wedding Anniversary. 

Some people ask if we have found a secret or two or three.

All I know is that at our age we have made up a new motto.

Because if a person has more work over, over, over, again, and again-

Eventually, the work doesn't ever end,

So, I know our new motto is true,

"There really can be too much work to do".

"Relaxing Thought" by Susan Pearl

The "Slanted Rain" is the name

   of the captured view inside the picture frame,

  stationed on the hallway wall.

I have been told "Rain" is a relaxing thought-

With "slanted rain" taking the top slot for the most relaxing thought.

What is it about "slanted rain" that captivates the mind like an incredible dawn?

That locks the eye as time passes by relaxing my

-- ah .......yawn, ....yawn,......yawn.......

-- relaxing my....m,,,,m.....z....z..z

--------Z Z Z z z z z z z z z z ....................

"Job Interview Thought" by Susan Pearl

Someone we know had a job interview this week.

I said these six words:

"Show them the star you are".

An update read: "The interview went wonderful". 

I am so glad it went well, now, time will tell. 

So just wait and see because there is no guarantee.

"Waiting for Dream" by Susan Pearl

 Dear Readers, 

Thank you for reading the past blogs. 

I am working on getting the nine children books I have written to be published.

There is a lot to do and everything is new to me.

It will take time but we will get there.

Dreams do come true.

With time and grace a change does take place.

And I know: No matter how long or late all will be worth the wait.

Sincerely,

Susan Pearl

"New Project" by Susan Pearl

 With these 1208 blogs I have, also, written additional children's books.

I hope to have more information about this project in a couple of weeks.

Thank You,

Susan Pearl

"A Special Time to Share" by Susan Pearl

 Dear Readers,

Please rejoice with me because about this time two years ago I was told I had two years to live.  

So in August two years ago I had a lifesaving procedure. August is, also, our Wedding Anniversary.

This August will be our 59th Wedding Anniversary. So I was surprised today when I thought exactly 

what I want to say to my husband on our 59th Wedding Anniversary just about six weeks away.

I want to make a card and on the front of the card I want to write:

From your wife of 59 years------(then open up the card and have these words)

"What more could I have ever asked for?"   Love you with all my heart.

I wanted to share this with my readers because whenever I think of something to write and it makes me

cry I always share it on my blog. 

Sincerely,

Susan Pearl

" Relationships " by Susan Pearl

A good relationship is like a clock,

The pendulum has to swing both ways-

For time to move forward.

"Reflections of Time" by Susan Pearl

They say at night that the stars we see-

Are reflections of burnt out stars from other galaxies.

The burnt out stars emitted light travels through lightyears of time

Giving us an opportunity to see their beauty, 

These stars no longer exist but their light does, showing the light they left behind---

Showing the shine of the reflections in time.

Lightyears and lightyears their light has traveled coming to you and to me

Showing the reflection of their one time existence is now for us to see.