Busy is not a badge of honor. Someone posted that sentiment on facebook the other day and I loved it because since I call myself retired from working I seem to be busier than ever. In fact, everyone I know is busy. Then, while we are all going about our planned bus-y-ness, life throws us curveballs and all kinds of things that we had not expected.
And you do what Mama always told us to do - just put one foot in front of the other one. What's tricky is to not just go running around in circles. Or footslogging through the day. That's the challenge with bus-y-ness. The real badge of honor is appreciating every moment in every day no matter how busy we are or how many curve balls come our way.
The challenge is finding that balance between spinning our wheels and enjoying the ride. One person put it this way, "the really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour".
and from Henri Nouwen:
"Joy does not just happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday."
Even in the face of tough challenges, because life of full of them, we continue to count our blessings.
David III and I took a spur of the moment esaver trip to Dallas to visit David IV and as usual grocery stores, food and cooking were in the picture. These are Hatch Green Chiles which are only available in August in Texas. These chiles were on pretty much every menu while we were there.
David IV and Ben were friends and football teammates at Wofford. When Ben moved from Dallas to Wofford, we were close by and tried to ease the transition from high school to college. Then when David moved to Dallas, Ben's family adopted him as one of their own. Michelle and Barry couldn't have been more helpful to David during his transition from college world to working world. It is so sweet to have good people in your life during all kinds of transitions.
On our trip to Dallas we met two of David's closest friends. Vinnie is from New Jersey. I kid you not. Angela is from the Southwest. Both have been great friends and co-workers for David in Dallas. They picked us up at the airport and took us straight to FC Dallas Stadium to watch David in action as Premium Services Manager for the Suites and the River Club. It was great to see David in his own environment.
We enjoyed Dallas and as always found a ton of great restaurants to try. This picture was at the Velvet Taco. There are so many amazing places to eat in Dallas but on this trip my favorite was a modern, wonderful Thai restaurant called Malai.
Back in North Carolina, David and I enjoyed working at the Dirty Dance Festival with Beth and John and their own line of comfortable casual clothing - Peace Avenue. Peace Avenue deserves it's own blogpost because the clothes are so soft and comfy but there's so much more to it than that.
David and Simba supervised Jay with grilling lessons and Jay passed the test. He has hooked up the trailer and pulled the grill to several locations for picnics and tailgates with the GWU basketball team. From all reports he is a chip off the old block. No wonder.
Mom and Dad had a serious challenge in Mid August when they woke up in the middle of the night and their house was on fire. They have had to move out of their house for several months but fortunately were able to move into the Hunt House. Judy owns the Hunt house now and as I have written before she is the only person I know with a permanent home in Blowing Rock, NC and a vacation home in Lattimore. Dad grew up in the Hunt house and Mom and Dad lived there briefly when they were newlyweds 67 years ago. Talk about circle of life. It's been a transition to be moved out of their own home but they have adapted to it like champs. Making lemonade out of lemons. Or in the case of this picture making Pimiento Cheese sandwiches for a group of friends who were helping Jackson and Mary Beth paint the Martin House down the street in Lattimore.
Responding to adversity by thinking of ways to help someone else is a life skill that we can all learn. So many times someone will say to me that "your parents are so lucky to have such a happy life". They have certainly been blessed but they have also created their own luck by choosing happiness. Which reminds me of another quote I saw recently from Helen Keller who faced her own challenges with inspirational courage and grace.
"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."
Shortly after the fire at Mom and Dad's house we enjoyed a happy occasion. Many people (especially Brownie, Marta, JT, Emily) have worked for years to make the Earl Scruggs Center a reality in Uptown Shelby. We were happy to be a part of the preview celebration in August.
Walking/Zumba buddy Carol celebrated a birthday and Sandy and I celebrated with her. This is on the Broad River near Lake Lure. We enjoyed Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and had a fun side trip to Black Mountain.
Carole and Jack hosted a reunion party for the fun wedding trip to Cancun. We were sorry the bride and groom were in Canada but we had a great time at Twin Chimneys.
We enjoyed Twin Chimneys so much that Jack and Carole invited Mom, Dad and Judy out for another visit. The farm and farmhouse date back to the early 1800s and it is a beautiful place.
Jack and Jack were like two peas in a pod. And sorta like two little boys enjoying riding around the farm, looking at the cows, and telling tales.
Mom and Dad enjoyed getting out on a beautiful September Sunday afternoon. Dad is soon to be 91 and Mom is 87. Amazing.
Another fun group got together in Linville for a weekend with the Joneses. That is always a good time.
In Linville on Friday night we had a lot of chefs in the kitchen and the meal was wonderful. Debra and Lisa made a really great Kale and Brussel Sprout salad and Susan made Javanese Salmon. David cooked ribs and everything was outstanding. The salad and salmon recipes are on Epicurious.com and are worth looking up.
Lisa took this picture of David and me at Eseeola Lodge in Linville. Susan declared it facebook worthy so I figured it's blog worthy too.
Simba and Dingo in the 'cleansing bath' at the creek. We take them every night and I'm not sure who enjoys it more.
David and his mother taking Simba to run and swim.
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The tomatoes are gone but the peppers are still growing in my garden.
Eggplant and basil are growing together. I'm hoping for a fresh eggplant parmesan pretty soon.
John and Beth opened a Peace Avenue Holiday Showroom in the Royster Building. It's a cool spot with a good message and comfy clothing and will be a great addition to Uptown Shelby for the holiday season.
I love everything about fall and these flowers in the backyard always signal fall's arrival.
Which brings to mind one last quote:
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." John Burroughs
Enjoy your day!
