:. bits of tid .:

Time for a new post, though there's nothing earth-shattering to report. (We're all doing our part to keep Katie happy!)

• We've been enjoying some back-breaking labor around here the past two weekends. Three words: shrubs, mulch, paint.

• And speaking of mulch, there is absolutely NO WAY to spread mulch gracefully. You either have your booty up in the air for all to see, or you're squatting in the most uncomfortable of positions. And you always look like a squirrel burying a nut: spread, pat, pat, pat.

• And speaking of painting, one of my sisters (shall we say . . . Jeanne, perhaps?) decided I probably paint to relieve stress. Hhhhmmm, could be. I remember reading once that Bess Truman loved to sneak away from Washington while Harry was being all presidential. She would head back to the peace and quiet of Missouri, and to relax, she would spend WEEKS painting trim. My kind of girl.

• Visited the loveliest of gardens yesterday. If you're in the market for hostas, or if you just want a pleasant stroll in the country, you must visit this place. Absolutely the most well-kept garden I've ever seen . . . and they carry NINE HUNDRED varieties of hostas!

• Eeewww, I saw Shirtless Guy Who Drives A Convertible again. Did I say Eeeww?? He's quite 'fleshy', and no matter how chilly, drives topless in his topless car. (Let's hope he's only topless. EEEWW.)

• Looking forward to celebrating the June Birthday Buddies tomorrow. Benny and Josh, it's all about YOU two!

• Kate and I are both currently reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles. (Feeling pressured, Emily?) I love this story for its tightly-knit plot. Good job, Thomas Hardy.

• And speaking of Thomas Hardy, he just mentioned ". . . a thyme-scented, bird-hatching morning in May . . ." Aaaahhh, see why I love him?

• I can't wait for those LoveJoys to spend the week with grandma and grandpa! At least Gavin will have something to write about "What I Did On My Summer Vacation".

• And speaking of those boys, have I mentioned that they get cuter, sweeter and funnier EVERY DAY?!?? I don't quite know how it's possible, but it's true.

• I found a bumblebee in my laundry room last week. Perfectly dead. I started to throw it away, but then I thought perhaps the boys would like to see it. I don't think there are many things you find dead that you would want to show your grandsons, but a bumblebee is one. ("Ooooh, look boys! It's a dead mouse! See how soft it is?!?!") See what I mean?

:. a very good day .:

What a lovely day this has been!

It started out with coffee and muffins at my favorite coffee shop with my favorite girls (and Liam!).
But wait! It gets better!
While we were enjoying lattes and laughter, a woman stopped by our table with a giant bag of worm castings!! How often does that happen??!? Should worm poop even be allowed inside a coffee shop??!?

Then! I had the most splendid of afternoons with my Gavin.
A Perfect Park Day.
But wait! It gets better!
A young mother at the park asked me how old my son was!! My son!! And when I said he was my grandson, she expressed SURPRISE! and DISBELIEF!! And then she told me I looked really good for a grandma!

So, yeah. It was a Very Good Day.

:. rule of thumb .:

I made good use of the beautiful weather yesterday by cleaning up the rest of my garden. Leaves, dead stalks, weeds . . . all are now resting peacefully in a couple of city recycle bags.

Of course while down on my knees, my mind is seeing ALL KINDS of life lessons. (That's the first rule of thumb: If Barbie's Been Gardening, Expect An Analogy.)

I was amazed at how many plants spring up unbidden, mostly from the neighbor's weedy, overgrown yard. (Not that I'm blaming Paul for the state of my garden . . . but . . . well . . . )

RARELY is the uninvited plant something desirable, like, say, a beautiful tea rose, or even a lowly petunia. No, it is almost without fail a WEED: creeping charlie, dandelions, milkweed.

The desirable plants always need to be placed in the garden purposefully, and at some cost to the gardener.

So here's what struck me: it's the same with character.

Habits can spring up rather noiselessly, without us even being aware of the deep roots they're putting down. But take a careful look, and the kind of habits/character that appear that way are most likely of the more undesirable type.

And once there, it takes effort to get rid of them.

Good character qualities take cultivation. You can't expect, say, a gentle spirit to appear by magic. It will take work.

You can't expect to have a love for God's Word without reading it more than just occasionally.

You can't expect to have a kind and sympathetic heart without practicing kindness and extending sympathy.

You get the idea.

So, another rule of thumb: You Don't Get Roses Without Some Work.

:. if tippi hedren were your mom .:

"run, children! run!"

You would stay in shape while spending quality time together.

That's what I call 'killing two birds with one stone'.

Happy Mother's Day to mums everywhere!

:. everyone needs an Arkite .:

There's an interesting list way back in the O.T. (1 Chronicles 23-27 to be exact).

For five long chapters, we are given the names of all the important people who served King David: the priests, the musicians, the army officers, the security staff, the accountants and bookkeepers, his counselors, etc.

And right at the very end of all these names, listed right there among all the obviously important people in the kingdom, there is this most interesting statement:

"Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend."

I absolutely love that. Ranking right up there with his commanders, body guards and advisors . . .

. . . is David's friend.

Hushai did have quite a history with David; he was right there when David needed him, loyal and willing to help.

Oh, to have that kind of friend in your life.

Oh, to be that kind of friend.

I guess this post is just a reminder of how important good friends are. Whether you're a king or just a regular guy, I hope you list your friends among your most valuable assets.