Motivational Monday - Break

 Good Monday morning.  Are you in need of a little motivating?  I woke refreshed and ready to go.  Want to know why?  I took a much needed break.  Shannon, who helps me, said, "what are you guys doing on vacation?"  I said, "making hay."  She said, "you guys are always making hay or working."  That stuck with me.  First, you HAVE to make hay when the sun shines or doesn't, hay NEEDS to be done.  We chose to live this way and the work comes with it.  However, working all the time isn't good, even if you have things you have to do.  

Saturday, was so frustrating for me.  Facebook wouldn't let me post under my event for my virtual sale.  Customers were trying to message me, that wasn't working all day Friday and Saturday it all wasn't working for me.  I did sell some stuff, but it was a headache.  So, as I was struggling with all that and trying to put together some interesting items for my LIVE I looked up and saw Al on the edge of the field.  I watched him for hours, as he tried to disk the field, seeded with a grain drill pulling a cultipacker behind - what a sight - good idea, but WORK.  What are we doing? I thought to myself.   Then I hear it, Shannon say..."you are always working."  Right then and there I knew I was going to go dip my toes in Lake Superior.  No plans, I just needed to see the lake.

One thing good about Al and I, our relationship, we don't have huge expectations for our fun.  We could skip rocks on Norrie Lake (about 10 miles from here) and it be a great "date."  So, we woke, hopped in the car and took off going north.  Any point on Lake Superior from here is at least a 3 hour drive.  While driving we saw a sign for Stormy Kromer (cool hats made in Ironwood, MI) and I said, "let's go there first."  Sunday morning, it wasn't opened, but I really only wanted to get my picture taken in front of the hat. 

Then, we drove downtown and an antique shop was open so we went in.  This shop was packed, Al went one way I the other.  While I was digging downstairs, I heard a guy say "Ringle" I couldn't see him, just heard it.  If you know me, I know no stranger, so I hollered "Ringle?"  Long pause of silence, then this younger guy comes around the corner and says, "someone upstairs said they were from Ringle" and I said "oh, that's my husband, I thought you found something with Ringle advertising on it...ahahah."  I asked where they were from and they said EauClaire.  

So, this is what happened too:  "Where are you folks from?"  Al says "Wausau, WI (as no one knows Ringle)"  "Well, I'm from Antigo" he says.  Al says, "well, we really are from Ringle, but I didn't think you'd know where that was."  "Well, I'm really from Phlox, I didn't think you'd know where that was."  I know this is local humor but, it just shows you what a small world we live in.  Then I asked "how did you end up here?"  He tells me he worked in the woods, but fell out of a tree 30 years ago and broke his neck.  Unable to do that work again, he decided to do what he was passionate about, antiques.  I mention my uncle's logging business in Crandon.  He knew him and my other uncle who was a State Senator.  What was sad, was that his shop was only deemed "essential" 2 weeks ago and he missed out of months of sales.  He told me he didn't know how to do virtual.  I'm afraid some of these brick and mortars are not going to make it.  

Next door was a Ben Franklin, this town still had one, so we went in.  On the counter was a postcard "World's Largest Hiawatha" so I asked the girl, "is this here?"  She said, "yes, you can see it from the stop sign."  Sure enough, when we left there it was, so I had to get a picture in front of that.

Then we drove down to a state park near Saxon, Wisconsin that had public access to the lake.  The beach was almost non existant, the steps and bank of the lake were all caving in.  Lake Superior is at it's highest levels in decades.  We or at least I, grabbed a stick and hobbled down the rocks.  I had to dip my toes in the lake.  It was cold, but I walked out a bit.

I guess, I tell you all of this to say, motivation can come from taking a break.  If you are working at something and it starts to become a struggle, stop and take a break.  Take a break too, if you've worked hard and accomplished something big.  Take a break, just to regroup.  Take a break, if you've reached a plateau at something.  Give yourself, body, mind and spirt the break it needs to move forward.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Wind Down of Summer

 I'm not sure about all the rest of you, but I had a productive summer.  Covid 19 got nothin' on me.  I actually lost...my Covid 19 and then some.  I will post more on my Progression (word of the year) about that journey later on.  

I even did some "Lady Godiva" pictures for Al.  My hair is the longest it's been for decades, so I took advantage of an evening's light, tall weeds and "nothin" more (advantage of country living).  They are really cute pictures, I wish I could share, but Al doesn't want me to.  I see them as "art" why America is so bent on nudity is beyond me.....one should embrace themselves at whatever age or size they are.  But, I will tell you I LOVE them, you can't really even see anything because of my hair and tall grass/weeds.

Al and I did "work" all summer.  Different projects around the farm.  I did my fair share of sorting, staging and selling - events, virtually and LIVE.  It may not look like I made much progression in my buildings, but it didn't all get there in one summer either.  I know what I've done, how I've done it and will give myself the credit for my progression and convidence in moving forward to do more.  

We won't be able to do our 24th Annual Ringle Harvest Day this year.  Our small, rural community accepts so much for 1 day as it is.  Thousands of people walking around in their yards, we had to consider their opinions and wishes first.  It's for the best for me anyway, as I am doing a big sale here on September 25 & 26.  I asked other Ringle residents to join in and now it will be "Round Ringle Rummages."  I could never take as much stuff as I want to sell to my booth, even though it's just a mile down the road.  Now, I can fill some hay wagons and flat trailers and really move it out.  That's my plan, anyway.  

I plan to savor the last few days of summer; warm tomato from the vine, chickens under my feet, Robin's chirp, smell of hay oh and maybe my sunkissed feet.....teeheee...thanks Keen sandles.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

It's Cool in Schoolsville

 This is the fictional story that continues with Maragarite an English teacher at Tinley Park High School.  This is the premise of our VIRTUAL August Sale Event Link here:  It's Cool in Schoolsville

The garage clean up came to an end, just as Margarite was getting ready to start back teaching for the school year.  As she looked around her newly decorated space, she took out her journal and began to reflect on what a wonderful summer she had.  She cozied up in the chair by the window.  

"June 22, 1956 - spent the day weeding garden and flower bed.  Saw an eagle fly over.  Met the friendly couple at the local shop."  "July 4, 1956 - spent the day by the lake, it was a hot one today.  Silly litte chipmunk "Timmy" is the subject of my 'great novel?' who would have thought, I would get my inspiration from him."  "August 8, 1956 - driving back home, oh I will miss this little cottage." As she read each entry, she could hardly believe the twists and turns in her life in such a short time.  "August 15, 1956 - while cleaning in the garage, I found some old photos of women.  I don't know who they were, but to look at them, you can tell that they were strong women.  I will keep them."  "August 20, 1956, Mrs. Klein told me the most amazing story about Mr. Stencil.  He was an entomologist from Kansas.  He spent one year of hiatus in apartment 12 writing his book "The Diary of Box Elder Bugs."  I think I will keep his old typewriter."  

Margarite put the journal down.  She put on her newly stiched monogram "M" apron to make herself a cup of tea.  As she waited for the water to boil, she looked around her cherry little kitchen.  She thought of the wonderful cottage garden she tended over the summer.  "Maybe, I'll ask Mrs. Klein if I can plant some flowers and have a garden next year."  Cup in hand, she sat settled back in the comfy chair by the window.  Just then she saw Cindy and Betty pass.  They happen to glance in the direction of the window and Maragrite made sure to wave.  "Good ol' Mr. Johnson" she thought "I will do my best to keep up with your tradition to wave."  She grabbed her journal and began to plan the garden space.  "It could even be a community garden," she thought.  Margarite didn't have experience with gardening, so she decided she would buy a book and study different varieties of flowers and plants.  "Maybe, I could start a garden club for our apartment complex."  As she wrote down these ideals, she was thinking about the strong community bond she felt in Three Lakes.  "Oh how busy I had been, not to see my community here.   Shame on you Margarite."  She could hardly imagine not keeping up with the new friendships that started over some old junk in a garage.  

Margarite walked down to the extra bedroom.  She decided to decorate that room like a little cabin in the woods.  She found some old stools in the garage and painted them red, like all the barns she saw driving in Wisconsin.  "This little space is my homage to the northwoods, where I left a little piece of my heart."  She was so tickled with how her apartment looked.  She wasn't quite done, but she was looking forward to adding all the "things" that made her happy.

"It's just so cool" she told herself.   As an English teacher, she rarely used slang words.  However, she couldn't think of another one to describe just how she was feeling.  "This teacher surly was schooled this summer" she said outloud.  All the things that she happened to learn about herself.  "I guess it's cool in schoolsville" she laughed as hopped in bed.

Follow along tomorrow in the event if you would like to purchase some of the items for sale.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

Gussied Up Apartment

 This is the fictional story that continues with Maragarite an English teacher at Tinley Park High School.  This is the premise of our VIRTUAL August Sale Event Link here:  

It's Cool In Schoolsville

Margarite wasted little time in working in the old garage.  Mrs. Klein checked in on her throughout the days that she spent cleaning, sorting and fixing.  Margarite could see that Mrs. Klein was rather lonely and her frequent check ins were more of an excuse to visit.  "Now, if I'm bothering you honey, please let me know," Mrs. Klein would say.  "Oh, you're not, I enjoy the company."  As Margarite worked, Mrs. Klein would share a story about each tentant that once owned an item.  Margarite was amazed with her memory and attention to every detail as she regaled her stories.  "Oh, that old table belonged to Mr. Winkleman, he was an accountant.  That little school desk belonged to Miss Schmidt, she taught in a one room school house.  That old typewriter, it belonged to Mr. Stencil, he wrote a book about insects, there is an interesting story about him..." and the stories would go on and on.  "Oh, honey I've talked your ears off." She would say.  "I'll make it up to you with a piece of my chocolate cake, I'll be right back."  And off she would go to bring back a little treat.  Margarite thought, "I've never been so spoiled."   

The activity in the old garage out back was causing some unexpected visitors.  "What are you doing?" one of the other tenants asked.  "Well, I'm cleaning out this old garage for Mrs. Klein and using some of these items to gussy up my apartment." Margarite said.  "Well, honey, looks like those items need to be gussied up too" laughed one elderly lady.  "Are you going to use that old coffee pot?  If not, I could use it."  Another asked.  Often times, Mrs. Klein was present as well.  "Yes, if you could use that old thing, please take it."  Each day, as Margarite worked, she was meeting more of the other tenants.  As one would leave, Mrs. Klein would add a little tid bit of information about each.  "Well, that was Mrs. Johnson, you know, her son is a pastor."  It was never gossip, but just little pieces of the other's life.  She happen to think that this was just the connection to her community she longed for from her visit to Three Lakes.  How could she not have seen that this apartment was her community.  She vowed to not let the interaction with her new friends end when the old garage was clean.

"I think I'll take this old desk up to the apartment" Margarite told Mrs. Klein.  "You know, it would work as a little book case on the seat and I could store extra papers in the desk."  "That sounds like a good idea," Mrs. Klein said.  "I'm sure, Miss Schmidt would be happy to know this old desk had a new life."  

Margarite carried the litte desk to her apartment.  As she did, she thought of Miss Schmidt as a teacher in a one room school.  She couldn't help but think of how difficult it would have been to teach all grades and subjects.  "I have my hands full with high school English," she said to herself.  "I never met you Miss Schmidt, but I do love your little desk."  As she looked around her new space filled with different things from the old garage, "well, little apartment, a few more things and I think you will be gussied up just right!"  Margarite told herself, "I am even more attached to the story behind each item."  She was so pleased with how it was all coming together and within her budget.  "I couldn't love this more, if I would have spent all my money on it."  The lessons this experience taught her...priceless.  

Follow along the next few days in story and see the items we will offer for sale on Saturday, August 29.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Margarite's New Apartment

This is the fictional story that continues with Maragarite an English teacher at Tinley Park High School.  This is the premise of our VIRTUAL August Sale Event:  "It's Cool in Schoolville" Link here:  

https://www.facebook.com/events/1688801117943313/

Margarite pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex.  She just spent the most wonderful 6 weeks in northern Wisconsin surrounded by trees and lakes.  Now all she saw was cement and buildings.  She decided that she would do her best to bring a bit of the natural world into her tiny apartment.  

She hardly was even in the door when she heard Mrs. Klein's voice, "Margarite, honey, I have something to tell you," Margarite turned and maybe for the first time noticed just what a tiny woman she was. "Hello Mrs. Klein, what can I do for you?"  "I'm sorry to bother you so quickly, dear, but I wanted to tell you that Mr. Johnson in apartment 2 passed away while you were gone."  "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Margarite said.  "Well, honey, that means his apartment, on the first floor, with the corner widow views is available.  I have been holding it to ask you first."  "Oh, my goodness," Margarite said, she was so excited that she didn't even process that Mr. Johnson had passed on.  "YES, I'll take it!" "Thank you Mrs. Klein for holding it for me.  Oh, and please give Mr. Johnson's family my condolences."  "Well, the apartment is clean and ready for you to move in anytime dear," Mrs. Klein said.  "Come down in the morning and get the keys."  "Oh, thank you, Mrs. Klein, this is exactly the type if change I needed."  

She wasted little time in grabbing a notebook and wring down all the things she needed to do to make her new apartment feel more like the little cottage that stole her heart.  "Oh, Margarite" she told herself, "you must stick to a budget."  She now has an extra bedroom and more living space to fill.  Her head was full of dreams, however her eyes where heavy, even though she was too excited to sleep.  

"Here are the keys, when your apartment is empty, please let me know" Mrs. Klein told Margarite.  "Also, you can paint and decorate all you would like."  This made Margarite so happy.  As she opened the door to the new apartment, she happen to think of all the times she walked passed this side of the building.  She always saw Mr. Johnson sitting in his window.  He would smile and wave to all the residents as they passed.  "I can see why, he loved sitting here.  I want to carry on his waving tradition."  She couldn't help but think of the friendly community of Three Lakes, how welcoming they were and the connection in the community.  She felt bad now, thinking then, that she did not have that here in Tinley Park.  But, she did, it was Mr. Johnson.  He was welcoming and greeting residents in his own way.   She was already arranging that room in her mind to accomodate a seat by the window.  

With her notebook full of plans, she headed out to go shopping.  As she passed Mrs. Klein's door, it was open a crack so she peeked in.  "Hello, Mrs. Klein?"  "I'm in here honey, come on in."  Mrs. Klein was busy cooking and the smells were amzaing.  She shared with her all the ideas she had.  Mrs. Klein said, "you know, over the years, we stored all kinds of items that were left over in an apartment in that old garage out back.   When Mr. Klein was alive, he was a bit of a pack rat and hardly threw anything away.  Would you like to go and see if you could find something you could use?"  Maragarite could hardly believe it, "oh, that would be wonderful," she said.  "Well, with Mr. Klein not being around, it has become a bit of a mess out there.  If you could help me by cleaning and sorting it out, you can have whatever you want in there."  "It's a deal," Maragarite said as Mrs. Klein handed her the keys to the garage.

As she opened the door, her nose was it hit with the the smell of sweet cigar that still lingered in the air.  Mr. Klein must have enjoyed hours tinkering out here.  She stumbled to find the light switch, it was too dark for her eyes to adjust.  Once the light was on, she could hardly believe all the treasures that lay before her.  Sure, it was a bit of a dusty mess and there was alot of trash, but she was so intrigued by each piece and the story it held.  She wasted little time shuffling and sorting that she lost track of the day.  "Honey, are you still in there?" she heard Mrs. Klein ask.  "I am" she said.  As Mrs. Klein came into the garage she could see all of Margarite's progress.  "You know, Mrs. Klein, I may not be the only one who would like these pieces.  Would you mind if I fixed a few of the extras up and sold them?"  "Oh, if I thought someone could us this old stuff Mr. Klein stored all these years, it sure would make me happy.  But, I think you've done enough for today, I made us some dinner, do you like chicken stew?"  As Margarite locked the door behind, she said "I surely do and that sounds wonderful!"

Follow along the next few days in story and picture of the items will will offer on Saturday, August 29th.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Satisficing It

Satisficing:  Accept an available option as satisfactory

It is a decision that is ok enough to tackle a situation, but not the best possible decision.  Well, I've been doing this for years and didn't know it had a definition.  Ahhaha

In fact, I will be satisficing this week on more than one thing I had planned.  

A self-employed person wears many hats.  To motivate me, I put on my marketing hat and dream up big, creative ideas and put them on a calendar to hold myself accountable.  I then put on my promtional hat and share it, brag it up, post to social media - you know the whole "nine yards" kinda thing.  Well, often times...who am I kidding...more times than not, I over extend myself into doing lots of things all at once.  I may also be a little addicted to the "rush" this whirlwind of activity gives me.  #Iknowmyowntruth.  

So, today, I put on my production hat, you know the hat that is the least fun...work...ahahah...and get busy with my week.  I can tackle the accountablity of my calender, not exactly how I dreamed it would be, but I made the decison to keep going.  So, I will have to be happy with satisficing it, yet again.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Ability & Sustainability

Good Motivational Monday Morning.  You know I am always in need of a little motivation, none more so than on Monday.  Al is on vacation this week, so we slept in until 6 am. (ahaha).  When I woke, I thought "oh no, we overslept" or "wait, what day is it?" and "what do I HAVE to do today."  The last question, honestly, I wake to almost every morning; and I'm self-employed.  

One would think, that Dicky Bird has all the time in the world, you know she "doesn't work."  Over the years, I've heard that and more.  Self-employment is just the opposite.  My "business" is here at the farm, so I don't ever really get to leave it and go home.  To be successful, you need to find a balance between - "that" out there and "this" in here.  I often times set time goals as in 9-noon on "that" and 1-3 on "this."  

Truth though, is that there is way more of "that" than "this" right now.  If you follow regularily, you know that I've been destashing my stash.  As an antique dealer, I often times "buy out" a whole house or entire contents of an estate.  I box it all up, load it in the trailer and haul it here.  I sell what I can to get my money back first.  The rest, often times get stored in my pole building - for years.  The household stuff isn't fun....ahahah.

In over 30 years of doing this, I've destashed my stash a dozen times.  Now that I am in my 50's however, the destash has become harder for me to do.  My goal is to fill 1 garbage bag a day.  Unfortunately, being stored in a pole building, has it's demise to some items.  Yesterday, I opened the big doors to the shed and I just stood there....I'm overwhelmed...what to do, where to continue and it hit me....my limitations.

Then this thought came to me, "Dicky Bird, your ability to do this isn't what it once was and your sustainablity in being able to continue my stash in this manner is done."  Motivation time...

I closed the pole building door, honestly rather defeated.  Not just with that hoarded mess, but my garden, flower beds and barn yarn - all I could see were epic fails.  Yes, I do have some veggies to enjoy, I just ignore the weeds.   So, as I was picking in the weeds, I looked at these.  Oh, the glorious sunflowers.  It made me smile.  Those sunflowers, the ones the deer chewed on, bloomed anyway.  

These sunflowers are the inspiration for this post.  Yes, these sunflowers that were chewed on by the deer and their ability to still bloom.   The key to finding a motivation, needs to be stronger than any demotivating feeling.  So this morning, I am going to focus on one small area.  Pull out what I don't want, restack the things I want to sell, repurpose or keep in a row.  I have other plans, but dare not say them out loud as I've had a diet of those words all summer.  Who am I kidding...those words have been a diet for years.  

I know I have to adjust and maybe justify a bit my ability to now measure my age, bodily capabilities and stage of life.  My body has been good to me for 54 years, she deserves to move slower, she's earned it.   As far as my sustainability to continue hoarding another's hoard, can't happen!!  Dicky Bird, you deserve better!

So, when you are feeling like your ability and sustainablity are in peril, I hope you think on this little post.  Your sustainability in being you, a happier you, is what is most important.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Lessons from the Monarch

 Female monarch butterflies lay their eggs in a sticky substance on the underside of milkweed leaves, which is extremely toxic.  When the eggs hatch the caterpillar survives on the milkweed leaves.  As an adult, each monarch retains that toxin in their body, which protects them from predators.

We could learn alot from this.  When we find ourselves in a sticky situation, surrounded by toxic "things" which we ultimately will feed on; keep in mind, that "toxin" may protect you later on.  That "toxin" may even become the "medicine" you need to overcome.  

During it's 100's of miles of migration, each butterfly relies on the huge amount of fuel it ate as a caterpillar.  So, when you are consuming those things that are "toxic" keep in mind, you will need them for fuel.  From personal experience, I can tell you that, some of my greatest successes have begun amongst "toxic."  I used all that "fuel" to push me, motivate me.

After the caterpillar consumes all their fuel, they spin a beautiful cocoon.  While in this chrysalis stage, it's busy making a wonderful, beautiful transformation.   You know, we all need a time to rest, reflect, digest the "toxic" and use it to transform us into a beautiful new version of ourselves.  

My 2020 word of the year...I wonder how many of us, in light of what 2020 gave us so far, have words that "fit."  Mine was Progression....it has been!  I was thinking on this when I saw that monarch butterfly.  I've been on a progression, even in all of "this" to become a better version of me.  When I looked up facts about the monarch, I had to laugh at where I am actually in my progression.  I just told someone, ever notice just when you are starting to get your "sh t" together, someone/thing tries to flush you down.  That's how I know, I'm on the right path.  The "toxic" feeding, storing, digesting isn't hurting me, rather helping me.   Helping me trasform into something better.  Please don't read into this post...it's just an analogy of nature -vs- life.  I'm not thinking on anyone other than myself, Lord knows, I feed me enough "toxins."  

Be a butterfly.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Listening for the Signs

The other day, I had a customer pick up one of her purchases from me.  When I handed her the bag, I had to stop and listen.  The chickens were squawking up a storm and they were no where to be seen.  I said to her, "there must be a hawk around."  "They make that noise to warn the others of a predator."  Sure enough, we looked around and over by the barn there was a hawk perched on top of a hay wagon.  It was a perfect view of the barn yard.  I started to run over to chase it away, but she flew away on her own.  My customer said, "how did you know?"  "I listened, to the 'warning' sounds and signs."  She said, "wow, that's amazing."  (It really isn't...if you have animals you know their dialog).  

This had my thinking about a blog post.  I spend many days writing these posts in my head.  Some end up on here and others do not.  Anyway, do you listen for the signs?  Each stage of life offers "signs" to listen to.  Kid crying - hurt; mom calling - fell?; husband crabby - clean...teehee....but seriously, you know what I mean.  Life offers us signs, do you listen?  Have you educated yourself as to what it means?  Have your past lessons lead you to an objective conculsion?  Or, did you not even notice the chicken's squawking?  

I think, this old world is "squawking" it's trying to tell us something, are you listening?   Have you thought about it?  What does all of 'this' mean?  2020 has been something else!  I think, an alert person should be listening for the signs.

Personally, I'm picking up, making room, cleaning my 'coop.'  I'm freezing, canning, storing for a time I may need it.  I'm stocking up on necessities, including, toilet paper.  I'm listening....oh, there are plenty of signs!

Most importantly, I'm more than ever, trusting in Jesus!  I'm not trying to sound like a prepper, but I am.  I'm preparing my home and heart - I've studied the signs, I'm aware of past lessons, I'm educating myself to be prepared and I'm listening.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Scars

 We all have them, scars.  I am sure too, that when you look at yours, you can recall the moment, where, why, how it happened.  We can see physical scars, it's the emotional ones that we often time keep well hidden.

"Oh, that was when I reached in to close the gate and scratched my arm on the cattle fence ends."  "Oh, that was from when I was little and I climed up on the countertop to get a glass.  I fell and broke the glass in my hand."  Yes, when I look at those scars, I remember that moment it happend and carry around a reminder of what it left behind.  You know, I never climbed up on the counter again to get a glass.  I also didn't reach for the chain to the gate that same way.  The injury taught me and the scar reminds me.  

Emotional scars, no one can see, but we all have them.  "Half breed, Fatso Pocahontas, ugly house, poor, baby, spoiled" and other name callings.  "You're too big for that" or "don't you have any other outfits?" or a plethora of other phrases that not only hurt, but damage our self esteme and leave scars.  I'm 54 and thinking on some of these still hurt my feelings.

We took our little grand love to the park.  While there, a little boy struck up a conversation with me.  He says, "I'm too big for my age." (old hurts rise up).  "I'm only 6 and weigh 78 pounds," he says.  I quickly said, "well, you don't look too big to me, you look like a healthy size for your age."  It pained me to think that he was coming up to a complete stranger and making excuses for himself at 6!  Who told this little boy he was "too big?"  He wasn't!  He was tall for 6, true, but 78 pounds of muscle, not fat.  Well, what he is hearing will leave him with a scar.  I only hope what I said, which was true, provides a little healing.  Shame on whomever told him that!  

That, had my thinking about this post.  How can we let our scars motivate us.  Just like looking at my arm with the scar from the fence, I am reminded not to reach my hand in the same way.  How can we take our painful memories of emotional scars and use them to our advantage.  That would be more beneficial to us than to hold on to those old hurts.

I have been cleaning out my "stash" this summer.  I came across a tub of something that encapsulates my "decades" of this.  I could almost have cried, really.  I don't even know how I could adequately explain this, what it meant and how I felt.  Let's just say, that after a few days of thinking about it, I decided to take the lesson of it and change.  I started to, be depressed about it - the lack of my ability to turn it into what I envisioned.  That right there is the problem.  I hate to say, but I do have some awesome things I've hoarded with wonderful intentions.  I do have cool ideas too.  So when I looked in this tub, the items were not ruined, which was good, but, the "who, what, why" is long gone.  It made me sad to think I failed again.  I don't want to feel like that!  I don't!  So, after a few days of reflection, recognizing that as a "scar" on multiple levels, I made choice.  A choice to move on and forward.  Yep, it's a scar that I want to motivate me to be better.  

I know this was a rather personal post for a Motivational Monday.  However, my hopes is that you can think on some of your scars differently.   Try to look at them like lessons.  Use them to motivate you to be better.  I'm the first to admit, it will be hard and take time and effort to do, but I'm going try.  I hope you will too.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

The Little Things That Make Me Happy - Day 6/Day 7

Due to Covid 19....I've had to be creative in how I sell....I was invited to set up at a market in Antigo.  We have friends and family living there and it's only 30 minutes from me.   So, the little things that make me happy....these pictures represent a few...

1.  Sunny days to set up at a market 

2.  Booth is under a tree - you don't need to haul out the tent

3.  Time with your friends

4.  Selling....a lot!

5.  Helping a friend/customer sell some of her items

6.  Friends/family visiting 

7.  Compliments (love those!)

8.  All the SHARES on social media - view numbers amazing!

9.  Events with great food

10.  Friends coming out and sending pictures of what they bought and how they used it in their homes.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin