Just Three Little Letters

It's a little word
So tiny and small.
One might think 
It's not important at all.

I long for it so,
Throughout the school year,
And just can't wait
Until it gets here.

It's sister words 
Are fine and okay.
Some better than others,
Some not so great.

It brings me hope,
And visions of rest.
A chance to renew
So I'll be my best.

I have to get through it,
But when it's done...
Visions of rapture,
And oodles of fun.


Oh, how I'm waiting
Through each and every day,
Oh, how I love you,
MAY! Oh, MAY!

©2011tbowenblog

Dozens of Cousins

I have thirty-four first cousins!

Who does that, seriously?

My son's only have three!

I consider myself to be the luckiest cousin in the world,

because of it.

Some of them are older than me,

and some of them younger.

Perfect!

We've lost one of us - she was beautiful on the

inside and out!

She fought a strong battle, 

and was so courageous.

She had three sweet boys.

We love you and miss you, DeAnn!

They say cousins are your very first playmates 

and best friends.

I sure thought so.

I never lived in the same town as my cousins 

for much of my life,

but I wished I did.

I thought they hung the moon,

and couldn't wait to be around them.

And they belonged to my aunts and uncles, 

who I pretty much adored.

When it came time to hop in the car and head their way,

I was beside myself with anticipation and excitement.

My sisters and I were the city cousins.

Now that I'm older, I'm not sure if they thought that

was a good or a bad thing.

I always thought they were the cool ones!

I thought life in the country was grand.

I considered small-town life to be perfect.

Well, at least for the few weeks a summer I spent with them,

or during holiday visits.

I always hated saying good-bye until next time.

Most of them all got to be together, 

or close by.
Luckies.
(Yeah, I know luckies isn't a real word.)

I have lots of wonderful memories spent with them, 

doing things I couldn't do

in the city...

building forts out of hay bales in the barn,

sticking my toes in Grandma's red-muddy tank,

riding horses,

not having to lock the doors at night,

swinging around on the rotating gate at Grandma's house,

going to the movie with my cousin's

(my uncle was manager of the theater in town),

riding bikes down the old dirt road into town

to get a lime-ice at the corner drugstore,
(pretty sure that's why I like frozen margaritas)

heading for the hills to get out of doing the dishes

after a big meal at Grandma's house,

and sleeping on the back porch 

in the country, stars in full view!

I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

  

Some day I'll tell you about some crazy things that happened, 

growing up with those cousins of mine!

Ha - I still laugh when I think of some of them.

I don't know for sure which one(s) were the most ornery,

but I've got my hunch!

But I want to say to them,

I love each of you,

always have, and always will.

"Cousins from the beginning,

friends 'til the end."

Dumb Things I Do

Sometimes when I go into a restroom and use the 

mirror to checkout my hair or make-up,

I smile at myself.

I eat one food at a time on my plate.

I don't mix, I don't rotate.

I always chew at least two pieces of gum at once
(three is even better.)

Sometimes I accidentally call myself on my cell phone.

I sing the wrong words to classic songs,
and not on purpose.

I usually forget the punchline of the joke.

I snort sometimes when I laugh.

I cry when someone else cries, even
when I don't know WHY they're crying.

Sometimes I look at my wrist to see what time it is.
I don't wear a watch.

I get idioms mixed up and make up
wrong phrases
(like a flea on a Junebug.)

i sleep with my toes sticking out from under the covers.

I eat the outside chocolate shell of my Three Musketeers bar
first, then the inside part.

Please tell me about some dumb things you do.

It might make me feel smarter.

Or less dumber. 

 

Where'd They Go?

OK, I'll be honest.

I thought it would take a LOT longer to get use to an empty nest.

I really did.

I dreaded it for so long before it happened...

I was miserable for awhile after it did...

but I think we're OK.

The papa bird and I.

I do miss those little birdies sometimes, though.

A lot of times, truthfully.

But I'm getting use to the quiet.
Sometimes, I just wanna jump up and down and 
yell at the top of my lungs, 
just to hear some noise!
I miss their loud chirping and screeching.

(Some of you are probably wanting to jump up and down 
and yell for some peace and quiet. 
Better enjoy that noise while you can.)


Those little birds of yours will fly the coop too, 
before long.
They'll start flapping those wings in anticipation,
and whistling a merry tune,
 and on half a breeze-
they'll take off.
Free birds.


You'll be so proud of them.
You'll worry if you taught them all they need to know
for a smooth flight into their new world.


Let them strut their feathers a bit.
They'll come back home and visit the old tree.
They'll  find refuge in your wings, 
when needed.

Every now and then, I find a few feathers
and it makes me smile..
those feathers are like gold to me.
I just tuck them away 
and save them for a rainy day
when the papa bird and I 
feel like tucking our wings under
and resting a bit...
and remembering when our nest was full.
And taking comfort in knowing that...
 birds of a feather flock together.

©2011tbowenblog

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son,

that whosoever believes in Him, 

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for me.

Please help me show Your love by putting others first.

You forgave me of my transgressions.

Please help me to not hold grudges and to have a forgiving heart.

You taught me to have no other gods before you.

Please help me not to worship the things of this world, but only You.

You gave eternal life to those who will accept it.

Please help me not be embarrassed or afraid to share with others.

You showed me how to be humble.

Please help me to not take pride in my own self.

You give me grace every day.
Please help me be willing to give others more than one chance.

You carry me through all things, lifting me up all the way.

Please help me to fall in your arms and be carried when I can't walk.

You show me unconditional love.

Please help me not to judge others, but show Your love.

You are my rock, my anchor, my sustainer.

Please help me remember to seek shelter under your wings.

You are my peace that passes all understanding.

Please help me to not be anxious about anything, but in all things, with

thanksgiving in my heart, present my requests to you. 

...And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding,

will guard my heart and mind, in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

©2011tbowenblog

This and That

I love the smell of coffee,
but hate the taste of it.


I still enjoy hard rock,
dislike heavy metal.

I love teaching children,
not so much hanging around them during off-hours.


Love the idea of having a dog,
don't love actually having one.

Love the beach,
hate the sand.

I love rain and thunderstorms.
I am terrified of tornadoes.


Fall is my favorite season.
I sneeze all fall.


I loved being the oldest of three girls.
I like being babied.


I love staying up late.
I hate alarm clocks.

I love listening to others talk,
but talking to them, not so much.


I love shoes, 
but don't like wearing them.

I love playing the piano.
I don't love "practicing" the piano.





I love taking pictures.
I hate having my picture taken.


I love slumber parties,
but I don't like sleeping in someone else's bed.


I love salad when someone else makes it.

Salads at home are blah.

I've never been too crazy about bats.

I have a pet bat...Max.

I don't like being bossed around.

I might be a bit bossy.

I like big words.

I don't like having to use a dictionary to understand them.

I hate to exercise.

I love the way I feel after I do.

I love to read.

I hate being read to.

I hate touching feet.

I love getting pedicures.

I love going to baseball games,

but don't like watching it on TV.

I don't mind being late,

and don't like being early.

I'm not impressed with royalty.

but it's good to be queen.

©2011tbowenblog

After all these years....

Once there was a boy

 who fell in love with a girl...

and they decided to get married...

so they did.

And they still are.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

I love you both so much!