Convertibles, my Uncle and my mom...

Today is one of those days when, if you own a convertible, you MUST put the top down and feel the wind "blowing through your sideburns."

I was on my way to the grocery store, with the top UP, and all of a sudden I heard my Unc's voice saying, "On a gorgeous Spring day like today, you have the top UP?...what a shame...put that top DOWN and enJOY the weather."

Almost instantly, I was flooded with memories of my dad and his older brother, Hank, and how I would get the convertible ready for their Saturday lunch & card game afterwards. I'd clean up the car, stuff everything in the trunk and clean the leather, so that they could "slide" into the car. The BIG moment, for me, was when they would put on their matching "summer driving hats" and back out the driveway waving ....and I would think, what a hooty hoot !!! Of course, I could kick myself for not taking a photograph or wishing that we had had cell phones back then w/ a camera, as it would have been so easy to "snap a shot" of the two brothers. 

In the Fall, they'd do the same thing....every Saturday, however, then they wore matching "leather driving caps," which I think I ordered online. I was just reminiscing w/ dad during lunch about those days. I asked if folks waved or honked their horns at them and he said "most definitely!"  The two of them were like kids in a candy store when they got in and drove off to Giamanco's for lunch...looking forward to the BIG martini's that they knew awaited.

That leads me to my mom, Flo. The convertible was a gift from dad for their 50th wedding anniversary. Dad had picked out a red color and mom just didn't like it at all. The salesman at A.K.Durnin (bless his heart) led my mom out to the sales floor display area and BINGO!...she saw the color she fell in love with, a gold metal flake grey (you really would need to see it, I'm not good w/ the color here) with fabulous gold rims and a dark black top.  She drove it right off the showroom floor...happy as a lark.

That was 1999. I arrived in Baton Rouge in March of 2001 to take care of mom, as she had been diagnosed with multiple immune system disorders. I think there was about 800 miles on the odometer then. That year she had to "give up" her driver's license and the freedom that comes with hopping in your car & cruising around town. Sooooo, I decided that I would take her for drives with the top down, anywhere she wanted to go...and she had a FABulous big straw hat w/ bows on it!!! Folks always honked & waved at us....kinda like "Drivin' Miss Daisy." 

Some days we would just head west towards the setting sun and at the top of the Mississippi River bridge, we both would just marvel at wonder of a miraculous sunset, provided just for us, by GOD, of course. Other times, we'd just drive around to see all of the azaleas in bloom, radiant with color!  Just simple things...and we both took such JOY in those moments.

Which brings me back to the beginning of this note...my JOY in seeing & remembering my Unc & my dad enjoying the pleasure of each other's company, riding w/ the top down, each w/ a HUGE smile...just like little kids, is still vivid!!

I miss my Unc and his Saturday jokes and stories...and hearing the banter between the two brothers as they played hours of gin rummy....over 50+ years. I can hear them now and it makes my heart smile. I know my dad misses his big brother more than there are words to express....they will see each other again, of that I am certain. Another card game, perhaps??

I miss my mom, Flo, too!!! Not a day goes by that I don't find myself talking to her and laughing. I cry, too. She taught me about unconditional love and grace and the importance of family. Even during her most painful moments, she had such dignity and kindness and love for others. She appreciated even the smallest gestures of care that were provided to her by her health care professionals, the women who cleaned the hospital rooms she was in, the ladies  that would bring her food...it was just her nature. 

Thank you mama and thank you, Unc, for providing me with great memories, good times, sound advice & pictures that will stay in my mind & my heart, until it is my time to pass from this life.

Soooooo, if you have a convertible, drop the top!!! and if you have a sunroof, open it!!...and enJOY the beauty all around ...it's there for the taking and who knows, it might bring back some memories for you as well.

All my love.....all my life.

The Power of YOU

Lately, I've been reading many blogs and surfing the internet, looking at ALL the articles, posts, videos, etc., that tell YOU how to become YOU, or a knock-off of someone else with a few tweaks. It occurred to me that folks are searching for something that is already within them.

IF each one of us knew and believed that we are already enough...that we have a uniqueness that is already ours, we would not have to go looking outside of ourselves! We are born to share our unique gifts with the rest of the universe. Yet, we are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we must be, have, or do something else in order to be successful, whether as a business person, a parent, a wife/husband, a friend, or just YOU.

Certainly, we can obtain skills for our tool boxes, as life long learners. And we should. The issue is deeper than that. It's knowing who we are at our core. And when we know that and believe that, we are unstoppable. Knowing deeply who you are and trusting in a power greater than yourself, will take you places that you've not yet dreamed of. 

How do YOU do that? By staying in the moment. By being grateful for all that YOU are already! By helping others and having a deep faith that our needs will be met. Those needs have already been provided!!

When YOU believe in YOU and trust in a power greater than YOUR self....it's sheer JOY!! Then YOU are ready to make a JOY~full noise....to spread JOY wherever YOU are...wherever YOU go, because that well spring of JOY comes from deep within a beautiful YOU.

Blessings and much JOY, my friends.

Keep It Simple...

Welcome to my blog! I've been at "this place" for about one year, with no words and no action. Tonight, I was talking with a friend, and she said, "just keep it simple. Just 'do it!''


And with those three words, I sat down and started writing. Mind you, it hasn't been quite so "simple" for me to do. I've read books, blogs, tweets, etc., about how to get started, how to format, add this "plug-in",etc. I signed up for @JohnHaydon 's class, "31 Days to Optimize Your Blog w/ Social Media" and @SarahRobinson 's,  "30 Day Game Changer," (I wanted to be a Tribe member), yet throughout all of that month, I did zero, zilch, nada. I thought... a lot. I read other folks' blogs.I lacked the "action piece." I was encouraged by so many folks...way too many to list here, especially in my "keep it simple" first post. I believe you know who you are, I hope so.


I just knew my blog wouldn't resonate with anyone. I would never be able to write like @Sally_G or @RebelBrown or fifty others. However, tonight, it just hit me...duh...it doesn't matter. I have stories to tell and causes that I'm passionate about and I want to share them with all of you. At this moment, I'm just like others that have sat down in front of a blank screen and stared and questioned themselves and doubted how their words/message would be received. I can hear @SarahRobinson in the back of my head saying, "just hit the send/publish button!" YAY!!


So, I'm keeping it REAL simple tonight! Nothing heavy to ponder, just a simple post. And, I'm grateful!! Grateful for all the encouragement and love and prayers that came my way via Twitter, Facebook, the web, phone calls and emails. My life is richer because of all of YOU. I'm full of JOY visualizing all of your beautiful faces! All of YOU make my heart smile. And I can't wait to write my next post. I can't wait to share more about my journey, with all its twists and turns and rocks and boulders. All of you are part of my journey now. WOOTY WOOT !!


So, make a JOY-FULL noise wherever YOU are...spread JOY wherever YOU go...you'll make someone's day...wherever YOU are! We all need more JOY in our lives. So share what you've got!
Just know that I love all of you. Here's a (((BIG HUG))) to wrap yourself in to start your day!


My heart felt thanks...