Living in Harmony Like our Animal Friends

I seem to get good blog material when I'm here in Austin as the animal caregiver. These critters -- the chickens and ducks in their pen and coop, and the donkeys and goats in their barn and field areas live together in harmony – but they do have their cantankerous moments. The goats with horns seem to dominate the larger Nubian long-eared goats. And there’s one horned-goat “Oreo” who gets very possessive of his bowl of feed. He’s not willing to share with any of the other goats. I scold him and push him back so another goat can share with him. It is a temporary solution. The youngest donkey gets possessive of the feed container for just him and his mom. I scold him and I invite Molly, the biggest donkey back in. It’s typically a harmonious kingdom but not always a peaceful kingdom.

Then there’s the longhorn Vamanos who is in a field all to himself. He is peaceful and stately, Texas-stately, for sure. No complaints out of him. He just waits patiently for his giant rubber container of feed and several stacks of hay. And, there’s the peaceful, “saintly” Havanese dog who is my shadow and sidekick. But then, he has no other dogs to compete with or to have to tolerate – just like Vamamos. Instead of perfect harmony – that’s perfect solo living. But, who wants to go it “solo” all the time?

The fact is God created animals and human beings to co-exist. He created us to not necessarily agree all the time, but to harmonize by agreeing to disagree without bitterness and hatred. To respect each other even when we are complete opposites in faith, ideals, and persuasions. My grandson took me for a tour of downtown Austin a couple of days ago -- to the State Capital Building and Congress Avenue where there are all kinds of sights and sounds and people groups, and silly photo opportunities everywhere (i.e., Willie for President). We had lunch in a trendy place with great food and packed with people. Our waiter was a proud, friendly gay man who gave us excellent service. He was hilarious and outgoing. I was overcome with love for this man and whispered a prayer for him. I’m sure we have little in common, but what we do have in common is we our neighbors and I love him as I love myself. I gave him a good tip, a hug, and told him I loved him when we left. I meant it.

Life is full of unexpected plot twists and exciting cliff-hangers, and in a world where technology is progressing at an ever-accelerating pace, it’s about high-time we learned to stop and smell the roses, the barnyards, the restaurants and the places where people are. Jesus didn’t always hang out in the temple. He was going to the tax-collectors' and sinners' homes and other places that others deemed questionable. By hanging out with the undesirables, Jesus shows me His great capacity for love and compassion. By consistently taking those with off-the-track thinking and getting them back-on-track, He teaches us real lessons we can learn when we "do what Jesus did".

I look at the peace in these animals when they are in the field, calmly co-habitating, eating grass, mulling around, sharing the space together. We humans are the pinnacle of God's creation and we are the beings created in His image. When we live and act with compassion and sensitivity, we become more like God. Maybe that’s one of the reasons He created so many varieties of animals. If we looked at the ants and took on their diligence and determination. The birds of the air how they toil not and worry not. The peace of this little dog that is laying beside me now – he knows he’s loved and cared for – and shouldn’t we feel the same way about our Father God who cares infinitely more about us than the animal kingdom? After all, He loved us so much He gave His one and only Son to die for us so that we could live with Him forever. The closer we become to God, the more we realize, that He really made us to be "caretakers of the world – caretakers of each other." A barometer for one's sensitivity towards animals and other people may eventually lead to goodwill for all mankind. I hear those Christmas words again “Peace on earth. Goodwill to all men (and women).”

Slow Down and Listen to the Frogs

My inspiration for today’s blog came from a friend’s FB post. These were her words that captioned this precious photo so beautifully: “When I’m really trying to get a workout in (aka, not stopping every 2 minutes), I’m reminded to slow down when my daughter wants to listen to the frogs. I know one day she won’t ask to go with me, so for today, I’ll slow down and listen to frogs.” I thought, “This is the stuff that brings us to a place of gratitude and embracing the gift of this moment in this day!”

How’s that for a wake-up call? How’s that for conceding to cherishing the most precious moments that will never pass our way again? This sweet mama understands how important it is to slow down and “smell the roses” AND “listen to the frogs”.

Then, yesterday, I had my own “stopping to smell the roses” moments when my two Frisco grandchildren (ages 17 & 18) called me for a date night to see the new Dumbo movie with them. I was on a mission to getting off some important emails, making some necessary calls about an upcoming event and finish working on a script for a play I'm writing, but I was reminded to slow down to watch a flying elephant!

As I began typing this blog, my thoughts turned to how Mary, the Mother of our Lord, must have slowed down to prioritize her time with her boy! She was probably overcome with the responsibility of raising this boy. After all, he was no ordinary boy. He was the Son of God. No doubt, she poured time into him while being a devoted wife to her husband and his carpentry business, but I like to think that she savored the moments when her boy was a little guy, too! Remembering how He played in the water when she heard Him saying “I am the water that when you drink of it, you will never be thirsty again.” She watched Him playing with His friends and when one of His pals fell, I'm sure she noticed Him lovingly care for him. I'm sure she lived in the moments when she saw Him caring for and playing with animals. Can you imagine that she was thinking “He created them”?

That’s why, when my grandchildren take me by the hand and say “Nana, let’s go…….” that I rarely put them off. This Frisco grandson is presently writing a book and starting up a new business. He often comes to my home for serenity. I love that. He acknowledges my “peace zone”! He understands how inspiration and being present in the moments happen here. I love to imagine that he’ll remember that he received inspiration at Nana’s home one day – long after I’m gone.

I started out speaking about a young mom who is keeping her priorities in order. I’m desiring to keep mine in order too! Watching for God’s favors and signs along the way! Knowing when I recognize Him in my children, my grandchildren, and the frogs and flowers along the way, there will be plenty of time for making up the time on everything else!

Here Comes the Bride Taking Baby Steps

Last week I introduced Ricky, an orthopedic technologist (puts casts on children’s arms, hands or legs) at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Ricky inspired me once again this week.

After putting a cast on a teenager's leg, here came Ricky coaching him how to walk with his new crutches: “Easy. Slow down. Take little steps. One of these days you’re going to get married. You’ll be standing at the front waiting for your bride to come to you. You’re wanting her to hurry but she’s taking baby steps. That’s what I want you to do. Take baby steps.”

Hello, Inspiration! As I watched and listened, I wished that teenager really captured Ricky's training moment -- beyond the careful attention of how to use and walk with crutches.

My expanded version saw this: The beautifully adorned bride is radiant in her magnificent wedding gown she dreamed of and searched long for. Today she makes her debut to her waiting groom and those in attendance. The groom is anxiously waiting to welcome her at the altar, BUT, she’s taking what seems FOREVER to come down that aisle. He’s thinking “Hurry! Let’s get this show on the road!” But, oh no! Of all things, she’s taking baby steps and thinking: “This is my moment!" She's taking it all in. She’s wanting all eyes on her. She’s admiring her family and friends who have come to celebrate this joyous occasion. She’s gazing with pride at her lovely bridesmaids, striking groomsmen, the darling flower girl, and spunky ringbearer. She’s not missing a thing. She is in the moment because THIS MOMENT will never be here again. Eventually, she arrives at her destination, to her handsome, beaming, soon-to-be husband who makes the momentous journey down the aisle so worth it.

And, because I was in the moment – taking in the lesson Ricky was giving to his patient, I can share with you how important it is for us to take baby steps, too! We are usually in such a hurry to get to our destination that we go turbo-mode, never taking in the beauty of the journey. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey. Not a destination.”

Far too many of us put off what really matters – enjoying family and friends, listening to conversations that can inspire us, nurturing relationships, forgiving enemies, experiencing peace, praying, and enjoying life. The key to real peace in our lives is focusing on enjoying the journey, focusing on what's really important, and taking the time to “smell the roses". Discovering a mindset that allows us to pursue big things without sacrificing the “little things” that make life worth living.

Ricky said, “Slow down! Take baby steps!” Donna says “Slow down. Smell the roses. Kiss a baby. Hug a friend. Listen to laughter. Watch your child's sports game (phone-free). Write a love letter. Take time to smile and say “Have a great day!” to a co-worker or neighbor. Make a difference in someone on your way to where you’re going! Take baby steps!

Jeremiah 2:25 "Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?”

Kick Your Kicks on Route 66

Day 82 of Photo Inspirations -- Get your Kicks on Route 66!
I love Tulsa, and the more I have taken the time to "seize the moments" this year, the more I discover about this great city.  Tourists come here to take advantage of what we have, and this year I'm stopping long enough to also embrace what's here.  Unless we determine to "stop and smell the roses" around us -- we'll miss out on so many opportunities to learn about what got us here.  

I took these photos at the Route 66 Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza located on Southwest Boulevard at Riverside Drive in Tulsa.  This is the "East Meets West" statue at the Route 66 Memorial Bridge that was installed in October 2012.  I can't even believe 2-1/2 years have gone by and this is the first time I saw it.   The statute is of Cyrus Avery, the “Father of Route 66,” climbing out of his car to help a farmer whose horses have been startled by the vehicle.  It shows Avery’s wife turning to check on their daughter and her obviously terrified cat.  The Centennial Plaza, with the flags of the eight states of Route 66, and the Route 66 logo and skywalk were complete in July 2008.   Are you kidding me?  I've NEVER taken the time to be at this plaza -- what in the world was I thinking?  Fact is I WASN'T thinking.....I was too busy DOING!  I'm a human BEING -- NOT a human DOING!!

Now, I know who Cyrus Stevens Avery was and the credit he gets for being the "Father of Route 66". He created the route while being a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System, then pushed for the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to pave and promote the highway.

In 1907, Avery and his wife and family moved to Tulsa.  Avery realized that an interstate system of highways would help his adopted city and state prosper.  He became instrumental in pushing for a federal level of good roads. In 1925, the United States Secretary of Agriculture appointed him to the Joint Board of Interstate Highways, which was to designate the new federal highways and mark them.

After the highways were routed, the group decided not to name the highways, but instead to follow the pattern of numbering the highways.  The current east-west routes would be even numbers, and the north-south would be odd.   Route 66, which became one of the most famous roads in America, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending at Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles.   It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s.

In 1927, Avery pushed for the creation of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to promote paving U.S. 66 and promote travel on the highway.  (That amazes me -- they were calling it a highway system when there were only dirt roads.)

Avery died in California on July 2, 1963, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulsa.   Avery Drive, a street in southwest Tulsa, was named for him.  In 1997, the National Historic Route 66 Federation established a Cyrus Avery Award, which has been presented variously to individuals for outstanding creativity in depicting Route 66, and to organizations for noteworthy preservation projects.

And, now you know where "Route 66" came from!  Stop by and see us sometime -- so you can grab hold of a little history!    YOU'RE WELCOME!

Krispy Kreme Memories -- Before and After Technology

As I read that Krispy Kreme celebrated its 77th birthday last Friday, I had a "blast from the past" moment, thinking about my grandkids enjoying those hot and yummy donuts. It was a sweet visual of them watching them being made, their eyes sparkling and lips watering, when the store clerk would give them a free one.

A lot has changed since Vernon Rudolph began selling his doughnuts to local grocery stores in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Now there are stores in 500 locations and they even offer a "Hot Light App" which alerts customers' cell phones when their doughnuts are hot. Wow, it's amazing how the technological revolution has transformed our lives!

Phone apps and social media have given us many ways to share what's going on in our little corner of the world. It has changed the way we make memories....and now we can share those memories quickly with others. Once upon a time, we'd put film in our cameras, take the photos, take the film to the store to be developed, then put the photos in an album to share at the next family gathering. Now we simply take a photo with our mobile phone, then we immediately "SHARE" it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter -- and in just moments, our family and friends have entered into our world of memories, made just moments before.

Whether you have distant memories like the ones I've shared here: (photos made from a camera's film): my Payton & Alexia enjoying Krispy Kreme donuts that we took them in Texas (now Payton & Alexia are 14 & 12); Brennan (now 10) with his Great Granny having a Krispy Kreme "tea party", or memories you're making today -- cherish them -- celebrate today's moments so that tomorrow you can be thankful that you "stopped and smelled the roses".....or, rather you "stopped to enjoy a yummy donut"!!