Praze the last days of summer

Somebody must have sent out a memo that summer is almost over because the normally quiet lake behind my condo was buzzing with people this evening. Kids were jumping off a dock and swimming with their dogs. A young couple was fishing in a little red fishing boat while an older couple putzed around in a little pontoon boat. A couple condos down, a family and their guests were gathered around a fire pit roasting marshmallows. And I was swinging in my hammock enjoying it all. Earlier I had taken my kayak for a spin. I love my little lake and I love seeing so many people enjoying it.

Sunshine smiles

It's so easy to think nice thoughts on a beautiful day. When it's cool enough to sleep with the windows open and warm enough to walk out on the deck with your morning tea, still wearing your nightgown. It seems a world away from panic on Wall Street and angry backbiting in Washington. And it is. This is the real world. Praise God for the real world.

Sun shining and breezes blowin'

How can one not be happy on a beautiful day? Praze the sun. Praze the blue sky with those fluffy little white clouds. Praze the wild kittens I caught playing on my back deck and hiding under my bushes. I know feral cats are a problem, but it is so hard to think negative thoughts when a little one is attcking a rock like it could fight back. Oh, life is just so glorious. Thank you God for all of it.

Bruised but still beating

My blackend thigh and belly wouldn't seem to be cause for rejoicing, but that remnant of last Friday's heart cath reminds me that the test showed only a little bit of plaque, no blockages, in the arteries around my heart. And the remaining soreness gets a little better every day. I returned to my exercise routine this morning and I'm no longer forcing myself to sleep on my back. I'm even sitting at my desk again! And I woke up this morning, my heart still beating. Isn't that enough to praise the Lord?

Doing what comes naturally.

All children draw. It's as natual as sucking a thumb or learning to walk. Just try to keep a child from drawing. Kids love finger paints, crayons, pencils, markers. They'll draw on paper, fabric, walls. They don't know about style or form, they just draw. Freedom of expression. Pure creativity. And then someone says "not on the wall." "Stay inside the lines" "Don't..." And they become less expressive. Creativity dries up. By the time school starts, half the kids don't like drawing and by high school, only the really nerdy kids take art. Because it will never lead to a career making money. It will never make anything lasting or worthwhile. Maybe instead of valuing the artificial -- money and importance -- we should encourage what comes naturally. Don't look for value in dollar signs and public accolades. Look for satisfaction. Freedom of expression. Creativity. Praze doing what come naturally.

Praze for a First (class) Lady

You couldn't help but love Betty Ford. She was just so darn real. She made it okay to ask for help. She faced alcoholism and breast cancer and we were all stronger for her struggle. That's a real leader. It's all any of us can hope for, to help the world be a better place. Hooray for Betty Ford.

Mango morning

A mango smoothie for breakfast. What a way to begin the day. Like sunshine in a glass only way cooler. Praze the new day. So much to be done.

Kayak Krazy

Good grief, I've been so busy  Laughing for a Living and getting ready to launch Great News Town that I've forgotten to say a simple Praze every now and then. Had a great week at Glen Lake and several wonderful days in Chicago. Today, I'm spending the day coasting around my little lake on my bright orange kayak. What a blast it is. I can visit the Great Blue Heron on the other side of the lake who's almost the same color as the fallen tree he's standing on. And the little family of ducks have grown so much that the babies are only slightly smaller than mom. So, Happy Fourth to everyone. We are so blessed to live in a free country.

Praze the red, white and blue

When I was writing a check at the dentist's office this morning, I asked the date and realized it's flag day. Used to be, you would see the flag flying all along the street on such a designated day. I didn't see a one on my way home. Even my own flag has been stuck in the closet since the bracket broke years ago. But returning from my walk just now, I noticed a parade of little flags my neighbor had planted along her flower bed. Nothing fancy. Probably not even technically correct because the little flags brush the grass. But it's the thought that counts. And the thought is this: Even in economic decline and hateful, name-calling politics, it is still our country. And after the terrible battle, Francis Scott Key noticed. The flag. It survives. Praze this mixed-up country of ours and its scrapy little flag.

Praze focus

Focus on how amazing life is. You get what you focus on
That's what my friend Marlene Lathrop posted today on Facebook and it's so true. Maybe you can't make the rain go away just by thinking about sunshine, but you can watch the drops slithering down the window and focus on the way they seem to refract the light into a rainbow of colors. You can see beyond the problems. Praze focus...and wise friends.

Praze my mess!

Glory Hallelujah! I found my white sandals! I feel like that biblical shepherd who forsook the ninety and nine (I don't have quite that many other shoes) and rejoiced in finding one lost sheep. Actually a pair of little white sheep, looking a bit smudged and dirty after being rescued from deep under my desk where they've been hiding in a mass grave of discarded and forgotten shoes. I've been looking for the white sandals even before Memorial Day, the traditional starting gun for wearing of the white. When I couldn't find them, I tried to recall when I last saw them -- sometime last summer -- and where I had been. I went through suitcases in the basement, searched under beds and sofas, and finally decided I must have thrown them out for some reason and forgotten it. I never really thought about the desk where I often retrieve whatever footwear I had on the night before when I sat down to write. Sometimes I accumulate a couple of pairs, and if not retrieved they get pushed back further and further. This morning, I hauled three pairs of assorted tennies and way in the back, under a shelf at the back wall were my missing white sandals -- where they must have been since last summer. Oh, my, I need to get out the vacuum! But first I'll find the white polish. My lost sheep has returned!

Praze Passports

Just applied to renew my passport which expires in September. In the 10 years since I got that passport I've been to China, my family's ancestral home on the Orkneys in northern Scotland, a Mediterranean cruise and a Caribbean cruise, Mexico and countless trips to Stratford Theater Festival in Canada. That passport opened the door to all of that. And the new one? Well, who knows what lies ahead. But my passport is on the way and I'm so excited to see what comes next.

Sing Prazes when you see 'em!

This suggestion comes from my friend Pam Barr, who interrupted a phone call recently to commend a young man she saw lovingly helping his grandmother out of the car. "She was about 90 and very frail looking, and you could just see by the way he touched her shoulder how much he cares for her." Pam thanked the young man for taking such good care of his grandmother, but the man said no thanks were needed. He's wrong. We all need to thank those we see doing good in our world. The trouble makers shouldn't get all the attention. So, speak up when you see good. Shout out "Good job" "Hooray for you." That's the real Praze Craze. Pass it on!

Praze Abe Krissoff

Just got word that a good man has died. Abe Krissoff, husband of my friend Sylvia, has been in hospice for several months and at age 93 it's not a huge surprise. Still, it is hard to let him go. Abe has always been such a spur, like a thorn on a rose, pricking me to think a little deeper. He is amazingly well read. Always reading. Always questioning. I remember the first time I met him years ago when my son Ryan and I were invited for dinner. Ryan was an angry young teen then. Irritated to go to see Mom's friends. But Abe drew him out, concentrated on talking to Ryan and I think Ryan liked not only the attention but also Abe's insistence on probing just a little deeper. A life well lived. Can we ask for anything more?

Praze change

Now that it is finally getting warm again, I walked over to my neighborhood hair salon, this morning and got my summer do. It's so much cooler and easier to care for that I wonder why I waited so long! Maybe because I enjoy a change. The change of seasons; the change of hair. Doing new things, seeing new shows, meeting new people. Change keeps life interesting. I hope I never get so old that I don't enjoy change.

Praise God for sunny days and generous friends

Great Strides was a great Saturday. All together the local walk raised $85,000 and our team brought in about $1800 of that. All the donations aren't tallied yet, so we are just estimating, but the donations are going to great use for CF research. Thanks again to everyone who donated.

Praze the Pied Piper

Just came back from hearing clarinet player David Shifrin at St. Cecilia Music Society. What a lovely evening. It was almost like that instrument was inflating the whole room, lifting us up until we were flying on the wings of the melody, floating somewhere out of body. And then sometimes the instrument would dig down deep into the soul or just trill to a Benny Goodman beat. And pianist Gloria Chien was so expressive, she was an entertainer, not an accompanist. Pleasant evening. Thanks Rikki for the invite!

Spring prazes!

I went for a walk at Meijer Garden today. Fabulous. Colorful flowers bursting out all over, the sweet scent of lilacs in the air, little turtles swimming through the algae in the pond, baby goslings all in a row, and giggling children playing hide and seek in an orchard of flowering trees. Surely this is what heaven is like. I admire Stephen Hawking, his brilliant mind and his dogged determination in the face of insurmountable physical disabilities. But yesterday I read that he doesn't believe in God. This glorious universe, with sunsets so brilliant that no artist can reproduce the colors, just happened. The particles collided. Life came to be. No God needed, no greater being. And when we die, it just ends. Like a computer shutting down he said. Heaven is a fantasy, he said. Well, as long as winter melts into spring, and life begins again with all the bounty I saw today, I'll believe in that fantasy. Whatever "just happened" to create this glorious world can "just happen" for eternity.

Praze supportive friends

I can't express how happy it makes me that friends are making donations to Great Strides to find a cure for CF. It's a vote of faith in science, a warm hug of love for my son and me, and a testament to the power of people to get things done when they work together. Thanks to everyone who has made a donation and all who have supported the walk with encouraging words.

Praze family and friends

What a great day its been, what a rare mood I'm in......I really packed a lot in this day. Had a great mid day meal out with Angela, her mom and grandmother. Then we went to Van Andel Museum for two hours to tour the Bodies Revealed exhibit. Fascinating. Then rode the carrousel. Got out just in time to meet another friend, Marlene, and go to "Chicago: The Musical". I like the show, but this was better than expected. Really hot music and dancing and plenty of attitude. Then over to the office to write the review -- and deal with a balking computer, but hey, we're not here to complain. We're thinking on good things. Now, the review is finished and I'm heading home to bed. Really enjoyed my day with friends.

Praise God!The Sun!

I don't have to look far for good news today. Praise God! The sun is shining for the third day in a row. It is beautiful out there and should get into the 70s by afternoon. Perhaps...dare I say it...spring may finally have come. Praise God!

Praze Early Morning Walk

Even though I was out late last night partying with my YaYa friends, I got up early this morning and joined a group from church for the annual Grace Hunger Walk. Fantastic event. Beautiful day, lottttttttts of people, great route through Heritage Hill neighborhoods. And my friend Kym from Midland was in town and joined us with her Sheltie Willow. Really had a great time. Invigorating walk. Good conversation and if we raised a little money to combat hunger, so much the better. Helping others should always be this easy, and this much fun.

Praze choices!

I so agree with Sue Schroder's column in Sunday's paper. Happiness is a choice. Or as someone once told me: Happiness is not getting what you want, it's wanting what you get. And when what you get is cancer, as it is for Sue and so many others, it takes a lot of courage and just plain hard work to choose to be happy anyway. Hooray for them! I'd like to add one more choice to the list in Sue's column: The choice to change channels. When the television show is too violent or inane, change the channel. When the radio is spewing hate, find a love song instead. I even refuse to open emails that I suspect might vex me. Delete, delete, delete. And I limit my reading of the news, too. Okay, Osama bin Laden is dead. Do I need to dwell on whether that is good or bad and who can take credit or blame? I choose to think about good things like peace, and bringing our troops home, and healing our nation. I'm tuning in to a better future.

Praze Daze

I've been a little punchy lately, probably because I didn't finish working Thursday night until 1 a.m. Friday. Didn't get to sleep until 2 a.m. And insisted on getting up at 6 a.m. to see THE WEDDING (2011), which of course will always be a reprise of THE WEDDING (1981). I did manage a nap yesterday and a refreshing walk, a run to the store, a few hours working at the computer...But when it came time to relax in front of the TV on Friday evening, I couldn't believe they were still showing THE WEDDING reruns. So I was in bed before midnight and slept until 9 a.m. Now, I feel so refreshed and looking forward to the day ahead. Sun tea is brewing on the deck. I think I'll take a leisurely walk over to Ryan's house and pick up the DVD I loaned him, then walk back. What a wonderful world. Praze a good night's sleep!

Praze a hardy heart

Have you ever seen your heart beat? Heard it perhaps, but have you seen it? I did today during my echocardiogram -- kind of like the ultrasound they do on pregnant women but the baby is a fist-full of muscle that's been working hard for 62 years plus. You can see all sorts of details, the little valves flapping open and close, the blood schussing back and forth like molten lava (thanks to a computer that colors the oxygenated blood red, the old blood blue, and I had a lot of yellows, oranges, and greens like an explosion of fire in my soul.) My heart did a lot of misbehaving, throwing in an extra beat about every third beat. At least the technician was excited when I managed to do four "normal" beats in a row. But even if she's being a little problematic, I couldn't helped but be totally amazed at this miraculous engine just chugging away. Thank you, little heart, I'll try to take better care of you.

Praze every beat of my heart

During a routine physical my doc noted an extra beat...a pvc -- premature ventrical contraction -- which isn't necessarily a problem for a healthy heart.But, just to be sure, I'm wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours. I keep wondering what the monitor is recording. Did it record that little flutter of excitement when I found Rhode's Frozen garlic-butter rolls on sale with a coupon? Did it warm with love when I spotted my little cat Baby typing on my keyboard with that "Who Me?" look? Did it pound with anger when I opened my Visa bill and found a charge for the Trend Micro automatic renewal which I canceled a month ago? And when I came back from my daily walk a little breathless, was my heart smiling and saying, "Gee, that feels good?" Does the monitor know when I'm happy or sad? Does it really know my heart? Do I? Or am I just thankful, that even when I forget it's there, it goes on beating? That little thunderstorm of lightning bolts in my chest. That great mystery that God created in every one of us. Thanks God.

Praze rainy days and Tuesdays

It's raining and all I can think of is an old Rod McKuen album I used to have with his poems set to music. "It's raining and the children splashing in the mud, and the old men darting in the doorways and the lovers underneath umbrellas don't seem to mind...." Such a bittersweet song, with the emphasis on sweet. "We can stay inside and just do nothing..." Or read old poetry. It's raining...

Praze Park-o-mat

Fantastic story in today's Press about a West Michigan company that's building automated parking lots...not two legged robotic valets that park your car but a mechanized parking garage where you drive into a slot, kind of like one of those bins in a vending machine, swipe your card and the machine lifts your car up and parks it into a spot. Come back, put your quarter in --- I mean your credit card---and the machine goes and gets your car like the vending machine retrieving your burger. Hopefully it doesn't drop like a coke in the bottom of the machine...ker plopp. I don't really mean to demean the park-o-mat by comparing it to auto-mat food vending, but the ideas seem similar to me -- and actually quite inspired. Cars are just things to be filed away as efficiently as possible until we need them again. The park-o-mat not only saves space but will save sanity too for drivers getting dizzy in those endless parking garages. Praze this innovative company. May they hire lots of people to build lots of Park-o-mats!

PRAZE CRAZY CATS

Well, it is a good Friday because I didn't have any trouble finding good news. Did you hear about the cat that swam to Governors Island between New Jersey and Manhattan? She showed up after a rainstorm with no collar and a lot of seaweed in her soaking calico fur. She's attracted a lot of media attention -- and good care from the staff at Governors Island.They are even looking for a name. They better choose well because this has the makings of one of those cat tales that becomes a bestseller. I mean if Dewey can put Iowa's Spencer Public Library on international news, and Oscar can predict who's going to die next in Providence, R.I., imagine what a swimming feline can do for tourism on Governors Island. I suppose they could name her Andie after the current governor, especially since politics is always a cat fight.

Praze the Pain

I awoke yesterday morning with such a stiff back I literally couldn't get out of bed. I couldn't roll over. I was stuck. I discovered that by pulling on my nightgown I could rearrange myself enough to get some leverage and push myself up. The pain and stiffness lessened a bit as the day wore on, but I was still uncomfortable. Even today, my back is complaining and I have to be careful how I move. I know this doesn't sound like the good news that I am committed to post every day, and I totally missed yesterday because I couldn't get past the pain to think good. But it hit me this morning, I'm moving better than yesterday. I expect to be even better tomorrow. I expect healing and Praise God it usually comes. Just like we need snow once in awhile so we'll appreciate spring, we need pain so the Praze can grow. Praze the pain and Praze the healing.

To Forgive is Devine

What a great story in today's Press about two Lowell families sharing a moment of caring and forgiveness in the courthouse hallway. Marilyn Sue Fitzgerald had just pleaded guilty to drunk driving in a Dec 15 accident that took the life of Caitlyn Baker, and yet Baker's parents were there to hug Fitzgerald and offer their forgiveness. How wonderful is that? Hate and anger won't bring their daughter back, but forgiveness will help everyone begin to heal. If we learn nothing else from Jesus, we must learn to forgive. Forgive our neighbors for a small sleight, forgive the confussed waitress, the distracted clerk, the angry politician whose point-of-view is beyond our comprehension. Even those who insist on posting angry comments when they read the heartwarming story of a forgiving family. We need to forgive them all and move on to a better world. Praze Jeff and Cathy Baker for leading the way.

Blowin' in the Wind

Everytime I drive down to Mom's I pass several wind farms along Interstate 55 in Illinois, which I read is one of the top 10 states for wind energy production. I know that translating the wind energy to the power grid has caused some problems, especially in Oregon and the Northwest, but the wind farms are so beautiful and peaceful. They just seem like a sign of a wonderous future ahead. Praze for the innovators, those willing to plunge ahead and take the risks. May they harness the future that is blowing in the wind.

Praze April Showers

Though April Showers, may come your way They bring the flowers, that bloom in May... Woke up to rain today in O'Fallon, Ill., where my Mom lives. She had bought some flowers to plant, so we'll have to work between the drops. We can fill the planter along her covered patio, but the ones out by the birdbath will have to wait for a break in the clouds. But, these April Showers will indeed bring May flowers. So, keep on looking for a bluebird, and listening for his song Whenever April Showers come along

Driving day

Today I'm headed to O'Fallon, Ill., to spend a few days with my mother. I always enjoy listening to a book on tape. In fact, I get so involved, sometimes I head the wrong direction or pass my exit. I never know where I'll end up. Being a ditz is part of the spice of life!

Basket Case Praze

Steve says my cat Cloudy is a basket case, and it looks like he's willing to pose for the title. Cloudy, who came to me from my late friend Mary Dinkel, is a little psycho. He's too big to be a lap cat but he loves to curl up next to me in a chair and watch TV. If my other cat, pint-size Baby, jumps up, Cloudy runs away with his tail between his legs. Baby definitely rules the roost. He never eats until she's had her fill, unless you move his dish several feet away from hers. And this same cat who wants to cuddle at TV time will suddenly turn around and hiss at you without warning. The other day he was out on my deck and spied a black cat a couple of condos away. No way Cloudy would come back in the house. Everytime I tried to nudge him in he growled like a dog. Crazy as he is, Cloudy has added lots of love to our house... and lots of shedded hair too! Praze crazy cats!

Praze books

Books, books, books. I love them. My walls are lined with them. And I'm constantly buying more...like that new picture book about the Civil War that I just read about. Gotta have it. So, I'm headed off to a dream day. I'm going to Baker Books to hear reviews of the latest Christian fiction and pick up a few for our church library--- at 30 percent off. And then it is lunch with Ryan and Angy. A perfect day. Praise God!!!

Praze perserverance!

Yes! I've been following a new lifestyle of eating less and exercising more -- what we used to call a diet but they say you have to change your lifestyle, not diet, so I'm trying to at least sound modern. Anyway, I have reached my first goal! (Which is way more pounds than I'll ever admit!) It's not a big goal -- I've lost about 6 pounds, but I've dipped into the next lower numerical range. A point I haven't seen in many years. So, now the trick will be to keep it there or below after going to visit Mom this weekend and eating all that good home cooking. Next goal? To get through the one-legged tree pose in my morning yoga without putting the other foot down a dozen times!

85! A new record!

I slept with the slider open last night, that's how warm it is. 85 degrees set a record for April 10 in Grand Rapids. Praise God for such a lovely weekend. Of course, today's winds remind us of tornadoes. Today is the 46th anniversary of the worst tornado series in US history, the weather story reminds us. But, we won't think of that. Just the sun glinting off the ripples in the lake. The tulips and the jonquils bursting through the soil. The promise of a glorious summer.

SHORTS!

Went walking at Meijer Gardens with Julie and couldn't wait to get home and change into shorts! It's really that hot. It was emergency sweating, I swear. Today is better than a good day, it's fabulous. Had lunch on my deck and the season's first jug of sun tea is brewing. Gonna hang my hammock and read my book! I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday because I went to Grand Haven with Marlene and walked the beach and the pier. That's as Prazy Crazy as it gets!

Coupon and crud angel

Steve is a coupon angel. If he cuts out a coupon he can't use, he leaves it on the item in the store so someone else will find it. And if he has one of those "$4 off if you spend $50" coupons that will expire before he spends $50, he looks for somebody with a full cart and gives it to them. This week he's been cleaning his book shelf and found a 1924 cookbook from a Lutheran church in Chicago. He emailed them and they are celebrating a centennial so they are tickled to receive the book he's mailing to them. He's also dropping off an 1892 physics book at the high school in Traverse City where he lives. He said the book was in a summer cottage his parents bought from a Creston teacher. He's also going to stop by the Metropolitan Life Insurance office and drop off a 1924 manual for Metropolitan Life agents that his mother, who worked for Met Life before she was married, must have saved. Isn't he an angel?

Here comes the sun!

Today's morning update email from The Grand Rapids Press is full of good news. First they say it will be in the high 70s, maybe even hit 80, on Sunday. Can't wait. And then there's a delightful story about Markell Barnhart, a 13-year-old boy from Wyoming,Mi., who just got a heart transplant and a new lease on life. Actually, it's his second new lease. He was born in Haiti but adopted by a West Michigan family. Hooray for Markell and the whole Barnhart family. Praze to the doctors, the donor and a gracious God. Ain't life great?

Praze the sssssssssnake!

Some stories are good enough to be told twice. There's a great piece in The Grand Rapids Press today about the capture of an escaped circus python in Walker in 1978. The retelling is inspired by a similar tale this week in New York. The modern day story had the world a-twitter, but in a less technical age it was a story of a bike ride, a prayer group, and a man who wouldn't let go. What a great story! Thanks, Ted Roelofs, another former journalist, for telling it again. You made my morning!

Blooming memory

I really miss the flowering tree that used to be right behind my deck. In a couple of weeks it would have been covered with pink flowers as it was every year around April 15. What a fantastic tree it was. And what fun, last Easter, when my daughter-in-law Angy and her neices and nephew climbed up in the tree for a picture. And then last summer, the condo association decided it was time to cut it down. Its roots were tearing up the yard and making it dangerous to mow the lawn. We were out of town that week, but Kym was staying here and when she tried to take a photo for me, her 2 year old grandson Gabe locked her out. Then it was panic time trying to get a key from Angy so Kym could get Gabe. Oh, I miss that tree. So I made this picture my wallpaper and I look at the tree every day. Can I hear a Praze for technology and trees?

Praze basketball!

Well, most folks would say you don't have to look any further than the Page One headlines to find today's good news. For the second year in a row, the unlikely Butler Bulldogs have made it to college basketball's championship round on Monday, up against the University of Connecticut. The sports writers say the Bulldogs are like a Disney movie, the little team that should, and maybe this year they will win the championship. And UConn is no slouch either, judging by Saturday night's action-packed 56-55 win. So it will be the good guys against the better guys, and only Monday's game can determine which is which. I've never been one for sports much, but I can see that in a world of earthquakes and radiation in Japan, violent protests in Afghanistan over a burned holy book in Florida, and continued fighting in Libya, sports is a good alternative. At least somebody always wins.

Praze chocolate!

I don't get most of what happens in the news, but this one I totally understand. Researchers have found traces of chocolate in Pueblo Indian pottery unearthed in the American Southwest. Problem is, the chocolate was a Mexican drink that comes from cacao plant that only grows in the tropics, about 1,000 miles south of Arizona. Which means even 1,000 years ago Mexicans were coming across the border, but nobody minded because they brought chocolate, the drink of the Gods. Think I'll go make some right now!

Hooray for April Fools!

Even electonics get snippy on April Fools! This morning when I tried to do my usual yoga routine on the WiiFit, the board teased that it wasn't working. This silly Japanese game knew what day it was and was playing a trick, for gosh sakes. It got me off on the right foot. How about you? Anybody play any tricks today or get a trick played on them?

Friendship flowers

A bountiful bouquet of roses on my kitchen table greeted me this morning, a gift from last night's dinner guest, Kym Reinstadler. Kym is one of the many talented journalists out of work these days. She's learning some new tricks, making a promotional movie for Holland schools and working on web stites, but mostly she's enjoying a break from juggling work and family resposibilities. Now she can spend more time with her mother in Midland and her father in a nursing home there. She's been able to enjoy vacations with her daughters and will spend the month of April in Newport News, Virginia, caring for her grand children while daughter Whitney trains for a new job and Whitney's husband is away on a Navy assignment. Unemployment is ugly but if it gives us more time for what's really important -- friends and family -- maybe it is worth it. Praze unexpected blessings!

Baby Praze

Did you see in today's Press that a West Olive woman had the flu so bad she doesn't even remember giving birth a month ago? She's been hospitalized and breathing on a machine for five weeks, but now baby and mom are doing fine. How's that for a big Praze? (and a side-Praze, the story is well written by Sue Thoms a former Press copy editor who has come out of hiding and into the byline limelight. She is also the former books editor for The Press and the author of two children's books. Good job on the story, Sue!)

Erase the Praze and Praze again!

Did you ever think about erasers? I just read in today's Writer's Almanac that Hymen Lipman of Philadelphia patented the first pencil with an eraser in 1858. To this day, the rubber tipped pencil is mostly used in America, the Almanac says. European pencils don't come with erasers. Guess they don't make as many mistakes as us. Or they don't correct them. All this reminds me of the little 4-year-old in the pew in front of me on Sunday. He discovered a pencil stuck in that little hole in the pew back. It's intended for filling out the visitor card or offering envelopes but works just as well to decorate the margins of the bulletin and entertain a young parishoner. He saw me watching him and pointed to the eraser on the end of the pencil as if he were the first to ever find it. He showed me how it would wipe away the marks he had made and he smiled at me as innocently as a young Christ taking away the sins of the world.

Waiting for wisdom

Had a wonderful lunch with Sylvia today. A nice sunny table in Rose's lakeside addition. I just felt like spring was springing while we ate. At 92 she's fighting with her hearing aid that seems to trouble her with all the ambient noise, but she's still as alert as ever, able to discuss the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Art Prize, Gaslight Village, Afghanistan. Nothing escapes her. And after lunch, she was going to drive herself over to the MAC to exercise. Thank God for Sylvia and only pray to be half that spry at her age.

Face the future

Whoa! Did you read that doctors in Texas have performed the first full face transplant? A man who had been so badly burned that he lost his face and sight, has received a new face from a dead donor. The man is a young father, who was burned when he touched an electrical wire while painting a church, so of course this is fantastic news for him and his family -- assuming the donor face isn't too ugly! But I'm sure thriller/suspense writers everywhere are rejoicing and rushing to put a new face on their next novel! Praze medical advances! (And good writers!)

Praze the past

Just read a great email from Pandora Dubose in Washington DC who was writing to tell members of our church about what a great impact one of our members, Sally Story, had on her life when she was growing up. Sally volunteered in an after school program and taught the kids to sew and cook and took them to dances on Friday nights. And, of course, she prayed for them and taught them about Jesus. Pandora is so thankful for Sally and sharing her story brightens everyone's day. Praze Sally, Praze Pandora.

Bring on the Sun

Everything looks better on a sunny day. Like the cat who finds a sunbeam shining in a window and lays down to make himself a comfy bed, I headed out with a smile on my face today because the sun was shining. There were a few disappointments ahead -- I discovered only 4 books sold at Civic Theatre the whole time I was in Florida and at the last minute I found out Kym would not be joining me for the play tonight at Actors' Theatre -- but still I'm smiling because the sun is shining. What more could I want?

The scent of spring

It hit 63 today. The lake is melting and the geese who were ice skating a few days ago are swimming in large puddles of open water. Julie and I went walking at Meijer Gardens where only the sculpture was in bloom, standing out among the bare branches. We also visited the butterfly exhibit which is like a tropical fantasy with colorful little spirits flitting around. Then we saw the Jim Dine sculpture exhibit which is also a fanciful approach to a variety of icons such as the heart, Pinnochio and Venus DeMilo. But in everything there is the faint scent of spring coming. You can't help but smile.

Good idea

Read a motto on Facebook that sounds like a good way to deal with all the negative chatter we find online and on radio and television. "Stop listening and start thinking." I don't know the woman who posted it, but I agree. You gotta ignore all that negative talk and start thinking good thoughts. T.O.T.T. (Think on These Things)

Hard to be Happy

Sometimes it is hard to think good thoughts. These past few days as we packed to leave Florida, and the news was on about the earthquake in Japan, I struggled to find anything to make me smile. It was even worse on the way home as we listened to George Bush's book Decision Points on CD. I found myself getting angry over things that had happened years ago. I had to conciously take control and look for good things. Is that a tree in bloom over there? Fantastic. The sun is shining. Marvelous. Something made me think of Habitat for Humanity and the last time I volunteered there, crouched in the basement in a small bit of light pulling stubborn nails from old oak trim. I was working with several other women I didn't know but when we would finally get a nail to come free we would shout Amen or Haleluja and laugh. It got to be a regular Amen chorus in that basement. The memory made me smile. Good thoughts. Think on these things.

Gleaming silver trophy

Once again I am beholding to the kindness of strangers, a darling girl working at the Hotel Marriott took off her shoes and socks and waded into the muck to fetch my silver sequin hat that had blown off into the mud flats near BayPointe. Kathy Longcore and I had gone out there bird watching on a chilly morning and a sudden breeze... well, the hat went flying and we sought this employee's help. She fetched a long handled net but it wasn't quite long enough and the next thing I knew she was rolling up her pant legs. I didn't even have my purse with me so I could give her a tip. Yes, this is the same sequined chapeau that went hiding under a hassock in a dressing room at Coldwater Creek and was missing for two days before it was found. And the same one that had someone in Gulf Shores calling me "the lady with tin foil on her head." The hat's a little limper now, but still shiny. Praze the employee of Marriott. May she receive many big tips from better prepared guests!

Showers of Praze

Oh, the glorious ecstasy of a hot shower! Some fragrant shampoo. A nice, fluffy, thick towel. All the tension goes down the drain. I bet we could ease MidEast tensions if everybody just took a nice, long, hot shower. A Turkish bath might work, too.

Small world Praze.

Jumped in the pool to swim a few laps. There was a lady standing there in a sparkly blue hat who looked vaguely familiar. "Where are you from?" she asks. Grandville? She's from Rockford. Rockford? Do you teach television at Rockford High? Yes, she does. I know you, I say, I just can't remember your name. Turns out I'm standing in the pool with Colleen Pierson who has done freelance writing for The Press and even attended a play with me once and gave me a necklace. What a small world, eh?

Praze from the Past

Had a great visit Sunday with Pete Tully and his friend Ann. Hadn't seen Pete in 45 years, not since we were in high school in O'Fallon, Ill. And yet there was something there in his eyes, his smile, that I recognized and connected with. It was so long ago and yet happy times are never forgotten, are they? Praze the memories.

Praze time!

• Yipes, I need to think on good things. I was working on genealogy, reading about the civil war in Missouri and my brain was filling with hateful thoughts. Enough of that! It's fat Tuesday. I've had my morning paczki. Enjoyed a nice visit yesterday with nephew Luke and his roommate Chris. They've been Spring Breaking. A lot of drinking but nothing too dangerous. Mostly fine young men. Sleeping in this morning. Safe and sound. Isn't that a good thought?

Live in the moment

Retirement isn't going as I had planned. I can't seem to accomplish all that I had planned, mostly because I spend my time walking the beach, lying in the sun, reading books, , visiting with friends. Enjoying life. I am learning to live in the moment, not worrying about what I will do tommorrow or what hasn't been done, but savoring what I am doing. At the risk of sounding as crazy as Charlie Sheen, I'm getting high on just being me.

Worship the Sun

Kathy Longcore says that research has shown 20 minutes a day of sun exposure will greatly reduce the pain of fibromialgia, that mysterious pain so many people -mostly women -- suffer. She says you need to get sun without sunscreen to get the benefits of the vitamin D. And here I thought the sun just made you feel good because it is so warm and wonderful.

My cup overflows

Today is just bursting at the seams. So much sun you have to seek a corner of shade. The surf is rolling and bubbling, practically exploding out of the gulf. Reminds me of the song "June is busting out all over." And it's only March. What a day!

Dolphin alert!

The dolphins came early today. Four of them headed west along the beach. Usually a pod passes the condo about 10 a.m. but perhaps they feel the same urgency I feel when the sun is shining. I want to hurry out there and enjoy because sundown comes too soon. I know the sun is always shining somewhere, but it is so glorious. Does that sound like a sun worshiper? I am.

Luke is coming!

Just learned that my nephew Luke is coming to spend a few days of spring break with me. It's been a tough year for him. His parents are divorcing. His May graduation has be postponed by a DUI arrest. I'm so excited to share a few days of sunshine and surf with him. It's a healing combination. Praze the beach!

Working it out

Steve did a great job this afternoon talking to a young wife about discussing finances with her husband. He claims he's not good at marriage but his advice seems sound. "You have to talk about it. Not argue. Sit down at the table and look each other in the eye. You have the same goals, to be financially responsible and to raise your two kids. Work it out." Praze for working it out.

Foggy faith

What a foggy day it is. Must be what it is like in heaven walking among the clouds. But the sunbathers are still going to the beach. They can hear the surf even if they can't really see the sea and they have faith that the sun is up there, somewhere.

Speech, speech!

Everyone has been saying how good "The King's Speech" is, but I finally got to see it last night, and I'm just blown away. I haven't seen the other Best Actor nominees but it's hard to imagine anyone could top Colin Firth's painful portrayal of King George VI, an enchanted prince held captive by his beastly stammer. With the help of an out-of-work actor, the King is set free to be the voice of encouragement in his country's darkest hour. An amazing story all the more enchanting because it's true. Long live the praze!

Unlikely praze

Good comes in many guises, including a rather rough looking couple on a motorcycle. It was a nice day so I decided to walk to my weaving class. Before I walked 100 yards, I tripped and fell on the sidewalk in front of our condo. I did a pretty good job of sliding on the sidewalk and leaving a bit of my knee on the pavement. Arising from a prone position isn't as graceful at 60 as it might have been at 20 so it wasn't a pretty sight for the couple on the motorcycle that was whizzing by, but they pomptly stopped, turned around and came back to see if they could help. I was fine but feeling a little better for the concern of a pair of young strangers. Sending out good thoughts and lots of praze for kind strangers.

Sleeping sounds

Warm enough now that I went to bed last night with the slider open just enough so we could hear the surf but the cats couldn't get out. Let me tell you, there's nothing like sleeping to the sounds of surf. Now that's thinking beautiful thoughts even in your sleep. Think on these things!

Praze Pizza!

Did you hear about the lady in Memphis who ordered pepperoni pizza every day and when the order didn't come in the delivery driver called 911? Police discovered she had fallen. Pizza saved her life! I always knew I liked pizza. Hooray for Dominos!

Praze Steve!

Without getting too specific, I want to say a powerful praze to my companion, Steve, and a thank you for long, lazy afternoons.

Huffin' and puffin'

Can I have a workout praze? I sweated my way through the line dance class this morning. We were building heat faster than the air conditioner could cool us off. But it felt good!

Dolphin Day

In our 2-plus months living on the beach in Florida, we've discovered one of best things about a cloudy day is the dolphins come out to play. This morning it was foggy and our aquatic mammal cousins were having a party just beyond our condo. Usually they are swimming parallel to the beach and you just get a glimpse of a fin now and then. This morning they were jumping out of the water, practically surfing the waves, at least a half-dozen of them clustered together and having a gay old time. Then the sun came out, the fog burned away and the dolphins and I went on about our day.

Praze the gray days!

Fits to a "T"

While writing about good things, I'm sipping my new favorite tea, Sweet Orange Spice by Tea forte. My friend, Mary Kay Williams, bought it for me at our favorite clothing store, Coldwater Creek. I've been drinking Constant Comment so long it has lost its kick, so the rich sweetness of this spice tea is like falling in love all over again. It comes in the cutest little silk pyramid tea bags with a stem and leaf growing out of the top. But don't put the teabag in the microwave as the stem is metal.

PRAZE Mary Kay and another PRAZE to Tea forte.

Bedderhoff Dead

Just downloaded Mark Wolfgang's book "Bedderhoff Dead" to my Kindle and I'm having a blast reading it! I love the characters, especially the uber-reluctant detective, Alice Louise Dubose. We meet this citified Michigan State Trooper when she's on the way to her new assignment in the UP. She runs smack dab into a herd of elk on the highway, out in the middle of nowhere. Even the elk have personalities and attitude. Great scene and it just gets better. A hearty PRAZE to Mark. (It's even more fun when you know the author!)