Category: Humor

Pour out

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Just do it, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Merton Knew

The wisdom of that man!

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.”

The Lakota prayer I posted yesterday reminds me of what Thomas Merton knew. Balance, order, rhythm, harmony. Gratitude, interconnectedness, awareness.

For my birthday I spontaneously invited some family and friends for a dinner at Los Cabos Mexican restaurant. It was great to hear Emily talking with her Dad about decorating her office with his photos. Our Granddaughter chatting with her Dad and sister. Other Granddaughter at my encouragement showing off her ring and her fiancee. My oldest friend getting to know a newer friend. Each of them ordering what they wanted to eat knowing in advance that Bob would pick up the tab for all of us.

There was laughter and smiles, joy, and the wonderful feelings of being surrounded by family and good friends. I missed those who were unable to attend. It was not until we got home that I realized the photos were all taken before the engaged Grandgirl and her fiancee arrived. Oh well! At least THIS time I remembered to insist on a couple photos 🙂

We took a chocolate cake to share with the family and friends. Cut a piece for the waiter, too! At the end of our meal the restaurant placed a huge hat on my head and brought out a shot a tequila in an airplane that was fitted with a tiny rocket/sparkler at the end.

Lizzie, Drew, the Corgis Noodles and S’mores

Balance, order, rhythm, harmony and friends when you can gather them. Spontaneity, spur-of-the-moment. Joy even at my age!

Our church offers prayer weekly for birthdays and anniversaries. As far as the birthday people, I was indeed the oldest one up there. As I was glad to be there. Here is the prayer we say together for birthdays. It is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, page 830, prayer #51.

Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Humor, Joy, Look, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Avoidance versus Looking

Here and now is the present moment, the only life we have, RIGHT NOW. When we don’t like what we see most of us tend to avoid looking. Like a child on a stormy night who takes little peaks from under the covers, we only glance occasionally at what is going on.

This used to be me. I am trying to pray for the strength and courage that I need to face my life. The quote below got my attention.

When we are willing to be intimate with what actually is here now, to look directly at all of our experience, we might recognize that this is our life, however different from our thoughts and ideas about it.

ROSHI PAT ENKYO O’HARA ( Molly has no idea who this is)

“Look directly at all of our experience,” and by doing that the writer showed a discovery. Our thoughts and ideas about what our life is or is about to become usually differs from reality. Isn’t that strange? We think we are so advanced and educated and civilized. Then suddenly we discover that our thinking is faulty, wrong, ideas all askew.

Sometimes the reality is better, sometimes worse. I believe the thrust here is the difference.

As I write this Bob is baking my favorite birthday cake. I know he is taking it out of the oven because the timer just rang. The sound I am hearing is him poking holes in the white cake so the cream of coconut that he pours over the batter will soak into the cake. It is so rich and sweet that each year I only allow myself a smaller and smaller piece or my glucose levels go wild. But the taste of this cake is delicious. Yes, like it or not I am a Type 2 diabetic. Nothing will change that. I can lengthen my life somewhat by monitoring what I eat. I can shorten it by years if I choose to ignore the dietary guidelines and eat whatever I want.

When I was first diagnosed I was terrified. I began measuring portions for almost every single meal. I learned to count calories and carbs for the first time in my life. Eventually I calmed down and began to find the meals and combinations that are ‘safe’ for me, appropriate portions without being so very frightened about it. (Pizza and beer is not a good low carb combination!)

This year I turn 76. I take lots of medication and even insulin injections for the diabetes. So far, I do not need to test and inject at every meal. There does not SEEM to be an insulin pump in my future. Looking at my overall health gives a much better picture of reality than a single day or evening.

“Be intimate with what is actually here now.” Are you? Rick Hansen, wrote in his book Just One Thing, that there is power is saying to ourselves, “I am okay right now. I am okay right now.” Some of us tend to awfulize about what MIGHT happen. “Awfulize refers to an irrational and dramatic thought pattern, characterized by the tendency to overestimate the potential seriousness or negative consequences of events, situations, or perceived threats.” https://psychologydictionary.org/awfulizing/

We can also catastrophize. “Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion that prompts people to jump to the worst possible conclusion, usually with very limited information or objective reason to despair. When a situation is upsetting, but not necessarily catastrophic, they still feel like they are in the midst of a crisis.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/catastrophizing Are you prone to jump to despair?

Is life a catastrophy? Is it truly awful?

But what about right now? This very minute. Are you okay right now? To me one of the most important things that Rick Hanson, phd, wrote in his book Just One Thing is the idea he gained through his psychology practice of directing patients to the present moment and asking them, to take a “close look at this moment, right now. Probably, you are basically all right: no one is attacking you, you are not drowning, no bombs are falling, there is no crisis. It’s not perfect, but you’re okay.” He goes on to suggest, “In daily life, it’s possible to access this fundamental sense of all-rightness even while getting things done..”

This video is from years ago, same author, same message.

He goes on to write, “The fear that bad things will happen if you let yourself feel okay is unfounded; let this sink in. You do not need to fear feeling all right!”

If you have not gotten this book yet, please do. Purchase it for yourself or check your local library. He also gives advice for when you are really NOT all right.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Marriage and Memories, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Gift to All Who Truly Know Him

Robert Milan Dutina, the love of my life has a birthday today and I am privileged to make him his favorite carrot cake. Bob is truly a gift from God to me!

This man is kind and considerate. He can get along with anyone who makes an effort to be civil. For decades he has made it his practice not only to read the Bible but to try to live the commands of Jesus in everyday life.

His sense of humor is boundless. Sometimes he drives me wild when I am not in the mood and he continues with his humor. There are as many voices in his repertoire as a stand up comedian. He has a schtick for almost any situation.

As to his birthday cake, I got the recipe years ago from a woman who swore I would like it. To me carrot cake always sinks like a rock in my stomach. Turns out most recipes have a full cup of oil in them. Hers has only 1-1/2 tablespoons. It is complete with cream cheese frosting. He likes his cake best after it has been refrigerated. Several of his friends in the laboratory where he worked made such a deal over his cake, he continues to deliver a piece (or 2) to those people even though they are all retired now. So yes, Bob is generous. The opening photo is from last year’s cake!

When he heard that Gary had Parkinson’s disease he began visiting him several times a month. When Gary finally passed Bob continued visiting his widow and son. She is now slipping into dementia, but he continues to make an effort to see her with some regularity. Bob is kind and his faith carries over into day to day life.

He is organized and tiny to the point where I dubbed him “Mr. Tidy” and he knows I call him that. His desk is more than likely clear and mine is more like an inch or two deep in projects. He likes the sticker I bought that says, “Creative minds are rarely tidy.” He has been my editor in chief over my writing projects. He is very intelligent.

As we enter our twilight years Bob continues to try to keep pushing himself into activity. Sometimes I wonder if he has sense enough to go sit down and rest? Occasionally he stops in his recliner for a moment or two. I am glad to see that!

We debate who will die first. Neither of us knows for certain. If I die first his goal is to spend 2 or 3 months in Paris mourning. If he dies first I go to the Aran Islands in Ireland to mourn.

Happy birthday to my loving man of 56 years. What a ride!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Humor, Joy, Just do it, Thanks

Crafty Me

When Ginny passed her sons gave me her knitting supplies, yarn and projects. I passed almost all of the yarn on to several other places. There was a hat she had left on the needles that I really liked. It seemed to be just knit and purl. I took it to the Crochet and Knit senior center group that I attend on Wednesday mornings. They encouraged me to try it. I was amazed that I was able to finish it and get it off the needles!

I was a shameless braggart at the group the next week. So proud of myself! Ginny, you inspire me even beyond the grave!

I also inherited from her some bulky yarn. I have never worked with bulky yarn before. I decided to begin another hat with it. I found a free pattern on line and started one. I did not get the beginning border perfect, but I am learning. Before I knew it I had that hat finished also! Now I just need to find the pompom maker to top off this red wonder. Both hats will likely go to one of the 5 charities we contribute to provide winter warmth for kiddos and the homeless.

I always joke that the senior group wanted me to learn the pattern to knit washcloths. They have a nice edge on them that looks fancy. I could get the design on two of the edges, but always messed us the other two edges. I guess I will take my courage in hand and try that next!

After 55 years of crocheting it is an entire new ballgame to knit. For those who do not now crochet requires one hook. Knitting requires you to hold two needles.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Humor, Illness and Health, medical treatment

Humor Amidst Chronic Pain

Bob and I were driving some place. Beats me where? I had this thought that sort of made me giggle.

If you were to write a commercial for contemporary television, what would you say about chronic pain?

This is what came to me. Body rearrange – what is clamoring for attention – sort of like a brat child.

“This body rearrange is brought to you, by aches and pains au naturel. If it hurts, you ain’t dead yet!“

As the seasons change I find relief in the lack of HUMIDITY and air that is stifling. The cooler temperatures make for great sleeping. But there are days … oh my are there days … when everything hurts. The nice thing about Fibro is the pain moves about. If my elbows hurt this morning in a few hours it might be my knees. Tomorrow it could be some other place.

This body rearrange is brought to you, by aches and pains au naturel. If it hurts, you ain’t dead yet!“

Satchel Paige is quoted as having said, “Never give up … Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.”

And from https://freepuns.com/pain-puns/

84. Joint pain: proof I’m aging like a fine… curdled milk.

92. I am joint-ing hands with pain today.

62. My muscles are screaming for a massage.

74. I am trying to flex my way to a good mood.

Sounds like Gibbs with all the rule numbers!!

No matter what ails you, try to keep finding humor in the situation. We joked recently while walking what seemed like miles to a pulmonary appointment. We told the doc the office should be closer to the elevators at Christ hospital. Or perhaps they were hoping for a pulmonary crisis and an admission? Just kidding. I think.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Humor, Look, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

See the Holiness

I have been reading a book my 93 year old friend, Myrtle, loaned to me. It has tales about growing up in Corbin, Kentucky. Some of the things the author relates, I too, can remember from my childhood. These stories are contained within a cookbook that is no longer in print. When I read the quote below it made me think of this book.

Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted – a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

“See holiness in the things you take for granted.” And oh my, how Americans take things for granted!

A paved road. Automatic washing machine in contrast to that scrub board or the later wringer washer, (Yes, we had a scrub board and a wringer washer. I can still smell those suds!). Rabbi Kushner says we should concentrate on finding what is good in every situation. One recent lecturer said, “Focus on what goes RIGHT instead of what goes wrong.”

“Gratitude can sneak up on me and drive me to my knees with awe, mystery and love.” -Thayer

Can you spend ten minutes in wonder? Are you willing to humble yourself and find things that can “drive you to your knees with awe, mystery and love”?

That brilliant blue sky beyond the curling oak leaves. This computer that helps me get the thoughts of my heart into words and out to all of you. Electric tumble dryer making short work of those wet clothes. The eye drops that help damp down the itching in these autumn eyes. The huge collection of quotes, photos, drawings that I can tap for this blog. The Tylenol I forgot to take earlier – ‘cuse me while I go get some.

That only took me a few moments. The mail truck just zoomed past the window .. delivery to each of us from all over. It has been said that if we look for things to be grateful for we will find more and more things to be grateful for. I hope this will help you to LOOK for the things that go right today and find ‘holiness in the things you take for granted.’

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Humor, Joy, Marriage and Memories, Music, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Morning of Our 56th

Awoke singing this in my heart:

I could have danced all night
I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more

I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I've never done before

I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night

Yes, after 56 years I am more than willing to dance with Robert Milan. We have FUN together. Sometimes he carries his teasing and jokes too far for my emotion at a given moment, but overall, we have fun.

We create humor and jokes between ourselves. We are friends, yes, even best friends. There are times he gets on my last nerve and I get on his, but we each get over that and move on.

On this date in Edges of His Ways Amy wrote:

It is the little things of life, the minute, unimportant-looking things, that are most likely to shatter our peace, because they are so small that we are very likely to fight them ourselves instead of looking up at once to our Strong God, our Barrier between us and them. “Close the gate, or bar up the way, as the cloudy pillar formed a barricade between the Egyptians and Israel” is Kay’s note.

The deaths of Ginny and Chuck Lynch have taught us how short life is, how unexpectedly death can come and now is the time to love and laugh, to cherish and sing.

When I saw Bob Dutina for the first time, at a distance, it really was love at first sight. I have never understood exactly how our lives came to be together; however, I am grateful and blessed to have been given the gift of this incredible marriage.. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 90:12. So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Marriage and Memories, Memories, Praise, Thanks

Our Anniversary!

We are delighted to announce our marriage continues! Thanks be to God and His mercies! Someone was said to be making bets at the time of our wedding that our marriage would not last. I think we can put that rumor in the grave now.

Bury it here

Celebration? We will have a quiet dinner at a local restaurant called Trios (even though they do not have Crème brûlée). Perhaps we can find that in a couple weeks for Bob’s birthday? Addendum: They had a delicious Creme brûlée!

We will not actually celebrate on the date as our Granddaughter is having an engagement party on that date and it is her birth date!

So as we move forward I hope to be writing about

our life together, fifty-six years after that whirlwind courtship and wedding.

After the vows in 1970

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.
— Psalm 106:1 (NASB)

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Focus, Humor, Look, Traveling

Every Littlest Thing

We were driving through Columbus, Ohio and stumbled upon this mural. No, it is not a little thing, but look closely! At first we were mesmerized by how perfectly the yellow Swallowtails were captured. Then the perfect goldfinch.

And the plants on the outside of the build!
Taken of a wall facing the mural, so light not the best.

And then I startled Bob when I cried out in my amazement, Look! Look at the hands!!

We had been looking at the features of this mural, but we had not seen that there were hands sheltering the goldfinch at the center. My eyes were able to overlook the windows in the wall, and the plants were lovely. When I spotted the hands I was amazed! If you are a regular reader you might remember I just wrote last week about the Goldfinch on the “volunteer” sunflowers along our front walkway. https://treasuresinplainsight.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=23792&action=edit

It is good, every once in a while, to let ourselves be stupefied by gratitude, to cast upon ourselves a spell against indifference by moving through the world with an inner bow at every littlest thing that prevailed over the odds of otherwise in order to exist.

MARIA POPOVA

I left home the morning of our travels with this quote in my mind and heart. Have you done this? Have you turned life into a festival of statuettes. Has “every littlest thing that prevailed over the odds of otherwise in order to exist” captured your attention? Can you bow at this thing? The blade of grass growing through a crack in the pavement. The crickets singing in spite of rain and drought and mowers, prevailing over chemical treatment of lawns and the supposed decline of the lightning bugs.

“Stupefied by gratitude.” What a glorious stance towards life! I am going it try this today and hopefully for several days.

“Cast upon ourselves a spell against INDIFFERENCE.” In these weeks of preparation for Halloween and All Saints Day this a reminder every time we see a “play” witch to cast upon OURSELVES – that spell against indifference. Powerful concept. We usually walk about in a stupor, numb against the obvious blessings that overflow our lives. Can we imagine the many angels that walk with us?

Moving through the world with an inner bow .. yes! As the hardware store slogan goes, “Let’s do this!” So grateful for each little thing.

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Humor, Joy, Look, Yield

I Like This One!

To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly. SIDONIE-GABRIELLE COLETTE

Around our neighborhood we are each looking for this elixir, ways of not growing old too quickly. Oh Lord, help us find soul-filling healthy astonishment this week! There has been a lot of death around here for the past year. One gal wondered if we should walk around burning sage and praying?

When was the last time you were astonished?

Bob and I decided not to go to the beach in September. It is just too soon after my foot surgery. Instead we will likely go to the Amish country in northern Ohio and visit our favorite cheese shop, Pearl Valley. Yes, I ran out of the very large order we placed some months ago. Besides, for reasons unbeknownst to us they do not ship sliced cheese? Good excuse for a short get away.

I heard the monarchs are making a comeback. That made my heart skip a beat!

The Butterfly Connection reports “According to a recent report from the World Wildlife Fund, the eastern monarch butterfly population has increased by 64% during the 2025–2026 winter season.

“That’s not just a small bump—it’s a meaningful surge that has scientists, conservationists, and butterfly lovers celebrating.” https://thebutterflyconnection.com/a-hopeful-turn-monarch-butterflies-are-making-a-comeback/

Remember the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that caused many to lose power in many parts of the country including ours? Now that Bob is serving on the HOA board again, he made a call to the folks in charge of our retention pond and the fountain that keeps the water moving. The timer was out of whack. She said that fountains all over town are messed up due to the power outages. That never crossed my mind before! I imagine they are running from subdivision to subdivision resetting timers!

Not our actual pond, but you get the idea!

I saw Ed walking down the sidewalk. He is a neighbor who is suddenly father of two lovely children. When we first moved in he and his wife were trying to train their large black Doodle dog, Maverick, to walk calmly on a leash. They were having a time of it, but finally prevailed.

Maverick is VERY well behaved now. Then they had their first child and Maverick had to learn how to walk alongside the baby stroller with Keegan. Then they were gifted with sweet Ember girl. Maverick then had to navigate alongside a stroller for two!

Ed just walked past pushing the newest stroller which allows Keegan to stand on the back while Ember rides in the seat. He was moving at a fast clip. And there was Maverick sedately keeping pace with the family parade. Those sorts of this bring me awe. This young family has blessed us many times over. When I had to miss Ember’s first birthday party because of the foot surgery they came to see us afterwards. Ember used to cry when she saw me, but even with my foot elevated and iced she just smiled and cooed. Keegan was well behaved as he marveled at being inside our home.

I am in awe at how blessed our lives are. I do not fully understand it. I do adhere to the tile plaque in our hallway declaring people are more important than things.

What brings you awe? Try to come up with one thing, then go for two!

You have stirred in us the desire to praise you, for you have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it comes to rest in you.
Grant me, O Lord, to know and understand whether first to pray to you or to praise you; whether first to know you or call upon you. Augustine’s Confessions https://augustinesconfessions.com/chapter1.html

Which do you do first first? Pray or praise God? Call upon God or know God?