Doing Unto Others

It's been a great week, meeting the residents I'll be visiting with at the nursing home; making prizes and crafts for them.

Oh, and I have my first assignment coming up next week to deliver a birthday cake, flowers and birthday goodies to an elderly friend in another nursing home. Helping him to feel like a king on his special day! How cool is that? :-)

The happiness I feel over doing stuff for other people feels so surreal to me. Not used to this selflessness thing. I'm not trying to be funny when writing that.... I'm really unused to not being consumed with being number one.

There's a freedom and an odd, enveloping joy that is taking over me. Serenity fits in there somewhere.

Working with the cats at the animal shelter gives me a feeling of contentment that I can not even explain. I met a new resident cat this week - Cameron, a Siamese. What a gorgeous laid back fellow he is. And he hung out with me while I worked on the cages. It was an honor to feel his acceptance. I know non cat lovers probably read that and think I'm off my rocker. Maybe. But cat lovers will understand.

This is Cameron :-)

Not to say I don't still have moments of melancholy. They seem a little less strangleholding when they happen now, and they tend to fade away more quickly.

I can't say I understand this. Me, who likes to analyze everything, is having to accept what's happening to me on faith.

:-)

I'm Back in My Tree Again :-)

Hello good friends of Squirrel Town. I've been away on an extended stay at the Squirrel Spa. While I was away, I had my friend Garfield tree sit my home. As you can see, he wasn't exactly gracious about it, but he did keep my home in good order!

I've decided to make this the summer that I do the things that make my heart sing. One of those is volunteering.

I've began helping out at an animal shelter for an organization called S.A.A.P. (Stray Animal Adoption Program), working with cats. Spending time with Cassidy, Bonnie, Madeline, Nina, Isabella, Harry, Jersey, and a few who have since been adopted (YAY for Mason, Cody, Larry and a few others!!) has been such a rewarding experience for me. And a lesson about life. I learn my limitations sometimes, which doesn't always feel good, but the lessons are needed. I am discovering that some of my priorities have gotten a little out of order and am working on putting those right. All this from working with little furry bundles of love who just want a home to call their own. They're all lovely cats. If you live near the Petsmart in Western Hills and are thinking about adopting a cat, you won't meet a finer bunch of felines. I can tell you all about each one's personality and who might make a great addition to your home.  Here's a picture of Cassidy, who's probably one of the sweetest kitties there, and she's such a fun, adorable, playful cat! Great with kids and grumpy humans who could use a lesson in lightening up!! :-)

One of my other volunteer activities has been helping at a nursing home. I help out with activities and shortly I'll have a few regular residents to visit. I like helping at the Bingo. It brings back so many memories of when I was a wee squirrel and my Dad was in the American Legion. His Legion group had a bingo on Sunday nights and he worked at that. My whole family went. Back then, in the days before cable tv, video games and endless sources of meaningless mind boggling entertainment, the simple things like families hanging out together at bingo was a lot of fun. I can still remember so much of that place - the building, the getting to choose my soda and snack, the eternal hope of WINNING!!!! Being able to call out that magical word - BINGO!!!! Anyway, all of that drifts through my mind when I help the residents play bingo. They play for a funny assortment of donated prizes - snacks, socks, puzzle magazines, drugstore items, etc. It's fun to watch them gaze over the prize selection. :-)  It's given me ideas for prizes I want to make to add to the cart. If you have any ideas for good prizes, let me know.

I've picked up my crochet hook again. Working on lap afghans for the residents, kittie komfees I'm making for my friends at S.A.A.P./Petsmart, and even a few things for my furry self and my family.

So, this summer promises to have new experiences and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. The thing that on the surface looks the most mundane or least adventure-likely turns out to be the thing that has the greatest surprise and light bulb moments.

Let the fun begin!!



Melancholy Blues

There's an old song by Queen that I love - "Melancholy Blues". It just FITS when I'm having one of my down episodes.

I try really hard in my own squirrely way to maintain a bright outlook, but sometimes those Melancholy Blues just get ahold of me.

Sigh.

The Power of Purple

Hello friends of Squirrel Town.

I was looking at the calendar for notable days and saw that tomorrow is an absolutely lovely one :-)

May 16th is "Wear Purple For Peace Day". Anyone who knows this purple squirrel knows I couldn't agree more!

Purple brings up the most lovely feelings for me.... passion, love, serenity, happiness. Do you know, most people wear dark drab colors to funerals. If I really love the person, I wear purple! That shows how much I care :-)

In honor of the coming Purple holiday, I wanted to reprint the lovely poem "When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple". I celebrate the wonderful notions in this poem and agree wholeheartedly - why wait until you're older to do the things you want to do and to act with love and passion and abandon?

In giving my heart to God and trying to live a life I feel is pleasing to Him, I'm trying to "Live Purple" NOW!



WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE



With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.


And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves


And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.


I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired


And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells


And run my stick along the public railings


And make up for the sobriety of my youth.


I shall go out in my slippers in the rain


And pick the flowers in other people's gardens


And learn to spit






You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat


And eat three pounds of sausages at a go


Or only bread and pickle for a week


And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes






But now we must have clothes that keep us dry


And pay our rent and not swear in the street


And set a good example for the children.


We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.






But maybe I ought to practice a little now?


So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised


When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.






Taken from the book


When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

Gratitude

When I started this blog, I wanted to make people smile. I also want to write about everyday life. Everyday life is what I get most days. I don't get big, WOW events, thankfully.

I've been feeling gratitude lately and a deeper sense of happiness. I think it started a few months ago when a lot of turmoil and anxious feelings surfaced regarding my retirement date and pension.  Until very recently, I had about 4 1/2 years until retirement. It's been that way for the past 25 1/2 years. And then reality stepped in a few months ago and changed that. The pension is now not the solid rock I always thought it was. I get to work longer at the job I fortunately love before I can call it a day.

That got me to thinking. I've had things I wanted to do when I retire, but I always had them on the back burner in my mind... until I retire.... and then the retirement date changed.... and that set off a whole new train trip through my mind of pondering life, and how some people die a lot earlier than they ever thought they would..... and I wondered, "What if I die earlier? I'll never have done those things I've always wanted to do." It occurred to me nobody said I have to wait till the magical retirement.

So I'm not. I got out my mental "what I want to do list" and I've been going down it and pursuing the things that speak to me with the most passion.

I want to work with stray animals at an animal shelter. I know you could never tell by reading my blog that I like animals, but I do. :-)  I have such a heart for them.  I've started helping cats with the S.A.A.P. organization once a week. I LOVE it. Who ever thought scooping poop could be so rewarding?! I love helping them, loving them, and getting them ready for their adoptive persons. It's an honor that I'm allowed to do this.

God laid on my heart a strong passion for older generations. I've enjoyed the elderly for a very long time. When I was much younger, I volunteered in a retirement home. I wasn't ready then. The reality of life for them was too much for me.

Lately, God's been whispering in my ear again and the desire to help the elderly and the forgotten has gotten strong again. I checked out a nursing home a few months ago, but it didn't really click with me. Then a few weeks ago I felt God laying on my heart to go out of my comfort zone and find a place that takes care of not only the elderly but also the people totally forgotten about, the people who never get a visit.

I can not imagine any worse poverty than being alone and forgotten.

I found the home where it feels completely right for me to volunteer at. I went there the other day to fill out my application. Upon entering the lobby, I encountered an elderly woman with a walker, waiting for the elevator. I smiled at her and said hello. She looked at me with an amazing quiet dignity and nodded a smile. I can not explain it to you, but her simple act of kindness toward me touched me deeply.

Life lately has been an adventure of listening for God's whisper and then following it. When I do, it's like this internal sunshine floods my being. I am growing to crave it.

Blessings :-)

Happy Birthday Kevin!!

Greetings friends of Squirrel Town! It's a most splendiferous day :-) Today is my son's 14th birthday!! Applause all around! Imagine the balloons, the parade floats, the big band playing Happy Birthday.... kind of like Mayberry during one of their shindigs :-)

I made a special cake, yes I did....

After school, time to have fun :-)  (I personally think no one should have to work or go to school on their birthday.... and if Squirrely Girl is ever elected Queen of the Earth, that's the first law she will pass :-)  Alas, I am not and so, to school he must go!

Enjoy this most official holiday in Squirrel Town everyone!

Blessings :-)

Heavenly Viewing Spots

It's such a beautiful evening; after a day of downpours threatening to send cats and dogs floating by!

I have the windows open, listening to the birds outside while there's a classical concert playing on the radio. For me, it doesn't get much better than that. The thing is, I don't always get to sit by my favorite window seat - there are two felines who take up residence there whenever possible. :-)  I have to ask permission to enjoy the view!


That's if I'm even allowed to sit at the table...

Buddy can be awfully territorial!

For tonight, they're allowing me a spot at the window.... thanks Mavis and Buddy! Buddy's the boy.... Mavis is our princess.

I got my journal out tonight to write some thoughts while listening to the birds. It's interesting what words come to the surface when you quiet yourself down and listen. Sometimes I hear the whisperings of God, sometimes it's the birds. Tonight it feels like God is telling me to slow down and take life easy.

I have this penchant for not being able to enjoy life when it's going along smoothly. There's something in there that seems determined to get me to sign up for too many activities, show up for too little sleep, eat too much nutritionally empty food. It's an ongoing effort to remind myself that I'm worth more than that. I deserve sleep, healthy food and a schedule not designed for SupercrazedSquirrelWoman.

Time to start listening for the words meant to go into my journal tonight. If they're anything extraordinary, I may share them with you.

Blessings :-)

Living the Dream :-)

Okay, am I the only one who hasn't mailed their taxes yet?? I noticed on the list of national holidays that today is also National Jugglers Day, and it had in parenthesis that this holiday also applies to multitasking office workers!!! Amen!!! The office worker part applies to Squirrely Girl, but not the juggling..... unless you count juggling your sanity.... then maybe I do!!!!!  I have zero eye to hand coordination, so trying to keep multiple balls flying through the air with the greatest of ease just ISN'T going to happen for me :-)

Mailing my taxes today. There's something about driving down to Dalton Street right before the deadline, handing your tax return to the cheery postal worker (If it's not raining or snowing he's pretty cheery!!) and getting that feeling of Uncle Sam breathing down your neck off your back for one more year..... well, what an adrenaline rush it can be, especially if there's a traffic jam and you sweat it that you won't hit the post office in time!

Sometimes I look back at my life, I've missed most of the things that give a lot of people their rush.  Gotta wonder about mine..... beating deadlines, finding out when I get in the car if I remembered to put gas in the tank or not....

My forgetfulness can lead to a lot of interesting rushes..... do you know, last week while I was stopped at a traffic light.... I think I was having a really overwhelmed kind of day..... I actually for a nano second couldn't remember if I put on a shirt or not..... now, you'd think I'd just look down, which eventually I did. But first I went through the mental ponderings of, "Well, I must've, I would feel a breeze if I hadn't." and THEN it occurred to me to look down.... Whew..... I did!!!! I'm guessing all spectators I passed were glad for that..... I won't even tell you the next adrenaline rush I had when my daffy mind THEN went on to wonder if I had put on deodorant or not!!!!!

Yep, never a dull moment in my brain :-)

Isn't God great? He could've made me "normal"..... how flipping boring would THAT be??

Blessings!!

International Moment of Laughter Day

It seemed a natural for me to write about this international holiday. But why limit it to a moment? I suppose a moment is better than nothing if you don't know how to laugh, but in Squirrel Town, we like to laugh until our little furry bellies ache!! Just seems fitting :-)

Almost seems sad that animals know how to enjoy a good belly laugh, but humans have to have a holiday to remind them....

Maybe animals could teach us a few things.

Like, there's nothing better than a hug or a fuzzy cuddle to make you smile.

Or, laughs are better when shared with a friend!

Sometimes I can have a blue day, but my philosophy's always been, "I know I'm okay as long as I can find something to laugh about." And I always have been able to. I guess God gave me that built in meter to know if I was okay or not.

Maybe you don't have anything to laugh about today. You can always write to me and I can tell you a few jokes, or sing!

Whatever it takes.... SMILE!!

You

This message is for YOU today.

Hello. How are you? I'm writing this in case you're one of those people who thinks that nobody notices you, or your thoughts don't matter. They do. I write here, in the hopes that someone will write back and start a dialog. Get the conversation flowing and give you a place to express how you feel about matters. It doesn't matter if you agree with me or if you think I'm completely off the mark. I want to know how you feel and how you're doing. How it feels like your place in this world is shaping up today.

I want to tell you about the God in Heaven who cares so much for you, that He uses even squirrely little girls like me to get that message out!!! Of course God loves squirrels, He created them, didn't He? He gave them the ability to climb the bird feeder poles, snatching the food and driving you endlessly bonkers but making you laugh at the same time :-) 

They especially drive me around the bend when they chomp into the tomatoes on my plants, usually just about one day before they're ready to pick! But I don't get mad, that's just my Squirrel brother and sisters dropping by for lunch.

Back to you.

Tell me what you'd like to talk about. What questions you have about God. Maybe you and I can look the answers up together. We both might learn something. :-)

But don't expect God to make the four footed squirrels behave any time soon. What fun would that be? :-)

God Doesn't Need My Help Driving!!

It occurred to me this morning how arrogant I've been, even when I imagine I'm being humble and giving God the wheel. For years, I've prided myself on thinking, "God is my co-pilot". Do I really imagine God needs my help to guide the plane, the journey, the road trip?

I've been pondering what it would look like if I offered to keep our vehicle ready for the road trip...

But what would happen if I REALLY let Him have total control? If I got out of the driver's seat, the co-pilot's seat.... if I just hopped in the back seat and enjoyed the ride? How about in this cool car? :-)

Definitely cool color and style.... but I think we might like to ride with the windows down, enjoying the breeze...

Wow, could you see sitting in the back seat of this, enjoying the breeze, enjoying giving control over to your Heavenly Father? Trusting Him to have your back, to watch for the pot holes, the snares, the troubles, to know that He would lovingly stay on course for you while letting you relax and tell Him what's on your mind, your heart?

I think He knows that sometimes, much as I want to, I'm still going to wrestle the wheel away from Him and make some really prideful, ill advised choices. I believe His heart breaks for me when I make such a choice, because He knows the pain it will cause ME. :-(

I think, just for today, I will lovingly and willingly give my pride and will over to Him and let Him have control.

I can't wait to see where we'll go!!

See Me

I was wondering how it would be to have the magnificent gift of being able to see myself as God sees me? I went on a search for a picture that might represent how God sees us. It's kind of interesting how man interprets what God's point of view might be. Most of the photos showing God looking at us were downright scary. Here's one of the ones I at least found interesting. Terror inducing, but interesting.  

I found one that sort of mirrors how I see God's eyes. This one looks kind and loving. I imagine when God looks at me He looks at me with Fatherly love. I know the eye looks feminine in this picture, but I couldn't find a God looking picture that looked masculine.

This picture is actually a good choice, as I'm trying to imagine how God might look when He looks at me.... as I'd like to be able to look at myself through God's eyes and stop wasting my time on earth seeing me through Squirrely Girl's flawed lenses. I have things to offer people, but I'm too busy seeing all of my imperfections. What a time waster. :-(

Maybe I can start to change that.



National Goof Off Day! and Big Tummies Are No Fun-ee :-(

Hello visitors to Squirrel Town. I'm HAPPY to announce a national holiday is here that I'm really suited for: National Goof Off Day!!! Yaayyy.... it's finally okay to play :-)

I may just have to play a few tunes to celebrate!

On a much more boring note.... yawwwnnnnn.... some of the critters at the Peanut Factory where I work, and I, have decided it's time to lose some of our winter coat for Spring. Seems some of us have too much gorgeous for our own good. I didn't realize my fur had gotten so "fluffy" till I saw my photo taken at the company meeting last week:

Oh dear, guess I HAVE been hitting the peanuts a little hard this winter.... 

We've started a contest to see which furry creature can lose the extra pounds the best. Squirrely Girl isn't doing too good so far. But I got up out of my warm bed this a.m. and worked out, so hopefully I'm on the right track. I need you all to wish me well and make sure I work out!!

I didn't think this was very nice. Someone caught me napping at work and snapped my picture. Not my most ladylike pose!  Hopefully future snaps will be a little more attractive!  But for now, I guess I have to put down some of my vices and get busy.

Wish me success!!









Spring is Here, Tra La La!!!!

Good morning friends! The day I've been counting down to for 55 days is HERE! Spring!! And then I looked outside. BLECH!! Gray, gloomy, sad...

 

I saw my neighbors looking too.

Wow, this day we've been looking forward to for so long, and THIS is what we got?

My other neighbor didn't look much happier. I had to pour a cup of coffee and ponder on this.        I was so sure when Spring arrived, that I'd be happy.  But my friends clearly didn't look so cheerful. What did this mean?

My friends and I decided to meditate and pray on it. Miss Kitty looks so much prettier in that position than I do!!

Do you know what God laid on my heart? Spring is just a date on the calendar. No guarantees that that date will be sunshine and rainbows. BUT, it doesn't mean you can't experiene the Son or rainbows in your heart and a Joy that the world can't give and can't take away (thank you Newsboys :-)  )

When you place your heart and your trust in God, and I mean REALLY give it to Him, which I find so often that I haven't. I THINK I do, but then I realize I'm still holding a death grip on whatever the situation or feeling might be, and wondering why I'm still so sad.... When you really give the matter or emotion to Him...
             
                                   Let Go and Let God.....                                  


                    beautiful things can happen!!                              

It may be raining on the outside, but you don't have to let it make you sad.

      

 It's up to you... do you know how many times I forget that? Not worth counting :-(  But it is, it's up to me. For today, I choose inner rainbows and sunshine! And that's my wish for you too!!

 

National Poultry Day!!

Oh fun! It's March19th and in Squirrel Town, we'll be celebrating National Poultry Day with our brother and sister poultry....   I can just picture my friends dancing in the street

I'm suppoing some of them might go out for dinner, but I have to guess that they don't particularly like Chick-Fil-A.

I wonder if they like the game Corn Hole? Or do they get too distracted trying to eat the corn out of the little sacks??

In any event, a tip of my hat to all the lovely chickens, turkeys and other poultry who make our lives much more tasty.

As for the rest of Squirrel Town, it promises to be a great weekend. Spring is just a breath away, all that basketball on t.v. for those who watch, and my squirrely body is getting used to the Spring Forward time change at last. Don't you love the lighter evenings? :-)

On that happy note, be blessed and enjoy your weekend!

This is the day!

Good day visitors to Squirrel Town! It was a hot time in Squirrel Town yesterday. Squirrel Husband had to go to the hospital for a medical procedure and everyone there was dressed in their finest St. Patty's Day finery. A very cheery sight in a not so cheerful setting. This Squirrel wore her beads to the event and was mightily confused when someone asked, "So who did you flash to get those beads?" I forgot some wee lassies flash what their momma's gave them to get beads from strangers.... So what could I reply? "I flashed a leprechaun, of course!"

I even managed to get a snap of the leprechaun before he whisked away :-)  In the spirit of St. Patty's Day, he didn't chase me up a tree... sure.... I'm grateful!! :-)


So here I am on one of the last days of winter. I'll be glad when the calendar changes to Spring.  Looking forward to God's wonderful nature show of blossoming tulips, daffodils, SHAMROCKS of course :-), green grass and all the other beautiful sights that pop up at this time of year. Doesn't it just put a spring in your step when the weather gets nicer and the sun shines down on you?


Wishing you blessings today, may you know how much you're loved and don't forget to tip the squirrel who made you smile.... just a few nuts thank you :-)

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss... Even If He Was A Piggie :-)

I'm starting to enjoy this blogging business.  Now, whether anyone reading it enjoys it, who knows? But I'm having fun :-) 

I learned that today (March 16th) is Lips Appreciation Day. Which got me to thinking... I don't really give my lips much notice. They're just sort of  "there".  But then I realized without my lips, it wouldn't be nearly so easy to drink a cup of coffee. I'm not sure how, exactly, I'd get my brew in.  Just toss it and hope it hits the mark?  Seems kind of iffy...

Then I remembered another time, many years ago, when my lips came in really handy.  There was a festival called "Days of Swine and Roses" and a good squirrel never misses a chance to celebrate her swine brothers and sisters (especially at Easter with a Honey baked Ham... but I digress).  This particular event honored all things piggie.  There was a Miss Piggy Look Alike Competition (can't say I'd want to go home bragging that I won the trophy for looking like a pig), Pig Races, Pig Souvenirs, and MY favorite contest of the day - a Pig Kissing Contest!  I was younger then and loved piggies, so I thought, "Why not?" It helped that they were baby pigs - freshly bathed and each had a generous sprinkle of baby powder administered directly before the smooching began. 


I'd never kissed a four footed pig before.  All I had to do was crouch down, put my face by the fence, the pig was put in its little stall and I was told to pucker up.


Yeah.... know what happens when you put your lips up to a wee squiggly piggie?  The little bugger gets way excited and shrieks out a pig call, at the same time sucking in your lips like he was an old fashioned wringer washer.  It took some convincing to get him to let go of my lips!  By now I was laughing so hard, the poor thing was probably wondering what he'd got himself into!


Well, I didn't win the trophy.  But I took away one heck of a memory :-)  

So, show some appreciation to your wonderful lips today and lay a little lip lock on someone you love. :-)

Spring is about to be Sprung! (?!)

Why do I look forward to the first day of Spring so excitedly each year? It's almost as if I think that life is going to change dramatically when I wake up that day!! The sun will shine, the world will radiate peace, love and hope; I will be full of wisdom and serenity! Wow, Spring has a lot to live up to for this Squirrel :-)

A Squirrel can dream.

You Should Write A Blog!

A kind soul recently commented that I should write a blog. The things this squirrel sees in life from her spot in the figurative tree. It's a neat place to be, my tree. The world goes by - some humans minding their own business, some not. Some looking like a smile never touches their face, some looking like hope is a distant stranger to them. I made a decision to try and be the hands and feet of Jesus to whoever I encounter on a daily basis. That decision alone has had a big impact on my life. Some people look at me and just see a kindly squirrel, well intentioned but kind of goofy. Others seem to be able to see a bit below my squirrel fur and detect my heart felt desire to love people as Jesus loves me.

I FEEL like a squirrel most days. The attention span that used to be one of my greatest strengths.... it moved out and didn't leave a forwarding address. A friend told me awhile back that I have the attention span of Ms. Pac Man. I prefer to think of it as squirrely. Watch a squirrel sometime. They're here, they're there, they're running for their life from some tom cat who hasn't had lunch yet..... that's pretty much how my attention works most days!!

And memory..... another squirrely feature of mine. Fortunately, I can remember where I hid my nuts most of the time. But on all other matters.... I generally have to stand still wherever I am, because I'll start off with a thought and within about 10 seconds, I'll get this vague look on my face and be kind of quiet. Some people think I'm having a medical emergency. No. I'm just waiting for my thought to "boomerang back to me". My thoughts have decided they like to play boomerang. They take off without much notice and generally, if I'm nice to them, they waft back through the air and return to my brain when they're ready. We've managed to come up with a peaceful coexistence!

So, just as soon as I can remember WHY I'm supposed to write a blog, I'll come back and write something! Until then... looking for the boomerang. :-)