Boxes Boxes and More Boxes

By now one would think I am an expert mover. I have literally lost track of the number of times I have moved in my life. I am sure if I wanted to fill up a tablet and pull out the calculator I could come up with a relatively accurate calculation but that is way too much work for my old brain. So instead just let me say this ...

I hate moving!

I hate packing!

I hate unpacking!

and I HATE boxes!

And this month has been jammed full of all of them, and there is still a great deal of unpacking and organizing to do. The good news though is that I LOVE our new view!

I am looking forward to wandering around the hillside!

We are still in Rapid City, only now instead of being on the edge near the valley we are on the opposite side with all the beautiful hills.

The Journey

From time to time in our lives we all get discouraged and wonder if we are on the right path. This is true for everyone not just creatives, but it is especially so for artists and authors.  I have been in just such a place recently and then Author/Photographer ‪Lori Gerads‬ shared these inspirational and encouraging words on her Facebook page. With her permission I share it here word for word. I hope that it encourages others as much as it has encouraged me.

"Food for the Soul. If there is one thing my soul learned this week...it is this. Although this particular soul journey started when I was quite young...like 4 or 5... When you find your passion (and over the years this may change, or your goals may divert you) stay true to your heart and your soul. Listen to the little voice that says...you almost have this...keep trying. Perfection for me isn't the same as it is for you...in all things great and small from cleaning, doing homework, playing, creating, most of all creating or inventing (think Adam Ansel, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Einstein, Da Vinci)don't let the little obstacles...whether they are people, health, criticism, time, et.al. keep you from learning, exploring and furthering your "project". Remember the people that have been guides, mentors (Monica Decker German), and road blocks (boy, have I had a lot in my lifetime)...they are there for a purpose, what purpose does it serve your soul? What purpose does it serve you today, where you are at right now? Sometimes it is a line or a scene in a movie, a newfound mentor (Anna Twinney, Crawford Hall, Monty Roberts all come to mind and to know that they know horses, but photography is where it is all coming together for me...this moment, this soul lesson), a passage in the bible (wow, it speaks to us yet today), a torn relationship (whether it is from your dysfunction or theirs) all serve a purpose and you are to learn and grow from it. Each and every moment provides a chance for you to either be sidetracked or to serve your soul, which are you going to let work for you today, right now. ‪Anna Twinney‬ thank you for sharing (years after the experience) that I learn and grow (from a flight or fight instinct and I choose fight instinct) that to me a no is more powerful...than a yes. I learn more from a road block (than I sometimes do from subtle hints from God...with all HIS yes's) that fighting for what we believe to be right, is the right path! So, am I a road block...not all bad although at times we think it is life altering in a bad way it ends up being life altering in a good way. God working miracles through the little things...starting when we are young...our path, our journey our story our soul growth. Truly one of our purposes in this life." Lori Lee Gerads

Now for a bit of artwork inspired by Lori's words.

Prints Available Here

So go out embrace your journey and make it the be the best that it can be.

Frick Frack Frags

Trying to think of an unusual title for this post all that came to mind was Frick Frack Frags and that got me to thinking, well what exactly does Frick Frack mean. I have heard it used in reference to a close bond as in "they were as close as Frick and Frack" and I have heard it used in what my children would call 'creative swearing', "Fricken Fracken Fricassee". Is it good or bad? Where did it come from?

I discovered that the original meaning is of a close bond and came from the ice-skating comedy team of Frick and Frack of Ice Follies fame in the late 1930's. To find out their original stage name check out this article.

Of course somewhere along the way the meaning changed to a less complimentary meaning and of course variations of Frick n Frack have become alternatives for swearing, but I much prefer the original meaning. 

. . . hmmm . . . My fragments this week are nothing to swear at and the only common bond is that they are each linked to a fun blog hop.  However, I like the title so I am sticking too it.

Weekend Reflection

I am sure glad that look wasn't aimed at me!

She does look like she might start swearing at any moment.

Skywatch Friday

Walking along main street in downtown I looked up and couldn't resist the beauty of this old building with the bright blue sky.

Signs, Signs

One of these days I will not worry about turning into a chubby chipmunk and go inside for some yummy hand-dipped chocolate!

Thursday Challenge: Broken

Today there was a tornado that touched down just outside Sioux Falls, where my sons live. One of my sons sent me this video of the hail, although there was no reports of major damage I am sure something got broken. 

Book Review: Bristol Boyz Stomp

Last month I was fortunate enough to be a winner in Mrs. 4444's Fragmented Friday contest and given first choice of one of the wonderful prizes. I had been wanting to purchase and read Doreen McGettigan's biographical book Bristol Boyz Stomp so when I saw that Doreen was contributing a book basket I was excited to choose that as my gift. I anxiously awaited the arrival and was even more excited to begin reading her book when it arrived. Believe me when I say the wait was well worth it.

Source

Bristol Boyz Stomp is a riveting account of the horrific and senseless murder of Doreen's youngest brother for no more reason than the murderers saw their actions as proof of their superiority, when in reality it was more proof of extreme weakness and gang mentality. Doreen takes the reader through a rare glimpse into the the raw pain and emotional torment created by such violence and the frustration and anguish when dealing with an often inadequate legal system, and on to the journey toward healing.

I can only imagine the strength and courage it took for Doreen to write such a gripping and brutally honest account of her journey. Her story is a true testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Well done Doreen. 

I encourage all to visit Doreen's website, read her book and most importantly stand up against bullies and help reduce gang mentality by joining the conversation.

Role Reversal

There is nothing like a toy store to bring out an adults inner child, much to the dismay of any child present. 
 

Linking up today with:

 

15 Minutes Can Form a Lifelong Bond

Mancrates.com is having a fantastic contest in honor of father's day. All you need to do is post a brag about your dad on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and share it HERE for a chance to win a fun gift all sealed up in a wooden crate just perfect for dad. I know my husband would have loved to receive a man crate, what man wouldn't!

This got me to thinking about the special bond all four of our children and my little sister had with my late husband and how it all started with 15 minutes. This father's day will be my children's second father's day without their father and although they are all adults the pain of losing their father is still very raw. So instead of a showing you around our city I want to share this father's day post as a reminder to all that no matter what city we may be in or how far we may be from our loved ones we should not miss a single opportunity to spend time with them, even if it is only on the phone.

Now for how 15 minutes can form a lifelong bond.

It all started as a way to help our children relax and go to sleep and turned into one of the most memorable traditions of our family. Every night at bedtime my husband or I would spend 15 minutes with each one of our children and my little sister, giving them our complete undivided attention. At first it was a time when we read them a story before tucking them in bed and turning the light off, but as they got older it became a time when they could tell us about their day or just talk about anything that came to mind. This meant that the bedtime ritual took an hour and fifteen minutes to complete, starting with the youngest and working our way to the oldest, but it was time well spent. My husband was a long haul truck driver and was away a lot, but everyday he would call home and spend at least 15 minutes on the phone with each of the kids. Surprisingly the tradition did not die when the children went through their teen years, although the order and time of night for our 15 minute chats changed frequently as did the length of the chat. And by the time our three oldest became adults and went out on their own the routine of sharing a few minutes about their day with myself or their father had become a tradition. One that we never realized would mean so much.

This is a portion of the tribute we made for my husband's memorial service. I know he would have loved this message from our children as much as he loved his special time spent each day with each of our children. I wish I had thought to make him something like this while he was still with us but that is something one rarely thinks to do.

Life is short and we never know how long we will have with our loved ones, so make the most of everyday and tell them often how much you love them.