ADD

The best way to think of ADD is not as a mental disorder but as a collection of traits and tendencies that define a way of being in the world.

Having ADD is like listening to a ball game on the radio station that's coming in with alot of static. The harder you strain to hear what's going on, the more frustrated you get. Once in a while a static free interval blesses the airwaves, and you can hear the ball game clear as a bell. A cat may meow in the background, but you know it is just a cat, not more static, and the clear signal from the radio allows you to focus on the game, How good this feels! But then, like an unresolved feud, the static returns,a dn you become more frustrated. You get mad. You want to break the radio, or kick the cat, or scream at whatever human makes the terrible mistake of inquiring right then as to how you might be feeling.

-from "Delivered from Distraction" By Edward Hallowell M.D. and John Ratey, M.D.

This book is opening my eyes to myself for the first time ever.

Sunset over Lake Michigan

A Day At The Dunes With Buddies

Kenley Lucy and James. We had a wonderful day at the beach together. The kids love running down the big dunes. Kenley had a great time in the water. Everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch and dinner.

Autograph Book

When the name that I write here
Is dim on the page
And the leaves of your album
Are yellow with age,
Still think of me kindly
And do not forget
That wherever I am
I remember you yet.

-Unknown

It's hard to think of a time when people only shared a short time of their life with each other. Friends were for a season. People had to move on and work hard. Without telephone or even timely mail people would struggle to hear from family. Autograph books were a good way to keep a piece of your loved ones with you. I think I might make one for myself since it is my goal to work as hard as possible and live the life of a total recluse. lol

Wisdom's Ways

If wisdom's ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care,
To whom you speak,
Of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where

C. L. Ingalls

Our Visit with Adele

We have so much fun with Adele when she comes to visit. James is so comfortable with her even when he doesn't see her for awhile. It's so sweet.

My New Favorite Soap!

Justin and I love this soap so much we are never buying anything else. It lathers awesome and it so soft and has a nice tingly feeling which is extra nice for the backside!

I Want To Live in It!

Life

"The prairie looks so beautiful and gentle," Laura said. "But I wonder what it will do next. Seems like we have to fight it all the time."
"This earthly life is a battle," said Ma. "If it isn't one thing to contend with, it's another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and the more thankful for your pleasures."
-Laura and Ma Ingalls

Ma is right. It was true 120 years ago and it is true today.

I make my beans really simply. And I love to eat them with a fresh tomato and dill pickles. First you have to rinse and sort the beans. Then bring them to a boil. Next take them off the heat and let them sit for an hour. Finally bring them back to a boil and let them simmer for a few hours. I like to add garlic, onion, salt and pepper. If I have a little bacon I add that too. So yummy!

Beans

I have been reading the Little House series to James every night for the last few months. The Long Winter has me thinking about many serious things and many things not so serious like Pinto Beans. They eat a lot of beans in this book because they didn't have much else to eat. Actually, beans are kind of a staple in pioneer life.

My Grandma Mitchell has eaten bean soup almost every day for most of her life. She has always told me that it was a staple in her West Virginian home. Grandma grew up in a home with 7 siblings. Her father was a country Dr. so they had more than most but they still had beans everyday for lunch. All of Grandma's siblings enjoyed long lives and Grandma is alost 90 herself with very few health problems. I wonder if it has anything to do with the beans she eats.

Anyway I made a huge pot of pinto beans Tuesday and have been feasting on them all week.

Summer Nights Without Justin

Justin isworking late so we have been napping late and staying up late. Here are pics from our walk last night.

It's Good To Know he Names of Friends

Choose The Joy

Every moment of each day I have the chance to choose between cynicism and joy. Every thought I have can be cynical or joyful. Every word I speak can be cynical or joyful. Increasingly I am aware of all these possible choices, and increasingly I discover that every choice for joy in turn reveals more joy and offers more reason to make life a true celebration in the house of the Father. -Henri Nouwen