I'm Still Here

Hangin' at Pete's

It feels a bit surreal that my stay in Florida continues. I am so accustomed to just beginning to unwind when it's time to pack up and head home. This time it is different. Instead, Sedona and I are here for nearly two more weeks.

Speaking of Miss Sedona, since our arrival in Florida last Monday, she has enjoyed her trips to the beach and doggie paddling in the Gulf of Mexico. She's also become a regular visitor to my dad's favorite haunt, Pete's Time Out down at Time Square.

Swimming at the dog beach

It is a rich blessing to spend this much time with my parents. We talk, our stories looking back, looking forward, looking at now -- at each other. They, my parents, are tremendous examples for my siblings and me. Their marriage (59 yrs/7+ mos) a testimony to the indefatigability of love. Thank you, Lord.

Ephesians 4:2 -- ...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends -- those in Ohio and across the U.S. Sedona and I are enjoying Christmas this year with my mom and dad in Fort Myers Beach, FL. Hate to complain, but it's only going to be a high of 70 today and overcast... :)

Andrew with a very happy Sedona!

My nephew Andrew joined us for a one-way ride down; he flies home on Sunday while I will continue to be here for a longer stretch. What a gift to spend such time with a nephew. And, equally wonderful will be the extended time I will enjoy with my parents.



No gift under the tree is more valuable than the family and friends I have in my life.

The Bayside Babes celebrating Christmas Eve at friend Betty's.
 My mom is in the foreground to the right.

How Does She Know?

I made the mistake of watching the movie 'Ghost' tonight. The tears rolled from my eyes as the movie closed with Demi Moore's character being given the opportunity to see and talk to her husband (Patrick Swayze) one last time. I turned off the TV feeling a couple of shades beyond melancholy. Without provocation, Sedona got up from her end of the couch and snuggled up next to me, laying her head in my lap. What a balm to my aching heart. She is the best dog ever.

Pic o' the Night

I took this picture last year following a storm.
I remember how it cleared the air and left everything
awash in soft sunlight. That's how my heart felt tonight
when Sedona loved on me. 

So Blessed

A heart full of praise and thankfulness today (always) for the family and friends I love, who love me, and who I have yet to know and love. Happy Thanksgiving!

And yet another from Mr. Emerson...
For each new morning with its light, 

For rest and shelter of the night, 

For health and food, for love of friends, 

For everything Thy goodness sends. 

Intoxicating

I have a confession: when I pull in the garage after work each night and get out of the Xterra, I don't immediately go inside. Instead, I go to the camper, open the door, lean in, and inhale deeply -- mmhhh, new camper smell. It triggers a desire to take to the open road, to embrace the adventures that await Sedona and me. I am antsy to go. I think Sedona knows it, too, because she seems to be more clingy. I can't leave for work in the mornings without her trying to go out the door with me. It's as if she fears I'll hitch up the camper and drive off without her. Yeah, not going to happen, Sedona dear.

My sister Mary Ann is with me this weekend. She is going to try and help me restore order to my house of chaos. I don't know how it happened, but in the last four years, one woman and a dog have managed to occupy every inch of this 1,900 square-foot house -- that's just wrong. It's a condition that's making me twitchy, this being surrounded by too much stuff. Maybe the abundance of stuff is also part of the attractiveness of the camper. It offers an uncluttered abode and a lifestyle unfettered by the four walls of home ownership. The life of a nomad sounds very appealing at this particular chapter in my life.

Someone recently described me as fearless. I've been reflecting on that comment and considering if there's truth in the statement. I think not for I have been (and am) fearful on many levels, at many times, in many scenarios. So, after much pondering, I think that the better adjective is deliberate: I am deliberate in my efforts to be happy, to live without regrets, to love. It isn't always easy, but for Ron and to honor God, I deliberately move forward.

Pic o' the Day

Look at Me, Posting Two Days in a Row!

A satisfying Saturday. Sweet friends asked me to take their family photo at a local city park as part of their holiday greetings. We headed out around 11:30 and despite the overcast skies got some real keepers -- not hard getting good pix: very photogenic family. As I began snapping photos, it was clear I was capturing something that transcended a simple family Christmas photo -- and not because of anything I was doing. Each time the camera pointed in their direction what came into focus was big love and it beamed right into the lens. I feel privileged to have been part of that experience.

Another good thing came out of the photo expedition: glam shots of Dona girl and me! She was such a good pup, waiting patiently for us to wrap up the human shots. She is my sunshine.

Our Pics o' the Day!

Where to Start?

The thing about letting so much time elapse between postings is not knowing where to begin, what to share...

• My first cold-weather camping experience in the Silver Shadow, which included my sister? 
• Realizing that a little over a year ago I had my last day of radiation and was beginning to really grow some hair?
• Watching my great-niece play with wicker doll furniture that was handed down from her great grandmother, my mom?  
• Photographing the Cattle Baron's Ball, an awesome annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society?  
• Witness to a morning sky crisscrossed with the most amazing contrails? 
• My goddaughter asking if I would be her pen pal?
• Serving with friends down at Jericho's Light Club and witnessing the hand of God at work?
• Wonderings about what it has been like being 50 for almost a year?
• Learning that my sweet friend Tina had her last radiation treatment on Oct. 31? 
• Updates on my favorite boyfriend, Clark?

Hhhm, well, I think it's going to take me a long time to put a decent post around every one of those bullets. Wow, I am humbled by the gift of having such a list, especially considering it is a compilation from just the last 30-or-so days. Can't say it often enough: I am blessed.

Collage o' the Moment

Lunch Time at the Blackwell / 10.12

[Entry #2 of the day. See #1 below]    The James Breast Cancer Survivorship conference - which by the way is free - includes lunch. The appetizer: a fontina cheese, shallot, mushroom, and heirloom tomato tart, arugula salad, and fresh red and yellow cherry tomatoes with a miso-based sauce. Lunch: grilled chicken breast atop a bed of soba noodles and dressed out with steamed and seasoned vegetables accented with a sweet miso sauce; also two triangles of grilled tofu. Dessert: a honey mascarpone and berry filling between layers of fried wontons.

Now, as we enjoy this healthy and tasty meal, Chef Jim Warner is providing a cooking demonstration.

Have I said how incredible the support is through the James Cancer Center?

Isn't It Always That Way?! / 10.12

Regina Brett

Choosing to get up early on the weekend is always easier than having to get up during the week for work. Such was the case this morning when my alarm went off at 6:20 so that I could arrive at OSU by 7:30 to register for the Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference at the Blackwell Center. I was drawn to attend because of the topic, but found the added bonus to be that Regina Brett was going to be the keynote speaker. Regina, a long-time columnist for the Plain Dealer, has written two books, both of which I have read and both of which I recommend. While her journey as a breast cancer survivor is woven into both books, the message she has to share is cultivated from her whole life experience -- and would insightful all.

Regina has already spoken (inspiring, great job) and nutrition is now the topic - probably something I should be paying attention to. I find myself, however, mulling over Regina's three walk-off challenges:
1) choose one thing to say "no" to today - a negative that's causing stress or dragging down enjoyment of life
2) choose one thing to say "yes" to today - a positive action (big or small) that makes life better for me.
3) tell someone today what I said "no" and "yes" to.

So many options...

Time Most Precious

My parents got into town last Tuesday and will leave this coming Tuesday. What a gift to have them stay with me. We certainly got to spend some great time together, but not nearly enough. Makes me more convicted to redirect my energies from work to family.

There were 30 people in my house yesterday, that is 30 family members including me, gathered together around my parents visit from FL. I don't think we've all been together like that in more than four years -- since Ron. Good to all be together visiting on a happy note and with so many new "Schneiders" in tow. Little Audrey, my niece Amy's oldest at age 3, fell in love with my teardrop camper. I think the two of us have a camp night in the near future, even if the camper never leaves the garage.

I spent most of today with my dad while my mom and oldest brother were up at Muirfield to enjoy the last day of the President's Cup. After a leisurely morning, my dad and I headed down to Brothers Drake in the Short North where my niece works. I took the long way there so that we would pass some of his old haunts and check out all of the changes that have occurred over the last several years. This included a stop by good old King Gambrinus. We ended the day at Plank's at Whittier and High streets where my mom and brother later met us. Brought back lots of memories for my dad, for me, for each of us.

I recount all of this because I am so grateful to have the time with my folks. To have time, period. Each day is a gift and I am thankful to God that he has given me these days.