Advice from a Palm Tree

Advice from a Palm Tree

* soak up the sun *

* stand proud and tall *

* remember your roots *

* drink plenty of water *

* be content with your natural beauty *

* enjoy the view *

*photo taken on Waikiki Beach 4/2015*

*poem taken from Pinterest*

Maid Rites

If you travel 35 in Southern Iowa/Northern Missouri you pass an old fashioned but redesigned Maid Rite Restaurant. I love stopping there although my stops there aren't often. They have a great little gift shop and of course Maid Rites! I came across the Iowa Girl Eats Maid Rite recipe recently and made them. They were so good, although not as good as if they came from the restaurant. The recipe makes a lot and since I'm much on leftovers I decided to take the majority of them to friends who had just had a baby!

Bark at the Park Round #2

Ries and I got to introduce Grammy to Bark at the Park this year! Little Miss was quite protective of her Grammy at the tailgate and did not want any other dogs or people to come near her "person." Once we got into the stadium she was just fine though, had lots of sniffing to do and other dogs to check out. Pretty sure Grammy was quite amused! While Bark in the Park is nothing more than a photo op for Little Miss and her Mama, it's always nice to support Wayside Waifs. Remember #adoptdontshop.

Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges

I'm always looking for a fun new potato recipe when grilling in the summer. I tried this one the other night and they were delish! 

Belonging

I never went to my high school prom. I didn't play sports in high school. I'm not married. I don't have a boyfriend. I don't have children.  There are a lot of things that set me apart, make me the "black sheep" if you will and make it appear that I don't "belong."

Belonging is something I would venture to bet we all struggle with in life at some time. Just when you find your niche something comes by and upsets your apple cart. I have struggled with belonging this past month or so. All was well in the world and I felt like I had a comfortable take on where I belonged and then my apple cart was crashed into, smashed and overturned.

I think feeling like you don't belong is the most horrible feeling in the world. A sense of lonely mixed with a sense of confusion and anxiety, as well as being scared for the bleak world in front of you that you face alone. When you belong, it's like a big hug that holds you tight in the center of all that matters but when you feel you don't belong it's like looking into windows as they pass by hoping for the chance to be a part of it and that somebody makes you feel welcome.

If I've learned one thing from this past month, it's this; Never ever make somebody feel they don't belong in a place, in a situation, in a group, in a gathering. You never know what they might be battling on the other side and pushing them into a feeling of "not belonging" could contribute to something greater. Always, always make room for people to belong.

I've been absent from blogging as I have struggled to belong and find peace in this sometimes nasty world. Last weekend was the 6th Annual MGA Triple Crown Run and that brought me much joy and peace. I will share soon as I have about a mile long of blogs I want to write. It was amazing and seriously brought tears to my eyes. Surrounded by many of the the very best it was an opportunity for my spirits to be lifted.

Tim McGraw has a great new song, "Humble and Kind." I encourage you to take a listen to it. In fact you can do so here. We're all in this together. In the end, nobody is better than anybody else. I need this reminder just as much as the next person. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!