Do you treat yourself with love? Do you enjoy your everyday life? Do you have a place that you can go to be alone?
Yikes, I sound just like a commercial for a pill or something! I promise you it is not.
Treating oneself with love and kindness is essential to survival, especially in this climate of uneasiness and the unknown.
I have learned over the years that I function much better if I take time out for myself to rest and recharge. After all, we are all giving so much each day to simply survive. My quiet place would normally be out in nature, around trees or a stream, but in this heat my quiet place is in my husbands office where I can close the door, but not before announcing, “I’m going in, keep everything quiet please, and don’t bother me unless the house is burning down!”
Of course that isn’t always easy to do nor is it available to everyone, but each of us has to find their own place of solitude. There have been times when a long walk is just the thing to bring me peace. Sometimes it’s as easy as going for a drive, or sitting in the car. But not before putting a note on the car window saying… ” I need some alone time, Don’t talk to me, don’t tap on the window, don’t text me!”
Each of us has to find a place to contemplate, unwind, relax, and connect with your inner self.
Our survival depends on it!
Thank you for stopping to read Karen’s Stone Soup, see you next week, Karen
I’m laying in bed looking out the window, with clean, crispy fresh air pushing it’s way into the room giving me newfound energy to start my day. What will this day bring me? Will it stay cool, or get hot & muggy? Whatever it brings, I am ready and willing to jump out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, and start my beautiful day with a cup of coffee, and a little meditation. I know, It’s not for everyone…some people would rather have a cup of tea!
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I have always loved the coolness in the morning, especially when it’s a bit overcast, and quiet. When my children were small I would get up early so I could sit quietly with a cup of coffee, and just start my day slowly while the kids were asleep. That was the plan, but many times my plan was foiled by an aggressive little munchkin getting up too early, and reuining my plan.
Today after feeding my kitty Kramer, and letting Daisy dog out, I’m drinking coffee with my husband, but the kids are grown, and gone. The things that inspire me aren’t the things that inspired me many years ago when my kids were small. Now I get inspired by birds chirping, or a gentle breeze in the air. Some days I’m inspired to read, or paint, sketching out on our patio, or take a walk through the neighborhood. Things I couldn’t do when I had a young family.
On this morning with sweetness in the air, I’m inspired to listen to the crows. They are very verbal this morning, and I feel like they are letting me know to “keep looking.” Sitting on my patio, I’m trying to keep looking, but I’m also trying to figure out what else the crows are telling me. In my Animal Speak Book by Ted Andrews, it tells me that crows bring you magic and creativity. OK! Now we’re talking. I’m all about magic, and creativity….bring it on.
Even though I am not interested in venturing too far from home, I still very much invested in nature. For now nature means to me, that I walk through my back yard where peace, & serenity hang in the air. I love my trees, & it won’t surprise some of you to know I even talk to the trees, & the birds. Ok, so they don’t talk back in the way we do, but they do respond if you pay attention. I try to pay attention knowing if I’m really quiet & concentrate, I will hear their answers!
Thank you for stopping to read Stone Soup, I’m really happy to share with you my thoughts, & ideas about my life. See you next time. Karen
Sunday after church (on line of course), we were all giving readings from spirit, and nothing resonated with me. I listened patiently as all the messages seamed to be general, and almost for everyone. So I sat there taking it all in, and realizing I had a spirit on my left waiting for me to read him. He was patient, courteous, but still wanted me to acknowledge him.
After everyone had finished their reading, I finally said I’d go next with a man who had been waiting patiently for an hour. He first showed me black and white poke dots. I thought, what the what?? After received that I had a very unexpected and strange thing happen to me. I found myself viewing his journey from behind his eyes. I was a little taken aback as this had never happened to me before. We walked all over the forest, watching little animals in the woods, traveling, seeing the ocean, the beach, and exploring everything around us! I thought to myself, this is what I love to do! That was an interesting experience in itself, when out of my mouth I exclaimed, “This reading is for me!” I was so stunned that I lost my connection with this man. I didn’t know that was coming, it just spewed out.
As soon as that happened, our Minister Malcom took over and finished the reading. Malcom was able to connect to the same man that I had been connected to, and this is what he told me…..The man was my grandfather, he was here to let me know to keep looking, and exploring, I’m on the right path!
That was from my grand father who I haven’t seen since I was a teenager, & it warms my heart to know his spirit is watching over me, guiding me, and keeping me safe. My grandfather passed many years ago and I feel so blessed to have him come to me, & let me know he is here supporting my efforts.
This may sound strange to some of you, and I can understand. But I assure you, as strange as it is, it’s true. We can speak with our loved ones that have passed, and we all have the ability. Some of us don’t want any part of it, but if you just open up and consider the possibility that there are things still unexplained, you will be amazed at what is possible!
Have you ever had a dream of a loved one, or dear friend that had passed? Maybe even one of your animals from the past is in that dream. Well, this is one way they contact you, another way is you might feel your pet jump up on your bed, but when you look—nothing is there. You could have sworn something was on your bed, maybe even up against your leg.
I know I’m stretching your world right now, entertain the possibility of finding peace from a place we have been programed to know nothing about. This isn’t a religious thing, Spirit is totally non-denominational.
Just give it some thought!
Thank you for reading my post today. Many blessings to you all. Karen
THIS IS WHY WE LOVE CHILDREN1) NUDITY I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, ‘Mom, that lady isn’t wearing a seat belt!’2)
OPINIONS On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, ‘The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.’3)
MORE NUDITY A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women’s locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, ‘What’s the matter, haven’t you ever seen a little boy before?’5)
KETCHUP A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. ‘Mommy can’t come to the phone to talk to you right now. She’s hitting the bottle.’4)
POLICE # 1 While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, ‘Are you a cop?Yes,’ I answered and continued writing the report.’My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?”Yes, that’s right,’ I told her.’Well, then,’ she said as she extended her foot toward me, ‘would you please tie my shoe?’6)
POLICE # 2 It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me.’Is that a dog you got back there?’ he asked.’It sure is,’ I replied.Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, ‘What’d he do?’7)
ELDERLY While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, ‘The tooth fairy will never believe this!’
DRESS-UP A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, ‘Daddy, you shouldn’t wear that suit.”And why not, darling?”You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning.’9)
DEATH While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cottonwool, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.The minister’s son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: ‘Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.’ (I want this line used at my funeral!)10) SCHOOL A little girl had just finished her first week of school. ‘I’m just wasting my time,’ she said to her mother. ‘I can’t read, I can’t write, and they won’t let me talk!’11)
BIBLE A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.’Mama, look what I found,’ the boy called out.’What have you got there, dear?’With astonishment in the young boy’s voice, he answered, ‘I think it’s Adam’s underwear!’
NOW IF THIS DIDN’T BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY,GO BACK TO BED AND FORGET IT.
I thought with our days and nights all mixed up right now, we could use a little levity. I found this on Face Book, and couldn’t help changing things up a little! I hope you enjoyed.
I want to thank all my beautiful Grandchildren for helping me out on this blog! I love all four of you!
Thank you for stopping to read Karen’s Stone Soup, see you soon.
Hello! Meet Faith. She was born at the end of June to Bitterroot Bison in Lolo, MT. According to Native American legend, the white bison represents a powerful medicine woman known as White Buffalo Calf Woman. She is traditionally known as one who brings messages from the ancestors and as a healer who comes during times of crises. For centuries, Native Americans have celebrated the birth of a white bison as a sign of hope and an omen of good things to come. It is also extremely rare. A white bison is born in 1 out of 5+ million births. Over time, her ivory colored coat will darken and change. According to legend, a true white bison changes color four times in it’s lifetime to represent all races of human beings united as one. Every time I see her I get goosebumps. If you’re heading south from Missoula, you’ll see the bison on the left side of the highway, right before you get to Lolo. And you’ll definitely see Faith if she’s out with the herd.
It goes to show you that all things are possible!
Natalie from Grounded Resources Yoga is joining us this summer for yoga classes at the farm. We’re doing yoga in between the rows of lavender!Our next class is 7/19 from 9 to 10 am and is open to all levels. Being outside in the lavender field is relaxing and a great way to start your Sunday!Please bring your own yoga mat, a blanket or oversized towel to put down between the rows.The cost is $10 per person.You can RSVP and/or email any questions to Natalie at info@groundedresourcesyoga.comYou can also check out her Facebook page here.If you don’t live close by but think you might be in the area this summer, come by and do yoga with us. We have plenty of space for social distancing.
A quick update on our Man Cave Magnesium spray.We usually sell it in a 4 oz bottle, but our supplier isn’t carrying that size right now. We did find some 2 oz bottles, so for now, that’s how we’re rolling. Here’s a quick recap on why we love magnesium so much:Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. We hold so much tension in our bodies and adding topical magnesium on a daily basis is an easy-peasy way to feel more relaxed and calm.It’s also an excellent way to relieve sore muscles and keep you moving.We have a friend who was reluctant to try magnesium spray, but after being bed ridden with back issues, used our Man Cave Magnesium and started throwing around words like magic potion and miracle spray. (His words, not mine:)He felt so much better, he could even kick himself in the butt for not trying it sooner.Topical magnesium spray is a simple way for you to feel more relaxed and relieve those annoying aches and pains.That’s it for this week! Thanks for being here and thanks to Faith for being born when we need her the most. Big Sky Lavender Farms is located in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, just south of Missoula, Montana. We make all natural, healthy products to help you live your best life today. Share the love and share the lavender. Photo credit: Bitterroot Bison This email was sent to you by Big Sky Lavender Farms21749 Five Wounds Way Florence, MT 59833 United States www.bigskylavender.comGrowing Life’s EssentialsUnsubscribe
My friend who along with her husband, and brother in law owns, and runs Big Sky Lavender. After reading her letter, I thought the White Buffalo was so rare, you’d like to read about it too. I always love new and unusual things in our world. I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I did. Karen
Many years ago when I wasn’t so happy, in fact I was miserable, I knew something had to change. My life was not going the way I wanted it to go, and I was getting nippy, and nasty. I didn’t like my job, or anything else around me, I didn’t even life myself. I did however love my kids, and looking back I think part of my misery was that I wanted a better life for my kids, and myself.
Believe me, it took a lot of serious talks with myself before I came to a life altering conclusion. It wasn’t going to be easy, but then nothing worth doing is easy. I felt I was out on a limb that was about to break, and it was hanging over a very deep canyon.
Happiness is being with nature!
Somehow I found myself in the possession of a small paperback book. How I got it I haven’t any idea, but it literally changed my life!
The book, if I can remember correcttly was, Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Eric Pace. I should have a copy in my library, but I must have loaned it to someone who needed to read it. I now have learned if you think you are loaning a book, you are really giving it away. Few of the books I’ve loaned have found their way back home.
Happiness is giving a kiss to a tiny lizard!
This book taught me how to switch my negative thoughts, to positive thoughts. Yes! It doesn’t happen oven night! I was extremely negative, and unhappy beyond words. As I said things had to change.
On day when I was just finishing my house cleaning. My husband came walking into the kitchen with “great news!” So I patiently sat down at the counter, and was gifted with a story he couldn’t wait to tell me.
He told me of this wonderful waitress he had met, and started dating. Because I was such a great wife, understanding, and easy going, he decided against all the warnings his friends had, to tell me about her, and he did! He described her, her personality, and how much I would like her. Really, I’d like her? Actually I loved her, she just saved my life!
This was my golden opportunity…literally. After trying to figure out how my life could be happier, my sweet, dear husband figured it out for me. Some husbands work in misterious ways, don’t they?
Happiness is getting donuts just because!
So my husband, and this little book gave me the courage to change my life. In the process and because of my thoughtful husband at the time I was able to pull my life together, get my feet under me, and start a new life. In the process I was borrowing a car, furniture, and anything else I could find to put my new condo together with my three kids. Fortunately, my boys were in San Dugito Hi School, but my daughter was in Middle School. The boys were self sufficient, and I didn’t have to worry to much about them. But my daughter, I had to be much more protective in the next few years with me. It all turned out alright, with ups and downs here and there, but who doesn’t have those raising kids.
Back to the book…
Each time I had a bad thought, I’d struggle to find a positive was of thinking about it. Sometimes I had to really think to find that tidbit of positivity, but adventually it started to come naturally, and today I find myself with few negative thoughts. I catch myself, and tell myself I can’t do that and be happy. You may think it sounds cheesy, and unobtainable, but it isn’t. I truly appreciate, and love all people. That doesn’t mean I like them, but I see the good in everyone, even if they are not so good. Sometimes good people make bad choices, and sometimes people are bad to the bone. But within each of them is a little spark of goodness they probably don’t even know is there.
Happiness is being by the lake!
I’m not a Saint, nor do I want to be one. I’m just trying to be the best human being I can be!
Thank you for stopping to read Karen’s Stone Soup. I promised a mix of ideas and thoughts when I started this blog, and I’m being true to my word.
Old as Dirt and Proud of it! 
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