ONE SISTER'S JOURNEY KEEPING IT REAL
  • BLOG
  • Podcaster
  • Speaker
  • Contact Me
  • Testimony
  • Schedule an Event
  • Bookstore
  • Reviews
  • Media Coverage

Eat to Beat Alzheimer's: How to Eat Clean in Today’s Busy World

7/28/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Find Francie Healey Online:

Website:   www.eattobeatalzheimers.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/francie.healy.7?fref=nf
​
Twitter:   @FrancieHealey

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciehealey
Picture
Francie Healey is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice in Santa Fe, N.M. She specializes in the psychology of eating, helping people with health conditions to develop conscious eating habits and understand how food contributes to healing. Using her expertise to help clients manage cognitive decline through nutrition, Francie educates them on meal planning; the creation of simple, nutritious meals; and other keys to achieving a healthy relationship with food. She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling, and is a Certified Health Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Eat to Beat Alzheimer's offers a practical guide and an empowering tool to bring nourishing, healthful, and delicious food into the lives of people concerned about Alzheimer's and other cognitive problems. Almost 9 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, and the toll is rapidly increasing. This book will appeal to everyone concerned about dementia and memory loss in either themselves or a loved one.

Recent research makes clear that the impact of aging on the brain can be reduced by simple diet and lifestyle modifications. The delicious food choices and easy-to-prepare recipes in this book are based on the latest findings showing that they can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's and other conditions like it, or prevent them entirely.

Readers will gain the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health by incorporating tasty, healing foods into their diet. The information in this cookbook will be as relevant and useful 20 years from now as it is today. And the recipes will still be just as delicious.
Francie Healey's guest post: How to Eat Clean in Today’s Busy World
"There is a myth that eating healthy is too hard.  Unfortunately the result of this myth is that many people who want to try, don’t even begin.  Myths that perpetuate overwhelm, or lack (“I just can’t do it”) are not serving us.

Consider a simple formula for your meals.  That each time you eat you are providing your body with energy to sustain you until the next meal.  Each meal, even snacks, should contain high quality protein, fat, and fiber.  

Proteins can be from any number of sources.  Organic, grass-fed meats, pasture-raised eggs, nuts or nut butters, and legumes can all be fine sources.  The majority of our meal should aim to be vegetables, which provide the body with vitamin and mineral content, as well as fiber.  Fiber is critical for digestive health, playing key roles in maintaining a good microbiome.  

And fat brings many benefits to brain health, overall hormone health, not to mention satiety. Quality fats include olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, fish, lard, butter, and eggs. Making the effort to change some habits around how we eat is the key to eating clean in today’s busy world.  Taking a moment to put some lettuce, avocado, lemon wedges, and olives in a lunch bag or cooler with a portable container of olive oil takes only minutes.  Adding in nuts or canned fish and some sea salt completes the meal.  

Making extra for dinners provides leftovers for quick breakfasts or lunches.  Rethinking our ideas around these meals is important.  Breakfast can be soup, or leftover dinner, or green smoothies. Thinking past the sandwich for lunch expands our options tremendously.  

While you begin to rethink and get creative with your meals, the opportunity arises to check in more carefully with what does work for you.  Do you need a heartier breakfast than you’ve been giving yourself?  In fact, a heartier breakfast may sustain you for much longer, deleting the need for sugar or caffeine to push through the late morning crash.

You may discover that nuts aren’t as satisfying as meat, or broth.  Or you may need slightly more carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, plantains) than you’ve allowed.  Meeting yourself in the moment can elicit information for what your body needs in its desire for vitality.  And this dialogue with yourself, listening and responding, will guide and motivate your instincts for what to eat.  

Overall, eating clean is simple, yet delicious.  Over complicating this task is a distraction to moving into action.  Change is required, and perhaps some social discomfort at first.  In the end though, you will have rekindled a respectful relationship with your body and your intuition, which lays a very strong foundation for long-term health.  Consider that it is possible, and affordable.  Experiment and learn, there is no need to have it mastered at the first go.  This is all a process and an evolution.  We are all still learning.  And it is essential for our wellbeing that we take back our power, from the food industries and media, and make choices based in an advocacy for our own health.  The more we choose to do so, the more we create self-worth and self-knowledge.  These tools pave the way forward into a place of true healing and happiness."

Eat to Beat Alzheimer's is available
on Amazon & Barnes and Noble

Paperback:  200 pages
Genre:  Cookbook
Publisher:  Terra Nova Books (June 30, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1938288610
ISBN-13: 978-1938288616
Amazon Link: click here
VISIT BLOGS POSTED PRIOR TO MINE
​

Monday, June 20th @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
 
Tuesday, July 12th  @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Join Francie Healey as she writes on the topic of "Why Healthy Eating Matters to Me" and visits the blog of fellow author Madeline Sharples to talk about her latest creation, a cookbook entitled: "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's"
http://madelinesharples.com/
 
Wednesday, July 13th @ Dealsharing Aunt
Join Vicki Brinius as she review the latest creation of Francie Healey,  a cookbook entitled: "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's". Readers will also have a chance to enter a giveaway for their own copy of this great cookbook.
http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
 
Thursday, July 14th  @ Lisa Haselton Reviews and Interviews
Lisa Haselton hosts Francie Healey and her cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's" as Francie shares a blog post explaining why she published this cookbook. Don't miss this exciting blog stop and giveaway!
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
 
Friday, July 15th  @ Renee’s Pages with Renee Roberson
Renee Roberson reviews Francie Healey's cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's" - don't miss this exciting blog stop and opportunity to learn more about Francie as she shares her knowledge in this great publication.
http://reneespages.blogspot.com/
 
Monday, July 18th  @ Nichole Smith’s Chaos in the Country
Nichole Smith at Chaos in the Country hosts today's blog tour stop for Francie Healey's "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's". Don't miss Healey's gust blog post about "Releasing Personal Obstacles".
http://www.chaosinthecountry.com/
 
Tuesday, July 19th  @ Gina Hott’s Hott Books
Gina Hott at Hott Books hosts Francie Healey - reader can find out more about Healey's cookbook titled "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's" and read as Healey shares in a moving blogpost "Why Alzheimer's and Dementia?"
http://www.hottbooks.com/
​VISIT BLOGS POSTED PRIOR TO MINE
​
Wednesday, July 20th  @ The Road to a Dream with Ava Louise 
Francie Healey visits The Road to a Dream and shares with readers of Ava Louise's blog. Learn more about Healey's cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's" as well as enjoying some insight in her guest post "Social Media for Authors"
http://avalouise.net/theroadtoadream/

Thursday, July 21st  @ Kathleen Pooler’s Memoir Writer’s Network
Join Francie Healey and learn more about her cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's" as she stops to visit with Kathleen Pooler's readers at Memoir Writer's Journey. Healey pens today's guest post "From Concept to Publication" and Pooler offers her thoughts as she reviews Healey's cookbook. Don't miss this blog stop!   http://krpooler.com/
 
Friday, July 22nd   @ Linda Appleman Shapiro
Linda Appleman Shapiro hosts fellow author Francie Healey as Healey writes today's guest post titled "How I Knew it was Publishing Time". Don't miss this blog stop and opportunity to learn more about these amazing authors and Healey’s recently published cookbook “Eat to Beat Alzheimer’s”
http://applemanshapiro.com/my-blog/
 
Monday, July 25th @ Words by Webb
Jodi Webb reviews “Eat to Beat Alzheimer’s” by Francie Healey
 
Tuesday, July 26th @ Bring On Lemons
Read Francie Healey's post "Feeding the Brain" and find out more about her recently published cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's"
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
 
Wednesday, July 27th @ Mari McCarthy’s Create Write Now
Join Mary McCarthy as she welcomes Francie Healey at the Create Write Now blog today. Healey pens today's guest post titled "Connecting with Readers". Find out more about Francie Healey and her new cook book "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's".
http://www.createwritenow.com/
 
Thursday, July 28th with Lisa M. Buske
Francie Healey pens today's guest post "How to Eat Clean in Today's Busy World" as she visits the blog of Lisa M Buske. Don't miss this post and opportunity to learn more about Healey's cookbook "Eat to Beat Alzheimer's"
http://www.lisambuske.com/

Have you been impacted by Alzheimer's on a personal level?
How do you see this book as an asset to you, as care giver and/or friend?

Comments

Great Cycle Challenge 2016 Statistics

7/26/2016

Comments

 

Thanks to everyone who planned,
volunteered, cycled, & donated!

To the kiddos and families living with cancer
as part of their daily conversation -
​may these stats offer you encouragement and hope!!

Picture
Stats, Facts and Super Efforts!
Below are our collection of stats, facts and super efforts from the 2016 Great Cycle Challenge.
  • The average ride distance was 15.7 miles.
  • Your miles collectively lapped earth (along the equator)88.74 times during June.
  • Over 58,858 donations have been made to fight kids' cancer!
  • 205 riders pedaled over 1,000 miles for their challenge
  • The leaderboards have been viewed 112,364 times.
  • Rides were recorded in 29 countries, including Canada, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, India, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and more!
  • Cancer took Sabrina Reiswig's leg 28 years ago, but she still logged an incredible 200 miles to kick cancer's butt!
  • Our oldest rider was 80 years young, she still clocked up a massive 102 miles.
  • 140,795 individual rides were completed throughout the challenge.
  • Our top fundraiser Arden Virnig, raised $18,271 and rode 984 miles in memory of his daughter Mary, who lost her fight to cancer in 2010.
  • 2,052 riders were part of a team.
  • The average donation made to sponsor a rider is $52.02.
  • There were 254 riders from Chicago (Illinois).
  • Billy Gogesch rode an incredible 1,813 miles as part of a much larger challenge - riding across from Nevada to Ohio to attend his high school reunion.
  • 215 kids took on the challenge to kick cancer's butt for other kids!
  • The website was viewed 857,445 times in 174 countries
  • We've received countless messages from the families affected by cancer to thank you for your incredible efforts.
  • 655 riders have raised $1,000+ and become members of thepeloton club.
  • There were 291 riders named Michael and 276 riders named Jennifer
  • Riders from Rhode Island have raised an average of $191.48 - the highest in the country.
  • 2,264 participants celebrated their birthdays in June!
  • The GCC team is experiencing post challenge blues...but we can't wait for next year!
  • There are a total of 73,027 fans on our Facebook Page.
  • 1,087 participants have been personally affected by cancer.
  • Donations have been made online to sponsor a rider from 81 countries.
  • 98 riders went international by clocking rides across the world.
  • Team Tarlow was the highest fundraising team with 34 members raising a total of $24,819 and pedaling a massive 16,805 miles.
  • With 26,699 riders registered, there were approximately1,708,736 spokes turning to kick cancer’s butt throughout June.
  • $9,000 is the largest single donation to date.
  • For a single person to cover the miles YOU collectively covered in June, they would need to average 3,069 mph non-stop for the entire month…that’s 4 times the speed of sound!
  • Together, we've been in the saddle for the equivalent of 6,202 days, 2 hours and 19 minutes.
  • 6,614 riders took part in the challenge in memory of a loved one affected by cancer.
Comments

Blogging in French ! Check it out!

7/19/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Today I'd like to share a new blogger in the blogosphere...Meet our beautiful foreign exchange daughter from 2011, Coline. Coline's mom, Anne Catherine is a new and fabulous blogger. Although her blog is written in French, once you click on the link (here) or via the photo above, it will ask if you want it translated into English. How cool is this?!

I'm thankful she shared her blog with us, it's one more way to follow each other and keep up to date on all that is going on in this amazing young woman's life, this time via ACC's blog. It's hard to believe it was five years ago when Coline joined our family for three short weeks. It didn't take long for us all to fall in love with her and we still keep in touch via Facebook and email. 

If you've ever thought about hosting a foreign exchange student, there are so many positives and they are forever a part of your family and heart. (the girls are so young in this pic, melts my heart)

Would you take a minute to visit the blog
and share a little USA love with her and the family?

Comments

Day Two: Confirmation #RegainControl

7/17/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Yesterday started by sleeping in, rather than an alarm to go for my daily morning walk. It felt good to sleep in until later last night when I never got an afternoon or evening walk in. As much as I enjoyed the sound of silence and waking up on my own, I missed the energy and peace gained from the short three and a half miles we walk each morning. Today, the alarm went off at 5 a.m. so not only will I get my walk in before 7 a.m., but I'l also have my shower and laundry done. Today is the first day of summer school, I look forward to the kiddos we'll have in our class. It's only a few weeks but it is perfect timing, I am missing the kids and school. It's only a half day, so summer activities are still possible.

I titled today's blog, "Day Two: Confirmation #RegainControl" because as I sat in church listening to our pastor's message, God confirmed my motivation and hope in setting goals, cleaning the house, reorganizing, and regaining control of my life and home. The verses Pastor Dan focused on are from Hebrews, chapter twelve:

"So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us.

We may feel alone, but we aren’t. We are surrounded by an army of witnesses. They have run the race of faith and finished well. It is now our turn.

Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor.
​

Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart."
And today is Monday, so it's really a third day! How funny is this? I'm blogging in my head, noticing God's workmanship around me, and wishing I had my camera. Feels good to feel good from the inside out again. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been living in a dark cloud or hiding in my house but this cycle after losing my Mom "kicked my butt" for a lack of a better wording. BUT God is bigger, more loving, and always with me...so with my eyes fixed on Him, I move forward in faith, love, and hope. Tomorrow will be a better day and this girl is ready to make the most of the opportunities.

What does it take to motivate you? 
Who are your eyes fixed on right now?

Comments

Time to Regain Control...

7/16/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Good Saturday Morning everyone! I typically would start with an apology for my absence on the blog and social media BUT NOT TODAY! Instead, I'll share an explanation but no regrets.

As most of you know, my Mom was in and out of the hospital at this time last year. Her pain, terrible. Her diagnosis, undetermined for more than a month. Then, the word so many dread to hear, C-A-N-C-E-R. An inoperable, metastasized stage 4 cancer. Due to her rheumatoid arthritis (RA), her white blood counts were always elevated. We also learned that cancer and arthritis look very similar on scans, it's only with biopsy that you can determine the difference. Sadly, my mom's RA has been bad for years so it was "too late" to slow or stop the cancer by the time her team of doctors realized it was cancer creating havoc in her system, not RA. We learned a lot last summer. 

We've always been the family choosing to make memories and live in the moment because after Heidi's kidnapping, we understood all too well that tomorrow, or even an hour from now, are not guaranteed. My attention and desire to blog or write dwindled last summer, something I do not regret. It was an honor to join my Dad to care for Mom. We never expected she'd pass so quickly, leaving us on Heidi's birthday, September 14th, 2015. On this day I lost more than my mom, a great friend, and role model...I lost my inspiration and motivation to write. 
Picture
​It's taken me a year to work through the loss of my Mom. If you've lost a parent then you understand more than I can explain. It doesn't matter how old we are when we lose our Mom, it hurts on a deeper level than I ever understood. I don't know how my friend Karen was able to return to high school after losing her mom at such a young age. Life is so much better when we keep things in perspective AND when we accept some things need to be worked THROUGH before we can help others. And this is where my renewed motivation and inspiration to write and share is founded.

Some might think I could "get it together" quicker than a year, heck, I thought I could too. Once I stopped beating myself up for this, the healing started. With the help of family and dear friends, I journey through the grief cycle with their help, support, and prayers. My exercise routine has returned to normal, this has helped so much. The fresh air, getting the blood pumping, and time visiting with my aunt and friends while incorporating this much needed exercise are blessings to count and cherish. Something so simple has been a challenge to reignite. 

Another area I've neglected is my spiritual health. My morning and daily time with God has been sporadic, to say the least. I could probably say "neglected" and this would be a better definition. After Heidi disappeared I was angry with God and blamed Him so I purposely ignored any relationship or church attendance. This time, it has been less intentional, and is NOT fueled by anger. Instead, I've let the busyness of life distract me 24/7.

I'll let you in on another secret, I can't spend daily time with God when my house is a mess or in disarray. How foolish is this? I can't devote attention to God or anything important or serious when surrounded by chaos. Our house hasn't been a home, it's been a dumping ground and landing spot. Can you relate to this? A major goal for my summer vacation is to #RegainControl. I know the time with God is NEEDED so in order to do this, I must FIRST find and reestablish our home, so it isn't just a house. Does this make sense?

Picture
So...this summer has been spent #Regain(ing)Control in our home. The first project was to clean the hall leading to the deck. This week I tackled our bedroom, it is an oasis again. LOVE it! Now I'm working on the living room/family room/dining room, since it's a 3-in-1. Not only am I cleaning (finally got the vacuum out) but I'm SORTING and PURGING! 13 gallon garbage bags of stuff gone! Empty boxes, recycled! Unread newspapers, (some from June!) Adios! Dust bunnies and spiders, relocated! This girl, that's me, is ready to #RegainControl of my spiritual and physical health. In order to do this, our house needs to be a home again. One step and one day at a time, this is happening. 

I hope you are still reading and haven't written me off as one of those hypocrite Christians because the fact is this, to be a Christian means I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It means I acknowledge I'm a sinner and strive to eliminate the sin in my life. It means I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again three days later, and is in heaven preparing an Eternal home for me (and you). I believe and accept there is a God and one day I'll be in heaven. 

To be a Christian doesn't mean we are perfect or that we don't struggle, on the contrary, we suffer and move through life, just like everyone else. The difference is that we understand and KNOW we aren't alone, regardless of how we might FEEL at the moment. Although I haven't sat down daily for my quiet time and coffee with God, my praises, thanksgiving, and prayers continued. I didn't forget to look up or to express my true feelings, God knows what I'm really thinking anyway. 

I don't know why I had to lose my Mom but I know I'm not the first person to experience this. I get frustrated to think she had to take her last breath not knowing where Heidi is but instead of letting this frustration develop into anger and hatred, I choose to pray and seek peace. Franklin Covey reminds us to focus on our "circle of control". I couldn't control my Mom's cancer, illness, or death BUT I can choose to share joy, hope, and encouragement with those in my "circle of influence". 

So this morning, after a 3 1/2 mile walk and a very long blog, I want to introduce myself. My name is Lisa Buske - daughter, wife, mother, sister, niece, aunt, friend, educator, author, speaker, and most importantly...a child of God. Today, with the Good Book in hand, I vow to #RegainControl in all I say, think, and do...starting with transforming our house back into a home. 

Picture

Thank you for following
the blog and keeping me
and the family in your
thoughts and prayers.

I miss seeing comments below, especially the ones from my Mom
but as I watch my numbers,
I know YOU are reading.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Bear with me as I #RegainControl,
it should be a transparent journey.

Are YOU READY TO join in this movement of change?
Who knows, maybe
you'll leave a comment, thought,
or questions below?

Comments

So Goes Monday of the First day of Vacation...

7/11/2016

Comments

 

So goes the summer!

Picture
Okay, so I've modified my Gram's saying of "So goes Monday, so goes the week." but it's a week of modifications for me. This Thursday I have a training and one of our assignments to complete before our training is to have our WIGS (Wildly Important Goals) determined and in writing. In order to do this, "modification" is the word of the day for me.

It's not really a "Manic Monday" but I like this song and it reminds me of singing into my curling iron with my childhood friend, Von. A fun song and happy memories. Anyway, this is a Monday of getting things organized, making plans, setting goals, and getting-r-done!

Yikes, just realized this blog didn't post last week, and this Monday is a holiday, so it's publishing two weeks late. LOL (This means "Laughing Out Loud" for non-texters) Oops...I hope you still enjoy it today. The summer is half over by the time this posts. Oh well...

Comments

Finding Love in Unimaginable Places-BlogTour

7/6/2016

Comments

 
​What is an "Everybody's Talking About Tour?"
In this tour, we invite bloggers to post on the same date, in this case, July 6, on the topic of "Finding Love in Unimaginable Places," one of the themes in Once Upon a Lie. You can be as creative as your want--post essays, photos, poetry, or any other thoughts on this topic. 
Picture
The first time I read this blog tours title I almost deleted the invitation from Renee, after all this is a family friendly and Christian blog, right? BUT WAIT, can't anyone find love, especially when they aren't looking for it? In an unimaginable place? I thought so too.

Bloggers have the creative freedom to share a story or picture about finding love in an unimaginable place. I could talk about how I knew my husband as my friend's-brother's-best friend and knowing the day when I looked at him and told my friend, Von, I'm going to marry him one day. We both laughed, yet, here we are twenty-three years later happily married.

I could express how much I loved our kittens after we found them in my aunt's barn. For me to love a cat is unimaginable, but now I'm hooked, so much so that although our two older cats are gone, we let our daughter get a kitten and she is a great addition to the family.

But there is ONE Unimaginable place we can find Love...at the foot of the cross! For some, this is the easiest thing to visualize but for others I sound like I'm talking a foreign language, right? If you feel beaten down, depressed, discouraged, overwhelmed, discouraged, and just plain yucky then the most unimaginable place you will find love through faith and a relationship with Jesus. Plain and simple. John says it best, "Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18

I haven't read Michael French's book, I know as much as you after reading the "about the book" section below. So I don't have a personal recommendation or word of warning, I do have the most unimaginable place to find love though...with God, at the feet of Jesus.


About the Book:
Twelve-year-old Jaleel Robeson is on the run after the police in his tiny Texas town try to frame him for the death of his father. A world away, Alexandra “Alex” Baten is growing up amid all the material comforts a wealthy Los Angeles lawyer can provide. One day, a simple cup of lemonade unites their lives, leading to a maze of adultery and murder that shatters Alex’s youthful innocence and Jaleel’s struggle to reshape his life.

While the forces of the law try to unravel the mysterious death―or at least find a scapegoat―the two youths see the trajectories of their lives entwine, unravel, and come together again. Justice, Alex learns, can be a strange and nebulous thing, easily enmeshed in webs of loyalty and betrayal. Justice, Jaleel finds, can be a powerful―but dangerous―rock on which to build a life of honor and courage.
Picture
​As their stories play out over the years in cities far apart, best-selling author Michael French fills the world of Alex and Jaleel with a cast of vivid characters both supporting and threatening their efforts to build a life that “works” amid the expectancies of others and their own conflicting drives.
Picture
Author Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFrenchAuthor/?fref=ts 
Twitter: @mfrenchauthor
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/mfrenchrt66/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrfrenchbooks/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/287338.Michael_R_French
About the Author:
​

A graduate of Stanford University with a degree in English and of Northwestern University with a master’s in journalism, Michael French is the author of twenty-four books: adult and young adult fiction, art criticism, biographies, adaptations, and gender studies. A native of Los Angeles, he also is a successful businessman, an avid high-altitude mountain trekker, a world traveler to developing countries, an activist, and, with his wife, Patricia, a philanthropist raising money for programs aiding teachers in Santa Fe, N.M., public schools, which are some of the most challenged in the country.

One commenter will have his or her name submitted to WOW! Women on Writing. WOW will add your name into a Rafflecopter form and pick one winner to receive a FREE book! You know you want to leave a comment!

Comments

Celebrating the 4th of July 

7/4/2016

Comments

 


"We on this continent should never
forget that men first crossed
the Atlantic not to find
soil for their ploughs
but to secure liberty for their souls."
​
~Robert J. McCracken
Picture
This Fourth of July Weekend has been productive, relaxing, and refreshing. Some might find spending hours doing lawn work a tiring and painful way to spend the weekend but I disagree.

I've visited Leon's Farm Market many times for mulch and our lawn looks so much better. I borrowed my father's clippers and trimmed tree branches and a couple bushes, mowing just became easier and less of  threat when you forget to duck. The fire pit my parents gifted us last summer is now surrounded by stone and mulch, a beautiful addition to the back lawn. My mom would be happy.

There are still hours to spend outside but I've already accomplished more in three days than I did all of last summer. Last summer developed into a journey we hadn't planned yet instead of worrying about the lawns and to-do-lists, we dedicated time to each other and putting first things first. No one knew as the fireworks lit the sky last summer, it would be my mom's last summer with us. I'm thankful we embraced the time we had and let the little things go, after all landscaping and trimming is truly a little thing compared to time and memory making with our families, isn't it?

Instead of hiding in the coolness of our home and missing my Mom, I got out and "puttered" as we call it in our family. This type of activity is what kept my mom going and brought her joy. She enjoyed doing it herself and stopping down to see the progress I was making. I found much peace, relaxation, & refreshment busting a sweat and restoring life and hope to our lawn. It was the face lift our lawn deserved  and the restoration I needed.

Picture
I thought about doing more lawn work today but decided to take the holiday off. Instead, we might picnic with friends, go shopping, bum around the house, or ???? The sky is the limit. I can get back to puttering around the lawn tomorrow, today we are enjoying some R & R.

What are you doing today?
​Will you share below?


Comments

First Thing or Memory You think of...Week 1

7/2/2016

Comments

 
Picture

What is the first thing you thought
​of when you saw this photo?
Leave in a comment below...

Comments
    Picture

    Why do I write?

    Writing to glorify God and help others!  "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders."  Psalm 119:27 (NIV)

    Lisa M Buske
    P.O. Box 261
    New Haven, NY 13121
    United States
    lbuskewriter@aol.com

    To contact Lisa:

    Follow @LisaBuske
    Tweet to @LisaBuske

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Facebook

    Lisa M. Buske likes

    Where's Heidi?Where's Heidi?
    Create your Like Badge
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    2017 Goals
    A Mother's Monday
    Delta Lake
    Fitness Friday
    Guest Blogger
    One-Thousand Gifts
    Ride For Missing Children
    Sewing And Crocheting
    Speaking
    Thankful Thursday
    The River's End Bookstore
    Tops Tuesday
    Writers Wednesday

    Archives

    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010

 Available on Amazon.com
Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey *

When the Waves Subside: There is Hope *
Encourage Others: One Day at a Time
No More Pain: I Can Fly *

YOU are a Rainbow *
Goal Setting for a Renewed You
*Also available on Kindle*
Picture

No Photographs, for any reason, from this site may be used without written permission from Lisa M Buske.  Thank you for respecting this.