On Slowing Down . . .

On By Betty OwensIn Betty, energy, heat, lesson, Mary Ellis, Slow down, star, walk

Gus the granddog Coping with the Heat

This morning’s lesson is simple: Slow down.

As I write this, it’s hot outside. Really hot. It’s hard to enjoy being outside when the temperature soars to 105 and it’s humid. 
I probably won’t take a walk today. I live in the suburbs and the sidewalks and pavement get so hot, you feel as if you’re walking on a hot stovetop. When I see those heat waves rising from the ground, I’m reminded of an old western movie, when the star is stranded in the barren desert. He sees a mirage ahead and runs forward–starving for water–only to find more dust and sand. 
I stumbled across a blogpost this morning, written by author Mary Ellis on Peggy Blann Phifer’s blog, outlining a few lessons learned from Mary’s study of the Amish. Among them, the words in my title, “Slow down.” Ah, what a timely lesson. In the brutal heat of summer, it might be a little easier to achieve. And then I realize how true it is. You can actually accomplish more, and do a better job along the way.
Take a look at your pets. When it’s hot, what are they doing? I don’t have pets, but I can look out on my patio and see squirrels lying on the concrete in the shade–on their bellies. They’re not rushing around, squirreling away food for the winter, they’re taking a break from the heat. The birds are enjoying whatever water they can find. None of them is in a hurry, it’s just too hot.
So today, I’m going to narrow down my to-do list. I’m going to center my energy on what’s truly important. But first, I think I’ll take a few minutes to sip a glass of cool water, breathe deeply, and enjoy my day off.

Happy Mother’s Day

On By Betty OwensIn Audrie, Betty, Grandmother, mother, Mother's Day, Seattle6 Comments

One of the very first to hold me after my birth, my maternal grandmother gave me my name. She named me after my mom (Betty), and herself (Audrie). I know she loved me, though I never knew her. She died two years after my birth. I grew acquainted with her through my mom’s memories and the many beautiful pictures we have of her. A few years ago, I traveled to Seattle and visited her grave. Seeing that name on a gravestone was a little bit of a shock, but I’m so glad I did it. She became real to me that day. Though I had no physical memories of her, she really had existed.

Mom grew up in Seattle, where she met my dad, a young sailor on leave. He was from Tennessee. She left her home and family to follow him, and stayed with him through sometimes extreme difficulties, until the day he died. She was with him in San Diego, living on base, when her mother died in Seattle. She still has the airplane ticket from her flight home for the funeral.

These two strong women loved me, spoke into my life, and gave me my morals and principles. They were shining examples to me of the kind of woman I wanted to become. Women who gave everything for those they loved. Women who endured hardship as if it were just another bump in the road. Women who could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Dedicated and Godly women.

I was never able to send my grandmother a Mother’s Day card, or even tell her I loved her. I never heard her voice or saw her grow old. So I’ll tell my mom, her daughter: I love you. I’ll visit her and give her a gift and a card for Mother’s Day. I’ll smile at my reflection in the mirror, the part of me that resembles my namesakes. I feel very blessed to be descended of such excellent women. Happy Mother’s Day!

The Answer is YES!

On By Betty OwensIn bless, Corinthians, positive, rhymes, silly, Smiling Dogs, stylish, Yes2 Comments

How I love the word YES. It may be my favorite word. A few things about YES: 
  • It’s short and to the point. 
  • It’s stylish and lovely to look at. 
  • It’s positive. 
  • It rhymes with bless (another word I like). 
I think YES has been good more than it’s been bad. I can think of a few times when YES was the wrong answer, but these are far outweighed by the number of times it was the right answer. I don’t want to think of the times I wish I’d said YES, but said NO (that’s another post). 
*Photo Purchased From Shutterstock*
Right now you may be thinking this is a very silly post. I agree, it is, but there’s a lot of truth buried in the silliness. I hope it makes you think, but most of all, I hope it makes you smile. 
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Labor Pains: The Death of a Business

On By Betty OwensIn Business, Death, For Sale, Property, Taxes, Unemployment

The beginning of the end: “I’ve decided to close the company.” 

The words are dry. But I know the feelings that lay behind them. Agony, fear, desperation―just to name a few. Only three short months since her husband’s passing, she’s pulling the plug on his dream. But I don’t blame her. In fact, I think she’s incredibly brave. 
Twenty-two people will walk, over the next three months. Some have worked here from the beginning, twenty-five years ago. A few of the lucky ones will leave early, accepting job offers. Others will stay until they’re told to go, and then begin the process of job hunting and filing for unemployment. 
“It was good while it lasted,” I hear them say. But the truth is, most of its years were difficult, seat-of-the-pants years. Years of barely making ends meet, interspersed with a couple of really good years when profit was high and so were the taxes. Don’t get me started on taxes. Thinking about starting a business? Be sure to plan on high taxes. Small businesses get hit hard.
In a few short weeks, the machinery in the shop will be silent. A “For Sale” sign will go up on the property. I hope it won’t be there long. There’s a history to the place. It needs to live on and prosper. The right people can make it happen. 

Comfort Food is on the Menu

On By Betty OwensIn Autumn, Facebook, Fall, hungry, leaves, momma's cooking7 Comments

It’s raining leaves. 

At least that’s how it looks. Summer has officially ended. As the weather cools, my instincts kick in. Time for comfort food. Summer’s sandwiches and salads were nice, but there is nothing like a good, hot meal to chase away autumn’s first chill. 
What is your favorite comfort food? I posted this question on my Facebook page and got a variety of answers. Chili. A big pot of pinto beans with homemade cornbread. Anything my momma cooks. Okay, that one came from one of my sons. 
Homemade chicken and dumplings, roast beef and whipped potatoes with rich, dark gravy. Potato soup and crispy cornbread. White beans and turnip greens.
Hungry yet? One thing all of these have in common, besides being high in calories? Homemade. 
Nothing beats it. Just like Mom used to make (if Mom could cook). But I’m not going there. This kind of weather makes you want to settle in with a bowl of something hot and delicious. My favorite? Homemade chicken and dumplings. Do you have a favorite that I didn’t mention? Leave me a comment to cast your vote. Happy Fall!