Belated thoughts on freedom

Scenes from the farm & with some of the family in Texas on this Fourth of July. Yard work was prioritized over fishing, after another section of a more than 100-year-old tree came down in a recent storm. It was great to have Mom & Amy stop by to provide a break from the work & then help a little. Later Gene & I went to Gainesville for hot dogs, corn on the cob & watermelon at Mom’s with Amy & Barbie — and Stormy cat! Gene & I stopped by Braum’s for ice cream before returning to the farm, where the boom of fireworks drew me outside to see a few colorful explosions from the porch. Now it’s time to get in bed, because I’m wanting to be awake before dawn’s early light for what’s planned tomorrow! #July4th #familyfaithfreedom 

Always something!

I’m aware of a new obsession today. My latest distraction is Texas Rangers’ promotional items & giveaways. Barbie & I went to a game June 19 & got replica World Series championship rings. Saturday, I bought us tickets for the July 21 game where we will receive Rangers & Mavericks co-branded basketball jerseys.

All seemed well & good until I saw today that ace pitcher Jacob DeGrom is pitching tomorrow, & the first 20,000 fans through the gates will receive a replica of his jersey! THAT’S WHAT I REALLY WANTED! If only I’d known sooner  …

But I didn’t. And it’s not feasible to make the long trip from Norman on the spur of the moment.

So I’m grateful to be aware this is one of those things I often don’t identify & just get down about. Instead, I can acknowledge my disappointment. Bummer. Boo hiss!! Then acknowledge the truth that if I want a Jersey, I can buy one or put it on my Christmas list.

I’m also aware of how cunning is my quest for just the right thing. And as with solving puzzles (see yesterday’s post) or getting replica rings or even jerseys, there’s always another enticing thing. Sigh. Yes — & I don’t really need any of it!! 

I’m praying now to let go of this quest & to trust God to give me what I need & place me where He would have me be, to His glory. 



Puzzling

These days, I’m easily distracted by puzzles. Crosswords, jigsaws, Wordle, word searches & others. 

I’ve often thought it would be great if I could channel that tenacious focus to tasks I’d like to get done. 

It occurred to me this morning that I like the puzzles I do because, while challenging, I can almost always solve them & get the satisfaction that comes from completion. 

I seldom get that feeling from completing a task or chore. I’m not sure why. I want to see if I can change that.  

June is flying by …

I’m not sure what to think about how fast this month is passing. I think it’s because we are going through years of accumulated things at the old farmhouse, in preparation for an October estate sale. We’re doing a lot of travel back & forth between Gainesville & Norman. 

I went almost 2 whole months without fishing as we try to prioritize getting this work done. It was good to finally make it to Leeper June 21, the first full day of summer. 

That’s not to say I haven’t been to a lake. We were at Lake Fork in May & Lake Tenkiller earlier this month for Gene to work. Today we went to Moss Lake, but no fishing. 

Transitions at both churches I’m invested in also have contributed to the different kind of summer pace. 

Not according to my plans

My final week of May did NOT go as planned. Because who plans to test positive for Covid?

I did not think I had Covid, but after I tested positive Friday, it seemed like it should have been obvious. I WAS SO TIRED!!! It didn’t really hit me until after I drove 2 hours to the farm in Texas on Wednesday to help Gene with some things. Instead of helping him, yes, I probably spread Covid. Fortunately for Mom & other Texas relatives, I felt too miserable to come see them. Even feeling sick & tired, I enjoyed a Texas sunset & a farm bunny!! I also enjoyed a top-down sunshine ride Tuesday, before sickness settled in. 

Mother’s Day

A throwback to pre-1968. I’m calling this Mom’s first family, the 5 kids born in a 7-year span (if my math is correct). Amy, who came along 7 years later, might call it something different. This may be the first time ever we were all together at Whaley except for Amy. We continued the celebration afterward at Danny & Brandi’s house. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!! 

I was grateful to sing “My Mother’s Faith,” even though the recorded accompaniment was too low for my voice. Just very grateful to celebrate my Mom. 

May I post belatedly about my friend

Somehow I made it to mid-May without posting anything on my blog. It’s no surprise, really, because the transition from April to May was a bit of a whirlwind. The first full week included time at Lake Fork — including singing The Anthem at the Day 1 launch — before returning to Oklahoma on Friday to attend this special event: 

Love & congratulations to my amazing friend Ellie Sutter on being inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame! We experienced so many things together after we met on my first day at The Oklahoman in September 1982. She was my mentor, encourager & accomplice(!), & our friendship stayed strong after her retirement. Five years since her death, there’s still a great void in my life. I felt her lively presence as I spent time with her son Doug & granddaughter Maribeth at Friday’s induction banquet. I’m grateful her life & legacy will endure at the OKJHOF! ❤️🙌🙏❤️