As I write this blog post I’m listening to a Vintage Christmas music channel on Youtube. 

It’s the day before Thanksgiving. So much has changed and has opened us to consider new perspectives…or not. 

John and I don’t notice a change this year as it’s been many years since we’ve celebrated with family. And when we did get together it was the Sunday after. 

A part of me can still feel a bit melancholy for what was, but I also enjoy the time with just John and myself. We will make a turkey, mashed potatoes and the rest I’m unsure of right now. But we will go with the flow of what we feel like tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to getting up at my leisure. Perhaps a walk after a cup of coffee or maybe later in the day – or both! Then prepping the turkey for cooking. A nap, some reading, and we are planning on doing a puzzle together too.

Now don’t laugh – but okay, you can if you want. I’d ordered two new puzzles recently because I couldn’t for the life of me find the two we’d packed in the camper. Of course, after ordering two new ones, the other ones were found thanks to John. Isn’t that how it goes?

At any rate – ok – this is when you can laugh if you’d like. See a theme here? Can you tell what has been on my mind?

After laughing myself I’m thinking about how this whole year has felt like a puzzle! Trying to figure out what fits and what does not. But it’s clear to me that this kind of life as depicted on the cover of these puzzles – quiet, simple, and in nature, fits for me. This much I know.

To continue with the theme I serendipitly came across a book I’m reading right now by Melody Carlson called, “The Happy Camper.” It’s a happy, simple life, full of joy and for sure a happy ending kind of book.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, as I mentioned in my weekly oracle reading, I think of this week as taking time to really be in gratitude for my many blessings. And among them is each of you for being a part of my Joyful Pause/Paws community here.

xo,

Barbara

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The geraniums may be fading and moving into a different transition for the winter, but that does not mean there isn’t magic in this time of change.

Yesterday on my blog I talked about the fact John and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. I shared how he is my rock and I am his water. 

He thinks in quite logical ways while I see the world in mystical and synchronistic ways. But there are times he surprises me and this morning was such a time.

As I was getting bundled up to head out on my walk and without any context behind it he said, “That’s why you are Bubbling Brook.” 

At first, I didn’t understand what he was getting at. And then I smiled. “That’s right! And you are Earthwind.” 

Two years ago on one of our first camping trips as we were loading firewood into the back of our van, I said, “We should have camper code names.”  Okay, so don’t ask me why I said this. But sometimes the little girl in me just wants to come out to play!

John thought it was a silly idea at first. But then he saw the disappointment on my face and decided to play along. Now I’m not exactly remembering how it played out, but in the end, he became Earthwind and I became Bubbling Brook. We laughed and laughed!

After my sharing on my blog about how he is my rock and I am his water, he put it together with our camping code names. Could it not have been more perfect? Who’d of thunk that would play out in this way a few years later? Because you see, this is how the universe works and surprises us with these magical moments of which we could not possibly have an explanation. But when it all comes together you just can’t deny there is something bigger guiding us.

And best of all? John had a moment of seeing the world as I do and that just made my heart soar!

And I guess they aren’t “code” names anymore now that I shared this! Ha!

xo,

Barbara

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