January smiles

This will also appear in the West Point/Valley Times News  this week.

January, mid-month, 40 degrees is the high today.  Did you see that moon last night?  Cruising the front garden ---brown, brown, brown, Green shoots, brown, and brown, browner. Hunting for life and something to smile about.  No yard work, unless you are Martha Stewart or her staff, no bugs.  January has allowed me to reorganize the house, and de-Santa-tize it.  Santa and Baby Jesus back in the tubs till next Advent.  Back to the treadmill, trying to smile, new book that I only let myself read while I’m on the treadmill.  It has not proven to be a page turner.  Porch still drying out after Saturday’s monsoon.  Too cold to be writing from there.

Smiling about wonderful lunch at Korean Bar-b-que House in West Point with Ms. Marilyn, who is an excellent chooser of a wonderful Korean lunch.  The staff is friendly and provides forks to those of us not skilled like Ms. M. in the use of chopsticks. Smiling about a morning spent as volunteer, they could use some more as well as food donations, at the Interfaith Food Closet.  Smiling about the sales in my booth at Bluffton Antiques—go in to get warm and ask for booth #19—mention this article for a 20% discount in addition to the great discount that I’m already offering.  Smiling about sorting out my taxes, and having Carolyn Lott as my CPA.  Smiling about worship at Shawmut UMC where Duke Boy makes me think about the Gospel and how to live it in this Valley.  Smiling about Ms. Ann treating me to inspiring piano music in that same service. Smiling about the work of the Pastoral Institute in this community and how I am able to be a part of it.

 Smiling about participating in the baptism of my great nephew—precious red-headed little fellow, at West Point 1^st UMC.  The event brought tears, as baptisms always do, while he was walked around the congregation as they sang a special lullaby with his name in it.  What a lovely tradition.  The family gets a framed copy of the song after the baptism.  Even the Baptist grands know this song because their Becca sings it to them too when they spend the night with her.

Smiling for the sunshine reflecting off the screen as I type this article.  Smiling because little BW quickly (chilly) visited the yard while I stood on the porch watching the eagle circle in the distance.  Forgot to mention the smile for the gorgeous blue sky framing the eagle. Smiling for the warmth of the heat while I write. Little BW is trying to climb into the vent after her outside adventure.

Smiling for the friendship of Double N, our community cat.  He/she said “hello” to me all the way across the yard yesterday while he came for his daily petting.  During all the extreme cold I made a Double N friendly warming light with a box and quilt.  He ignored my attempts to get him to snuggle there but later I observed him curled up asleep enjoying the spa treatment. Smiling.

Where are you finding smiles during this chilly winter?  Lots of opportunities… worship, volunteering, shopping, nature, and friends.  Take the time to notice.  Things aren’t as brown as they look.  After all the “Brown” as added a lot to my life and name.  Smile.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the therapist for the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment only. Call 334-768-2341 to make an appointment or for more information.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where you can find treasures that brought past smiles. 

January, mid-month, 40 degrees is the high today.  Did you see that moon last night?  Cruising the front garden ---brown, brown, brown, Green shoots, brown, and brown, browner. Hunting for life and something to smile about.  No yard work, unless you are Martha Stewart or her staff, no bugs.  January has allowed me to reorganize the house, and de-Santa-tize it.  Santa and Baby Jesus back in the tubs till next Advent.  Back to the treadmill, trying to smile, new book that I only let myself read while I’m on the treadmill.  It has not proven to be a page turner.  Porch still drying out after Saturday’s monsoon.  Too cold to be writing from there.

Smiling about wonderful lunch at Korean Bar-b-que House in West Point with Ms. Marilyn, who is an excellent chooser of a wonderful Korean lunch.  The staff is friendly and provides forks to those of us not skilled like Ms. M. in the use of chopsticks. Smiling about a morning spent as volunteer, they could use some more as well as food donations, at the Interfaith Food closet.  Smiling about the sales in my booth at Bluffton Antiques—go in to get warm and ask for booth #19—mention this article for a 20% discount in addition to the great discount that I’m already offering.  Smiling about sorting out my taxes, and having Carolyn Lott as my CPA.  Smiling about worship at Shawmut UMC where Duke Boy makes me think about the Gospel and how to live it in this Valley.  Smiling about Ms. Ann treating me to inspiring piano music in that same service. Smiling about the work of the Pastoral Institute in this community and how I am able to be a part of it.

 Smiling about participating in the baptism of my great nephew—precious red-headed little fellow, at West Point 1^st UMC.  The event brought tears, as baptisms always do, while he was walked around the congregation as they sang a special lullaby with his name in it.  What a lovely tradition.  The family gets a framed copy of the song after the baptism.  Even the Baptist grands know this song because their Becca sings it to them too when they spend the night with her.

Smiling for the sunshine reflecting off the screen as I type this article.  Smiling because little BW quickly (chilly) visited the yard while I stood on the porch watching the eagle circle in the distance.  Forgot to mention the smile for the gorgeous blue sky framing the eagle. Smiling for the warmth of the heat while I write. Little BW is trying to climb into the vent after her outside adventure.

Smiling for the friendship of Double N, our community cat.  He/she said “hello” to me all the way across the yard yesterday while he came for his daily petting.  During all the extreme cold I made a Double N friendly warming light with a box and quilt.  He ignored my attempts to get him to snuggle there but later I observed him curled up asleep enjoying the spa treatment. Smiling.

Where are you finding smiles during this chilly winter?  Lots of opportunities… worship, volunteering, shopping, nature, and friends.  Take the time to notice.  Things aren’t as brown as they look.  After all the “Brown” as added a lot to my life and name.  Smile.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the therapist for the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage and family counseling by appointment only. Call 334-768-2341 to make an appointment or for more information.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where you can find treasures that brought past smiles. 

This little fellow is the happy face that was baptized on Sunday.