Memories a little of this that and whatever

 

You are unique and you matter, your voice matters, your life matters and your smile can touch hearts.

The top picture I made a long time ago because I have a special love for quiet places and walks through the country or by the water, it's from the farms that I walk close by where I live. It's about a 30-minute walk to walk up the no end road to the farms, it's where I do some of my best praying, especially because prayer also involves listening. It's amazing how nature speaks. God's fingerprints are all around us, in fact they are on us. I think about the song by Steven Curtis Chapman, Fingerprints of God. 

This little blanket quilt was presented to me by a little girl at church. She is our pastor's adopted daughter, and she was about 10 when I received it. She made it by hand and prayed over it and the sweet little girl also prayed for me when she presented it to me. My heart was so touched.  I feel like I am surrounded by a blanket of love sometimes and it's because God has placed so many wonderful people in my life. I'm sure you know sometimes the smallest of kindnesses have the biggest effect.  I know there's been times I've been down and received a kind word and it's brightened my day. 

This is the pup my kids grew up with. She was a basset hound and at first her ears were so long for her short body she almost trip on them. I think animals are good for little ones and it helps teach responsibility, gentleness and caring for God's creatures. Maggie was her name and she lived 15 years. Thats a few years older than the average for a dog of her breed so we did alright!

Sometimes I wish I could just step back in time and visit for a while. I wish I would have had cell phones and digital pictures then it's so easy now to capture memories!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Have fun making new memories!

I think you're rather special! 

Just a few random grandkid pictures here. The little baby one is my son Justin with his youngest Simon when he was born. He's now 11 or maybe 12! Times going by so fast!

Life is full of so many great memories!

My family years ago!!!

 and grandchildren

 and my girl dog Nanook above . She was good. I actually wrote a new blog on the page I had for her under Sunlit Pathway with a dog, Good memories 

and of course, Ollie and his pizza...some of the planet's best food! the pizza looks almost as big as him!

Who is God to me? It depends on the day or night and what I have need of 

Who Is God to Me?

The One who sees my most inward parts and loves me in spite of my struggles,

The One I can call in the darkest hours of the night and not be afraid I will wake Him because He never sleeps.

The One that I can pour out my heart and soul to and know that even though nothing is hidden from Him I am loved.

The One who reaches to me with a strong and gentle hand when I am sinking in the murky waters of discouragement.

The One who has called me and will equip me each and every day of my life, the One who is faithful.

The One who does not dwell in temples made with hands but within a heart that is formed by His own hands.

The One who holds my tears in His bottle and pours in the oil of His healing to a hurting heart.

The One who sings over me in the night a song that speaks life and shines hope where there is despair.

Cheryl N

And here’s to new beginnings, me and Toby my little Maltese yorkie mix. I still struggle with some physical and emotional discomforts after having cancer and treatments but I know there’s a pathway before me and it’s sunlit by the sunshine of Gods love ❤️ 

I’m blessed with so many family and friends too, have a blesssed day!

The end of the sunlit pathway with Nanook. Rest in Peace pretty girl

 My heart was broken, she was so much more than just a dog she was my furry companion, my angel dog whom God sent just when I needed her most. Her name was Nanook and she was an adult dog of four years when she came into my home and heart. My son Justin was in the process of moving and they couldn’t have her where they were at the time so I agreed to take her in. It had been a long time since I had a dog. Our last one Maggie was a basset hound that our children grew up with. She lived to 15 , longer than the average age for her breed and by the time I got Nanook my husband and I were empty nesters. I wasn’t sure what to think at first but I was alone through the day and my husband had not yet retired. I was going through a time of depression and grief for the loss of my beloved father along with some other personal struggles. I started spending my mornings and days with sweet Nanook. I had my coffee and then we would walk up to the farms. That was about 30 minutes both ways. I loved the feeling of walking her, she was so gentle on a leash. She always had a gentle spirit. Some people say dogs don’t have souls but I think I saw hers looking into her eyes. She knew instinctively when I was down and would sit and put her head on my lap. I could tell her all my secrets and they weren’t going anywhere. God knew I needed an angel , he sent me one !

We had so many adventures. Sometimes she was so funny on her mole hunts I laughed till I cried. We walked the river walk and I was afraid she’d scare the deer away I liked to photograph but she was so quiet and calm I still got my pictures plus I felt safer walking the wooded trails with a big dog.

After having her 7 years 

Our dog Maggie with our children Michelle and Justin many long years ago ❤️❤️

Sadly in 2020 Nanook got very sick with cancer and though the vet did all he could she didn’t last long. She passed away on January 23, 2020. It was the hardest thing ever when we took her to the vet because she cried and howled and had seizures through the night. She went to sleep and out of pain. 

 I was in a husky page on Facebook and I just never went back or shared the news . I just couldn’t go back there somehow. 

  I did not know if I’d ever have another dog and I knew for sure she was one of a kind. Since then now 4 years later we got our little Morkie named Toby. Yes they are nothing alike, Nanook was big and loved snow and cold and Toby will only be about 5 pounds fully grown! Toby is playful but I never went through the puppy stage with Nanook. God knew what I needed at the time and she was an unusually calm husky. My heart has room for my new little furry friend. He’s already traveled all the way to Florida with us and did amazingly well. He’s being socialized at a young age. He makes me laugh with his exuberant, playful sprit. Laughter is good medicine and getting up to play with him is good too. It’s cold now so just throwing a ball down the hall and playing tug of war makes him happy. I’m not sure what Nanook would have done if I had the two together because she wasn’t too playful like a puppy and was older but things are as they should be now. I still miss Nanook but I love my little furry landshark too. I should have named him chewy! We are working on his matters like not following me around chewing on my shoelaces.

I love this photo of him , he looks so playful and mischievous and I’m ready for many sunlit adventures with him. I can’t wait for spring!

Brr

Nanook's glamor shot :-)

Have a great day everyone and for all my northern friends in this cold front stay warm! It's about 30 degrees colder than ave temps here today . Brr

Autumn Walks

Nanook and I are so blessed to have such beautiful places to walk. Autumn this year has been glorious. Even now though many of the leaves have fallen to the ground it is a special time of the year. I enjoy living in a place where there are changes in the seasons. The woods are nice and walking along a quiet neighborhood on a dirt road.

A Dog's Plea

Author Unknown


Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for you voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hand.

Autumn

We have been enjoying our Fall time walks. This photo is from our new found trail that just opened to the public.

Happy Mother's Day

This is Nanook and one of her puppies. Sweet!



Happy Mother's Day !

What Makes You Smile?

The above photo is my Teddy Bear Colby that my husband bought for me a few years ago in Wisconsin at Senguins Cheese shop. My daughter named him Colby which is so fitting. The puppy is one of Nanook's litter. Her pups are all big now! My daughter's dog is already 42 pounds!

Today is gloomy and I really don't know if the sun is going to break through much. Sometimes it's hard to fight of the blahs and blues with so much gray. I decided to get dressed first thing and take my walk early. Nanook was so excited when she saw me get up this morning her tail was going around in circles. That makes me smile. I gave her a snack after she led me to the kitchen and she was also overjoyed to walk first thing. That goofy girl dog makes me smile. Her fur has come back nice thick and shiny and her tail is all fluffy again. It didn't take her too long to look healthy after her big litter . She bounced back quickly.

OK your turn if you don't mind. On a day like today I would love reading about things that bring smiles to faces. What makes you smile?