Stories of Beauty | A Thankfully Imperfect Woman

Jul 12

A Parrot in the Northern Minnesota Woods and a Sweet Walk in the Alley

The little Miss’s Elena and Nicole have struck again…

Touching the funny bone and sweet, heart melting part of my heart.

It all started yesterday morning as we went for a walk down our alley. Well, in all reality, I walked, Elena rode our tricycle, and I pushed Nicole on her little car.

As we continued our walk (me intent on trying to steer little one year old Nicole), Elena said “What wath that?” I look up to see she’s looking into the woods and realize she’s asking about the bird songs we were hearing.

I found the little blackbird in a tree and as I tried to point it out to her she exclaimed “There it ith…it’th a parrot!” Read more

Jul 8

5 Comments

Flowers and Cows and Worms – Oh My!

My father-in-law has said that I make things more complicated than they need to be.

Well…

Sometimes I guess I do.

Like when it comes to our yard…

It takes me days to “decorate” our yard and my gardens every year. It’s ever evolving in a manner of speaking…new junk = new garden decor. Remember the old saying: ‘Your garbage may be someone else’s treasure’?

Yes…my yard is living proof. I have dilapidated bird houses, old pans, old faucets, a few faded decor items…you name it. But they look lovely now! I love repurposing things, giving them a new home, and showing them a little love…even though they’re old, faded and worn out (hmmmm…maybe I’m describing myself?). Read more

Jul 7

4 Comments

Because Nice Matters

I have a plaque with this saying on it in my living room as a gentle reminder to my family.

As a Mom of three girls, one of which is 23, one 19 and one 12 (all with Fall birthdays), we have had plenty of female hormones raging in this home. Soon we’ll have two out of the teenage years and one just beginning – whew! Now add in this perimenopausal Momma to the mix and let’s just say this….poor Tim. There’s a reason he loves his woodworking shop as much as he does!

But I digress…

A few of the characteristics I’ve tried to instill in my girls are empathy and kindness. We all react to someone else’s attitude – whether it be bad or good. Sometimes it’s all too easy to crank back at someone who’s being cranky at us (I’m just as guilty)…but if we can stop ourselves long enough to realize that we don’t know what they may be dealing with – maybe we can deal with it in a different way. Maybe a smile, a “Have a good (or better) day”, or even a gentle touch on the arm with an “Are you OK?” can do wonders.

Sometimes all someone needs is to know someone cares.

Be that someone today.

Happy Sunday all!

Patty O

Jun 26

4 Comments

There is Beauty All Around Us…

I LOVE summertime – and all the gorgeous flowers that grow!

These are some of the latest beauties from my garden… Read more

Jun 15

2 Comments

Lessons from Dad…Fishing, Coffee Cans in the Boat, and Goose Hunting

I sure loved my Dad.

He taught me many lessons…

Girls can do anything, but don’t have to do everything: Our entire family went deer hunting (for food, not sport). Off I went to gun training (and was a pretty good shot I might add), but when it came to hunting season I decided I’d rather shoot a deer with a camera, not a gun…and Dad was ok with that.

Always keep your word: When Dad said the kids needed to be quiet and behave or he’d turn the car around and we wouldn’t get to go to Grandma’s house…he meant it. We found out the hard way. Grandma’s house was about 4 hours away and we were about 3 1/2 hours into the drive when he turned around. Read more