Quotes That Inspire

Both of these quotes are from a favorite of mine: Henry David Thoreau. 

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” ~HDT

 

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”  ~HDT

  Both sentiments resonate with me.  I feel it is important to bear the first in mind while pursuing the second.

 

  May you, dear reader, always find inspiration in quotes that resonate within you and propel you in the direction of YOUR dreams!

 If you'd like, please feel free to share a favorite quote of yours in the comment section below or at Harborlily Creative on Facebook - Thank you!

 

Run vs. Running

  Run vs. running...this is the dilemma of many parents.

  But Susan, you may be thinking, how many types of running are there?  Oh ho...now that is a question from a novice to life with children.


Of course I would like to RUN (though truth be told I'm more like a snail even when I speed walk) and yet I find myself RUNNING my busy tribe of teens (4 in the house now), and younger children to lacrosse practice- 4 of these players in the house now as well, friends houses, the Mall, and wherever else as the need arises.  This in addition to mobilizing our large crew en masse to and from Mass, family get togethers, school concerts, etc.  Truth is, we use two different vehicles to mobilize us when we all need to go somewhere together.  Steve, my husband, drives an F-150 truck that seats 6 and I currently drive a Ford 500 that fits 5.  Together we can even fit a few friends, which is often the case.

  It seems the last couple weeks have been full of commuting since Steve's parents fell ill and needed hospital care (prayers appreciated) and my Mom had her second knee replacement which created the opposite effect and immobilized her for several weeks.  Other excitement took us to the hospital for the birth of a new nephew: "Welcome Maverick!" and of course there's the day to day driving to and from school.

I've noticed a road weary expression on my husband's face as he removes his jacket after a long day at work followed by "running" the kids to practice and meeting the needs of his parents.  He never says it but I see something ever so slight cross his face when a call is received from his parents, Bushia and Dzia Dzia, which means Grandma and Grandpa in Polish.  These calls often require him to don his jacket and grab his keys- I think that "something" is a remembrance of all the running they did back in the day.  He and his three brothers all played baseball, sometimes on different fields, while their Dad coached.

  I hope my children pick up on that subtle acceptance from their father.  If my life is an indicator of how fast time moves, then the days of running will soon be upon them.  As a matter of fact, right now as I write this, Steve is currently wearing his chauffeur's cap as he drives our 16 year-old to his driver's exam.  God bless my husband- he even took a half days' work to be able to do this running...and when that's done we have to head to Buffalo for a lacrosse game.


Whew! Which do you find more exhausting...Run or Running?

Unfettered Spring

This morning I felt the rain come drizzling down while simultaneously, a robin chirped for my attention. 

 I carried an umbrella but did not put it up due to the spontaneous whisps of warm air that lifted my misty hair. 

It was as if the weather were competing for my attention.

Spring seems to be an unfettered array of sights, scents, sounds, and temperatures that have lay in wait so long through the winter they can not help their jealous cry for attention.

Going Green

  Perhaps it's been a while since I've shared a story about my inventive, caring...walking a bit on the wild side, 6 year-old daughter, Evie. 

  This girl makes me laugh and typically melts my heart when she isn't making me gasp or brush the cold trickle of sweat away before it runs all the way down my neck as soon as she opens her mouth.  I've heard her described as "a favorite!"  I've been told she has no filter.  I've also received a note home from her teacher, informing me of the method she allows in the classroom for Evie to stand up and work when she just needs to dance and wiggle.  I LOVE Mrs. Green and her approach! 

    In this blog post I want to honor my daughter's free spirit and delight in her exceptionally creative mind with these 2 brief Highlights:

Millie

No pinches!

Last Friday was St. Patrick's Day and I was in a rush to get to school.  All the kids except Evie had left the house.  I was trying to prod her into slinging on her back pack when she voiced her concern.  "But Mom, Millie isn't wearing any green!  What if she gets pinched?"   I looked over at our 3 year-old
chocolate lab and mused about the tradition of getting pinched if you don't wear green on St. Patty's Day.  "Well, hon, if you look close enough you can see green specks in her eyes."  It was a lame attempt I know, but I was in a hurry.  I grabbed my backpack and hers and turned around to see her holding on to Millie.  "C'mon Evie," I called to her, "she'll be alright."  She hurried out the door while explaining, "Millie will be alright cuz I tucked a big green leaf in her collar, now no one will pinch her!"  Now why didn't I think of that?

I really don't need to be wordy for this next pictured moment...

I'll just tell you I was laying in Evie's bed while tucking her in on St. Patrick's Day night and looked over to see this about 3 feet from my face...


This girl takes her holidays seriously.  If you look closely you can see the sparkle of glitter lip gloss...much to my husbands horror and my hilarity.  The "lucky" deer mount was just sitting in the closet across the hallway.  I guess Evie decided to rescue it and make it more festive.  And that little white "dot" on the sparkly hat- that's a cut-out heart, made with love by Evie.

  There is brilliance and fantastic imagination that runs rampant in my little girl's mind.  I will love and celebrate her unique approach to life and thank God for gifting me with reminders to think outside the status quo and find joy in ideas I wouldn't have thought of on my own.
 

Happy First Day of Spring!

They were pleasant spring days, in which the winter of man's discontent was thawing as well as the earth, and the life that had lain torpid began to stretch itself.
                               ~Henry David Thoreau