:: A thought: As I was looking out our front door, I saw this large spiderweb stretching from a porch post to the underside of the gutter. I moved at hyper-speed to grab the camera because I know from past experience these moments are fleeting. The spiderweb had been there all along but until the sunlight was shining through it in just the right way, it remained hidden.

It struck me that so much in life is just like that. Happiness, abundance, love, blessings, guidance, peace – are always there but often remain hidden because we can’t see them. We let darkness in and it obscures the truth. And we assume that what we see in that darkness is the truth. But it isn’t. I hope I can remind myself of that on a daily basis.

:: I’ve just started working on this. Designed by Rebecca Ringquist, it is a summer stitch sampler. I discovered Rebecca while blog hopping. A few bloggers were working on this sampler and I was immediately obsessed with obtaining one. Her design is hand drawn and screen printed on cotton. She just designed a new sampler – the Cake Sampler – which I’ve also ordered. Rebecca sells on Etsy and she also has a blog, Drop Cloth. You can link to her Etsy shop via her blog.

:: Last night, Don was featured on a radio show that originates out of Vassar College. The host was fabulous and he interviewed Don for about 90 minutes. Don played some of his music live and also shared some pieces by other musicians that have influenced him. I listened to him on my computer and had the best time! Don is really good in that kind of setting – he’s funny and articulate. He was so good that they want him to come back.

:: Mom is in a rehab facility. She is not doing well, however. I’m not sure where we are in the healing of her UTI, but she has been very confused and a bit delusional and I know those can be side effects of the infection. She’s getting physical therapy twice a day. She is making no effort to talk to other patients or take part in any activities. She just wants to go home. However, she’s not strong enough yet and there is no way my almost 87 year old father can take care of her until she is stronger. She needs to fight, but she doesn’t seem to want to. And there lies the problem and our biggest worry. My Dad has called me in tears because he’s scared. My sister is trying to juggle their needs with the needs of her family, all the while battling a cold.

We think I should wait to go back down there until we see what transpires in the next week or two. Meanwhile, we hope for the best, for a turnaround, for a little miracle.

:: Today is the last day to be considered for either of my giveaways. The CSN Giveaway ends tonight as well as the book giveaway from yesterday’s book review. Frankly, I’m surprised there are not more comments on the Book Review – gosh, you could win a free copy of the book and it is a wonderful novel! Come on, just do it!