Life's Tiny Delights

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights.--Author unknown

Blooming Outside Our Windows

"One of the tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."--Dale Carnegie

While not a rose, this pretty, petite, purple flower has a rose-like quality. I found it “blooming” along the path on one of my daily walks. In my quest to properly identify this intriguing little plant, I learned that its name is Prunella vulgaris but it is commonly known as Heal-all. It is a perennial that thrives in partial shade in low woods, thickets and pastures. Despite it’s classification as a weed, it has several healing qualities. It has astringent properties that can be used to heal wounds and staunch blood flow. It is also said to be an effective treatment for sore throat, boils, colic, and other gastro-intestinal ailments. A wondrous little weed, indeed.—Sue Ivy

Love is Always Changing

"We take love for granted. We assume we are all perfect lovers and all we need do is wait and our love will grow and blossom as readily as a flower in spring. Not so. Love doesn't grow unless we do. It takes patience, knowledge, experience, determination, and every positive trait we possess. In addition, love is always changing and unless we stay aware and change with it, it eludes us."--Leo Buscaglia

In Summer Luxury

"When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, and hide in cooling trees, a voice will run from hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; That is the grasshopper's--he takes the lead In summer luxury--he has never done with his delights, for when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed."--John Keats

Good in Everything

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."--William Shakespeare

This time of year many of the rural farms of North Carolina are bejeweled with these gorgeous, pink, trumpet-like flowers. Their vivid, fragile beauty—in such contrast to the deadly nature of the towering, lethal [tobacco] plants they adorn—confirms my faith that there truly is good in everything.—Sue Ivy