As Sweet as Honey

My daughter Michelene and granddaughter Penny, on a beautiful summer day.
My daughter Michelene and granddaughter Penny, on a beautiful summer day.

She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

Tupelo Honey, Song by Van Morrison

We are in the full throes of summer aren’t we? It’s July already and there’s lots of sunshine, beautiful flowers, and fourth of July fireworks. Perhaps you’ve already been to the beach and back? I am enjoying delicious fruit pies (peach!), the birds singing outside my window at early dawn, and honey (strawberry) moons.

I remember now what it was like to relish the longer days of summer. Instead of wishing for cool fall weather all the time (the hot flashes are finally backing off!), I am enjoying my morning coffee outside with a good book. I try to leave my cell phone in the house. Why ruin a perfect morning with technology?

I’m also spending lots of quality time with my granddaughter Penelope Katherine. She’s as sweet as tupelo honey. đŸ˜‰ She just turned five months old and I can see her personality developing right before my very eyes. The little things she does, like touching my face with her sweet hands just melts my heart. God bless Penelope.

My husband Jim and daughter Michelene had their first Honey Party in June. It was a great success with thirty guests who sampled different seasons of honey, learned to be good bee ambassadors, and had ice cream sundaes topped with the honey they spun that afternoon. The future bee ambassadors, the children, are just magic. I love how they participate, ask questions, and smack their lips over the ice cream sundaes.

Love the little one with the raised hand!
Love the little one with the raised hand!

Simple pleasures are the best. Lately I am relishing those. It doesn’t take much to make me happy these days. I’ve done four events already (for my wedding/event business) and learned something at each one. My book has done well, actually it has exceeded my expectations. I started a new page on Facebook called “Recovering Perfectionists” and I’m enjoying the quest to find material to post.

Ah, what’s next? I am trying to take it easy (honest!). I love to challenge myself but lately status quo is just fine. Good enough is really good enough. I want to take time to stop and smell the honey. I’ve got a big lavender patch outside of my door and I often sit next to it. It’s ok to take time for ourselves. The bigger stuff can wait.

 

 

It's nice to share. Thank you.

12 Replies to “As Sweet as Honey”

  1. Congratulations on a successful Honey Party, Joanne, and thanks for the link to Tupelo Honey (this was great!). Thanks most of all for the precious picture of Michelene with happy, laughing, show-stealing Penny. She’s already 5 mos.! Oh, wow.
    I’m still smiling. (Babies do that to me…)

  2. Your words (and your Penny) always bring me so much joy. Leaving the phone inside while you play in the lavender…yes, it’s definitely the little things that can make a full heart happy. Thank you for sharing and for the song – love Van Morrison. xoxoxo

  3. Hi Joanne, I have to say ..”your family members all have the most beautiful contagious smiles! “What an awesome picture of Michelene and Penny! I know myself, once I hit the big 70, I’ve no longer wished for hot summer days or cold snowy days to pass by quickly. I am suddenly noticing the beauty that each season brings, whether Iam shivering or sweating! I think age has a magical way of slowing us down a bit so we have an opportunity to see, appreciate and enjoy the things we were once too busy to notice. . I love your new Facebook Page! I enjoy and am quite inspired by the posts! Thanks for reminding us all to take some time to smell the lavenger and taste the honey! Happy smiling ??

    1. Hi Cindy, I am with you on enjoying the seasons. I love experiencing all of them these days and try to enjoy every moment. Thank you so much for supporting my writing and my new Facebook page. It means more to me than you know. đŸ™‚

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