Weekly Winners (Feb. 21 – 27)

Hey, guess what! MORE SNOW! Only this time in Central Texas, where its not snowed this much since 1982. To top it off, on each end of this week featured days with highs in the upper-60s/lower-70s. CRAZY!!!

For more Weekly Winner hi-jinx, check out the lovely Lotus (aka Sarcastic Mom).

This tree grows across the street from my parents house. On Sunday, its large branches against the beautiful sunset struck me as something I had to document.
This tree grows across the street from my parent's house. On Sunday, its large branches against the beautiful sunset struck me as something I had to document.
Cold and hungry.
Cold and hungry.
Will you swing with me?
Will you swing with me?
Even though it snowed all day long, it stayed just above freezing for most of the day. Snow collected on the rooftops, even as it dripped down the edges like rain.
Even though it snowed all day long, it stayed just above freezing for most of the day. Snow collected on the rooftops, even as it dripped down the edges like rain.
My parents dog stared out at the snow much of the day in an almost state of confusion. What is this stuff coming from the sky? And why?
My parents dog stared out at the snow much of the day in an almost state of confusion. What is this stuff coming from the sky? And why?
Let them eat cake! The snow outside compelled me to make a cake. So I baked this chocolate cake, and served it up with powdered sugar, whipped cream and sprinkles. Why do it half-way?? Go all out!
Let them eat cake! The snow outside compelled me to make a cake. So I baked this chocolate cake, and served it up with powdered sugar, whipped cream and sprinkles. Why do it half-way?? Go all out!
Reaching 50 degrees the next day, the snow quickly melted in the sunshine.
Reaching 50 degrees the next day, the snow quickly melted in the sunshine.
I was driving late at night from a friends house when I saw this huge Texas flag being whipped in the wind. I HAD to pull over to get a photo.
I was driving late at night from a friend's house when I saw this huge Texas flag being whipped in the wind. I HAD to pull over to get a photo.
I began with a sunset; I end with a sunset. Upper 60s and sunshine. The sunset was stunning, and it seemed the perfect ending for the week.
I began with a sunset; I end with a sunset. Upper 60s and sunshine for Saturday. The sunset was stunning, and it seemed the perfect ending for the week.

♥ ♥ ♥

All of my photos available on my Flickr stream.

Love is more than a four letter word

I wonder sometimes if the word “Love” is used too much. I wonder sometimes if I could be accused of doing that myself. Then again, is it possible its not used enough?

I remember before my husband and I used the word “love” towards one another, I wasn’t as free with the word. It’s not that I didn’t feel love; its that I took the word very seriously and refused to use it lightly. I’d tell my family I loved them, and perhaps my absolute closest friends. But past that? Not so much. Over time, though, I was shown by people around me that it is okay to use the word “love” — because I do.

loveblogI saw a TV show recently in which someone described a near-death experience. And they said something along the lines of acknowledging that when we die, all we carry with us is the love we gave and received in life. It really got me thinking. Instead of material possessions, shouldn’t we instead be cultivating love in our hearts? After all, it makes sense that it would be the only thing we take with us when we go.

Of course on the other side of things, I suppose that it could be said that an unhappy person takes with them the distress and hate they cultivate. I would think that that alone would be a version of hell. An eternity of hate versus an eternity of love? Give me love. In both life and in death.

Perhaps I do use the word love a little too loosely sometimes. I’ll say I love a certain food or a certain drink, and I suppose in reality “like” would be a more appropriate word in that situation. But somehow, “like” feels like it is holding something back. Like I’m lukewarm about something. Love is just so much stronger and more powerful. Love just brings such wonderful and filling emotions! Why hold back?

I’ve heard it said many times, “Its better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.” Say that to someone with a broken heart and they’ll want to punch you, of course. Love hurts! Love leaves you vulnerable to being let down! Love takes your heart and your very soul to this peak above the clouds where it could fall and be shattered into a million pieces!

Yeah. Been there. Done that. Decided it was a load of bull.

One of my favorite quotes is by George MacDonald, “To be trusted is a greater complement than to be loved.” See, I can be accused of not being trusting. Because I’m not. I don’t trust a majority of people as far as I could throw them. But it doesn’t mean I’m not loving.  Perhaps I’ll explore trust versus love — how they go together just as much as they can be opposing feelings — in a future blog entry.

For now, though, love what you do for a living. Love the people around you. And as hard as it is… love your enemies. At least they keep life interesting. (Ha ha!) Love your health. Love the day you’ve been given. Love a song on the radio.  Cultivate a life filled with love, and it’ll grow from within and transform you.

Love is more than a four letter word. It’s both a noun and a verb. Love truly is the greatest thing of all. Even the Bible tells us so. I think its what we are put here to do, to have, to share. So let that four letter word fly without shame!

You just might grow to LOVE it!