The Shortest Day of the Year

Today is the Winter Solstice... the shortest day of the year. You would think... what's to SMILE about that! Why would anyone SMILE about the shortest day of the year? 

Well... for one... it's the shortest day... for if your having a bad day... at least it would be a short bad day. Another... if you string a bunch of short days together... it makes for a longer day... and that's worth SMILING at. 

Where I live in mid-Michigan today is often cloudy... cold... and just dismal. There isn't usually reason to SMILE... but today was different. For one... at church we got to here about how Mary the mother of Jesus was blessed to be an example of faith for us. She trusted that God would some how provide when there was reason to doubt how having a child could come about with out being with a husband. Mary trusted... that's worth SMILING for.

Another... was the children at the church had their Christmas program. It was nice to see little children share the Christmas story in words and song. The innocence of young life oblivious to the out of tune their young voices were... and yet... their voices were melodies as they chimed together. That's worth a SMILE.

While the days we live seem to be dreary and grey... as I left the church for the way home the sun came out for a short time. Being the shortest day of the year seeing the sun was a blessing. You see... the sun had been missing for the better part of 10 days and so the warm rays for those few moments brought a SMILE from my face. 

The celebration of the Winter Solstice may bring SMILES to some... but for many the SMILES start tomorrow as the days begin to get longer. While you won't notice much of a change for a couple of weeks... change will happen... the days will get longer... life moves forward... and that is the best of the shortest day of the year. And that's the greatest reason to SMILE on the shortest day of the year.

SMILE ON...



    

Alleluia Amen... the sun is out.

I never thought I would be so excited to see the bright ball in the sky... but I am. It has been more than a week since I last saw it... well it feels like it.

Anyway... it's time for a GREAT BIG SMILE. ..

Snow SMILE

We got about an inch of snow last night and I got the itch this morning to go out and snow blow the driveway. ... NOT!!!!

It's coming... so SMILE ON. ...

Santa SMILE

You gotta SMILE at this... although I'm not a big fan of the Christmas season. ... too much stuff. ..too much money. .. not enough Christ. .. not enough family.

But while we were on our annual Christmas tradition in Frankenmuth look who I ran into... and had to get a selfie with the big guy.

So for me... It was a reason to SMILE .....

SMILE ON

Christmas SMILE

I'm on our annual family tradition to the world's largest Christmas store... can you guess where? It's suppose to put a SMILE on your face... and I suppose it does... well a little one.

While it's not very busy tonite... I'm people watching snd that does bring me SMILES. Watching how people meticulously look at each piece is fascinating. Anyway. ..

SMILE ON

Morning SMILE

My view this morning heading to church and a SMILE on my face in between the yawns.

SMILE ON

Squirrel SMILE

Sitting at my desk when I heard a  scatchy sounding noise on the window. When I looked there was a squirrel with a big piece of bread stuffing it into the corner of the window. I couldn't get the phone camera fast enough to get pic of the squirrel. .. but got the bread.

So SMILING squirrel made me SMILE today.

SMILE ON....

Cheap SMILE

Getting gas this afternoon put a  SMILE on my face. 2.70 gal... I can't remember the last time I was able to get gas this cheap. It sure does help alot given that I commute 100 miles a day.

I hope I can continue the SMILES.

SMILE ON....

Winter SMILE... NOT!!!!

Today. Nov. 1.... I woke up this morning to the ground covered with snow. It actually was snowing during "trick or treat" last night which really seems odd. I mean... when we lived in Cadillac, Mi. having snow on Halloween was pretty common, but in Linden, Mi.... well not so much. If fact... it hasn't happened since we've lived here... now for some 7 years. Growing up in Saginaw, Mi... I don't ever recall snow on Halloween and Saginaw is some 50 miles North. 

So... while my eldest daughter and her husband are all SMILES today because the warm gene didn't stick to them... I'm NOT SMILING so much. It isn't that I don't like snow... really only for Christmas then it can go away... but as I get older I really don'y like the cold. Which is why I'm really NOT SMILING today.

We had the great opportunity to live in Florida for 3-1/2 years... if you count my internship year... then 4-1/2 years... I really acclimated quickly to the warmer climate. I never thought I would like Florida... you know... humidity... bugs... crawly creatures... you get the picture... but I did like it. And now I want to go back. 

So... on this day... a cold, white snow covered day I may have only half a SMILE... but it's still a good day to SMILE nonetheless.

SMILE ON.... 


   

SMILE'IN Seal

I saw this pic on FaceBook and it made me SMILE today. 

I often think penguins are the elite of the animal kingdom especially the ones I have pictured to the right.. The Emperor Penguins pictured seem to offer an upper crust visual as they stand and chatter to each other or just chill out. Their tuxedo like fur really makes them look like they're going to some fancy ball or event where they can trut they're stuff. When you think about it 
Penguins are fascinating to watch and I especially like the smaller ones as they sip through the water. 

However... this seal gets the ultimate SMILE as he (I assume) photo bombs this group of penguins. Just look at that SMILE... you gotta love that!

SMILE ON... 

SMILE the day's just getting started

Maybe you just woke up and your feeling just a bit crabby this morning. Maybe your crabby because your Dallas Cowboys took it on the chin last night... maybe it's because you have to go to work... maybe it's because you have a giant stick up your butt. 

So... relax my friends today is a GREAT day to be alive and to be thankful for the many blessings we all have. While there may be challenges during our day... right now you can start with a clean slate and make it the best SMILE day you can. And besides...the days just getting started and it's going to be a GREAT day today.

SMILE on my friends... SMILE ON!!!! 

Chipotle SMILES

Having lunch at Chipotle brings a SMILE to life. It's a favorite place of Kathy and I and we often make the trip to Ann Arbor for such a treat. We secretly well... not really. .. but we really wish they would put one closer. In fact... Kathy has written them about doing just that... but to no avail... so we will just SMILE nonetheless and enjoy.

Ancestry Smiles

My daughter Mandy found this pic while doing a search on my Native Canadian (American) ancestor. She was a Huron Indian princess who was born in 1624, and this pic is a perfect visual of what she may have looked like along with her husband Martin Prevost, a French trader. 

My mother and my dad's uncle have done considerable genealogy work on my family over the past several years even to the point of my dad's uncle doing a DNA test. Through this test it is believed this Indian Princes is in my family heritage. Her name is Marie Manitouabeduich (you try and pronounce...) Marie was her given English name and it is believed she married Martin Prevost from France. They married in Troise Riveres, Quebec, Canada. And who knows, it may be her and my Meyette ancestor from France!   Interesting... and something to SMILE about today.    

Cheap = Smiles

Was at the dollar store tonight... well the wife was at the dollar store which brings a smile to my face. You can't smile enough when what you buy costs only a dollar.  Of course until you over spend those dollars.

So... my friends SMILE ON at the dollar store.

Soupy Smile

I had a bowl of soup today for lunch. I like soup. Soup warms my tummy. Soup often warms my spirit and reminds me of a often quoted Psalm... Psalm 23 particularly. Words in the Psalm like... "you lead me to peaceful streams.... you refresh my life... you lead me down right paths... you fill my cup... your kindness and love." 

As I eat or drink soup those images conjure up warm feelings in my soul and spirit and many times bring me to SMILE. I think we need more soup in our lives. Perhaps... if we had more soup we would be more likely to SMILE... Have some soup today and SMILE.


SMILE ON.... 












  

Following the Signs

I saw these church signs posted on FB and they made me SMILE. 

The first picture says, "SLOW CHURCH ZONE".... where is the church? This sign appears to be in the middle of no where, and to complicate matters your not suppose to park there neither.

 I guess if you were to go to this church you wouldn't be able to get out... No Drive Through Church Here...









                       

and of course this is my favorite... there is no need to describe this church.

While many of us lament the circumstances the church finds itself and we wonder why this is so... perhaps here are 3 examples of why it just as important to SMILE at our own stupidity.

If we can't laugh at ourselves... well... we deserve what we get. 

So... my friends... lets SMILE together today.  


                                                                             

Moon and the Hidden Gnome

I was outside this morning and noticed our beautiful purple mum bush. Not only is it in its full color regalia it also hides the Michigan Gnome. But he's not hidden for long as he gets exposed by Moonie Gnome. Of course we wouldn't have it any other way as Welcome Gnome watches on. 

So as you SMILE at my Gnome's  also SMILE at the beautiful colors of creation surrounding us this fall season. The colors are at their peak this weekend where I live and they're quite vibrant this year. 

SMILE on my Gnome friends... SMILE ON. 

BBQ and Gas

I was at a gas station about a month ago and the ad on the pump made me smile. "Eat at Beale St. Smokehouse BBQ... and Get Gas." Well of course... when you eat BBQ your most likely going to experience some gas. The spices... the smoking process... the grill etc. BBQ and Gas kind of go together... so you might as well enjoy it and smile because from my perspective... it's worth it. 

By the way... check out the price on the pump... 3.59... I got gas today for 2.96... YES another reason to smile.

Smile and the World Smiles

I put this saying on the Cana sign this morning. What do you smile at? When you smile do others smile? Or is this just a dumb cliche?

Often I think a smile is a pretty mundane thing we can do. There seems to be nothing productive about a smile, but is it? 

A smile can brighten a day for someone having a bad day. A smile can just be a smile for the sake of smiling. So... I decided to make a smile today for others to see and perhaps smile back, or smile forward, or just smile for the sake of smiling. 

For those driving by today, I hope you smiled and will smile it forward...

Have a GREAT day SMILING....

One Minute Smile

I've started a new blog titled "One Minute Smile" where I'm going to attempt to find something in my life to smile about. 

Many of us struggle to smile at life. For many the world offers little to smile at... but I'm determined to find things in life worth smiling about. Now you might not find these worth smiling about, but I hope you will see even a small smile nonetheless.

So... I'm going to make an effort to do this each day... really look for things in life to smile about. I'm sure they are out there... I just need to pay attention. Whether they're small or large events I hope to record what made me smile and share it with you. 

So... I hope your ready to smile with me as I begin this journey.

:) 

Donuts

Last Friday I helped my son-in-law move his elderly mother from Cadillac, Mi closer to him. Cadillac is about 3 hours away and you have to go through Clare Mi. to get to Cadillac.

Clare is an important transition point in the trip. It's not only about the half way point, but is a popular destination point as well. You see... located in downtown Clare is a place to treat yourself to yummy donuts. Located in downtown Clare is the donut shop "Cops and Donuts" where you can get just about any kind of donut imaginable. The one pictured to the right is a Long-John with caramel frosting and two... count them two strips of bacon. This donut is about 6+ inches long and nearly 3 inches wide. Let me tell you... this is a big donut... the only thing missing was custard filling.

Let me tell you... this donut was intoxicating but you could only eat one of them... even though you wanted more. Needless to say... it brought a GREAT BIG SMILE to my face given I would be moving boxes and furniture within a couple of hours.