Our blogger friend, Shug, over on her beautiful blog called "Steps of Faith" reminded us today to pray for all the folks down in Texas as they deal with the tragedy of massive proportion...the flooding that has taken so many lives, especially of children.  Twenty seven little girls are still missing, from a camp that they were attending, that was totally washed away.  My youngest granddaughter comes home from art camp today, after two weeks away.  It's nowhere near Texas but still....the tragedy hit home for me all the same.

I'm feeling the blues today and I'm finding them hard to shake.  For the most part I've been staying away from the news for awhile now but no matter how careful I am, it seems like the headlines are flashed in front of my eyes no matter where I go online or on television.  Murders, shootings, bombs all over the world, abuse of various kinds to various living beings, and on and on.  I try not to dwell on anything negative and for the most part I'm successful.  When the "negative" happens even in your own family...in your own home...it's hard to look away.

No truer words were spoken than what my Mama always used to say....one apple can spoil the whole bunch.  Enough said.

I stayed in my nightgown all day yesterday but I'm determined not to do that today.  My doctor gave me an open-ended prescription for Celebrex a couple years ago.  It bothers my stomach after about 10-14 days of it or so, so I only take it when I have something special coming up...a wedding, a holiday (that I have to be busy for), or some other event.  I take 200mg. twice a day & after 3-4 days on it, I feel as good as this old, arthritic body can possibly feel.  It gets no better than that and it's very short-lived because after the 10-14 days or so, I have to go off of it.  So I have to "make hay while the sun shines", so to speak.

I started the Celebrex on July 2nd, in preparation for the 4th of July & also our granddaughters' week-long visit starting tomorrow.  What I'd really like to do...need to do...is take a motorcycle ride today.  I need to feel the wind in my face, the music loud from the CD player, and the sadness blow off me like an autumn leaf off a tree in a windstorm.  We have a favorite biker bar about 25 miles away, give or take.  The ride is just enough for my poor knees & lower back.  Everyone knows our name, hugs are given all around when we arrive,  the jukebox is busy, and the pool table always has players which my husband is most excited about.  When we arrive back home, I am always certain "that was the last time" for these aging folks to be doing such things.  But so far, it never has been.

We'll see what happens.  I'll let you know tomorrow.  In the meantime, have a wonderful day, my friends....doing whatever brings you immense joy!

My love, Andrea xoxo