Joy

Stuffies

Jeanna GLeave a comment

Adults seriously underrate the benefits of stuffed animals. (I’m writing this with my Pound Puppy, whom I named Cinnamon, resting in my lap.)

My whole life, I’ve felt more comfortable with pillows. Vegging out on the couch, taking long road trips, or sleeping, I’d always be hugging a pillow.

Study abstracts I’ve read declare that looking at cute animals lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and overall anxiety levels, while improving focus and performance on assignments and tasks.

Children surround themselves with stuffed animals, and are so happy. Adults are like, “No, stuffed animals are childish, so I will not have them, and I will be miserable instead.”

Here’s my advice: Adults need to toss their throw pillows and their egos out the window, and adopt a new comfort system: stuffed animals.

Halcyon Days of Spring

Jeanna G1 Comment 
Kites fly up 
Helicopters spin down 
Wind chimes ring
To signal spring 

I spy a four leaf clover
The early bird got the worm
Picnics in the sunshine
Relaxed and warm

Buttercups give your chin a tickle
Do you see the glow? 
Rain starts to sprinkle
Look for the rainbow

Clip a bunch of lilacs for the table vase
Egg hunting time…it’s a race!
Let’s go camping for spring break 
Practice skipping stones across the lake

The school year is coming to an end
Field day…time to play!

Spring forward!

High school prom is in May 
Decorations, corsages, anticipation 
Can you believe what’s next?
Our high school graduation!

Blow the dandelion seeds into the wind 
What is my wish?
For Father Time to go to bed 
And let time stand still instead

Dandy Lion Wishes

Jeanna G3 Comments

Blow away the seeds of a dandelion and wish that a dream come true returns to you. How many dandelions can you find, and how many wishes can you make? What would you wish for? To see someone again? To gain something new? To have more of something you already have? To get back something you lost? Would you make a wish for someone else?

As a child, every so often, my dad would quietly wake me up early on a Saturday morning and tell me to get dressed and meet him at the car. We’d take the old, green Oldsmobile to breakfast at the Dandy Lion diner, just me and him. I probably ordered pancakes. I don’t actually remember. I don’t remember the conversations either. And I don’t remember much about what the place looked like, or even what town it was in. What I do remember is being there with my dad. Just me and him.

Early this past Saturday morning, my daughter and I were able to drive down to scoop up my dad on his 84th birthday and take him to a local diner for breakfast.

My Dandy Lion wishes came true.