Hope everyone is having a splendid summer! I just got back from a week hiking in Yosemite. There is nothing more perfect than a hike to Nevada falls or Mirror Lake to remind you of the beauty God has created.

"Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?" - Bev Adams

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James

For my first book of the summer, I am reading a 600 page biography of Robert Francis Kennedy, personally, my favorite of the Kennedy clan (no offense JFK and Jackie).

So I thought this one might be appropriate:

"There are those who look at things the way they are and ask, why... I dream of things that never were and ask, why not?"

Happy Summer everybody.

In honor of Earth Day, lets all take the time to think about how amazing our God is who created such BEAUTY, and work on ways to show our GRATITUDE by protecting it.

"I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?"

-Robert Redford

In the words of you know who..

" we

are

l u c k y

count-your-wishes-and-stars-lucky "

- Ryan Adams, Fruit-Rotting

I know sometimes it doesn't feel like it. And sometimes thinks are sucky, beyond sucky. But out of the most impossible, unhealthy situations, sometimes something so beautiful and blessed is born that you could not have even remotely imagined it before.

Pray.

Pray hard.

Because God provides for us, more than provides, he spoils us.

We are so so so lucky. Because we are spoiled with his love, and thus by those around us who also love him.

Seek him. Trust him. Love him.

And remember how lucky all of us are.

Alice : "There is no use in trying; one can't believe impossible things."

The Queen: "I dare say you haven't had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Sometimes, with the stress of midterms, school activities, and lack of sleep, it helps to just sit back and let your imagination run...

Fantasize about your wedding, or meeting a celebrity, or getting your dream job.

Those couple of minutes can help remind us that there is and will be more to life than this.

We have so much to look forward to!

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." - Ghandi

Please send out prayers for the students and faculty at University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

One of the places I have always wanted to visit is Jackie Robinson's grave.

Apart from being a Dodger (Go Blue) he was one of the most inspirational men in US history.

The stone says it all "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives "

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

I have this obsession with Sugarboo Designs, and hope to someday use all of their creations through out my home.

Their products have the most inspirational and beautiful quotes around, and their family is maybe the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Here is one of many quotes that brought an extra twinkle to my eye..

"Remember when you go into the world to keep your eyes and ears wide open.

And be kind.

Love one another.

Take care of each other.

Tell the truth.

Always do your best.

Listen to the big people and the little people.

Explore new paths and have fun.

Know that you are loved like crazy.

Give thanks for all your blessings.

Above all else, love and you will do wonderful things in this world"

-Rebecca Puig

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

Another Ryan Adams quote:

"and my cup is not full because it is not a cup

it is a life

it is a heart

and me

I am trying to show you something

about yourself

not me

that a person can do anything

and

that is what hope is

so,

with all due respect,

**** you if you dismiss this

because it is process

and

I accept

if you discount what it has to say

but if I draw a line

and say

what have you done today

be prepared

because while you are sleeping

I am with the sunlight

and the life

and joy"

- excerpt from Joy in his book "Infinity Blues"

(I apologize for the profanity, Mr. Adam's is not always the most proper of a writer, but his words speak so much truth)

Via my Slingshot planner :

" The most fundamental aspect of being human is our ability to experience raw emotion, wonder, love, freedom, pleasure, and sensation. These are experiences toally outside the awareness of economics, corporations, or computers, but each of us knows they are what makes life meaningful on a deep level. When your face is stained with tears - of happiness or sadness, but in either case being-ness - those are the moments you know you're really alive! "

So take a day, turn off the electronics, and soak it all in

This life is a gift, enjoy the reality of it

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!" 1 Peter 1:8

joy=strength.

happiness=contagious.

we=blessed.

optimistically yours, katiecampby

To say I am a huge Ryan Adams fan would be an understatement.

So, it would be only fitting for me to start it all off with some lines from his book, Infinity Blues.

sweet dreams

for

every day that finishes you in bright light

and

honestly

may you sleep so sound

and

live eternal in my heart

as

an amulette

made of something stronger than hope

- "Snow Lady, I Wished You" by Ryan Adams

Optimistically yours, Strawberry

This space is reserved for positive thought only.

With everything going on in our world, from the crisis in Haiti to scum bag politicians, it is imperative that we keep hopeful hearts. I sometimes find myself questioning "the good".

So this is to remind me, and all of us, that we were all born into light.

My friends and I will make posts of lyrics, pictures, stories of real humanity, any and everything to brighten our days.

So here's to the cup not only being half full, but forever overflowing!

Optimistically yours, Strawberry