"God gives every bird its food, but he doesn't throw it in the nest."
J.G. Holland

"Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead."
Roger Bannister (After becoming the first person to break the 4 minute mile in 1952.)

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Michael Jordon

"Somebody just gave me a shower radio. Thanks alot. Do you really want music in the shower? I guess there's no better place to dance than a slick surface next to a glass door."
Jerry Seinfield

Success
To laugh often and much.
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others.
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

For me it is my car. I love driving and riding. It is my way of feeling free and like an explorer. It brings me great happiness.

HOWEVER when my car breaks I freak. I tilt. Amazingly I can handle many of life's challenges but I feel totally helpless when my car has a problem. I make sure it has gas. I make sure the tires are okay and the fluids are changed and kept full. Other than that I haven't the least clue as to how they work or what they need.

Yesterday I was coming home from a wonderful day and my car stopped running. It felt like when your cruise control goes off only stronger. Thankfully the passenger knew that I needed to shift to neutral and NOT touch the brake. I was able to coast to the side of the road just over the bridge. The steering didn't work, nothing. Thankfully it didn't happen on the Skyway Bridge (see picture on the left) or one of the other bridges that connect to St. Petersburg. Thankfully I wasn't alone. Thankfully others knew what to do and were even able to determine it is likely something called a timing belt that has broken. Thankfully the battery was still working enough to put the top up so I didn't melt entirely while waiting for AAA. Thankfully a friend's garage was only a couple of miles away.

Even with so much to be thankful for I confess frustration that the car doesn't work. That now I have to figure out how to pay for the repairs and in the meantime I am without a car. Happily the reasons to be thankful outweigh my inconvenience and concerns. Time for more thank you prayers and time to count my many blessings. Life is happier when the focus is on the good things and positives rather than on the concerns that need to be addressed.

Drive safely.

I always enjoy spotting personalized messages on license plates. When I lived in Tennessee, I had one that read "B Happy".

Once I saw one on a Mercedes that said "Was His." LOL Let future men in her life be forewarned!

Yesterday I saw a fantastic plate on the back of a beautiful Corvette. It said "ucould 2". I love it. In my mind I translated it as a reminder that no matter what you want or dream "ucould 2" make it come true.

In the past I have traveled north each Fall. It has given me the awesome opportunity to enjoy the trees bursting with color. The cooler temperatures meant I had the chance to wear a sweater or jacket. Plus there were always the scents and tastes. Fragrant smoke from burning piles of freshly raked leaves. The taste of warm cider and cinnamon donuts or pumpkin muffins, yum!

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. It is hard to believe it ranks so high because it is also the time of the year when the days get shorter, less hours of sunlight to charge my solar batteries. Plus it is the season that takes us into winter, my least favorite season.

Today I wanted to capture some of that Fall feeling. It was overcast and cooler than it has been recently (it was about 78 today instead of the 90's). I took a ride in my convertible with the top down and headed away from the beach towards Hillsboro County. Once I got off the interstate heading towards Zepherhills, I saw homes that were decked out in Halloween decorations. Ghosts were hanging from trees. Corn Stalks and bails of hay with carved pumpkins outlined the doorways. They looked festive and fun.

Along my adventure, I visited a couple of open-air markets. Each was filled with vegetables, pumpkins and lots of baskets of apples. No cider though. I know I can purchase it at Publix (our local grocery chain) but was thinking it would be fun to buy it roadside.

I had a nice time and included a fun detour to hike through the woods at Hillsboro State Park.

Although I miss enjoying Fall first hand in Tennessee and points north, I appreciate my good fortune to live here in Florida. I don't have to worry about raking Palm fronds. Although seeing them turn colors would be fun. Even though it will soon start getting dark around 5PM, we have sunshine, not grey skies, throughout the day. I can always turn on the air-conditioning to put a chill into my condo. Heat up some cider and enjoy some cinnamon donuts or pumpkin muffins. I can create a Fall experience right here.

This weekend I am even going to a farm near Ocala, Florida to try my hand escaping from a corn maze. It should be tons of fun. The only way it could be better would be if my sons and their families were here to get lost and find our way out together. Wishing you a fantastic FALL.

The flu bug has made a visit to my body. Thankfully it wasn't the pork variety. Happily it is the regular kind. Although it certainly makes the body ache and it brought along its companions nausea and coughing, I feel blessed that it isn't the
H1N1 variety. My heart goes out to those fighting that deadly bug.

I'm most frustrated by the zapped energy. My 10,000 steps a day have withered down to 283. Hmm, how do I know you may wonder? I know this because I put on my pedometer out of force of habit on Monday. My couch is located close to the bathroom and my bed. Even the kitchen is just a few steps away. Mostly there was no stepping just laying. It's like having a cold on steroids.

Today I am feeling better. To any of you who are currently battling your own flu bug, I wish you a speedy recovery.

Below are some fun quotes about good health:

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

He who takes medicine and neglects to diet wastes the skill of his doctors.
~Chinese Proverb

If I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. ~Leon Eldred

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
~Mark Twain

Photo Courtesy: Wesley Hitt / Arkansas

I was listening to the Florida State University of Arkansas football game on the radio today. I was surprised to hear the name "Mallett" being used. It is my maiden name. Turns out he is the quarterback for the Razorbacks and does a great job. Florida won but it was a close game the whole day.

Turns out he wears number 15. He is six feet seven inches tall,(wow!)and weighs 238 pounds. He is a redshirt sophomore and although we aren't related I will continue to follow his career and wish him much good fortune.

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein

I just recently learned about the ultimate yard sale. It is 127 miles long. It runs from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsen, Alabama. It is held every year from the first Thursday in August through that following Sunday. It will be held August 5-8, 2010.
I have tentatively put it on my calendar, just for the fun of it.

Not the most handsome man in history but certainly legendary. I don't know if maybe his hat is too tight in this picture or the pose is because he is a little seasick.

I hope you enjoy your Monday and maybe even do a little exploring yourself. Navigate your day in such a way as to discover new possibilities. Have fun.

Beautiful weather. Maybe sunshine after a storm, less humidity, rain if you are experiencing a draught , or a snow day holiday from school. Mother nature can give us reasons to celebrate.

Regrowth of stray eyebrow hairs and the appearance of eyelash stubble can equal happiness for those that have lost theirs. Hurray!

Your favorite team winning a game.

Having time to do nothing.

Hearing from a friend or family that you miss.

Finding a penny, heads up.

It doesn't have to be a big thing to bring joy into your life. I hope you notice lots of things today that make you smile and feel happy.

"If I had influence with the good fairy I would ask that her gift to each child be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."
Rachel Carlson

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." Napoleon Hill

"If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything." Ecclesiastes 11:4

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison