Summer is Here!

It's summer! I should be happy, right? I get to wear my sandals, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. But I'm one of those people who doesn't enjoy much about the summer months. Living in Louisiana, I won't see temperatures under 90 degrees again until Sept/Oct. and I hate the heat.

I do love wearing my sandals though and love the flowers but that's about it. However, so many things have been happening in the world lately that have been negative so I refuse to let the summer get me down. I'm going to try my best to be happy for every minute of every day! Live is precious and we should all thank god that we are here to enjoy it.

I just got back from a trip to Virginia to visit my parents and siblings. I even got to attend a book signing with my sister and mom! This is NOT a good photo of any of us but here goes:

We had a wonderful visit together and that is a big part of why I've decided to appreciate life a little more. My father has Alzheimers and since I last saw him in November, he has gone downhill. The Dr's for some unknown reason took him off his Alzheimers meds by mistake. That caused him to

slip. We finally got him back on the meds but he is only 80% back to how he was before. Seeing him the way he is now... was hard. My dad was always the best person in the world at driving directions but now... he can't help at all because he is too confused. I won't go on and on about the things I saw because I want to stay positive, but it really makes you stop and realize you should enjoy every second you have with those you love! (The picture at left is a great photo of him and a funny story. He asked me for "underwear" for fathers day one year. Well since underwear is such an "unexciting" gift to send someone I decided to spice it up. A friend of mine told me to put the underwear in the shape of a rose but since my dad is very patriotic and a vet, I decided to dress them up with flags, and red,white,blue stuff. He got a real kick out of it!)

Good news though... while there my husband emailed me an article about a doctor that was experimenting with coconut oil on an Alzheimers patient. That patient was making remarkable progress so we ordered some immediately for my dad. The day that I left for home, my mom got the coconut oil and began giving it to my dad. That evening, she said my dad was really good and has been good ever since. Now it was too early to tell if it was the coconut oil or not, but we have hope!

Anyway, life is short. Too short in some instances. I pledge to be a better person, better writer, and more positive. It's going to be really hard for me because I do tend to be negative, but luckily I have a very positive friend/writer (Deborah Lynne) who will shake me up and put me in line!

How about you? Are you happy summer is finally here?