August 7--Let the Girls Be Free!!

Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserve; it is life's undress rehearsal, its back-room, its dressing room.  --Harriet Beecher Stowe

    When my co-worker and I were doing our tax job, we used to look forward longingly to getting home after work so that we could lose the bras. Home is the place to fling off those suckers! Huge relief, to let the girls be free 😉😉

    If you can't be yourself at home, where can you? Raising two boys, and given the hereditary inclinations of the Hardin family (all boys for generations), there was a lot of burping and farting around our house. Geez, the sons are gone, and there is still plenty of burping and farting around our house, truth be told. 

    Isn't it wonderful to have a place where there is no need to be "on," to impress anyone, where you can just hang out, quirks, eccentricities and all? Do what you want, wear what you want (if anything), come and go as you please. 

    I'm in Tulsa now for a golf outing with one of my ladies' leagues, and writing this is making me really look forward to being back home!

    FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Leta

Barney likes home.

August 6--A Full Heart

Where we love is home--home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. 
--Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

    While living in this home where I now sit, my husband and I were married, raised two sons, had careers, and did loads of work to maintain and improve the physical structure. Many adventures took us away, but our hearts were always in this home we love. 

    With our sons in Colorado, we have talked of moving to be closer to them. That's it, just talk. Neither my husband nor I want to face the daunting task of moving. So much of my heart is wrapped up in this place. There are large white pine trees in our yard--my dad mailed me the seedlings from Pennsylvania back in 1990. A lot of "blood, sweat and tears" have happened here--raising two kids, remember? The love within these walls and among the people who have lived here is profound and heart-blessing.

    Here is a recent Note from the Universe (Mike Dooley): "When you love who you are, you become much more lovable." I would also add: When you love where you are, you become much more lovable.

    Loving home,

        Leta

Home sweet home at Christmas time,
reminding us that it will once again soon be cooler outside!!

August 5--What is "Home"?

Home is the nicest word there is.  --Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Agree! Where does the word "home" take you? I look around at the physical home I am sitting in, where I've lived over half my life. There is still a huge element of "home" for me in Pennsylvania, as that's where I was born and raised. My heart sings when I get to travel through my beautiful home state. There is also Home, where our souls hang out when we are not in physical form. I don't know much about that one, but I expect it's a pretty heavenly place!

    Are people "home"? Being with those we love, wherever, can feel like the comfort of home. I had supper with a dear friend recently. We don't see each other often, but when we do, it's an easy, chatty catch-up time that feels so good. 

    Then there are those activities that feel like "home," as in, I am at home in the water or in the garden or on the golf course. Maybe you are fortunate enough to have and enjoy a "home away from home." All of those favorite activities are taking place on our magnificent Earth home. 

    Clearly "home" is a very important word and inspiration for us humans. 

    At home, 

        Leta

Our neighborhood park at sunrise

August 4--A Peaceful Home

Peace and a well-built house cannot be bought too dearly.  --Danish Proverb

    I have spent more than half my life in Wichita in our present home of 37 years. I grew up in Pennsylvania, living in the same home from birth to leaving for college. There were assorted rental homes during college and early working life. Besides my home state back east, I've also lived in Washington DC, Minnesota and Wisconsin. I have enjoyed every home. 

    When we bought this house in 1985, I don't think either my husband or I thought we'd be here these many years later. It turned out that we liked the neighborhood, the neighbors, the school district, proximity to church, etc. so there was no incentive to move. I took on the task of turning a nothing-but-grass yard into a garden (and now forest). 

    Last spring, in less than two months, we replaced the air conditioner, furnace, dishwasher and hot water heater, so I'm thinking we're staying put for a while. My husband is currently undertaking the huge task of replacing our deck. 

    Peace reigns and we are truly blessed,

        Leta

Our rock-solid well-built deck in process...

August 3--NO!!!

Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.  --Sarah Ban Breathnach

    YES!!! Wait, I mean NO!!! The NO votes won in our Kansas election by a stunning 58%. This is a loud vote for women, for freedom, and for safe abortion care. Way to go, Kansans! I am ecstatic!!!

        Leta

Taking care of one's most intimate home

August 2--Expanding "Home"

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.  --Lin Yutang

    With home being the theme for the month of August in "Daily Gratitude," I'm going to look at both our actual physical home and hometown Wichita and maybe beyond. I love our home of 37 years, I love Wichita, and I love our magnificent mother Earth. 

    Isn't it wonderful to return home from traveling and sleep in your own bed with your favorite pillow? There's a relaxing "Aaahhhhh" to that. Trips are fun, and they can be relaxing, but they don't compare to the relief of being safely back home. I also love to take that favorite pillow with me, if space allows, carrying a favorite part of home with me. 

    One of the most awesome things in the Wichita area is our Sedgwick County Zoo. I earned a free pass from a recent blood donation, and I went there this past Sunday. I hadn't been there in a few years, and WOW, what changes! It is world-class. Folks in the area have been very generous in supporting its expansion. Animal habitats are much larger, along with creative ways to observe them. The vegetation is lush, both in the habitats and along the walking paths. 

    Loving home,

        Leta

Some of the cool artwork 
at Sedgwick County Zoo

August 1--Home Protection

Love begins at home.  --Mother Teresa

    Tomorrow we vote in Kansas. Protect your freedom to make intimate family decisions at home without government interference...