The literature confirms that most of us feel like time goes by faster as we get older. What is not clear is why we feel this way, and how to slow down that perception. This thought weighed heavily on me a few days ago, as I prepare to celebrate another birthday this weekend.. #63.

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I woke up this morning with a song in my head…this happens quite often. The tune seemingly had wrapped itself around my thoughts before I even opened my eyes. Like a visitor who let themselves in uninvited and hung around. Waking up with a song in your head feels like a message; maybe from God…maybe from memory…maybe from the mysterious depths of the soul. Either way, I’ve learned not to dismiss it. I listen.

It’s strange how a single song can color the entire day. This morning, it was a bittersweet song from over 30 years ago, one I use to play on repeat during a different season of my life. The lyrics came back to me line by line, echoing in the quiet of the early hour, carrying with them a scent of old emotions; things I thought I’d put down long ago.

I truly believe as we grow older, an inner element inside us chooses to tap us on the shoulder to remind us of simpler days gone by. I also believe this occurrence has significant meaning. Something, for whatever reason, is triggering our soul to reflect on the past. 

Google says our brain has a degree of random neural firing that occurs naturally. That this random activity might trigger the recall of a specific song fragment, especially if that song was once very familiar or had a significant impact.

These songs follow me throughout my day. Through the making of coffee, the drive into town, the small talk and the silences. It was a private soundtrack, invisible but persistent, tuning my thoughts to a different frequency. Sometimes our subconscious has better taste than we do I suppose. So it speaks in music, nudging us toward something we’ve forgotten to feel.

I tend to think as we grow older, we’re reminded that we have more years behind us than in front of us. Maybe Google nailed it. But I will keep thinking too that something else is going on inside each of us. The music is taking us back to days of yesteryear when things were not so chaotic and crazy.

Music takes you on a trip and lets you be the driver. It’s your interpretation of the words, your memory, the way the music makes you feel and where that feeling takes you.

Now I am anticipating what song will be playing in my head tomorrow when I wake up. I know it will be another wonderful song from so long ago. 

“Dear music, thank you for always clearing my head, healing my heart, and lifting my spirits”.

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The Lessons we get from Birds

“Spend a little time watching birds, and you’ll start to notice—they seem to know something we’ve forgotten.”

I have feeders in my front yard and on the kitchen window. I’ve become familiar with many of them. Some I’ve even named. Several of them come to my kitchen window daily; almost at the same time. 

We added feeders here soon after our sweet 95 year old neighbor (and like a Mom to me) moved to assisted living a year ago. She had fed hundreds of birds over the span of 60 plus years. She was my neighbor for close to 30 years.

Birds rise early, not out of anxiety or obligation, but as if they understand the sacred rhythm of morning. Their songs aren’t rushed or rehearsed. They simply open their beaks and let music pour out into the world. No filter, no worry over who’s listening.

They teach us to be present. They don’t seem bothered by yesterday or too concerned with tomorrow. They trust the air beneath their wings, the branches beneath their feet, and the instinct that guides them home. And somehow, it’s enough.

Have you ever watched a mother bird build her nest? It’s nothing short of miraculous. She gathers twigs, blades of grass, bits of string—and from scraps, she creates safety. She doesn’t need a blueprint or permission. She simply works, with quiet determination, and trusts that what she’s building will hold.

We could learn something from that.

Birds know when to sing and when to soar. They know when to stay grounded and when to take flight. And they don’t do it alone. They travel in flocks, call out warnings, huddle together in storms. Community is instinctual for them. Not competition, not comparison—just connection.

Maybe that’s why watching them brings me so much peace. They live close to the essentials. They remind me that joy doesn’t have to be loud, strength doesn’t have to be showy, and faith doesn’t always come with guarantees. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of lifting your wings and trusting the wind.

The world is noisy, fast, and often heavy. But the birds? They offer a different way. A simpler one. One that trusts in provision, sings in hope, and rises—again and again—with the sun.

Maybe the birds are trying to tell us something.

“When the world feels heavy, watch the birds. They carry no burden and still find reason to sing.”

Lisa 

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Way back ..... when I was probably 12 years old, I stumbled upon the unique, divine  taste of coffee. My grandmother and mother both kept the coffee bean aroma swimming in the air most mornings. Fast forward to my early 20’s, I found myself guzzling coffee all day in order to keep my sanity. I still enjoy a good brew now, though I’ve limited myself to just 2-3 cups each day. Back then, succumbing to an entire pot of liquid gold was not unheard of.

Coffee can obviously be obtained in a variety of places. Convenient stores, coffee shops, or as I prefer to do, brewing my own. It’s cheaper, and allows me to experiment with brands I’ve never tried before. I do have a couple of favorites, but often find myself walking in slow motion down the coffee aisle just so I can pick out a new favorite.

I have a simple Hamilton Beach (one-cup) machine. It was a gift from our son over 11 years ago. I also have a 4 cup percolator for back up. That little machine is over 20 years old, but it’s a great feeling I have it just in case the one cup maker croaks.

Ironically, my husband hates coffee..he can’t even stand to smell it. Can you say opposites attract? Twenty seven 1/2 years later, we haven’t killed each other.  It’s been even more comical given the fact his home office (is now in our very small den.)… replaced his daily commute to work over 5 years ago.

Regardless of where or what kind of coffee you prefer, coffee bean production and brewing is a huge industry. A large portion of the world depends on a lot of other folks to obtain their favorite cup of Java. Next time you sip your coffee at Starbucks, or wherever you choose to get  it from, thank all of the farmers, retailers, wholesalers, and people who forecast coffee prices…as each of them have a hand in helping you enjoy a well brewed, rich, aromatic cup of coffee.

Legend has it that the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldi, first noticed the effects of caffeine circa 800 A.D. when he noticed his goats becoming energetic and starting to *dance* after eating red coffee cherries off shrubs. Who knew?

My order of coffee (from yesterday) has arrived and is at my front door. 

Right on time -

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It’s that wonderful time of the year when my yard becomes inundated with a vine I call the devil plant. Many years ago I visited one of the big box stores in search of a product to rid this vine of its presence. Guess what?  It hasn’t been invented yet. I was simply told “you can contain it, but you’ll never get rid of it”. Not what I wanted to hear. 

I know goats love it. Belmont has even utilized these animals to eat fields of kudzu away in years past….and they do, quite efficiently and fast. 

Because my property is very elevated downward, this monster of a vine really doesn’t gleam its glory to passing traffic. However, it’s a thorn in my side, especially this time of year. The only remedy that seems to help is cutting back the vines. Of course a few days later you would never believe I even bothered to contain it.

On a positive  note, some don’t look at this vine in the same way I do. I did some research a few days ago and learned that a friend’s aunt claims eating the weed keeps her young. She makes hats and Christmas trees out of it as well.

I also learned it has been used in Chinese medicine for many years, as there are quite a few uses for it to help ailments and symptoms. Who knew?

You can also find an array of recipes floating around online. From jelly to quiche to tea. So it does have a place in the kitchen..but not mine.

Baskets can also be woven from this monster vine. Basket makers have perfected methods of either using the green vines or drying them before using them to make their handiwork.

Our climate here in the Southeastern U.S. is perfect for kudzu. The vines can grow as much as a foot per day during summer months..climbing trees, power poles, and possibly anything else in its reach. This I know is quite true.

So once again I will find myself in a few more days tackling this creature. It loves my creek bed especially. Love it or hate it, it’s here and it’s not going away. I’ll just make sure to keep my windows closed to keep it out of my house.

Tags: South Kudzu Summer Vine

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Tags: Legacy Life Friends Smile

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