GG Boots.

Today is a day that changed the world.

It changed countless lives, and it set the course for mine. Today was the day my "GG" was born.

In March of 1917... the height of the influenza epidemic... my sweet grandma Francesca was born.

Her father was older...50 ish... and an accomplished barber, her older brother was her aunts son...( he married sisters...)~ life appears to have always been complicated!~ The influenza epidemic claimed her mother. They were both ill and her mother lost her life caring for her... typical mother love.So in way, with an older father and a deceased mother GG was an orphan. She spent time with a swedish immigrant family in Omaha with 11 children. Her father would visit her on the weekends. She says it was a happy childhood...

Later she married my " bohunk" ( slang for Czech) grandfather Alphonse. They spent time at the "beer joint" , the Sokol hall... and danced and drank with all the Czech and Polish couples starting thier lives in America. They had four children who had an army of children...They owned a stocked lake and made a living from the packing house, owned a "tavern" and "Gypsies" who would fish from the lake all Summer, some Carp, some Catfish... nobody could clean and fry a fish like GG.

The overarching one truth about Grandma Frances was ... if it needed to eat, needed to talk, needed a hug, needed money, needed a footrub... ( she had a reflexology license in the 60's) she was there. The Super nurturer. There was no animal, baby, soul in her world, that was not loved deeply and tenderly.

She gave up A LOT and waited on, cared for, tended to, fed, loved anything and everything in her grasp... I can NOT think of a more profound legacy...

Grandma Thank you for the example! Happy Birthday GG!

Adventure Project!

Please read Amanda's post... she puts it beautifully... and brings the reality of the need home to us...

http://purvistribe.blogspot.com

Help us raise money today... the link below is set for you to do so!!!







http://www.theadventureproject.causevox.com/

Magpie will also be selling AMAZING soaps in the shop... starting 3/22 all proceeds support

The Adventure Project!

Much Love, and appreciate the simple grace of a clean glass of water!

Nebraska the Good Life.

I know I am so infrequent... I miss you guys!
I went "home" to visit my dad, and grandma, and (step) daughter and her kids... I went home mostly to spend my time with my dad.
He has been dealing with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis for 10 years... and is an inspiration.
He has learned every aspect of nutrition, healthy living, being intentional in every area of life...so that it matters... he is a picture of strength and dignity.

His wife, Susan, is a perfect example of helpmate, friend and partnership. Not only is she a mother, she runs her own very formidable law firm, serve on countless committees for causes she believes in ...she also is an author, takes care of my father and is a brilliant hostess! sheesh...I'm tired now.

I can not remember a table that was not fully turned out at her house... usually after an important hearing or speaking engagement... talk about bringing home the bacon AND frying it up in he pan!

It was awesome to be be there and watch the intentionality with which they both approach things... very important lesson... they really try not to ever spread themselves too thin ...which is easy to do!

One of the values they share, and have impressed me with is to celebrate every aspect of your life! Your waking, your working, eating, resting, even your dying... yes... a beautiful example to follow!

We loved being back in " The GOOD Life..." YES! I LOVE COLORADO!!! but there is so much about the Midwest to celebrate! The simplicity, and beauty in rural living...

The very strongly held convictions by all. The full intensity of the seasons. The traditions and consistency of a strongly grounded community.

I fell in love with this guy... what a honey!

On the road to my fathers farm I was struck with the faith it requires to push ahead only seeing a little ahead before the bend in the road, the reality and severity of each season, the truth that sometimes we most trust that our comfort will come... but our job is to proceed... and be open for it.

It was cold, damp and chilly. Yet, there was burgeoning of what was coming... there was an expectancy of the warmth~ of rebirth~ of Spring...

Yes, I was blessed with the revelation that there is beauty in every season and celebrating it is our not only our privilege but our responsibilty.

Happy Sunday!