Goldfinches have taken over the feeders today. Saw a nuthatch and a few cardinals. It’s an overcast day with a nice breeze. Wind chimes are just humming and not banging out their tunes. The sun is playing hide and seek with the streams of thin fluffy clouds. I think it’s going to be hot when the sun burns the clouds off. My pansies are celebrating knowing cooler weather is forecasted for the weekend.

Enjoyed my breakfast on the porch and nothing fell off the plate today. Love watching the birds in the mornings. Their songs are loudest then. I slept with the windows open last night and enjoyed the early morning songs. Always eat on plastic plates on the porch and use plastic cups. Don’t trust myself not to drop something. Yesterday I brought my lemonade on the porch in a pint glass jar. Love drinking from the jars cause they stay so cold. Dropped the jar and made the biggest mess. The jar broke in a million pieces. Hadn’t even drunk any lemonade. I keep my iPad in a child’s protective case. Even has a handle. I’ve dropped it or knocked it out of the swing numerous times. I even got a wireless keyboard so I don’t have to remove the iPad from the case. I know it wouldn’t last a minute out of the case here in the swing.

It was a pleasant day on the porch. Had two porch visitors this morning, a friend gathering flowers and greenery for Easter decorating at her church and oldest sister-in-law bringing me a birthday surprise. Enjoyed their visits.

Been watching a little petunia on the bottom of my porch stairs. Determined little plant growing in a crack between the steps and sidewalk. Had three blooms earlier. Could not be good soil there and it endures the leaf blower but still holds its head high and blooms full of its glorious self.

Determination is the will to keep going no matter the roadblocks in the way. You never give up. When my grandson lost the use of his arms during an illness with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis his determination amazed me. Even before he started physical and occupational therapy he had already learned how to get up if he fell down. He’d be a little inch worm and wiggle his way up. The therapists taught him the correct way to get up but he’d figured out his own way before their treatment started. Despite the difficulties he persevered and courageously regained the use of his arms. He was a very determined little fella and still loves a challenge.

When I was a child, learning to ride my unicycle, I definitely worked a lesson in determination and will power and persistence. I would hold on to the limbs of the rows of chestnut trees that lined our yard by the street and ride from tree to tree till I mastered the unicycle. I was so proud when I finally let go and road down the street for the first time.

I was trying to think of another determined time in my life and I remember when the Russell Record joined the computer age with desk top publishing. I had two weeks of training and instructions, never had even touched a computer, and shortly after the two weeks of training, I was responsible for a 60 page publication. After a few tears, I was determined to teach myself how to layout the pages on the computer and read the computer manuals over and over, front to back, till I mastered the software.

The difference between what’s possible and what’s impossible lies in determination. Don’t be discourage and don’t give up. Determination helps to overcome failure. We all need to learn that despite the difficulties and failures with continued effort we can achieve our dreams.

“Imagine, dream, and believe in yourself. With determination and belief, you will be surprised at what you can accomplish.” — Byron Pulsifer