7-21-17 Dan is out of town for a few days, and even though taking on the daily chores of animal care and feeding takes up a lot of time, when it happens in the summer, it means I have a chance to catch up on cleaning, too. After getting my writing and work done this … Continue reading Day Eleven – Fish Friday

7-19-17 We were all excited to dock in Tampa this morning, but I don’t think anyone was more excited than I. Last night, while Dan and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the top deck of the ship, we got news from Roland, the young man who was housesitting, that our cat, Bullseye, was in … Continue reading Day Nine – The Gift of Homecoming

7-18-17 Day Eight was our Day at Sea on the way home, and I wondered several times what I could possibly offer as a gift. My answer came in the afternoon, when I headed back to the cabin after a late brunch. I wanted to load the photos from the previous day onto my computer, … Continue reading Day Eight – Company

7-17-17 Today we docked in Havana, Cuba, and it was alternately beautiful and terrible, marvelous and terrifying. Because the United States’ embargo against Cuba, the years of anger, mistrust, and threats back and forth have occurred during the course of Dan’s lifetime, he really wanted to go to Cuba to see what the country had … Continue reading Day Seven – Cuban Cigars and Trust

7-16-17 Today we spent the afternoon in Key West. I kept wondering if doing the 29 Day Gift Challenge was a good idea. What could I possibly give while on holiday to Cuba with Dan and a bunch of others? Today I found a way to once again turn my time and attention into a … Continue reading Day Six – Play time

7-15-17 Day Five – This afternoon we left Tampa heading for Key West and Cuba. Just as we were about to reach the terminal, my mom called. Because we were on the cusp of being lost, I asked if everything was okay and if so, could I call her back. As she told me everything … Continue reading Day Five – All that glitters is mom

7-14-17 Day Four, and I’m actually kind of glad that the earth hasn’t been knocked off its axis for me during the 29 Days of Giving experiment. I think if everything had started to change and the universe had started farting rainbows and pots of gold in my direction, I’d be likely to start thinking … Continue reading Day Four – Packing a Case

7-13-17      Today’s gift came in the form of accepting a rather strange gift from my father. And while that seems like receiving a gift and not giving one, you must believe me that receiving this gift from my father graciously and accepting that he gave it in the purest of love was indeed the … Continue reading Day Three – The Gift of St. Joseph

It rained on and off all day today, and the only time I left the house was to make a trip to Sam’s Club for cat food and cheap chicken. Instead of going out or even spending time relaxing and enjoying what is supposed to be my summer vacation, I finished the last two pieces … Continue reading Day 2 – Graphic Gift