10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 10 - Clear

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

CLEAR

As I think about the word CLEAR, I realize there are so many ways I can use this word.  Let's see how many I can get in 5-minutes.



It is more than CLEAR to me that I need a blog format revamp as something has obviously attacked this one.  UGH!

It has become very CLEAR that the U.S. needs to be pharmaceutically independent!

The term "Test was CLEAR!" has taken on new meaning.

I desperately need to CLEAR out some things from my closet.

The dark sky was so CLEAR this morning that the left-over Super Moon was like a hanging light bulb.

At the age of 75 1/2 there are a number of things that have become abundantly CLEAR about me.....

It is abundantly CLEAR every morning when the alarm goes off at 5:30 that I am not an early morning person.

It is made CLEAR on a daily basis that I can no longer do the things I could do even a year ago, and that makes me sad.

It has become CLEARER in recent years that I am perfectly content in my home; I am content to be by myself; I am content to not spend a lot of time with friends; I am happy when I do spend time with special friends.

It is CLEAR that not everyone behaves the way I might think they should, and that is okay.

It is CLEAR that what I put into my mind is what will eventually be expressed in how I think and act and speak.

It becomes more CLEAR every day that I married the right man almost 55 years ago.

It is CLEAR that I would be nothing without Christ and the relationship I have with Him.

And the 5-minute alarm just went off.

Thank you for hanging out with me during the 10-day challenge.

Kate Motaung hosts a 5-minute Friday that I may participate in, so look out for that when you think about it.

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 9 - Mistake

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

MISTAKE



Albert Einstein once said, "Anyone who hasn't made a MISTAKE, hasn't tried anything new."

I would also say, "Anyone who hasn't made a MISTAKE is either lying or is dead."

At my age, I am still in the process of learning that MISTAKES can be learned from in order to avoid such MISTAKES the next time.  It hasn't been an easy lesson to learn.

Recently, I heard the following story and it had such an impact on me.  I wished that I had been more like this mother and would not have made so many MISTAKES in helping my own children deal with theirs.

This story was told by a great scientist from an experience when he was around 2 or 3 years old.

He told about trying to take a bottle of milk from the refrigerator when he lost his grip on the slippery bottle and it fell, spilling the milk all over the kitchen floor.  He described it as a "white sea of milk"

When his mother came into the kitchen, instead of yelling at him as I no doubt would have done, giving him a lecture as I no doubt have done, or punishing him - guilty again, she said, "Robert, I have rarely seen such a huge puddle of milk.  Well the damage has been done, so would you like to get down and play in the milk for a few minutes before we clean it up?"  Of course, that is exactly what he wanted to do.

After a few minutes, his mother said, "You know Robert, whenever you make a mess like this, eventually you have to clean it up and restore everything to its proper order.  So, how would you like to do that?  We could use a sponge, a towel, or a mop.  Which do you prefer using?"  He chose the sponge and together they cleaned up the spilled milk.

His mother then said, "You know, what we have here is a failed experiment in how to effectively carry a big milk bottle with two tiny hands.  Let's go outside and fill the bottle with water and see if you can discover a way to carry it without dropping it."

The little boy soon learned that if he grasped the bottle at the top near the lip with both hands, he could carry it without dropping it.  From this lesson, taught by a very wise mother, this renowned scientist learned that he didn't need to be afraid to make MISTAKES.  They are just opportunities to learn something new.




We are going to make MISTAKES!  It's just going to happen.  The seriousness of the consequences however will vary.  Only if all our MISTAKES could be erased or cleaned up as easily as the spilled milk.  But, we can still learn from them and hopefully pass lessons learned on to someone else.

There is One who knows all the MISTAKES we've made and has made a way of forgiveness and erasing them to never be held against us again.  That was done through the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Rom 3:23-24

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 8 - Street

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

STREET

What a timely topic for today as our HOA had a public meeting last night to discuss some possible changes that would have a major affect on the STREETS of our gated community.  Without going into it all, the majority of homeowners bought in Twelve Oaks because it is a safe, and lovely place in which to live.

However, as more STREETS have been added and homes built, the egress and ingress into and from the subdivision has become a real problem at peak times of the day.

We love our little Garden Home section and especially our STREET, and would hate to see anything occur that might make it less desirable.

A few years ago while looking through a friends pictures from a recent trip to London, saw a name that caught my attention.

I knew my Lazenby ancestors came from Great Britain and thereabouts, but it was so exciting that we actually had our name on something.  Albeit an alleyway, it is still labeled "Lazenby Court."  For my purposes today, it is going to be a STREET.  So there!

I have been blessed to have seen some of the most fascinating STREETS in the world.

Savannah, Georgia

Rome, Italy

Jerusalem

Natchitoches, LA is known as the prettiest town in the south, and has one of the oldest and prettiest STREETS in our state.

This picture was taken of the Main STREET in Natchitoches by Michael Harding and featured in his blog "Miles2go.com" that can be found HERE.

Internet Source

Of course, being from Louisiana I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the most popular STREETS in the country, Bourbon STREET in New Orleans.  We haven't been there in years and really have no desire to go back although I would enjoy another trip to New Orleans and its surrounding area.  You can find some mighty interesting things and people on this STREET, not to mention some of the best food in the country.

What thoughts and memories does the word STREET evoke for you?

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 7 - Mystery

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

MYSTERY

First thing is, it is a MYSTERY to me that I have actually made it to Day 7 of this writing challenge.  I have never been able to do something like this consistently before.  I do have to admit though that I am a bit proud of myself for sticking with it, and have surprisingly found it enjoyable.  Challenging yes, but enjoyable.

As a child some of the first books I read and had read to me besides "The Bobbsey Twins"



were the "Nancy Drew Mystery" series.

This no doubt was the beginning of my love for reading books of mystery and intrigue.  I also used to love to watch MYSTERY shows on TV such as Dragnet, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock and especially the Loretta Young show.  Besides sweeping through the door in the most gorgeous outfits, she often had some of the most intriguing stories.  There were others through the years as well that were favorites.

These days, we watch such shows as Dateline, Seal Team, FBI, NCIS and others that will never measure up to the good old shows of the 50's and 60's.

Dick and I enjoy listening to audiobooks especially while traveling, and these are usually always a book by one of our favorite MYSTERY writers.  I just downloaded a book by Sheila Connolly entitled "Murder at the Mansion."  I also enjoyed reading Margaret Truman's murder MYSTERY series, and so many others.

Do you have favorite authors?

Some of ours are:
Tom Clancy and his Paul Ryan series
Lee Child and his Jack Reacher Novels
James Patterson
David Baldacci
Michael Connely
Steve Martini
John Grisham
Mary Higgins Clark

When we have a situation that occurs in or around the house that neither of us will/can take credit for, we call it our "MYSTERY."  Yes, we have a had a few very interesting happenings lately that definitely fit into the MYSTERY category.

You, know life can also be a MYSTERY sometimes, can't it.  The craziest things happen.  We wonder sometime what in the world is going on.  This corona-virus mess is one of those things, although I'm not sure how much of an actual MYSTERY it really is.  You see, my natural conspiracy-theorist traits are always there.  Perhaps I've read too many MYSTERIES.

But, things happen and we wonder why our world seems so up-side down.  It mystifies me that cultural values that a few years ago would have been a disgrace, are now completely accepted and promoted.

It is a MYSTERY to me that our country after all it has been through and seen in the past several decades would still have citizens who think a Socialistic government would be ideal for us to embrace.

It is a MYSTERY to me that it seems okay to some people to kill babies inside and outside the womb.  I will never understand that.

It is a MYSTERY to me that I can get up and go to the gym 5 mornings out of the week and work hard to stay in shape, then come home and have aches and pains and wonder what in the world is happening to my body.  Not to mention my mind.  Scary!

Yes, there are a lot of MYSTERIES in our world today and thankfully, I know the One who knows all things and will one day reveal all MYSTERIES.  There will be no more death, pain or tears, or unknowns, or separations.

No more MYSTERY!

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 6 - Send

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

SEND

A few days ago I pulled out the love letters that my mother kept from my dad during their short courtship back in 1943.  I have most of the letters Dick and I sent back and forth during our short courtship as well.

When I think of the word SEND, letters is what comes to mind.  That is a rather strange thing for me, because I can't begin to tell you the last paper letter I wrote and sent anywhere.

Today, I am most likely to SEND a text or an email.  My sisters and I send texts to each other on a daily basis.  If I think of something that needs to be picked up from the grocery store, I will send a text to Dick as a reminder.  Yes, he does the majority of the shopping.  I send texts to my children and grandchildren as a way of staying in touch with them.

Every Monday morning I SEND an email to our Sunday School Class as a reminder of prayer requests and upcoming activities.

My daughter-in-law frequently SENDS Snapchat messages and pictures of the sweet pooch who rules their household.  I love seeing these and it is Michelle's way of keeping us in touch.

Two of our granddaughters daily post Instagram messages and pictures.  I so look forward to seeing these bits and pieces of their lives.

Another use of the word SEND was in a song from years ago "You SEND Me!"  In other words, you do things to me that I like.

On the other hand, SEND could be used in the opposite use, such as to SEND someone away.  We may SEND someone out of our life because they aren't a positive influence.  Or we could SEND them on a mission for us.

Then there is the dreaded or looked forward to - depending on your frame of mind - SENDing children off to kindergarten for the first time, or SENDing kids off to college.  Regardless, it is a SENDing out from our protection and from under our wings. 

Amazon is more than happy to SEND goodies to our doorstep on a regular basis.  I must admit I enjoy their willingness to SEND so promptly.

What about SENDing messages that aren't quite so obvious.  We SEND messages every day whether intentional or not.  I did a post on First Impressions a while back and the messages we SEND in only a few seconds that could determine what they think of us.

Perhaps one of the most familiar verses in scripture is from Isaiah 6:8 "I heard the voice of the Lord say, 'Whom will I SEND?  Who will go on our behalf?'"  The Lord still SENDs His people into the world to share the Good News.

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 5 - Table

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

TABLE

This word conjures up a lot of thoughts so which way do I take it?

I could say, "Let's just 'TABLE' this topic" and move on to tomorrow's subject.  And that is a thought since I'm a day behind on this challenge.

Or I could bring up all sorts of nightmares remembering how hard my dad worked with me on learning the multiplication TABLES.  Bless his heart!  He was so patient with this mathematically challenged daughter.

Speaking of memories, I will mention some of the most pleasant ones that involve sitting around the TABLE at meal times.  When I was growing up, there were no meals taken to the den or bedroom, or other location.  No sir, we all sat together at the table in the kitchen and behaved ourselves.

Our mother was rather strict although a very fun-loving person as well.  She had this idea that we were to be little ladies and sit properly and have proper discussions and conversations at the TABLE.  We were to use proper manners and speech at all times. However, our ever-so-jovial father often had other ideas.  When he got tickled about something, there was no stopping his laughter and that in itself would get us girls started.  It wouldn't take long before Mother would soon be joining us.  All decorum was forgotten.  I cannot recall one single unhappy incident around the TABLE as I was growing up.

When I had a family, this was also my goal.  It did not always work so idealic though.  Dick often had meetings at night or traveled.  As the kids got older, they had activities in the evening and often meals were eaten where ever one happened to be.

At least a couple nights a week we did try to eat together at the TABLE around a meal consisting of an entree, two veggies, a salad and sometimes a dessert.  Because that was the way it was done!

Many of our meal-time conversations were based on John's exploits as a Veterinarian Assistant.  He delighted in trying to turn his younger sister's stomach and often succeeded, until she decided to not give him the pleasure.

What about TABLE games!  We have always enjoyed playing games with family and friends around the table and still do.

Once a quarter, our church family gathers around The Lord's TABLE as we share the ordinance of communion together.

As a whole, the topic of TABLE evokes very pleasant memories for me.  What about you?

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 4 - After

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

AFTER

What an interesting topic!  After what?

I can think of a lot of afters.  For example, I can tell you of the benefits I've received after various surgical procedures.   How about after completing a major project that you've worked hard on.  After leading a seminar, I always felt a mixture of satisfaction and let down that it was over.

I love to see the Before and After pictures of home renovations/decorations.  One reason I enjoy these is because I don't have to live with the process.  I can simply jump from the unpleasant "Before" straight to the amazing "After."

As I write this, we are having major thunderstorms and even though I love a good storm, I love how the earth responds afterward.  Could that be a song?  "When the Storm Passes By?"
(Lyrics Here)

At times I think we tend to get caught up in the "AFTERS."

After I get well.
After this crisis is passed.
After I get my education.
After I resolve this issue in my life.
After the kids grow up.
After the election.

Wouldn't be nice if we could jump from the "Before" straight to the "After" with an amazing result without having to go through the process?

I cannot think of one single "AFTER" that didn't involve a before and some kind of change.

I have come to the conclusion that how we deal with the process often determines the state of the after.

I know Who holds my tomorrows, my befores and my afters.  Do you?

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 3 - Plan

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

PLAN

Are you a planner?  I am and draw a degree of security from having a plan and being able to stick to it.

I remember as a child needing to have something in the near and/or distant future to look forward to.  On Monday mornings I looked forward to doing something specific on the weekend.

As an adult, I still look forward to something in the near and/or distant future.  I don't normally plan each and every day, but I do think about what my activities will be.  As a teacher of preschoolers I often used the phrase, "planned spontaneity."  We had a plan yet planned for change.

Thankfully there is someone who does have a plan for my life - every day of my life, that doesn't change.

God told us through Jeremiah in the 29th chapter, verse 11 - "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

My daily activities may be up to me to decide, but at the age of nine, I gave my life to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the plan He had for me before I was formed in my mother's womb is still in His control.

Being able to look back and see His almighty Hand of protection, intervention, guidance, and favor is my life's greatest blessing.  And did you know He also has an eternal plan for me as well?

When God is the Master Planner, I don't have to be.

I love this quote by David Jeremiah,

"When we trust God with our circumstances, we're following in the footsteps of Jesus who lived with a constant awareness of God's unfolding plan."

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 2 - Story

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject. 

Today's topic is:

STORY

I want to share with you something I wrote back on January 19, 2000 entitled

Light

One of the blessings of having an early morning job is being privilege to the heaven's awakening.  This morning was a special blessing, not only because of its beauty but because my heart needed the special touch of God's creative hand.

As I drove, the skies were in total darkness, only my headlights disturbed that darkness.  Then all of a sudden the heavens seemed to literally explode into the most brilliant, almost garish colors of reds, yellow, and oranges.  The sky appeared to be on fire.  It was obvious then that the sky was covered in clouds.  However, the brilliance of the first-light shone around and through the cloud coverage creating an unbelievable pattern of texture and dimension.  I could hardly keep my eyes from its beauty.  The Lord seemed to speak to me that even though there will be "clouds" in our life, His Light shines through creating dimension and beauty in us.

As I was reveling in this thought, a huge billow of smoke seemed to completely blot out the light.  As I watched, bothered yet fascinated with the sudden change, light began to slowly creep around the edges of the cloud.  The huge dark cloud was still there but was soon edged with the most beautiful hues of pink.  I thought, God's light is being shone and reflected even when we see no outward evidence of His presence.  But, He is so faithful to remind us that even in these dark places, when we seem over-whelmed by the darkness, He is there.  His love surrounds us.  I prayed:  "Lord, thank you for not letting the difficult times overwhelm us.  Please let me be a reflection of your light and love to a dark world."

After a few turns in the road, I headed east and realized that the source of the light was not hidden at all - it was only beginning to rise above the horizon.  I looked for the cloud of smoke.  It was still there, but now I was between it and the light.  MY perspective had changed.  Praise you Father for seeing us through the dark places, for bringing us through to the fullness of your light of love.

The sky continued to change before my eyes.  Soon the brilliance of garish color became a consistent deep shade of blue.  This spoke to me of the consistency of His ever-abiding presence with us.  Thank you, my Father, that you are always there.

Thank you that you reveal yourself to us according to our need.

Thank you for the assurance of your light of love even in the dark places.

Thank you for making us your instrument of beauty and light to a dark and dying world.

10-Day Writing Challenge - Day 1

I have agreed to participate in the 10-Day 5-Min writing challenge.  This challenge is sponsored by Kate Motaung and all the info you need to join in can be found HERE! She gives a topic for each day and you spend 5 minutes writing about whatever comes to mind on that subject.  I am actually starting a day late, but who's counting, right.

So, I'm setting my clock and here goes.

The topic today is

TODAY!

After a very restless and short night of sleep, Dick and got up before the alarm went off and headed to the gym by 5:45 a.m.  This is not at all a natural time for my body to awaken, so it is never a surprise that I must drag myself out of bed if I am going to make it.

I meet three and sometimes four other women on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's to walk around the indoor track for at least 30 minutes.  This adds up to almost two miles and a lot of conversation.

After that I usually do three miles on a stationary bike before doing some of the strengthening machines.  Most days I then do some Pilates stretches and core exercises before heading home.  Dick will remain and finish his routine and showers and dresses there.

On the other two days of the week, I do various machines and weights as well as the elliptical before going downstairs where I do more core and specific exercises.  Since my hand surgery, I am also continuing some of the therapy exercises to keep the range of motion and strength in that right hand.

On this particular Tuesday, I am still battling a sinus infection but taking meds that hopefully will put an end to this hacking and snorting real soon.  The rest of my day will be spent doing some bookkeeping homework and possibly even some work on my Ancestry.com.

Cream of Broccoli soup is on the menu for tonight. 

And that is the end of my five minutes and an introduction to how I began my day TODAY.

Monday Random Things

It has been quite a while since I last posted, so I am in catch-up mode this week.

A few weeks ago our youngest Granddaughter Ava Grace's 7th grade basketball team won the Regional Championship in Dallas.  Yesterday she played in her first tennis tournament.  I haven't heard the results but hope it was a fun time for her.

And in between she is just as adorable as she can be.

I recently read one of those can't-put-it-down books.  If you haven't read it, then let me recommend it to you.

A few weeks ago, I started a new Instagram site called @shreveportdecordeals.  I visit various businesses such as Home Goods, Kirklands, At Home, Tuesday Morning, etc. and post deals that appeal to me.

At Kirklands, this plaid charger caught my eye and it was probably the best deal in the store.  It was regular $6 and I got them for $1.99 each.  I have had so much fun playing with them.  Here are a few recent settings I used.

I used a red placemat under the charger and for contrast used these Corelle plates.  I added the red bowl and plates for salad and dessert.

For this setting I used a platinum charger beneath the plaid charger.  I used white Noritake plates with platinum ring for a bit more formal look.  The clear plate allowed the pretty salad to be the highlight. I used a platinum napkin ring with the same black napkins.

The final one was based on a black placemat and the same white china.  I added my Cranberry plates for dessert and repeated some other Cranberry items as a centerpiece.  You will recognize the same black napkins but I added a beaded ring this time that captures the color of the pretty plates.

So, for $8 I have been able to use what I already had on hand to provide a pretty table for our guests.

Last week I made a road trip to visit a long-time dear, dear friend.

Dottie lives in a little village on one of the prettiest lakes in the state, Lake Darbonne.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a table overlooking the water. It was a delightful time of catching up.  I always leave a time like this wondering why we don't spend more time with special friends.

 Do you have a uniform that you use as a basis for your outfits?  I like to use black or brown pants and shells and mix jackets.  This is what I wore to church yesterday.  I found this pretty jacket at a Macy's sale last fall and found so many uses for it.  It is linen so it wrinkles a bit, but fits into our southern year-round weather perfectly.

Now, you are caught up on some of what has been going on in my life.

On another day, I will tell you more about my road trip to the Darbonne area.

Saturday 9: Secret Valentine

It has been quite a while since I joined the Saturday 9 posts, but decided this Valentine weekend would be a good time to get back.

Secret Valentine

Saturday 9: Secret Valentine (2008)

In honor of Valentine's Day. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 I have never heard this song before and am not familiar with

"We the Kings" singing group, but I will play along with this week's questions.

1) The lyrics talk about a song that's so romantic it "turns out the lights." Are the lights on in the room you're in right now?

Yes they are.  It is a cold, rainy, dark, dreary day where I live on this Wednesday, Feb. 12, when I happen to be answering these questions.  I have lamps on in various other rooms, but the overhead light in the office is on.

2) In the video, our heroine's Valentine's Day adventure begins with a note slipped into her pocket. What's in your pocket right now?

I am still in my workout clothes and don't have pockets.

3) This week's band, We the Kings, are proud sons of the state of Florida. Bradenton, to be exact. They even called one of their CDs Sunshine State of Mind. Have you ever been to Florida? If so, where have you visited?

I have only been a couple of times and both were visits to the beach.  Both were near San Destin.

 

4) Lead singer Travis Clark has a pierced lip but doesn't always wear a lip ring. Do you have any piercings? If yes, are you wearing jewelry in your piercing(s) right now?

Both my ears have only one piercing, and no I'm not wearing any earrings at the moment.

5) The band's name comes from a cheer they did when they attended Martha B. King High School. Have you attended your high school reunion?

I have attended a few high school reunions but our class was so small, it is difficult to get much interest stirred at this point.  I graduated in 1962 so we are old folks and most of us live away from the village where we went to school.  I do stay in touch with a couple of friends though.

6) Hearts are the symbol of Valentine's Day, so here's a little heart trivia: whales have largest heart of any animal. When we say a person is "big hearted," it means we think of them as generous. Think about the people in your life. Who would you describe as big hearted?

There are several but my husband would be the first to come to mind.  He is so very thoughtful and would do anything for anyone.  Our son inherited this thoughtful nature and loves to do sweet things for his wife and family.  He has something very special planned for his sweetie this Valentines Day by the way.

7) It's estimated that 9 million people buy Valentine's Day presents for their dogs and cats. Have you ever purchased a holiday gift for a pet?

I did give all of my granddogs a Christmas gift the last couple of years.

8) Valentines to teachers are also big sellers. Did you ever have a crush on one of your instructors?

Oh yes, I had a huge crush on Mr. Griffith, who was the most handsome man I had ever seen when I first saw him at the age of 5.

I still found this dear man to be handsome until his death in 2013.

9) With the popularity of e-cards, fewer Valentine messages are sent via the USPS. What's the most recent thing you dropped into a mailbox?

I happened to place six (6) Valentine cards in the mail today.