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Coffee Talk 09.20.20

Well, friends. We made it through another week… another history-making week. Oh, 2020, you do know how to throw the curveballs, don’t you?

So, let’s get the most controversial topic out of the way first. I got a new fall Coffee Talk graphic.

That rust-colored sleeveless blouse was causing all kinds of confusion and consternation, as it’s from last year and no longer for sale. So when Alison was here last week, we took a few new pictures, and I settled on this one.

Happily, I can inform you that the coral sweater I’m wearing here is very much available for purchase, if you so desire. It’s the coral faded color, and I would say the color on the website is more accurate than the color shown here.

I don’t know why that happens. Also, remember, colors look different on every computer screen, so it’s hard to say for sure what you are seeing, but from what I’m seeing, this sweater is a bit lighter in person.

In other news, we decided we needed a change of scenery, so we took R into Philly yesterday to see some of the sights. No matter what we said or what kind of bribery we threw at them, we could not convince the two older kids to come.

I learned long ago that forcing teenagers into an activity when they do not want to participate only ends in heartbreak… usually mine. So we left them here to their own devices and took our favorite child.

Oh, I kid. Mothers don’t have favorites. We all know that.

Seriously though, we had a good time, and while R had wanted her siblings to come along, she decided being an only child for a day wasn’t half bad either.

We started out at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Even though we got there first thing in the morning, there was a wait, but the tours were very small — a max of 10 people per tour, so that was nice. There was no jostling for location or a good picture.

Unfortunately, the tour was also shorter than usual, I guess to accommodate for the smaller groups going through, but it was still cool to go inside and see where it all began. R has seen Hamilton, so that made it all a bit more real to her.

After that, we walked down to Love Park, which was on R’s bucket list. It was chilly, but such a beautiful day — not a cloud in the sky.

By then, we were hungry and tired of walking, so we drove over to South Street for cheesesteaks. Because of limited capacity and social distancing, there wasn’t a table available, so we ended up eating them in the car, but that was fine, and they were delicious.

Our last stop was the Art Museum. Paul and R ran up the steps, which I caught for a quick second on my Insta Story. There was a gentleman hanging out at the top, offering to take pictures, so we took him up on it.

We were happy to discover the museum was open, so I bought tickets on my phone, and we were able to get in right away, so that worked out well. (You have to reserve a specific time.)

R hadn’t ever been there, and it’s been years for Paul and me. Of course, everything was managed very well, with social distancing protocols in place, yadda, yadda…

I was actually impressed by how compliant everyone was, all over the city. Almost everyone was wearing a mask, and except for the most crowded areas, where it wasn’t really possible, people did maintain their distance.

It’s weird, of course. I will never get used to seeing people in masks, and it makes communication awkward, especially in public places.

But on the other hand, it was good to see people out and about in this city I’ve grown to love so much, active and thriving and doing their best to live life despite the craziness going on in the world.

I do believe we will get to the other side of this. It will take a while, and things will never be quite the same again, but we will be stronger for it.

Meanwhile, I just keep reminding myself that God is still on his throne. He was not surprised by this… any of it. Not pandemics or hurricanes or wild fires or distance learning or messy political battles or cancer or injury or loss of loved ones or any of the hard things.

Whatever is weighing on your heart and mind today, you are invited to lay it at his feet.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

I hope you have a restful, relaxing, restorative Sunday.

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44 Responses

  1. Looks like a great day in Philly! My husband is a South Philly Italian boy so these places are very familiar ❤️.
    Yes, God is in Control and we can hold tight to that promise 🙏🏻

  2. Jo-Lynne, what a great post! Philly is on our bucket list. So much history and things to do!!! Are you originally from PA or are you a transplant?

    Your reminder to lay down our burdens is so on point. Yup, need to do that.

    Some days are tougher than others. I went to Jo Anne fabrics to get Giants fleece to make my friend’s son a blanket for Christmas. Being creative calms me.

    My big surge Friday was a facial, first since February. Oh the protocols but it was worth it!!!!!!!

    Today is church (3 services: ours online in Pleasanton CA, Lexington KY-Cyndi Spivey’s church and Mosaic in Hollywood CA) the miracle of online church! And football football football.

    1. I’m a Virginia girl! Paul grew up here, and I moved here when we got married. 🙂

      Yay for getting a facial. I have an appt for my first facial since Covid on Thursday. It will be interesting…

  3. I love your new coffee talk photo. I love even more your post today and the uplifting message it carried. It is comforting to see that people can still enjoy their cities and history without the fear that has been created in our country. You give this Texas girl hope! 

  4. Jo-Lynne, of all of your Coffee Talks, this one is my favourite. I’m not sure why. Maybe because in this crazy time your optimism and enthusiasm were just what I needed to hear on this sunny Sunday. Thank you!

  5. Of course we have favorites….I have my favorite daughter ( only girl), my favorite oldest son, favorite middle son & favorite youngest son!  They always laugh when I say this to them!

  6. Love your post today and uplifting message. Welp, you knew someone had to ask, so I guess it’ll be me lol. What nail polish are you wearing in your new Coffee Talk? It’s gorgeous!

  7. That looks like it was an absolutely fantastic day.  I can’t get over how blue the sky was.   
    Thanks for sharing this with us and for the reminder that God is still there for us.   

  8. Beautiful post! Glad you had a very good day. Great photos. Thank you for your uplifting words, just what I needed today! Thank you for sharing your family, style, and thoughts with all of us and you look so pretty in the coral sweater.

  9. Sounds like a wonderful day! And it looks like you had a beautiful day for it! I have a friend who lives in South Jersey. Years ago when I was visiting, she took me to Jim’s. She had to prep me on how to order, lol, and then rolled her eyes when I ordered provolone instead of whiz. 😁 Last December, we visited my stepson and granddaughters in south jersey and they took us to Philly for Christmas decorations. We also went to the Reading Market? Is that what it’s called? I could’ve seriously spent hours there… So fun!

    1. Replying to myself… I meant to add I still remember that cheesesteak sandwich being one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had!

  10. Good Sunday morning! I love going into the city to “explore”!! We live only 10 miles away from center city, but in Jersey! Glad to hear the Art Museum finally opened, I could spend an entire day in there! Thanks for sharing your experience. We always try to get there during the holidays! Great Scripture reminder.

  11. Seeing the shoes you wore yesterday has given me an idea for tomorrow, so Thank You!  That’s a really cute picture of Becca.  I’m glad that the three of you enjoyed your day.  I bet you had more fun than the older kids that stayed behind.  Yes, God isn’t surprised about anything we are dealing with, and He is still in control.  I really like the scripture!  Have a blessed afternoon.

  12. I loved this post.  It really cheered me up to see you all enjoying your day.   Becca looked lovely….is her grey sweater still available?

  13. We live in Illinois and our daughter attends Villanova. We will hit up this list when we are able to visit Philly again! Great post!!

  14. Such a great post.  You are always an inspiration.  Looks like you had an enjoyable day, the pictures are beautiful!  Thanks for all you do!  

  15. Love your post today, from the favorite child comment to the bible verse. It just hit me when you said God is not surprised by this that he also knows when this will end. That gives me more hope for there being an end in sight. Thanks.

  16. So glad you all had a lovely day exploring Philly. I can’t believe how blue the sky is: beautiful! Its a good reminder for those of us in smoky conditions. Love that scripture. Thank you for giving us a break from reality and sharing some normalcy among a community of lovely women.

  17. Oh what a great experience for Becca. It’s so profound when you connect to history in a physical sense. Your relating this reminded me of the feeling I had in the Louvre entering through the Richelieu gate and thinking about him and his dastardly deeds! And seeing the worn marble stairs and realizing that Marie Antoinette descended them the last time before dying. 

    I’ve always wanted to visit Philly, not for the cheese steaks lol but for the historicity of the city. I’m descended from two signers of the Constitution and I’d love to see that beautiful document someday. And other things like that. 

    I think those Yeti cups are awesome! We have the wine tumblers with lids in our motorhome and the big tall ones at home. I actually found a tall one with a Ford emblem on it to match my car. Yeah I know. A bit OCD. 

    And love the sweater and new photo. Allison is very talented. You are blessed to have her 😍

  18. I’m a day behind in reading this, but thank you so much for your message. I’m glad you had a good time with your daughter and husband in Philly. Thank you for reminding all of us what source we can turn to for strength and hope.

  19. I like that your most controversial thing was the top you were/ are wearing in the graphic.  So refreshing- I’m a little overwhelmed by all the controversy lately.

    I’m glad you all had a chance to see some of the sights in Philly.  My husband and I went years ago, but it was never convenient to take the kids.  We did have a chance to do some sightseeing in Washington, DC and Colonial Williamsburg, as well as some things in the Northwest US.  It does make history come alive when you can picture some of the places historic events have happened.

  20. Jo Lynne, I love how you end your Coffee Talks with scripture. AMEN God is on the throne! We all need that reminder. Have a blessed week!

  21. Jo-Lynne I love your posts. I have three kids basically the same age as yours and about five years ago we did a Philly vacation. Hit all the same spots you highlighted! Love it. And the Matthew 11 quote is what I would frequently tell my son when he couldn’t sleep at night. Thank you sister.

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