Tuesday's Blog
Thursday’s thoughts - August 28, 2026
Still beginning quote and illustration by Debra Gabel of www.zebrapattens.com
Vacation? Italian Reality show? Engagement…
A three-week European adventure filled with heat, ants, crazy driving, travel disasters, family drama—and one absolutely beautiful engagement!
Thursday's Thoughts… Presence August 20, 2026
“Stop chasing inspiration.
Keep showing up,
and let inspiration find you.”
-.Debra Gabel -
Sometimes you want to create something or write something and it just doesn’t come. Better to take a walk or change your location for awhile and come back and see if something showed up. If not it’s ok, you’ve put the request out and it might not be here yet, but it’s on its
Thursday’s Thoughts … August 13, 2026
I don’t have everything figured out.
I probably never will.
But perhaps that is the gift.
I am not finished.
I’m still curious.
I’m still dreaming.
I’m still creating.
Most importantly…
I am still becoming.
— Debra Gabel -
Thursday’s Thoughts…August 6, 2026
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“Fear knocks on my door too.
I no longer invite it in for tea.
I simply thank it for trying to protect me,
then keep walking through,
Because I’m still Becoming.”
- Debra Gabel -
Ladybugs have been symbols of hope and good fortune for centuries.
Across different cultures, they often represent:
- 🐞 Good luck – Perhaps the most common meaning. Seeing a ladybug is often thought to be a sign that good things are on the way.
- ❤️ Love – Because of their gentle nature and heart-like red wings, they’re associated with love, joy, and warm relationships.
- 🌱 New beginnings – Ladybugs transform from larvae into beautiful beetles, making them a symbol of growth and becoming.
- 🌸 Protection – Farmers treasured ladybugs because they protected crops by eating aphids, so they became symbols of guardianship and blessings.
- 🌞 Hope – Their bright red color is seen as a reminder that light can appear even after difficult times.
- 🦋 Patience – They move at their own pace, reminding us that growth doesn’t have to be rushed.
- 🙏 Divine guidance – In European folklore, ladybugs were called “Our Lady’s Beetles,” linking them with protection, grace, and answered prayers.
Note: The butterfly represents dramatic transformation, while the ladybug represents quiet, everyday hope.
Today would have been my dad’s, Art’s 100th birthday. He passed away in 2011, but not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. He was kind, loving, creative, energetic, and one of the most positive people I’ve ever known. He met life’s challenges with resilience, optimism, and a sense of adventure that inspired everyone around him. I loved my dad deeply—and I truly liked him as a person. He was someone you simply wanted to be around.
It’s fitting that today’s quote is about walking through. My dad lived that lesson. He taught me that life isn’t about avoiding hard times—it’s about continuing to move forward with courage, hope, and love.
Today I’m also thinking of my cousin Dorothy, who has been living with serious illness for many years. She is my favorite cousin and one of the kindest, sweetest, and most beautiful souls I know. This quote was written especially for her. As she faces each new challenge, I’ve been sending her the quotes and illustrations I’m creating as a small reminder that she is not walking this journey alone.
Some people teach us how to live. Others teach us how to face life’s hardest moments with grace. Today I’m grateful for both my dad and Dorothy—for the love they’ve given, the strength they’ve shown, and the reminder that no matter what life brings… we keep walking through. -Debra
Ever feel bad about not getting stuff done? Or something doesn’t go right?
Ever feel bad about not getting stuff done?
Thursday’s Thoughts for July 30, 2026
“Not because the road is easy,
but because every step is quietly shaping who I’m becoming.”
This past week Gary and I went to Hilton Head for a week. Unfortunately I fell off my bike twice! Within the first two days! Getting old sucks. The second fall fell off backwards and smashed my head so hard it bounced on pavement! Yes thank God I had a helmet on. That kind of set the scene for the week as I had bruised elbows and hips and a terrible headache, probably a concussion. I’m fine now. So my big plans to learn Ai movie making was put on hold. I was very disappointed and said I guess I’m too old for this. Then I did a bunch of thinking and said to myself. Take a breath. Get rid of negative thoughts and heal now and I will try again. I am giving myself grace to take a time out and I will be looking into what I can do to enhance my strength and balance before I give up biking. If I end up on a three wheeler… I will be open to trying.
This and That….
If you know me in person or through the blog
you know I ask a ton of questions-
because I'm a "SEEKER!”
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So here’s the first question…Who in charge of putting caps on water and soda bottles? Is it just me or do you have to be a world weight lifter to open some of these beverage bottles these days? I swear I have to break out a wrench for some of them.
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Here’s the second question…who is the genius who invented self tearing tops? Tear Here! BS…it doesn’t tear! No matter how you try it won’t tear until you cut it open! So what bother telling me to Tear Here?
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Here is third and last question…. Who hits your car and breaks out a headlight and doesn’t bother to leave their contact info? Was with girlfriends and girls said What happen to your light? What? Yep someone must have hit me and drove off! I found the light and the plastic holder shoved in whole???? Who does this! WTF?
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Here is a Zebra Patterns Note… all the New RoadStamps are now on the site.check them out!
