Wednesday, July 8, 2026

WQ - Celebrating Milestones

I've discovered that every time I've reached a milestone I think I'm there, but there's another there waiting for me. ~Sara Benincasa

Isn't that the way it usually goes? As soon as we reach one goal we've set for ourselves, there's another one to start working towards. The milestones turn out to be stepping stones!

Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead. ~Nelson Mandela

Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these. ~Susan B. Anthony

This reminds me of the times I've heard it said that we don't usually know when we are doing something for the last time. We mark our children's growth and achievements by the "firsts" - their first steps, their first birthday, their first day of school, and the first times we do things with them. But seldom do we realize that we have just pushed our child on a swing for the last time, or held their hand to walk across the street for the last time, or read them a bedtime story for the last time. We might not even realize that we just loaned them the car keys for the last time, or just helped them with homework for the last time. Those are the memories that surprise you as it occurs to you that it's been awhile. But those are important milestones too, as our kids reach independence.

Celebrate each milestone before moving on to the next!

Let every birthday be a festival, a time when the gladness of the house finds expression in flowers, in gifts, in a little fête. Never should a birthday be passed over without note, or as if it were a common day, never should it cease to be a garlanded milestone in the road of life. ~Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

I'm very pleased with each advancing year. It stems back to when I was forty. I was a bit upset about reaching that milestone, but an older friend consoled me. "Don't complain about growing old - many, many people do not have that privilege." ~Earl Warren

The United States just celebrated a wonderful milestone - 250 years! Perhaps a young country, but that is 250 years of freedom and progress and achievement, which is really something, and definitely a milestone worth celebrating! See: America 250 - Independence Day 2026 for my thoughts.

Never mind about 1066 William the Conqueror, 1087 William the Second. Such things are not going to affect one's life . . . but 1932 the Mars ar and 1936 Maltesers and 1937 the Kit Kat - these dates are milestones in history and should be seared into the memory of every child in the country. ~Roald Dahl

*********************

Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.

Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.

Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.

And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.

~Gregory Maguire~

Wednesday Quotes 2026 Themes

January 7 - Resolutions

January 21 - Motivation

February 4 - Eating Out/Restaurants

February 18 - Being Responsible

March 4 - Libraries

March 18 - Perseverance

April 1 - Simplicity

April 15 - Conquering Fear

April 29 - Making a Difference

May 13 - Family Ties

May 27 - Courage

June 10 - Teachers/Mentors

June 24 - Connecting with Nature

July 8 - Milestones

July 22 - Sunrise

August 5 - Patience

August 19 - Taking a Break/Rest

September 2 - Learning from Mistakes

September 16 - Best Friends

September 30 - Elegance

October 14 - Reaching Goals

October 28 - Dreams/Nightmares

November 11 - Integrity

November 25 - Generosity

December 9 - Beauty in Nature

December 23 - True Love

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.

Monday, July 6, 2026

Currently . . . July 6, 2026

The "Currently" link-up at the beginning of each month is now hosted at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa. Our new hostess Amy posts a set of action verb prompts for the month and writers respond. So, without further ado, here are this month's prompts and what's happening currently . . .

***********

Sparkling - well, fireworks of course! We went to two local city fireworks demonstrations, and I thought both were outstanding. Is it just me, or were the colors brighter than previously in fireworks this year? Especially the blues seemed bolder. Overall, fireworks were bigger and brighter and better, and yes, had more sparkle!

Grilling/cooking - we have been able to get out and enjoy our deck a few times recently, including grilling on the weekend. Just simple, quick things - burgers and dogs and corn on the cob - because it was so hot we didn't want to be out there any longer than necessary!

It was perfect for coffee on the deck on Friday morning!

Heating up - goodness, the temperatures have been heating up all over the area, haven't they? It's been high 90s here for the past week or so, and in Maryland where most of the family is, it's been over 100 quite a few days. That's too much of a good thing, in my opinion. It's been hot at work too, and I try to avoid leaving my office, because out in the warehouse it's so uncomfortably hot. I feel bad for those guys out there, and the workers at hubby's greenhouse, and everyone who has to work outside. At the same time, I'm really grateful for air conditioning!

Using - my Chromebook with my mobile hotspot quite often at work. When we moved, we couldn't get the desktop computer to turn on, but also had no time to get it looked at by a tech pro, so all the long list of things to be done had to be done on phones or on my Chromebook. I took it to work and made use of my lunch hours to get done what I could. Finally on Friday I got the computer over to Best Buy and they helped me with a workaround so now I've been using the desktop again.

Celebrating - We didn't do much of anything to celebrate Canada Day, but we were recently in Canada, so I am giving myself a pass on that. I put Coffee Crisps and Canadian Oreos in our lunches that day, so that counts as celebrating, right? We celebrated our daughter's birthday from a distance, since she's in Maryland and we couldn't visit this year. We sent her gifts and a card, and she shared photos and details about the fun party she had. And then we celebrated America 250 and Independence Day! On a more low-key note, I am celebrating the little increments of progress in getting things unpacked, organized, and better set up at the house. Still a slow process, but we are getting there!

*************************

Here's a short Coffee Break Reading List . . .

I'm currently reading . . .

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Paper Wife by Laila Ibrahim

More reading news and recent reviews are at Just A Second.

*************************

Something fun found during coffee breaks:

*************************

What's currently happening in your life? Leave a comment and let me know!

This post will be linked at this month's edition of "Currently" hosted by Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Sunday Stills - The Red White and Blue

The Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge is Red, White, and Blue!

My patriot heart beats true for the red, white, and blue just like the old song says, so in honor of America 250 here are some American flag themed photos.

From the High School Lesson Book - Independence Day on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com

It's a grand old flag, it's a high-flying flag

And forever in peace may she wave

She's the emblem of the land I love

The home of the free and the brave

Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue

Where there's never a boast or brag

Should old acquaintance be forgot

Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

~George M. Cohen

My state flag is red, white, and blue as well.

I loved how the red, white, and blue was incorporated into the fireworks displays we saw over the last two days.

I realized that some of the sports teams we cheer for have red, white, and blue jerseys and logos. My husband is a staunch Montreal Canadiens fan. They would say "bleu, blanc et rouge" which is a different order, but the same colors.

Since moving to Ohio we've become Columbus Blue Jackets fans, and their colors are also red, white, and blue, and incorporate the state flag.

Even some red, white, and blue around my house! Still trying to decide where to hang things like this fun patriotic sign, and my daisy painting.

This post is shared at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives for the #SundayStills Photo Challenge.

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Boast About This

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,

but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

~Jeremiah 9:23-24~

We have much to boast about in today's world, don't we? We have technology and advancements that have brought us wealth and prosperity. We have personal achievements that we can rightfully be very proud of. We are proud of the teams and athletes we cheer for, whether our hometown team or an elite team representing our entire nation at the Olympics - or right now at the World Cup. We love the country we are from, whether humble or a world power. Here in the United States, we are celebrating our nation's 250th year, and so we should!

But the ultimate thing to boast about is our relationship with our God, because it's only by knowing him that we will be able to do the things that HE deems most important and worthy. Kindness, justice, and righteousness. May we celebrate these things and boast about the kindness, justice, and righteousness of our God at least as enthusiastically as we celebrate the nation we love.

Happy Independence Day!

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

I also link up at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.