We've heard of birdbaths, but squirrelbaths? This squirrel was bathing and drinking from the bird, I mean squirrelbath this morning!

It is a sunshiney day outside, but it is still cool. Our sunroom is a favorite spot of the plants and mine.

The birds are out, so Spring is getting closer. We have had everything except our Cardinal out and about. I think someone else must need the Cardinal in their time of loss. Thank you, God, for the joy of bird watching. We have at least seven Blue Jays because they are on the feeder all at the same time. The hungriest!

Since I discovered my Asperger's wiring eight years ago, I have wanted to get my high school transcript to see how I could have possibly graduated. The thought of asking someone at PISD to look it up, print it off, and have me come pick it up was one of the biggest hurdles; to put myself out there left me highly vulnerable, but this morning I did it. I've been crying off and on all day. The PISD employee was so kind and gave me a big hug. Goodness, what a sweet gift.

They had my elementary, middle school, and high school transcripts. In elementary, I was a B-C student. There were a few A's scattered in there. In the portion where it records Personal Rating scores, with one being outstanding, two being good, and three needs improvement, I scored ones in originality, twos, and threes in study habits, twos with cooperation, ones for personal care, and threes for responsibility. I wonder why organizational skill was not listed? I would have all ones there for sure. 

There are Standard Test and Texas Battery scores that I have zero clue what they mean. Therefore, I will need to find an interpreter.

It was great to see who my teachers were; I could not remember them all.

Now, onto my high school transcript. We had standardized tests but graduating was nothing like the standards of graduation for today's students. I do not test well. I do not do well if I am put on the spot. So, I always have wondered how I got out of school. 

There is not much listed, although enough to know I went to school. My overall grade average was a high C, and I was in the middle of my graduating class. So I thought I might have been last.

The deal is, I am smart; I just learn differently. In the late sixties early seventies, school districts did not know what to do with high-level autism. Autism was not even a thing until the early nineties. I am so thankful for the teachers who somehow directed me through an educational maze that none of us understood. Through this encouragement, I am successful in so many areas. But, of course, God has had my back at every turn, and I've placed total trust in His plan.

I love my dad's signature being on the transcript; my favorite part of getting to look at them!

Something extremely difficult for me in my Aspergers journey is change. I can't explain to a neurotypical person what it does to me internally to adjust my schedule and day. Since I was formally introduced to my Aspergers wiring eight years ago, at age 58, I have started to understand so much more about the whys of me. It is difficult for others to see beyond the learned "masked" behavior to try and understand my often odd reactions because we know that we can't understand what we can't see. 

When I am faced with something unexpected, I need time to wrap my mind around it and create a new plan, like a vehicle navigation system rerouting when we take it on a different path. Most often, behind my dimming eyes, my brain shuts down to reboot. Depending on the amount of stored energy I have left, it may take a minute or two, or I may need to retreat to a safe place to recharge fully.

I was saved at age six, and my faith is my medication. I'm not against other forms of medicine that someone needs to balance their lives, but my faith sustains me still. Through my faith, I understand that I have a ministry, and God continues to bless me with opportunities; He is the Potter, and I am the clay.

By realizing my diagnosis, I ask myself what I am to learn from my wiring of exceptionality. My focus has become neurodiversity; we are all on the spectrum somewhere. We must become bold compassionists (yes, I enjoy making up words! LOL) who give grace. When we seek to see beyond the veil of our bodily facades and look deeper into the souls of those God places in our lives, this is understanding. Only a man of understanding will have the ability and patience to extract personal data out of others.

Proverbs 20:5, The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

(I do not own the rights to the music or lyrics of this video)

The cold weather hinders pouring concrete a wee bit. Last week, before this cold, an approach at Central Elementary was poured.

I'm super excited to add to our gallery collection new art by Edward Barkley, a graphic designer. His self-portrait reminds me so much of a piece that we bought years ago of Moses by a regional artist. Oh, the faith Moses had has been my prayer for years. The entrance hall setting allows a lines structure that pleases my soul, and the third piece simply speaks to my mind.

Edward Barkley is the son of friends Susan & Brian Barkley.

My mother almost always had a glass of iced tea that she drank all day long. I enjoy a glass of cold sugarless iced tea. I'm not supposed to drink tea of any kind because it does not allow the iron I need to stick to my cells. It is a frustrating problem to have, but it could be worse. Sometimes I treat myself to a glass of tea. Today is one of those days. I am reminded how much I like the same things my mother did and how much like my dad I am in personality. Indeed, I am blessed.

Our Miss J is a preteen who is a head taller than me already. She is such a beautiful young lady. We wish her a Happy Birthday (we celebrated earlier). Love her so!!!