All posts by simplady

Joy

Light Hearted Living..., , , , , , ,

Summer is running,
already running away
It just arrived…

We spent a day at the county fair,
what a day it was

On a whim 
we entered the Butterfly Farm exhibit
Enclosed environment filled with 
beautiful
fragil
graceful
free
curios
butterflies

And people
All captivated or standing in awe

Numerous varieties of butterflies
each with their own colors and markings,
different species were drawn to various colors

They were emboldened and landed on whatever drew their attention.
The people moved among these winged creatures.
Enchanted by their movement,
their color,
their beauty.

We left the butterflies
Enjoyed other exhibits
Went out to dinner with friends
Returned home, contented

Reflection afterwards
brought the realization
most were smiling in this butterfly environment.
Leaving one wondering 
when and where was the last time so many people were visibly happy?
why does it not happen more frequently?

Yes, we left the butterflies
yet a part of their spirit remains within me.
I say,
Bring on the butterflies!

The Big Easy

Things to ponder...., Travel, , , , , ,

Finally
Sitting in a quiet space
My senses are settling down
Sifting through the exposure of this trip.

After landing in the historic, multi-cultural metropolitan area
Sights, sounds, smells and flavors all came together at one time.

In one place…
Constantly
Traffic never stops
Sirens punctuate the air
Music blares, escaping various doorways
Colliding with the sound of those performing in the street.

People walk these streets
Holding hands
Carrying drinks
Smoking
The smell of marijuana hangs heavy in the outside air.

Honing my senses to look beyond the surface
I find buildings designed in days gone by.
Some proudly display hanging baskets and planters overflowing with flowers
Set against decorative metalwork balconies and entrance ways.
Others, covered with graffiti often host for-sale signs 
Hoping to lure someone into the neighborhood.

Many small shops emit strong fragrances from within
Tobacco from the cigar shop
Conflicted florals from candle shops or body works shops
Rivaling savory or smoky fragrances from the plethora of eateries
All compete against the backdrop scent of overflowing garbage bins and pot wafting through the air.

Cuisine is as varied as everything else in this city 
Showcasing the multiple cultures that settled and blended here.
Surprising
Delightful
And, so enjoyable!
I ate my way through the city with each meal awaking different taste buds.

The people who lived or worked within the city were friendly
They genuinely wanted you to enjoy your stay in their city. 
They were proud of their heritage 
Sharing stories of their history and the culture’s survival through time.

A few more days removed
I recognize how much new historical knowledge I gained while there.

Given the opportunity, The Big Easy could awaken something in you too.

Spring Thoughts

Clouds, Dreams & Fantasy, Things to ponder...., , , , , ,
Cut before the snow

Daffodils make me smile and remind me another season is coming. This piece was first published in Clouds, Dreams and Fantasy Copyright © 2023. (available on Amazon).
I seldom date my pieces. However, the spring of 2020 was the beginning of the Covid Pandemic and all the changes it brought to the world.

Happy Spring! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Between Life and Death

Spring 2020
by Linda L. Flynn

I cut my first 
bunch of daffodils 
before Easter. 

It snowed during the night. 
The blooms left for later 
bent under the weight.
Buds not yet open 
succumbed to the 
morning snow.

My bunch of daffodils 
in the living room 
brought sunshine and the promise 
of spring to come.
I’ve enjoyed this 
bundle of blooms. 
I’ve watched 
the petals on these beautiful blooms 
first become paper thin. 
Still beautiful, 
but the truth 
of their fragility 
is now evident.

A few more days 
and the edges of those paper blooms 
are dry and wrinkled, 
some have turned a darker color, 
others just became more fragile. 

How like us.
We bud and bloom, 
bringing sunshine and promise 
to those around us. 
Our lives bring beauty to some. 
Like these blossoms, 
we don’t even recognize 
the gradual process 
of becoming more fragile. 
Our bones are
more brittle, 
muscle strength 
steadily disappears, 
our skin becomes 
more translucent, 
and our hair thins. 

Like my daffodils, 
we often fail 
to recognize 
these changes until 
something happens. 

Last night brought one 
of those happenings. 
I feel like 
I should howl 
and be in dissent.
Today, I’m weary and wonder, 
what is this time all about?

Returning

Light Hearted Living..., , , , ,

March was a whirlwind.

Weather changes
Time adjustments
Traveling adventures
House projects
Some quiet downtime

Midwest adventures.
Just a few photos…

Orchids and fun

Celebrating 95 years around the sun. Still looking good!

Traveling is fun, but so is returning home.

Last night we went to the theatre to see Tartuffe. 

It has been years since I’ve seen a Moliere play.

What a treat!
I’d forgotten how timeless his work is.

Kudos to North Coast Repertory Theatre for doing such outstanding work with this masterpiece.

Handstamp

Light Hearted Living..., , , , ,

A weekend at the shore

Seemingly at the very edge of the world,

Steps from the deck descend the rocks

Then end.

High tide rolls in

Obliterating the bottom steps

And sand below.

Waves crash upon the rocks

Spraying high into the air

Then dropping on the deck

before returning to the sea.

Other waves role in splashing against the house.

The tide recedes

and the ever-constant cycle repeats.

The sun comes up and then,

The sun goes down with

God’s majesty on full display…

As his hand stamp sunset ends each blue day.

February Sunset at San Clemente

Promises

Light Hearted Living..., , , , ,

Here’s a peek

at what’s to come

after the storm…

Things to Ponder

Things to ponder...., , ,

During the day’s reflection, I pondered the completion of another trip around the sun and found myself standing on the threshold to another decade. It’s unfathomable I’ve moved through so many years. Yet, here I am.

…and the adventure continues!

Taking Chances

Things to ponder...., , , , ,

Taking chances
Isn’t that what life is about?
Another journey around the sun.
Out with the old, In with the new
What does it mean to you?

The sun is shining, lighting up the land around me
Blue sky intensifying the colors of the day
A light breeze blows beckoning me outdoors
Just as the new year beckons me to throw aside caution
And enter with wild abandon into the unknown future

The future – 
…another year older
…deeper understanding 
…new challenges and adventures await
…refining or honing skills
…giving up unrealistic expectations
…savoring the gift of another day
…tenderly holding precious memories
…valuing relationships
…acknowledging more, the power of God’s love 
…and learning how to walk more in this love

It is all a chance.
A chance I take willingly.

Out with the old, In with the new
What does it mean to you?

Christmas Traditions

Things to ponder...., , , , , , ,

Traditions
Just the word evokes many thoughts
Different for each of us
Impact of these thoughts is equally dissimilar
Some individuals become melancholy
Others upbeat and joyful

The word suggests something one can count on
Yet in truth, traditions reflect change

My granny baked an abundant assortment of cookies
Enjoyed by all, with each of us having our favorites
I took my favorite and ensured it was made every year
Thus, my children were introduced to my favorite for the Christmas season
Then their children delighted in these same little delicate sweets

Each of these children have carried some traditions from my home to their own
Adding new twists and turns creating something unique for their families

No littles at my house for the holidays
Yet these little green trees still get pulled from the oven to be enjoyed by others
An adult grandchild, with children of her own
Requested her gift be a box of these cookies for her family

I smile
How my granny would be honored to know
These little gems she so readily baked 
Are still being enjoyed five generations later

A tradition continues.

Deck the Halls

Things to ponder....

Drag containers from storage closet.
Items stowed away from last Christmas
Lie wrapped in tissue, carefully packed in these boxes.

Fire is crackling and flames dancing
In preparation of merriment.

With the opening of each box and the unwrapping of each item
Memories spring to mind.
All those years of exchanging ornaments reveal remembrances of friends and family.
I smile, as peacefulness fills my soul.
This tree during the holiday season represents my lifetime. 

And what a lifetime it has been 
Crossing oceans, living in multiple communities, moving more times than I can count.
Memories abound from each of these locations.
Yet it’s the friends which exist in all those habitations,
And our camaraderie that fills my life with encouragement and joy 
Which I savor the most.

Ah, friends. 
Years and physical distance may have us parted
But this evening you are here with me
Celebrating another holiday season.