Tag Archives: Life

I forget…

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I forget how vast this country is, how rapidly the topography changes as we speed down the highway
I forget within this vastness lays great variety of how daily living plays out
None better, simply different.

I forget how our forefathers struggled to inhabit this land and how the cruelties of climate, geography and wild elements challenged them

I forget how close to the land my own ancestors lived; myself preferring to live in the realms of books and travel

I forget the value of the farmland, as I suspect many who live in an urban environment have similar remissions of thought

I fear that collectively we have forgotten how much we need each other
Those in the rural farmlands
Those in the denser urban areas
Those who work the land
Those who study intellectual matters
Those who perform manual labor
Those who design and build 
Those who teach
Yes, collectively we need each other

While traveling, I’m reminded of my life
Of how blessed I am
Of the family and many friends
Who have enriched me and contribute to how rich my life is

News continues to bombard me
I suspect others might say they forget the stories of their youth
I forget the stories where people fought and sacrificed
To create the freedoms I consider part of my life
No one tells those stories anymore

What important truths or stories have been pushed out of your mind?
Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Let Your Inner Beauty Shine Bright

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(This little tidbit was from the Spring 2022 edition of bella GRACE, issue 31.)

Encouragement for all!

Let your inner beauty shine, with no regard to who is noticing.

Please share with someone who needs to hear this today.

Risk

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Photo courtesy of Felicia Marie

We all entered this life ready to take risks

Emerging into these beings wanting

Adventure

Though many see the adventures of early childhood

They don’t recognize those actions as risky

But merely a part of the growing-up experience

Enter adolescence and the psyche seems more

Inclined toward risk, or risk – averse

Even at this stage of life, seldom do others recognize

This as risk. Those children are often considered

Difficult or troublemakers

Life moves into adulthood 

Where most effort is spent trying to survive

Or thrive

Seldom feeling as though you are 

Making conscious decisions for yourself

It’s not until later in life

When others are evaluating 

Your actions you might hear about 

How people respect that

You would take risks

It’s as though a curtain is pulled back

Revealing a part of yourself 

You never recognized belonging to you

Yet in retrospect you can see 

How one might think that

The adventurous life has been fun

Full of surprises 

And unplanned outcomes

Some I wouldn’t wish on anyone and

Others I would love to share and repeat

Personal benefits of risks have

Provided friends in multiple geographical locations

Memories galore 

Leaving me with a broad range 

Of interests and a rich life

In our overprotective culture

How do we teach children 

To be comfortable taking a risk

Teach them to be wise about what risks 

Are worth taking and which to walk away from

Linger Here with Me for a Moment

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Most recently, this book has been my quick grab when I’m looking for a pick-me-up. 

I first read this selection a couple of weeks ago. I have not felt released to move onto the next writing. The words are deep. 

I’m not posting this to elicit spiritual divisiveness or to change anyone’s beliefs. For those who know me, you already recognize my faith is core to who I am. However, the words above contain so much truth, no matter what you believe. 

These words reminded me that years ago, I created a notepad as a giveaway for a training session. The little quote on it was something about how “You always find what you look for.” The message is still true.

This writing contains that same truth. In a world that is spinning so rapidly, promoting division and strife, these words speak to a more gentle, kinder nature, asking us to recognize how our thoughts affect everything we come in contact with. It’s our choice.

I want to live in a world where things are more gentle and kinder. How about you?

Morning Reminder

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These photos are from a couple of mornings back. I was up earlier than usual, finding the view breath-taking, I took photos. I’m grateful I was up early enough to witness this, because in a few brief minutes, the marine layer (otherwise known as fog) crept in and clouded the sky, obstructing the view. Everything about the view, changed.

These images are a reminder to me of how every day we are given a new start, the opportunity for a fresh attitude and the chance to find beauty — anywhere and everywhere.

Initial view of the western sky
Northeastern sky
Captured the marine layer was encroaching–western sky

I’m grateful for these gentle reminders. What stirs those emotions in you?

Low Tide at the Tide Pools

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While others are combing the shore and the small tide pools, I’ve found a rock where I can perch, allowing my senses to soak in the beauty of nature and the reality of being on the edge of land. The pelicans fly overhead in formation, scoping out the landscape below. They head over the open water then pivot coming back toward land. Multiple broods fly in their individual formations. Scanning the waters and shoreline. Their grace, combined with the perfection of their movements, is a beauty to behold. The waves roar toward the shore with one white cap straining to overtake another. The blue-green rolls over to form a churning white mass racing toward the shore as the roar intensifies. Beyond, the dark grey blue of the ocean continues until it creates a solid dark line against the horizon. Then the lighter blue grey of the sky rises to transition into a deep blue. Shades of blue fill my view.

The wind continues to blow, ruffling my shirt and blowing my hair. The air is cool on my face, with the scent of salt water filling the air. 

Following the shoreline around the cove area, the grey of the water’s edge merges with the grey of the land, creating dull shadows of the buildings surrounding the water’s edge. 

The churning waves keep moving further and further inland. Soon my vantage point will be immersed. 

The sound of the seagulls laughing at the surfing crowd that has arrived to ride the wild waves of this afternoon fill the air. They’ve donned their gear and waded into the water with their boards. Slowly at first as they acclimate to the temperatures, then more quickly to position themselves for when they see the waves calling to them. Into the deep they paddle. A couple of quick runs and alas, they denounce. These waves are not for me today. Then they depart. 

Slowly, I arise to explore activity in some of the tide pools. What a peaceful way to clear one’s mind!

Left Behind

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February left

Taking with it the jade blossoms 

In its wake are delicate almond blossoms, fragrant paper whites, fresh oranges,

And treasured memories of my sister’s visit

I’ll savor the “left behinds” while preparing for nature’s March surprises

Up in Flames

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Ahh,
can you hear it?

2024 is groaning
under the weight
of all the happenings
of the year.

Too many happenings to list here.

Are you groaning as well?

Here’s the cure…

Slip into your snuggly warm jammies,
or comfortable sweats,
grab a warm cup of your favorite steamy brew,
take your preferred throw or blanket
and settle in-front of the fire.

A big roaring fire.

Listen to the crackles
as little sparks pop from the blaze.
Watch the flames of the fire rise,
rise to the sky
or up the firebox.

Give your thoughts
of the year
to those flames.

Let the flames
take the weight of 2024
with them.

Rising into the heights of the heavens,
then dissipating in the air.

Allow the smoke to fill your nostrils
like incense, purifying your soul.

Watch the flames
licking the logs
slowly turning the surfaces into glowing,
red searing heat sources.
Soak in this heat.
Sit quietly
and let the weight of 2024
escape from your body.

Soak in
enough of the heat
that you need
to toss the blanket aside.

Quiet your mind.
Think about the flames
making the logs smaller.
Let your stressful thoughts
shrink as well.
Breathe deeply.
A new morning is coming.
2025 will arrive like a new babe.
Welcome it into your life–
Uncorrupted,
Renewed,
Original.

From the ashes of 2024,
let something new
be created in you
this coming year.

Embrace the possibility
of new beginnings.
Wrap them around yourself
like the blanket you 
previously tossed.

Hold your head high 
and enter the new year.

The Reason

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The Reason for the Project

This tile was the reason for the slow project we undertook…

We’ve been in our house for four years. Love living here and love how much time we can spend outdoors. Like any house you move into, there are projects needing attention. Initially, we focused much of our attention on outside areas. In the house, there were a few things we couldn’t wait to change; and a few other things we didn’t like, but didn’t know what we wanted to do. The guest bathroom fell into that category. 

What we had before any changes

Today, I can say that I’m glad we took our time with this project. Our house is older, so some features are older. Hahaha. The guest bathroom had not been updated in years. You can see from the before photo what I mean. 

Yet, I loved the tile in the bathroom and did not want to sacrifice it for a remodel project. My preference for the tile made the process slow. It also meant we would have to live with the existing cabinetry. Now that we are on the backside of the redo, I’m glad we went slowly. 

Hubby hated the old shower doors. Removing them allowed us to feel like the existing tub was workable. We each hated how the drop ceiling light box made us feel like the ceiling was right on top of our head. Removing the box and exposing the lights created the need to find something suitable. We are both suckers for lighting. So, the quest for lights was a fun part of hunting down materials for the bathroom. Tom cut out the existing sinks and found drop-in sinks to fill the holes and which allowed us to keep the tile counter tops. 

We both found the wall of mirror to be too much. Finding a pair of mirrors to replace the wall took longer than we expected. 

Paint colors were picked out, and the room was transformed. With all the major replacements done, the bathroom was shaping up. Yet the cabinets looked so old. I painted and antiqued them. Though it is said, this decorating trend is outdated, we have laughed. It may be outdated, but it is much more current than what we had. 

Completed transformation

By taking our time, we ended up with a unique bathroom to enjoy for years.  

Slow Restart…

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After three glorious weeks on the road and over 5,000 miles on the car, we returned home tired, yet oh, so refreshed. We connected with so many friends and family, saw beautiful sights, and enjoyed one of the best Midwestern autumns! We’re home and have caught up on laundry, mail, appointments, household tasks and jumped into necessary holiday preparations. Now, we’re savoring the memories and reflect on them often.

I’m including a few snapshots from this epic trip. 

I, however, seemed to have kept the vacation mentality, dragging my feet about stepping back into routine activities. All forms of writing have slipped through most of the cracks. My writing grounds me. It is how I sort my thoughts and feelings, and where I let my imagination run wild. So today, I’m tip-toeing back into my playground. 

Thanks for joining me here.

I hope you are expectant about the upcoming holiday season and traditions important to you and those you care about.