06/30/2020

Yesterday was one of those days, a gift from
the gods; make no mistake . . .

Sitting under our fave tree, enjoying a picnic of
sorts, began that perfect afternoon. We enjoyed
our usual menagerie of birds; hummingbirds,
juncos, and robins. Our favorite robin has been
coming for several years, so he approaches
without fear and comes quite close. A plethora
of chipmunks and a solitary rabbit played openly.

And then . . . the buck appeared, a 3-point buck,
stunning, glorious, beautiful beyond belief, and
utterly at ease. He walked along the perimeter of
the property, slowly but surely, king of the universe!
He stayed near us for the rest of the afternoon.

I find myself thinking of Robert Browning . . .

     The lark's on the wing;
     The snail's on the thorn;
     God's in His heaven -
     All's right with the world!

And, methinks I'll join him . . .

such beauty surrounds
so in love with mother earth
gratitude abounds

06/29/2020

During this ghastly plague, I find myself
missing touch. Customarily, when family
or guests arrive, we greet in embrace . . . 
For now, neither visitors nor embraces!

In friendship, we sit near each other and
share our stories. Alas, at this point, if one
is lucky enough to have visitors, they must
sit six to eight feet away. Added to that, the
mask hides away all those facial expressions
that are an actual part of the storytelling.

Me thinks, in our heart of hearts, we may
actually fear that our masks will be with
us ere long! People now have more than
one. Some of them are quite humorous.
I have a couple of friends who are even
color coordinating them with their outfits.
Fewer visits, lengthier sitting, masks and
gloves, all a part of a new lifestyle to
which we are becoming accustomed.

Standing in line at stores, masked and
waiting to enter, in and out quickly . . .
all part of our new life regime. Not only
do I find myself missing touch, I find
myself missing life as I knew it.

our hearts embracing
let me see your precious smile
pray come sit with me

06/28/2020 - Jamie Shover's Baptism

Commitment is an amazing word . . .
an incredible concept. I imagine that all
the oldsters of each generation believed
that they had it and the youngsters did not.
Still, we do see evidence of commitment
every single day.

 Just think of all those to choose a given
career. They must attend a university, a
college, jr. college or a special school for
the path in which they expect to follow.

We have all attended weddings; we find
ourselves wishing the couples well and
fervently hoping they will be happy and
stay together.

And there are phenomenal parents, utterly
committed to rearing their children to the
best of their ability.

This special day, my niece will be baptized.
She is committing herself to her Lord in a
public setting. Bless her sweet heart!

Me thinks we should ponder all those people
and paths we are committed to. Let's recall
our words, our promises and make certain
we are honoring them.

my word is binding
may i ever be faithful
commitment matters

06/27/2020 - Wade's b-day

The various sources of inspiration can
be both amazing and somewhat amusing.
For several years, I've made two different
secret spice blends, a hot red one with
roughly 33 ingredients and a white blend
of about 13. They are both great for their
different uses.

One of my friends, who seems to love
my red spice, is having a birthday today.
I believe he's turning the inevitable 29 . . .
so I thought I'd invent a new spice in his
honor. It's along the same lines as the other
red with about 39 ingredients . . . but much,
much hotter. In this particular blend, I've
used 9 different chiles from 9 different
countries and states.

I collect chiles from every country, every
state, every city I've ever visited. Not only
is it a fun thing to collect, it makes good
for unusual storytelling as well as compare
and contrast tastings. Me thinks we'll have
some fun with this one!

Happy birthday Wade; I'm naming this
one after you! How about, 'Mr. W's
Secret Spice' or 'Wade's Secret'?

am mixing some hot
yikes me thinks im burning down
of spice and men ha

06/26/2020

Having sung the praises of teaching over
and over, and ever and ever, I am always
enamored of those precious few times 
in retirement when that special teaching
moment is gifted. Yesterday afternoon
was one such time.

A lovely family of friends stopped by;
we sat in a circle and shared our thoughts
and musings about a given topic. I was
particularly moved by the insights the
children offered to the conversation. As
a teacher of 41 years in two countries, I
do NOT overlook children, ever! Still, I
find myself dropping the jaw when that
certain pearl of wisdom comes out of
their mouth.

I understand that we all need and enjoy
moments of frivolity. Having said that,
conversations such as described above
are food for the soul and I find myself
ever so grateful! I can hardly wait until
next time!

those special moments
much needed wisdom is shared
my heart embraces

06/25/2020

We met. We embraced. We drank champagne.
We talked. We broke bread. We entered sacred
space . . . and I am all the better for it. I find
myself moved in gratitude. So many go through
life and never find that special circle that makes
life all worthwhile.

There are those with whom we play and party.
Others are confidants who comfort our bleeding
wounds, and yet others capable of seeing into
the depths of our very souls. And when those
blessed gifts are all found within sacred circle,
there is no greater bounty.

I kneel in awe before this legacy gifted me.
But I ask, "What do I bring to the table? What
in me deserves such largess? How can I give
back? How can I honor these glorious sisters?"

Me thinks true gratitude is shown in demanding
one's own personal growth. Expect more of self
every single day. Never back down. Never give
up. Be! Be more! Become!

tis time to grow up
pray i am up for the task
plagued with my own doubts

06/24/2020

I keep thinking of those concentric circles
surrounding self and extending to family,
friends, community and world. I've spoken
of this before but frankly, these thoughts
are never far from my mind.

Those brought up in Christian homes are
often taught that self should be last and
that we are to gift all to others. I think the
idea of self first is that if you've got your
head on straight, everything else will fall
into place.

I find myself taken with the former and
seduced by the latter . . . When helping
others, there simply isn't enough time to
be obsessing with self. Not sure if there's
a half way in between . . .

In our current affairs, things are being
brought to light that have long been in the
dark and much needed sussing out. Perhaps,
this is exactly the time when we can set
self aside and dedicate our concerns to
those who have been left out or long been
mistreated.

wish to make things right
woes of this world are many
pray how can i help

06/23/2020

I keep thinking about who I want to be when
I grow up! If I were completely straight about
it, I would have to admit that it nigh onto
plagues me.

Being somewhat of a serious nature, this is
something I have thought about my entire life,
even as a child. I had this notion that I wanted
to 'happen to life' rather than have 'life happen
to me'. Wow! Was I ever in for a surprise.

Not sure it's my fault; me thinks I was born
that way. I'm a planner and a plotter. I like to
think about things, how I want them to go
and find myself damn annoyed when they
don't work out as I had dreamed up.

Understanding from an early age that I was
an eccentric (Thanks, daddy!), I created my
persona. I like to dress in unusual ways, and
have my own way of acting and speaking.
I've always liked unusual people and enjoy
spending time with them. I would rather
spend a couple of hours with an interesting
person, sharing in conversation, rather than
actually doing something entertaining.

Maybe then, I should stop worrying about
who I want to be when I grow up and get
that I already am . . . simply am!

wanting to be me
so trying to understand
who i truly am

06/22/2020

Up to my dreaming again . . .  portentous!

I found myself once again in the classroom,
my fave place to be . . .

It was that time of day when all the students
were leaving for the afternoon. For one reason
or another, the bell had yet to ring. I'm busy
putting the things of the day away and when
I turn, all the kids are still there. I ask them
why they hadn't left as the belated bell had
finally rung. One of the kids sang out,
"Estamos esperándola que termine." ("We're
waiting for you to finish." I was so moved,
that I got out my most coveted treats and
gave them each one. One kid hung back and
said he'd walk me to my car, help me carry
things and maybe he could talk to me about
something that was bothering him at home.

I awakened with pain in my heart and tears
on my face. I am perfectly alright with these
retirement years. Alas, some teachers make
the mistake of staying too long. That doesn't
mean I don't miss teaching. Actually, I'm
thrilled that I loved it so. Some just hang in
for the retirement and that must be horrible.

I raise my glass . . . to teaching, to a career
well accomplished, to fine administrators
who made it all possible . . . but most of all
to my beloved kids. Bright blessings upon
them!

missing my students
may see them again sometime
love those crazy kids

06/21/2020 - Summer Solstice

Litha, the summer solstice, may actually be
my fave of all the sabbats. I love the bright
summer sun, the warm weather and above
all, sisters who join in the celebration.

I was ever so fortunate to have two of my
neighboring sisters join me in the sacred
circle yesterday. We were actually in circle
when the height of the solstice occurred at
3:43 p.m.

Per se, I am a lunar lady, but after an almost
unending Winter, it is indeed glorious to
celebrate the sun. And, sun we did have!
Even got a tad of a sunburn.

I so love our celestial orbs and am grateful
to my sisters who delight in celebrating with
me. Blessed be . . .

litha tis my fave
sisters in sacred circles
yay summer solstice

Note:
Due to the fact that this year is a leap year,
the solstice occurred on Saturday the 20th
rather than the usual 21st of June. The
Washington Post reminds us that an annular
ring of fire solar eclipse will darken the first
day of summer in Africa.

06/20/2020

As Father's Day draws near, I wish to honor
my mother. Many have heard me say, "My
father was my mother and my mother was
my father." And this, 'tis true!

My mother was an absolutely amazing gal!
She was born in Delta, Colorado, went to
school there, worked in a dry goods store
and dreamed of college in the big city of
Grand Junction! At 18, she left hearth and
home, moved into a boarding house and
attended Mesa College. She graduated as
WWII was ending. She then worked for the
Atomic Energy Commission for the next 40
years. Wow!

She met my father coming home from the
war, married him and gave me the gift of
life not long after. They were together until
his death. It's an amazing thing to look at
one's parents and recognize that had they
not met, or been together, the very
existence we treasure would simply never
have been!

When mom retired from the AEC, five of
her previous bosses flew in for her good
bye do. The venue was packed! The meal
fabulous, the drinks flowing. Said five
bosses gave excellent tributes and then
it was mom's turn. She was the picture of
poise and grace; her speech was perfect!
At times funny and others moving, but
lovely.

As a speech teacher myself, I had never
heard better! As a surprise to her, I had
been invited to speak. I made the effort
to emulate her own presentation and there
for that one precious moment, we were
mother and daughter!

What a woman! A professional, a provider,
a role model! I thank her for my education,
for a good home, for being an amazing
father figure!

always protected
my dad can beat up your dad
she showed me the ropes

06/19/2020 – Juneteenth

"On June 19th, 1865, the Union soldiers,
led by Major General Gordon Granger,
landed at Galveston, Texas with news
that the war had ended and that the
enslaved were now free. Note: Two and
a half years after President Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation - January 1,
1863. The Emancipation Proclamation
had little impact on the Texans due to
the minimal number of Union troops to
enforce the Executive Order. With the
surrender of General Lee in April, 1865,
and the arrival of General Granger's
regiment, the forces were finally strong
enough to influence and overcome the
resistance." juneteenth.com

Such joy and sorrow in one fell swoop!
'Tis a bit along the lines of learning you
won the lotto when you're on your death
bed. Nonetheless, we future generations
have come to appreciate and celebrate
that good finally prevailed over bad.

Little by little, the wrongs of yesteryear
are being corrected. There have been
many mistakes made, many errors in
judgement and often due to ignorance.

We, the living of today, must strive to
make us whole, to heal the wounds of
the past; pray that future generations
best our feeble attempts in all manners
and ways.

my heart bleeds for us
years of wrongs must end
wish away sorrow

06/18/2020

There is something ever so magical

in reconnection! These three months

of pandemic lockdown have had their

own price to pay, but seeing a loved

one for the first time in months is

rather beyond delightful!

It's amazing how we adapt. We stand

our 8 some feet apart, cross our arms

in a symbolic hug and try desperately

not to break into tears. We finally sit,

again 8 or so feet apart, and chat as

fast as we can, just trying to catch up.

Me thinks the world as we knew it is

long gone. We're learning to adapt to

a new way of being with masks and

hand sanitizer, with no touching and 

distance, with calls and e-mails rather

than face to face. Indeed, 'tis a new

paradigm.

Our success and survival will indeed

depend on our ability to adapt. I so

wish us well!

been long time no see

missing you and your sweet face

pray survive the plague

06/17/2020

I've been pondering confidants and

their role in our lives. We all have

one, or heaven forbid, two! I believe

it was Ben Franklin who said, “Three

can keep a secret, if two of them are

dead.” I do wonder about it though,

we all seem to need to share our joys

and sorrows with that one special

confidant.

My mom always advocated prayer.

She would say something along the

lines of, “Jesus will never tell your

secrets”. My dad believed living an

open life with no secrets to tell was

the way to go.

I like to share my deep dark secrets

with my bestie. This may be part of

being a woman, but I'm not sure.

Chatting by the fireside with that one

special friend, sharing all, is actually

something of a friendship ritual. And,

it does indeed create a certain kind

of intimacy.

Alas, we've all had the experience

of sharing with someone who enjoys

telling tales out of school. It may

even be a character trait as there's

a certain kind of sameness about

those who do this.

Guess it might be a good idea to

follow the advice of that wise old

bird who said, “Keep it to yourself,

already!”

so love my secrets

there is joy in the sharing

dont tell anyone

06/16/2020

That first day home after seeing

the kids is all about missing them.

I hark back to those memories

created and smile. I think of sweet

moments when the grandkids sidle

up for a hug. The mouthwatering

food our kid preps almost brings

me to tears!

And yes, I did want to come home

at the end of our sojourn. I'm one

of those crazies that just has to

touch base!

So glad Father's Day is just around

the corner and we get to see them

all over again. Bottom line, what's

the lesson here? Me thinks 'tis

hearth and home; indeed, it's all

about hearth and home! So grateful

for both.

children in my heart

so longing for hearth and home

ever so grateful

06/15/2020

Color me angry . . . ever sooooo angry!

During the night, our kids' car was repoed!

It wasn't enough that they lost their jobs

during the recession and that they have

received NO stimulus checks; now they've

lost their car as well! There are not enough

words in the dictionary to express just how

angry I am . . . mad, furious, pissed off . . .

These are hard times; they are hard for

everyone, but those who have lost any

means of supporting their families have it

toughest. We who have lived in the latter

1900's and early 2000's have had it sooooo

good. I wonder if we even realized just how

much. This pandemic, this plague will be

an incredible learning experience for us all.

I'm old enough that I well remember my

grandmothers and my parents both canning

and drying food. When they were able to

buy a freezer, true elation set in. I feel

quite blest that I was able to experience

this with my own eyes and god knows, I

surely ate my share of the plunder.

2020 may well be the beginning of an epic

learning experience for all of us. I'd rather

like to fall on my knees and scream out

that I've already learned my lesson; can

we please go back to what we perceived

as normal?!

need to stop crying

daddy i want to go home

can we go now please

06/14/2020

I want to go home . . . I want to go home

NOW! I have to laugh at myself; it's always

the same. I want to go on whatever little

trip we're planning; part of me thinks I'll

want to stay forever . . . and then, the

longing for home takes over.

I love the adventure that comes out of a

trip. The exploring, the seeing new things,

the awakening of the senses. And then

comes the longing, the longing for home.

Perhaps, it's the way we're made; perhaps

home is that 'comfort blanket' that stills

our inner souls.

As I grow older, I can understand that

longing my elders have for wanting to

go home. For some, it may be Nirvana,

others long for heaven, and yet others

simply want to rest from this life. Me

thinks it's almost a need, a need to go

home.

Isn't it interesting how the soul always

knows. I pray mine will let me know

when it's time.

let the good times roll

but then its time to go home

souls longing for rest

06/13/2020

A day in Never Never Land truly brings 

one back to earth. “Oh this is the reason

we're here! No wonder I love this place 

so much! Me thinks I might even want 

to live up here!” Thank the gods the kids

have us up to the plains from time to time. 

It's such a different geography from what 

we're used to.

I find it interesting that every place we

visit brings us joy. I may even prefer

Colorado on some level, but bottom line,

I love seeing all the places we visit. I get

a kick out of traveling in the pickup and 

hauling the Lady Salem. It feels along the

line of driving straight into the postcard,

if you see what I mean.

Traveling is indeed one of those amazing

gifts with which we treat ourselves. I find

it broadens our perspective on life as we

know it. It gives us an alternative view

from that to which we are accustomed.

I can't help but wonder if travel wouldn't

help solve some of the more difficult issues

we experience in the human race. I know

I so love it!!!

love me some travel

got to find me some money

may have to hitchhike

06/12/2020

One of the sweet things with amalgamated
families is birthdays. In fact, with so many
children, 'twould be easy to be partying
hearty all the time. I get a kick just looking
at our birthday calendar!

So, why are birthdays so important? Must
have something to do with the passage of
time, a marker for that sense of accomplish-
ment. Birthdays somehow have the ability
to remind us that we're alive and marking
time.

That phrase, 'marking time' is important;
I would add that it's up to us to make that
positive rather than negative. This has been
brought to mind by my 70th year. I really
wanted to make it special as my docs said
I wouldn't live this long. So, I've made an
effort to do some small thing daily, a tad
larger weekly, etc.

I have found it fun to simply think about
those small things that make a day special.
I choose the one I can make happen on a
given day and enjoy it. I've come to under-
stand that simply focusing and remarking
on a given activity makes it even more
special. We do take too many things for
granted.

So here's to birthdays, time granted us
and enjoyment to be had at every turn.

celebrating life
enjoying every moment
glories to be had

06/11/2020

So much fun when one of the kids has 

a birthday! Of course, the reunions that 

develop are amazing. And not to forget

the wondrous joys they have brought to

our doors . . . along with the occasional

naughties from time to time!

Having these children, raising them and

glorying in their accomplishments . . . 

a lifetime in itself. Looking at them, we 

hark back to what our own parents must 

have thought when looking at us . . .

generations in action!

Along with the other gazillion grands in

this world, I enjoy watching the grandkids. 

Watching them play, develop, grow and

above all, become persons in their own

right. We done good, compadre!!!

God, aren't families incredible, glorious,

phenomenal . . . and ever so complicated!

my own babes pleading

pray tell me a story grand

bout you as a kid

06/10/2020

Sooooo don't want to forget the little things.
Perhaps, 'tis the little things that matter the
most of all; in fact, I'm sure of this!

I can remember receiving six dozen red roses
from a lover who was sorry for an indiscretion
and I can remember my guy slamming on the
brakes, jumping out of the car and cutting a
single sunflower for me because he knew they
are my favorite. Just guess which one was more
meaningful!

I remember the last day of the month and the
last bottle of water. He offered it to me and
when I said, "No, go ahead." he took off the
cap and poured half into a glass for me.

'Twas only a day or two ago . . . he was off on
an errand and suggested I accompany him. I
said I had some things to do around the house
and he countered with, "Let it go; I like it when
you come with me."

Bottom line, I'm all about the little things rather
than the grand gesture. Makes me want to go
the extra mile for others rather than just being
on the receiving end!

sometimes less is more
tis a little like our loves
enjoy the small things

06/09/2020

Me thinks 'tis easy to forget just how
stunningly beautiful one's state is until
lover decides to take a long way home!
Wow! Just W O W !!! I found myself
actually weeping at the beauty before us.

Our usual trip is about three and a half
hours. Yesterday's back way 'round, was
about eight hours . . . add in another hour
or two for our fun time at a couple of
taverns with homemade brews. Truly a
long day, but oh so much fun!

One of the things I much enjoy about a
surprise day like this one is all the stories
that tend to spill out. Obviously, some
are repeats and others, we've never told
before. Nigh onto 21 years together and
new 'cuentos chinos' coming out to play!

I get such a chuckle out of how excited
we are to enjoy a bit of a trip . . . and turn
around and find ourselves thrilled to drive
into our home. Must mean we quite enjoy
it all!

love me some long drives
no real need to travel far
enjoy nooks crannies

06/08/2020

Contemplating goodbyes of late . . .
and indeed, goodbyes can be very difficult.
Those little goodbyes as we hang up the phone.
Goodbyes to our visiting friends and neighbors.
Even goodbyes to our favorite things.

Then there's those hard goodbyes as we leave
our adult children when visiting them in their
own places. And God only knows where I was
hiding when my own grandchildren became
proper adults and began serving their country!

Traveling through these childhood lands, I am
constantly reminded of our grandparents, god
parents, aunts and uncles and even our parents
who have gone on before . . .
Do they look down on us? Have a chuckle
as we explore their fave grounds and hiking
paths? And I've been told that those ancestors
we never knew somehow keep a watch on us.

Perhaps the hardest goodbye is to that child,
that young person we once were. Middle
aged us raising families, teaching our own
children to say goodbye. And then there's
my very own 'now' as I grow older each day
and try to prepare for my parting, my own
goodbye to me . . .

mustering courage
so long farewell adios bye
will we meet again

06/07/2020

Out of sorrow comes knowledge, understanding
and personal growth . . . I pray it be so!

I imagine we are all overwhelmed with the
events and their repercussions of late. This has
served to open our eyes and call our personal
values into question. Perhaps even more, it has
demonstrated our action and inaction as more
cowardly than anything else.

I have found the news to be very upsetting as
it seems only the vastly negative is being shown.
On the other hand, FB and other media have
made the effort to show tales of courage . . .
actual confrontation of old ways and steps being
made in the right direction.

Some of our attempts are clumsy, misguided or
simply wrong. Still,  people are waking up and
demanding change . . . change in the world as
we know it and change within ourselves. Is it
possible, perhaps even probable, that the world
we thought would never change, finally is?

We shall rise up! Innocently, making those errors
in judgement, but still . . . we shall rise up!
High time!

making that effort
old problems new beginnings
we archaic learn

06/06/2020

I've been musing over the sorrow involved
when one hurts a friend. Obviously, it isn't
done purposely. These things happen from
time to time, but shouldn't be blown off
either.

Too much to drink? Too tired to measure
one's words properly? Taking for granted
long years of friendship? Bottom line, it
all matters and doesn't matter at the same
time. Especially as we get older, me thinks
we tend to be less careful, less guarded.
And, it's probably a measure of friendship
if we are able to get beyond these painful
moments or not.

My whole life, I have sought perfection.
I work on it arduously and then fuck up
just as remarkably! . . . Me thinks this
perfectionistic bent is not healthy . . .
Maybe the focus should be on personal
growth rather than perfection. We should
love and accept ourselves knowing there
are going to be failings and that this is
part of life.

Perhaps these New Age teachings are true.
Once accepting and loving ourselves, we
then can go on to love and accept others.
Certainly worth a good try! Meanwhile,
back at the ranch . . . and whilst NOT in
the throes of personal growth, pray forgive
me of my sins, fuckups and otherwise
imperfections!!!

still learning the ropes
wheres my fairy godmother
right living is hard

06/05/2020

I imagine that most of us joke and/or complain
that 2020 has been one hell of a difficult year
thus far. And, it has been; make no mistake.

So, where do we go from here? The plague,
as I tend to think of it, will continue and with
any luck run itself out. Still, we're coping,
masks and all.

The horrific racism we've witnessed of late
after the death of George Floyd, is also one
of 2020's failings. Surely we're all appalled
at these happenings. I doubt very much that
the majority of us lay awake nights thinking
up ways to hurt our fellow beings.

Once again, I don't have the answers, only
the questions. Perhaps it's a matter of
concentric circles. I start with ME. I take
responsibility for me and my actions. I treat
people the way I wish to be treated. I extend
the hand of friendship. I will not tolerate the
bad, the evil, the negative in my own life.
And, if we all do this, little by little we will
heal the world.

pray never forget
take responsibility
peace begins with me

06/04/2020

I just want us all to be happy again.  Is that
so wrong? Or, were we never all happy? My
heart hurts so much and I imagine so does
everyone else's. How do we begin to repair
our souls from damage done?!

Maybe it's more about LESS than MORE, or
a bit of both, perhaps.  Eat, drink and be merry
a little less and ponder, meditate and worship
a bit more. Serve self a little less and others
a bit more.  Less TV and more books? Less
texting and more letters? Alas, I do not hold
the answers, but I do know I want to heal. I
long for healing for all of us.

I need to make an effort to figure things out
and get back on track, whatever that might be.

so need us to heal
create a heaven on earth
mend the ties that bind

06/03/2020

My heart hurts ever so much . . .
I hold myself tight and squeeze
my eyes shut against the ugliness
now prevailing. I sit still, although
I can feel the trembling in my soul.
Part of me doesn't want to live here
anymore. Not sure what to do about it.
I listen to old Louie over and over and
try to comfort myself . . .

"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
And also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you"

~Bob Thiele and George David Weiss

pray gift me comfort
feel myself drifting away
soul in dire need

06/02/2020

In this day and age of,  'Communication is
everything,' I find it especially hard to believe
or even accept, miscommunication. Why is it
that we can't seem to communicate perfectly?
Obviously, sometimes it has to do with anger,
or impatience, or the way one was reared, as
opposed to who we really want to be when
we grow up!

I really truly, not only want to understand the
problems with this issue, I want to practice
good communication. I firmly believe old age
helps, as we've been there, done that. I get that
it's important to be patient! But, not to minimize
being clearly spoken, and using carefully chosen
words!

Maybe the answer lies in the old, 'Choose your
battles!' Perhaps, recognizing we all have bad
days as well as our own baggage, there is some-
thing to be said for just blowing it off! And,
not to forget listening. We're often in such a
hurry to be heard, that we forget to listen. Most
likely, the answer lies in . . . d) all of the above.

Me thinks I'm finally getting it. I need to listen.
What's wrong with hearing what the other guy
has to say. And, when it's my turn, speak quietly,
plainly. If a solution can't be reached, perhaps
the old, 'walking away' is just as doable! Wish
me luck; I've got a lot to learn in my old age!

so need to listen
point of view is important
new resolution

06/01/2020

So love me some New Mexican chiles. Of

course, they are a fave no matter where

I go, but perhaps being so close to Mexico

makes these more special.

Chiles, as well as spices, have a way of

defining a given area. Part of this has to

do with where a given species will grow,

as well as the childhood customs one grew

up with.

Alas, I fear that in my little burg, I grew

up with bell peppers. I remember the first

time I tried pizza. It must have come to our

town just prior to my teen years. There was

a little packet of dried red chiles included in

the order. Nothing would do but for me to

try this ambrosia waiting to happen. And, I

wasn't wrong! I may have burned the hell

out of my mouth, but truly I felt I had died

and gone to heaven.

Chile Piquín, Chile de Árbol, Chile Chimayo, 
Chile Cayene, Chile Chipotle, Chile Poblano,
Chile Ancho, Chile Guajillo, Chile Mulato,
Chile Pasilla . . . I sing your praises! I will
ever season with you, enjoy your sabor;
pure magic!

green yellow orange
pray share some chiles with me
red is still my fave