11/30/2020

Here comes December with all of its 

thinking, planning, buying and gift

giving, to say nothing of decorating,

cooking and partying. If at all possible,

I'd like to hold onto the thankfulness

that November always brings.

We've all been thoroughly wrapped

up in the plague this year, almost to

the exclusion of anything else. The

lesson I'm taking away from that is

two fold. 

The first is . . . It's people that truly 

matter, far more than any other kind 

of wealth. We are rich in our family 

and friends; it's what matters most.

Secondly, simple is best. I am a

master of the complicated; make 

no mistake. I don't want to do that

anymore. It's taken me 70 years

to learn that all time wisdom . . . 

"Slow down and smell the roses!"

Whatever time allotted me, I want

to enjoy every moment. I need to

spend precious hours with my 

family and friends. I pray I keep 

my priorities straight!

love people like things

family friends matter most

honor each other

11/29/2020

I am so enjoying the Lady Salem,

our travel trailer. Back in the day, it

was all about camping and certainly,

the kids had a ball. Bottom line, we

are talking memories in the making!

I get a kick out of the planning . . .

buying the right groceries, picking

up some brewskis, getting on the 

road. Frankly, not a lot different

from those camping days with the

kids, just a lot more comfortable.

I loved proper travel lo these many

years ago. Precious memories of

those trips and photos to prove it.

But now, we've joined the ranks of

all the other seniors who get a kick

out of visiting the family and not

having to bother them for bed and

breakfast, as it were.

And still I have to chuckle, I find

myself longing to return home.

Isn't it interesting how we love to

plan, to get ready, to get on the 

road, have a great time . . . and

still look forward to going home!

To coin a phrase . . . "There's no

place like home!: Simply has to be

one of God's great truths!

lets go on the road

load up and get out of here

ever so much fun

11/28/2020

Today, I awaken in fear and concern

for my, d) all of the above. Well you

may ask, "Who is, d) all of the above?"

We met whilst my lover was building

me a gypsy vardo. She and her hubby

would stop by to see the progress. And

make no mistake, it was an amazing,

interesting, phenomenal, fantastic,

glorious, to die for process, and well

worth the watch!

I wasn't in the best place at the time

as I had been caring for my elderly

mother for three and a half years.

Having said that, these incredible

neighbors bore with us and slowly

but surely, we became fast friends.

Alas, this couple has come down with

dreaded COVID and it frightens us all!

Worse, I learned last night that my

friend is in the hospital with pneumonia

on top of the plague. She is a brave

woman, and powerful in her own right.

Lord willing and the devil doesn't

intervene, the docs will soon make her

right as rain.

Still, I find myself praying at those

odd moments of the day when least

thinking about it. May they both be

well . . . and soon!

what is with this plague

the unknown so frightening

pray all will be well soon

~ld jennings

p.s. What then is . . .

d) all of the above?

friend, neighbor, student, teacher,

drinking buddy, cohort in crime, allies

11/27/2020

Morning of the day after . . .

I awakened with virtually the same

attitude with which I went to sleep,

yet somehow the euphoria is gone.

I imagine, as the hours pass and I

get to see the children, some of that

will return.

Yesterday, as each was busy with his

or her pre-ordained task . . . along

with music, chatter and the odd marg,

we were running high, no substances,

legal or otherwise, in sight. Thinking

about it,  when feeling this good about

your family, you know you've done

a good job somehow; praise God!

Here we are on the morning of the

day after . . . and, me thinks finding

myself grateful isn't quite enough.

Where do I go from here and what 

goes hand in hand with gratitude? This

may be the true gift of TG! Obviously,

this special day brings to mind those

things for which we are to be grateful.

So, why only on Thanksgiving day?

I pray I can daily be aware of the

beauty that surrounds me . . .

love, family, friends, and sustaining

food and water . . . ever and always.

indeed im grateful

bears thinking about daily

pray i remember

11/26/2020 - Thanksgiving

It has finally arrived. Per usual,

I thought it would never come!

It may be programing, but I find

I am continuously thinking of all

the things I am thankful for. Part

of this may simply be watching

the news . . . that would do it for

anyone, wouldn't it!

Obviously, all of us are thankful

for family, friends, hearth and

home. But, in thinking outside

the box, I must give thanks for

yet other things.

The sweet little chickadees eating

out of our feeder, Mr. Blue Jay is

feeding from leftovers under the

feeder. Our red fox dances up the

path, constantly looking left and

right. Can't help but wonder if he

is looking for friend or foe. We

have one grey squirrel left . . .

all the other chipmunks and red

squirrels have gone to ground.

Deer and elk abound . . .

Not to forget breakfast in bed

from my lover or those sweet

hugs from the grandchildren!

I find myself actually hoping

the gods give me a few more

years . . .

find myself thankful

absolutely as should be

god bless friends and foe

11/25/2020

Oh my God . . . our fave mountain 

lion visited us again this morning

at o' dark thirty!

 

He lived under my gypsy wagon for 

several months a couple of years ago 

when a passerby killed a deer in front 

of my cabin. The police placed the 

deer on my property thinking they'd 

come the next day to take it away. 

Alas, we awoke to about 8'' snow . . . 

So, he stayed all through winter and 

wined and dined on Deer Supreme!

This is our second visit this year, 

once this summer and again now. 

My guy caught him on camera, so 

we've watched him over and over. 

God, he's big! I sure hope we're 

never outside at the same time!

Truly, we have been so blest in 

living here at the cabin. We have

just over 30 sightings from the

wild at this point. Here's looking

forward to many more.

so love me some wild

lions tigers bears oh my

liking me all kinds

11/24/2020

One of the things that keeps me dancing

is the knowledge that there are still

phenomenal people in this world. We've

stayed home, except for groceries about

every three months, ever since the plague

hit us. Me thinks many know and actually

get this so no issue.

I've had a fave restaurant in the town I

lived in for the 25 years after returning to

the US. It has the most authentic Mexican

food I've eaten, as well as delicious margs.

Yesterday, I received a call from the bestest

cook ever, telling me that the owner was

concerned because she hadn't seen us in

several months.

He asked if he could run by with some

thing she had for us. Now, 'run by' was

actually about 30 miles away. Of course

we said yes. About an hour later, here

he comes with two packaged meals and

a margarita. I was absolutely blown away.

Nearly broke down in front of him.

We've lived months of dirty politics and

COVID, missing family and friends due

to this god awful plague and here comes

one of the sweetest acts of kindness I've

ever received. I am simply blown away!

never expecting

amazing acts of kindness

im ever undone

11/23/2020

Now I lay me down to sleep . . .

Have you ever thought about all the 

ways there are to pray?! 

We grew up as kids kneeling down by 

the bed and quoting Sidney D. Mitchell's 

sweet words. And not to forget, grace 

before every meal! Alas, I fear grace is 

usually saved now for the Thanksgiving 

family feasts.

For those of us who lean towards the 

spiritual rather than the religious, we 

find great comfort in meditation. For

me, it's all about sitting in solitude by

the fire and pondering the divine, both

within and without. In good weather, 

a walking meditation can be beneficial.

Those last few minutes before sleep

overcomes, are precious for a short

meditation.

I don't think of Asian meditation as

as prayer. Still, it is a beautiful thing.

We as a people tend to be larger and 

may find the sitting position and the 

OM to be foreign to us. I do hear

good things from those who have

achieved it.

Do enjoy your form of prayer and/or

meditation in the way it makes you

comfortable. This does truly help!

pray grant me the grace

meditation brings me peace

my answered prayer

11/22/2020

I was so sensible about the plague . . .

 . . . until it hit home! 

I read about it, came to understand 

it a bit better, followed the news 

closely, took all the precautions.

But, finding out that two of my close

friends and my daughter-in-law have

it, has me quaking in my boots. And

our neighbors are awaiting test results

even as we speak.

It's here, it's REAL, it's in our lives;

I'm truly frightened. What worries

me, it's become so commonplace

that we're being haphazard in our

dealings.  

Sometimes we forget our masks!

We practice social distancing, but

find ourselves closing in the space

as we converse. We go to town;

we should be staying at home.

As the plague becomes even more 

prevalent, let's take a step back and

return to the more cautious ways of

those initial months.

learning real fear

so need to face my demons

hopes prayers not enough

11/21/2020

So loving me some Wild Woman Sisterhood!

Honor that they are not cookie cutter women!

Care that they both take care of themselves

and the family and friends who surround them.

Here's wondering where I fit in?!

I do know about me that I seriously lean on the

wild side. I've always appreciated that I'm not

a cookie cutter kind of gal. I adore my family, 

love my friends and even help my prójimo 

when I can. Always, always, comes back to 

the time eternal question, "Who do I want to 

be when I grow up?"

Even when I was little, I understood I was not

like the rest. It bothered me a bit of course.

But, I think I rather liked thinking outside the

box. Ditto for a couple of friends of mine. I

went through all the stages, just like anyone

else . . . Still, self-acceptance happens in 

stages along the way. And here I am, now

initiating my 70's and still the query, "Who 

do I want to be when I grow up?"

I have come to understand that this is actually

phenomenal. No matter the place, time, age

in which we find ourselves, there is always

room for expectations, for growth, for fun and

delight, for B E C O M I N G . . .

So, watch out, here I come . . . If you thought

I was weird before, just wait!!!

who am i to be

embracing my inner weird

finding out awaits

11/20/2020

Been pondering the age old issue of beauty . . .

Me thinks every man, woman and child likes

to be told they are beautiful, gorgeous. We

all enjoy compliments and the feeling that

ensues of feeling good about ourselves.

I recall as a teacher, I had the goal of giving

100 compliments a day; 'bout 15 an hour.

Say it and walk away . . . "Fab scarf, like the

hairdo today, did you get your nails done;

they look nice. Hey, heard you playing your

guitar; great job." 

I actually made a point of never saying any

thing about looks. Not only do teachers have 

to be careful, delivery is important. Hence,

give the compliment and walk away. This

also helps with plausible discomfort and

what one must say after the compliment is

given.

Beauty is indeed wonderful, but we all know

that it's the inner beauty that lasts. Just think

about giving compliments that don't have so

much to do with looks. This matters!

Making the effort . . . so want to be beautiful

on the inside!

no longer pretty

beauty is as beauty does

thinking gorgeous thoughts

11/19/2020

As Thanksgiving draws nigh, I find myself

thinking about gratitude; 'tis the wherewithal

of the holiday, after all.

It's 2020 and most of us feel as if we've been

to hell and back this year, so perhaps I'm

feeling less grateful than usual. And, that

sentiment sparks a recognition in me . . . 

Frankly, I'm being a bit of a prat, if not a

downright brat! There are ever so many 

things to be thankful for even though we're 

enduring a great deal just now. So, how and 

where do I get my attitude fix?!

Positive thinking might be a bit much just 

now, so baby steps! Every morning, I'm 

writing down three things for which I am 

thankful. Living in a 130 year old cabin, 

there are things that spring to mind!

Although my water isn't potable, I have it.

We can shower, wash dishes, clean. flush.

The deer eat my flowers, but just think of

all that gardening I'm saved! Love birds

on the feeders; better than TV any day.

Perhaps I'm being facetious, but trying

to think outside the box here!!!

Bottom line, I'm alive even if I'm a 100

years old . . . and I'm damn grateful!

i am here arent i

in line for attitude fix

glad to be alive

11/18/2020

I find interesting all the innumerous ways

people communicate today. As a kid, I

sent a postcard a day. At the weekends, I

would send someone a card and another,

a letter. Obviously, it was something I 

loved and still do to this day.

Alas, I am unfamiliar with the many ways

people communicate today. I understand

there is Twitter along with a host of other

techno founts such as; Mastodon, Gab,

Amino and Peeks. Don't even mention 

texts!

Almost forgot the telephone. I didn't

have a phone in Mexico for the 20 years

I was there, until the last couple of months.

My parents didn't have a phone until I was

9 or 10 and that was a 3-way party line I

wasn't allowed to use . . . so today, I rarely

ever use it.

Of course, we have e-mail and Facebook, 

the former being my favorite way of 

communication. You can write your notes

when the rest of God's world is asleep and

the recipients can answer at their leisure.

Best yet . . . send a postcard!

find im missing you

morse code telegrams drum rolls

communication 

11/16/2020

For in much wisdom is much grief:

and he that increaseth knowledge

increaseth sorrow. Eccl. 1:18

I find myself thinking about this 

age old gem from time to time. Not 

only that, but there are times when

wisdom hurts so much that I long 

to be a dumb blond, to coin a very

inappropriate phrase!

It's interesting how life gifts us so

many learning experiences, that the 

only path left to us is to grow or die. 

And trust me, there are times I wish 

I had chosen death. Certainly glad 

I didn't, but this marks the difficulty 

of the path we choose to follow.

Recognizing that wisdom is virtually

an unattainable goal, still it must be

sought after religiously. The hope is

that one day we may acquire a bit

and have the joy of sharing it with

our children and grandchildren.

pray grant me wisdom

the path is so very hard

a race to be run

11/16/2020

Me thinks . . .

'tis Monday morning coming down!

My apologies to Kris Kristofferson, 

but for me it will always be Monday; 

not my favorite day! Perhaps, it's all 

just a set up. You work hard all week, 

counting down to the weekend, and 

it goes by at the speed of sound.

Don't get me wrong, I loved teaching 

more than life itself, but I would be 

lying if I didn't admit to how much

I always enjoyed weekends. In fact, 

enjoyed them so much I always 

wanted just one more day with my 

family, as well as some quiet time 

for me!

What I don't get is, now that I'm 

retired, I still find myself looking

forward to, and enjoying the week

ends. Can't help but wonder who

programmed me . . . but, I still

don't care for Mondays!

no can do mondays

give me weekends every time

promise to work hard

11/15/2020

I find myself pondering life before, during

and after this malady that plagues us . . .

Looking back, I think I did a lot of taking

life for granted prior to COVID. Life was

simply life and I was enjoying it to the 

max. I didn't have a clue what the gods

were about to bestow on us.

The plague caught us out. We didn't know,

we weren't prepared and we haven't coped

very well. This is an entirely new scenario 

for us. Did instructions come with the kit?

And here we are, winning first place in the

entire world for numbers and deaths. 

Where do we go from here?

Me thinks people are tired of coping and

obeying the rules. We're beginning to go

out, shop, eat out and hug again. But,

bottom line, we need to fight this thing

with everything we have.  We want, we

need to have an AFTER the plague.

Let's fight, let's be careful, let's live to

celebrate another day . . . 

tired of our now

live for another morrow

help me to be good

11/14/2020

Survived Friday the 13th virtually

unscathed. Note the word, virtually!

Where do we go from here?

Listening to the news and COVID

updates . . . not quite sure what to

think . . . and it is this PLAGUE

that I find myself thinking about.

I fear we're becoming used to it

and thus, taking less care. Truly,

it's back to the drawing board for

how we take care of ourselves 

and our families. 

We need to be religious with 

both social distancing and our

masks. Perhaps, the best answer

would be a bit more staying at

home.

We can put together interesting 

meals, do a puzzle, write a few

cards, telephone calls, e-mails.

I would add, do some house

cleaning, but that would be so

boring! 

Nonetheless, let's do take care!

listen to daddy

tis better safe than sorry

stay home and be safe

11/13/2020 - Friday the 13th

So, is Friday the 13th the perfect gift 

from 2020, or what?! @!#$%^&*()_+

I don't tend to think of myself as being 

particularly superstitious, but I do catch

me holding my breath! I'm about halfway

betwixt and between putting out every

amulet I own and simply ignoring the

whole thing!

It's a bit comical that 13 is one of my

fave numbers. I use it a great deal and

even honor it. I also like Friday in that

it marks the end of the work week and

perhaps even the anticipation of FAC.

And, then there's the fact that the entire 

weekend awaits . . .

Frankly, I'd bet my non-existent fortune

that we're not really afraid of the day.

Rather, we have have fun with it, get a

kick out of it! And, that's exactly what

I'm planning to do.

Brunch with a fellow witch this morning

to begin . . . hey, did I just say witch?! I

meant friend. But maybe I'm just a tad

superstitious after all!

friday the thirteenth

come and get me if you can

i will be waiting

May today be the Fridayest Friday that ever Fridayed!

11/12/2020

Hippie generation notwithstanding,

my own anti Viet Nam marches and

bra burnings . . .

My family is a military family and

I am proud of these, my family.

MILITARY SERVICE, FAMILY :

     FINO: Nicholas Fino, Alfil Fino 

     HOSKINS: Michael Hoskins

     JENNINGS: Samuel Jennings, 

     Chester Jennings, Mervin Jennings,                            

     Stanley Jennings, Gene Jennings

     KAUFHOLZ: Russel Kaufholtz, 

     Zak Kaufholtz

     MCGUINNESS: Ryan McGuinness

     KUKKONEN: Tony Kukkonen

     MACLEOD: Jacob MacLeod, 

     Kyla Dawn MacLeod

     SEYMOUR:  Michael Seymour

     VEATCH: Delton Veatch, Homer Veatch, 

     Ray Veatch, Shaun Veatch

It's such a conundrum! Obviously,

we'd all like to live in peace, see

no need to carry a gun, be friendly

and accepting of all. Alas, that is

not the world we live in today.

Perhaps acceptance is the answer.

We need to honor those who have

fought for our country, our lives.

We also have the right to wish it

unnecessary. But, bottom line . . .

 . . . we love our families; 

we are proud.

love and peace not war

vets protected family

acceptance of sorts

11/11/2020

Help! I'm already tired of Winter . . .

and it's not even December 21st yet, 

the first day of Winter! Every year

I determine to have a more positive

attitude towards Winter . . . cold,

freezing, snowy, lonely days! It's

pretty hard to have said better 

approach when you have SADS, 

but, I'm going to try.

I've been thinking of some positive

things I could do to help myself.

We should go out to lunch every

week on a day that tends towards

bright and sunny. I've begun posting

the weather forecast on my calendar

so we can plan ahead to go out. It's

probably a good idea to do so early

in the day in order to get some sun!

Me thinks brunch or lunch might

work better than supper or dinner.

An early night with an upbeat movie,

maybe even popcorn too. Perhaps, I

need to get a table puzzle going. I 

used to do them regularly. I'm still

doing my crosswords and I find this

helps.

Alas, when it gets right down to it, 

me thinks I'll enjoy sitting in front

of the fire and having me some red!

so not dealing well

hate me some cold winter days

question survival 

11/10/2020

Wild women are an unexplainable spark

of life. They ooze freedom and seek

awareness. They belong to nobody but

themselves, yet give a piece of who

they are to everyone they meet. If you

have met one, hold onto her, she'll allow

you into her chaos, but she'll also show

you her magic. Gypsy-Heart-Living

So love that wild within! Me thinks we

fear losing this spark as we grow older.

Said spark translates into different terms

for each of us, wild woman being one of

them. Independent, free thinker, eccentric,

unconventional, whimsical . . .

None of us like to think of ourselves as

cookie cutter. We tend to respect, even

like, our singularities. I doubt very much

any of us have cared about being like any

one else since middle school. 

Take your hikes, climb your mountains, 

dress your style, speak your lingo, and

love life your way. Let's each delight in 

our idiosyncrasies and enjoy whatever 

time the gods delight to gift us . . .

so love the weirdos 

worship at the feet of strange

learning to love me 

 - - -

Wilderness inside my soul, ground connecting,

air breathing, water bathing, fire breathing,

spirit flying! ~Heidi Unrein Cox

 - - -

11/09/2020

Me thinks today must be Valentine's Day, or

Friendship Day, as it's referred to in Mexico.

I get to spend several hours with my besties.

There's this whole part, ANTICIPATION, 

followed by the actual hours of shared joy. 

But, I find I also love looking back and 

remembering the day, going over those

memories we created together.

I've been thinking about how we played as

children, with our cousins and neighbors.

In grade school, we probably had our first

choice of friends. I love the stories from

people who have maintained friendships

throughout their entire lives. 

Actually, credit goes to e-mail, Facebook,

the US Postal Service and cell phones for

helping us stay in touch. My fave is mail,

so on the morrow, I'll make the effort to

put out some cards.

lets make the effort

important to stay in touch

friends are forever

11/08/2020

I seem to keep forgetting . . .

It either rains or doesn't rain.

It's either hot or cold.

The news is all uninteresting

or else it's all be told . . .

~Roy Croft

This current moment of history making 

may have us all in a kerfuffle, but it seems

life simply continues to move on at its own

pace.

I need to get groceries. Oh, and don't forget

those Thanksgiving cards that need to go in

the mail tomorrow. I should really lay in 

some mouse traps before Winter properly 

sets in. And by the way, our neighbor is 

stopping by for a bit and I don't even have

any wine to offer her.

Really, I have to laugh . . . there may even

be a lesson to be learned here! We ALL 

have our hopes and dreams, our own belief

systems, our chores and hobbies. We have

families, friends and plans . . . and yet, life

simply goes on. Maybe what I need here is

a bit of perspective. The stores have always

seemed to be out of it when I need it most!

Hell, do I actually see a tad of maturity

around the corner . . . maybe I'd best not

get too hopeful!

just considering

wonder about me sometimes

grow up already

11/07/2020

Letting go, conundrum of the ages . . .

Alas, I've never been able to let go.

Why should I?! I remember ever so

fondly thee little friends of my youth.

Just because I'm about a hundred 

years old, I see no reason to stop

thinking of them. One of the things

I've much valued about FB is the

reconnection with Bonnie and Trudi.

I think of kids I went to boarding

school with and loved reconnecting

with Kathy Ford and Tish Jeffers.

I ponder those college years and

so wish I knew where Sylvia and

Irma were. No, I am certainly not

ready to let go. Love my memories,

and have no wish nor intention of

letting them go, scrapbooks of sorts

that they are.

I recall lads I dated, jobs I had and

classwork I was assigned. Those

couple of boarding schools, one

English speaking and one Spanish!

Dress codes to be dealt with, rules

to be broken, fave teachers, beloved

friends and even that odd special

chapel service. 

My children's births, husbands of

yesteryear, friends come and gone.

Languages to be learned, teaching

in different styles, class prep to be

turned in with zero computers in

sight. Amazing leadership, glorious

teaching companions, the odd one

 . . . not so good.

Coming to the US again twenty

years later, building a new life,

learning to fit in or accepting it

just wasn't going to happen. I

have loved, and on occasion,

hated, it all. Ever so glad my

destiny was to be here for a

while.

When it's my time to go, I will be

saddened. Life seemed to have

passed by in a second, but it was

my second after all and I'm beyond

grateful to have been chosen. Let

go? No! Now now, now ever . . .

so loved my time here

hoping for a second round

i will let you know

11/06/2020

Who says the 70's are old . . .

Just because we happened to have

grown up in peddle pushers and

did our hair in curlers every night.

NOT to forget patten leather and

saddle shoes!

Got our first phone when we were

ten, party line of three. Had our first

TV when we'd been married ten years.

Go ten!

No pants in our scholastic years,

dresses only. Forget make up until

college. Virginity prior to marriage

and work only until the wedding 

ring was on.

Shaved legs, nylons and three inch

high heels to work. Braziers always,

undies and slips . . . heaven forbid

any see through should take place.

We do miss some of those things 

from yesteryear, but me thinks I 

like today even a bit better . . .

dreams of yesterday

who was i then and who now

already forgot

11/05/2020

The world will not be destroyed by

those who do evil, but by those who

watch them without doing anything.

~Albert Einstein 

These are the moments, the hours

and days that we stand by awaiting

the results that will perhaps affect

our lives forever. I lift my glass to

patience. I raise my arms to embrace

you. I raise my hand to help you in

any way I can.

I like this period of not knowing 

as it gives me pause to remember 

who and how I wish to be when 

the counting's done. I have friends 

in both parties. My family actually 

belongs to three different parties.

Sooooo what?! Isn't that what we're 

all about?! 

That priceless freedom we enjoy

so we can each think and believe

differently?! Why should it matter

that my mother is Republican, my

father an Independent and I'm a

Democrat?! I so remember fondly

the wondrous discussions we had

and NO HARD FEELINGS. 

No matter who wins, my family is 

my family, my friends, my friends!

freedom of choices

each with a mind of our own

love me anyway

11/04/2020

Yesterday, I wore pearls . . .

 . . . honoring Ruth Badder Ginsburg, my

shero. Obviously, this all started with her

and initially I was devastated that I didn't

own any pearls. Just not a pearl kind of

gal. Then I recalled a sweet little jewelry

box my grandmother gifted me from her

youth. YES! It contained a short strand 

of pearls. I like to wonder if they're real

and then I remember the time frame . . .

WWI . . . not bloody likely!

 

Wearing those precious pearls, I began 

thinking about the women in my own 

family tree. My mother was very much 

a modern woman, straight forward, knew 

her own mind. She hailed from the WWII 

era. My grandmother Elsie, with witch 

like canny, was no one to be messing with.

My cousin Cathy knows her own mind,

is very comfortable with her personhood

and takes care of business. Our aunt Vera

was an amazingly strong woman, fearless

in offering up her opinion. And, my girl

bests us all! I want to be just like her when

I grow up!

I pray I am worthy of such women!

longing for the strength

woman stand up be counted

making the attempt

11/03/2020 - election day

And so begins the waiting game . . .

waiting, waiting, waiting . . .

I remember the waiting as a kid. "Wait until

after supper! Let's wait until the weekend!

Wait until Christmas Eve, dear. That's not

for today; we're having that when grandma

comes over."

I recall the waiting as a young adult . . .

"Sorry, can't access your savings for another 

five weeks. Oh, we won't have that product

back in the store until Thanksgiving as it's

seasonal. You've waited this long, surely 

you can wait another day or two!"

Me thinks waiting as an elder may be the

most difficult of all . . . "Alas, we cannot

schedule it for yet another two months. I'm

sorry, but your account simply can't cover

that check. The children have had to cancel

their visit due to unforeseen circumstances."

And today, we wait . . . wait to see which

party will win the election. Will it be hopes

and dreams or disappointment and sorrow?

Will I have the wherewithal to act as an

adult, albeit a win or a loss? Do I have it

within me to access grace and poise 

'mongst the disappointment I may feel?

No matter the outcome, I pray I win my

own battle . . .

are you listening

sit up stand straight deal with it

act like a grown up

11/02/2020 - All Souls Day

Alas today, All Souls Day, ends the three

days of celebrating our beloved dead. We 

can actually find some amusement, if not

actual fun, on October 31st. November 1st,

is heartbreak of heartbreaks as we bare our

souls for the children we have lost. Today,

we celebrate those adults we have each lost 

in our lives.  

Obviously, there are some who are ill and

need to go, and although there is sorrow,

there is also relief. There are young people,

albeit adults, who go years too early, and 

that just hurts on several levels. Sadly, we

have all lost family and friends. Sometimes,

our grief is so overwhelming, we're not

certain we can go on.

Right or wrong, these yearly three day

celebrations of life over death, and the vast

sorrow also felt, actually help to cope with

loss. I find myself grateful for these Days

of the Dead. So today, think of your loved

ones, cook their favorite foods, sing their

special songs, tell tales out of school . . . and

if you are so inclined, build a precious altar.

pray come back today 

oh daddy how i miss you

tales of death abhor 

11/01/2020 - All Saints Day

Today, Día de todos los Santos, celebrates

those beloved children we have lost. I find

this particular day, a celebration that breaks

my heart.

There must be no loss greater than the loss

of a child. I don't even know how it can be

borne.  So, I much appreciate the way All

Saints Day celebrates the lives of those

children lost to us.

Familial celebrations around the resting 

places of our children, bringing them their

favorite foods, singing and sharing love

and memories, must be both painful and

comforting.  

Heaven forbid, you have suffered the loss

of a child. Should that be your misfortune,

I pray you may be comforted in some way.

Alas, I doubt it can happen and my prayers

go out to you.

my heart is broken

the sorrow of losing you

never be the same