07/01/2021

What is it about the 4th of July weekend

that makes it so special?! I find myself 

at the height of anticipation, that whole, 

I can hardly wait, kind of thing.

I understand perfectly that this day, July

4th, 1776, is the date in which we, as

a nation, celebrate the independence of

the United States. And, I honor this!

Still, I love how families living afar, 

get together for the entire weekend and

families living in close proximity, get

together for the day. There are picnics

to enjoy, drinks to be hoisted, fireworks

to be set off and all kinds of catching 

up to happen.

One of the things that really helps  

is that there is usually pretty decent 

weather in July. Obviously, Christmas

and Thanksgiving, not so likely. The

more family that gets together, the

more important good weather matters.

Most homes won't accommodate too

many extra people.

So hey, let's celebrate all of it this 

weekend . . . our country, our families,

the enormous blessings we have in

living here. 

I for one am going to make homemade 

icecream for the first time in about a 

hundred years! I pray I don't overdo it

as that seems to be my modus operandi!

cant wait to see you

family celebrations

what say you we dance

06/30/2021

"She ate pizza when she wanted 

it and greens when she needed it.

She kept the things she loved and

threw out the things she didn't.

She would wear high heels on a

night out and sneakers the next

day. She would drink glasses of

wine, but never forget her water.

She moved fast and stayed still.

She was loud, adventurous and

bold, but also allowed herself to

be quiet, reserved and peaceful.

She was chaos and calmness. 

She made her own rules and

followed her own path. But, most

of all, she never let anyone tell

her how to live her life according

to theirs." ~Sarah Claire

Every now and again, I catch that

odd bit of wisdom in the strangest

of places. The above is one of those.

My entire life, I've complained that

I'm the most unbalanced Libra in

Kingdom Come.

This missive, brings to mind that

perhaps imbalance is NOT what

it's all about, rather a balance 'twixt

and 'tween each side of the scale.

Perhaps, the left side represents 

those sane, wise choices, whilst the

right side of the balance ties in with

our fun, zany side.

It only took me a hundred and one

years to figure this out! But, I like

having sussed out something I can

live with.

When you're up for something, give

me a call, but to tell which side of

my brain you'll be embracing that 

day!

making the effort

a libra in the making

finally a clue

06/29/2021

I find I'm in a continual state of 

amazement being 70, okay 71. 

One simply looks at the world 

ever so differently once older. 

I think it's rather fascinating.

I imagine being retired has

something to do with it. One

can actually slow down and

smell the roses, as it were. I

love looking around at the

beauty that surrounds. Fact

is, my concept of beauty is

somewhat different than when

I was younger. Only natural, 

I'm sure!

I find beauty in my tiny 130 

year old cabin. I love the

grasses and wild flowers that

surround us. Watching the

birds fly in to see what they

can find is one of life's most

delightful pleasures. I enjoy

the skyscapes presented daily.

You never know if it's blue

skies and white clouds or dark

clouds, thunder and rain.

I so enjoy the odd visit from

friends and neighbors, Their

presence reminds me there's

a world out there . . . one in

which I take the occasional

look-see!

Me thinks we could simply

call this heaven and I already

know the shoe fits!!!

heaven on earth now

memories of yesteryear

tomorrow who knows

06/28/2021

The sounds of sorrow . . .

I'm so trying, making every effort, 

to live in this world we've been given.

Or, should I say, gifted?!

There's ever so much good here on

Mother Earth and I love and enjoy 

the life I've been gifted. Having said 

that, I might do well to never watch 

the news, nor listen to tales told out

of school.

I cope pretty well if I don't see scenes

depicted on the news of street violence.

I find the banality and levity of stars'

lives hard to imagine, much less accept. 

Have zero idea why, but my guy watches 

these.

So, wherein lies the answer? Is it head

in the sand time? Ne'er buy a newspaper?

Don't watch the news? None of this . . .

"Say, have you heard . . . ?"

Or perhaps, I just need to give myself

permission to exit reality and simply 

live quietly in my tiny, tiny 130 year old 

cabin and call it a day?! ~!@#$%^&*()_+

Thank the gods I'm a 100 years old, retired

and broke . . . how would I cope otherwise?!

chin up have a smile

mama earths sorrow is mine

no laughing matter 

"I will not give up the flowers in my heart

for stones just because the world is a hard

place. The world is only hard because it

needs more flower hearted people"

~Nikita Gill

06/27/2021

"CHARTREUSE has been made 

by the Carthusian Monks since 

1737 according to the instructions 

set out in a manuscript given to 

them by François Annibal d'Estrées 

in 1605. It was named after the 

monks' Grande Chartreuse monastery,

located in the Chartreuse Mountains

in the general region of Grenoble 

in France."

Oh what a glorious day! Once a year

we get together to make Chartreuse. 

The idea is to gather as close to 100

fresh herbs as possible. We've been

making it once a year for many a 

year and I believe the closest we've 

gotten is in the 70's. Still albeit 50, 

like today, or a tad more or less, it 

always turns out wondrously!

You must remind me, if I forget, 

to offer you a little sip of this

delightful ambrosia when you

come to visit. It will make your

day! I always like to make a

wish when I treat myself to a sip!

I would have to admit that one 

of the things I like about living 

in my130 year old cabin, is being 

surrounded by so many magical

herbs just begging to be made

into Chartreuse.

magic in a glass

have a sip with me and mine

tis ambrosia

Salud!

06/26/2021

"I'm spiritual, not religious, 

which means my beliefs can evolve."

~Unknown

I read the above quote this morning.

Got me to thinking. Thought it might

be a good idea to look up the definitions.

"Religion is a specific set of organized

beliefs and practices, usually shared by

a community or group."

"Spirituality is more of an individual 

practice and has to do with having a

sense of peace and purpose."

I love language, languages in fact. 

I enjoy nuance and different shades 

of gray, if you will. I even get a kick

out of splitting hairs! Might just have

something to do with why I became

a Lang Arts teacher.

Language is a precious gift to one 

and all. And, in this case, I believe it

helps to understand whether one

embraces the religious or the spiritual 

path.

Me thinks there's naught wrong with

either. May have something to do with

one's belief system or even personality.

Bottom line, 'tis always a good idea to

know where you stand . . .

I may be spiritual rather than religious,

but I will ever and always honor you

and your path!

06/25/2021

"Empathy is a choice and it's 

a vulnerable choice. In order 

to connect with you, I have to

connect with something in 

myself that knows that feeling."

~Brené Brown

I've been pondering empathy of late.

I imagine for some it's,  been there,

done that. Others, when listening 

to your pain, truly make an effort 

to understand.

For me, in my forty plus years of 

teaching, I found empathy to be the

key to excellence in my field. Kids

appreciate being understood just as

much as adults do.

My issue was, and is, an inability

to separate myself from another's

pain. Many a night, during my

teaching years, I sobbed myself 

to sleep. Still, I felt it better to 

feel my pain than to be insensitive 

to theirs.

I thought perhaps age would bring

about the ability to be empathic

and yet be able to step aside from

other's pain. Alas, it has yet to

happen for me. Maybe one day . . .

And maybe, it doesn't even matter!

Sharing each other's sadness and

sorrows, painful that they may be,

is exactly what is important!

06/24/2021

Anoche, soñé que visité a mi familia

en Chiapas, México. Lamentablemente, 

no he tenido la oportunidad de irme en

varios años.

En mi sueño, me dieron un espacio tipo 

desván en donde pudiera estar y descansar 

durante mi visita. Y ya que cada quien 

estaban en sus mutuos trabajos, pedí una 

escoba para barrer mientras.

Estaba yo barriendo cada rincón, bajo cama,

mesa y cajonera para alistar dicho espacio 

para mi estancia. En vez de paredes, sólo 

habían columnas, así que se sentía muy abierto, 

exactamente como me gusta ya que soy tan 

claustrofóbica. 

Y yo barriendo, pude ver a la gente mientras 

iban y venían. Saludé y me saludaron. Aveces 

paraban un rato para platicar y aveces salieron 

con obvia prisa.

Me acuerdo de un par de viejitos. Se sentaron 

en la orilla de mi espacio a platicar y echarse 

una fumadita. Me hicieron un montón de 

preguntas. Esto no me molestó para nada, 

hasta sentí cierto cariño para los ancianos.

Al fin, llegaron mi gente del trabajo. Tantos 

gritos de alegría, abrazos, besitos . . . y Doña

Clemen y Don Rafa viendo y meneando sus

cabezas. Rafita y Carlín, todavía jóvenes y 

aún sin familia. Rosi y Clemen al igual. Cómo

lloré al verlas. Pregunté por Doña Rebe pero

no sabían donde estaba.

Hubiese querido quedarme otro rato, pero

obviamente, desperté. Me di cuenta que mi 

cara aún estaba mojada de lágrimas derramadas

en mi sueño. Me siento entre gozosa de haber

visto a la familia y desconsolada de haberla

dejado tan pronto. 

Ay Dios . . .

06/23/2021

Been thinking about old practices,

celebrations and traditions that

have gone somewhat astray . . .

I do miss holiday cards, not exactly

sure why. They're a rather Facebook

mode of staying in touch. Some

simply sign and send; others write

entire pages.

I love handwritten letters, getting

them in the mail and have even sent

them for years. But e-mail is ever so

quick and dirty! A good way to keep

up with today's speed. And, as I'm a 

hundred years old, 'tis easier to type 

than write!

I see families in restaurants on special

holidays rather than cooking their own.

I get it! I find the idea of preparing so 

many dishes overwhelming. Bring on

the menus!

Coffee shops rather than tea, take out

instead of a sit down meal, order in

pizza in lieu of cooking. None of this

is wrong or bad, just is! 

I pray I'm not too old to keep up!

help me ascertain 

which is better old or new

some of each perhaps

06/22/2021

Morning of the day after . . .

Oh, I do have to chuckle!  First

Winter steals Spring away from

us and then, when we finally get

some heat, it's cold and rainy for

the entire Summer Solstice!

As my dad used to quote, "If you

don't like the weather in Colorado,

wait 15 minutes."

Sooooo, what is it about weather

anyway?! I met an old dame this

week who shared with me that

Winter is her fave time of year 

as she literally can't take the heat.

Might just have something to do

with the fact that she looked like

she might weigh about 85 lbs. 

on a good day. Others swear by

Spring and Fall as supposedly

weather extremes are less than

the other two seasons.

I'm beginning to think I need

to stop paying attention to the

weather and just get on with

life!

whats the weather like

rain or shine have a good day

im intending to

06/21/2021 - Summer Solstice

I was beginning to think Litha 

would never happen . . .

Existing through months of Winter, 

adding in several stolen weeks from 

both Autumn and Spring, I calculate 

Winter's season was roughly doubled! 

Not even certain how I've survived, 

but God in heaven, Summer has finally 

arrived!

Today . . . Litha, Summer Solstice,

the first day of Summer . . . a day 

of pure joy for so many, especially

for those of us with SADS . . . 

I am ever so grateful!

Do come Mr. Sun, fill my body, 

my mind, my soul, with your heat!

I must be able to remember the 

warmth of your rays once the 

dark returns . . .

summer is my time

pray stay yet another while

boon of my being

Happy Summer Solstice!

09/20/2021 - Father's Day

I feel my father is never very far from

me. I talk to him every day. I tell him

my thoughts and that I miss him. I

even feel that he hears me . . . I'm

certain of it!

It wasn't that long ago that I realized

when in prayer, I find myself talking

to dad. I doubt God minds very much

as he is a father as well and probably

gets it.

I think about the father of my children

and what an amazing gift he gave me

in my children. I think about the fathers

of my stepchildren and again, I am so

grateful for the gifts they gave me in 

my stepchildren. 

I love Father's Day, the memories 

flooding back, the acknowledgements.

I would remind those lucky enough

to still have their dads, to spend time

with them. Alas, their time by our

sides is not eternal.

so wish you were here

father to end all fathers

oh how i miss you

06/19/2021

When I'm queen of the universe . . .

things are going to be very different!

There are things I'd like to change,

fix, remove!!! Probably, the fist thing

I'd like to demolish from the face of 

the earth would be child molesters, 

spousal abusers and purveyors of

violence of any kind!

It occurs to me, although I'm not a

true socialist, that there's no point

in millions of people starving whilst

others have billions they would never

be able to spend in several lifetimes.

What would be wrong with remaining

a millionaire, but then sharing the 

billions of excess?! 

World hunger would be a thing of the 

past! Schools could be built and staffed 

in a manner that the student-teacher 

ratio would better support learning! 

Health could be better assessed and

improved with more medical personnel,

hospitals and sanctums.

If good things happen in threes, perhaps

bad things do as well . . . so don't even

ask me what I would like to do to drug 

pushers . . . and no, I'm not talking about

the odd joint!

~!@#$%^&*()_+

Remember to vote for me .  . . 

Okay, tantrum over . . . I think!

06/18/2021

Never thought the day would come

when I'd become that forgetful old

dame! Knew it happened, somehow

thought it wouldn't happen to me . . .

and really didn't until I turned 70!

If you knew just how many things

I had forgotten this year . . . praise

God, I can't remember!

So now, I write down every little

thing on my calendar. I go over it

from time to time, to update, erase,

remember . . . and sometimes in

reading it, I even get the giggles.

And, here was me thinking that 

our elder years would return us

to simpler times . . .

 . . . alas, I've forgotten what I

was going to write about!

whats up for today

call it a day already

have nothing to do

06/17/2021

There is absolutely naught in this

world like a picnic . . . and we're

having one today!

It's been so delightful choosing

just the right props, implements,

deets . . . 

I have a collection of baskets and 

I know just the perfect one for the 

occasion! I have a cloth that might

work as well. And, I want cloth

napkins! 

Then there's the wine glasses. And, 

I want real glass, not plastic; the 

glass should be thicker rather than 

thinner. I'm thinking that perhaps 

the wine should be a screw top for 

picnic ease. I have yet to decide 

whether red or white; both perhaps?

The food could almost be left behind 

if I'm not careful! Scary thought. I'm 

going to have several kinds of special

cheese and a couple of good crackers.

Cherries might just be the fruit of

choice and maybe egg salad for the 

sandwiches. Now that I think about

it, hardboiled eggs and a special salt

might be fun so maybe I'll come up

with a different kind of sandwich. 

For dessert? Chocolate of course!

Do I sound like I'm ready for

summer, or what?!

so bring on the heat

lets picnic party and dance

been waiting all year

06/16/2021

Been thinking, dangerous business

I know . . .

I've been known to say that I'm the

most unbalanced Libra ever. So 

once again, I'm taking a look see.

Our lives are composed of family

and friends, work and play, beliefs

and worship . . . or not!

Harking back to my own imbalances,

I recognize that work always out

shown play. I freely admit that this

had to have been hard on my family.

And although, I loved my work, I

much regret that I didn't play more.

And as to beliefs, I have them and 

I tend to believe hard and serve in the

best way I can. All this reminiscing

tends to make me ask myself why I

think I'm so unbalanced?!

Perhaps, it has more to do with the

fast and furious way I dive into things

rather than an actual balance issue.

Something to ponder . . .

teeter totter me

walk the line try not to fall

up down all around

06/15/2021

"What good is the warmth of

summer, without the cold of

winter to give it sweetness."

~John Steinbeck

I bitched, moaned and groaned 

all winter and early spring about

the cold, the rain and snow . . .

 . . . I told my guy to give me 

a good slap, metaphorically 

speaking, if he caught me in

complaints about the heat!

Wouldn't you know it, today

was just shy of 100 degrees

and I caught myself just in

time. I was well on my way

to saying a few things about

such immense heat!

Is it possible that we humans

are never truly satisfied?! Do

we find fault with everything?

Not accusing, just noticing . . .

and I find myself falling short.

On the morrow, I'm going to

buy some suntan lotion and

bug spray and shut the fuck

up about the heat!

its too cold too hot

never satisfied i fear

need to learn silence

06/14/2021

My daughter-in-law talked to us

last night about the ability to love

without the necessity of liking.

This is a subject that has always

interested me and I have written

about it before. Still, it surprised

me to see comprehension re the

subject in one so young.

She talked about caring deeply

for the well-being of a co-worker,

but not loving her. She also went 

on to elucidate about other 

instances.

I find the opposite is true as well.

There are those I quite like, but

have not yet learned to love. I 

can't help but wonder if these 

are conscious intellectual choices 

we make, or if we are guided by 

our feelings only?!

I know of a few instances where 

a person has seemed to dislike 

me on sight. I'm not offended, 

this simply is . . . but, I do find it

interesting. I can't help but wonder

and be amazed at this whole love 

vs like dynamic. Add in the quandary

of the instant dislike bit and me 

thinks we all have some pondering 

to do!!!

not really sure

i like you i love you i think

wish i understood

06/13/2021

Continuing my birthday thoughts

from yesterday . . . I realize they 

somehow remind me of life itself.

And yesterday, we celebrated three. 

Looking around, I saw teens, young 

adults, families with small children, 

and then the oldsters . . . that would 

be us . . . family album in 3-D, as it 

were!

It occurs to me that this missive is

not so much about birthdays as it 

is about life . . . living the lives we

were gifted.

And perhaps inadvertently, we're

circling back to living vs existing.

We've been there before, so let's

just remember . . .

Let's live! Let's celebrate life . . .

birthdays, fun days, exam days,

sad days . . . all good as long as

we're actually living, not just

existing.

i so want to live

existings not good enough

lets celebrate life 

06/12/2021

Most glorious day of all days . . .

We started out with my guy's kids,

who I happen to adore . . . and on

to celebrate daughter and son. My

x-wife throws a b-day party like

no other. She simply wows me!

I so loved catching up with all!

Seeing the children all happily

married, parenting wondrously,

making a living, and enjoying

their friends . . . so rewarding!

Looking at them, one harks back

to when it was our turn. Truly, it 

was both amazing and a relief to 

know we were beyond diapers,

learning to walk, soothing tears

and hand making baby foods.

On the other hand, I don't think

we love anyone more than the

grandchildren. God bless them!

so loving these kids

teaching us to love and learn

blest beyond the pale

06/11/2021

"We are symbolically in the dark today,

so hold off on new beginnings and

concentrate on letting go of things you

no longer need. The day is good for

tying up loose ends." Astrology Cafe

I really couldn't claim to know much

of anything about astrology. My 

paternal grandfather, Samuel Jennings,

absolutely loved it. He bought magazines, 

followed his horoscope in the newspapers

and visited astrologists when he had the

shekels.

I enjoyed listening to him talk about it 

when I was a kid. He loved the topic,

kept himself well informed and could

really entertain with tales out of school.

I have a friend who has studied astrology

for years. She is truly knowledgable!

Rather wish I could talk to her as I saw

these this morning:

"Do you have problems during Mercury 

retrograde?" ~Deb

"Any trouble sleeping with the new moon

energy?" ~Karen

"Nightmares last night? The ring of fire 

solar eclipse occurred and we're in 

Mercury retrograde." ~Sabrina

Alas, I'm in the dark here . . . pun intended!

a new moon tonight

so love looking at the stars

wonder what they mean

06/10/2021

Yesterday our, d) all of the above,

surprised us with a spread for our

new moon celebration.

It was luscious . . . two kinds of

grapes, watermelon, crackers and

little red-wrapped cheeses. What

a treat; wish I could recall it all!

I love all of it . . . friends getting 

together, sharing eats, telling tales

out of school, celebrating the cycles

of our beloved Mother Earth. The

five of us had such a wonderful 

time.

I feel so wealthy, rich in friendship.

I thank the Universe for the good

that still exists in these perilous 

times!

feeling gratitude

love me some june valentines

the gift of friendship

06/09/2021

"Green was the silence, wet was the

light, the month of June trembled

like a butterfly." ~Pablo Neruda

It has always troubled me how

Winter steals about two thirds of

Spring . . . thank the gods Spring 

is finally here. I was beginning to

suspect that Mother Nature had

somehow eclipsed Spring this 

year.

We were able to sit out under our

fave tree for hours yesterday . . .

We listened to the gurgling of the

pond, hoisted a glass or two of

homemade wine with a bestie,

told tales our of school and simply

enjoyed!

Beginning to think, hope, imagine

that I may live after all! Bless a

true Spring, finally arrived . . . and

we have an entire Summer to look

forward to! 

Now, if only we can have a true

Autumn and Mr. Winter doesn't

get greedy and take over . . .

so love me some sun

out of doors heat drinks and chat

shine on sunny days

*Dedicated to Jennifer Teets

06/08/2021

"It does not matter how slowly 

you go so long as you do not stop." 

~Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC 

Me thinks Confucius needs to return

from the ages and pound this into

my head. Really, it's rather sad how

I want everything right NOW! 

I'm happy to go on a diet, but I want

to lose 20 lbs. by tomorrow. I need to

go see my friend in New Mexico, but

I'd rather the drive were 20 minutes,

not five and a half hours. I have to go

to SAMS for groceries, but I just want

them delivered to my car. So, don't

like walking around the store for an

hour or more. 

I'm getting a clue here . . . not only

am I impatient, but I seem to be into

instant gratification. Can't help but

wonder if this is all part of today's

values . . . I want it and I want it

NOW! 

Think I'm going to give this a ponder.

There are a lot of miracles out here

that are worth the wait. I just need 

to remember this! 

take your time dear heart

what is the rush anyway

slow down and enjoy

06/07/2021

Courage is perhaps what it's all about . . .

After writing about fear yesterday, I

asked myself,  "How about focusing 

a bit on its opposite rather than 

concentrating only on the negative?"

I also recognize there's courage and

then there's courage! It takes great

courage for some to even face the

day as life is so difficult for them.

It takes great courage for bullied

children of all ages to even go to

school. As a teacher, this malady

enrages me almost more than any

other sin!!!

I look at people of different walks

of life rather than status quo, and

bow in amazement at what they

have to put up with from the 

unfriendlies! Can't even imagine 

the courage it must take to be 

anything from eccentric to any 

kind of other in today's society!

Special children, those with specific

needs, are often disregarded, ignored

and not treated like the other kids. 

What courage these children must 

have to face these daily mistreatments.

In thinking about these courageous 

peoples, and others we may not know

about, I find myself much moved,

wowed in fact! Something to think

about and have a good look-see at

how I treat everyone!

pray grant me courage

tis needed for one and all

lest we forget fear

06/06/2021

We had a thunder/lightening/rain storm

last night to end all storms. I do not

know if childhood fears were awakened

in me but, I was quaking in my boots. 

I kid you not, I was truly afraid!

Once I got the adult version of me back 

in gear, I began to ponder fear, fear as

its own entity . . . And yes, storms did

make me quake in my little boots as a

child!

Looking at fear square in the face, I 

see I am afraid of the strangest things. 

Losing my way to a given destination,

not dressed right for a certain occasion,

will I be able to carry on a conversation

as I've been out of the loop for a few 

years?!

The sad thing is, when faced with each

of these things, I do just fine . . . so then,

why all the fear?! I suppose it's a natural

human reaction, but really, at my age?!

Disgraceful!

Can't help but wonder if it has something

to do with being closer to the end rather

than the beginning of one's life. I'll have

to ponder . . .

fearful as a child

how old did i say i was

lose fear already

06/05/2021

I grew up drinking tea; decaf, of course.

I was allowed half a teaspoon of honey,

but I actually preferred it without. I

miss it; like it when I fix it, but don't

indulge very often.

I actually started drinking coffee when

I began teaching a hundred years ago.

I kept a pot going in my classroom and

the teachers in my hall would often

come in and have a cuppa. 

I never worried about my consumption. 

Kept me awake all day and didn't bother

me at night. Then, I began counting the

cups; big mistake! Seems I always drank

in the teens. I finally gave it up when I

retired; cold turkey no less! So, I treat

myself to a cup once a month, just to

keep my hand in. And actually, those

one or two cups keep me awake all night.

Sooooo not kidding!

Love me some ice cold milk, no matter

the time of day. Don't really care for 

add ins like chocolate or vanilla. Just

love it plain and cold. No hot for me!

And, I do like lemonade, OJ, etc. But,

there is nothing in the world like an

ice cold Corona on a hot summer day!

coffee tea other

drinks ahoy bring em over

brewski for me please

06/04/2021

"Never forget that time passes so quickly

you don't even notice it until it begins to

show. So, use the good china, go on the

trip, eat the cake, watch the late movie,

read your favorite book and take a chance 

in life. Tomorrow is promised to no one."

~John M. Sweeney

Maybe it has something to do with being

71, but it seems to me I'm hearing this

message more and more. It's a good call

and I intend to answer it!

Thinking here, what's my happy list?

Sit under my fave tree with my guy!

Might even add in the iced margs!!!

Eat out once in a while at my fave

Mexican restaurant! Take a drive and

stop at that unexpected place calling

out my name! Write a special note

or letter, send a card . . .

Maybe I'll make up a new list, naught

too extravagant, you understand! Take

in a campground and stay over night.

Try out an unknown place for the first

time, albeit a walk, a picnic or a shop.

Visit rather than be visited!

Is this where I swear to LIVE rather

than EXIST?!

"Do whatever it takes to bring a smile to

your face each day. Eat the cake. Watch

the Christmas movie. Take a bubblebath

in the middle of the day. Cover your house

in lights to bring the joy we so desperately

need. You need laughter. You need light."

~Donna Ashworth

06/03/2021

Been thinking; always a risk with me!

So, who do I really want to be when I 

grow up?

Alas, there are some things I know I 

need to deal with. Eat a tad less; lose 

a bit of weight. Wouldn't be anything 

wrong with me not talking so much 

(as my dad used to point out!) 

Of course, I know I have the odd sins

here and there, but you'd have to pay 

big bucks to get those out of me! Ha!

I would have to admit that I find this

growing up business a hard one; make

no mistake! 

Perhaps most importantly, I'd like to 

refine my beliefs, really nail down in 

my mind the whats, whys, wherefores! 

I'd like to suss out what all my children 

are up to and about. There is nothing 

in the world like having serious, adult

conversation with those sweet little

kids, all grown up and ready to party!

I so enjoy my special women friends, 

their chats and sharings, those precious

aha moments, even the odd tears.

So, who am I going to be when I grow

up? Same ole? Same ole! Maybe that's

a lost cause and I simply need to enjoy

the here and now the universe has gifted.

Only God knows just how much time

I have left . . .

who will i become

wake up and smell the coffee

get on with living

06/02/2021

We only wanted to sit outside . . .

it is June after all!

It was chilly, I was in shorts; 

had to go in and change.

Brought out all the fixings . . .

a fresh pitcher of margaritas, 

ice, a bit of salt and a

couple of glasses.

Of course,  it starts to rain . . .

Went inside and made hot

chocolate.

Where the hell is June and

what have they done with it?!

~!@#$%^&*()_+

06/01/2021

I thought June would never come . . .

I can hardly believe it finally did!

There are good, wonderful things

about each month of the fiscal

year, but June marks the beginning

of actual warmth, the beginning of

summer.

I've often said, "If I were queen of

the universe, we'd skip winter

entirely and add a couple of weeks 

to each of the other three seasons!"

Bet the skiers would hate that!

June brings us that long awaited

for gift of heat, the first day of

summer, father's day and a plethora

of b-days brought about by those

cold, cuddling nights of winter . . .

and not to forget our June brides!

I find, with the dawning of actual

warmth, I make new plans, start

planting the whiskey barrels and 

cleaning up winter's devastation

to ready for summer parties.

There are nights when I think 

I'm going to die from the day's

exertion, but little by little winter's

neglected body is somewhat brought

back to life. Alas, at 71 somewhat

is no exaggeration!

Here's wishing you one hell of a

summer . . . Pray, sally forth and

plan, plant, and party!!!

so been missing you

welcome back father summer

let's throw a party

05/31/2021

What a strange day . . .

a rather kind of in between day,

if you will.

The other party goers left last

night. But, we had the joy of

having our family still here

until evening.

Alas, it rained so hard and the

mud was so deep, there was no

way to socialize. We waved 

good bye early eve, knowing 

we'd see them soon again.

We watched the storm; it was

beautiful in its own way. Back 

in our minds, we did wonder if

we'd be able to get out the next

day.

I found whilst sleeping . . .

Did I say sleeping? . . . that there

was a bit of fear. We were sooooo

alone, it was raining so hard and

the mud was so deep.

I found myself wondering if Mama

Earth was having a good time?! And,

scary or not, all of it was stunning!

One way r another, the morrow will

come with its own surprises and

we'll just have to see what she has

in mind for us.

these storms in my life

so real and or imagined

pray help me to cope.

05/30/2021

It was a storm to end all storms . . .

Slowly but surely, the air darkened

all around us until skyline met

horizon.

Eerie! And, then came the hail; 

hail such as I have never seen, ever!

Huge, pelting, sky marbles, hell bent

on winning the game.

This time, it wasn't quick and dirty.

It hailed as if it were a snow storm

and didn't quit until the ground was

covered. Rain, not to be outdone,

began to strut her stuff.

Blackened skies, fierce  dueling 'twixt

hail and rain, lasting nigh onto two

hours . . . completely unnerving, an

unbidden return to childhood fears.

Once the skies stopped their dueling,

we sat in utter silence, stunned by 

that which we had unwittingly

witnessed.

My inner child, still frightened, silently

pleaded . . . . Please, I just want to go

home!

storm to end all storms

father sky strutting his stuff

fine hes made his point

05/29/2021

Today marks that first day of our

long awaited vay-day; nothing

quite like it!

I find it interesting how one forgets

the feeling between any mini-vays!

You would thin you'd hold onto any 

of those faint memories, no matter

how awesome, no matter how small.

It's not that any of this is beyond the

pale; it's simply away, special, different.

I just love the feelings that go with the

preparation, the expectation, and the

realization of something so longed for.

And surprise, surprise . . . the longing

to go home again as departure entices.

Ever so late last night . . . set up and

prep time, a rather sleep in late time

this a.m. if you will! Today celebrated

family, friends, b-days and wide open

spaces.

I love that whole catching up thing, 

telling tales out of school, having the 

odd drink, the yearning for a fire even

though it would be dangerous in the

wind on the plains! Pray someone

fixes some real food soon; enough

with the snacks already!

For all this fun with word play,

there are truly no words to describe

this glorious celebration of life, 

dearests and bestests!!!

so love family

children of different moms

those friends of my heart