01/31/2023

January, at its end; we bid adieu.

I imagine all of us tend to think 

of January as new beginnings. We

promise ourselves better behavior,

new ideas, exercise and weight loss.

Don't know about you, but my

promises tend to last about three

days. On the good side of things,

I'm always faithful to my January

abstinence. Now, ask me about

eating right!

At o' dark thirty this a.m. I got 

to thinking about resolutions in

general and mine in particular.

It occurred to be that if I had

only made three rather than an

entire 10 commandments, there

might be a better chance of

victory.

The other thing that came to mind

was following them throughout

the year rather than just January.

I think I'll post my three where I

see them every day. And, as we

tend to gloss over the things that

stay in one place, maybe I'll even

move them around.

A bit of magick . . . year 2023,

I am 73 and I have 3 resolves.

Three is my number and this

year, I'm going to make a better

effort all year long. As my friend

David used to say . . .

"Lord willing and the Devil doesn't 

intervene."

01/30/2023

Methinks Santa has outstayed his

welcome! 'Tis minus 7 degrees 

right now. I'm at war with Winter!

No can do . . . 

Obviously, it's a mute point for

those who must out and about.

For those of us lucky enough to

be retired, we have a few other

choices.

Trying to wrap my head around 

some solutions rather than just

bitching about it. I have my usual;

crossword puzzles, collecting and

organizing quotes and other words

of wisdom. Best part is making a

stab and reading a book every day

or so.

Right now, I'm thinking along the

lines of staying in bed all day and

reading my next fave book. Works 

for moi . . . Sooooo feel for all the

working stiffs out there!

High time for a decent hibernation.

See you next spring . . .

01/29/2023

"The problems that lay before

you are not as strong as the

ancestors that walk beside you."

~Out of the Broom Closet

'Midst the sorrows of the last

few weeks, I ran into the above

quote. I have no idea who this

author is, but the wisdom is

there!

This led me to ponder the words

of our own grands in my family.

Luckily, one side of my kin flies

under the Pantheist umbrella and 

the other, Christian. So, I accrue 

wisdom from both sides of the coin.

'Tis often words from one grand

or the other come to me. Times

I chuckle and others, I cry. Simple

adages and folk sayings such as . . .

"Don't get your panties in a twist,

no harm - no foul, take it easy, get

over it, mind your own business,

what the hell's wrong with you?"

I know! I know! But, I did say

simple, didn't I?! I look at these

and I think about them. They are

basically quick ass responses you

wouldn't expect out of the mouths

of wisdom. Still, behind them is

a bit of magic that reduces our

humungous woes to that with 

which we can cope.

And of course, I'll never forget 

the real sit down talks that truly

matter above and beyond the 

quick and dirty rejoinders!

Sooooo, I will gird up my loins, 

sally forth and conquer, to quote 

one of the grands! Or, maybe, just

maybe, this is one of my own!

Go figure, I come from good stock!

Get the hell on with it, Linda-Dale!!!

01/28/2023

Where to go from here . . .

My heart is full, I've cried,

sobbed and wept until I have

no more tears. I feel so empty.

What came to me yesterday . . .

At my age, of course there will

be more passings, more losses.

What to do? How to cope? Lay

down and give up? I don't think

so.

I firmly believe that as we lose

members of our families, our 

friends, each of them whispers,

"Live! LIVE!! L I V E !!!" 

Enough with this existing already.

We have no idea how much time

will be allotted us. No way in hell

should any remaining time be 

wasted.

Time need not be spent in such

sophisticated ways. A simple walk,

a drive in the country, sitting in

front of a fire, watching it snow.

Write a letter, a real letter to a 

loved one.

I'd have to say, I want to go down

with my hand in. Existing only

just doesn't cut it! We so need to

enjoy each day, each moment, 

and love with all our hearts . . .

Live, truly live . . .

01/27/2023

A difficult, yet most amazing 

day today . . .

Our family and friends bid adieu 

to our much loved Lee. Always 

a fave . . . know this; she was one 

incredible woman. The word I

kept hearing over and over was

kind. What a wonderful epitaph!

Daughter, wife, mother, grand-

mother! But, what touches my

heart is how wondrous she was

in each role. Wow! Just W O W !

On our return journey, we were

treated to the most unbelievable

sky show. An entire panorama . . . 

There were patches of bright blue 

with pearly white clouds, followed 

by three different shades of grey, 

then the darkest of skies ending in

a shaft of snow over the mountains.

It was as if the entire heavens were

bowing down to welcome and salute

Lee's arrival. And, although she will

be much missed here, there is joy in

heaven today . . .

Lee, you are, and were, much loved . . .

and ever so missed!

01/26/2023

"Don't save anything for a special

occasion. Being alive is a special

occasion." ~Mary Englebreit 

Methinks we all sin on the side of

saving things for a special occasion.

I see some good, sound advice here

and I hope for once that I have the

brains to follow it!!!

My barro set from Mexico over 

paper plates?! Now, there's an idea! 

Pretty napkins vs those old white 

ones meant for picnics. I'm thinking

candles every day rather just at

special times. And bottom line,

there'd be naught wrong with

dressing up now and then. Alas, 

I spend my days in black, head 

to toe.

Trying to think here . . . where the

hell did this idea of saving things

for later come from?! Maybe it's

just my generation as our parents

experienced WWII and our grands,

WWI. And we went through the

Viet Nam war ourselves!

I actually think our youngers, as 

I like to call them, are smarter 

about this than we are. Again, 

maybe it has something to do with 

our war time mentality.

Here's to good New Year thoughts;

get out the crystal and silver, wear

that dress you've been saving, eat

at your adorned table and light those

stunning candles! Do it today! As

our elders have always told us . . .

nobody knows about the morrow 

anyway!

Opening a bottle of champagne

I've been saving. I might even

invite the neighbors over and get

a bit festive! Salud!

01/25/2023

"You will never be completely

at home again because part of

your heart will always be else-

where. That is the price you 

pay for the richness of loving

and knowing people in more

than one place." ~girlgi

Of late, I've found myself having

a look-see down that dark tunnel 

called the past. In thinking of

my childhood, I can't help but

remember those most precious

loved ones, times and moments.

My father; lovely, wondrous

times we spent together . . . 

my childhood friends and the

naughties we shared . . .

High school, college strangely

different in their renditions of

memory. The former, an updated

version of my earlier years with

a bit of study thrown in. The latter,

more study and less time for pals.

 . . . then lands adulthood on the

scene; shrouded in responsibility,

the ups and downs of monetary

endeavors, the creation of family,

the odd bit of entertainment if

time allowed.

Ever so thankful that retirement

coincided with my total exhaustion.

Still, these golden years allow for

the memories of loved ones to

surface from every segment of 

my life.

I see my heart in pieces, spread

out amongst each of those I have

loved in each time and place I've

lived. I find I have no need to

reunite them; I am content with

the broken pieces of my heart.

01/24/2023

"Blessed are the weird people;

poets, misfits, writers, mystics,

painters and troubadours, for

they teach us to see the world

through different eyes."

~Jacob Nordby

I so love and enjoy all peoples

different . . .

As my father was an eccentric,

I was blest with enjoying those

of a different cut of cloth . . . 

I believe they were drawn to my

dad simply because he accepted 

them and they felt comfortable in 

his presence.

I remember Mr. Bailey; he always

carried petrified dinosaur scat in

his pockets. Sometimes he would

actually lick the polished surface

so we could better see the beauty.

One of my dad's best friends was

a douser. He would come over

with his dousing rod and wend 

his way through the outskirts in

search of water. Loved him!

He got a kick out of Gay Johnson's

daughter. She would climb ladders

in her mink coat and spike heels in

order to better see the work he was

doing on her house.

He loved the Asian owner of the

Far East Restaurant. We would eat

there once a month as a treat. Later

he built two fireplaces for the man

in exchange for a piano for me.

I am ever so fortunate to have been

reared by him. God, I so miss him;

beyond the pale . . .

01/23/2023

"If there's even a slight chance

at getting something that will

make you happy, risk it. Life's

too short and happiness is too

rare." ~A.R. Lucas

I do look back sometimes, and

spot those wondrous times of

truly happy. I think of leaving

home, life in Mexico, birthing 

my children, teaching forever 

and a day, my friends.

I just noticed that I didn't list 

any possessions. Isn't that

interesting?! I've heard it said

that this appreciation of the 

etherial over the physical has

to do with age, but maybe not.

Today, I love my life in my 

135 year old cabin out in the 

woods with my guy who I've 

known since I was three. I so

enjoy visits from family and

friends, sharing a bite to eat

together. 

Can't help but wonder what I

look forward to and methinks,

more of the same, please! So

love me some visits, so enjoy

sharing a meal and tales out of

school. I can hardly wait 'til

spring when we can have more

of that!

Come on over, let's make some

memories together . . .

01/22/2023 - Dedicated to Deb and Heidi

Yesterday was the New Moon

and today, we celebrate our

Lunar New Year . . .

Obviously, some of us are all

about the sun and others enjoy

the moon. I'm lunar all the way

and I'd have to say . . .

"What the hay, woman?! You 

go off the map during winter 

and complain about no sun, 

yet you're all about the moon!!!"

Well, what can I say, I'm a Libra

and my own scales have never,

ever been in balance . . . which

explains a great deal, if you ask

me!

So, last night at o' dark thirty,

I celebrated the new moon . . .

which made me think of Deb.

We like to get together at the

New Moon. Still, methinks it

was so cold as well as lightly

snowing, that not even God

would have come out from

the warmth of his hearth and 

home!

Today, I celebrate the Lunar

New Year. Normally, I would

do so with my sisters . . . but,

"Baby it's cold outside . . . "

~Frank Loesser

Happiest Lunar New Year to

those of you who enjoy our

Lunar Lady. 

Salud!

01/21/2023

Just when it feels like your 

world is about to explode,

and hope eludes your grasp,

and you can't even find

yourself . . .

 . . . the Universe sends a sign,

a message, if you will. This

a.m. at 2:00, a mountain lion

came to visit. She set off the

alarm so we were able to see

her at play, walking through

the yard and then heading on

up the mountain.

There is absolutely no doubt

in my mind that she carried

a message; this is what came

to my mind  as she pranced

about. . . 

 . . . "Life goes on, with or

without you. It's up  to you 

to live it or to discount it. 

Get over yourself already; 

winter won't last forever . . ."

I get that it may take a bit,

but I'm going to get my act 

together. I need embrace to

embrace some positivity, 

and truly live the time that

has been allotted me.

Confessing here, I can't help 

but wonder if that wasn't my

friend Julie whispering in my 

ear . . .

01/20/2023

I have loved aging, which

surprises me a bit. But, the

alternative isn't attractive.

There are ever so many

plusses, such as watching

your children come to

fruition, appreciation for

those things not noticed

heretofore, slowing down.

I truly enjoy the slowing

down part. "Stop and smell

the roses," is now real to

me. I love simply standing

outside and noticing. It's

truly the first time I have

realized how oblivious 

I've been.

I guess the one thing I had

not thought about was loss.

I know my time will come,

obviously. But, I hadn't

pondered the passing of

those around me. Yesterday,

claimed my niece . . . I

simply cannot imagine the

grief her mother, sister,

husband and daughter are

going through.

How to survive? How to

find comfort? How to cope?

I so wish to lend words of

wisdom to my family and

friends . . . and none will

suffice. 

I truly thought aging would

bring about wisdom and I

find myself clueless!!!

01/19/2023

"Grief, I've learned, is really

just love. It's all the love you

want to give, but cannot. All

that unspent love gathers up

in the corners of your eyes,

the lump in your throat, and

in that hollow part of your

chest. Grief is just love with

no place to go."

~Jamie Anderson

Methinks suffering and

grief need to sit down at

the table and come up with

some ideas as to how we

are to cope with loss.

We have loved well, why

wasn't it enough? We have

prayed, begged, promised

anything . . . and nothing

has kept the worst from

happening.

Seems our minds make

every effort to try and

comprehend what's

happening, but the scope

of loss and heartache are

too great.

Alas, I have all the questions 

and none of the answers.

Pray give us rest from grief.

Pray give us peace . . .

01/18/2023 - Julie Olmstead

It seems Julie has been in 

my life forever, rather along 

the lines of a little sister or

a fave niece. We did meet 

25 years ago or so and have 

been close ever since. She's

taken my classes, joined my 

group of sisters and been a 

bright light in moments of

darkness.

I rue the day illness took 

her life as she knew it. It

was heartbreaking to watch

this amazing woman slow

her steps, but never her 

smile. Positive as ever,

she showed us what real

courage looked like.

Looking back, I am well

pleased that we went over

to see her every few weeks.

I thought we had more time.

The lesson I take from Julie . . .

Live life while you have it.

Exist only when you don't!

What a love . . .

"Your wings were ready, 

but our hearts were not . . ."

01/17/2023

"All human beings are descendants 

of tribal people who were spiritually 

alive, intimately in love with the natural 

world, children of  Mother Earth. When 

we  were tribal people, we knew who 

we were, we knew where we were, and 

we knew our purpose. This sacred

perception of reality remains alive and 

well in our genetic memory. We carry

it inside of us, usually in a dusty box in 

the mind's attic, but it is accessible." 

~John Trudell

'Twas fabulous to awaken at o' dark thirty

to this missive by one of my heroes. Also

fun to see my cousin and student teacher's

names attached. Wow! Just WOW!

At the time of his political activism dealing

with Free Alcatraz, I was a newlywed living

in Mexico. He was much revered and so

admired. He was courageous beyond the 

pale . . . awakening in people a revisiting of

their own beliefs and feelings pertaining to

these issues.

He was a light in the dark places of our hearts

and minds. I so lament that he died so young.

I salute you, John Trudell. Know that your 

message lives on . . .

John Trudell was a Native American

author, poet, actor, musician, and political

activist. He was the spokesperson for the

Indians of All Tribes takeover of Alcatraz

beginning in 1969, broadcasting as Radio

Free Alcatraz. 1946 - 2015 Wikipedia

01/16/2023

Pay to the order of

Linda-Dale Jennings:

$2.50 - Wounded Soldiers

$1.50 - Disabled Veterans 

$2.50 - Wounded Soldiers

$1.50 - Disabled Veterans 

Every month, I'm in the habit

of sending donation checks to

roughly eight charities of my

choice. I switch around a bit, 

so I probably give to about 15

throughout the year.

All my intimates have heard

me explain that I live on only

a half retirement as I cannot

collect from Mexico unless 

I live there. I'll 'fess up front

that this could also have the

nomenclature of bitch, moan

and groan.

Sooooo, imagine my surprise

when a couple of my charities

started sending ME donations.

I've listed above, four checks

I've received. Of course I won't

cash them, but what the hay?!

Methinks 'tis the universe . . .

"ld, shut the f--- up and be

thankful for what you have.

Share what you can and stop

griping already!"

I'm embarrassed . . . think I'll

go to mass, hit the confessional

and get my sins pardoned!!!

Sooooo NOT kidding here . . .

01/15/2023

"I've seen better days, but

I've also seen worse. I don't

have everything I want, but 

I do have all I need. I woke 

up with some aches and pains, 

but I woke up. My life may 

not be perfect, but I am blest." 

Lady Winter Moon

In my search for tolerance

and enlightenment during 

these winter months, I ran

across the above bits of

wisdom . . .

I've come to realize that bits

of wisdom such as these, as

I tend to think of them, are

thrown our way daily. The

issue at hand might be that

we're not paying attention.

And, if we do notice, do we

do anything about them?

It's way too easy to bandy

about wise words and not

really even hear them! I like

to think I'm listening . . . but

am I truly hearing?

I can just see Mother shaking

her finger saying, "Listen up!

Pay attention to business. This

may be your only chance!"

I swear, I truly want not only

to listen, but to really hear. 

I wish to honor the reality 

of learning. I want to grow.

Courage, pray come to me. 

I may not truly be ready, 

but I so need to try . . .

01/14/2023

"I like night time things.

Wolves. Moons. Auroras.

Art. Music. Firelight. 

Mystery." ~Victoria Erickson

Pondering my unbalanced

Libra self, I find . . .

Isn't it strange how I suffer 

from SAD, yet love the night

time?! I should be solar, yet 

I'm lunar by nature and creed.

Love the sunset; sunrise comes 

in second. Naught in this world

like sitting by the fire. Beats

being out in the sun every time.

So, wondering here, if the docs

haven't misdiagnosed me with

Seasonal Affective Disorder?!

Looks to me like winter would

be a kind of coming home for

me. All cozy and dark, yearning

for a fire and a delish hot soup.

Been trying nigh onto a 100

years to understand myself. 

Looks to moi like it ain't

happening.

Still, the above insights might 

just help me deal with dark side 

of the year a tad better!

01/13/2023 - Friday the 13th

Yayyyyyyyyy! Finally,

we have a Friday the

13th . . . 

On average, we have 

a couple a year. It goes

from none to three. Not

sure why I like them so

much, but they tickle

my heart!

In grade school, we used 

to play jokes on each other 

as well as the teachers.

They were such sweet,

simple jests; I find myself

much moved.

Back in a first grade recess, 

I can remember writing, 

"I am a gost" on a little piece 

of paper and sticking it to the 

back of the principal's suit 

coat. Not sure where I got

the nerve as he was quite

a serious man!

He must have felt something

so he reached around and

grabbed the paper. I thought

for sure I was going to get

killed! He just laughed,

turned to me and said, "Hey,

little one, you spelled ghost

wrong." Still tickles me . . .

I like doing things out of the

ordinary on Fridays the 13th.

I'll have to see what I come

up with today. Methinks 'tis

a good excuse to spend some

much needed time by the fire.

Let's see what proper naughties

we can all get up to . . .

01/12/2023

There are ever so many

things about which to feel

wondrous . . .

A sunny day, albeit below

freezing, a couple of friends

dropping by, clean sheets, 

fun slippers . . .

I must remind myself that

moments, treats, gifts . . .

all bring smiles and help

brush away the SAD . . .

When a SAD attack occurs,

it's so easy to forget these

precious moments, fun

spontaneous visits, a bit of

winter sun . . .

Methinks I need to give 

myself a good shaking,

wake up and smell the

coffee, smile on the gifts

of the gods!

Why is it that we tend to

focus on the negative rather

than the positive? Why do

we mire in the mud rather

than playing in the snow, 

as it were?!

I swear, I'm going to have

words with myself next

doldrums attack! Going to

gift myself a day by the fire,

a good book and a virgin 

bloody Mary. 

Happy! Happy! Here I come!

01/11/2023

Yesterday, I braved the 

world and did my monthly 

shop . . .

So naturally, I came home 

with all I wanted and nought 

on my list! Of course, today

is my house cleaning day 

and none of my much needed 

tools seem to be in existence.

Wonder if I might just clean

the bath with chili powder

and maybe dust the living 

room with satin napkins?!

I seem to recall I was going

to work on my memory this

year. Don't know if the loss

is all down to half-heimers 

or simply the longing to be

naughty yet one more time.

Feel free to come over and

help with the all day cabin

clean . . . and by that, I mean

sitting in front of the fire

sipping ungodly brews . . .

01/10/2023

I seem to remember something 

along the lines of promising my-

self some changes for the new 

year.

Strange, we're only ten days

in and I'm not really certain 

I recall any of them; maybe 

the odd self-improvement or 

so . . .

 . . . like eating better, losing 

a tad more weight and getting

out more. The only one I like

of these particular three is the

latter. 

I'm finding, in my anti SAD fight

(Seasonal Affective Disorder),

that getting my ass out in the real 

world from time to time is actually

quite helpful! Methinks I'm just

ever so comfy in my own little

cabin!

Bottom line, what's to be my 

focus for the next several months? 

I won't allow myself more than 

three, so what's it to be? I'd like 

to think outside the box this time 

around . . . 

So perhaps, getting out a bit more 

is a good place to start. Interacting 

with more people, family and 

friends comes to mind . . . albeit 

e-mails, letter and cards, or visits

and telephone calls. 

If I'm counting right, I get one more!

And, I'd like that to be surprises. 

In our modern day world, we have

to be so organized. My mom used to

accuse me of having my life planned

from the cradle to the grave. Alas, I

don't think she was far from wrong.

Sooooo, surprises here I come, or 

do I have that backwards?! Come

on guys, lend me a hand here; help

me be surprised . . .

0109/2023

"Detachment is not that you

should own nothing, but that

nothing should own you."

~Ali ibn abi Talib, the last of

four Rightly Guided Caliphs

to rule Islam immediately aft

the death of Muhammad; he

was the first Shia Imam. His

succession caused a major

rift between Muslims and

divided them into Shia and

Sunni groups. Wikipedia

'Tis most interesting those

changes in attitude as we find

ourselves in the last years of

our lives. I've heard it said

that the first half of our lives

is spent collecting and the

last half in giving away. We

humans are something else,

aren't we?!

I can remember my mom

couldn't let anyone leave her

home without giving them

something. It didn't matter if

they wanted it or not, or if it

was ridiculous or wonderful,

you didn't leave empty handed.

I find myself emulating her to

some degree. I've given away

everything on my will that I

could. Treasures in my home

go out the door with just the

right person. I love that!

I do find myself wishing I had

spent more on experiences and

less on treasures . . . but I was a

when in doubt, do both person.

No regrets really . . .

Looking at the above quote, 

I do think that in my younger

years, my treasures, as I like to

think of them, owned me. In my

dotage, I do believe I've actually

found an iota of balance.

I see I said iota rather than perfect,

oh well . . .

01/08/2023

"Absence makes the heart 

grow fonder!" 

~Sextus Aurelius Propertius,

Roman poet, 15BC

Methinks I'm about to give

this whole psychobabble 

thing a kick in the pants . . .

When I'm fasting, I'd like to 

eat! In a month of abstinence, 

of course a drink sounds good. 

On a diet? Only fat laden foods 

attract! Not to forget doc's 

orders of 8 glasses of water 

a day and I'm gagging around 

the 6th.

What is it about human

nature that makes us long

for the unattainable?! I'd

have to admit, per se, I

don't. For me, it's all about

me denying moi!

I get these flea brained 

notions in my head that

X, Y or Z would make 

life better or healthier,

even easier. Oh my God,

talk about sinning against

oneself. Why can't I just 

live and let things be?!

Oh no . . . wayyyyy tooooo

logical!!! Gots to be that ole

Libra thing again! Convince

myself that personal growth

is important even at 100 years

old. And then, down comes

the other scale saying things

like, "You're old enough to

have some fun now."

Go figure . . . I'm going to

ponder self acceptance here

at o' dark thirty whilst I have

a Bloody Mary in bed . . . non

alcohol, of course. Damn!

01/07/2023

Today is the recalling of one

of the most glorious days of 

my life . . .

Umpteen years ago on a most

wondrous afternoon, I became

a mother for the first time. I'll

never forget that moment when

the nurse handed me my babe.

There's this amazing, inordinate

feeling when your baby finally

rests in your arms. That tiny

face, screwed up and bursting

into song . . . or should I say,

howling. 

We howled together, at the top 

of our voices! And I wept in

sheer gratitude to the universe.

I loved watching his dad hold

him high in his arms shouting,

"I have a son, a beautiful son!"

He has brought all of us such

joy through the years. This

man; son, brother, husband,

friend and artist . . . wow! 

Just W O W !!! 

How will I ever show my

gratitude? To whom do I offer

my praise? Will I ever feel I

have shouted my love to the

Universe loud enough, long 

enough.

I love him so . . .

01/06/2023

"Sometimes you have to 

let go of the picture of what 

you thought life would be 

like and learn to find joy in the

story you are actually living." 

~Rachel Marie Martin

Bet I wasn't the only kid who

grew up with the Cinderella 

story. But, I would have to 

admit that any extrapolations 

coming from there were my 

own. Can't blame my parents 

for this one!

And of course, we just use the

term. Childhood is a fantasy of

sorts, good or bad. I imagine

we all grew up thinking, "This

is NOT how things are going

to be for me when I grow up."

And now, nigh onto a 100. 

my fave number for 73, I am

wowed by all the twists and

turns in my own life.

Whilst living them, we may

sorrow, but looking back, I

find myself dismissing regrets.

Methinks 'tis those very twists

and turns in our lives that bring

us to the end of our journey.

And, if that's the case, bring 

on another few . . . I find I'm 

not yet ready for the end of 

my own journey!

Now, when I grow up, I want

to be . . .

01/05/2023

"Even the darkest night will

end and the sun will rise."

~Victor Hugo

Cold, dark, dank, snowy 

days of winter . . .

My soul cries out to the

heavens . . . "When, oh 

when, will joy be returned 

to me, ere I die?!"

Such a drama queen, a role

I've never admired in anyone

much less in myself! What 

the hell?

Those who do not suffer

w/SAD (Seasonal Affective

Disorder) would find this

utterly unbelievable, unduly

dramatic . . . perhaps it is.

Still, this near death drama

queen feels exactly thus!

Each and every day, she 

fears she will not make it.

Pray the Lord of Winter 

spares me yet one more 

season. More so, beg I 

grow and learn to handle 

this ghastly malady with 

wisdom and grace . . .

01/04/2023

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . brings me coffee in bed,

makes me the odd funny taco.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . braves the storms, clears the

walks and preps the transport.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . cuts the grasses and rakes

the leaves, arranges the tables

and the chairs.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . " 

. . . watches show with me, those

not his cup of tea, opens the wine

we share, but has just a tad.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . he cuts the wood, builds the

fire and gazes into the embers

with me.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . those meaningless words,

he exemplifies them in every

action, every gesture, every 

thought.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . . te amo, te quiero, te adoro,

je t'aime.

He doesn't say, "I love you . . . "

. . .  he speaks a different

language, a language of the

gods . . .

 . . . and I worship, not at his 

feet, but at his heart.

01/03/2023

My entire life I have loved

reading. I can still remember

announcing to my parents, 

"I can read! I can read!" 

A whole new world opened

its doors to me; and I wasn't

happy unless I read a book a

day. Obviously, starting with

Dick and Jane and finally

arriving at Shakespeare's door

lo those many years later.

My idea of heaven was the

library, especially as shekels

were few and desire was great.

Having said that, I would use

my small allowance to keep

my faves close to my heart.

Truly, my pride would never

have allowed me to read any-

thing silly, romances, never!

Cervantes was always a fave

in Spanish, Shakespeare's 

counterpart, as it were.

And now,  perhaps a proper 

confession is in order. Maybe

I've never read comedy or

romance, but you ought to see

me eat up murder mysteries.

Methinks my father would be

appalled . . .

I console myself by thinking,

"At least they're not dime

romance novels." Many a time

have I addressed my love of

reading, but a confession has

been a long time coming.

A few years from my own 

passing, I intend to keep sinning

as hard and as fast as I can!

Murder awaits . . . no shit 

Sherlock!!!

01/02/2023

My sister-in-law sent me 

a wonderful article today.

The author wrote of the

sacred. She closed with

this comment . . .

"May you see sacredness

in your daily life- in the

taste of your favorite foods,

in the green growing things

around you, in the crowded

parking lot or the line in your

supermarket, in the laughter

from a friend's inside joke, in

the tears you shed when you

are hurting, and especially in

the beautiful sacred souls all 

around you." 

~Marjorie Jorie Ellenwood

I've always tended toward 

the spiritual over the religious,

like my father rather than my

mother. Still, I enjoyed my

studies when taking a degree

in Religion and Philosophy.

I love the study still, but it's

the practice of spirituality

that calls to me.

I wonder if religion doesn't

lie in the mind and spirituality 

in the heart. Perhaps religion

addresses our beliefs, whereas

spirituality our actions?!

Whatever our beliefs, practices, 

I pray we will each grow in the

acceptance of others and their 

ways. Perhaps spirituality can 

rescue us from narrow thinking.

I am slowly but surely coming

to believe that a better new year

awaits us with the opening of

both our hearts and minds.

This may be our only recourse

for personal growth as well as

an inkling of heaven on earth.

01/01/2023

Is it Happy New Year? or

Happy Anniversary? When

it doubt, do both, right?!

My guy woke me up at 

midnight, wished me a 

happy 23! He then asked 

me if I'd like to go sit by 

the fire and open a bottle 

of champagne?! This man

is def a keeper!!!

I find myself remembering

him on my doorstep 23

years ago, New Years Day!

I hadn't seen him since a

family reunion his sister

hosted, a true blast from 

the past!

Now I've done it . . . the

bottle is open, the genie

escaped and memories are

flooding everywhere! My

first date, my first kiss, my

first boyfriend! Ever so

sweet!

I asked him once why he

thought we had parted . . .

actually, going to Mexico

for 20 years might have had

something to do with it . . .

He explained . . . we were 

charged with bringing our

children into the world and

that our time together had

not yet come. Such depth!

Bottom line, I can't think

of anyone I'd rather spend

my dotage with. Just pray

we don't become too dotty! 

Happiest of all happy 

anniversaries to me and

thee . . . Oh, and happy

new year as well!