01/31/2024

"Actions prove who someone is,

words prove who they intend to be."

~Unknown

Need to think about this a bit . . .

Obviously, it is true a great deal

of the time. Still, I tend to see

words as the map we intend to

follow.

In my own case, it all starts with

a thought. Thoughts shift into words,

especially important for those of us

who learn via audio. Then, and only 

then, can I proceed w/action. 

I think what the missive is trying to

remind us, is that the plan is only

part of the equation . . . action must

follow or all is for naught!

Bottom line, a good reminder and

not really negative at all. We all

need to remember to . . .

 . . . follow through!!!

Hey . . . we're only 30 days beyond

our New Year's Resolutions after all!

01/30/2024

"I like living. I have sometimes

been wildly, despairingly, acutely

miserable, racked with sorrow,

but through it all, I still know 

quite certainly that just to be alive

is a grand thing." ~Agatha Christie

Read this piece of wisdom at

o' dark thirty this a.m. Just what

I needed!

I love life! I'm glad to be alive!!

So, why do I sometimes forget

just how lucky I am?! Love my

age; make that 174. Bet next year

is going to be even better.

And, isn't it amazing how many

things one can enjoy even as an

elder?! Methinks one should make

a list and choose something from

it every single day!

Actually, I'm mostly too busy to

read my list, but that's a good thing

I think.

Pray the gods allow me to enjoy

life yet another decade or so! I

would be most gratified . . .

01/29/2024

"Sometimes, ice cream is the

only thing that makes sense."

~Anita Opper Zen to Zany

One of the things I love about

being an olde dame is no guilt,

no contrition, no remorse about 

treating oneself to those naughty

things in life . . .

 . . . Ice cream for breakfast, 

camping in a trailer rather than 

on the ground, eating thirds 

instead of just seconds, breakfast 

in bed almost daily!

Frankly, I quite love growing

older. 'Tis a gift denied to many,

as they say; I try to remember 

to give thanks for this every day.

Perhaps the important thing for

weeeee oldsters would be to do at

least one of these naughties every

single day!!

I'm in for the count . . . already 

had breakfast in bed, now I'm

going for the ice cream!!!

01/28/2024

"I myself am made entirely 

of flaws, stitched together 

with good intentions." 

~Augusten Burroughs

So love it when I run into 

words of wisdom that mirror

my own feelings . . . and then

to find they are penned by one

of my fave authors! 

Wow! Just WOW!!!

But, let's ask the questions . . .

Does this mean I'm supposed

to try and do better? Or is it

simply a task of recognition 

and self-acceptance?

I do recall someone saying

something along the lines of

the truth is always in there

somewhere.

Maybe then, it boils down to

self-acceptance, but still making

the effort to grow a bit each day!

For moi, I'm running at about

a hundred years old and still so

full of flaws . . . I do try . . . 

guess I just don't get it!

Maybe I'll just work on self-

acceptance rather than self-

improvement! Ha!

 - - -

Augusten Xon Burroughs, an

American writer best known

for his New York Times best

selling memoir Running with

Scissors. Wikipedia

01/27/2024

"Don't be a prisoner to the

things you can not change."

~Tony Gaskins 

Read this quote this early 

a.m. and it came to me . . .

Perhaps we spend our time

trying to change that which

cannot be changed because

we don't choose to look at

the things we need to change

within ourselves.

Frankly, I would be one of

the first accused. So much

easier to pick apart the other

rather than admit to having

things that need attending to

in our own lives.

Maybe I should take a look!

-Forget about the unfriendly

neighbor next door and wave

anyway!

-Leave the barking dogs to 

their song and just play the

music a little louder.

-Throw out the burned supper

and order a pizza!

I know! I know! Life isn't that

simple; still, maybe we make

it way too complicated.

Might just be a lesson in there

somewhere . . .

01/26/2024

"Always be on the lookout 

for the presence of wonder.

~E.B. White

Street where I live . . . 

if I'd only look?!

Alas, I fear we often forget

to look on the bright side.

I am promising myself to 

be on the lookout . . .

 -Wolf Moon at o' dark thirty

 -unexpected breakfast in bed

 -fab shower at my son's

 -delish clean sheets

 -wood for the winter

 -Kathy Reichs novels 

 -my fave Tacoma pickup

 -w/wo my Lady Salem

 -Sunday calls from my kids

I'm on a promise to myself.

Keeping my eyes open for

the presence of wonder . . .

 - - -

Elwyn Brooks White was an

American writer, author of

children's books, Stuart Little, 

Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet

of the Swan. Wikipedia

01/25/2024

"Don't walk behind me; 

     I may not lead.

Don't walk in front of me; 

     I may not follow.

Just walk beside me 

     and be my friend."

~Albert Camus

How old must one be to finally 

understand this kind of wisdom?!

Perhaps, rather than beating my-

self up, I should delight in the

fact that I finally understand?!

'Twas only a few years ago,

parties of the many . . . today,

I only see a few. Naught wrong

with either. Methinks must be

an age thing.

As a teacher of 40 years, I lead.

But, I have come to understand

that leading in one's profession

doesn't necessarily mean leading

in other circumstances.

So love these elder years where

bits and pieces of wisdom sneak

through. So enjoy walking side

by side with my dearests and 

bests!

Pray I am granted yet another

few years in which I may learn

at the feet of true wisdom . . .

 - - -

Albert Camus was a French

philosopher, author, dramatist,

journalist, world federalist, and

political activist. He was the

recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize

in Literature at the age of 44, the

second youngest recipient in 

history. 1913 - 1960 Wikipedia

01/24/2024

"The most common way people

give up their power is by thinking

they don't have any." ~Alice Walker

My heart actually hurt when I read

this a bit ago. 

I can remember as a young woman,

thinking that I had no power. And 

now, even as the oldster that I am, 

I find I need reminding from time 

to time.

The recognition and acceptance of 

self-power is an amazing attribute 

connected to personal growth. It

allows one to literally sally forth 

and conquer.

Might be a good idea to remind us

that this power is designated to be

over oneself and not others!

Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker

is an American novelist, short story

writer, poet, and social activist. In 

1982, she published the novel, The 

Color Purple, for which she won the 

National Book Award for hardcover 

fiction, and the Pulitzer Prize for 

Fiction. 1944 Wikipedia

01/23/2024

"To find magic around you, you

must carry magic inside you.

~Robert Moss

Magic on my mind this early

morn . . .

Seems everywhere I look I see

magic. Life is magic; we are 

magic! Methinks 'tis all a matter

of perspective.

Just think about your children,

how they came to exist, how

they've become who they are

and how you adore them . . .

pure magic!

Not to forget magick with a 'k'!

Endowing magic with a bit of

supernatural. I can't think of it

without thinking of Mother

Nature. Now, she's magick to

the nth degree.

'Tis no matter, a tad of magic

and/or magick added to our

mundane lives, is just like that

bit of special chili seasoning

added to our fave dishes!

 - - -

magic - the power of apparently 

influencing the course of events  

using mysterious or supernatural 

forces 

~Oxford Languages

magick - the science and art 

of causing change to occur 

in conformity with the will

~Aleister Crowley

01/22/2024

"Sometimes I think I am buying

organic vegetables, but when I

get home, I realize they're just

regular donuts." Zen to Zany

I find myself at that glorious 

age where I don't think I have 

to obey the rules any longer!

So many have already passed 

onto that better better life that

I consider all's fair in love and

war at this point!

Four meals a day? Ice cream 

for breakfast! Read 'til 4:00

in the morning . . . compliment

strangers in the street?!

I just love being a100 years 

old . . . sure beats the alternative 

anyway! You do something odd

and people blame it on your age.

Here's thinking I'm going to plan

out my next few oddities . . .

Maybe buy a new hat; I just love

hats! Also need another mini skirt.

A new tat has been calling my name.

After all, I only have about 20 and

I think I should have a couple doz!

Ain't life grand when you're having

fun?! Now, if only I can make it

through this god awful winter!!!

01/21/2024

"With every ending you didn't

think you wanted, comes the

beginning you didn't know 

you needed."  ~Eddie Pinero

Don't know about you, but

endings scare me to death.

Not sure if it's fear of the

unknown, fear of loss or 

fear of what's coming!

'Tis a terrible thing to live

in fear. Sometimes when I'm

feeling particularly brave, I

acknowledge that just might

be the street where I live.

Once I wade in the waters of

the new, I gird up my loins

and conquer, as it were. Still,

methinks not even God knows

the angst I feel until the new

gets somewhat comfortable!

I remember most fondly my

40 years of teaching. I can't

even recall a moment of fear.

I loved every minute of it. 

Does this mean that fear is

an age thing?

Something to think about . . .

rather breaks my heart!

01/20/2024

"Even wolves get broken hearts.

Even warriors cry." ~Melody Lee

Feeling such intense sadness, 

we tend to think we're the only 

souls on earth who've known 

such angst, such sorrow. And

obviously, there are those who

have not.

Still, if we observe those who

wear their hearts on their sleeves,

we would see such pain, broken

lives, that perhaps our empathy

would awaken.

Sorrow is not a competition. 

We have all suffered. We have 

all known pain. Why is it that 

we tend to think we're the only 

souls in the world who have 

known the depths of hell?!

We must be patient with our-

selves. Yet, it is important to

acknowledge the pain existing

in the lives of others. Again,

perhaps 'tis the birth of empathy.

May we all be more cognizant

of that deep sorrow that exists

in the lives of others. Could be

the birth of a kinder world . . .

01/19/2024

"Let your kindness be like the rain,

that cares not upon whom it falls."

~Unknown

Obviously, kindness has its own

issues, as we all know. Some say,

"I'm kind to those who are kind

to me." I've always wondered 

why we aren't each kind first.

As we rush, day in and day out,

to accomplish that which we 

deem necessary, we seem not to 

have the time to be kind.

Is it that we are basically afraid,

or is it that we think kindness is

no big deal . . . maybe just for

children and old ladies. Right! 

Kindness is overly simplistic and

I'm sophisticated.

Wrong! Bottom line, kindness is

important; it matters! Want proof?

Compliment someone in the 

grocery store and watch how their 

entire countenance changes. 

Challenge yourself . . . make an

effort to be kind once an hour

for your entire day. 

Amazement awaits!

01/18/2024

Methinks I've sussed out the

solution to aging, sorrows and

those pesky bad things in life!

     'Tis being naughty!!!

Ice cream for breakfast, midnight

margs, opening presents early,

day-long movies in bed, just to

name a few.

I've so enjoyed my life. And yes,

I did do many a thing outside the

box . . . leaving home at 14,

going to Mexico for 20 years,

teaching in a bereft society, three

marriages . . .

Still, I said 'no' to things I should

have said 'yes' . . . we all tend to

get bogged down in those pesky

life demands. There's naught

wrong with that as long as we

remember to top them off with

some good old fashioned fun!

Now that I'm about a 101, think

I'll dedicate my latter years to

being just that . . . naughty! Bet

all my friends will wish they were

me!

Feel free to send ideas . . .

01/17/2024

This turn of events will certainly

teach me to hate winter even

more. Methinks El Invierno 'tis 

simply trying to get even with 

moi. 

Paying for my sins; make no

mistake! 12° below zero, all

pipes frozen, sink pipes burst,

toilet stopped up (no flushing

intended)!

Two fab friends have invited us

to stay over and I love them for

it. Still, someone has to be here

to mop up the messes and watch

out for happenings.

My guy is going to try and dig

out under the cabin today and

see if there is anything to be

done.

I'm going to be thinking of sins

I can commit as I'm figuring 

they're all pre-paid by this

point in time! 

Any ideas?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr  ~!@#$%^&*()_+

01/16/2024

"But, It hadn't and he didn't and

it wasn't." ~Susan Wittig Albert

So love me the above author! 

I get such a kick out of the 

fun she has with language!

Been thinking about the 

above clue . . . I find myself 

rather looking forward to 

sussing out both of the its as

well as the he, fine mystery 

that it is.

I so enjoy reading; make 

no mistake. One of the things 

I find interesting in today's

world is the availability of

reading by listening on cd's 

as well as large print books.

I was lucky to grow up on 

my bro's books for the blind,

packages of records arriving

every week from CO Spgs.

Off to grab my SWA book.

Here's to a happy read for

moi . . .

 - - -

Susan Wittig Albert, aka the

pen names Robin Paige and

Carolyn Keene, is an American

academic PhD and the first 

female vice president of SW 

Texas State University before 

retiring to become a full time 

writer. 1940 Wikipedia 

01/15/2024

Methinks 'tis all in the 

knowing . . . but, I do it 

anyway! What the hell?!

-I know eating two pastries

adds unwanted calories . . . 

but, I do it anyway!

-I get that no exercise is

bad for my health . . . 

but, I do it anyway!

-I understand that too many

margs is a dangerous game

 . . . but, I do it anyway!

-Forgetting my SAD meds

is unforgivable  . . . but, I 

do it anyway!

Can't help but wonder if

there's any chance of me

growing up any time soon

and doing what needs to

be done?!

Starting to lose hope here!

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

Grow up already . . .

01/14/2024

"And even in her pain

she found enough strength 

to heal others.

That was her magic."

~Samantha

This reiterates so well just who

I want to be when I grow up!

Alas, we live in a me! me! me! 

world. I too, have fallen in the

trap, but that's not where I want

to live, nor who I want to be.

I think of all the pronouns we've

been gifted . . . I, you, he, she, it,

we, you, they . . . which one do

we use most? Me! ME!! M E !!!

It's all about moi!

Each and every day, I blog. My

idea is to stay cognizant in my

olde age . . . but I do notice, it's

all about me! Needs to change!

There are actually other people

in the universe!

I remember hearing somewhere

that as we age, our world gets

smaller and smaller and it's at

this point everything becomes

about oneself.

I can't change my age, but I'm

sure going to try and make a

good pronoun soup . . . 'I' on 

its own simply doesn't flavor 

up very well.

01/13/2024

"For a long time, it has seemed

to me that every chapter in my

life's story has held a meaning

I'm meant to understand,  a

lesson I'm meant to learn."

~Susan Wittig Albert

Methinks my very own guardian

angel leads me to these positive 

quotes to warm the cockles of 

my soul!

When I run onto that perfect

miracle message (as I tend to

think of them), it rather makes 

me believe . . . believe once 

again in goodness, kindness, 

love . . .

Maybe I need to lose the daily 

News and rather find these 

perfect words of wisdom . . . 

holding them tight against my 

heart to help me through the 

winters of my life!

Again and again, I think of the 

power of words and I am awed . . .

I pray sweet words may ever 

blanket my wounded soul . . .

01/12/2024

"Every experience we encounter

serves a purpose." ~Unknown

Brilliant! Just brilliant! I sooooo

needed to be reminded of this

piece of wisdom.

Alas, even at about a hundred

years old, I still catch myself

saying, "Why me?"  Sometimes 

I fear I may never grow up! 

Days of slightly greater maturity,

I realize that things just happen

and the right thing is to learn 

from them. Others, when the 

brat within shows up kicking 

and screaming, I think it's all 

about moi rather than a learning

experience!

Today, at 1 degree, and no I'm 

not joking, I choose to believe

the present cold and upcoming 

snow are a gift . . . a stay at home

day, a watch movies day, a read 

my new book day . . . do rather

wish I had chocolates in bed

but, I'll make do!

Happy weathering . . .

01/11/2024

"I know a beautiful soul when 

I feel one. The empath in me 

honors the authentic in you."

~Melody Lee

Soooo love and value this

sentiment. Strange too, how 

as I grow older, the ability

seems to refine itself.

We've all been around those

who simper when speaking,

and/or use a falcetto voice.

What kills me is that it's often

women who fall into this trap

misjudging it for sophistication.

Real tends to come in many 

different shapes and sizes. One 

of my faves is seeing someone 

who has an unusual dress code,

or none whatsoever. Pure fun!

Also get a kick out of those who

have no issue with speaking their

mind. Seem to not care what any

one else thinks.

Can't help but wonder . . .  Is it

courage? Or, simply living in

their own little world? Or maybe,

so comfortable in their own skin

that it doesn't matter?

Bottom line, 'tis just who I want 

to be when I grow up; make no

mistake!

01/10/2024

"If you choose not to find joy

in the snow, you will have less

joy in your life, but still the same

amount of snow." ~Unknown

Methinks my entire world of

fam, friends and foe know I

have serious winter issues.

Having said that, I have this

idea that my good friend sent

me this message, secretly or

otherwise.

I peeked out towards the back

yard, an expanse covered in

snow, not a track to be found.

I'd have to admit, pure beauty!

So dear friend, I am working

on my hate, dislike, loathing,

abhorrence, distaste, resentment

of the winter months that bring

snow.

Promise, cross my heart, my

attitude is improving. And, if

you believe that . . . 

 . . . there's this piece of property 

I own that you might be interested 

in!

01/09/2023

"There is ceaseless charm to be

found in the home of Mother

Nature. As she dusts with snow

even cobwebs sparkle in her

magic." ~Angie Weiland-Crosby

Awoke this early morn to a

plain of virgin snow; naught

has touched it. No matter how 

one feels about winter, there is

amazing beauty at every turn.

Checking my calendar, I see

only empty space. Breakfast

in bed? A day of reading? The 

odd show with my guy? Only

thing to be sussed out would

be, who has to get the mail?

I would have to admit, I love

these days of no plans, visitors.

May my laziness abound . . .

 . . . oh damn, forgot I have to

wash the dishes and it's like

50° downstairs!

01/08/2024

"May the joy of simple things

color the canvas of your soul."

~mary davis

Wasn't it just a few days ago

I was talking about just this?!

Methinks 'tis angels sending

a reminder . . .

My children a phone call away,

breakfast is just down the stairs,

new books arriving in the mail,

a cozy snowed in . . .

Better yet, ever good to recall

the wondrous, the spiritual . . .

Sitting by the fire in meditation,

reading the masters to remember,

touching those works of nature.

Just needed a reminder and I'm

all right once again . . .

Why, oh why, do we sometimes

forget?!

01/07/2023

So loving me this day . . .

Forty plus years ago, I became 

a mother for the first time . . .

Methinks there must be naught

that compares to this blessing!

Yesterday, I was blest by his

visit. Frankly, it's something

else to look at your kid with

memories swirling 'round the

mind.

Spent a few hours wandering

down memory lane. So enjoy

these types of conversations.

Especially in my elder years,

I find them elating! So glad

my kids put up with me!

So son, enjoy your day, your

wife, your sister, your memories 

and know you are much loved . . .

(Methinks God didn't have 

enough love to go around so

he created mothers!)

01/06/2024

    "if the pain was deep

    you will have to let it go

    many times" ~yung pueblo

I so enjoy Yung Pueblo. He sallies

forth with wisdom well beyond his

years; make no mistake!

I've always had trouble with letting

go. Not ever certain I understand

the concept. I honor the idea, but I

need someone to teach me the 'how'

of it.

Forgive and forget? I have no issue

with forgiving. I need to be forgiven

on a daily basis, so why wouldn't I

forgive others. Still, I don't seem to

forget . . . neither mine, nor theirs.

Promise, cross my heart . . . I am

not trying to harbor resentment or

memories of foul actions. It's all

just a part of my memory base.

Sooooo, where are the answers? 

-How does one learn to let go?

-Are there teachers who can help?

-Or, is the learning innate?

Pray, feel free to share. Yearning

to learn here . . .

01/05/2024

"Embrace the harmony of life's

ceaseless chaos, for our brightest

hope is often born from the 

darkest places." ~Becca Lee

Methinks 'tis well known this

love of quotes I have! I tend to

think of them as instant wisdom.

Stir in a little 'listen up' and you

have something to think about

for the day!

Becca Lee's take on finding hope

in some of the darkest places

bears thinking about! I do know

in my darkest hours, I have a few

friends I can reach out to. A true

gift; make no mistake.

Obviously, those darkest hours 

of the soul can occur in any 

season of the year. I just find it

easier to deal with in the light

of day that summer gifts us.

I will cling to the underlying

promise in Becca Lee's words.

Truly something there to ponder!

01/04/2024

Alas, methinks SAD is in full 

dance mode . . .

Temps in the 20's. Snow predicted

for four days. Grey skies. Morns 

and eves sooooo dark. 

Feelings of hopelessness. Sorrow

in my soul. Edgy. Shaky. Scared.

That unwelcome sense of wanting

to end it all.

I know none of these feelings are

real. Seasonal Affective Disorder

creates an irrational sense of

despair. Yet, those of us affected

by SAD feel . . . feel it all!

"Lord willing and the Devil doesn't

intervene" as David Mason used

to say, I will make it! Yes, I will!!! 

Just not sure about today. God

help me!

01/03/2024 - Part II

The second part of my process

takes place between the full

moon and its diminishing to

new moon.

This is the part of the month

where I work on things I wish to

overcome rather than accomplish.

Striving for accomplishment

continues, but the focus is on

overcoming.

Swear less, think about it before

serving seconds, drink more water,

less margs, ha! Still, it's these kinds

of things. We all have them and

mostly, we'd all like to back off 

of our bad habits a bit.

For example, I don't drink three

months out of the year. I allow

myself drinks twice a week the

rest of the year. But, when I less

expect it, company comes over

and I'll have drinks for a third 

time. Any excuse will do, right?!

What I do for myself in the

waning moon, is remind myself,

(Keep me cognizant please!) of

those pesky things I need to pay

attention to. Sooooo . . .

Formula:

Waxing moon - add the positive.

Waning moon - release the negative.

Works for me . . .

01/02/2024 - Part I

Only a day into a new year

and I imagine we're briefly

pondering our resolutions 

and how we might make

them work for us.

As a Pantheist, a devotee 

of Mother Nature, I have 

found that the moon cycles 

work best for me, a point 

of reference, if you will.

I start with the new moon,

new being the operative 

word here . . . a new day, 

new beginning, possibilities!

I never choose over three

things to work on at any

given time. I write them 

down, ponder them, choose

a plan of action.

Beginning each day with

these thoughts in mind, I 

make a concerted effort to

personal growth.

Upon reaching full moon

a couple of weeks later, I

look over my progress on

the issues I've chosen to

work with.

I find some things may take

a week, a month or the entire

year . . .

Never be discouraged!

01/01/2024 - New Year's Day

Our long awaited new year 

has finally arrived; special 

to us because it's our 24th

anniversary . . . Wow!

Still, I find my thoughts are

wandering down a different 

lane. 

Seems to me, as we approach

the end of each year, we begin

to commiserate and comment

about all the bad things we're

anxious to leave behind. Ever

looking forward to upcoming

new times.

Wonder how this can be? 

Does it mean that all those

years behind us have been 

bad? And, we somehow look

forward with rose colored 

glasses?

I don't buy it . . . methinks

needs be to look both behind 

and ahead straight on. There

is plenty of good in twain

directions.

Happy New Year!