03/31/2024

Naps have never been my forte

as they tend to steal the night's

rest.

Case in point, took one yesterday

and didn't awake until 3:30 this

early morn. Though my schedule

will be messed up forever and 

a day, just must remember I am 

retired and it really doesn't matter.

My guy's watching a movie at 

this ungodly hour and I'm on 

the friggin' computer . . . going 

to be interesting watching this 

day play out.

I'm thinking . . . maybe prep 

some good eats. Day for margs

perhaps. I'm in the middle of a

very intriguing book. This could

pan out to be a very decent day!

Nor should we forget it's Easter

morn. Many will be celebrating

with kith and kin. Perhaps a visit

to the local sanctuary.

Pray, may today bring each of 

us a great deal of happiness . . .

03/30/2024

A few disjointed thoughts

running amok through what

passes for my brain . . .

Got up at 4:30 this early a.m.

My back aches, found myself

climbing the stairs slower than

usual, felt like ice cream for

breakfast but too lazy to go 

out to the shed to get it.

Ahhhhh, such is life.

On the good side of naughty,

although we're expecting snow,

it's bright and sunny outside, 

a lovely 33°. Ouch!

Reading a fab book; so good

in fact that when I looked the

author up on amazon, the first

book I wanted was $99.00 

Ohhhhh, just might be why 

God invented libraries; go 

figure!

Alas, methinks am aging at

the speed of sound! Perhaps,

a nap would be in order . . .

03/29/2024

"Be kind to the trees. They

are busy saving the world." 

Humanity

I find myself overwhelmed!

Let's see, we need the wood . . .

   -to build

   -to burn

   -to restore

   -x-mas to celebrate

   -for land availability

But yeah, let's save the trees!

I do get that some trees are

grown specifically for the 

above purposes. Yet, the 

thousands torn out because 

someone fancies a house in 

a given area rather breaks 

my heart!

Guess I just wish we could 

build in already cleared areas 

rather than clearing more and 

more.

Yes, it's a conundrum. We have

needs and the majority of them

are legitimate. Maybe, I just wish

things could be different . . .

Sooooo wish we could save

the trees!

03/28/2024

"Who looks outside, dreams.

Who looks inside, awakens."

~Carl Jung

I much appreciate Carl Jung.

I have read his work my entire

life. In fact, I was 12 when he

died and I was already reading

his work for a couple of years.

This quote reminds me how

important it is to have balance.

Were I not a Libra, there's be

no hope whatsoever. As is, I

rarely seem to find balance.

I think, 'dreams', left brain,

'awakens', right brain. I could

be wrong. Wonder what Jung 

would think of this idea.

Truly, it's important to have 

both. I actually find that dreams

give birth to awakening, which

in turn, brings action.

One way or another, 'tis some-

thing to think about . . .

 - - - 

Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss

psychiatrist and psychoanalyst,

founder of analytical psychology. 

1875 - 1961

03/27/2024

If it scares you, it's a sign you

need to do it." (Quotes 'nd Notes)

Let's see! I live in fear of weight

gain . . . bring on the chocolates,

donuts, ice cream, x-large pizza!

I'm afraid of exercising on my

street . . . bring on the above and 

don't forget movies 'n treats in bed.

I fear house cleaning and as I'm

respectful of my fears, I just lay

back hoping the elves get to work.

Always afraid I'll drink too much

at a party and embarrass myself

and my date . . . so I add ice to my

glass, thus diluting any chance of

the above! 

Living a life in fear is a tough job,

but somebody's got to do it!

Yeah, I get it . . . I do self-delude 

a lot!

03/26/2026

"I have been many women in my

lifetime. I have been the protector 

and the provider. I have been the 

lover and the fighter, but the woman 

I value most, will always be the 

survivor." ~S.L. Heaton

Times, I'm The Three Faces of Eve; 

make no mistake!

Obviously, we have all served many

roles in our lives; the kid, student, 

spouse, parent, wage-earner, grand-

parent, and finally, the elderly . . .

facing exit time.

'Tis as it 'twas meant to be. Still, 

rather wish I had more time to play

more roles. Seems it's only been a

few moments I've been a Crone. 

I'm sooooo not ready to go yet!

And like Ms. Heaton, I do honor 

the survivor in me. The stranger in

a foreign land, the misunderstood,

the eccentric, those fears we do not

like to talk about . . . all survivors.

Actually though, if I be granted 

a tad more time, I'd willingly pay 

the price by remaining a survivor.

Survive that 4:30 a.m. ice cream,

umpteen years wearing only black,

reading a book a day; who needs

sleep anyway?! 

Yep! Survivor I am . . . and would

not have changed a thing, even 

were I able!

03/25/2004

"I've hears so much malarkey

from so many nincompoops

that I have become totally

discombobulated." Zen to Zany

I do like plain language, straight

talk and "get to the point already"!

Still, as a Lang Arts teacher, I

find myself missing beautiful

words and stunning descriptions.

You know, anyone can say, 

"That's nice." But, what about; 

phenomenal, incredible, fantastic, 

glorious, to die for? There's naught 

complicated about any of these 

descriptors . . . simply wondrous 

words.

"I love you" is sweet. We hear it

all the time. Still, seems to me, 

"I sooooo fucking adore you!" 

is a tad more delightful "Get your

glorious ass over here and give me

a kiss!" is yet another I quite like.

Good or sumptuous? Pretty or

stunning? Nice or phenomenal?

Sweet or touching? Love or adore?

Not even particularly special 

verbiage, but it's ever so lovely 

to sweeten the pot with some 

delectable vocab!

I bid you adieu; pray, do not tarry 

as I must lay eyes on you again 

soon. Your presence enhances mine 

and my soul blesses you for it . . .

03/24/2024

Not sure if it's because my

guy showed me a segment 

honoring Rosa Parks, or the

most gorgeous full moon

ever or the nightmare I had

last night, but I seem to keep

tearing up.

I find I want to say something

and my voice is thick with

unshed emotion. 

What the hey?! Most nights, 

I dream of my own dead . . .

dad, mom, bro, friends. The

veil feels thin. Can't help but

wonder why?! Rather feels

as if I were on my way to join

the party.

Guess Mr. Life isn't required

to explain himself! My job is

to choose to live it or just exist.

So hoping I'll always choose 

life rather than to just sit in my

easy chair and watch life go by.

Sooooo in thinking about it,

Rosa Parks is my shero. The

moon is the love of my life.

And if the price I have to pay

for them is nightmares, so be it!

That's why God invented tears,

right?!

03/23/2024

Feels a bit like a bowing out,

if you know what I mean, or

whatever . . .

Can barely cope right now,

for any kind of reason. Might

be winter, might be the dark,

and/or the two together. SAD?

So, I'm ducking out . . . going

back to yesteryear. Isn't that

what books and movies are

for anyway?!

Rather wish I'd learned to treat

my winter depression/anxiety

with Merlin books and movies

a long time ago! Oh well, I

suppose it's never too late!

Gotta go . . . Merlin awaits . . .

03/22/2024

Been in another world of late . . .

watching Merlin. Wow!

''Twas one of my glorious 

husbands that turned me 

onto this amazing world of

magick. For whatever reason, 

I had never read, nor watched. 

I truly came to love it!

I like the attention to detail, the

veracity of the era, the caution

of lingo. Wow! Just WOW!!!

Created back in the day, 12th

century British pseudo-history,

'tis something we have enjoyed

forever and ever!

Not sure if it's the child within

or that Lang Arts teacher of

yesteryear that just loves tales

told out of school . . . but there

will never, ever be anything 

that can compare to the epics 

of yesteryear!

I bow to the imagination of the

epics. Thank the gods for one 

of the greatest gifts ever . . .

03/21/2024

"I believe in kindness, also 

in mischief." ~Mary Oliver

Words to live by, make no

mistake. I have sinned on the 

side of being way too serious.

No, that's not quite right. I've

had plenty of laughs and loads

of fun in my life. It's just that

my nature leans towards the

ultra serious.

The kind of mischief I enjoy

getting into has something to

do with spending time with

my girlfriends. We can do that

whole, "eat, drink and be merry"

thing even better than the guys!

Now that I think about it, might

have to do with that whole Libra

thing . . . serious on one side and

mischief on the other!

Let's remember that how we treat

people has to do with a reflection

of oneself, not others!

Kindness . . . every time, all

the time, no exceptions . . .

never, ever! 

 - - -

Mary Oliver, beloved poet and

bard of the natural world, died

on January 17, 2019 at home in

Hobe Sound, Fla. She was 83.

03/20/2024

"There are thousands of worlds

in all of us. Gorgeous, terrible,

wild, contradictory, imaginative

fascinating worlds. To know 

someone deeply is to know a

universe contained in skin."

~Victoria Erickson

One of the things I enjoy about

knowing a friend throughout a

lifetime of changes, is that whole

getting to know their universe,

as it were. And I would admit, 

it's been quite interesting seeing 

my own changes.

So it comes to me, maybe we

should talk to our children about

this in their growing up years.

They might find it intriguing. 

Kids have such fine imaginations.

I think they might get a kick out

of knowing what they were going 

to experience throughout their

lifetimes.

There garnered me a couple of

additional thoughts. Might even

be fun for us to take a look-see

at the different lives we ourselves

have led.

And, a good thing to whisper 

to our children . . . 

"You can choose and create just

whoever you wish to be . . .

Go for it!"

03/19/2024

"Doing nothing is very hard 

to do . . . you never know when 

you're finished." ~Leslie Nielsen

Rather thought that retirement

might look something like this.

I dreamed of doing nothing for

a while! But first, I cared for my

mom for three and a half years.

Then, I spent months moving in

my tiny, tiny log cabin. You can't

even begin to imagine what it's

like to get rid of sixty some years

of possessions.

Being one of those learned later

types, rather wish I'd traveled

more and collected less.

Sooooo here we are, 'bout six

years now, still haven't learned

the doing nothing lesson.

Still, I'm starting by staying abed,

watching fave movies, eating ice

cream and being as naughty as I

possibly can . . .

03/18/2024

I find myself wowed beyond the

pale!

Our friend and neighbor, along

with his little girl, came slowly

up the walk, digging into nigh

onto four feet of snow every

step of the way!

They came carrying a sweet 

bag of treats. Might be because 

I bitch about winter until we're

all nauseated. But bottom line,

they came . . .

My guy received the package

so they wouldn't have to try 

and come up any further. He

was happy to bring it up to me,

thought it might just help with

my winter sorrows.

I'll confess, I let out a little

scream when I looked into the

bag.

There was a sweet plant right

on top. Then milk and eggs.

For fun, candy and cookies

along with strawberries and . . .

. . . a thank you note from our

little gal. Are you kidding me?

The thank you note should have

been from me to her!

You know, we tend to forget

there are people in the world

such as this family. I count

myself ever so lucky to have

phenomenal friends. Each

different, with their own gifts

and that is as it should be.

Still, this particular event in 

my life brought tears and joy

along with a reminder . . .

There are still phenomenal 

people in this world and I may

be the luckiest friend ever!!!

03/17/2024 - Dr. Martin G. Lockley

Today on his 74th birthday, we  

bid adieu to Dr. Martin G. Lockley;

father, friend, spouse, erudite . . .

I will ever remember him with his 

quixotic grin, enigmatic statements,

his incredible need to educate. What 

a fab combo . . .

One and all will be remembering

Martin for his prowess as a scientist.

Number one authority in the world

on dinosaur footprints, author of nigh

onto 40 scientific books translated 

into18 plus languages, hundreds of 

professional papers . . .

But, I shall remember him as an

intriguing helpmate, a teller of tales

out of school, amazing correspondent,

a fine friend . . .

Marty, I so hope you're off somewhere

celebrating your b-day with live dinos

and raising a warm Guinness to that

sweet grin of yours . . .

You are ever and always missed and

well loved . . .

04/16/2024

So enjoy Sacred Water prep. 

On both New Moon and Full

Moon, just after sunset, I like

to place a couple of gallons of

well water under the open sky.

Then, just before daybreak, I

harvest the water, attach the

date and type. I use Full Moon

Water as celebratory drinks

for things overcome and New

Moon Water for those I'm

working on.

Rain water is harder to collect,

but can be done at any time it's

raining. I find that several large 

open bowls allows me to gather

a cup or two. I use it sparingly.

I call it, Tears from Heaven, and

have a shot when I'm really down.

Feels like the celestials are crying

with me.

I do the same with Storm Water

for when I'm unduly angry and

can barely cope due to such

sentiment.

Snow Water is one of my absolute

faves. I only collect snow when it

is over three feet deep. My sense is

that less snow may be quite soiled

as its job is to clean the atmosphere.

I scoop the upper level of snow into

every pot and pan I own. Tupperware

bowls as well. The following morn,

the snow will have melted. I house it

in jars and label it by name and date.

I like to drink Snow Water when my

soul feels frozen with pain. Whilst I'm

having a few sips, I ponder, and/or

meditate and try to suss out what is

bothering me.

Sun Water is placed outside in the

rising morn and allowed to bask in

all the glory until just before sunset.

I enjoy the odd glass when I am

overwhelmed with SAD during the

winter.

Give it a think and perhaps you'll

prep a bit of Snow Water for yourself

today . . .

03/15/2024

Oh my God; 'tis beyond belief!

We awoke to just over four feet 

of snow this early morn. Most 

enchanting . . .

I find I'm looking forward to 

watching the evaporation of 

this immense snow. 

Will it stay a while? Last? I

can envision the basement full

of water, the paths a muddy.

Danger awaits.

I pray we will all benefit from

the moisture without coming 

to harm.

May we don extra care . . .

03/14/2023

Confession time . . .

I hate cold! I loathe snow!!

I abhor winter!!!

Now that I've confessed, do I

feel better? Cleansed somehow?

Not bloody likely!

The funny part of this is, when

waking up to over two feet of

snow, those usual emotions are

somehow lost under wows . . .

Wow! WOW!! W O W !!!

Did our errands yesterday. The

trash man, recycle lady, mailman

all came. Sooooo not leaving my

bed 'cept for maybe a marg refill.

Here's to you!! Stay home; stay

abed; be safe; enjoy!

03/13/2024

"My heart is a morning star

A light refusing to fade

A power defying the dark"

~A. Shea

On these dark days of winter 

I seek light wherever I can 

find it.

I find it encouraging . . . the 

days are elongating, bringing 

more light to the table, as it 

were.

Actually, methinks the dark,

and all its accompanying 

effects, is enhanced by the 

cold that surrounds it . . .

 . . . My feelings for the dark in 

winter are completely different

from my feelings for the dark 

in summer.

It occurs to me, I need to find

a way to live w/the dark . . .

the dark in winter, the dark

within.

'Tis the dark within methinks

I need to conquer. 

Bears pondering . . .

03/12/2024

Why is it that people shout, scream

and holler? I sooooo don't get it!

We all have a voice, certain amount

of intelligence and reason. So, why

the hell don't we use them?!

I understand disagreements. I get we

are all on different pages. I know we

there is a tendency for us to want one

and all to agree with us.

But when not, what I don't understand

is, why don't we simply talk to each

other? What's w/the shouting matches?

Is it that we want, some how need to 

hurt each other because we ourselves 

hurt inside?

I could soooo become a hermit!

03/11/2024

"Want to was away your troubles?

Take a bath with wine and bubbles."

~Anita Opper, Zen to Zany

Saw this bit of fun this early a.m. 

Love it! One of the things I've 

missed . . . long, leisurely, hot 

baths! Add in the red; methinks

pure heaven!

Living in a 145 year old cabin,

there are many joys as well as the

odd sacrifice. One of them would

be not being able to take a bath.

We are so close to water than our

well is only about eight feet deep.

Obviously, that isn't deep enough

to cleanse the water.

Our water serves us well and we

use it for everything except for

drinking, cooking, etc. Still, you

can appreciate taking a bath in

slightly mired, tepid water doesn't

appeal.

Got to thinking . . . some people

rent a hotel room to sleep. I may

just rent one to take a bath.

Don't even think for a moment

that I'd forget the red!!!

03/10/2024

"I like people who get excited

about the change of seasons,

watching a sunset, the smell 

of rain and and starry nights."

~Brooke Hampton

Saw this quote early this a.m.

and immediately thought, "my

kindred spirits!" 

It takes all kinds of people to

make the world go 'round . . .

those who love to shop, others

who clean incessantly, the

loners, people pleasers.

For me, I'm all about Mother

Nature and those who adore

her!

I'd have to confess, the only

walking in the snow that I do

would be to the mailbox and

back. Still . . .

My fave is to sit quietly by

the fire and watch the snow

coming down. I have friends

who are right out there in it

and others who run and hide.

For moi . . . it's all about

watching from afar.

03/09/2024

Awaking today to 15° and about

5" snow, I am ever so glad I get

to spend the day at home . . . 

no errands to run, no place to go 

and a warm bed and good book 

calling my name.

I am much enjoying my elder 

years, never having expected to

arrive. So love hearth and home,

quiet joys and simple moments.

I rather wish I had known these

long awaited moments were to

be expected. 

I'm ever so grateful . . .

"Call me an old soul, but I find

peace in thunderstorms, the 

moon, starry nights, sunsets, the 

smell of rain, warm hugs, late 

night drives, deep conversations, 

old books, music and people who

feel like home." conscious reminder

03/08/2024 - International Woman's Day

Been thinking 'bout snow and

fair weather friends . . .

I'm actually one of those people

who never, ever goes out in the

snow. Rather makes me think 

I need to be more patient if no 

one stops by!

We're here, sitting by the fire,

having the odd tad of wine and

watching it snow. And no, I

wouldn't want any of my friends

to be out in this! It may not be 

a blizzard, but it's been snowing

for two days!

Is this Santa in December? New

Year's in January? Valentine's 

Day in February? Hell no!!! This

is MARCH. Someone up there

forgot that March means Spring!

Can't help it; so wish the seasons

would stick to their allotted time!

Maybe I should move to Phoenix?

Ouch, I forgot! My kids live here.

Say no more . . .

 - - -

"International Woman's Day . . .

celebrated annually on March 8 

as a focal point in the women's

rights movement, gives focus to

issues such as gender equality,

reproductive rights and violence

and abuse against women."

Wikipedia

03/07/2024

"Nature is not matter only. 

She is also spirit." ~Carl Jung

You know I'm all about Mother

Nature. Still, I would never have

suspected this quote from Carl

Jung. Love it!

My own love affair with Mother

Nature began when I was about

three years old. From walks and

hikes, camping and survival

training, I simply loved her.

Now that I'm about a hundred

years old, I especially appreciate

programs such as provided by

National Geographic, David

Attenborough, PBS, etc.

I still get to enjoy our Mother

without ending my days a walkin' . . .

Still, the thing I quite love about

this quote is the mention of spirit.

I hadn't thought about it in just

this way.

Thinking about it, my spiritual

affinity lies with nature. There-

fore, the quote makes perfect 

sense. 

Ever so pleased I ran into it this 

early a.m.

 - - -

Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss

psychiatrist and psychoanalyst

who founded analytical psychology.

He was a prolific author, illustrator,

and correspondent, a complex and

controversial character. 1875 - 1961

Wikipedia

03/06/2024

"Working hard for something 

we don't care about is called 

stress; working hard for some-

thing we love is called passion."

~Simon Sinek

Not sure whether to laugh or 

cry over this bit of truth . . .

I started babysitting and house

cleaning at 11 and retired at 62

to care for my mom in house

for three and a half years. I bet

all your stories are similar.

So, a decade later, I no longer

hike or take long walks. Trash

and mailbox does it for me.

I do know retired friends who

engage in a great deal of out-

door activities, so it must be

just moi!

Were it up to me to shoot a 

tad of elder wisdom your way,

I'd say those same infamous

words we've all heard so often.

Do it now! Now being the

operative word. I may even

make the effort to add in the

odd thing or two to my own

life . . .

 . . . although I'm quite content

as is! 

 - - -

"Simon Oliver Sinek, English-born

American author and inspirational

speaker on business leadership. His

books include start with why and

The Infinite Game. 1973." Wikipedia

03/05/2024

"Fear is a natural reaction to moving

closer to the truth." ~Pema Chodron

Methinks we all struggle with fear 

on some level or other . . .

Speaking of levels . . . fear of missing

the bus would never be the same as

the fear of losing a child.

Maybe an important step would be 

to simply recognize we all fear! 

Then, suss out one's own fears, look

at what could be handled at this point

in time and make a plan!

I know and accept that I have fears

I cannot face just now. But surely,

there might be one I could manage.

I don't like to stay at home alone,

especially at night. So, a couple of

times a month, I make a point of

making this happen.

I get a great deal of cleaning done;

make no mistake. Bottom line, I'm

still antsy, fearful, anxiety ridden,

but I'm doing it!!! 

Surely that counts for something 

in the grand scheme of things. 

Negative feelings still in place, 

but an effort is being made! 

I vote for moi . . .

03/04/2024

I do love me some leftovers!

Funny, some people won't even

touch them. Each to his own, I

guess.

Sometimes, this might mean not

cooking the next day, just heating

up. Times when it turns into an

entirely new dish!

Bit like life, don't you think?!

I have friendships left over from

high school. Maybe we aren't as

close now as we were then, but

memories so warm my heart!

I have leftover teenagers in my

memory and my heart from 40

years of teaching. Rather kills me 

that some of these kids that I hold 

so dear are now grandparents.

Leftover children, the memories

in my heart, always surprises me

when I look at these 40 year olds.

Aren't they still supposed to be

kids?!

Bottom line, leftovers . . . I love

them! Nought wrong with them

and the memories they bring to

heart and mind . . .

03/03/2024

"Dreams don't have expiration

dates- keep going." ~Unknown

Been peeking at this pearl of

wisdom for a bit now . . .

My question might have some-

thing to do with being about a

hundred years old. Not that one

stops growing, per se, but really,

does one really grow and/or

advance in such elder years?

I do think one who gives a damn

keeps trying no matter what! Still,

methinks perfection ever remains 

just around the corner.

Might be in one's best interest to

choose points of growth carefully.

Frankly, one of the allurements to

go on living would be the striving

itself.

So, here I come . . . sure hope the

Universe gives me several more

years to prove myself!

By the way, how do you blackmail

the universe into letting you stay 

around a while longer?!

Feel free to send advice, clues,

ideas . . .

03/02/2024

"I am realistic. I expect miracles."

~Wayne Dyer

In my dotage, I find myself some-

where 'twixt and 'tween hoping 

and believing.

We all need miracles and I believe

'tis the hoping and believing that

gets us through until they actually

happen. If you think about it, every-

thing, and yes, I mean everything, 

is a miracle . . .

 . . . Awaking to another day. 

Breathing freely, albeit though 

what might be fetid air. Enjoying 

our children and friends. Going to 

bed without any fear of not awaking.

And, we have the balls to say we 

don't believe in miracles?! Who 

the hell do we think we are?!

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

Maybe what we need is to take 

another look at the definition of 

miracle. We all grew up on fairy 

tales, didn't we?! Perhaps we 

should have paid more attention 

to the Grimm brothers rather than

the tales themselves.

For what I find is, our current day

understanding of miracles is pretty 

grim.

You may think winning the lotto is

a miracle. But, there is no amount

of lotto that beats a hug from your 

son, a coquettish smile from your

daughter, your father surviving a

car crash, eating and sleeping well

every day.

Methinks our job now is to have a

very serious look at this precious

word we bandy about so easily!

03/01/2024

Sooooo, what's with this 

dreaming with death every

night? I've mentioned this

before, but I weary of it.

Last night, 'twas my mom

and dad, my little bro Sammy

and my best friend Doug.

We actually drove to our old

home town to see them and 

say goodbye.

My mom was making peanut

butter cookies and she needed 

me to tend them.

Amazing to see everyone 

although they appeared to be

quite ill. At some point, my

brother and I went to see the

neighbors across the street.

It was there that we found out

all these people had AIDS. No

idea what that was about.

I am a bit weirded out and do

hope all the dreams do not

presage my own passing.

Thoughts?