06/26/2024

"Your legacy is every life you've 

ever touched." ~Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou has always gifted

us with both beauty and wisdom

through her words.

In her above gift to us, I find the 

reverse even more compelling . . . 

every life that has ever touched 

mine.

As my own time nears an end,

I find myself pondering exactly

this . . .

-that older woman who helped

me up from the floor at Walmart

-those fun remarks from two

crazy checkers at Safeway

-drivers braking so I could walk

in front of them 

-unexpected compliments from

people on the street

Obviously, these are those little

bits and pieces from the unknown,

whereas one can't even begin to

enumerate those gifts from fam

and friends.

Thinking about this makes me

want to honor Maya's words . . .

Get my ass out there and make

a difference already!!!

06/25/2024

Found myself in a bit of a mood

yesterday. From there, I headed

down memory lane.

Sooooo miss teaching, but no,

I don't miss the drive. I always

left the house at 5:00 am sharp.

It took me five highways to get

to work. Just imagine!

-GG Canyon

-SH93

-SH58

-I-70

-SH76

As I taught at Adams 14 for 23

years, three at the middle school

and 20 at the high school, I could

have driven the route blindfolded.

So, my day in the classroom began

at 6:30 and ended around 3:30.

Still, I miss the kids . . . who are 

now adults with their own families.

'Tis a joy to see them on FB from

time to time.

Actually miss the f-ing hell out of
them!!! Sooooo NOT kidding!

06/24/2024

Been pondering self-selected

slaveries of late . . . and maybe

even what to do about them.

Seems to be so many . . . jobs,

work, marriages and or status, 

to name a few.

I've always considered my job

to be that for which I am paid

and work to be that for which

I am not. 

Best thing I ever did . . . my

kids! Adore the hell out of

them and that means the lot!

Linda and Lui, Pete and Katie,

Sarah, Miah, Zak and Chris!

'Tis the best gift marriage 

ever gives; make no mistake.

Ever so grateful that I liked,

loved, adored, enjoyed, my

40 years of teaching in two

countries! I wouldn't change

a thing, not for love nor

shekels!

Now jobs . . . something else

indeed! Do I cook or not? 

Invite guests? Do the dishes?

Clean the house? Write my

blog?

Now that I'm nigh onto a 100,

I think I'm better about jobs.

I don't cook if I don't feel like

it. I wash dishes only once a

day and write my blog every

day come hell or high water.

Methinks I'll keep my little

slaveries like my kids, FACs

with friends and my blog.

Anything else may have to

fight for my attention!

06/23/2024

"A wise woman is an ageless

beauty who honors and nurtures

the feminine energy in herself 

as well as all living things."

~American Indian

Dealing with the aging process

brings about mixed feelings,

make no mistake.

If one is intelligent at all, it

bears recognizing that aging is

far preferable to its alternative.

Having said that . . . the aching 

knees, the hurting back, the

slower pace . . . are indeed the

other side of the coin.

Still, I glory in being alive. 

What a gift! We've all lost fam

and friends far younger than

ourselves.

I must make a commitment to

live life, rather than simply exist.

Just enjoy! Simply enjoy!!!

06/22/2024

"Imagine being bitten by a 

snake and instead of focusing 

on healing and recovering from

the poison, you're consumed

with finding the snake to explain

why it hurt you and to prove 

that you didn't deserve it. 

This isn't about the snake!" 

~Unknown

Found this incredible bit of

wisdom this early morn. Wow!

Rather wish I'd had this starting

about the time I was a kid!

Having grown up in the 50's

and being about a 100 now, I

think we've lost the practicality

of then, and moved on to the 

more sophisticated of now.

Naught wrong with either. Still,

methinks a bit of balance is in

order. 

This from the most unbalanced

Libra I know . . . Still, bears

thinking about!

06/21/2024

"Never

question your journey

because

someone else does."

~Tiffany Aurora,

The Wild Keeps Her Holy

We all do this! I know we do!

I think of the time I've wasted

on what ifs; rather makes me 

shiver!

I do enjoy looking back at 

my life, but I don't live there.

I even like planning ahead . . .

but, I'm making a conscious

effort to live in the present.

So today, first day after our

Summer Solstice celebration,

I am going to take TA's advice

and cease questioning my 

journey. Secondly, although 

I may love my memories, I

will make every effort to live

in and enjoy the present.

 - - -

Tiffany Aurora is a poet, lyricist,

contralto and artist. She loves

nature, swimming and all things

Harry Potter. Google Books

06/20/2024 - Summer Solstice

A Summer Solstice Blessing

"As the sun spirals its longest dance, 

cleanse us.

As nature shows bounty and fertility, 

bless us. 

Let all things live with loving intent 

and to fulfill their truest destiny."

A little bit witchy - A little bit hippie

Just shy of 3:00 this afternoon,

Summer will be peaking its 

shining head over the horizon.

Sooooo love summer! Seems 

I wait forever for him to come 

knocking and then he's gone 

in a blink of an eye. When I'm 

queen of the Universe, we'll 

have two summers and loose 

winter altogether! Vote for me?

Albeit summer is your fave

season or not, do enjoy it 

to the fullest. Swim, dance,

picnic, tell fireside tales and

raise a toast to his lovely 

warmth and beauty.

Salud!

06/19/2024

Yesterday, my guy and I did

an emergency run to the market 

to pick up a few must haves.

At checkout, our fave checker

came over and said, "Well, if it 

isn't my favorite old hippies?!"

The gal we were checking out

with said, "It's my turn, I get

them today." There ensued jokes,

laughter, compliments. Such fun!

In a world that largely ignores

anyone over 60, I found this tiny

moment in time most delightful.

Of course, it's always lovely to be 

recognized . . . a kind of honoring,

if you will.

Alas, we live in a world today that

leans toward the cookie cutter; thin,

young, endowed, beautiful, rich?!

Indeed, an overstatement, but to

make a point, I exaggerate a tad.

I say, let's all make a point of

recognizing those outside the box,

or even no box in sight!

Yayyyyy for excentricity!!! 

06/18/2024

"May the joy of simple things

color the canvas of your soul."

~mary davis

Yesterday, we sat outside for

the entire day. It was hot, make

no mistake. I'd say 85° - ish.

We saw three or four different

kind of butterflies. Hummers,

Robins, Black Cap Chickadees

were on the menu along with

one other kind I didn't recognize. 

Sooooo enjoyed the different 

songs sung.

'Twas so hard to go back inside,

we simply snacked and stayed.

Hell, we may have never come

back in if we hadn't run out of

beer!

Bottom line, first Spring in CO

in many a year that lasted more

than a couple of weeks . . . 

 . . . ever so grateful!!!

06/17/2024

"There is ecstasy in paying

attention." ~Anne Lamott

I simply cannot believe how

much we take life for granted.

A gift not given to many . . .

I so need to pay attention.

Yesterday, we sat outside after

planting my gift of flowers.

'Twas Father's Day, a gorgeous

spring day, neighbors came by,

and shared cold beers.

I sat there, just looking at our

friends, and the perfection of

the day. Wow! Just WOW!!!

'Twas as if the gods conspired

to give Colorado dads the day

of their lives.

In this mode, I looked around

at this small scene in front of

my cabin. I felt such gratitude!

I just wanted to embrace the

moment and hug everyone.

Of course, they would have

thought I was crazy! Or, just

maybe their used to my crazy

by now!

 - - -

Anne Lamott is an American

novelist and nonfiction writer.

She is a progressive political

activist, speaker, and writing 

teacher. Lamott is based in 

Marin County, CA. Her non-

fiction works are largely

biographical. 1954-  Wikipedia

06/16/2024 - Father's Day

Chester Jennings, 1920 - 1992

No actual need for Father's Day

to remember mine . . . Still, it's

nice to have a special time ear

marked for celebration.

I can't think of my dad without

remembering camping trips,

road trips, drives . . .

I remember he'd pile us into the

car, ask for our silence, put on

some music and take off up the

mountain.

I remember him at work. He was

a phenomenal carpenter although

he was a mason at work. He made

sure I stood at a safe distance and

then I could watch as long as I

wanted.

Loved going canoeing with him.

Of course, he built his own. I got

to watch the miracle of its coming

into existence and then go with

dad on a lake.

I am ever so grateful that I got to

spend time with him as an adult.

He was such an interesting man, 

a true eccentric. His conversations 

were most interesting, knowledge

real. It was impossible to be in his

presence without learning.

Oh, how I miss him . . . 

06/15/2024

"I just like to be quiet

sometimes,

I'm not sad,

I'm not mad,

I just want to be quiet and

look at the rain."

~Lilian

I wouldn't necessarily say I'm

a quiet person. Having admitted

that, this poem really speaks to

me on several levels.

It's important to acknowledge 

several points, nonetheless. 

We rarely acknowledge our

feelings, or lack thereof.

We're so busy existing, quote, 

unquote, that we have precious

little time for actual living!

I'm taking a lesson here . . .

There are important lessons to

be learned in the quiet. Add in

rain and we're talking perfection.

I find myself longing . . .

06/14/2024

My guy rocks, he really does!

At 12:00 sharp, he shakes my

shoulder and says, "You have 

to get up, now! Go downstairs 

and look at the moon. It's way

beyond fabulous."

Half stumbling with sleep, I

clung to the banister and made

my way down. 

Ohhhhh, it was so worth it!

The moon was bright yellow,

half-way hidden by the clouds,

branches dancing seductively 

in front.

Frankly, I don't think I've ever

seen anything like it. Tears rose

in my eyes, laughter to my lips.

I ran back and forth 'twixt and

'tween the two windows that

afforded me a look-see. 

Wow! Just WOW!!! 

And then, it was gone. Lunar

Lady disappeared from my 

sight. I felt so blest to have 

seen her. I so owe my guy!

Naught in this world like 

our Lunar Lady . . .

06/13/2024

"If it's out of your hands, it

deserves freedom from your

mind too." Peaceloveandcoffee

Not certain if this is a warning,

an idea, or a promise . . .

I get it, I really do. But, although

the wars in today's world cannot

be helped by me, they are on my

mind. No, I can't do anything

about them, but I do hold these

ever so unfortunate souls in my

heart.

Alas, I don't know my neighbors.

Still, I smile and wave. Rather

makes me think, on some level 

we choose our battles. There are

limitations, maybe not even of

our making.

Obviously, we can help on certain

levels . . . letters, donations, prayer.

Easier to help our fams and friends

when they need it or ask.

Methinks the quote, well intended

it may have been, is wrong. Might

be better said, "If it's out of your

hands, do what you can . . . "

Need to give this some thought

and see where I can lend a hand.

06/12/2024

"So much joy can be found 

in slowing down." ~Emily Ley

Really never thought about it

until my caring sojourn with

mom ended after three and a

half years.

Methinks there is naught quite

like retirement. Wow!

So enjoy stories of old timers

who hit the road in their travel

trailers or motor homes. Others

go North or South, driving or

flying to other cities and nations.

For us, it's more about staying

home and enjoying this tiny,

tiny145 year old cabin. Shade

trees, cold brewskies, friends

and fam stopping by. Might 

not be Europe or Asia but it's 

ole West welcome home and 

we love it!!!

For one thing, ever so glad there's

joy to be found in slowing down.

Don't think for a moment I could

go any faster! 

Come on over and sit a spell . . .

(Oh my God, that sooooo sounds

like my gran!!!)

06/11/2024

"The wild feminine rises 

when the people pleasing 

maiden is put to rest." 

~sana

Wow! Just W O W !!!

Seems to me, we gals were

reared to be people pleasers.

I think it's different for men 

as they seem to be less 

bothered by the niceties 

expected of us.

It occurs to moi, 'tis vestiges

of yesteryear that drive us to

be nice. How I hate that word!

I like; kind, decent, thoughtful,

lovely, interesting . . . but lose

the nice already! So mundane!

If the word were put on my

tombstone, I'd rise from the 

dead and haunt whoever put it 

there!

Bottom line . . . time to grow 

up, become who we are meant 

to be. Be those many wondrous 

adjectives that move you, ever 

remembering nice is for maidens 

and you're a grown up now!

Methinks a little nice goes
a long way . . . Let's make it
more interesting!

06/10/2024

"We do not escape into art,

philosophy and psychology--

we go there to restore our

shattered selves into whole

ones." ~Anais Nin

Anais Nin has always moved

me; such truth in this particular

bit of wisdom.

In looking at her missive, it

seems I've misunderstood the

term, escape.

It certainly is true that we all

run away at times, or should

I say, attempt to run?! Bottom

line, it doesn't help for long.

I particularly like the idea

of running to, rather than

running from, especially to

restore our souls.

'Tis an idea must be pondered

at length.

So praying for wisdom here . . .

 - - -

Anais Nin, Angela Anais Juana

Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y

Culmell, known professionally

as Anais Nin, was a French-

Cuban-American diarist, essayist,

novelist and writer of short stories

and erotica. Born to Cuban parents

in France, Nin was the daughter of

composer Joaquín Nin and Rosa

Culmell, a classically trained singer.

1903 - 1977 Wikipedia

06/09/2024

"I am crying because there

are oceans in me, and I might 

finally be learning to swim." 

~Mary Kate Teske

Teske elucidates, in one fell

swoop, my feelings exactly.

Seems while finally coming

to edges of understanding . . .

I'm closer to the other side

than this one. 

My heart bleeds . . .  

I openly admit, knowledge 

is ever and always better 

than lack thereof! Only wish 

I'd come into a bit more of 

it earlier on.

As the most unbalanced

Libra I have ever known, 

times I require the hands 

on approach whilst others, 

I do just fine with taking

things on faith. 

Guess that means, have to

take on faith that I'll have

a bit longer to try this lately

acquired wisdom on for size. 

Wish me well . . .

 - - -

"Faith is the substance of 

things hoped for, the evidence 

of things not seen." Heb 11:1

06/08/2024

"Where are all the people 

who want little cottages in 

the woods with shelves full 

of books and gardens full of

herbs?" ~Brooke Hampton

She only forgot the ice cold

beer!

Under my fave tree . . . 

w/my fave peeps and don't

think for a sec that I forget 

my ice cold beer.

I look around and actually

feel, nay know for certain, 

we're living in a tiny piece 

of paradise.

Love spring, the fire circles, 

comfy chairs, star lit nights,

and maybe even that fear a

bear or two might join us.

Ice cream is more fun than

cooking. Reading cards adds

to the mystery. And, never

forget the joy of catching up.

Indeed, I do sing the praises

of living in a little cabin in

the woods!

Want a beer?

06/07/2024

"I do not go to the forest to be

alone, I go to be with the ones

who speak without human words."

~Flying Edna

Ever and always so fortunate 

to live at the very edge of the 

forest; make no mistake!

Although I no longer feel

comfortable climbing up

through the trees, my eyes

behold the beauty of the

forest every single day. 

I'm also grateful that there 

are so many trees on my own 

property. The glory of sitting

by or under, drawing breath

and giving thanks, perfection!

I find myself on these warm

spring days simply gazing. 

Such beauty! I am always 

blown away by how different

each of the trees are. Rather

fun to look at them individually

and then in clusters and back

again.

Were I to wish you anything,

it would be sit a spell under

my fave tree in the quiet of

the early eve. You would find

both beauty and healing. Joy

would find its way into your

heart. 

06/06/2024

"It does not matter how slowly

you go as long as you don't stop."

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

You may not have been able to

hide your chuckles if you had

seen my cohort in crime and I

strolling down my stone walk

this early a.m. Certainly, gave 

me a wee laugh!

I find that laughing, chuckling,

hee hawing, rolling on the floor

although I can't get back up, 'tis

much better than sobbing one's

heart out. 

Though there are times . . .

Aging is what it is and some 

of us have it better than others. 

I suppose I'm about half-way 

in between. Still stand straight 

and tall, good decent stride, 

but just ask me where I hid that 

new bottle of wine!!! Can't find 

it for love nor money!

So, if you catch me red-eyed 

with hankie in hand, just give 

me a good slap and remind me

of the alternative!

Happy! Happy!!

06/05/2024

Last night, I simply couldn't

sleep . . . finally, about 4:30

or so this early a.m.

Dad used to say, "If you can't

sleep, you might try praying."

My mom always said, "Spend

the time thinking about your

life, what you're doing and

what you wish to become." 

I say, "I should have read all

night! Why didn't I?"

Think my parents might have

been on the right track! Call 

it prayer, thought, meditation,

but sleepless nights are few 

and far between, so they must

be there for a reason.

I do keep my current read by

my side and I have a fab little

light that attaches to my book.

Next time, I'm reading until

my mind urges me to thought

and meditation.

Sleep well . . . or if you can't,

rest easy!

06/04/2024

"Integrity has no need of rules."

~Albert Camus

Love Camus, but had never

read this particular quote 

before.

Makes sense, integrity is its 

own, stand alone truth. Needs

naught else!

The questions we might ask

ourselves, "Do I possess this

quality? Can people count on

my word? Do I always honor

my personal commitment to

integrity?"

I do find myself asking more

and more essential questions

as I approach this fab age of

75. I know I'm in that last

part of my life and I want it

to count! 

Personal integrity means a

great deal to me. Pray, I ever

and always honor this!

 - - -

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 2nd-youngest recipient 

in history. 1913-1960 Wikipedia

06/03/2024

"Life is not measured by the

number of breaths we take, but

by the number of moments that

take our breath away." Anonymous

Methinks, I needed reminding!

Casting my mind back . . .

-The day I took my son up

in a hot air balloon! Wow!! 

Just W O W !!!

-My two year old daughter coming

over to the couch and asking me

in her little baby voice if I was sad. 

To this day, she is an empath of the

highest order.

-My guy waking me up in the middle

of the night, insisting we go out and

get in the pickup. Crazy, right?! 

Drove us to the lake and we sat there 

in amazement at the beauty of the 

full moon.

-The day I turned 13, my dad told

me it was now time I knew I was a

Pantheist.

-I found out I was having a girl to 

be born on my mom's b-day. I gave

my baby her grandma's name.

-Only four years old, my son told

me he was not to be interrupted or

disturbed when working as he was

an artist. https://www.luiferreyra.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ferreyralui/

I am ever so grateful for memories. 

Indeed, I am much blest!

06/02/2024 - a la discombobulated. . .

"We've been there, done that, 

did it ... had it, saw it, lived it ...

and we're not done yet, it just 

takes us longer ... " Zen to Zany

If you can overlook my bitching,

I do truly love and enjoy aging!

Part of that is, it wasn't expected.

I won't go into the whys and

wherefores of that now, but I'm 

ever so glad the gods prevailed. 

I'm grateful, I'm one of the lucky

ones . . . still strait and tall, a good

stride! I even did the splits in the

kitchen yesterday. Didn't mean to,

but so what?!

Still like ice cream for breakfast!

Enjoy the occasional mimosa

instead. I do so love being naughty!

I'd rather live a little less than exist

a little longer!

Sooooo, here's to moi and all of her

crazy notions!

"Spring is sprung, the grass is riz,

wonder where all the little flowers is."

~anonymous

06/01/2024

"Stillness is the altar of Spirit."

~Yoganiahansa Yogananda

I hear this, I really do! Alas, 

I'm one of those, can't sit still, 

creatures.

My fam and friends will attest . . .

I'm up and down, moving in my

chair, changing positions, taking

things into the kitchen. Methinks,

I must drive everyone nuts!!!

I truly am trying . . . something

that works somewhat is sitting

alone in front of a quiet fire. I

simply look into the heart of it

until it stills my soul.

The thing is though, one can't

always have a fire to look into.

I need to figure out other ways

to still myself, my soul.

I'm going to try a certain chair,

reading some inspirational lit,

quieting myself in my mind. I

think I'll be able to learn to still

my soul, myself if I make a

concerted effort.

I certainly am going to try; 

wish me luck!

05/31/2024

i stand 

before the accusing

tribunal 

   odd

   unusual

   strange

in defense

of my right

to be

  weird

   rare

   off

they sit there

in cookie cutter formation

no comprehension for the 

   different

   uncanny

   mysterious

their loss

my gain

i rest my case

~ld jennings