07/27/2025

"Yesterday I was clever,

so I wanted to change the

world. Today I am wise, 

so I am changing myself."

~Rumi

I constantly am amazed

recognizing those moments

in which I show no wisdom.

You would think at 75, I'd

have plenty of it. Alas, not

so! I still make mistakes

every single day.

So, what do we learn from

our mistakes?

Humility, for one thing.

Methinks 'tis these mistakes

that keep us from becoming

self-important. Ego time!

Unlike Rumi, I feel no

wisdom in my soul. Still,

I am learning every day.

For that I am grateful!

07/26/2025

"Your life does not get

better by chance, it gets

better by change."

~Jim Rohn

Often ask myself if I'm

not too old to change?!

Sometimes I answer, 

"I am who I am; take 

me or leave me."

But, that smacks of a

flippant response to me.

And I think, "Grow up

already!"

Maybe it's all about

compromise. Some

things simply have 

to be accepted. Others,

we need to work on

daily.

Methinks a good look-

see is needed. Change

is necessary as is

acceptance.

Maybe I am growing 

up a tad . . .

07/25/2025

"Eyes closed to pray...

still I see

that God is made

of human hearts

and hands

choosing kindness

every day

saving each other."

~A. Shea

I so love that we each

perceive God in different

ways!

It has taken me many

years to realize I simply

cannot even imagine

what God must be like.

And methinks, I don't

need to.

I see God in the nature

that surrounds me. I see

him in the people I love

and who love me in

return. I see him in the

kindness people gift

others every day.

I believe in the existence

of a higher power, but

have come to a place where

definition isn't necessary.

Blessed be . . .

07/24/2025

"Let's put 'kind' back

into humankind."

~John Mark Green

I have a friend who said

to me, "Oh, you're the

one who uses a quote

and then writes about it."

Must admit, I do enjoy

good quotes. So much

wisdom packed into a

few choice words.

I look for a good quote

each day and take it as

a special message to me.

Rather helps on some

level.

So, today's reminder,

let's be kind! It matters!

- - -

John Mark Green is a

poet and author who 

explores themes of love,

nature, personal growth,

and overcoming abusive

relationships.

07/23/2025

Today is my little bro's

b-day. 

Of course I remember

him all the other days.

I have an altar for him,

also a reminder.

Sammy was one of the

most remarkable people

I've ever known. Both

blind and a slow learner,

he faced life with honor

and courage.

He was fortunate to have

three seeing-eye dogs in

his lifetime. They offered

him a freedom that would

otherwise be denied. All

Golden Retrievers and

much loved!

I do hope there is a heaven

and that he's in it with all

three of his beautiful dogs!

Happy birthday Sammy . . .

07/22/2025

Yesterday was my dad's

birthday. I couldn't talk

about it just then; I miss

him ever so much.

My father was a wine

maker. He raised five

different kinds of wine

grapes. His wine was

valued here in Denver

at $30 a bottle way back

in the 80's.

Yesterday, I took three

bottles of wine in his

honor and drained them

around all the sacred

places in the yard. I

called his name and

wished him well.

On some level, it helped

my soul. But, I shall ever

and always miss him. It

is how it is . . .

Sooooo love you daddy!!!

07/21/2025

"Trust your instincts.

If something feels off,

it probably is. Energy

doesn't lie. Your eyes

and ears will play tricks

on you. Trust your soul."

~Brooke Hampton

Methinks we hear our

entire lives that we should

be paying attention with

our brains. 

Alas, instinct is put down.

Rather nice to see intuition

honored.

I notice that the older I get,

I sense things about those

I meet. Good feelings, a

wariness and absolute bad

vibes.

I've always loved that whole

Christian ideal . . . Treat 

others as you would like to

be treated.

So bad or good, treat people

well and choose your friends

carefully.

Blessed be . . .

07/20/2025

"I find it amusing that we're

all pretending to be normal

when we could be insanely

interesting instead." ~atlas

So love me this statement!

Not quite certain when and

where this whole desire to

be normal happened. What

would be wrong with each

of us being ourselves?!

In a gathering, I so enjoy

looking around and seeing

the differences in people!

Clothing choices, hair cuts,

make up, fun shoes. Every

where you look, each one

different!

I say, lose your normal, 

be yourself and have a

ball! Ever so much more

fun!

07/19/2025

"Ah kindness. What a

simple way to tell another

struggling soul that there

is love to be found in this

world." ~A. Shea

I find I'm ever and always

elated when I see an act of

kindness!

I make the effort to greet

people, compliment, nod,

wherever we go. Some

respond, most don't.

Methinks people are rather

huddled into themselves as

we're living in most difficult

times. I sooooo lament this.

Where do we go from here?

Let's be kind, kinder, kindest!

Blessed be . . .

07/18/2025

"There is even a little ok

to be found in broken."

~Matthew Spenser

Alas, I find I spend a great

deal of time pondering the

broken. 

Methinks it has to do with

those pesky elder years

having a look-see at a life

well lived!

Actually, I'm learning 

to live with my broken. 

There are things that can 

never be changed or fixed. 

Perhaps lessons were to 

be learned.

It occurs to me that these

broken parts of our souls

may have become stepping

stones to healing as well

as learning.

Crazy Libra that I am . . .

here's hoping there are less

broken places than healed!

07/17/2025

Had me a special all

health day yesterday!

I had hardened cheese

slices for breakfast . . .

my absolute fave!

Lunch gave me some

McDonald fries and 

a small shake. Yum!

Afternoon in the rain

potato chips and beer.

'Twas contemplating

ice cream but decided

I'd sinned enough for

one decade.

Would you like to hire

me for chef duties? Ha!

07/16/2025

"Rest is not idle, it is not

wasteful. Sometimes . . .

rest is the most productive

thing you can do for body

and soul." ~Erica Layne

I was fortunate to teach

40 years, 17 in Mexico

and 23 in the U.S. So 

loved it! In addition to 

day school, I taught four

nights a week, as well

as summer school.

Obviously, I was a tad

worn out by the time I

retired. And then, mom

came to live with us for

three and a half years.

That was the true worn

out; make no mistake!

Now that we're properly

retired, living in the cabin

for about 8 years, I am

getting some of my old

energy back.

I'm actually thinking about

how to spend it! And then,

get tired just thinking about

it!

Sooooo, I find the above

quote very comforting, 

very soothing! 

Think I'll just rest today!

07/15/2025

"To live without hope 

is to cease to live."

~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Sometimes, I need to be

reminded . . .

SAD was particularly

difficult this winter. The

depression, beyond the

pale. Now that we are

enjoying summer, I've 

had a thought.

Perhaps what tipped the

scale was the actual death

of hope. We are living in 

tremendously difficult 

times.

War, political issues, 

natural destruction such

as flooding, job issues and

loss of life.

Obviously, we've ever and

always had this issues to

deal with. Still, we seem

to be quite hard hit this

time around.

We could do that whole

ostrich head in the sand

thing. Ignore the issues

and only enjoy the good.

Or, we could help others

however we are able.

Methinks the answer lies

in giving hope to others.

Helping where we can

inspires help within the

soul.

07/14/2025

"My only regret in life is

that I didn't drink enough

champagne." 

~Robert Noecker

Humorous at least and 

euphemistic at best . . .

One of the things I like

about aging would be

those bits and pieces of

wisdom we find.

For me, it's all about the

champagne of life . . .

Finding! Drinking!

Sharing! All good!

I love the champagne of

spending time with my

children!

The champagne of friend-

ship is without par!

Living the champagne of

life well . . . happily,

fully, peacefully!

The outdoors in summer,

pure champagne!

Pray I drink champagne 

at the fountain of life

until the day the gods

call me home . . .

Blessed be!

07/13/2025

"She found peace where

the waves kissed the shore,

a rhythm older than pain,

a lullaby the soul never 

forgets." ~Dede Hawkins

I remember whilst living in

Mexico, I would go to the

sea shore when I was filled

with angst.

We lived only 20 min away, 

so I could slip away for a few. 

Watching the comings and

goings of the waves, my soul 

would calm. I could return

home to deal with those pesky

whatevers of life.

Days upon days, I wish I had

a sea shore at hand. The closest

I get would be meditation and

it does help.

I must remember . . .

07/12/2025

"We can't heal the world

today, but we can begin

with a voice of compassion,

a heart of love, an act of

kindness." ~Mary Davis

It has always worried me

that healing the world does

not seem to be in the picture.

I've thought that if each of

us spreads joy and kindness,

we send out concentric 

circles, overlapping and

creating peace on some level.

And, I still buy this!

However, the words of Mary

Davis truly struck a chord in

me. As we grow older, seems

we can only do so much. So,

her idea of compassion, love

and kindness makes a great

deal of sense.

Bottom line, I choose these

three . . . compassion, love

and kindness . . . by which

to live and share.

Blessed be . . .

07/11/2025

"There's something so

beautiful about having

long-term friends that

have witnessed multiple

versions of you and 

loved you through it all." 

~Inspired Living

Methinks I've ever and

always had a thing about

friendship!

There's a part of me that

would like to keep them

forever. But, I get that

people move away, pass 

on to that better life, etc.

I still dream about old

friends. When it happens

I send prayers and best

wishes. I figure I dreamed

of them for a reason.

One of the things I've ever

enjoyed about x-mas cards

is the catching up. Alas, I

find that tradition may be

coming to an end as well.

My fave part of all of this 

is I have friendship with

my children . . . hopefully,

all of them. Best friends

ever!

Blessed be . . .

07/10/2025

"There is a way that nature

speaks, that land speaks. Most

of the time we are simply not

patient enough, quiet enough,

to pay attention to the story."

~Linda Hogan

I so love summer!

Indeed it does mean work . . .

 . . . and lots of it! Mowing, 

weeding, snipping, cutting,

moving outdoor furniture

around!

But at the end of the work

day, sitting and having a

good look-see, with a cool

drink in hand . . . wow!

Just  W O W !!!

I know that Mother Nature

has many different faces. I

see them right here in my

sweet, little space.

So love that she has shared

a small corner of the earth

with us . . .

07/09/2025

"Your weirdness

will make you stronger.

Your dark side

will keep you whole.

Your vulnerability

will connect you to

the rest of our

suffering world.

Your creativity

will set you free.

There's nothing wrong

with you."

~Andréa Balt

What a beautiful reminder!

I find, this year particularly,

that I tend to worry about

everything. Rather concerns

me.

Most likely has to do with

aging . . . what's happening,

what to expect, will I be able

to deal with everything?!

Why can't I just live each day

as it comes? I'm at post PhD

level of worrying and this 

needs to stop!!!

07/08/2025

Methinks I have the most

beautiful space in the entire

universe . . .

 

07/07/2025

"Life always offers all who

are blest a second chance . . .

It's called tomorrow."

Zen to Zany

I swear, I'm trying to live

in the present, in the now,

in today!

Having said that, knowing

I have tomorrow around 

the corner, gives me what 

I need in order to cope.

Still, I so want to live today

to the best of my ability . . .

 . . . knowing there is a 

tomorrow to look forward to!

07/06/2025

"You're not healing to be

able to handle trauma, pain,

anxiety. You're used to those.

You're healing to be able to

handle joy, and learn to accept

happiness back into your life."

Wild Woman Sisterhood

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

I recognize truth when I see it

and this is it! How sad that we

become suspicious of joy as

we've seen so much sorrow.

In my elder years, I feel like 

I'm cramming for an important

exam. I have to hurry up and

learn all I can because I don't

have a lot of time left.

I do know I want to dedicate

as much of my remaining time

to joy! 

Find it! Make it! Do it!

07/05/2025

"I have never been drawn

to luxury. I love the simple

things; cool rocks, moss

covered hills, when the sun

filters through the trees just

right and people who try to

understand." ~R. YS Perez

Love this quote. Methinks

Perez took it straight out 

of my mind!

Yesterday, I was so sad . . .

and yet, today is another

day.

Today, I will return my

thoughts to Mother Earth,

Mother Nature and fill

my soul with peace once

more.

I will think of those I love

and send them thoughts

of joy.

Blessed be . . .

 - - -

R YS Perez is a non-binary,

queer Latinx writer born 

and raised in New York 

City. Currently working as 

a writing tutor, their biggest

passion is sharing her love

of words, whether through

her writing or helping the

students that cross paths.

goodreads

07/04/2025

I find I am sad today . . .

07/03/2025

"Silence is essential. We

need silence just as much

as we need air, just as much

as plants need light. If our

minds are crowded with 

words and thoughts, there

is no space for us."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

I have been a fan of this

master lo these many years.

His wisdom is without par.

And, I am so in tune with the

fact that silence is essential!

My question would be . . .

"Where do you find it?"

I've looked the world over,

as it were, and 'tis not to be

found. In the dead of night,

cars going by. By day, even

neighbors can be heard.

My conclusion . . . silence

can only truly be found in

meditation. Even then, it's

difficult.

Alas, we live in a noisy,

noisy world . . .

 - - -

Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese

Thien Buddhist monk, peace activist,

prolific author, poet, and teacher. He

founded the Plum Village Tradition

historically recognized as the main

inspiration for engaged Buddhism.

Known as the father of mindfulness,

he was a major influence on Western

practices of Buddhism. 1926 - 2022

Wikipedia

07/02/2025

"Enter silence. Let nature

heal you of everything

that hurts." ~Frederick AR

I find myself more grateful

than ever for our beautiful

summer weeks.

Alas, I have yet to heal from 

my winter SAD. The next

few weeks will indeed take

care of that.

Ever so grateful . . . and I 

am going to take the gift 

of silence. I may need to

create it rather than find

it. But, this shall happen!

07/01/2025

"So come to the pond,

Or the river of your

imagination,

Or the harbor of your

longing.

And put your lip to

the world.

And live

Your life."

~Mary Oliver

Methinks all the answers

are in the word, live!

Why is it that so many of

us simply exist, especially

when living is the answer?!

I'm learning to sit outside

everyday and enjoy the

heat of summer, the blue

skies and white fluffy

clouds!

I'm learning to enjoy the

people who come by to

visit and the moments

shared.

I'm learning to live the day

rather than the expectation

of the morrow.

I'm learning to live rather

than exist!

06/30/2025

"This is dedicated to every

human being who looks

different, feels different, and

thinks differently. I see you.

I feel you. I am you. Stay

different. Our world needs 

the difference we will make."

~Qasim Chauhane 

I've been told I'm different,

unusual, eccentric, since I

was a child. Methinks like

my father before me.

I would like to identify

whatever characteristics

make me different. Never

been able to put a finger 

on it.

I know, I do love people

who are not cookie cutter.

They interest me. Maybe

fascinate would be a better

word.

Bottom line, 'tis fab what

makes us all tic!

 - - -

Living the struggles, fighting

his demons, and in the search

for inner peace, Qasim Chauhan

started his journey of making art

and inspiring the world through

his words. He believes knowledge

can take you places and inner 

peace is the highest form of success.

Google Books

06/29/2025

"The future belongs to those

who believe in their dreams." 

~Eleanor Roosevelt

So love the wisdom of this

woman!

I've often wondered if we're

allowed to dream until the

very end or if in the end, it's

pointless.

Methinks I'll go with the 

former.

Feel the same as I ever have.

And, I still have hopes and

dreams.

I'd like to live yet another

while longer. I need to see

more of my children, all of

them. Love me my summer

afternoons with friends and

margs. Holding hands with

my guy!

Ever sooooo thankful to be 

here! And, I will continue

to dream on and on . . .

Life is so precious . . . 

06/28/2025

What?! Didn't I just fall

a few days ago?!

My two so unbalanced

Libra scales must be at

war again! Fell twice

yesterday afternoon.

Alas, my entire body

aches!

I know falling is indeed

an aging thing. But, I

have fallen my entire

life. 

Part of that has to do

with NOT paying

attention to business.

The other part would

be wearing silly slip

on sandals when I

should be wearing a

good pair of tennis

shoes.

Think I be asking the

deities for a gift of

common sense!!!

06/27/2025

Alas, 'tis off to the dentist

I go . . .

Sooooo don't get it! I'm

nigh onto a hundred years

old and it still scares me

to go. 'Tis hard to believe 

I get so upset about going

to the dentist. You'd think

I was a little kid!

Was supposed to go last

afternoon, but I canceled.

We had road workers 

and all their equipment

blocking  our three way

entry. Alas, couldn't get

out. Sob! Sob!

Guess I'll just have to 

"gird up my loins, sally 

forth and conquer . . . "

And there had better be 

a cold one waiting for 

me if I survive the 

experience! 

Pray for me! 

06/26/2025

"Positive people

are not ignoring

the darkness of this world

they have dragged themselves

painfully

into the light

and are choosing

to share it

     with you"

~Donna Ashworth

This matters to me, this

whole being positive thing.

There is so much negativity

in this amazing world of ours.

I'd simply rather be on the

other end of the stick, as it 

were.

Prob is, there is indeed a lot

of dark surrounding us . . .

   -those in need

   -violence abounds

   -heavy debts

   -hunger

   -loneliness

Methinks each of us should

do what we can, that little

tad extra and then celebrate

the light. Living in the dark

garners naught at all.

I pray the light returns for

all of us . . .

06/25/2025

Do you dream? 

Nightmares?

Do you remember them?

Understand messages?

I've ever and always had

nightmares. Never got

the why of it. So wish I

even had an explanation

as to why.

Sometimes, I'd almost

rather not seek sleep as

I most likely will dream.

In thinking about it, I

watch murder mysteries,

read murder mysteries . . .

Could that be the reason

for the nightmares?

I am always very careful 

about choosing the more

lighthearted mysteries

such as Columbo, Murder

She Wrote, McCloud, etc.

Nothing hardcore.

If I'm not careful, going

to have to go back to

Sound of music and such!

Ouch!

06/24/2025

"When you're feeling lost,

go to the flowers."

~Nausicaa Twila

Suffering from SAD, I go

rather nuts awaiting for

summer. Finally here!

I've so enjoyed working

out in the yard each day.

Although, next to my true

gardening friends, they'd

laugh.

Nonetheless, might just

be small that fare can be 

truly healing.

God, I so love summer,

the heat, the yard . . . I

feel ever so blest!

06/23/2025

"Life is too fleeting to allow

anything less than good vibes,

magic, and beauty into your

heart." ~Nausicaa Twila

Sad how we tend to forget

these words of wisdom!

We all know life is fleeting.

Losing friends unexpectedly

reminds us. Accidents, ills,

can take away cherished

fam and friends. And then,

we are reminded . . .

My dad used to quote that

old adage, "Live each day

as if it were the last." I get

that we mean to . . . 

We get too busy existing 

to enjoy living!

Methinks I need reminding!

06/22/2025

"It's morning. And again

I am that lucky person 

who is in it." ~Mary Oliver

Maybe I didn't used to think

so much about this . . . but

at 75, indeed I do!

Each morn I awake, 'tis a

gift. It's been this way my

entire life, but I just didn't

think about it.

Kills me that I still make

mistakes every day. You'd

think I was old enough to

have learned already.

One thing I have learned,

only today matters. Wish

I could always remember

that . . .

06/21/2025

Awoke to great sorrow at

o' dark thirty this morning.

We live in difficult times,

sad affairs in the world

around us. This kidnapping

of a one year old just hurts

my heart. I pray the little 

girl is soon found. 

I must get myself into 

Mother Nature for healing . . .

06/20/2025 - Litha

"As the sun spirals its

longest dance, cleanse us.

As nature shows fertility

and bounty, bless. us. Let

all things live with loving

intent and fulfill their true

destiny." ~Alison Williams

Sooooo love the Summer

Solstice, that first day of

heat . . . Litha at its best!

I look around at the flowers

friends have shared with me

and my heart is filled with

joy.

Cloudless skies, ever so

blue, bright sun shining.

'Tis no wonder this is my

fave season!

Let's celebrate . . .

 - - -

"Litha, also known as the

Summer Solstice or Mid-

summer, is a Pagan holiday

celebrated around June 20th.

It marks the longest day of

the year, a time to honor the

sun's peak power, celebrate

the abundance of summer."

06/19/2025

Oh my God, I ache all over!

Last afternoon, I went out

to water, weed and rake. I

was moving the now empty

trash can when I stumbled

and fell.

And wow, did I ever! Got

my ankles, shins, knees and

back. Methinks I'm paying

for any and all sins I've ever

committed and then some.

Going to have to think up a

few extra just to get even.

That for which I am most

grateful . . . naught broke.

I am feeling ever so lucky

about that.

Guess I'd better be more

careful, eh?!

06/18/2025

"Don't wait for everything

to be perfect before you

decide to enjoy your life."

~Love Lines

I know! I know! We're all

guilty of this . . .

   -Want to write in my diary

once I change the sheets.

   -I'll read as soon as I wash

the dishes.

   -Going on a walk once I

vacuum. 

I am changing a tad; I write

before I rise! Good one!

I read from 8:00 - midnight.

And, I'm skipping the whole

walk thing . . . other than 

going for the mail and books!

I'm beginning to think that

this perfection business we 

all seek should be more about 

acceptance!

Being closer to a 100 than 

birth, makes me think I need

to get on with acceptance.

Might actually be a good idea!

06/17/2025

"They are good people to

know, these plant people."

~Robin Rose Bennet

Met him at an elk stampede,

this neighbors of ours!

Met her with a bottle of pink

in hand when she joined us

at the picnic table.

Met them both at the creation

of my wondrous vardo.

Even then, had no idea how

important this couple would

become to us.

They usually drop by at the

weekend and share a few

brewskies with us. They 

keep an eye out for us as

we are fast becoming 

oldsters.

But, the friendship is not

just that. There's laughter

and story sharing, telling

tales out of school, and I

believe a genuine caring.

'Tis most amazing how

people find each other,

get to know one another,

become friends.

This may not be Valentine's

Day, but I'm ever so grateful

for friendship at its best!

Blessed be . . .

06/16/2025

"Enjoy the little things."

~Anita Opper, Zen to Zany

Alas, 'tis easy to forget the

little things . . .

   -an early morn sunrise

   -breakfast in bed

   -planting all afternoon

   -sitting with my man

       and a beer afterwards

Wait! Those aren't little

things . . . they're the joys

in my life and they mean

everything to me!

One of the things I enjoy

about growing older would

be learning the truth about

things!

Seems those little things

are the biggest and best

that keep us going!

06/15/2025 - Father's Day

Ever and always I think

of my father. Still perhaps, 

today more than ever.

The great love of my life,

I find myself talking to 

him in a manner much like

prayer.

In life and after, he has ever

been there for me, helped

me through. Not sure where

I'd be if I couldn't talk to him.

I am so fortunate to have fab

dads in my life. I think of Don

Luis, father of my children. I

honor Martin, my kid's dad.

And the man beside me for

the last 25 years, Russel. All

amazing dads!

Happy Father's day to all you

dads out there. You are much

loved . . .

06/14/2025

"You are where you are

because of the choices

you have made. Own it

and adjust your decisions

to get to where you want

to be." ~Goddess Love

So admire the succinct 

wording of this bit of 

wisdom!

"Take responsibility" 

is another adage that 

comes to mind.

I find myself thinking,

fab advice! And high

time I pay attention!

Seems to me, one of the

the things that follow us

from childhood is the

need to place blame on

someone else . . .

So hope I grow up, get

my ducks in a row and

take responsibility for

myself . . . before I die!

 - - -

Take responsibility is a direct

translation and adaptation of

the Latin phrase, "cum magno

imperio, magna servitus."

Wikipedia

Friday the 13th, 2025

So love me some Friday

the 13th! Happens once

to three times a year and

I always get a kick out of

them.

There are lots of stories,

some superstitious, some

fun. I prefer the latter.

Friday, the last day of the 

working week. FACs just 

waiting to happen and the

entire weekend ahead! 

Add in 13, such a delightful

number, and you have the

makings of fun at its best!

Whatever you do today,

enjoy . . .

 - - -

"Fri the 13th was traditionally

sacred to the Divine Feminine.

Fri is named for Freya, goddess

of love and magic, 13 honors 

lunar cycles tied to womanhood

and creation. It celebrates fem

power, a time when the veil is 

thin, intuition flows freely, and

ancient blessings stir beneath

the surface." ~lightFUL

06/12/2025

"Simplicity quiets the 

noise.

Stillness returns you to 

yourself.

Nature reminds you what 

truly matters."

~etheric echoes

Methinks, our elder years

are all about returning to

the simple. And, I truly

believe that stillness is

lifesaving!

I am ever so grateful to

my father for my love of

Mother Nature. Always

lived out in the country, 

but weekends we for

picnics, hiking, enjoying

our Mother.

If you think about it, it's

interesting how parents

influence us. Obviously,

we're not like them in

many ways, but taste

has to rub off.

I no longer hike . . . thus

making me doubly glad

we live in a forest!

Blessed be . . .

06/11/2025

"Sometimes, all we can do

is try to seek the beauty,

through all of the madness."

~P.T. Berkey

Fab reminder . . .

In living our daily lives, we

are so busy coping that we

tend to miss the beauty that

surrounds us.

Yesterday, as I sat out under

my fave tree, I looked around

that the beauty surrounding

me.

I could see the work we had

accomplished in the last few

days. Green spilling out every

where you look. A gift of plants

just waiting for their new home.

Visiting with my guy, I found

my heart was full, my mood

happy and my mind alert.

High time I remember to seek

beauty and leave the madness

behind!

06/10/2025

"The world is full of poems,

but you have to be quiet to

hear them." ~Mary Oliver

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

Methinks, I do more tuning

out than listening. Seems 

to me, I need to do some 

serious rethinking!

Yesterday, working in the 

yard, I got to hear so many

different bird calls. I was

also blest to see several

humming birds.

Alas I fear, I commented on

the weeds rather than the

birds. Obviously, something

else to rethink!

Two weeks 'til summer, SAD

will have passed and I swear

I'm going put my senses to

work a la positive!!!

06/09/2025

"Fear attracts darkness.

When you have no fear,

the darkness fears you."

~Suzy Kassem

Been thinking a great deal

about fear of late . . .

Seems to me that I have 

been fearless most of my

life. So, where the hell is

this fear business coming

from?!

Perhaps, it has something

to do with age. Obviously,

as we grow older, we get

that there are a great deal

of things to fear.

I find I would like to go

back . . . back to a time

when I was not so fearful.

That doesn't mean I wish

to live entirely in innocence. 

Knowledge and the wisdom

to deal with both the known

and the unknown is important.

Still, I find fear more than a

tad overwhelming . . .

 - - - 

Suzy Kassem is an American

writer, poet, philosopher and

multi-faceted artist of Egyptian

origin. 1975 Google Books

06/08/2025

"When you forgive, 

you live.

When you let go, 

you grow."

English Literature info

Wondrous bit of wisdom

found this early morn.

At least I know I have

forgiven many a time.

More difficult would be

forgiving myself. Alas,

I don't seem to be able to.

Now, letting go; methinks

ain't never going to happen!

And, I am sorry for that.

I've worked on letting go

my entire life. I simply don't

seem able to.

And now, I can see why I

found this particular quote

this morn . . . the two things

I need to work on . . .

   -forgiving 

   -letting go

Not certain I'll be successful,

but I sure am going to try!

06/07/2025

"She is walking away

Afraid but brave

White knuckles

become open arms

Now she is ready

to embrace the stars"

~A. Shea

I find it interesting that

I have more fear now 

than I ever did as a young

person.

I'm not afraid all the time

nor do I court fear. I can't

help but wonder if this

stems from having lived

75 years on this planet?!

Living this long, one is

exposed to things, sees

things, experiences things.

So of course, fear will be

a resulting ingredient.

Actually, methinks the 

word fear is a misnomer.

Perhaps, respect would

be more accurate.

One thing I know, I love

living . . . whatever issues

it includes!

Here's to life and may we

live it to the absolute best

of our abilities!

06/06/2025

Just wondering . . .

Who do you pray to? 

Who should we pray to?

Per se, I meditate. But,

there are moments when

I feel the need to pray. 

The problem for me is, 

to whom do I direct my 

thoughts? My words?

The Christian God? 

Pagan deities? My own

father? My inner soul?

I would chuckle, but it's

important to me to be

respectful.

Do you have any thoughts

on the matter?!

06/05/2025

"Wildness is a necessity."

~John Muir

So love me the wisdom

of John Muir. I've been 

a fan my entire life!

Lucky to live with the

wilderness on one side

of us. Not so lucky to

have the ever present

traffic on the other.

I tune out the traffic and

simply enjoy Mother

Nature smiling down 

on me.

We're living in incredibly

difficult times. I firmly

believe that to get through

this, Mother Nature is the

place to be. She is the

saving grace. 

We need to get the hell out 

of Dodge and fill our hearts 

and minds with her. We

can't afford not to.

24 hours in a day . . . spend

even half an hour with her.

It will help!

 - - -

John Muir was a Scottish 

born American naturalist,

author, botanist, zoologist,

glaciologist and advocate

for the preservation of

wilderness in the US.

1838 - 1914 Wikipedia

06/04/2025

"I need a timeout until I 

can play nice with others . . .

this may take a while.

2drunkladies

Sooooo not sure what's up

with moi! It's supposedly 

spring and SAD shows no 

sign of letting up. 

Been so grouchy that I 

warned a friend who came 

to see me. Told her, "If I 

seem rude, it has nothing 

to do with you."

The bad thing is . . . when

is this ever going to end?!

So, if I seem a tad out of

sorts these days, don't take

it personally. 

Just shoot me already . . .

06/03/2025

So love me new beginnings!

Just think of all those we are

given . . .

The beginning of each day,

each week, each month, each

year!

So, why is it that we think

we have to wait until the new

year to begin again?

   -Today, a new beginning, 

means I can be more careful 

about what I eat.

   -This week, I can commit to 

buying healthier groceries.

   -This month, get more exercise.

   -This year, make sure I live a

tad longer.

I like this whole thinking outside

the box thing! Now, if I could

only follow my own advice!

06/02/2025

"Do your little bit of good

where you are; it's those

little bits of good put together

that overwhelm the world."

~Desmond Tutu

Beautiful sentiment! And, 

I so love the idea.

What rather astounds me is

I seem to be on the receiving

end of late. Methinks must 

have something to do with 

age.

-Can I get you a drink?

-Would you like anything else?

-I can pick that up for you.

It's sweet, but I can't seem to 

get used to it.

Perhaps the answer lies in age.

I we each serve someone older

than ourselves, we all get to be

both helpful and nice.

Frankly, this whole aging thing

takes some getting used to. Bit

of a learning curve here!

 - - -

Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a

South African Anglican bishop

and theologian, known for his

work as an anti-apartheid and

human rights activist. He was

Bishop of Johannesburg from

1985 to 1986, then Archbishop

of Cape Town from 1986 to

1996, in both cases being the

first Black African to hold the

position. 1931 - 2021 Wikipedia

06/01/2025

"I love three languages of the

universe: music, love, silence."

 ~Qasim Chauhan

Methinks we tend to forget

there are more languages in

the universe than those we

speak!

When I saw this quote, I was

instantly reminded . . . and I

cringe at all we simply take

for granted!

That music of Mother Nature

is nothing short of miraculous.

The gentle swaying of trees

and grasses, the chirp of birds

in the bushes, the soar of eagles

swooping in and out. Priceless!

I am ever so fortunate to have

known love. That which I hold

for my children is beyond

sacred.

And, we so easily say, "I just 

love that dress or I so love

mole." Need to learn to use

like instead of love, right?!

Spiritual love, sacred love,

the love we have for a long

time partner . . . blessings!

There are times I would trade

my soul for silence. Not a

commodity easily found these

days! I live in a Libra kind of

world . . . forest and quiet on

the one side and continual

traffic on the other. 

Guess I would have to say 

the trick is learning to tune 

in or should I say, tune out!

Dear, dear Mother Earth, 

I am listening . . .

05/31/2025

"Mother Earth, 

Enlighten what's dark in me,

strengthen what's broken 

in me, heal what's sick in me, 

and lastly, revive whatever 

peace and love has died in me." 

CrystalLoversTribe

I bow to the beauty of these

sweet, lovely words! They 

bring both promise and  

comfort. 

Methinks, we'd all do well

to focus more on the positive. 

I know, I tend to get bogged 

down in the daily minutiae 

of negativity.

-got to pay the bills today

-better get the mail out

-dishes need to be washed

Maybe not particularly

negative, but neither is 

the list of fun things to 

do. Best to do less fun

quickly in order to find

joy in the fun elsewhere.

Food for thought . . .

Happy! Happy!!

05/30/2025

"How rare and beautiful 

it is to even exist."

~Cottage Whimsy

I have always loved life, 

even in the bad times. 

Those god awful times I

tried to end my life, weren't

about me not loving life. It

was about SAD, the illness

I suffer every winter.

Now, I am ever so grateful

I'm still here . . . even on the

difficult days!

I celebrate my children, all

seven of them . . . their fams

their lives and our shared

moments.

I celebrate our friends. I so

value that they come to me

as I really don't go out any

more.

I celebrate we have a home 

to live in and food to eat. 

Alas, so many people don't.

I celebrate life . . . no matter

what!

05/29/2025

"Are we alive-ing today or

surviving today? Your call."

~Donna Ashworth

Such a fab question to begin

each day!

I fear we get so busy with 

our existence, we forget to 

live.

Actually, if one thinks about

it, busy can be enhanced a

tad to make it more palatable. 

-music whilst doing dishes

-two cooking instead of one

-dancing with the vacuum

Alas, I usually just hurry

through chores so I can go

do what I want. I know the

Dali Lama would not approve!

Still, let's each do our daily 

live rather than exist, no 

matter how we define it . . .

05/28/2025

"I want to think 

again of dangerous 

and noble things.

I want to be light 

and frolicsome. 

I want to be

improbable beautiful 

and afraid of nothing.

As though I had wings.

~ Mary Oliver

So love me some Mary Oliver;

I read her every single day!

I find her very aware and some

how she reduces the negatives

of daily life and inspires to the

bigger and better in simple

terms.

Seems I'm constantly trying to

grow, fix things, make better.

I get the impression from Mary

Oliver it might just be time to

enjoy what time I have left

and stop all the fussing! Prob

wouldn't matter anyway!

I am so going to enjoy this

rainy day . . . reading a good

book, sipping my a.m. coffee,

maybe even being naughty

in the afternoon!

Salud . . .

 - - -

Mary Jane Oliver was a

prolific American poet and

prose writer who won the

Pulitzer Prize and National

Book Award. Her work is

inspired by nature, often

reflecting healing, acceptance

and spiritual awakening.

1935 - 2019

05/27/2025

"I have three eyes, two

to look, and one to see."

~Bellamor

Love this much needed

reminder! We're so used 

to looking that we forget 

to see.

So, what is the third eye?

"The third eye is not a literal

physical eye, but represents

an ability to perceive beyond

ordinary sight, intuition, and

insight. It is associated with 

spiritual awakening, enlighten-

ment, and the ability to access 

higher consciousness." 

Wikipedia

Alas, too often we're so busy

we don't even think of our

spirituality, much less pay

attention to it. I thought I'd 

have time once retired. Right!

Occurs to me that spirituality

should be the home in which

we live our lives. In it, we

would see with our third eye.

We would live rather than

exist. There would be that

consciousness we seek.

Much food for thought . . .

05/26/2025

My heart is sooooo full . . .

My children celebrated my

Mother's Day yesterday. 

I've never seen the like!

My son-in-law began

cooking for the day when

he got home from work on

Thursday.

Coming in yesterday with

hoards of food, again he

cooked for several hours.

Presentation, for starters,

was simply stunning. Just

made my mouth water.

But, ohhhhh the flavors!!!

Vegetable filled enchiladas,

unbelievable! And the chili

he made from scratch. Add

two additional chili salsas

that I would sell my soul

for and you have food for

the gods!

I ate calmly, enjoying each

and every bite. Of course,

I had to have seconds. We 

were all wowed, make no

mistake!

Oh how I adore my kids!

And my son-in-law is the

best chef  E V E R !!!

05/25/2025

Sooooo excited . . .

Today we're celebrating May!

~May 1st - May Day

~May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

     mom's and Linda's b-days

~May 6 - Linda's 2nd b-day

~May 10 - Día de las Madres,

     cumpleaños de César

~May 11 - Mother's Day

~May 15 - Día del Maestro

~May 16 - cumple de Don Luis

~May 17 - cumple de Doña Clemen

~May 26 - Memorial Day

Just thrilled the kids are going

to be here. Love that César is

doing the cooking.

And May, is a most wondrous

month!

05/24/2025

"Keep some room in your

heart for the unimaginable."

~Mary Oliver

My parents used to say about

me that I had my life planned

from the cradle to the grave.

I was only a little gal, but I 

enjoyed planning. Not sure

they ever quite got that.

Cradle to the grave or not, 

so glad I was crazy enough 

to spend 20 years in Mexico. 

I loved it so!

Love that these last years of

my life will be spent in this

tiny cabin. Here, I find I'm

enjoying my old age, fam

and friends who come to

visit, margs under our fave

tree and reading my fun

mysteries.

Perhaps it's because my fam

is here this weekend, but I'm

feeling such a grand sense of

contentment.

Blessed be . . .

05/23/2025

"Cheers to all the rebels out

there who care way too much

about art and truth and magic

to fall in line with the mundane

task of fitting in." Defiant Crone

Methinks, I may be one of the

luckies gals in the universe as

I was reared by my sweetheart

of a day, the most amazing

eccentric I've ever known!

I've been told my whole life 

by fam and friends that I too 

am an eccentric. I rather love 

that as I'm my father's daughter. 

Still, I'd like someone to tell me 

just how they know I'm thus.

Is it wearing naught but black

for 15 years? Does it have to 

do with never having tasted a

morsel of meat? Perhaps, a

translator and lifeguard for my

little bro?

Who knows?! But most of all,

I deeply and dearly love the

amazing people who have come

my way for the past 75 years!

Blessed be . . .

05/22/2025

My heart hurts today . . . 

not sure why.

Methinks might just have

something to do with night

mares. Oh how I hate them!

Can't help but wonder what's

the point?!

~Is it about learning something?

~Remembering an incident? 

~Perhaps, a warning?

Oh what I would give to leave

the nightmares behind. I said

before that I hated them. There

really needs to be a stronger

word!

So, since they won't go away,

I try to learn something from 

them. Look beyond the obvious.

is there a hidden meaning? Is

there a warning?

Nigh onto about a hundred years

old and can't figure anything out

just yet.

Feel free to offer suggestions!

05/21/2025

"Don't leave anything for later.

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later, you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not doing some-

thing when you had the chance.

~WWS

Good reminder! And, we all

need it!

Alas, we are all living life as 

fast as we can. There is ever

so much to accomplish and

so little time.

I've come to believe that if

we can schedule our lives

down to the last minute,

then we should be able to

schedule some living in

there!

Obviously, living means

different things to different

people. For moi . . .

~take a drive

~eat out

~send cards

~call home

~watch a fun flick

Matters not that I'm retired.

'Tis sooooo easy to get

bogged down in those nasty

little lists of what's to be

accomplished!

05/20/2025

"She didn't want a big life.

She wanted a beautiful one;

a life made of Sunday pan-

cakes, wildflower walks, and

slow evenings under string

lights. @twopawsfarmhouse

Alas . . .

I find myself surrendering 

to the anxiety and fear of 

the times in which we live.

Rather makes me appreciate

the patent reminders we're

given; life is an incredible

gift.

Indeed I cherish the gifts 

I've been given; my family, 

friends, evenings by the fire, 

good books to read and even

stimulating conversation.

'Tis rather like looking up at

the stars, finding peace, and

forgetting all about that

depressing newscast . . .

Sooooo must find that peace!

05/19/2025

"Earth laughs in flowers."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just read this and it brought

out a big smile in me!

How I love Mother Earth!

I know she can be pretty

harsh sometimes. I see her

cruel storms and it occurs

to me she is one angry

element.

She must look at our piles

of trash, trash that could be

handled much differently,

and thinks to herself . . .

"Will they ever learn?"

She gifts us mountains,

streams, wild flowers and

grasses. We gift her acres

of plastic water bottles, a

trash island in the sea and

bits and pieces of garbage

all along our highways.

She brings us flowers . . .

let's try harder on our end

of things!

05/18/2025

Sooooo love that we all get

another day, every single day

of our lives!

Waking this early a.m. I saw

light at the end of the tunnel,

as it were.

Funny, it's supposed to snow

today and I'm feeling pretty

good. The last couple of days,

bright and sunny, and yet, I've 

been completely inundated 

with the sorrow of SAD.

Loving me today! I will enjoy 

each minute of it. Summer is 

only a month away after all!

Yayyyyy!!!

05/17/2025

"You are not the darkness 

you endured. You're the light

that refused to surrender."

~John Mark Green 

Thought SAD was behind me.

Alas, got hit pretty hard these

last couple of days. Part of me

didn't think I'd make it.

The wonderful thing is I am

surrounded by people who

love me and that truly matters.

Then, I happened upon the

above words.

They're like a promise. May

take to reading them every

day, memorizing them and

repeating them!

Still, I can hardly wait for the

long, warmer days up ahead.

Rather wish we could have

two summers rather than just

one!

05/16/2025

Hoy es el cumple del padre

de mis hijos . . .

Pienso en él a menudo, pero

aún más en días especiales.

Fue una persona gigantesca.

Deportista sin igual en ambos

fútbol y tenis. Francamente,

un placer en simplemente

observarle. 

Como maestro, fue el mejor

que jamás tuve. Siempre fue

me mentor e ídolo en el salón.

Le doy crédito por los años

felices para mí en la enseñanza.

Y mis hijos . . . el regalo más 

grande que jamás tuve. Todos 

los días, agradezco la belleza 

de ellos en nuestras vidas.

Obviamente él, como todos

nosotros, tuvo sus detalles.

En ninguna manera eso quita

el gran hombre que fue.

Siempre recordaré la bendición

que fue en tantas vidas.

05/15/2025, Día del Maestro

Sooooo love me el quince

de Mayo! Día del Maestro . . .

National Teacher's Day and

trust me, teachers are truly

honored in Mexico.

Many a way to celebrate . . .

parades, parties, presents,

speeches. All good!

My fave, classes as usual 

and as each different group 

of students filled the room, 

'twas my turn to tell them

just how much they meant

to me. You could hear the

silence in the room and then,

a delayed applause.

Oh how I loved my students!

One of the things I enjoy 'bout

being nigh onto a hundred . . .

the joy of looking back on

fond memories. Naught wrong

with that!

Sooooo, happy Teacher's Day

albeit here in US or in Mexico,

retired or working. Long live

those sweet memories . . .

05/14/2025

"Oh, what a beautiful morning.

Oh, what a beautiful day.

I've got a beautiful feeling

Everything's going my way."

~Hammerstein and Rodgers

I woke this early morn with a

light heart and a sense of peace.

Methinks my SAD time is now

at an end. I feel like dancing . . .

it's been a long, long winter.

I honor those who have helped

me through . . . my guy, our

friends and kids. Wouldn't have

made it without them!

 - - -

Seasonal Affective Disorder,

SAD, is a subtype of depression

that occurs at the same time

each year, typically in the fall

and winter. ~Al Overview

05/13/2025

Pondering faith of late . . .

Seems to me that we live on

faith and we don't even really

think about it!

-When I go to bed, I have faith

I'll wake up in the morning.

-No matter what I eat, I have

faith it won't make me ill.

-Getting in the car, I have faith

we'll return home accident free.

See? Faith abounds in our lives.

For some, faith is a religious

concept. Obviously, it is. But,

that would only be a small part.

I'm not particularly enamored 

with using faith as a joke . . .

-I have faith I will one day win

the lotto, but I never buy a ticket!

-Faith will get me through even

though I never lift a hand.

Indeed, faith is a sacred word.

Note I didn't say religious. 

Faith should ever and always 

be treated with great respect. 

I'm seeing I need to do some 

thinking about all of this . . .

05/12/2025

Memories dancing through my

mind of late . . .

Have no intention of just living

in the past; still, 'tis important

to remember!

   -My baby girl tottering over 

to me and asking if I'm sad . . .

   -Giving out condoms on

Friday afternoons at school

with the school nurse . . .

   -My son painting my portrait . . .

   -Looking at cards from Joyce

having just lost her . . .

   -A ride in a hot air balloon 

with my son . . .

   -Eating Esther's most fab 

deviled eggs . . .

   -FACs with our neighborhood

besties . . .

I could spend hours walking 

down Memory Lane, make no 

mistake. Still, I find recalling 

these moments gives me both 

perspective and courage. That 

whole, been there; done that, 

turns into doing it!!!

And not to forget, still making

memories every day of my life!

05/11/2025, Mother's Day

I always think of today as US

Mother's Day . . . as opposed

to yesterday, Mexican Mother's 

Day!

Methinks, I'm the lucky one!

I celebrate el diez de Mayo

with my Mexican children and

Mother's Day with my US kids.

I do so adore them one an all!

I find it interesting that el diez 

de Mayo is always May ten and

the US Mother's Day is always

the second Sunday of May. 

Such fun!

Motherhood is surely the greatest

gift of all time! My own adopted

daughters here in the US, are

mothers as well!

Oh, how I love them . . .

 - - -

Dedicated to . . .

   Katherine Lockley 

   Emily Lockley

   Sarah Kaufholtz

   Anna Zimmermann

05/10/2025, Día de las Madres

Hoy es el Día de las Madres

en mi querido y bello México.

Tanto recuerdo a las madres

con quienes dábamos a luz y

criamos a nuestros hijos.

Hay madres fenomenales

en todo en mundo. Muy sin

embargo, no hay nadie como

las madres mexicanas. 

Los nenes crecen amamantados 

y luego con comidas fabulosas 

hechas a diario. Juegan afuera,

van a la escuela uniformados

y cenan sentados en la mesa

con su familia.

Hay abrazos, besitos, historias,

y disciplina. Supongo que así

ha de ser en muchos países.

Pero, después de haber visto a

las madres mexicanas por 20

años, creo que ganen el primer

lugar.

Cómo extraño a mi bello México

y las lindas madres que ahí conocí.

Las deseo feliz día de las madres

y que sepan que las recuerdo con

mucho cariño.

Y Lindita, esto va para ti también!

Has sido una gran madre y ahora

abue!!!

 - - -

Dedicados a . .  .

   Linda de Campos

   Christina de Carpintero

   Martha de Covarrubias

   Ángeles de Ferreira

05/09/2025

"It is a serious thing just

to be alive on this fresh

morning in this broken

world." ~Mary Oliver

A truth if there ever was

one!!!

Suffering from Seasonal

Affective Disorder, SAD,

I recall when many a time

I wished for death.

But now, in my elder years

and having learned how to

deal with those ghastly 

winter months, Mary Oliver

rings true to me.

I'm nigh onto a 100 years 

old, and we're living in very

difficult political times. Still,

when I awake to yet another

day, I am grateful beyond

measure!

Look to Mother Nature, look

to family, love and friendship.

Look to that odd moment of

joy in dark times. And, naught

wrong with looking back to

fave memories.'Tis important 

to honor these things! 

Leave the news, the papers,

the comments if they upset

you. They're just a small part

of this one and glorious life.

Let's live!

05/08/2025

"When wind speaks through

the trees, it is not the breeze

you hear - it is the old ones

reminding us: slow down,

listen, and remember who 

you are." ~Kanipawit Maskwa

Alas, methinks we all live at

such a hurried pace, we don't

even notice Mother Nature.

Not even sure, "slow down,

listen and remember" are 

even part of our repertoire.

We live at such a pace I fear

we don't spend much time

thinking. Actually, I can't 

help but wonder if part of

all this speeding 'round is so

we don't have to think too

much. 

I do know, I'm guilty of this

whole hurry, hurry, hurry

world we live in! It's almost

as if we're afraid to slow 

down. We might learn some-

thing we'd rather not know.

We keep telling ourselves

we'll slow down when we

retire; so not happening!

Need to learn a lesson here!

05/07/2025

Alas . . .

May 2015 marked the day

of my new computer. It

died on Cinco de Mayo.

Trip to Boulder. Waited 

for such a long time. Only

to be told my old computer

was out of date, no chances,

no hope!

Had to buy a new one. That

took yet another hour. Been

two days not and not even

the Universe could figure 

out how to get into it!

I'm hoping for a miracle 

to show up to help me get

into it.

Soooo . . .

Here I am, incomunicado,

data ignorant, and broke.

Here's hoping for a miracle!

05/06/2025

So fun! I may be one in a

million that has a daughter

with two birthdays!

As stated before, I had

promised my mother a girl

on her birthday with her

name.

The docs were in on it, of

course. I went into the

clinic in the afternoon. Alas,

I delivered her at midnight

rather than the afternoon.

My baby girl came into this

world by halves. Her head

and arms arrived at 12:00

p.m. and her torso and feet

at 12:05 a.m.

Here I am, rather dying of

pain, and the doc is chuckling

his head off.

When I had her in my arms,

he explained to me about

the two dates. And indeed,

he promptly signed two

birth certificates. We have

them to this day.

Most probably, the one

registered in Mexico is the

latter. Still, she will ever

be known as my girl with

two birthdays.

Sooooo, happy! Happy!!

all over again. Enjoy your

day most thoroughly.

Adoring you from afar,

mom

05/05/2025

Today we celebrate two of

the most amazing women

I've ever known . . .

My mother, matriarch of

our family, was born on

this auspicious date . . .

Cinco de Mayo.

So, mother that she was,

she asked me for a very

special birthday gift. Her

dream was for me to have

a baby girl on her birthday.

And, she was to be given

her name as well.

We consulted an agency

that specialized in controlled

births. It was actually quite

interesting as well as amazing.

Methinks 'twas quite wondrous

to be able to make her dream

come true. And, my baby girl

has been a git to me her entire

life.

One of the things I've been

able to ascertain is my girl

is the true matriarch of this

family. Fate skipped a

generation and bestowed

the title and responsibility

to her.

We consult her, listen to her

advice and respect her for

the amazing woman that

she truly is.

Hats off to this woman and

all she brings to our family.

Happy birthday baby girl!

We all love you and me most

of all.

05/04/2025

"Never apologize for being too

much. Too passionate, too strange,

too curious. Because no, you're

not normal. And that's a blessing."

Ancient Pagan Roots

I find myself rather identifying

with this quote as there is naught

normal 'bout moi!!!

Been told many a time that I'm a

too-y! All things too much! I like

to think that I've brought joy to

many . . . either glad they're not

like me or they get a kick out of

me. Ha!

Alas, I've tried many a time to go

normal. No luck there. When I'm

least thinking about it, I get all ld

and that's the end of that.

So, here's to all the too-s in your

lives. Think of me too often, come

to visit and stay too long. We'll

drink too many brewskies and

wonder why all the way home.

Hey, bring on the too-s!!!

05/03/2025

"When you resist the mess,

you restrict the magic."

@Sacredancestry

Saw this bit of wisdom this

early morn . . . Methinks I

should have it tattooed on my

bod and read it every day!

I simply despair with mess!!!

I'm thinking my guy should

clean up his mess and then

out of the corner of my eye,

I see my own!

Obviously, there's all kinds 

of messes, not just physical.

Sometimes it's my mind, and

others my body.

Wonder if it's too late to change?

Can one grow up just a tad more

at 70 something?! I keep hearing

that ole adage, "Can't teach an old

dog new tricks." or some such!

Every morn I make a stab at self

improvement, but by afternoon

I seem to have forgotten all about

them.

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

05/02/2025

"We carry inside us the 

wonders we see outside us."

~Rumi

I so recognize this truth!

Everyday, every single day,

I see wonders around me!

The melting snow, those first

dandelions, a humming bird

or two, a letter in the mail box.

I fear sometimes that I'm not

paying attention and I'll miss

something. And no, I don't

want to miss anything!

Every night, a very noisy 

hotrod goes by. Wakes me up 

every time. Used to bother me,

but not any more. It reminds

me that I'm alive, that I can

hear and that somebody is

having fun out there!

Methinks I'm at the point 

where I actually look for

those wonders that might

escape my attention.

Bring 'em on . . . I'm watching!

05/01/2025 - May Day

Sooooo love me the month 

of May . . .

Starting with today . . .

May Day for one and all,

Beltane celebrated by the

Pagan community, and

Día del Trabajo in Mexico.

Next comes Cinco de Mayo,

my mother's and daughter's

birthday. Also celebrating

battles and places.

May 10 is Mother's Day in

Mexico; we'll be celebrating

May 11 here in US this year.

The 15th is Día del Maestro,

Teacher's Day, in Mexico.

Yayyyyy us!

The 26th is Memorial Day.

In Mexico, we used to say

that May was a waste for

teachers, but the students

loved it!

Happy May to one and all.

Special Beltane wishes to

my sisters. 

Enjoy . . .

04/30/2025

"Cherish those kindred spirits

who get your vibe . . . they are

your tribe." muses from a mystic

Sooooo love and enjoy those

dear friends who surround me!

Obviously, being in the latter

part of my life, I tend to look

at things more closely. Trying

to understand, methinks!

I look at those who go the

distance, see those who remain.

I don't know if it's a choice, the

luck of the draw, or a special

kind of magnetism?!

Yes, we are often drawn to

certain people. There is some

thing that attracts. Who knows?

There may even be divine

intervention.

The thing I do know, I do get,

is the gratitude I feel for and

toward those faithful few.

Blessed be . . .

04/29/2025

"You are the greatest project

you will ever get to work on.

Take your time.. Create magic."

Goddess Love

Love running into wondrous

knowledge in the early a.m.

Gives me something to ponder

the entire day!

Not sure if it was how I was

reared, or the fact that I'm a

Libra, or that I'm about half

nuts. Been working on moi

for nigh onto a hundred years.

One step forward; two steps 

backward. There are days 'tis

discouraging.

Still, one of the things I love

about aging, is understanding

what's important and what's

not.

Love living! Adore my fam!!

Celebrating life with friends!!!

I want to live the rest of my

life in the exclamation part!!!

Blessed be . . .

04/28/2025

"I don't know how to act my 

age. I've never been this age

before." Forever Hippies

I get a kick out of the pics

of elder women. They are

absolutely phenom!

Sometimes I lament that I'm

an all black gal. I see these 

pics and think about adding 

some color. I've started with

sage green.

Who knows, I may go crazy

and add in red next . . .

So hope my 18 tats count

for something! My jewelry

is fun . . . if I ever think to

put it on. Like my boots, but

slip ons are ever so much

easier.

Methinks this aging business

is a lot of work . . .

04/27/2025 - olde story just recalled . . .

Harking back . . .

I was suddenly inundated

with a childhood memory.

From the time I was six 'til

15, I raised five different

kinds of foul . . .

   -black hens

   -ducks

   -geese

   -guineas

   -turkeys

We ate the eggs from all

except the hens and those

eggs I sold to the neighbors.

Dad built a humungous cage

as big as any room. They all

lived happily enough together.

Only the guineas would fly

out during the day and return

at feeding time.

I'd go out each afternoon and

feed and water them all. Some

where in the mix, I ended up

with a ginormous rooster and

I mean ginormous.

When I'd go out to feed and

collect eggs, he'd fly up on

my back and clasp my hair

in his beak. I would tell my

parents, but they thought I

was exaggerating. Finally, I'd

carry a flyswat and be ready

for the attack.

At night, I'd kneel beside my

bed and pray that God would

take him home. Finally, one

day he died. Of course, as a

kid, I indeed thought God had

taken care of me . . . maybe

he did.

To this day, I love eggs of all

kinds and hate roosters beyond

measure!

Go figure . . .

04/26/2025

"Grow older. Get bolder.

Let your soul wear sequins."

Bohemian Living

I simply love being 75 . . .

although sometimes I feel

175!

Alas, many hate aging . . .

Methinks they're not seeing

the alternative!

To have lived this long, seen

many a thing, experienced

ever so much . . . what a

blessing! Many a blessing!

I never expected to have

lived this long. There are

reasons for this which I

won't go into here. I find, 

I'm ever so grateful!

Now that I'm this age, 

I find myself hoping the

universe will gift me a 

few more years.

I may even stop wearing

black . . . the only color

to have graced my bod in

well over a decade!

Some other things I need

to consider . . . what fun!!!

04/25/2025

"The older you get the more

you realize how precious life 

is. You have no desire for 

drama, conflict, or stress. You 

just want good friends, a cozy 

home, food on the table, and 

people who make you happy." 

Bohemian Living

Sooooo love the sentiment of

these thoughts. Only missing

family and I have a fab one.

Praise God!

Here in my dotage, I find

myself in the joy of a tiny

145 year old cabin, a loving

family, that faithful few of

dearests and bests, simple

foods and an occasional red.

What a glorious space and

time in which to come to the

end of my life. Methinks I

have a few more years, but I

do so like where I am right

now.

Alas, even now I find myself

wishing I had always known

the above wisdom. Still, some

things are left to be learned in

latter years . . .

 . . . and as I find myself in 

the latter years, I say, "Bring 

on the wisdom!" I'm ready

and waiting!

04/24/2025

From the very beginning,

today promised to be an

amazing day!

I get to see my son and

Lord willing and the Devil

doesn't intervene, I'll get

to see my daughter soon!

Our children are beyond

precious from the moment

they enter the womb, 'Tis

glorious to watch them

glow over the years, to

see them become. 

Methinks they are the

most precious cargo ever

gifted. What a blessing.

Perhaps, best of all would be

they teach us the meaning

of true love.

I am wowed beyond the 

pale and grateful without

measure!

Blessed be . . .

04/23/2025

"You are sacred ground. 

Only let in those who honor 

your divine temple." ~Ara

If ever a statement made any

kind of sense to me, 'tis this 

one and it sooooo matters!

You can tell, really, when

someone desecrates your

space. When they leave, 

you just want to shake off 

their energy, take a shower, 

change clothes.

On the other hand, when

someone brings light and

joy, you can feel their

radiance even after they

have gone on their way.

Methinks 'tis something to

strive for. Be that person

who leaves light behind

at departure . . . exactly

who I want to be when I

grow up!!!

04/22/2025

I was twenty, married, and 

in Mexico when we began

celebrating Earth Day. I was 

beyond thrilled, Pantheist

that I am! Our Mother ever

needs and deserves to be 

honored.

As time went by, I'd prep my 

April 22 classes with Mother

Earth in mind, bringing news, 

ideas, fun about the day.

Carefully choosing foods that

honored her, we'd celebrate in

the evening with our neighbors 

and more stories to share each 

and every year!

Hopefully, we'll hold her dear

to our hearts today. And, may

this help us to remember our

Mother each day in the up-

coming weeks and months.

 - - -

"Earth Day is an annual event on

April 22 to demonstrate support

for environmental protection.

First held in 1970, it includes a

wide range of events coordinated

globally, one billion people in

over 193 countries." Wikipedia

04/21/2025, Pope Francis

Alas, today we lost Pope Francis.

He was one of the most amazing

popes we've ever had as far as 

I'm concerned.

My heart goes out to all our

Catholic brothers and sisters.

Pray, may you be comforted.

Blessed be . . .

 - - -

Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Born: 12/17/36 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Died: 04/21/25 St Martha House,Vatican City

Awards: Independent Publisher Book Award

for Freedom Fighter of the Year

Education: Colegio Máximo de San José

Nationality: Argentine