01/31/2025

"Walk barefoot. Talk to the

moon, and the trees, and the

rivers and streams and the 

mighty mountains. Find the 

magic in every little and big

thing." We Are Mother Earth

So love this . . . 

I miss hiking! I know there

are people my age who still

do so. Alas, I am not one of

them.

Still, I have my eyes, a most

magickal transport; make no

mistake. And I do talk to the

moon! Hope that counts for

something!

What might I actually say to

our lunar lady? I always tell

her how beautiful she is! If

I am sad, I tell her my woes.

Happy? I share my delights

with her.

So lucky to live nigh into the

forest. Sometimes I feel I can't

get my head back far enough

to see how tall they are. Such

beauty!

I only talk to the trees in my

thoughts. Their beauty stuns

me into silence. I do know I

am lucky to live in the mighty

mountains!

Bless Mother Nature and bless

her again! I kneel at her feet . . .

01/30/2025

A dozen plus days now 

without water; rather 

feels like more!

We're so lucky that we 

can buy drinking water 

just a few miles away. 

Washing dishes, flushing, 

a daily wash of the bod, 

all to be contended with.

Methinks 'tisn't 'til one 

is without water for a 

few days that its true 

worth and usage are 

unveiled.

Just think about it . . .

I have chosen to end my

days in this wondrous 145

year old cabin. However

it comes with its issues.

At my age, being retired

and my own personality,

doing alright. Never to

forget the help of friends

bringing water by and

sending commiserations. 

Sooooo, come on by, 

do bring water . . . here's 

hoping someone will turn 

it into wine! Ha!

01/29/2025

"A seed neither fears light nor

darkness, but uses both to grow."

~Matshona Dhliwayo

Good one! One I need to recall

on a daily basis . . .

Strange! All have dark days,

dark times. Yet, looking back, 

I sometimes feel they weren't 

as bad as I thought and others, 

I fear they were much worse.

One thing I know for sure, 

dark days were bad enough 

that I'd do almost anything 

to avoid a reoccurrence!

In thinking about it, I can't

even imagine where one gets

the strength to face those dark

days.

I know some get it through

beliefs. Others from within.

I believe I get mine from my

own father. Strongest man I

ever knew, my hero, my guide.

Whatever our source, I wish us

all strength and courage for the

difficult days that assail us from

time to time.

01/28/2025

"The path isn't a straight 

line . . . it's a spiral. You 

continually come back 

to things you thought you 

understood and see deeper 

truths." ~Barry H. Gillespie

This quote gives one a 

great deal to think about. 

Seems like I've believed in

the spiral approach forever 

and a day. Still, I had not

pondered it from this point

of view.

Indeed, we do revisit things

and thoughts almost on a

daily basis. I find myself

coming back to reminisce 

about certain happenings

and am often gifted with 

an unexpected aha moment.

The one thing I know is

personal growth is very

important to me. Alas, I 

am ashamed to say, when

it takes giving up certain

things, I'm not always so

willing.

Yes, I can give up smoking

and taking seconds, but not

my red two or thee times a

week. Ha!

If honesty is important, then

'tis even more so to one's self!

Right?!

01/27/2025

"Live in each season as 

it passes; breathe the air,

drink the drink, taste the

fruit, resign yourself to

the influence of the earth."

~Henry David Thoreau

Sooooo needed to hear 

this today!

Alas, all my friends get

that I complain non-stop

about winter. I'm actually

coming to the place where

I get that having SAD is

no excuse. And, we're all

tired of hearing it anyway!

I'm coming to realize that

having to experience the

cold, snow, winter is far

better than its alternative.

And, as I have no intention

of dying anytime soon, I

best be getting on with the

acceptance of the season!

Here are my apologies, 

good intentions and feel

free to slap me if I start 

in with my usual winter

complaints . . . or

You could just ask me if

I've taken my meds?! Ha!

01/26/2025

Methinks this must be 

something of a place in 

time.

Snowed all night. Got to

5° and I slept 14 hours

straight. Go figure!

There are times when I 

think I'm actually living

in a fairytale . . .

Tiny, tiny cabin right 

between the woods and 

a byway. Crazy weather, 

snow that won't melt and

brave friends that come

calling.

Actually, this might not

have worked during my

teaching years, but I sure

am enjoying it now! Each

day seems to bring on

something different.

And, as I'm not allowed 

to drive due to Petit Mal 

Seizures, seems to me I

ended up in the perfect

place.

Bless all of you who are

able to come 'round and

do so . . .

01/25/2025

Books! Did I say books?

So love me my books!

Praise the literary gods, 

I have a personal library 

of roughly 6,000. Used 

to have 7,000 but gave a

few away when moving.

I've been known to read 

a book and liking it, give

it a reread down the road.

Here's something I've 

never done before . . .

My daughter gifted me 

a fave book of hers for 

x-mas. I was delighted 

to finally read it a couple 

of days ago.

Finished it yesterday,

and promptly began a

reread last night . . . a

first for moi!

I just knew I'd reread 

it some point. Still, I

never dreamed it would

be on the same day.

I am at the author's feet,

make no mistake!

And mi hija, you have

phenom taste in books!

01/24/2025

"In a world that wants women

to whisper, I choose to yell."

~Sisterhood connecting as one

Sans paroles . . .

 

01/23/2025

Nigh onto sans paroles . . .

My hometown bestie came

last night. Can't even believe

traveling in this weather . . .

much less doing the passes!

We usually sit in front of the

fire, have a glass or two each

of our fave wines.

This time, we sat each on the

ends of the bed and caught up.

She had her glass or two and 

I brought up her dinner.

'Twas a ghastly 50° downstairs

and a lovely 74° upstairs. Easy

to see why we stayed up rather

than down . . . and talked the 

night away.

We were a heatwave of 3° 

when she left this early morn. 

Can't believe this weather. And, 

this makes 5 days with frozen 

pipes and no water. 

Praise one and all that we can 

now buy water at the health 

food store!

Hey! No complaints from the

cheering section if you have 

both heat and water! Having

said that, we indeed love living

in our 145 year old cabin. 

Obviously, not for one and all . . .

01/22/2025

"It is a blessing and a curse

to feel everything so deeply."

~Unknown

Many times, I've lamented

the so called gift of empathy.

I should back up and say . . .

yes, it is a gift. A wonder 

in the classroom, a way 

to help little children and 

loved ones.

Still, an empath tends to 

be in emotional pain most 

of the time. I understand 

this can lead to withdrawal, 

perhaps even food or alcohol 

abuse.

How can the empath heal?

Alone time helps a great deal.

Meditation is essential, make

no mistake. Spending time 

with one or two loved ones, 

rather than a people loaded 

party, can be quite healing.

There are empaths who help

others. They few who have 

learned how to turn off those 

pesky residual feelings that 

are so painful.

Alas, ever in emotional pain 

is a high price to pay for this 

quasi gift . . .

01/21/2025

Strange, strange happenings . . .

Last night, we got to 6 below 

0. All of a sudden, the temp 

began to rise. Got to 6 above 

0 and then started to snow. 

Incredible!

We live in a phenomenal 

world; make no mistake. 

But this, the above, is like 

naught I've ever witnessed 

before.

We find ourselves upstairs 

as it's warmer up here. No 

water, obviously, due to the 

frozen pipes. Going to melt 

some snow for flushing. 

I said strange happenings,

maybe I should have said,

interesting times. Looking

forward to some higher 

temps and return of water.

Gods bless H₂O!

01/20/2025

What a day . . . oh, what 

a day!!! Methinks 'tis a

salad day!

*Celebrating one of the 

most amazing men ever,

Dr. Martin Luther King. 

*Also heard there's to 

be an inauguration.

*On our end of the stick, 

due to weather well below 

0°, all our pipes are frozen. 

Thank the gods for Wet 

Wipes!

*Downstairs is freezing. 

Upstairs is 72° . . . . guess

where I'm staying!

*Yet another amazement,

it snowed all night, albeit

6 degrees or below 0. I'd

always heard it couldn't

snow at such low temps.

Guess I've learned dif!

Best part of this salad day,

my hero, MLK, will be

remembered. So love and

miss him . . .

01/19/2025

Minus 6 degrees. Half a foot

of snow. Bathroom froze up.

And, tears welling up every

few . . . Must be winter!

Trying for the positive here.

Maybe not quite making it.

But, it is beautiful out there.

And, that's something!

Don't have to go anywhere.

Good thing we laid in both

drinking water and flushing

water.

Methinks I'll just go back to

bed, cover my head and not

come up 'til spring . . .

 . . . Oh just remembered, 

don't get more than about

a week of spring here!

I'm going to shut up now

before I get all negative!!!

01/18/2025

"And those who were seen

dancing were thought to be

insane by those who could

not hear the music."

~Friedrich Nietzsche

I've always loved this quote;

not exactly sure why . . .

 . . . Methinks might have 

something to do with the 

fact that I'm an eccentric my-

self. I do get that eccentricity 

drives some absolutely nuts. 

I've always known my life

is colored outside the lines.

As a kid, I thought it had 

to do with having a special 

brother.

When he went off to school

for the deaf and blind, I was

also able to go away to school.

'Twas where I realized I was

my father's daughter and was

destined to be unusual, odd, 

weird . . . and never looked

back.

Yes, I can still hear the music.

Dancing in my heart . . .

01/17/2025

"When a woman has sister-

hood with other women, with-

out comparison or competition,

she gains the super power to

soar." ~Christine Arylo

Methinks the term lucky, does

not even cover how I feel  . . .

I have sisters, bottom line, at

the beginning and ending of

all comments. So no, lucky

doesn't really do it for moi!

What I do have, is a great

sense of gratitude. I know

there are those women who 

feel they have never really 

found sisters in their lives.

Who knows?! Is it luck? Is

it the power of attraction?

Is it simply meant to be?

Ordained somehow?!

Perhaps, it is not to be under-

stood. Maybe it just is. What

ever it is, I'm beyond grateful.

And, as one cannot pay back

those who love, pay it forward

comes to mind! Not sure what

that looks like, but I intend to

ponder until I suss it out.

Truly, what a gift love is . . .

01/16/2025

Goodbyes are ever so hard . . .

I can remember my parents

coming to visit from time 

to time when we lived in

Olde Mexico.

So enjoyed their few visits,

but the goodbyes were the

hardest. I would stand there,

waving as they departed 

with tears streaming down

my face. And now, they are

gone forever.

I find the visits from my old

friends from my home town

absolutely wonderful. Alas,

they too, must depart in a

timely fashion. Maybe I no

longer shed tears, but I do

wish they could stay longer.

Our amazing friends down

the street see us often, but

they have lives of their own.

Work to do, errands to run,

gardening prep, and they

enjoy each other's company

which is phenomenal.

I'm always surprised when

they leave, just how much

I'm missing them already.

My thoughts are that this is

just as it should be. I have 

heard people say, "My God,

I thought they would never

leave." Such a sad dictamen!

Missing my kids as ever . . .

seems once a month visit

and once a week telephone

call just isn't enough. Glad

we love each other enough

to indeed miss!

Who knew?!

01/15/2025

"Walk barefoot. Talk to the

moon, the trees, the rivers,

and the mighty mountains.

Find magic in everything."

Ancient Pagan roots

This truly speaks to me  . . .

Obviously, we can't walk

barefoot outside this time 

of year. I just put the trash

out at 5° this early morn

and methinks I have frost

bite!

Still, last night I had words

with the full moon, well

the day before, the day of

and the day after. Sooooo

love me the moon in all of

its stages.

We actually live by a small

running stream. The deer

and elk frequent it. I like to

go over, have a few words

from time to time. It runs

right by my garage/library.

The mountains, embedded

with evergreens, grace one

side of the property. A road,

and the stream, the other. 

On a side note, should be

charging passageway from

the cars passing by! Ha!

Still, 'tis indeed magick

everywhere; I'm in love

with every bit of this here

and now . . . although . . .

Winter has overstayed its

welcome!

01/14/2025

Yesterday, a friend of mine

came over to help me put 

the cabin in order after all 

the New Year celebrations.

She was in the living room 

whilst I was rearranging my

hobby center. Sitting on the

floor, tending to the bottom

shelf, I found a small box 

no longer needed. 

I simply tossed it through 

the door to be burned later. 

In a couple of moments, my 

friend came in and asked if 

I'd thrown the box at her as 

it had hit her in the head.

She had looked all around 

to see where it had come 

from, then it occurred to her 

that I had thrown it.

Must have been the moment,

but we had ourselves a good 

laugh . . . then, every little 

while, one of us would erupt 

in chuckles.

No biggie maybe, but in the

throes of winter, one must

find hilarity whenever and

wherever it comes out to 

play!!!

01/13/2025

"Being challenged in life is

inevitable; being defeated is

optional." ~Unknown

Fab quote I ran into this early

morn . . .

Indeed, we are challenged 

on a daily basis. I would say,

especially as I approach 100.

Alright, 75!

-Do I really have to cook today?

I did that sooooo many years

for fam and friends.

-I showered yesterday and it's

only 3°. Do I have to again?

-Need a few groceries. No, I

am def NOT going out in this

weather!!!

Nah . . . if 75 hasn't granted 

me my own way, then what's

the point already?! 

I'll have my own way; that's

showing 'em! Mr. Defeat best

get out of my sight!

01/12/2025

"Give me a beautiful sunrise, a

a blanket, a warm cup of coffee,

a good book, and a weekend full

of nothing to do and just leave 

me be in my happy place. I'll be

fine." ~Samantha Gabardi

Methinks, it all boils down to 

the simplistic . . .

Recalling younger times when

I deemed entertainment and

travel to be the be all, end all.

And, at that time, it was. Really,

there is a time and place for all

our dreams and imaginings.

Having said that, so enjoying

the now of my life. I love the

rise and set of sun, the moon

shining in the window, that

fab book I'm reading, and a

quiet life all 'round!

In thinking about it, it occurs

to me that it's all about time 

and place. We all do those age

appropriate things in each of

our lives. Thus it occurs to me

that living quietly at this time 

of my life is as it should be.

Still, I celebrate those who 

travel, party, hike, gad about,

and visit fam and friends.

I sooooo enjoy visits. They

sustain me and I am grateful

for every moment.

No matter the age, those joys

that sustain us, happy motoring

to one and all!

01/11/2025

"You can't control every-

thing. Sometimes you just 

need to relax and have faith 

that things will work out. 

Let go a little and just let life 

happen." ~Kody Keplinger

Methinks control is indeed 

an issue here.

Don't know if it's because

I'm a Libra or if I was born

that way. Maybe, 'tis the

teacher in me. One must

control the classroom after

all!

I wouldn't say, I'm that post

Ph.D. level of control, but 

I do tend to take care of 

business.

Still, as I approach the elder

years, I feel I need to let go,

let be. Not as easy as it would

seem.

So here's moi, backing off,

backing up and not trying to

take care of business anymore.

Eat all you want. Drink all you

want. Drive too fast. Don't read.

It's all good!

But, just letting all know, if

anyone even tries to hurt any 

of mine, they'll see what control

really looks like!!!

01/10/2025

"I love. I live. I keep trying.

I fail. I hurt. But then, I dig

deep, I fight back . . . I rise

again. Always. ~Ravenwolf

Although I much enjoy her,

'tis as though I wrote these

words myself!

Isn't the winter doldrums

I struggle to get through,

but SAD. So, these words

apply . . .

There are moments, days

in fact, where I don't think

I'm going to make it . . .

and then, somewhere I find

the courage to buckle up

and do the ride whether I

enjoy it or not.

Love seeing people out and

about in this weather. May

be they're off to spend the

weekend skiing. Perhaps a

long walk around the lake.

Indeed, there are people who

find winter is their fave time.

So, I'll look out at the frosting

Mother Earth has decorated

with. I'll celebrate that I'm still

here to be a tad disconcerted

and await my turn for summer

eternal . . .

01/09/2025

"I say, don't skip dessert, 

go barefoot, nap often, 

curse when necessary, laugh 

a lot, be generous, be kind, 

and always choose love."

~Anita Opper, Zen to Zany

This bit of hippie wisdom

hit me hard this early morn.

Seems to me we all live on 

a somewhat floating scale 

of what we consider to be

naughty rather than nice. 

Left overs from Santa, I

guess.

We allow ourselves to sin at

a fine restaurant and rather

than celebrating the delight,

we carp all the next day 

about falling off our diets.

"I shouldn't have stayed up

so late! Shouldn't have had

that drink! Shouldn't have

had seconds!"

God in heaven, we live in 

a world of shouldn'ts! We 

bind ourselves in laments,

regrets and admonitions!

Methinks 'tis high time to

live rather than exist and

lose the guilt already!

Are you listening ld?

01/08/2025

"I've decided my 2025

will start on February 

1st. January is a free 

trial month." Unknown

My colleague, Barb Martin

shared this bit of wisdom

last night. I had the best

laugh I've had this new year.

Surely, she'll forgive me for

sharing it yet again!

January actually is rather a

place in time as far as I'm

concerned. Let's see . . .

Jan 1 - New Year's Day

Jan 4 - World Braille Day

Jan 6 - Los Santos Reyes

Jan 7 - My Son's b-day

Jan 8 - Hecate, Divine Midwife

Jan 13 - Full Wolf Moon

Jan 20 - Martin Luther King

Jan 25 - Seven planets line up

Jan 29 - Lunar New Year

Jan 31 - Hecate's Feast Day

Now, do tell me just how

January fits in with the rest

of the year?! Methinks not!

A third of the month spent

in holidays; go figure!

I do find celebrating January's

feast days helps me cope with

winter. So I say upward and

onward.

You want to celebrate? Bring

a beer and come on over . . .

I don't have any in the house

to offer you as I have this no 

drinks allowed in January thing

going on . . .

Salud!

01/07/2025

Oh what a glorious day . . .

for a couple of reasons!

Fresh snow makes every-

thing look so bright and 

clean. And at 22°, it's 'bout

twice as warm as yesterday!

But the absolute best, 'tis . . .

today, umpteen years ago,

I gave birth to my first child.

A beautiful son, perfect in

every way!

Fab personality, an artist so

wondrous it rather makes me

tremble, married to the best

woman in kingdom come, an

incredible brother, and the son

of my heart, of my soul and of

my womb.

So lucky, I get to spend time 

with him today. My entire soul

is in celebration mode!

Should you wish to see some 

of his work . . .

https://www.luiferreyra.com/

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

https://www.rafajenn.com/

Just call me, proud mama!!!

01/06/2025, Greetings ahoy

One of the things that tickles

me is watching people greet

each other.

Men, especially wondrous!

They do this kind of one arm

hug, slap each other's backs

and call each other names.

Just love it!

Women do a light embrace

and cheek air kisses. Not 

nearly as exuberant as men,

but still sweet.

Children run towards each

other, hug and express their

excitement in all sorts of

ways.

Close acquaintances and

colleagues shake hands and

sometimes pat each other's

shoulders.

Lesser acquaintances nod

and perhaps engages in 

short hellos, how're you

doings.

At least we're not like dogs

that do the whole sniff and

lick routine! Ha!

01/05/2025, Ángeles

Hoy, siendo el cumple de mi

comadre en México, me doy

cuenta cuanto extraño a mi 

vida ahí . . .

Mi casa, construida por mi

padre. Mi amiga y vecina.

La universidad y mi trabajo 

en enseñanza. Mis hijitos

siendo chiquitos a la vez.

Sé que si hubiera quedado,

mi vida sería muy diferente.

Pero, claro que entiendo que

no me quedé y así es lo que

es!

Lo que sí poseo, memorias!

No hay nada que me las

puede quitar.

Subiéndome en un globo con

mi hijo. Bendiciendo mi casa

nueva. Los triunfos con mis

alumnos. Fiestas Mexicanas.

Sobre todo, el nacimiento de

mis hijos.

Se me ocurre que la vida es

un gran rompecabezas. Se

necesita tiempo para lograrla.

Aveces se pierde una pieza o

dos. Es difícil ver su contenido

casi hasta el final.

Aún que la vejez me azorrilla,

sé que me queda mucho por

cumplir. Espero en Dios que

me sea dado el tiempo y la

gracia para terminar lo que se

espera de mí.

Bendiciones y felicidad . . .

01/04/2025, World Braille Day

Today will ever and always

remind me of my brother.

As a young blind boy, his

world opened up when he

learned braille. 

I can remember lights out

in our home. We all honored

said rule. But, my little bro

would simply pull out one

of his braille books and read

until he got sleepy. Amazing!

Frankly, aside from a loving

family, three things truly

opened up his life. Braille,

his seeing-eye dogs and CO

State School for the Deaf and

Blind.

I salute the three, celebrate

them and honor my little

brother . . .

 . . . Sammy!

01/03/2025

"Until further notice -

celebrate everything!"

~Goddess Love

Saw this bit of brilliance

this early morn . . . may

seem a tad silly, but 'twixt

aging and 'tween, there's a

big bad world out there, I

like it!

'Tis repetitive, I know, but

there is so much sorrow in

our lives . . . loss of family

and friends, payments of all

kinds ill afforded, 

So I'm going to take this tiny

little ditty as a mandate from

the gods! I'm going to do my

own hide and seek and find

something special in each day

to celebrate!

I am fine with little or big . . .

Still have some buttermilk in

the fridge! Yay! Ran out of oil,

but I have butter! No beer; no

prob! It's dry January after all!

I am beyond grateful that our

children are safe and well. I

celebrate the friendships we

are given. Hearth and home!

Indeed, let's celebrate!!!

01/02/2025, New Year Musings

Today is the day the new 

year starts for me. It has 

always been thus. New 

Year's Day, our anniversary,

is rather a stand alone, a 

separate holiday, if you will.

I awoke at o' dark thirty this

early morn, thinking already

about this new year, 2025.

Will I grow? Accomplish? 

Can I stay positive with all 

the political happenings, 

worldwide hunger, wars and 

sorrows?

For me, it's not about New

Year's Resolutions. It's more

about paying attention to

business and striving for

personal growth. 

Add in living rather than 

existing, having enough fun 

to make the whole thing 

worthwhile and you have 

my entire razón de vivir!

I always choose not to drink

in January. Now, let's see if

I can eat right. That's a lot

harder. Guess there will be

no ice cream for breakfast

this month!

Happiest of all happies to

one and all . . .

01/01/2025 - New Year's Day

"Every year you make a

resolution to change yourself.

This year, make a resolution

to be yourself." ~Unknown

I so like to think that I am

myself; sometimes, retrained, 

other times, over zealous!

I have found, on a good day,

I am capable of sitting back

and listening. Others, I jump

right in, share my thoughts.

Can't help but wonder if it's

an ego thing. Maybe 'tis the

need to be heard.

On the other hand, as the

most imbalanced Libra I

have ever known, this may

be at the base of the whole

thing.

As it's New Year's Day, I'm

granting myself three wishes.

-May I find the courage to

accept myself as I am and

still strive to grow.

-Happy 25th anniversary to

my guy and moi! We've made

a good, long time!

-Happy New Year to one and

all. May this be the happiest

year of your lives.