09/30/2025

"He who conquers

himself is the mightiest

warrior." ~Confucius

Alas, don't quite seem to 

have conquered this one 

yet . . .

Sitting here at o' dark 30

eating two English muffins

fried in butter rather than

one plain . . . need I say

more?!

The morrow brings my

birth month. As I was born

on the wrong day, I tend

to celebrate each and every

day of October.

Gained 20 lbs in this one

month last year and it took

me many a month to take

it off. Wonder if a daily

reciting the above quote

would help with that?!

And then I think, "Hey,

you're on your last round,

celebrate however you

want. Enjoy your time

and get over the dieting

already!"

Well, today is October

eve, right?! Let's see what

I can come up with!!!

09/29/2025

"Stay at the center of 

the circle and let all 

things take their course."

~Tao Te Ching

Amazing advice . . .

My entire life, I've been

a planner! Promise, cross

my heart, it's not about

being controlling . . . at 

least I certainly hope not.

I've simply found that

somewhere between

parenting and teaching . . .

okay, add in marriage,

one had damn well better

be organized or pay the

price.

Now that I'm an elder,

retired and have less

commitments, I try to

allow for happenings

rather than plannings.

Alas, methinks this

bears pondering . . .

09/28/2025

"The privilege of a life-

time is to become who 

you truly are." ~Carl Jung

So true . . .

Having taught school; 

Middle, High, College,

University for 40 years,

I have watched this in

action.

Seems from the moment

we're born, we begin the

struggle to become.

Perhaps, from birth to

retirement, is all about

experimenting, trying

things on for size.

Maybe retirement is that

first moment of slowing

down and having a good

think.

We can then take our 

experimenting years in

hand and make choices.

I have to laugh . . . only

worn black during my

years of retirement. Like

to sit outside with a cold

one in the afternoons. 

Read my book a day, do

my x-word puzzles and

write my daily blog.

Seems I've managed to

collapse a lifetime into

doing about three things.

Thing is, I'm content and

I so enjoy remembering . . .

ever so glad I have most

wondrous things to recall!

Blessed be . . .

09/27/2025

"May I live this day

Compassionate of heart,

Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness,

Courageous in thought,

Generous in love."

~John O'Donohue

So love this! Methinks

we would all do well 

to write and follow our 

own mantra.

Every New Year, I make

lists and lists of things

I wish to take a look at.

Only allowing myself

three, I always seem to

come back to the same

three.

Although my usual three 

are somewhat private,

these are some worth

pondering . . .

   -Follow your creed

   -Live life well

   -Enjoy each moment

   -Share the wealth

   -Forgive yourself, 

none of us are perfect!

   

I so encourage one and

all to choose three things

that matter personally.

Have a reminder look-see

each day. It truly helps.

Blessed be . . .

 - - -

John O'Donohue was an

Irish poet, author, priest

and Hegelian philosopher.

A native Irish speaker, he

was known for popularizing

Celtic spirituality. 

1956 - 2008 Wikipedia

09/26/2025

"It is a serious thing just

to be alive. on this fresh

morning in this broken

world." ~Mary Oliver

Sooooo love being alive!

Each morn upon awaking

I find myself beyond the 

pale felicitous that I have

been granted another day.

We live with traffic on 

one side and forest on 

the other. We joke about 

it having to do with me 

as a Libra.

Still, 'tis a daily lesson

about focus. Were I to

spend the day looking

left, I would be sad to

see so much traffic and

noise.

Turning to the right, I

see hundreds of pines,

each beautiful beyond

measure. I sit out front,

turning to my right, and

am touched by the beauty

Mother Nature brings to

our lives.

We all know two sides

exist. So be it . . . still

methinks focusing on

the good, the beautiful,

the sustaining, is healthy

for us all

Blessed be . . .

09/25/2025

"The most beautiful things 

in life are people and places,

memories and pictures, 

feelings and moments and 

smiles and laughter."

Wisdom from Earth and Tree

I so get this definition of 

beauty . . .

For me, the people are my

children and friends. The

place is my cabin. Pics

and memories are Mexico 

and Colorado. Feelings and

moments . . . the life I've

lived and it all brings joy

and smiles.

Never knew I'd be granted

a life quite this long. Ever

so fortunate! I've been so

gifted. Such bounty! Every 

where I turn I owe thanks 

and gratitude.

Only weeks away from 76, 

I worry about my aches and

pains as well as those of my

guy.

I need to stop that right now!

Contemplation of the beauty

that surrounds me is more

appealing. I must honor that.

Enjoy the moment, people,

experiences . . . lose the fear

already!

I'm trying! I'm trying!

I swear it . . .

09/24/2025

"Fall is the season when

the Earth whispers inward.

The leaves become prayers,

the wind becomes a guide,

and the roots remember

what the soul has forgotten."

~DailyShaman

We find ourselves in a wet

haven of sorts. Rained all

night again last night. 'Tis

no wonder Autumn is so

beautiful!

I was out at o' dark thirty

this early morn putting 

out the trash at 44°. To my

surprise, it was absolutely

delightful. 

Wet from the rain every

where! Sunny, cheerful,

a day waiting to happen.

In my obvious dislike of

cold weather that sets off

SAD, I have forgotten to

look at the beauty in the

colder seasons. Alas . . .

Methinks I may finally be

learning to color outside 

the lines . . . although I've

been accused of that my

entire life.

Here's hoping . . .

09/23/2025

"It doesn't matter how

dark it gets. The light of

the Divine will continue

to shine brightly within 

you." Students of Life

Alas, 'tis dark even as we

speak . . . And, it's been

raining the entire night.

Harbingers of Autumn,

methinks . . .

I like the rain. It's rather

like rinsing the dishes!

Everything feels so bright

and clean. And, I do know

we're storing up for Winter.

During this Autumn season,

I must remember sharing

with those I love, enjoying

the last of Summer fruits

and letting go of that which

no longer serves me.

'Tis a time of prep for the

quiet resting of Winter.

Happy Autumn . . .

09/22/2025 - Mabon

"Stillness inside.

A breath.

That moment of

Balance

Just before

Life tips again.

Equinox blessings!"

~T. Thorn Coyle

So many names for such

a glorious season . . .

   -Autumn Equinox

   -First day of Fall

   -Mabon

'Tis a most lovely time,

that time between our

hot summers and cold

winters.

We have chilly morns,

warm afternoons and 

cool evenings . . .

Harbingers of things to 

come, alas. Still, I intend

to enjoy each and every

hour of this miraculous

time.

I may even stay abed and

enjoy my new book!

Happy Autumn Equinox!

Blessed be  . . .

09/21/2025 - Mabon eve

"The New Moon Virgo

Solar Eclipse on this

day, is a turning point,

the beginning of a time

of release and letting go."

Netherlands

Although Summer is my

fave season, Autumn is a

close second. Some years

the Equinox falls on the

21st and others, the 22nd.

This year, it falls on the

morrow, but I always

celebrate the 21st. This

somehow appeals to me 

to do so. 

Sooooo love me this day!

This season! Alas, only

six weeks 'til the dreaded

Winter. 

God help me!!!

09/20/2025

Yesterday, my friend and

neighbor invited me along

for a much needed hair

cut.

We arrived in fine fettle,

looking forward to this

breath of fresh air, as it

were.

Alas once there, we were

destined to witness some

sorrow. I won't go into it

as it would be invading

someone's privacy. Still,

'twas an experience that

affected us all.

This incident recalled for

me two things. One, each

and every one of us have

things in our lives that are

difficult. Secondly, as the

above is true, it would be

a good idea for all of us to

restrain from judging.

How quick we are to talk

about someone's choice of

dress or the old adage . . .

"Who does she think she is

anyway?"

Little do we know that some

work three jobs just to pay

rent and put food on the table.

She wore the same dress all

week?! No washer, no money

and only one other dress.

We could all go on and on.

Still, let's just remember to

always be kind, not judge

and ever give the benefit of

the doubt.

Blessed be . . .

09/19/2025

"The privilege of a life

time is to become who 

you truly are. But first 

you must unlearn who

they told you to be."

~Jung

I so wish every young

person could have this

imbued on their soul!

Having been a teacher

for forty years in two

countries, my heart hurt

to see young people

following the crowd,

trying their best to fit in

and being rejected due

to the fact they were

simply different!

In a world of cookie

cutter people, somehow

I wish 'twould be the

odd ducks held up as

examples!

Harken to my words,

"Enjoy your life, your 

space, your way! Do 

as you wish, with no

harm to none."

Simply, be yourself! 

It will take courage,

but oh so well worth it!

Blessed be . . .

09/18/2025

"The best therapy is . . .

fresh air, trees and a trail."

empaths and old souls

I can sooooo attest to the

truth of this statement!

I have issues with anxiety

and depression. All I have

to do is go outside for a

couple of hours and I feel

incredibly better!

Mother Nature is the most

amazing mother in the 

entire universe. Her ability

to heal is without par.

Methinks we need to step

up the gratitude. Alas, so 

many simply take her for 

granted.

So not acceptable . . .

09/17/2025

"I love old souls. The day-

dreamers, the deep thinkers,

with lots of fascinating layers. 

They don't care what others 

think, they just do their own 

thing and when it comes to 

friends, it's quality over quantity."

~Kristin Kory

This is sooooo who I want 

to be when I grow up!!!

The message that comes 

to me is . . . 'tis the little 

things that matter.

My guess is we wait our

entire lives for those grand

things to show up . . . and

miss gorgeous sunsets, a

sweet smile and a kitty's

purr.

If I learn no other lessons

in my dotage, methinks joy

resides in those small, daily

miracles.

I'm watching! I'm watching!

 - - -

Kristin Kory is a Canadian poet

and author. She is inspired by

nature, music, and the unknown.

She draws inspiration from both

light and darkness. Google Books

09/16/2025

"Life is a journey, not a 

race. Enjoy every ordinary,

mundane, exciting, and

beautiful thing along the way."

~WWS

Living life is such a gift!

Existing doesn't quite cut it!

I'm ever so grateful I'm still

here . . . and living my life

rather than just existing.

Obviously, at 175 I'm not

living in the same way I

was years ago. I still recall

midnight rides, world travel,

wearing fab clothes and

taking risks.

Doesn't matter! I'm still

living my life the way I

choose rather than just

existing as my age might

suggest.

Right now, loving me some

last days of summer, margs

on the patio, enjoying my

wild animals and telling tales

out of school.

Best of all . . . visits from

kith and kin.

Yayyyyy life!

09/15/2025

"Whenever you are creating

beauty around you, you are

restoring your own soul."

~Alice Walker

Sooooo love me some Alice

Walker . . . such wisdom!

I think about the beauty we

can contribute . . . sweet

gardens, lovely chats, a note

sent to a friend, unexpected

visits, flowers any time, any

place!

I think we forget how much

these little things can mean

and so sometimes we do

nought at all. Alas . . .

Methinks this is worth a

ponder or two. What can I

bring to the table? How can

I make my space and that

space surrounding me, a tad

brighter.

Choose that which means 

something to you, what 

speaks to you and just do

that. Little by little, add

more.

For my part, I need to get

some notes out in the mail.

09/14/2025

I so appreciate new 

beginnings!

Alas, methinks we tend

to believe this means

January 1st . . .

Not so!

Indeed each new year

gifts us new beginnings.

But, so does each month!

Each week! Each day!

Each hour!

We tend to get boggled

down awaiting those

precious times of new

beginnings. 

In thinking about it, 

seems to me we should 

recognize each and every 

day presents us with the

opportunity for new starts!

-If I was rude yesterday, 

I will not make this

same mistake today.

-If I offended someone

last week, I must apologize

and make the effort not

to do so again.

-Were I rude, thoughtless,

this past month, I must

make a serious effort not

to be so this month.

So many beginnings, so

little time . . . let's make

that special effort . . .

09/13/2025

"it is a serious thing

just to be alive on 

this fresh morning 

in this broken world."

~Mary Oliver

So much sorrow of late.

Can't help but wonder

if this is how it's always

been and we just didn't

know it, or if our world

is getting scarier and

scarier!

I do feel a great sense of

gratitude that I've been

allowed life at this time

and place. I try to see the

good, experience Mother

Nature and love my fam

and friends.

Still . . . scary times . . .

wanting to help, lamenting

being in my elder years

which makes it all harder.

I write, send prayers, talk

to my dad . . . sooooo need

to happy me up!!!

09/12/2025

"Be both soft 

and wild.

Like the moon. 

Or the sea.

Or the petal.

Or the dream."

~Victoria Erickson

Methinks she's speaking

in Libra . . .

We sat in the yard under

our fave tree. yesterday.

Forest on one side and

traffic on the other. 

Libra ahoy!

There's always two sides

to every story. Two sides

to any street. Two sides

to any argument.

Seems to me my Libra

scales are never properly

balanced. One side or

the other is always up

or down.

Been told so often that

balance is important.

I'm trying! I'm trying!

09/11/2025

My heart is simply

broken . . . And, I

imagine the whole

of our town feels

the same way.

Yesterday, during the

shooting at our high

school, three were

injured, two children

as well as the shooter.

We learned this morn

that he didn't make it. 

I cannot even imagine 

the sorrow left behind.

Not sure the children

in that schoolroom

will ever recover

from this horrific

experience.

Alas, methinks none

of us understand how

this kind of thing

happens. 

As today is the 

anniversary of 9/11, 

I pray we fight to put

an end to this kind

of sorrow . . .

09/10/2025

At 8:00 p.m. yesterday,

we have internet after

eight days without.

So amazes me how dis-

connected I felt. I use

the internet to e-mail,

order on line, and write

my daily blog. I do not

live there. Still . . .

Not quite sure how I feel

about all of this. I don't

like to think of myself

dependent. Yet . . .

Bears thinking about! 

09/09/2025

Now that we've been w/o

internet for eight or nine

days, I've been pondering . . .

Funny how we oldsters 

tend to look down on the

younger set who seem to

be glued to their cellphones

and/or computers.

Here we are, no internet 

and complaining that we 

have no way of knowing 

what we're in for weather 

wise, no news . . . which 

just might be good news.

Supposedly, our system

is supposed to be fixed

this afternoon. Guess

we'll see.

The waiting is killing me!

09/08/2025

Fun, fun day . . . or . . .

maybe I should say . . .

simply marvelously

restful!

We spent the a.m. enjoying

reading on my part and

western movies on his.

The afternoon brought

about a sunny repast in

the front yard. Temp was

perfect. The clouds in

constant movement were

stunning. The cold beer

wasn't bad either.

Once again, we enjoyed 

our little wilds . . . two

bunnies, to grey squirrels,

two chipmunks and a baby.

Love how we've been 

gifted twos.

We came in before dark,

still feeling that wondrous

sense of contentment that

the outdoors gifts us.

I feel so blest . . .

09/07/2025

Alas, a disappointment.

Our neighbors didn't 

come over this afternoon

for FAC.

I find myself missing them!

09/06/2025

Day three . . . still no

internet. Strange how

much se seem to depend

on it.

I do like how this malady

tends to spur me onto

other endeavors.

Catch ups; housework,

errands, cooking . . .

all improved since

no internet.

Find this rather

embarrassing to admit.

Methinks I'd better

back up and back off

with this whole smirking

at the teens bit.

On the other hand, I am

grateful for the internet.

It allows me to keep in

touch with my children,

my friends and I learn

many things I need to

know.

I so enjoy being able to

look up info on meds,

different locals, and other

needs. 'Tis shortcuts for

moi . . . and I so hate

going out.

We'll have to see just how

long this lasts . . .

09/05/2025

This just might be

confession time . . .

We've been two days

without internet. Very

revealing . . .

My guy is a true news

nut. He likes to watch

the reports on every

channel. On the other

hand, I only like using

the machine for my

mysteries.

Still, it has been a tad

too surprising just how

much I miss the damn

internet! I like to write

on my blog first thing

each morn.

Funny how I have things

to say about young teens

glued to their cellphones,

yet here I am missing my

internet connection.

Go figure!

09/04/2025

Walking down memory

lane today . . .

Having grown up in

yesteryear, we always

started school on Sept.

fourth.

Exciting times for us,

make no mistake.

Our school was small

enough that we had two

grades in each room. 

And, how we loved our

teachers!

Coming in from recess,

we'd put our heads down

for 15 minutes and then

we'd sing along with our

teacher as she played the

piano.

I learned so much at this

school, I was able to do

high school in three years.

Fab times . . . and . . .

fond memories!

09/03/2025

"I honor who I was, but I

don't live there anymore."

~Mark Hollenstein

One of most interesting

things about aging is

looking back.

Obviously, is not a place

to live, but taking a good

peek now and then can 

be quite revealing.

I've spent time looking 

back. I see a life well

lived, plenty of messes

I made from time to time,

and many a glorious 

moment.

But, to quote Jesse Stuart,

"the thread that runs so true"

is still there. I honor the

growth, the changes, but

make no mistake . . . I see

that ld path throughout

these many years.

Hopefully, I will continue

to grow, right to the end.

But know this . . .

 . . . I wouldn't change a

single thing!

09/02/2025

"When you stop being

somebody, you can dance

with life instead of racing

through it." ~Allan Watts

So wish I could have seen

this quote when I retired.

Methinks we all look 

forward to retirement . . . 

and then it happens. It 

takes some getting used 

to, make no mistake.

What to do with one's time?

Work, rest or both? Rules 

to follow? Schedules?

I believe the answers lie 

in fully embracing this 

phenomenon. Learning 

to enjoy this sweet time

is such a gift.

Best of all . . . ice cream

for breakfast . . . right in

bed!

09/01/2025

Love me my reading, 

make no mistake . . .

Not a lot of time to 

do so during the day, 

but from time to time, 

I pull an all nighter. 

'Tis 4:30 this early 

morn . . . just finished 

reading two books. 

So fun! 

I'll admit I may pay for

it today . . . but, isn't

that why naps were

invented after all?!

During my 40 years of

teaching, I longed to

turn all of my students

onto reading.

I think the secret lies

in allowing the student

to read what they like . . .

funny books, romances,

humor, classics, sacred.

Frankly, there are so

many genres that kids

can pick and choose.

Sooooo let's read guys!