08/13/2024

"It is a serious thing just to be

alive on this fresh morning in

this broken world." ~M. Oliver

My shero, Mary Oliver, once

again reminds me of what is

important!

I tend to forget as I see the

speeding cars and trucks pass.

I do forget when I see a mother

strike her child viciously about

the face or a father kick his own.

I often forget with no sky visible,

clouded in with smoke and smog.

Mary reminds me that there is

still morning dew. There are still

dandelions greeting me in all

their sweet beauty. Stones that I

have collected and love so well

stand at the ready to be moved

yet once again.

Not to forget my sweet cabin,

housing lover, family and friends.

Goddess help me, may I ever

recall beauty over ugly, sweet

over sour, and love over hate . . .

 - - -

*Mary Oliver, beloved poet and 

bard of the natural world, died

on January 17, 2019 at home in

Hobe Sound, Florida. She was 83.

08/12/2024

"Life shrinks or expands in

proportion to one's courage."

~Anaís Nin

I've been thinking of this in

terms of age and aging. I can

remember doing things back

in the day with no thought

whatsoever.

For example, dad would call

and say he missed me and I

would hop in the car and four

hours later I'd be hugging him.

Alas today, I think a great deal

before making this trip.

Driving an hour and a half to

school and home, never gave

it a thought. Now it seems I

don't want to go places that

takes over 20 minutes to get

there.

Perhaps, this is more about

diminishing actions along

with diminishing age. I do

know that I'm content . . .

. . . in my tiny cabin, family

and friends visiting, sitting

under our fave tree even 

when it's raining, watching

deer and elk in the yard.

What a life!

My husband used to say, "It

don't pay to think too much."

Not sure where he got these

words of wisdom, but they

deserve thinking about . . . 

Ha!

08/11/2024

"I think the older I get, the 

more I realize that the ultimate

luxury is time." ~Michael Kors

This came to me as yesterday

was spent in the company of

friends. Priceless friends!

We sat under our fave tree, 

sharing a few brewskis and

tales out of school. Catching

up; nothing like it!

Just didn't feel like leaving

this bit of paradise, so pizza

it 'twas! God, my guy is a

fab cook!

Methinks dessert was staying

on a bit, a few more sharings,

those last bits of laughter and

lamenting that the day had to

end.

I was the first to cave . . . not

a 100 years old for naught!

Bet I was asleep by 5:30 and

put in a dozen hours.

I feel revived, rejuved, rather

reincarnated, if you will. 

Friends . . . and the time spent

with them . . . what a gift!

08/10/2024

"Play in the river, walk barefoot

on the sand, dance under the

moon, sleep under the stars, and

you'll likely find that very little

is needed to live a happy life."

~Brooke Hampton

Very fortunate for me to have been

reared by parents who believed in

a simple life, lots of outdoor time

and no TV. *Actually, didn't get 

my first TV 'til I had been married 

10 years. Go figure!

My fam took rides, had picnics,

went camping, built canoes and

cabin cruisers, had family dinner

and prayer circles.

Looking back, can't even imagine

how I was so lucky to have been

given such an amazing childhood!

Of course, it was hard with my

little bro being blind and special.

But, we loved and we coped.

In a world spent in acquisition

for the major part of life and 

finally ridding out and cutting

down in the end, I find fond

memories of a family who 

needed to do neither.

Just have to watch and see how

I do my last bit! Hope it is . . .

I N T E R E S T I N G !!!

08/09/2024

When I came back to the US

with my children after 20 

years in Mexico, I was so

fortunate to teach in Adams 14.

I would have to say, there was

a closeness 'mongst the teachers

that was both sweet and rare.

Today, we say goodbye to

Paul Garcia, one of my favest

teachers of all time. It just

breaks my heart that he had

to go so soon.

I keep forgetting that we aren't

young any more. Turning 75

might just be the reminder I

need that we oldsters are aging.

So, in bidding Paul adieu, I

pray none join him any time

soon. We need to stay a while

longer . . .

Paul, hoping you're off to great

adventures. You're most deserving

and well remembered!

08/08/2024

"At the end of the day, 

we all just want to be home,

whether it's a place, a person,

or a feeling."

Wild Woman Sisterhood

Actually, I was commenting

on this to my guy as we sat

outside enjoying a pre-rain

moment.

I realize on some level that  

I've turned every place I've

lived into a home. How lovely

then, to live in a 145 year old

cabin at the end of my days.

It's sandwiched between the

forest and modern day traffic.

Still, albeit tiny, 'tis true home

where I spend time with my

man and enjoy every moment.

Our fams and friends are home

as well. 'Tis such a comfort

spending time in the company

of those who make you feel

well loved, cared for, even 

adored.

I am grateful beyond the pale

for this my home, my family

and my friends . . .

Blessed be, ld

08/07/2024

"Quiet warrior

don't lose who you are,

you have the ability

to move mountains

with your stillness."

~janine tamis

Methinks I want to be 

Janine when I grow up; 

sooooo not kidding!

Not quite sure why I love 

this so much! I'm not

particularly quiet. Alas, I

can't move mountains and

not much stillness to moi.

Still, this resonates on a

level I can't quite explain. 

Might be that I need to

aspire to this rather than

think I'm already there.

Bottom line, this is who I

want to be when I grow up.

Think I'll just allow myself

to be inspired and get on

with making the effort to 

grow up!

08/06/2024

"Note to the empath: observe,

don't absorb." ~Unknown

Sound, sound advice . . . 

but, how on earth does one 

learn to do this?!

I listen with all my heart, as

it is my heart that goes out 

to a friend in need. But, I so 

feel the pain; don't seem to 

be able to let it go.

Almost as if I thought letting

go of the pain myself, would

negate any healing for my

friend.

I know I'd like to learn how

before I pass on to the better

life!

Actually, in thinking about it,

it occurs to me that personal

growth is simply painful.

Perhaps the answer is, accept

it! There is ever and always a

cost and if pain is the cost of

personal growth, maybe one

simply needs to feel it!

08/05/2024

Only five days in and I'm

loving August!

First, there's that whole

celebration of Lughnasadh

if you're Pagan or Lammas

if you're Christian.

Then, there's the fab weather,

no other particular holidays

to celebrate.

I find myself drawn to sitting

outside, with or w/o a marg

in hand . . . just enjoying. 

Then the rain comes. There

are times I just like to sit on

the porch and watch.

I'm headed out now. Hey,

mimosas aren't considered

drinking early in the day, 

right?! Just kidding!

Come on over and we'll see

what's what!

08/04/2024

Bless you for asking 

about our Lughnasadh 

celebration yesterday.

A dozen of us got together

and honored Lugh and the

month of August.

As I no longer drive due to

Petite Mal Seizures, sisters

come to me for this holiday

every summer. I so love it!

I especially love the part of

sitting in circle and sharing

bits of wisdom. I learn some-

thing I'd never though about

each time!

Of course, the picnic is great

fun too; I always start with

dessert!

Let's raise our glasses to

August and enjoy this last

bit of summer heat . . .

08/03/2024

"The day will come when what

is ethical matters more than what

is profitable." ~Rumi

Somewhere 'twixt and 'tween the

upcoming election and the forest

fires we're experiencing, I believe

this message is finally touching

our hearts and minds.

Alas, I have this horrendous feeling

that busy, busy, busy has excelled

over the ethical. Completely natural!

We're driving, getting to our jobs,

working to bring home the bacon,

and trying to rear our children.

Frankly, there's precious little time

to indulge in anything else.

We even hurry to enjoy our fun

time. Bears thinking about . . .

 - - -

Rumi was a 13th century Persian

poet, Islamic scholar, Maturdi

theologian, Sufi mystic, originally

from the Greater Iran. 1207 - 1273

Wikipedia

08/02/2024

Trying to think positive here . . .

Is it the morning of the day 

after or is it the morning 

of the day before?

Sooooo enjoyed Lughnasadh

eve and the actual day as well.

Really didn't wish for it to end.

So, I availed myself of wisdom

from on high . . . otherwise

known as the Internet . . . and

found the below quote.

Rather like the idea of funning

for an entire month! Hoist your

glasses with whatever . . . for

moi, 'tis buttermilk . . . and let's

simply August it for another 30

days!

 - - -

Every year on the Sunday

closest to August 1, the

Celtic festival Lughnasadh

kicks off the harvest season.

The festival also marks the

beginning of autumn and

traditionally lasts for one 

month. 

National Day Calendar

08/01/2024

I can't believe it . . . First day 

of August, Lughnasadh, and 

the full Sturgeon Moon in all 

its glory! Wow!! Just WOW!!!

Can hardly wait to see what

this day will bring. Still need

to learn to slow down and

simply enjoy.

'Tis hot and sunny, which 

makes me think of sitting

outside all day . . . maybe

even enjoying a couple of 

margs.

Sooooo love summer, the

heat, the sun. Rather restores

my soul. Add in all the lovely

happenings of today, and it's 

above and beyond . . .

Happy August! Have a fulsome

Lughnasadh!! Enjoy the full

Sturgeon Moon!!!

 - - -

"The Full Moon in August is

named after North America's

largest fist, the sturgeon. Other

names for this Full Moon include

Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Lynx

Moon, and Lightning Moon."

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