01/30/2022

I find myself enamored with the

concept of forgiveness, no matter

the sin or crime perpetuated against 

oneself.

I have read of this belief rather often

in the writings of Eastern faiths such

as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism.

I suppose holding grudges, planning

revenge, celebrating animosity over

love, are contretemps of forgiveness

and letting go.

I imagine we all forgive those small 

offenses on a daily basis. But, it's the 

bigger ones we find hard to forgive.

An affair with a beloved spouse, the

theft of a hard earned savings, the

kidnapping of a precious child . . .

Who is truly big enough to let go of

the horrendous feelings brought on

by these grandiose betrayals? I can't

say whether it's an Eastern/Western

thing . . . or if it's a question of one's

beliefs. Perhaps, most of us do not

possess a heart big enough to look

beyond the horror of that perpetuated

sin!

All I know is, I want to grow, to have

a heart so magnanimous that I can

then learn true forgiveness.

Pray, this be granted me . . .

01/29/2022

"Kindness is that illness best 

spread widely." ~ldj

I know, I know . . . it's been 

a couple of very dreary years, 

thanks to the plague and its 

cohorts in crime. But, some

how kindness may abound 

as a counter attack!

Everywhere you look, there are

stories of people of all ages 

indulging their sweeter, more

decent sides!

I love these stories of young men

stopping traffic to help oldsters

cross busy streets! Then, there's

these tales told out of school of

policemen taking groceries to

impoverished families.

One of my faves . . . a motorcycle

gang taking a little kid to school,

showing their support because he

was being bullied!!!

I can't help but hope that this

kindness disease be contagious 

at the supreme level!!! And . . .

this includes you and me . . . us!

I'm making a pact with myself.

I'm going to find ways to include

several kindnesses a day in my

rather quiet life. As I'm about a

hundred years old, mine will be

along the lines of sending notes,

cards and letters in the mail.

Methinks kindness may win 

the battle yet . . .

01/28/2022

"I just called to say I love you.

I just called to say how much I care.

I mean it from the bottom of my heart."

~Stevie Wonder

I love you . . . a priceless phrase that's 

either overly used or not enough. We

all recognize that there are those who

are not comfortable even saying the

words. It's taken me a long time to

understand this on some level . . .

Methinks a good look-see is in order. 

My guy, who's only said the magic 

words maybe three times in 22 years, 

goes out at o' dark thirty and shovels 

the snow and cleans the car; both 

massive tasks. He brings me water in 

bed when I don't feel like getting up. 

He builds a fire when I'm at the end 

of my SAD rope. He brings everything 

I need when I'm having Diverticulosis

attacks. I sooooo need to remember

these things when he pisses me off!

I watch people in the grocery store,

consulting each other, handling the

kids, and the occasional fond slap

on the butt. Neighbor of mine often

offers to shovel my walk and/or 

bring me much needed groceries.

Bottom line, if we watch closely,

we'll see I love yous everywhere

we look. It's all in the translation!

here let me get that

may i help you cross the street

sending you a note

01/27/2022

I have to chuckle . . . We were on our

way out this early morn to get some

much needed things as it wasn't 

supposed to start snowing until noon.

We had put our whatsits by the door

so as not to forget. In the little time 

it took to move them aside, it was

already snowing hard; huge flakes!

Luckily, we were smart enough to

change our minds and get our asses

back inside. Can't help but wonder

just how much we're going to get!

We already have 18" on our picnic

tables . . . go figure!

Sooooo, I'm going to delve into my

positive thinking emergency stash

and just deal with it. At least it's at

11 degrees today whereas it got to

two below yesterday.

Methinks we're not bloody likely

to have water issues anytime soon!

Pray forgive me, I'm going back

to bed and hide under the covers . . .

01/26/2022

Walking down memory lane of late . . .

One of the things I've been thinking

about is my television journey. Being

somewhere around 100 years old, I

still remember as a child growing up

in a small town, a one TV channel 

place.

My parents chose not to indulge in 

this fad, new to our town. I thought it 

might have something to do with their 

beliefs as they were quite religious. 

Although, maybe it had to do with our 

somewhat impoverished station in life.

Bottom line, I didn't get my first TV

until I'd been married ten years.

I have shared this before. However, 

I find it interesting that as an adult, 

I still have no interest in television.

Oh, but the machine serves me well,

nonetheless . . .

We have one that shows all the angles

of the surrounding property as part of

a fine security system. We have another

on which we view fun DVD movies, 

even without annoying commercials!

Obviously, the television as an instrument 

of entertainment, has great value. But,

give me the whole VCR thing, rather than 

a TV, and I'm a happy camper!

I'm beginning to see that I am indeed

somewhere around a 100 years old . . .

01/25/2022

'Tis o' dark thirty and snowing!

Setting aside my SAD issues; 

simply going to try to let it be . . .

Sooooo, feeling somewhat down

and overwhelmed, I open my FB

crutch. What should meet my eye

but the four cousins in picture!

Mira, Ryan, Rustie and mi hija

Linda. My down turned up in 

the blinking of an eye! 

Methinks there is precious little

in this world of ours like the joy

of family . . . and they all turned

out fab!!! All fine, fabulous,

phenomenal young people!!!

My heart gladdens in gratitude.

Funny how different things can

brighten or darken our day!

Feeling down; an unexpected 

kiss, call, card, letter e-mail.

Alas, excitement can also be 

dampened with a bill from the

IRS, (as in my mail this a.m.).

Then, there's losing internet

last night so I couldn't read

notes from fam and friends.

I should simply be glad that

none of the above are any big

deal. Why is it then, that we

focus on the disappointments

rather than the sweet nothings

the universe whispers in our 

ears?

Time to revisit my New Year's

Resolutions! Get a grip, woman!

glad better than sad

joy over disappointment

happiness reigning 

01/24/2022

Yesterday, I was told that I had

offended a dear friend by sending 

a short, somewhat flippant reply 

in a group e-mail. An action that

is beyond heartbreak . . . and I

simply cannot forgive myself!

Surely, I'm not seeking perfection

in my old age, although I've been

told that I do indeed have this bent.

But, it hurts down deep in my soul 

that at 72 I'm still not getting it right.

You'd think at my age, adding in my

intentions, I'd be doing a better job

of it by now. God in heaven, I am

wracked with grief by the entire

incident.

I hark back to those old adages,

"Think before you speak!" . . . 

and a newer one, "Words have

power to heal. Words have power

to kill." ~Anna Maledon 

Here's hoping I've learned a very

important lesson here . . .

my thoughts words and tears

so many lessons to learn

pray pay attention

01/23/2021

Been thinking about this retirement 

business of late; it's been ten years 

now. The first four years don't count 

as I was preparing to receive mom

and she stayed with me for the next 

three and a half.

Just to make sure life didn't become

too boring, I fainted and cracked my

skull open. Given only two months

to live, we moved to my little, 130

year old cabin, ready to face the end.

Now, four years later and winning 

my own bet against the docs, I'm

finally seeing my retirement as a 

true reality. Can't help but wonder?!

'Tis a new year, ergo, a new life.

What interesting secrets await me 

ready to be delved into?!

'Twould love to win the lotto, but

I've heard a nasty rumor that you

have to buy a ticket. Good thing

I so enjoy life in my sweet little

ole cabin! So, what's up so far?

Truly love my life! Who knew?!

It's a little of everything salad

kind of life. The odd trip to town,

eating out once in a while, fab

movies, great books, ice cream

for breakfast and no cooking if

I don't feel like it! Wow!

Best of all . . . my guy enjoys

our life together just as it is. 

Now, all I need  is for Summer 

to come so my family and friends 

can come to visit . . .

me thinks life tis grand

a little of this and that 

lets go out and play

01/22/2022

"People usually consider walking on water

or in thin air a miracle. But, I think the real

miracle is not to walk either on water or in

thin air, but to walk on earth. Everyday, we

are engaged in a miracle which we don't

even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds,

green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a

child, our own two eyes. All is a miracle."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Me thinks Thich Nhat Hanh was one of 

the wisest men to ever walk the earth. 

How fortunate we are that he chose to 

serve, that we might be allotted his 

wisdom.

I understand, there are many with the gift

of wisdom. We are fortunate to find bits

and pieces everywhere we look. Still, his

words resonate with me. They comforted

me when I lost my father, my marriage, as

well as unimagined heartache that I won't

share here.

Perhaps we'd all do well to seek wisdom 

daily, albeit in our individual holy books,

those precious words of our ancestors, any

place to be found. Doesn't the good book

say, "Out of the mouth of babes . . . "

One of the most important fountains of 

wisdom comes from those who have 

experienced life and all that it gifts us, that 

we might learn. All we have to do is listen; 

as long as we're willing to find it.

listen in silence

the universe speaks wisdom

can you hear can you

01/21/2022

I'm one of those weird animals that

likes to do everything on time . . .

I can actually recall pulling up to 

the mailbox on the way home from 

school, writing the checks and sticking 

the bills bright back in the mailbox.

My teens had a special word that that

kind of behavior . . . ANAL!

I'm better now, I sometimes even wait

20 minutes before going back to the

box with the bills . . . but, Mr. Snow

has added to my patience incredibly.

Sometimes, I can wait out the snow

with the best of 'em!!! I even got a

late charge once.

Promise not to go on and on about the

snow just now; done enough of that.

But, there is an analogy here. We all

have our principles, whatever they may

be or however they may differ. Still,

it's interesting to note that extraneous

events can alter those personal principles

in a heartbeat. 

I never use obscenities! Right?! Just

watch me. I simply do NOT raise my

voice, ever! Sure you don't! I just had

a memory! Never, ever do I drink too

much . . . yahhhhhhh and I'm going to

win the lotto any time now.

Point is . . . sooooo need to put that

finger down. Better to remind ourselves

of our own foibles and stop pointing

the finger. And true, I'm not all bad;

still, methinks I'd sure be in trouble if I

accused anybody. Been there; done that!

not me never me

im so perfect by the way

get a bloody clue

01/20/2022

Snowed all night, no accumulation

apparently, and 7 degrees even as

we speak . . .

Just saw a fab deck breakfast; looked

like fun. Methinks an electric blanket

might be in order. Isn't it interesting

to see how different people cope 

with Winter in different ways!

Of course, so many have to go to 

work, no matter what. My heart

goes out to them. Others, perhaps

those of us who are retired, choose

a lie in, breakfast in bed and a

couple of movies. 

Then, there's always sitting by the 

fire with a lovely cuppa Joe. Ahhhhh

Baileys . . . to add or not to add, that

is the question?! Guess I'll just have

to pass as I don't indulge in January.

Think I'll choose my own menu . . .

Perhaps stay-a-bed, read my novel

and pray that someone who claims

to love me might bring me that

cuppa Joe I've been hankering after!

I really should go check the mail;

alas, no can do . . .

its so cold up here

a hot toddy would be nice

please bring me blankets

01/19/2022

It's o' dark thirty and  22 degrees;

methinks I'm in serious need of

some magic or is it magick or

maybe even magik?!

No matter . . . I love it all! I find

it interesting that spelling is used

to differentiate between different

types of all that is wondrous!

magic - the power of apparently

influencing the course of events 

by using mysterious forces.

magick - in Paganism, action or

effort undertaken to effect personal

transformation or external change.

magik - an alternative spelling used

by author D J Hinton and others. 

My guess would be that we all grew

up with the first. I can remember

small town magic shows at birthday

parties. In today's world magicians

have become incredibly sophisticated

with their sleight of hand. 

Magick or magik are simply different

spellings used to differentiate between

stage magic and actual phenomena,

albeit celestial or supernatural. There

is much to be learned about this. It

may be real or it may be a belief.

I'm going to be on the lookout today

'cuz I be needin' some of that stardust!

bring on the magic

let us magick up our lives

just share the magik

01/18/2022

Morning of the day after . . .

It suddenly comes to me that we

would do well to make our New

Year's resolutions the day after

we have honored MLK and 

pondered the lives of our heroes.

This yearly pondering impels us 

to revisit just who we want to be 

when we grow up. I know this 

matters as it comes up in my life 

over and over again.

From Obama, we are reminded

that we are light years beyond

the Civil Rights Act of 1957. 

We must continue to grow, 

defend and accept.

Bader Ginsburg and Lady Eleanor 

exemplified the strength, courage, 

values of womankind far and wide.

Nhat Hanh and Mother Teresa

have shown us the way to true

spirituality, its meaning and

the courage to live it. Carter

puts us all in our places with 

his daily giving even in his 90s. 

Methinks King and Kennedy

rightly invented the necessary 

courage needed for speaking out 

and they paid the ultimate price.

Behold, learn and live accordingly . . .