11/30/2023

"We must be willing to get rid of 

the life we've planned, so as to 

have the life that is waiting for us."

~Joseph Campbell

My mom used to say about me

that I had my life planned from

the cradle to the grave. Yikes!

I so hope I'm not quite that bad!

Still, I can see what she meant.

I admit that I rather like planning

ahead, knowing what's going to

happen. I think it makes me feel

like I'm in charge of my own life.

I think this trait stems partly from

being a Libra, the most unbalanced

Libra I've ever met! On the other

hand, it may be that this is simply

who I am.

I'm going to do an experiment. I

will plan nothing for the next four

days and just see what happens.

Might be interesting; might just

be a new way to greet December!

Here's to the unknown . . . rather

scary if you don't mind mw saying!

11/29/2023

Martin G. Lockley was a Welsh 

paleontologist. He was educated

in the UK where he obtained degrees

and post-doc experience in Geology

in the 1970s. Since 1980 he had been

a professor at the University of CO at

Denver and was later Prof Emeritus.

1950 - 2023 Wikipedia

I weep; my heart aches; my mind

wanders down memory lane . . .

I first met Martin upon my arrival

to the US. He was a close friend of

my father and would make a point

of dining with my parents when he 

came to town.

For me, it was love at first sight!

What a truly lovely man. From

that point we were granted a dozen

years of those joys and sorrows

gifted along with marital bliss. And

speaking of gifts, his children will

ever and always reside in my heart.

Lockley, as a scientist, professor,

world leading expert in dinosaur

tracks, has touched the lives of

many fellow professionals and 

a myriad of doctoral students. He

leaves nigh onto 50 books translated

into at least 16 languages that will

continue to serve his calling.

I can't say, "Rest in Peace." Rather,

I hope he has an afterlife full of

phenomenal adventures and untold

discoveries!

God, I sooooo miss him . . .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Lockley

11/28/2023

"Gratitude is not only the greatest

of virtues, but the parent of all the

others." ~Cicero

I promised myself at Thanksgiving

that I would make the effort to be

more grateful . . . how easily one 

forgets! I like that the Universe sends 

out its own little reminders!

I awoke this early morn to 12°. We

still have about 4" snow, so you can

only imagine just how grateful I am

for hearth and home!

I would add, when my guy builds a

fire, I am overwhelmed w/gratitude!

There is something so magical about

fire. It simply makes my day every

single time!

A friend intends to visit this early

morn. Naught in the world like fam

and faithful friends. I am thankful

and I promise . . .

. . . to watch for those gifts from the

Universe for which I must be grateful.

 - - -

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman

statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher

and academic skeptic, who tried to

uphold optimate principles during the

political crises that led to the establish-

ment of the Roman Empire. 106 BC -

assassinated 43 BC Wikipedia

11/27/2023

"The November full moon is

dubbed the Beaver Moon

because it corresponds to the

time of year when beavers 

start sheltering in their lodges,

according to the Old Farmer's

Almanac. This is also historically

the time of year when beavers

would be trapped as part of the

fur trade." CBS News

Awoke this early morn, 'round

4:00, to the most amazing Beaver

Moon. We literally had to lie on 

the floor and look up out the upper 

window. Absolutely breathtaking!

We kept going down about every

15 minutes to check it out. One of

the things I like about viewing the

moon at this time of day is it appears

to be yellow.

Each time we'd go down, the moon

was slightly different. I especially 

liked it when viewed through foliage. 

Not exactly sure why this particular

moon has so moved me . . . sooooo

looking forward to seeing it on the

morrow, the actual full moon!

Yayyyyy Beaver Moon!

11/26/2023

"Everyone wants to be some-

one's sun to light up someone's 

life, but why not be someone's 

moon to brighten in the darkest 

hour." TheMindsJournal

Must confess, I'm all about the

moon. I have loved her sweet,

shining face in all her facets

since I was a little girl.

My guy has ever and always 

been about the sun. Together,

methinks balance! Still, I must

honor him for brightening my

darkest hours!

One of the things I love about

him is he checks out the moon

every time he goes downstairs.

If he finds it particularly lovely,

he wakes me and tells me to go

have a look-see.

Love me my moon, but he makes

the sun most spectacular!

Doesn't get any better than that!

11/25/2023

"Friendship is above all the 

art of allowing the soft light 

of love to fall upon even our

darkest sides." ~Anne Lamott

Suffering intensely from SAD

during the early onset of winter,

I've been thinking about what

it is that gets me through.

My guy sneaks me the odd dish

of ice cream from time to time.

So sweet! My daughter calls me

every Sunday. My son visits and

even cooks! I'm lucky enough

to have so much caring in my life.

I find it all boils down to friends.

My own children are some of my

very bests. Our neighbors are our

friends; not sure I'd make it w/o

them. So enjoy those who write 

the odd note and/or send a card. 

Pray know, that on my darkest

days, I am ever so thankful for

friendship!

Blessed be . . .

11/24/2023

I sooooo don't get it! It has 

now been snowing for just 

over 12 hours . . . and we 

have about three inches of 

snow. Simply doesn't make 

any sense!

Hark back to 2003 . . . 

snowed for about the same 

amount of time (ok, maybe 

a bit longer) and we got 7 

feet up the canyon where 

we lived. Now that rocks it 

for me!

I know! I know! We need

the moisture . . . and I am

grateful for that. At least it

didn't start snowing until

Thanksgiving was nigh on

to over.

I'll stop bitchin' now . . .

11/23/2023 - Thanksgiving

We all know those wondrous

tales of yore telling about that

first Thanksgiving and that this

has come to mean.

Obviously, 'tis much different

today. We enjoy a time-out w/

our fams and friends . . . eating

those incredible meals, stuffing

ourselves ad nauseam, often not

even offering to do the dishes.

This year, we're taking a tiny

time out. We're staying at home,

in bed, watching football (he) 

and reading a fab novel (moi).

Methinks a bottle of champagne

may be in order at some point.

Know my thoughts tend towards

you who we love ever so much.

Happiest of all TGs!!!

11/22/23

"To live is the rarest thing 

in the world; most people 

just exist." ~Oscar Wilde

I can still hear my father 

reciting this kernel of truth; 

I say it to myself each and 

every day . . .

I know I've written about 

this gift from Oscar Wilde

many a time. I truly try to

make each moment count.

Still, I'd be the first to say

just how easy it is to be

lost in the minutia of the

day . . .

 . . . the dishes, the wash, 

the meals, the bills, errands!

Never ending!

Yet the wisdom of dealing

with the daily grind is well

addressed by the Buddha,

Thích Nhãt Hanh and other

greats.

Quiet meditation whilst 

addressing those bits and

pieces of the daily. Thankful

hearts that we have homes

in which to labor. Recalling

from whence our blessings

came . . .

I'm trying! I'm trying!

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie 

Wills Wilde was an Irish poet 

and playwright. After writing 

in different forms throughout 

the 1800s, he became one of 

the most popular playwrights

in London in the early 1890s. 

1854 - 1900 Wikipedia

11/21/2023

"O Lord that lends me life, 

lend me a heart replete with 

thankfulness."

~William Shakespeare

Thanksgiving approaching,

I most appreciate the in your 

face reminders to be thankful!

Everywhere you look . . .

adverts, turkeys, invites,

special outfits and travel. 

Not quite sure if these are 

about being thankful or not.

This year will be stay at home

for us. Being affected by the

weather, methinks I need some

quiet time w/my guy. The menu

threatens eggnog and movies,

easy to prep!

And silly me, I always like to

decorate for Yule the day after.

Something to look forward to!

11/20/2023

Beware, I feel a rant coming 

on . . .

Woke up to the s-word this 

a.m. Have about an inch and 

it's supposed to go until noon.

Can't help but wonder if I even

brought it on as I decorated for 

the season all day yesterday. I 

usually wait 'til December first. 

See what I mean?!

When I'm queen of the Universe,

we're NOT going to have snow 

on Halloween, nor Thanksgiving, 

nor even in November at all.

Feel free to vote for me!

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

11/19/2023

"Associated with the final stage

in the cycle of life, the Crone 

was the third aspect of the Triple

Goddess in ancient culture. She 

was the summation of women's 

life experience, wise old mother 

who symbolized knowledge,

judgement and death."

I like to think I've enjoyed both

the Maiden and Mother stages 

of my life. Still, I find myself 

somewhat enthralled with this 

Crone era.

Of course, there are the usual 

aches and pains accompanying

the aging process . . . having 

acknowledge this, there are

ever so many positives as well.

I've come to appreciate slowing

down, smelling the coffee as it

were, and all that this entails.

So enjoy those who have chosen

to remain friends, stay in touch.

I find the conversations priceless.

I much value being able to watch

my children beyond childhood.

I find their own stages of growing

and living most fascinating. What 

amazing people they have become.

It has been incredible being born

into a world of a three-party line

on the wall and a one station TV

in the living room to a tiny hand-

held phone and 100s of stations

available for the choosing.

Fast cars, long trips, phenomenal 

jobs and an unexpected techno-

world! Wow!! Just W O W !!! . . .

 . . . Sans paroles!

11/18/2023

What a difference a day makes . . . 

Yesterday, I was enjoying an a.m.

fast break with two of my besties

and today, I'm back in my own

real world.

Real world in the sense that 'tis 

the space where I exist/live/love 

on a regular basis.

One of the things I find interesting

in these years of retirement wonder

would be the need, as well as the 

joy, of being at home.

On those rare occasions when I 

get dragged out of my cocoon, 

I find I enjoy my friends and

activities immensely. And, I am

well pleased that I also love my

own hearth and home. 

Still . . . something to be said for 

getting out and about from time 

to time.

Alas, my fire hearkens . . .