Some things I've seen on walks that brought a smile to my face.

I love seeing all the creative and/or thoughtful things I see on walks. I will try to remember to take photos and post them.

Maybe this should be a new blog! Ok, yes, it will be.

This one I especially liked because it reminds me of a "laughing house"
 

It's been a while

 I've been posting pictures I've "doodlewashed" and sometimes poems on my Instagram.

I've enjoyed the drawing, painting and writing - it's peaceful, creative and fun. I recognize that my skills are primitive and what I'd like to tell people is that it's still ok to do things like that anyway.

I'm walking a lot - Dave and I are beginning our Camino de Santiago by walking every day - 5-8 miles by the end of the day. I've lost the weight I gained in the last year or so and having fun.

In June, we flew to South Dakota for Scott Bauman's funeral - Our 32 year old nephew who fell at home and passed away. A very sudden, shocking death. Almost all the family was able to gather and be there for Judy, Brian, Brett and Jessica and for each other.

That same weekend was the last I heard from our next door name Sheryl. I'd been texting her to check on her but she never responded. This last Monday, I started asking neighbors if they'd seen or heard from her. Randy gave me her daughter's name and I found her on Facebook and sent her a message. I called the police. (It turns out they'd done 2 other welfare checks earlier in July.) They won't go inside the house. By 9:30pm, neighbor Chad had gotten the back door open and when they still wouldn't go in, Chad went in himself. And found her. Sadly, she'd been gone for some time.

It makes me look at life, family, neighbors, mental illness, loneliness, and grief in new ways. 

Memorial Day Weekend

I've been thinking 
about memories.
I have so many.
I know Memorial Day
isn't really about 

my memories.
It's about remembering 
those who died in war.

But I remember

instead:

how many

bathrooms in each

place that I've lived?

having an annual pass

to Disney World.

I am grateul

for almost 42 

years of marriage!

Lots more memories

to make.

Back again!

Today is May 3, 2021
I've had some struggles since I wrote last - 
Lots of anxiety about :
Returning to work 2 days a week
Returning to work all 4 days
Opening the branch to the public on a limited basis...

At work and in the world:
Lots of shifts in Covid restrictions

And attitudes

I'm vaccinated

Still lots of conflict over :
racism
politics

My doctor put me on anxiety medication - fluoxetine
Within a few weeks, 
I developed a tremor
My body was out of balance - for real 
Then some tests to make sure it wasn't something bad
Taken off fluoxetine
Three weeks later... 

We know it's not anything bad 

Sodium levels back to normal...
Life feels better

Balanced.

I am grateful.

We Love Our Pets

 I made a slideshow/video for the library's facebook pages. 
This is  the poem that I wrote and recited on the video.

Pets are for loving –

They bring many joys. 

They cuddle together 

They play with their toys.

 

They can play with a stick 

Or Play in the snow 

Playing ball - hide and seek 

Wherever they go!

 

Sometimes they are naughty 

Knocking things to the ground. 

Sometimes they’re just there 

And don’t make a sound.

 

They are sleeping or resting 

Or hatching a plan 

For world domination? 

Or peace in the land

 

At times pets are hungry 
And beg for a treat. 
At times they’re just posing 

So cute! And so sweet!

 

Sometimes they are silly 

Even upside down! 

Sometimes they dress up 

To go out on the town.

 

Whatever they’re doing 

We love to say: 

We love our pets 

Every single day!

Lent 2021

 My song: (by Mary Haugen)

Shepherd Me Oh God 
Beyond my wants, 
Beyond my fears 
From death into life!

And borrowing from Fr. James Martin: Be Kind!

1. Don't be a jerk.

2. Honor the absent: (don't talk about people behind their backs)

3. Always give people the benefit of the doubt.

Valentine's Day 2021

Valentine's Day
is always some stress.
Things don't go my way
I feel like a mess.

I made a cake

and prepared to cut -

Dave said how to do it

and it busted my butt.

I went in the back

and played my guitar.

I think we're ok - 

We've survived this far.

He walked the dog

while I did my PT

He's doing the dishes

which is perfect for me!

Writing poems at work

If I write poems for facebook posts
or even for away messages?
Does that make me a professional
And can I get higher wages? 

Sometimes I get too silly writing poems - most of them have been for the away messages on my email. And yes, I know messages and wages don't rhyme! 

But they're mine - and I like them - at least a little and they make me smile.

So here's my away message for today - Friday - the beginning of my weekend:

I love my work – I really do! 

And I love my time away. 

So happily life gives me both 

And the off-days start TODAY! 

 

On Tuesday I’ll be back, you see 

Rested and ready for more - 

Then the email you sent will be read right away 

Just as soon as I’m back in the door! 

Inauguration Day

It's been a long wait!

1/20/2021

Kamala Harris!

the first Woman  US Vice President!

the first African-American US Vice President!

the first Asian American US Vice President!

It brought tears to my eyes!

Thank you Joe Biden

and the American People!

God bless them with your grace!

The Novel: Corona Virus

 No one will want to buy this book.
You know it'll never sell!
For who would want to even think
The President sends us to hell!

When the pandemic shut down the world

he held rallies - infecting the crowd!

Then he said it would go away -

Folks believed and cheered real loud.

The rest of us washed hands, stayed home.

We wore our masks each day.

And everyone who gave a damn

Voted him out on election day!

It gets worse - you'll never believe -

This plot is much too dumb!

It'll either give you nightmares

or leave your brain feeling numb!

(I admit this is not the best - but if all that happened in 2020 and continues right now were a novel - I'd hate it - wouldn't want to read it!!!)

Show and Tell at Work Day

I wrote this poem for my work Facebook post.

Show and Tell at work day!

Even though you can’t come in
There is plenty you can do –
Story time dolls have joined with me
For show and tell with you!
 
Books are waiting to be read
Just call us! Or place on hold.
We put more in surprise bags
than stories to be told!
 
This book is called a Readalong
It reads itself to you!
But when you’d rather hear a song
We’ve got music CD’s too!
 
Or how about a comic book?
Some you’ve never seen!
So many things you can enjoy
Would you like a magazine?
 
Board books aren’t just for babies
Call and we’ll find you some.
And did you know you can now get prints?
This service has begun!
 
Send the file from pc or phone
And pick up at our door
KCLS is working hard
To serve you like before.
 
Let’s all do the best we can
To be healthy and safe for all.
Let’s wear our masks and wash our hands
Come by or give us a call!

 

Epiphany

Three young star gazers
came from afar.

They knew there was something 

about that star.

They brought special gifts

thought fit for a king.

Though they had no idea

what their travels would bring.

How far did they come?

We really don't know.

Were there some women?

I'd like to think so!

They followed their hearts

to be part of the story.

Do you think they knew

it would lead to their glory?

For thousands of years

their story's been told -

We hear of their gifts

of incense and gold.

The story continues.

We each have our part.

We follow the star

that leads to God's heart.

God's heart is the people -

the poor and the small.

We are sent to be servants

To love one and all.

Daisies

 Daisies are my favorite -

simple in a special way.

Perfect for my wedding

no matter what "they" say.

White and yellow,

stems of green -

tied with ribbons - 

fresh and clean!

For boutonnieres

and my bouquet - 

daisies are the flowers we chose

for our wedding day.

Baby

 

Baby new year,

we have no clue

what awaits us -

a fresh clean view!

Every month is

ours to write-on.

Choose our colors

soft or bright-ones.

Keep it simple

write the story.

Fill our days

with hope and glory.

path

 Prayer for the path

What is a path?

There are my plans and dreams-

I decide what I want to follow -

My creation -

going in with a machete - 

hacking down the bushes -

clearing a path.

2020 showed me that isn't always the case.

Nature - the world can force me

down the path it makes.

My prayer is that whatever path 

I walk in 2021 - 

You will be there with me - 

guiding me

and holding my hand -

maybe even carrying me through

the rough parts.

Amen

This is the year....

 1/1/2021

Wendy from Shiny Happy World gave a task for the day. "Finish the sentence 'This is the year...'"

I started a list and may add to it over time.

This is the year....

I figure out what MY healthy weight is
I figure out what MY healthy diet is
I figure out what I want to do - retire? work? 
I stick to tidying
I feel good about myself
I get brave enough to sew the things I have patterns for
I learn how to do bar chords

I blog/write more concistently