clouds of pink and gray
fly across winter time sky
birds in graceful flight.

River powers turbines for electricity,

and river powers me –

giving me its quiet strength –

flowing, moving, following a predetermined path –

still remaining beautiful, serene –

secrets hidden beneath her surface.

Glassy blue-green mirrors sky and trees –

what lies beneath?

A  world of mysterious hidden beauty-

rocks, fish, plants…

How deep is the river? Can’t tell by looking –

Varied depths, hidden worlds  –

much like people – hiding behind masks –

showing only parts they want others to see.

Perhaps that’s why I love the river –

beautiful surface disguising

hidden depths and mystifying power.

Recipes are stories with good food at the end. But, recipes don’t have to be

followed exactly- sometimes they’re mere suggestions, ideas, invitations to try

something new. Baked goods, more chemistry than not, require exactness.

But, when preparing most other food, ideas and inspiration will suffice!

I take parts I like, change or ignore the rest, and let the spark ignite in

me. I cook something fabulous that I might be unable to recreate.

It’s delicious, and I’m willing to take the chance that  next time it might be somewhat

different yet still enjoyable. Have fun, and let your imagination and tastebuds help

guide you to a special treat!

Church without walls – just look around –

It’s wherever you want it to be –

All you have to do is…

Love one another and respect the earth.

Be willing to think outside the box,

open yourself to…

blue skies, flowing rivers, trees, gray clouds,

meadows, ridges, valleys, mountains, dragonflies,

butterflies, birds, and bees, thundering seas, all

creatures great and small – all part of God’s

endless beauty. Be reverent wherever you find

yourself – for that is church without walls.

…”if you do not have the capacity to be awestruck

at the sight of the majesties of nature you are

missing part of the usual human endowment.”
(From Reverence Renewing a Forgotten Virtue by Paul Woodruff)

You can see the world in the eye of a horse –

love

play

hope

trust

joy

fear.

Always honest but for the noticing.

Every time I see hand written recipes from Mom I travel back in time. From stories told about how to make good things to eat – recipes for waffles, muffins, and banana bread to lessons about life – they all take me back in time to sharing time with my family. I love seeing her beautiful cursive on these old fashioned recipe cards – I know the love she poured into each and every one. Mom did everything with love and I can feel that love when I read over them. She had other “recipes” for life too – how to treat others, how to be honest in words and actions, how to stand up for oneself – are some of the best lessons she taught me. Mom had a wicked sense of humor too – that’s probably where mine came from –  how very useful humor has been in my career as a teacher. Mom was truly one of a kind – knowing we have children with the goal of having them become independent productive citizens, letting them know always that they’re loved, but letting them know when you disagree with them. She always told me that you begin letting go from the time they’re born by teaching them how to do for themselves, yet giving them the support, love, and guidance they need. Oh, how I do miss her wicked sense of humor, depth of love, and unwavering honesty.

Paint your own reality however you wish
crayons for fun
watercolors for effect
acrylics for color
Paint your own reality to make yourself happy
blue skies above
flowing water beneath
colorful flowers around
dragonflies, butterflies, birds flying free
Paint your own reality whenever you want
when you awaken
when you lie down to sleep
when you silently daydream
Paint your own reality and awaken your truth.

Life is balance –

laughter and tears

bravery and fears

holding on and letting go

saying yes and saying no

sunshine and shadows

what you think and what you know

good times and bad

happy and sad

rights and wrongs

poems and songs

together and alone

what you’ve sown and what you’ve grown

rainy days and clear skies

telling truth and telling lies

friends and foes

sorrows and woes

hot and cold

timid and bold

births and deaths

One thing I’ll say – nothing will stay.