Battered Poetry

'Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference.'

I struggled through the underbrush,
jumped a few ravines,
stood at the foot of endless cliffs,
pondered jumping at a precipice,
and yet,
I carried on;
scraped and scratched and exhausted;
believing the one less travelled
was right for me.

What's beyond the unknown curve?

Yes You!

You!
Yes You!
You are extraordinary.
You are capable.
You are intelligent.
You are beautiful.
You are strong.
You are fierce.
You are kind.
You are gentle.
You are bold.
You are daring.
You are generous.
You are patient.
You are important.
You are unique.
You, quite simply,
are irreplaceable.
Yes You!
You!

A bone to pick . . .

Saw something this morning, that hit a nerve;
or perhaps a bone.

In order to be successful in life,
you must possess only three bones:

A wishbone
A backbone
and
A funnybone

Keep your dreams alive.
Stand up for what you believe.
Laugh at life and yourself.

DUO

No, not Batman and Robin.
Not Abbott and Costello.
Not Sonny and Cher.

DUO

Do Unto Others . . .

You remember . . . that old Golden Rule thing?
Since when did the Golden Rule come
with addendums and stipulations and regulations?

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You!

Plain and simple.
Straightforward.
No ifs, ands, or buts.
Oh but the world would be a magnificent venue.

Patience

Patience is a virtue.
It's also extremely difficult sometimes.

We are eager for days to pass,
moments to come,
celebrations to happen.

However difficult it may be,
today I want you to breathe.
Stop what you're doing
and breathe.

Don't hurry life along.
Savor every second,
cherish every smile,
every warm hello,
every friendly greeting,
each til-we-meet again.
Bask in the blessing you're in.
It's beautiful.

Patience is more than a virtue.
It is vital to your happiness.

Open Up

Open Up.

Open Up to growth.
Open Up to belief.
Open Up to faith.
Open Up to failure.
Open Up to lessons.
Open Up to opportunity.
Open Up to space.
Open Up to kindness.
Open Up to sharing.
Open Up to generosity.
Open Up to love.

When you Open Up
no one can close you down.

Go and Blossom!

Alphabetter

Try to remember
that when Plan A doesn't seem to be working,
there are twenty-five other letters
to choose from!

Open

Today, in the midst of so much chaos,
be open.

Open to acceptance.
Open to education.
Open to patience.
Open to kindness.
Open to fairness.
Open to opportunity.
Open to faith.
Open to love.
Open to hope.

For when you shut off ANY of those,
you turn them all off.

Expect It

Expect blessings.
There they are.
Expect opportunities.
There they are.
Expect support.
There it is.
Expect love.
You'll be surrounded by it.
Expect grace.
It is yours.

Expect It!

Control

Control.
Such a silly word.
When you realize that there's no chance of ever gaining it,
life becomes much simpler.
Like trying to nail jello to a tree;
or trying to take something away from a two year old;
it is an obscure, intangible wish;
a fleeting hope.
Realize that control lies somewhere else.
You can plan and be organized, but you need to roll with the punches.
You can prepare, but you've got to be able to adapt and overcome.
Control is a futile opportunity that, when relinquished,
offers you more freedom that you'd ever imagine.

Give it up.
Next!

Joy

I have lived surrounded by woods
and I have lived by the water.
Each holds a special spot in my heart.
Each brings a soothing peace to my soul.
The lapping waves; the quiet solitude.
The rhythmic roll; the lulling chirp.
Joy is where you find it.
I've never been a city girl.
They're fun; but that's not where my heart is.
I'm most content in nature;
enveloped by the beautiful gifts God created;
surrounded by creatures and sights and smells
that only come from the purity of this Earth.

Wherever you are;
Wherever you are most content;
Breathe it in today.
Bask in the things that bring you joy.
Joy is where you find it.

Your Day

Each day is a new gift.
A new chance.
Unknown occurrences.
Unknown opportunities.
Grab what provides you peace,
tranquility,
positivity.
It is your choice.
It is your day.

TTNH

After nearly 20 years in one location, one gets connected.
It is very difficult, for an emotional person, to pick up and leave those connections.
But . . . "It is not goodbye. It's Til The Next Hug!"

And so, with all of our belongings stuffed into a tractor trailer,
we are off on a new adventure.
We will miss so many people; so many laughs; so many friends; so much love.
We will miss relationships and support and mutual efforts and love.
We will miss the silliness and shenanigans.

But . . .
as with all changing landscapes . . .

It is not goodbye. It is:

Til The Next Hug!


Forgive me if I've AWOL for a short while.
I'll be back real soon! Stay in touch and know your matter.

Thank You - Part 2

This house has helped to raise my beautiful babies.
It has welcomed friends and supporters and family and critters.
It has enveloped us against ailments and problems and liars and cheats.
It has endured bouts of sarcasm and fits of laughter.
It has always been full of love.

For those of you who have graced my life, I appreciate you.
This is not goodbye. It is simply another place for you to visit.
My tears flow freely, but that is because my heart is so full.
Full of thanks.
Full of memories.
Full of contentment.
Full of love.
Your support and encouragement has sustained me and then some.
Thank you!

Now, to my babies . . .
Deanna ~ the world is your oyster. Shuck away!
You are bold and brilliant and beautiful and bullheaded.
An extraordinary soul with a heart full of goodness and love.
Your talents are many and your gifts are even greater.
Don't be timid. Don't be diminished. Don't be belittled.
You, my dear princess, can do whatever you want.

Miles ~ we are pals. We are buddies.  :-)
We've travelled many rough and bumpy roads,
but we've always managed to be goofy along the way.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your talents. Believe in your gifts.
You are driven, determined, dedicated, and dynamic.
You are worthy of unfailing, unflinching love. Grab it and go.
Don't ever let any other person decide your value. You're extraordinary.
Follow whatever dreams, passions, breweries, and foods your little heart desires.

Thanks, Florida, for your hospitality. It is time for new adventures!
My love to you all.

Thank You - Part 1

Every minute, every hour, every day
is just an opportunity to make a difference.
The choice you make each day is
will it be a positive or negative difference.

My life has not been all peaches and cream.
I come from what we once called a 'broken home'. I survived.
I dealt with much adversity growing up. I survived.
I ran away from the town I grew up in. I survived.
I faced many dilemmas as a young adult. I survived.
I made stupid choices and bad decisions. I survived.
I made beautiful friends and built grand relationships.
They helped me survive.

As I uproot once more and begin a new adventure,
I want to say 'Thank You!"
For those that oppressed me, thank you!
For those that denied me, thank you!
For those that belittled me, thank you!
For those that challenged me, thank you!
For those that enlightened me, thank you!
For those that guided me, thank you!
For those that supported me, thank you!

You own the skillset to make every circumstance useful.
I choose to learn and grown and blossom and share.
It is far more productive than the alternative.
I am me because of you.
Thank You!

Age

With age comes aches.
With age comes pains.
With age comes gray hair.
With age comes wrinkles.
With age comes loss.

Ah . . . but . . .

With age comes intelligence.
With age comes resilience.
With age comes patience.
With age comes wisdom.
With age comes focus.
With age comes grit.
With age comes love ~
of one's self, one's efforts, one's blessings.

Do not grumble about aging.
It is a privilege denied to many.

Never Forget

I don't normally blog on Sunday,
but today deserves a few words.

Fifteen years ago, this great nation was attacked.
Cowards struck at a main artery.
They caused much damage.
They caused much heartache.
They caused much destruction.
They caused a lot more than that as well.
We are not weak.
We are not easily scared.
We are not meek.
We are not intimidated.
We are strong.
We are resilient.
We are bold.
We are extraordinary.
The folks who fought, served, and died for all the opportunities and liberties you have
deserve much better than the politically-correct, gingerly-stepping, don't-want-to-offend-you
nonsense that is allowed today.
They fought for your right NOT to stand for the National Anthem.
But it is NOT this country that oppresses. It is the people with it.
You have turned upon yourselves. You have disappointed yourselves.
You have chosen to react to things instead of responding.
Be bold. Be brazen. Be strong. Be courageous.
But be those things for a cause you can effect, not for your 15 minutes to affect.

This nation came together as one flag-waving, patriot-driven, country-loving people.
We need to find that unity again, lest the memory of those lost is gone forever.
We will Never Forget.

Go be amazing

We really have no idea how strong we are,
until we are forced to be strong.
We really have no idea how bold we are,
until we are forced to be bold.
We really have no idea how competent we are,
until we are forced to be competent.
We really have no idea how brave we are,
until we are forced to be brave.

Sometimes, the easiest thing we can do
is curl up in a little ball and hide ~
from the chaos,
from the pain,
from the trials,
from the task.

But when you cannot fathom hiding, you realize how
strong,
bold,
competent,
and brave
you really are!

Go be amazing.

Roots

After twenty years,
one's roots tend to be deep.
It is hard to pluck them from the earth.
I've done it before.
I'll do it again.
After 50 years, however, one realizes
how very precious the root system is;
how vital all of that cultivation is;
how supportive that system is;
how integral it is to life.

The tree may be replanted,
but the roots always remain!

Winner! Winner!

Saw this snippet and just had to share.

I do not lose.
I either win or learn.

What a fabulous way to view things.
What a wonderful way to live.

And remember . . . when you learn, you win.

Enjoy this day!

My Blessings

There are blessings in the oddest places.
You just need to be ready to accept them.

After a very stressful couple of days,
I was invited out to dinner with a few friends.
If you know me, you know that it's unusual for me
to go out and do something for me.
I chose, however, to go out.
The brilliance of the two beautiful Ch-Angels
whose company I was blessed with was bountiful.
Not only good for my belly, but grand for my soul.
There was laughter and silliness and stories.
There was hugs and cherished treats.
There was a closeness and comfortableness
that washed away the day's nonsense.
It was much needed and tremendously appreciated.
I thank you!

And, as I strolled through the cards and gifts
upon arrival at home - shedding tears between giggles -
the phone rang.
Another Ch-Angel.
I've known this enveloping soul for nearly 40 years.
He's comforting, supportive, genuine, outstanding.
More laughter. A few more tears. Just joyous.

My blessings lie not in the tangible gadgets of the day;
but in the hearts and hugs of friends.
Thank you!

Grasp

In this whacky rat race of life,
we are all just jumping on that little silver wheel
and giving it our all every day.
Sometimes, we get tossed off.
Sometimes, it spins too fast.
Sometimes, we just get sweaty.
Sometimes, we dominate.
The secret is what you grasp on the way.

You can grasp the gossip.
You can grasp the nonsense.
You can grasp crazy.
Or . . .
You can grasp the hope.
You can grasp the faith.
You can grasp the love.
You can grasp opportunity.
You can grasp positive.
You can grasp passion.

You can let the wheel win,
or you can grasp victory.

Labor of Love

Today is Labor Day.
A day set aside to show appreciation to the labor force.
Those that tirelessly work to
pay the bills,
move ahead,
save for the future,
and grab a piece of the American Dream.

I would like, however, to offer a difference view point.
(you were expecting anything less?)

How about the Labor of Love?

How about:
working to assist each other
working to be kind
working to guide our youth
working to shed a little sunshine
working to be a positive change
working to be a difference
working to end abuse
working to share your talents
working to give
working to LOVE

A Labor of Love

KOKO

Not sure where it came from,
but my Mom used to say it all the time:

Keep On Keepin' On

She was the queen of KOKO.
No matter what came her way, she just kept going.
I try each day to be like her.
I search for positives;
I look for ways to help;
I acknowledge good deeds;
I applaud good efforts.
I may stumble over issues;
I may climb over hurdles;
I may jump over negatives;
I may have to breathe deep;
but I Keep On Keepin' On.

There is glory to be had;
in every second,
in every moment,
in every day,
in every failure,
in every victory,
in every person.

Keep On Keepin' On

The Weight of Words

When speaking, please realize that
the weight of your words
can greatly effect who they are hurled at.
Negative words carry no weight
as they slip from our lips;
but upon landing can destroy another being.

Positive words carry the same weight
yet when they find their target
they provide light and life and support
and encouragement and love.

Speak kindly.

Healthy is Wealthy

September celebrates being healthy.

Take a walk.
Work out.
Sweat a little.
It's good for the heart.

Read a book.
Learn something.
Educate yourself.
It's good for the mind.

Be thankful.
Be kind.
Be nice.
It's good for the soul.