Just ... this

Collect
beautiful
moments.

Three Things

A wonderful Wednesday to you.
Hoping this finds you well.

Been doing a lot of chatting lately.

With old friends.

With new friends.

And here is the general consensus

of nearly every conversation.

Life can get squirrely.

Sometimes downright messy.

You can be faced with every malady

and tragedy and obstacle.

Most absolutely every single one is

figureoutable!

As you face these challenges,

remember three very important things.

1. Not everything is personal.

2. Your attitude matters.

3. Be a good human.

Stand Still

By one Mary Davis,

we have been blessed

with this ...

Sometimes,

when we just stand still,

the grace finds us.

Have a beautiful day, friends.

Wow

Very teeny,
but this was quite powerful ...

Some people are so poor,

all they have is money.

Sunday Special

Hey kids!
Here's a little treat for ya!
I don't normally post on Sunday,
but took a few days for Thanksgiving.
So ...
the first part woke me up on turkey morn at about 3 am.
The second part is just The Big Man's humor shining through.
Happy Sunday.
Enjoy!

Thanksgiving 2023
by Lyn Marinello

The turkey's in the oven and so begins the dance
to a grand, abundant feast and a tryptophanic trance.
Sweet potatoes on to boil, marshmallows lie in wait.
A Heavenly aroma begins to emanate.
A casserole of green beans; mushroom soup with onions fried,
and that crisping turkey skin which, by everyone's been spied.
The stuffing has been fluffed and the cider has been chilled.
It's a mystifying miracle that nothing, as yet's been spilled.
Cranberry has been plated as the gravy thickens up.
Plates are joined by napkins as it's almost time to sup.
The seats begin to fill, a joy lays heavy in the air,
hands are joined around the table as there comes a grateful prayer.
"The bounty that's before us, a repast by hands so deft,
is made minimal in import by those to my right and to my left.
I am thankful for your presence, indebted for our ties.
Now let's destroy this big old bird, and eat up all the pies."

Replace

I didn't write this,
but I believe it.

When we replace

"Why is this

happening to me?"

with

"What is this

trying to teach me?"

everything shifts.

Humble yourself

long enough

to improve yourself.

Thankful

Hello, friends and family.

Hoping, as you read this,

on Thanksgiving eve,

that you are preparing to

enter into the chaos that is

Turkey and parades and football

and inevitably an uncomfortable

conversation or two.

In all the noise,

please remember to take a moment,

breathe,

and realize

who and what you have around you.

Time is a fleeting breeze

that we need to embrace

and let wash over us.

I am thankful for the food before me,

the framily beside me,

and the love between us.

I am thankful

for you.

A Tuesday ponderance ...

A Tuesday ponderance ...

from Rumi

The quieter

you become,

the more

you are able

to hear.

Perhaps ...

shhhhh.

Glass Houses

These are the words that woke me up yesterday.

I know there are folks

it is written for ...

and there are folks

it is written to.

Hope you're in the right group.

Either way ...

keep it light and have a Monday morning chuckle ...

Glass Houses

by Lyn Marinello

Hey you, up there, in your house made of glass

passing judgement on others from your widening ass.

You scoff at small victories you deem minimal gains;

laughing at struggles that are really dirt on your panes.

You belittle the efforts of those made below;

forgetting your home's transparency provides quite a show.

You criticize freely, without thought; without care;

hurling barbs and big rocks from your 'castle' up there.

But it's long been a phrase unliked from said thrones,

that those in glass houses just shouldn't throw stones.

Here's something to ponder as you castigate all,

your pride's enormity will be dwarfed by your fall.

I offer a suggestion, with a humbled demeanor,

perhaps what you need is some strong window cleaner;

for the faults that you find in every direction,

may more aptly be your own broken reflection.

Two Simple Things

Two simple items for your weekend:

Expect nothing.

Appreciate everything.

You're welcome.

Enjoy!

Be The One

I found this
and Lyn-ified it!

:-)

Be the one

who nurtures and builds.

Be the one

who has an understanding

and forgiving heart.

Be the one

who looks for the best

in people.

Be the one

who compliments.

Be the one

who smiles.

Be the one

who cheers for even

the tiniest accomplishments.

Be the one

who brings light and hope.

But ...

most of all ...

be the one

who leaves people

better than you found them.

What's In A Name?

Mr. Shakespeare surely left us thinking, didn't he?

Let's take a moment here ...

and I'd absolutely love to get some feedback

on your name or your children's names ...

My mom thought she made up my name,

but I was basically named after a grandmother.

My brothers, say the rumor mill, 

were all named after old boyfriends or crushes.

We chose our kids' names very specifically.

Deanna Sarene was in total hope

in that it means "beautiful calm".

She's a Taurus and takes after her grandmother,

so the calm is a rarity, but she is beautiful beyond measure.

Miles Vinson is a nod to his Greek and Italian heritage

and directly correlates to his father's name ~

"merciful son of the conqueror".

People name their children for many reasons ...

familial lines, strong historical figures, gods and goddesses,

religious names, powerful names and peaceful names.

I've got friends who chose names tied to nature.

I've got friends who did alliterative naming.

I've got friends who chose names in opposition to familial names.

I've got friends who chose 'old soul' names.

I've got friends who did alphabetical names.

Naming a human is an incredibly personal and purposeful journey;

and that journey belongs to the parents alone.

For those that wish to judge ... have a few of your own and have at it.

For those that disapprove ... your approval is not needed.

In life, we are faced with a great many choices ...

how about we support one another and whomever they raise ...

My name?  Lynette Carol ...

Tiny, free, strong, happiness-singing idol

Magic

A wise W.B. Yeats
put this out into the world ...
and
it.
is.
beautiful!

The world

is full

of magic things,

patiently waiting

for our senses

to grow sharper.

There is magic

everywhere!

Trust

This is not mine,
but, boy howdy,
am I sharing!

Trust

that every time

something

falls away,

something beautiful

is coming.

I have a sign in my home

that reads:

Everything will be okay

in the end.

If it's not okay;

it's not the end.

These are some dandy tips

to carry with you.

Time for a Ch-Angel

It is time
to do what this blog is intended to do
and that is to acknowledge those folks
who are "Ch-Angels" ~
Angels of Change.
Folks, like this beautiful friend,

who live a selfless, beautiful life

of servitude and grace,

constantly putting everyone else

before herself.

She gives easily and completely.

She is kind and supportive.

She is tender and loving.

She is faith-filled and a true blessing.

She walks with passion and purpose.

I am so incredibly honored and privileged

to have had this extraordinary soul

stroll into my life

and decide to take up residence.

You make a difference, friend.

You are a gift.

I am humbled that you choose

to call me 'friend'.

Thank you, Ch-Angel Stephanie.

Love you much!

Thank You Veterans

I will take the weekend off
and leave you with this.

It is quite a lot to consume ...

The soldier's heart,

the soldier's spirit,

the soldier's soul,

are everything.

George Marshall

Me Mash

It says "Me Mash",
but it could be a "You Too".

Be stubborn

about your goals,

and flexible

about your methods.

The best thing

I ever did

was to believe

in me.

A Hump Day Chuckle

Just a little
mid-week levity
for you ...

Never blame

someone else

for the

road you're on.

That's your

own asphalt.

You're welcome. 

Enjoy the day.

In all Ernest

A little Hemingway
for your Tuesday morning ...

We are 

all broken ...

that's how

the light gets in.

And in our brokenness,

we shine ~

to allow others the opportunity

to be imperfect, too.

This ...

Learning and relearning this ...
frequently ...

Do

what scares you,

until

it doesn't.

Nature

It's National Play Outside Day.

Only seems appropriate

to introduce my latest work.

Enjoy and please let me know

what you think.

Nature
by Lyn Marinello

The secret of the mountains
        rests in the layers of its peaks
In the denseness of the forest;
        the peaceful quiet that it speaks
In the solitary paths
        along a flowered meadow's edge
In the moss upon the stone
        on a vista's craggy ledge
In the leaves that whisper history
        as the sunlight filters through
Upon the daintiest of daisies;
        in a single drop of morning dew
In the stillness of a snow
        as it coddles spring's new growth
Like intimate old buddies
        that keep a timeless oath
As summer shares its energy;
        abundance bathes the land
Kaleidoscopic colors
        ooze from God's autumnal hand.

What If ...

What if

you simply were content

with your thoughts?

What if 

you were happy

with your lifestyle?

What if

you chose to seek

the positive in others?

What if

you opted to find

good things in every day?

What if

can be.

Attention

From one Simone Weil:

Attention

is the rarest

and purest form

of

generosity.

Sometimes,

it is the tiniest,

most frayed thread

by which we

hang.

Thankful for the Years

I wrote this last year.
It embodies thankfulness and remembering and writing - all in one.
I know it may touch a soul or two out there.
Sadly, I'm aware, that far too many can relate.
I hope, by any means, that you enjoy.


Thankful for the Years
by Lyn Marinello (2022)

I'd rather celebrate your birthday, than mourn your last sweet sip of air.
Wander fondly through the memories, than choke on thick despair.
Rounds and rounds of golf and the trophies that we won.
You, on keyboard, in your glory, entertaining everyone.
Driving me to dance class; indulging tap, jazz and ballet.
Duets on the piano. Diffusing the Saturday morning fray.
Plaster of Paris parties. Typesetting Gestalt for days on end.
You never met a stranger; just another brand new friend.
The endless urn of coffee. Proud of my tricks in bars.
Craps games in the kitchen. All those St. Peter's Church bazaars.
Mending my broken heart with all the wisdom that you share.
Nervously cheering floor routines, throwing my body uselessly in the air.
So very many nights of varied music and of games.
Watching all our home productions. Sorting fists and fights and blames.
Allowing and instilling that we care for every stray.
Whether bi- or quadrupedal; you'd welcome them to stay.
Holidays were epic. You just left magic in your wake.
Stood strong against all obstacles; taught us to bend but never break.
Life, you said, is much like gambling. You've got to always roll the dice.
Be nice no matter what ... until it's time to not be nice.
The chasm you left is gaping. Some days, still, are hard to walk.
I want to pick my cell phone up so we can laugh and sing and talk.
The strength that you imparted helps me navigate those dips.
And I find myself quite frequently making use of your sage quips.
And with a photo or a tune, I'm occasionally overwhelmed by tears.
Saddened by the hole you left. Eternally thankful for the years.