Russian winter

It looks so lovely ~ this beautiful Russian winter. I am ‘captured’ at first glance by the blues’ hues. Feeling all cozy I downloaded the rest of my aunt’s photos. Suddenly my own winter feels more tolerable. Oh yes, I do love snow, but this is way too much for me.






Thank you Auntie Nett; no more complaints from me :)

In Time

Where the rocks meet the shore, there I wait
And search the horizon for the ship that comes for me

Oh blessed ship, do not delay until the dark
Lest my countenance fades at the roar of the sea


Only in my mind does the roar cause fear
Friends who said goodbye gave me hope and cheer
With promises of love they will meet me here
On a morning of new birth, in joy I reappear


Where the rocks meet the shore, I’ll return
The sun’s light greets the path of my new time

Oh blessed path what will you weave for me to learn
Within this life that gives me everything divine

In time~

Jolly good tag!

All the way from England my friend has tagged me to answer 19 questions. You can read his own tagged experience on his blog, “A Day in the Life; Dave’s Progress: chapter 104.” Participation is not required as it’s all in good humour/humor. I rise to the challenge, clean my keyboard, and thank Dave, for this jolly good tag!

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family? Any pet would automatically be a family member. I don’t have one right now.

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be? I’d love to see all the ancient architecture of the Middle Eastern nations.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you? The abuse of children seems rampant in this country. Some reach their teen years and commit suicide. Others like me grow up and find life a small struggle at times.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars? I’d make a plan to help children, elderly, homeless, hungry, and medically-deprived people.

5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood? Some sort of action, like singing, helps. A simple distraction until I subconsciously solve it.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone? Both of these are a blessing. Giving love is the most important thing we do. Receiving what you have given is a treasure. Either way, keep your acceptance level high, and your expectation level low.

7. What is your bedtime routine? Hahahahahahaha!

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner? I met my husband at a group setting for drug addicts 20 years ago!

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be? I would like to have been with God as He created the earth. Then again, maybe I was, and that’s the secret of life.

10. What kinds of books do you read? Writings on ancient civilizations intrigue me. Books on creativity and ‘fix it yourself’ projects are great. Anything Stephen King, Ayn Rand or Fyodor Solzhenitsyn; yes in that order.

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time? I suppose I’d use a mirror. (Haha) Tag me then! Seriously I’m more comfortable staying in the moment.

12. What’s your fear? “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Fear turns to love and I experience peace within.

13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space? No. I'd have to wear a space suit so I can’t touch it, feel it, or breathe it in; might as well wait until I die when I can meld with it. Anyway… give up junk food? Are you crazy?

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor? About the time I say I’d rather be married but poor, my husband might die and I’d be single and rich from life insurance.

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? I say “good morning,” to the Lord.

16. If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be? I’d get rid of the migraine headaches he gets.

17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be? Jorja Malloy… no particular reason; I just like the sound of it.

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done? I’d certainly try to work through the situation with the end goal of forgive and forget.

19. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be? Chicken!

Well, my tag adventure is over. Thank you, David, for this jolly good tag. Don’t believe a word! (LOL) Now I have to pass this on. Who will I tag? Will they participate? (LOL)

tiny birds

You bring me joy
As you sit upon the limb
Such tiny birds
Appeal to every whim

You huddle close
A fluttering of the eyes
Just then a peep
As the sun begins to rise

Your sleep is done
Time to take a morning flight
My feeder waits
Where I watch with great delight

Sweet voices ring
Songs and sounds that lift my heart
When you must leave
Say goodnight before you part



Image title: 'birds on branch 006a'
From: “The Graphics Fairy”
(See my blog reading list.)

A talking gazebo

December 26th we had a wonderful snow day.
My parents’ home is a magical place to see.
Their gazebo is placed in the perfect spot to see sunrise and sunset.
It speaks to me and its memories are sweet.

Small brown birds visit daily. Bright red cardinals perch on the rail.
Blue hydrangeas bend under the weight of the snow; their time passed.
The evergreens in the background add color to the scene.
It speaks to me and the memories are sweet.

Loving parents did the best they could with their talents.
I am a product of both, and everything, since childhood.
The gazebo gave us hours to speak and be understood.
It speaks to me and the memories are sweet.

Each season has its beauty and darkness.
Accept both and wear contentment as an answer.
The gazebo gave me hours to listen and understand.
And now~ it speaks to me and the memories are complete.

squatter's rights

Snow play

Once again we have received a beautiful snow. Falling all night and now all day, I can’t wait to see the animals play. I did the best I could do to capture their fun and frolic. So without further adieu: “Smile for the birdie.”




‘Little Cardinal’ has fallen in love at first sight.




‘Snowball’, if we let you out, we might not find you later.




‘Susie’ hopes ‘Snowball’ is outside so she can chase her.




‘Noble’ is a dog for all seasons, and never meets a stranger.



The end~

Dusting

Winter brought a sweet, sweet snow
Dusting every tree and hedgerow
Whitened limbs with twigs and leaves
Envelope those who make-believe

Children warmed by hats and gloves
Are spying on the morning doves
Children’s tracks will disappear
Doves will fly away from here

A snowman built they circle him
And start a house of holly trim
He must be safe before next day
In case the sun comes out to play

Winter brought a sweet, sweet snow
Sleepy children still aglow
While all outside the wind is gusting
A second round of winter’s dusting

Heads or tales

One day I went to the nearby nursery to purchase plants; specifically the Oriental cabbage. Having arrived I traveled row to row inhaling the wonderful scents of winter flowering plants. I was captivated by the Red Bud, mesmerized by the Holly, and the Pine took me back to the past. Somewhere in-between the Paper Whites and the Hibiscus, I spied the cabbage of my choice!

The nursery used little red wagons to help you collect plants for purchasing. You simply load what you want and take it out to your vehicle for unloading. Little red wagons were everywhere! Oh, and I spied an even bigger-sized one; guess that was for transporting trees.

At home I took the Orientals out back and clustered them together. You know what they say: “Two heads are better than one.” Surely seven little heads would look really nice?! But~ I noticed that something was missing; something that had previously added to the picture of delight. What was missing? My head went ‘round and ‘round, thinking, wondering, and then… aha!

Tomorrow I shall be going to the hardware store in hopes of finding a little red wagon.

My head has finished this tale. Bye for now.

Ode to a friend ~ unconditional control

Can’t you see me? Can you see me~ I’m so lonely, so lost?
This better not rhyme because I’ve already paid a high cost
To love, to hate~
To all the things that make me ache

Don’t you have control? You have control~ of my love, my heart.
What was I thinking to give you that from the very start?
To goad me or guide me~
To hesitate dismissing your plea

Please change me, rearrange me, into whatever makes you want to stay.


Won’t you stay? You won’t stay because inside I’ve already told you, ‘no.’
Already, ready for your sigh; your last goodbye~
But please don’t go.

A breath of stars

What is it that I have taken in over the years I’ve lived?
Dreams allowed access to my heart as truth~ so young and not so smart yet.
At my age can I now be considered wise?
No, but I consider myself happy.

Do I release my dreams into the night air, like a breath of stars, into the sky?
It can be a single exhale~ I’ve no need to hold back.
Send them to safety and commit them to occur as they will or will not.
So many dreams prompt me to exhale more than once.

Is it better to give than to receive, believing the gifting is the greater blessing?
It is our dreams that move us~ we join in this universe of breath.
A breath of stars sent from each person to the sky.
To fall upon us later when we are ready and find our happiness from within.

Snow glow 2010

On Christmas evening we left a family gathering heading home. The closer we got home the more flakes fell; slowly getting bigger and bigger; coming down faster and faster. The excitement was electrifying as we pulled onto our street. What some often call, “the Christmas smell” was in the air.

My hometown meteorologist said it was the first Christmas snow, here, in two hundred years. I’m not sure about his stats, but it was the most beautiful I can recall since the 1960’s.

I stood out in the driveway snapping photos, while far off two churches were sounding evening chimes. I found myself praying that we have a small bit of snow to appease the children, and yet, not be burdensome on the homeless. I’ve come to believe that only God knows why things are or come to be as they are.

The next day the wind was blustery; snow swirled from branches overhead to the ground. You’d have thought it was snowing again. We didn’t get that much snow but the sense of quiet and peace it brought was joyfully received. Since then I feel so much more alive!

Wishing each of you a very Happy New Year~

Thank you for reading,

Dixie

Christmas Peeps

Four little babies, lying in the bed ~
The first one rolled over, and this is what he said:

“I really want a train that runs along a track ~
And I’ll be good for Christmas, or you can take it back.”

The second baby said, “A football would be cool ~
And I’ll be good for Christmas, obeying every rule.”

The third baby contemplated every single toy ~
And soon he fell asleep, counting everything as joy.

The fourth baby frowned and finally said these words ~
“I want a room all by myself; not huddled with these birds.”

The warmth

As a child this scene was so familiar. A glowing fireplace shared with the season of Christmas. How often I would lie in front of it and reflect on my world. It was with great delight that I stayed right there, very still, and absorbed the warmth.

Climbing for Christmas

One Christmas morn I felt quite hardy
Excited for the family party
I took a trail that lead uphill
The sights and sounds gave me a thrill

Then halfway up my toes went cold
This great idea was really bold
The bright lit sun beamed on the path
As if to act as warming bath

But cold arose as I went higher
My toes began to feel like fire
The Christmas gifts I packed with care
Were dragging lower on the stair

I focused on the love and peace
Of every nephew and every niece
Their happy smiles would greet me there
But first I must climb up this stair!

I reached the top with happy shout
Then to their home for thawing out
The crazy climb made me a star
But come next year I’ll drive the car!

Walking in light

I’ve read so many blogs recently; so many wonderful writings. Why bother to write one of my own? Why bother sharing my thoughts, experiences, and silliness? Why not? I love to write and when I’m ready the words just tumble out.

At sunrise I sat at my desk looking for my “Yanni” cd. It’s purely instrumental music that inspires me; “Music that soothes the savage beast.” Yes, there must be a beast within because I feel so calmed by this music. Lost in the music I allow my mind to travel, yet let go of thoughts. Where have I been?

Visiting other blogs allows me to glean from their life. I see a blog as a child carrying his or her light along a path. A path that may or may not intersect with mine and the light I carry. Adults honoring our inner child in ways we may not realize. It is always the child who carries the light. It is the adult that develops the strength to share their light. And in sharing, we light the entire path.

Thank you~

Picture credit: “The Graphics Fairy”

Forest Fruit

It is the first day of December
And the pine, in beauty glows
On its limbs the fruit await
To reach the forest ground below

Their silent fall will touch the earth
Where they wait until they're found
By happy children toting baskets
Gather all, then homeward bound!

Shopping time ~ Let it snow

Oh ~ it’s shopping time
People rushing to and fro’
Hurry, hurry, got to go
All I want is lovely snow.

Oh ~ it’s shopping time
Out to buy the perfect tree
Gifts that pile up to your knee
If only I had learned to ski.

Oh ~ it’s shopping time
Buy some hats with matching gloves
Gifting them to those I love
For snowballs from the stuff above

Let it snow.

Stress Management

Just in case you are having a rough day (week, year, and life), here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals. The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile.


1. Picture yourself lying on your tummy on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.


There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already.

Tears

Tears like leaves do not fall until ready.

There are ten bags of leaves by the road, with more to rake.

I think the tears are on the way.

Meld with peace

Realizing my mind plays tricks
The days go by and I’m not fixed
But on the morrow of my sorrow
I meld with peace and find myself.

* * *

The nights of sleeplessness may have brought me, yes lifting up in crescendo, to a pain I don’t want to know. I lie there as if waiting for the axe to fall upon my neck; my life verily severed. It is then that I wonder how much more can I take? It is often the quiet moments that bring me an answer.

I sat and watched the movie, “Avatar” for a third time. There seemed to be something missing but I don’t know what it could be. [Now the television is advertising a new version, “coming to a theater near you.” Seems the director and producers are reentering some scenes they previously edited out. Okay.] During my third viewing I saw what I knew to be a problem with my own reality. There are people who want to destroy what other people believe in. Speaking metaphorically, the destruction of the “Soul Tree” in “Avatar” was meant to destroy their beliefs. Destroy it and you destroy them? Can that be?

The “bad guys” in the movie wanted the special minerals in the soil. They learn that the biggest deposit is under that tree. They learn that that particular tree is the most prized possession of the people living there. Does that stop the “bad guys”? Has it ever? It gave me a good idea of what “corporate-run military” looks like; soldiers of fortune for hire [call 1-800…].

There are many tragedies I do not understand. Life is full of painful actions and reactions. My own perceptions may mislead me. It is then that I must retreat to a place I’ve come to know as my sanctuary. My own “soul tree” waits as I learn from my behaviors, and move another step closer.

* * *

I meld with peace and find myself.

Welcome August

It's a cool day. The temperature is almost 20 degrees less than the previous weeks of days. The skies are overcast with a yummy gray... not to be confused with that dank looking dark gray. The colors found in the trees and surrounding foliage reflect their colors upward. It's quite mesmerising.

Hold on, I've found a small ray of sunlight. Welcome August!

outdoors

I’ve grown accustomed to my yard.
I stomp the earth beneath my boots.
The flowers growing make me happy
And the beans all make me snappy…
~inhale slowly-exhale slowly~
Ah yes… I’ve grown accustomed to my yard.

(Find some time to enjoy the outdoors.)

A prayer for Susan

My dear friend
please surround her with loving arms
invisible and yet
feeling your presence

Give to her more than you would me
give her so much more
stop her ache
dry her tears

Annointed one of everything good
I trust your way
help my friend today
and through tomorrows...

Summer warmth

All winter long I wait for this. I wait for temperatures to reach the nineties. Add some humidity and it's 104 degrees Fahrenheit. So warm, but to the bones it feels great! It's like a warm bath soothing my achy muscles.

This is one of my favorite places to sit. Thanks to a very dear friend who takes care of the yard. I miss the days when I could do it all.

Here's my 'cool off' tip: take a bottle of water when you're sitting outside. When you get too warm pour a small capful of water on top of your head. Even if the water is warm it will feel cool.

Have a great summer everyone!!

Accountability

Big fancy word, accountability. I had to ask myself, "how many miles would I be willing to give up driving, to save the oceans? Would I be willing to see family less often? What products that use petroleum would I give up as well?

So began my questioning of my actions. I can sit here and say I didn't cause this gulf mess, however, I do use fuel. So I could say they're drilling for me. Only I wish they'd ask if a five mile below surface drill seemed the smart thing? I would have told them to invent another product conducive to 'life's' continuance. Every night, on the news, a parade of animal life is dead arriving on the shoreline, or else floating upon the waves.

Alas, Global Greed at it's finest, forsaking accountability? Nah, I don't think so. I think there's more to it. More will be revealed as time goes by; keep watching.







*A correction for my previous post, please note: Joni Mitchell wrote the song, "Back to the Garden." A big 'thank you' to Paige!

Now...

"We've got to get ourselves back to the garden."

~Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Taylor, and Me.

Scallop fettuccine

Ah vacation time!

This summer all flights are being diverted to the Gulf Coast. It's a promotional thing that sponsors "fine dining by the sea; thus refueling the plane and the people simultaneously. It's an ideal idea. It will be fun to watch them pull in crabs and scallops from the shore's edge.

You may want to 'question' that scallop fettuccine with the brown sauce. Reminds me of the good old days and Oysters Rockefeller.

Monsters in the ocean

In the ocean
Where the monsters bleed
In the gorgeous depths
Where everyone can feed
Life is fast approaching panic
But the companies are having fun
There’s money if they wait
More money, if they’re late
Fixing the monsters

What is Celibacy?

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by
circumstances.

While attending a Marriage Weekend, Walter and his wife, Ann, listened to the instructor declare, "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other."

He then addressed the men, "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?"


Walter leaned over, touched Ann's arm gently, and whispered,'Gold Medal-All-Purpose, right?'


~And thus began Walter's life of celibacy.

Phil and Buster

Washington, DC was the sight of a giant protest today. Canines from across the country came in for the “take your pet to work day.” Congress showed a lack of concern for the loss of trees within the USA capitol.

“It is becoming progressively worse as time goes on,” according to one official dog, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “I cannot share with you the action we pursue, but stick around. When Congress breaks for lunch, you’ll see the problem we face.”

Several agencies, along with Phil and Buster, have teamed up to confront this head on. “We may have to bark quite loud, but we intend to be heard,” said Buster.

His pal, Phil, sat back, snickering: “Oh yes, and wait until Congress try to use their toilets. Those bones we flushed are set to return. That’s what we call “Phil and Buster to the rescue.”

Photo credit: came to me in an email with 37 others; I liked it.
Story: I made it up, though, there’s always someone protesting something, in Washington, DC.
Moral of the story: “Save the trees” or “can we simply flush bad politics?”
Resolution: Plant more trees? No more “take your pet to work” days?

Saturday's storms

A friend called to make sure I was okay, having been through Saturday’s storms. Sure I was fine. She said that on the TV news were stories of terrible winds, hail, and storms, in my area. Not me, I had wonderful breezes, gentle rain, and a nice cool wind.

Later when going to the store I noticed my neighbor’s house. Oh my! Just a couple of streets away from me and the damage is irreparable. One of the community’s two hundred year old trees had cut the house in half. Really; it looked like a raw egg had been cracked open, everything spilling out, onto the ground around it. The foundation cracked apart and the house shifted off of the foundation in many spots. I was grateful to hear it had been sitting empty for two weeks pending some renovation work.

I never heard a sound. My home was so quiet, except for the gentle rain against the window. I'm so glad that house was empty.

two rolls please

I step lightly, going forward, into my path; is this the way I'm supposed to walk? For now I think so. I think I need to move easy through what appears to be a maze or picture puzzle.

When I realized I had started another seven year cycle of age, I knew there would be changes. There always are things that I let go of, and things that I obtain. So it's not surprising that I rediscovered something from a long time ago.

I bought two rolls of bubble wrap. Here's to making it through this next seven year age.

in the yard

Most of my weekend was spent out in my yard; lots of flower beds to tend. This is a favorite Iris. It's a fast spring this year, as summer plants are already popping up.

~That's all.

living amongst the cheap

I made a reservation with the city-county office to take a special driving course. My own insurance company was allowing a ten percent discount for those who completed it. Oh hey, I can do that. Sure, I was calculating the monies saved and where I would use it; never gave a big thought as to where the course would be located.

The advert said, "Learn to drive on rough, rugged terrain. Wind-swept, breathe-taking dunes await your arrival. Enjoy your extra time at lunch visiting our shops!"

On the morning of the class I arrived at the chartered bus stop; just a one day trip, they said, so I packed light. It was slow going at first, with the driver verifying every one's reservation. Still I was so excited, I almost missed the fact that we only traveled half a mile before we stopped. We stopped?

Oh the visions of grandeur that left my brain in a two second flash. We pulled into this conglomerate of parking lots. We were at a mall that had been closed for quite some time. A gigantic oval of sand circled 'round and 'round, and I thought: "I don't know what to think about this!"

It was rough alright. The sand was anything but still, shifting constantly, with highs and lows that made me nauseous. Cute, little fake palms trees disappeared when Mr. Wilson did his "James Bond" spin. Then Mrs. Spencer ran over them, dropping her transmission and a load of trans liquid into the sand. "Not to worry!" she yelled as she stepped out of the car, "they use sand at the race track, to take up spills, all the time."

Finally my turn arrived, and I stood there looking at the utter destruction of the driving course. "Excuse me," I addressed the instructor, "how can I complete the 'sand dune run' without a sand dune being there?" The sharp shrill of a whistle met our ears, as he called everyone to go.

The bus driver handed out an 'exit surveys' - asking students' opinions of the course. "Oh well," he says, "there's always the great shopping here."

Charity begins at home

Kitty Hawk Beach sunrise - the Outer Banks of North Carolina


It’s an old saying but one that needs to be paid attention to: “charity begins at home.” Knowing what we have, what we need, and what we can give away, is empowering. For me it evokes the ‘fruit of the lips,’ of saying praises and thanks.

Lately I’m reminded of what I have that needs nurturing and care. Within myself there is much to be thankful for. The changes I’ve been able to make that give me strength; better choices envelope health. And when I’m not worried or bothered about my health, I can move on to other areas that need renewed attention.

For the better part of three years I’ve forgotten me. You cannot imagine. It’s like I woke up one morning and said this is now going to stop. Out of the air, something like a scoop of magical dust of maturity, hit me like a brick. I needed to give to myself. I needed to recognize that I was losing me, otherwise.

So if I don’t write very much or very often, it’s due to my new choice. Maybe you know how free and fully I want to live. This blog is simply not big enough for me to live within.

My Mom use to say: “Man cannot live by bread alone, he must have peanut butter.” She also said, “Charity begins at home.”


(A special thank you to Heather P. for her wonderful blog that touched my heart this week.) Blog title: "Soundoff"...see my reading list!

Iceland's volcano: Eyjafjallaokul in our thoughts