Saturday, June 28, 2008

Encouragement

Perhaps somewhere along the way our paths will cross. If not, well, I'll see you back here in a week or so :)

May you express the gift of encouragement at the time needed to lift up a friend.

Check out this "youtube" link that shares one guy's song on the subject...

Central Station

Friday, June 27, 2008

Friday Fill In #78




Janet's note: Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes last week! As always, if you'd like to have your questions featured on the Friday Fill-Ins you can either leave them in the comments or email me at fondofsnapeATgmailDOTcom. Thanks!

Questions courtesy of Jennifer this week; thanks, Jennifer!


1. Birthdays are coming faster and faster.

2. Spring is my favorite season because new life is everywhere.

3. I feel my best when I take good care of me.

4. Grilled pork chops ;) is my favorite food!

5. First impressions are important, but not the only thing.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was "no one can take away your salvation, attitude or education".

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a concert at the amphitheater on the mountain, tomorrow my plans include a birthday party for my 16 yo and Sunday, I leave for a week of vacation!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

shades of white to gray


The voice of God in rumble
adeptly eludes the ear
Then eyes look up to welcome
mystery shown so clear
Clouds sun themselves with glory
from shades of white to gray
in them there booms a whisper
a subtle brief display



------------------------------------------
I snapped this one yesterday afternoon - it was a Wow! moment.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Faerie Name



Your faerie is called
- - - - -- -Bramble Goblinfrost
She is a bringer of riches and wealth.
She lives in leafy dells and bluebell glades.
She is only seen during the first snow of winter.
She wears bluebell-blue dresses. She has gentle green wings like a butterfly.




See "THE" (a) Faerie here :)

Interesting this random generator and my birthday in late November align.
Late November is as early as we get snow in my part of the world (North Alabama, USA)

Thanks Bevie!

Vertical Kiss

Rain, sure quick thunderous multitudinous “rain”

Soaked, completely wringingly clamorously voluptuously “soaked”

Laughter, ringing curing gaggling embraceful “laughter”

Led, easy cantering quietly tiptoeing “led”

To, at toward piercing arrival “to”

A, it oneness ohmmmmm superidentifiable “a”

Kiss, wisp plenteous trumpeteer soul-caress “kiss”


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ahhh, look at all the lonely people



Hazy at best, past unknown,
Future uncertain, where are we goin’,
Did we come from "no where" as some will assert
Bound for the same? Lives - eternity flirt
Look all around, have the faces gone blank
Is position worth seeking? try to make rank
Giving of self, not asking return
Freely give effort, never know what they learn
Touch a few others along the way we tread
The struggle is worth it, there’s nothing to dread

------------------------------------------------------

This picture made me think of the chorus line of Eleanor Rigby:

“Ahhhh, look at all the lonely people”

Monday, June 23, 2008

June 24 - Sign In - HoT #44

This week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS - Line

--------------------------------------------------------












every one should have a “line”
let someone know that they are fine
just don’t wind up a total schmuck
insulting a hottie buttercup

only employ words from the heart
makes the difference how to start
cause if it’s only from the head
you’ll get the look “that line is dead”

--------------------------------------------------------

Here are a couple of lines from some famous songs and a search result...

ummmmm---

“come on over baby, a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on” – Jerry Lee Lewis

“just let me be, your teddy bear” – Elvis

the supposed “Best. Pickup. Line. Ever.”

Tareq from NBC's Average Joe used the following on Melana:

"The simplicity of your complexity is the catalyst of my infatuation."

Week 123


Get it at Curious as a Cat


1) What is the worst thing you've ever said to your mother? Wild horses couldn't drag it out of me, I'll not repeat it! (don't you remember the soap in the mouth?)

2) If you could have avoided knowing about one thing during your life, what would it be, and why? Knowledge is power - I would like to know less about tragedies in this world if it would mean there are in fact fewer tragedies.

3) What is the strongest part of your marriage/partnership? Giving in to each other and being open and vulnerable to each other.

4) What would your heaven be like? As the old song says "Joy unspeakable and full of glory" - I like Revelations 7:16,17

"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Phone call for Mr Porcupine...

O! Mr Porcupine, what is that you see

to bristle, stare, gruffly speak, and display
your quills for me?

O! Mr Porcupine, we're minding our way
you're allowed to observe or even be involved
in your favorite way.

O! Mr Porcupine, you remind me of me
quick to get defensive, hackles up, posturing
or turn to run behind a tree.

O! Mr Porcupine, it is surely fair to say
you'll need a friend, so relax and smile
and friends will come your way.


Sunday, June 22, 2008

turquoise


turquoise lovely shade of blue green
the lines of yellow, white, red, black
the turquoise stone

the product of heat and pressure
a mix of inner earthen elements
the turquoise stone

the healing of the copper ingredient
the sheltering with love and connection
the turquoise stone

from http://www.proctormuseum.us/Minerals/Copper%20minerals/Copper-Minerals.htm

TURQUOISE


The word Turquoise is Old French for Turkish. CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.5H2O is the chemical formula for this light "turquoise" colored gemstone, which unfortunately is relatively soft and therefore often needs additional stabilization. All gemstone turquoise is not "turquoise" colored. Some are more greenish blue and some are very pale blue. Turquoise has been called the Turkish stone since the 13th Century A.D., possibly because the Turks used it so much. Turquoise was highly prized by the Aztecs. The Navajo people have used it for many years in jewelry making and they have high regard for this beautiful stone. Turquoise has been mined for thousands of years in the Sinai peninsula. There is a medieval legend that the color would fade if the stone was in contact with a sick person, but it would regain its color near someone who was healthy.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Expecting



Expecting you'd be there
I went to the party
Just a kind word in mind to share
Not surprising to find you weren't there
Isn't it time you forgot, it's okay

Reminders of days past float through
Mind clears, your face appears
No card in the mailbox
No meet up in parking lot
Isn't it time you forgot, it's okay

The flowers once shared
Some with cool butterflies
Sunflowers and dreams cause we cared
Others amazing, we didn't say goodbyes
Isn't it time you forgot, it's okay

The phone isn't ringing
Not a text or email
No one comes to the driveway
To share the evening away
Isn't it time you forgot, it's okay

So finally prayers answered
In ways most restrained
Miracles do happen
Assume we've all gained
Isn't it time you forgot, it's okay




Friday, June 20, 2008

If I had an band and made an album...



My Album.....
The cover...
Titled: For Believing In It (Subtitle: Hitch Your Wagon to a Star)
The band... Bright House

Another how to meme at

http://mindfulmimi.blogspot.com/2008/02/if-you-had-band.html

Photo meme... now you know the collage secret :)

Photo meme - kinda fun :), originally uploaded by jsarcadia.
"i-appropriated" from http://iloveagoodbook.blogspot.com/2008/06/photo-meme-kinda-fun.html


The concept:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name? Larry
2. What is your favorite food? right now? grilled pork chops
3. What high school did you go to? Phil Campbell HS
4. What is your favorite color? Green (I searched 'vert')
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Jodi Foster (i just saw her last)
6. What is your favorite drink? merlot
7. What is your dream vacation? a cruise - it's coming up in two weeks
8. What is your favorite dessert? Strawberry cake
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? Shepherd
10. What do you love most in life? I play an Octave Mandolin - maybe not most but up there high
11. What is one word that describes you? i searched 'articulate'
12. What is your flickr name? don't have one so i searched LarryG

Play along if you feel so inclined.

Friday Fill In #77


http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/2008/06/friday-fill-in-77.html


1. A smile is the universal welcome/hello, the always enjoyable but never attainable "attempt at making the corners of your mouth touch your ears".
2. Clue is my favorite board or card game.
3. I would love to have more family time in my life and less "dead time".
4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of the last balmy weekend before the heat.
5. I just remembered I need to (last time time this happened) pay the water bill.
6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: "but tomorrow may rain, so, I'll follow the sun".
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a party with a bunch of friends, tomorrow my plans include June birthday lunch with sister and daughter and Sunday, I want to raise cane (LOL) or maybe take a hike (literally)!

understand things


Long before Jesus told his parables to help us understand things, God the Father had told one of cosmic dimensions and as deep as the abyss: the parable of life…

The listener was immersed in this parable without any possibility of escape, for its “words” were made of things themselves and these could in no way be denied.

“Who can gainsay the sun?” asks the sundial indicating the passing hour.

When the sky speaks – above your head with its billions of stars; and the earth you tread speaks – the sensible basis of living experience: how can you escape logic which surrounds you?

How can you ignore the harmony and beauty of things, or disregard the energy and power of storms and earthquakes?

How can you escape the “absent presence” of a secret entity, the designer of a creative will and indisputable unity, of which you yourself are aware of being a part?

- Excerpted from Why, O Lord? by Carlo Carretto

Thursday, June 19, 2008

things


things...
there are things we use and put away, throw away, clean and store to use some more
there are things we ignore

there are things behind us, before us, with us
there are things that didn't work, broke later, never fail, get lost, are found, never seen

there are things we must have, want, desire, long for, find out later they're not worth it

there are things, even sayings about things "he who dies with the most toys wins" - "he who dies with the most toys is still dead" - "you can't take it (things) with you" - "things go better with coke"

there are things, for sports, music, eating, working, loving, living

what catches my attention are the ones of which we might say "some still awaiting my attention"

while we live in the service economy, things are designed to assist, to make life better, to makes us think we can't do without, (ever turned off your car to go back inside to get the cell phone)

there are things that wait, ever so patiently, and for the most part we are surrounded by things
-----------------------------------------------

"an entire wall of bookshelves filled with all my favorite books, a lot of them read, some still awaiting my attention." - http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/2008/06/escape.html

Playing with Food

Yesterday on the way home I ran by the grocer's. They had some lovely pork chops that looked great for the charcoal grill. Do you ever snag something and run home anticipating the meal? They turned out nice. I slathered them down with some bbq sauce, Bullseye to name the brand.
This worked out nice. I also had some steamed squash with onion and a pasta salad. For desert I went for some blueberries and whipped cream in the little cake cups. There was one left over, we set up a PAC-MAN photo-op with that one and the blueberries. Kids of all ages enjoy playing with their food. When is the last time you played with food?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

exceptional light

Yesterday evening somebody "up there" showed out.
The blue to yellow white, it got just right.
I didn't even have to stop as I rolled through traffic.
The sign, the line, the cloud, the exceptional light.

favs

take this survey at quizopolis.com
http://www.quizopolis.com/favorites_survey.php


number 32 (my old basketball jersey number)
color bright ones, i like a nice orange shirt
day Saturday, Sunday (not necessarily in that order - lol)
month November - Thanksgiving and birthday
song i love the shaker dance portion of Appalachian Spring
food steak over charcoal on my own grill - good cold fresh watermelon
sport baseball with the boy-o
drink diet mountain dew
candy gummy lifesavers (or bears :)
ice cream butter pecan
season spring (at least round here)
band The Reeltime Travellers (Raven)
movie Shadowlands ('93 with Hopkins and Winger)
website bloggers
animal penguins (for show)
item of clothing hats
word fecund
place within my heart there is a place of hope
recipe Chocolate gravy (I added this for my graphic)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

love and approval

thoughts in a muddle to express the inside --
tension in life, along for a ride --
love and approval, blurred lines are confusing --
redeeming the time, emotions bring choosing --
working out feelings, a struggle entrenched --
laughter expressive or completely tear drenched --
life and emotion, receiving with grace --
working things out part of the human race --

Beatles - Wait

None this week so... Wait is on my mind :)



http://headsortailshome.blogspot.com/2008/06/no-heads-or-tails.html

and

Heads and Tails is a weekly meme and the theme for this week is *wait* or *weight*.


Wordless Wednesday, a Day Early

Monday, June 16, 2008

"LORI" - an award



I might could get that lettering better... but I didn't feel it should be "too super."

Can you "read" it now :)?

first potential awardee.... MrsP - Lori check this out!!!

Tribute to the Springs


just beyond Jen’s vineyard

a prayerful dwelling chants

to rhythm of the bullfrog

a watery pool romance



the natural dam in alcove

the fishes resting stratum

reeds, willows, vine and flora

reflect o’er shimmering bottom


within this brace of nature

solitude brings imagination

time and again this calls me

to enjoin quiet divination


for there is found that mindful rest

where spirit can easily soar

to heights left unanticipated

the mind brings so much more


seek this place, a pilgrimage

could be near your heart

just behind the vineyard

the perfect place to start

--------------------------------------------------------


I received the photos from a friend (*** see credit) and could not resist an attempt at capturing magical nature with a bit of a poem.

Photo - inspiration credit to Shadow at http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/

Week Number 122

http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/

1) Who is the best-dressed person you know? "Susan" (especially the shoes)

2) What do you think the 11th Commandment should be? I always thought it was "God bless the ugly" (shouldn't I get one benie out of the bunch)

3) What was the biggest bridge you've ever burned? Any regrets? Cashed in my teacher's retirement (I won't participate in the system any more). Regrets? Not so far.

4) What action or event has made you the most proud? If you ever get a chance see the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, AL. I know our world is not perfect but I think we are putting the hate behind us.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

He looks a bit like Aidan Quinn if you asked me...

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Slot B - Tab A

Sometimes
4.

Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.


------------------------ from Red Bird by Mary Oliver
A collection of poems

Everyone has a story... just follow these instructions :)

A friend at church today was telling how he was bush-hogging an overgrown field. When he saw a beautiful flower there among the weeds. All he could figure was that it was put there for him to see. So he cut around it , leaving it there in the field. How cool is that?!?!?!!!!???

How about the new life below...






Saturday, June 14, 2008

spring offering



the offering is great beauty
yet purposely un - valued
by culture in big hurry
things deep within the mind glued

this offering, money cannot give
out along country road
the valuetoo great to name
perfect offering given... Behold!

so stopped did I and looked your way
hear cluck of thrush, cardinal's churay!
stepped lightly and with click on phone
offering came home... Hooray!

Friday, June 13, 2008

The Faerie Tree - Tomlin’s House


I renamed the post in honor of the brilliant story about "tomlin" in the comments...

The country folks would never cut the last tree or bush from a field when clearing.
Reasoning was this would destroy the last protective quarters for the "little people". And well if you upset the little people you've erred indeed.
So this tree remains in deep center field of a ball field and on the edge of a playground. notice the tire behind the tree.
It also speaks the wisdom folks expressed in days gone by. For it is wise to protect the places where your imagination springs forth. Allowing something to interfere with the imagination was obviously a considerable matter of consequence. And we would be wise to take pains to safeguard our own imaginations too. Anything that might have a destructive nature on that portion of our personality should be let go :) (in my humble opinion) - that's what this tree means to me.

So here tis...
It does muse and amuse me - i love it dearly...
I took the picture with my phone,
sorry the faerie didn't come through in the photo...
how do they do it???

I would love to hear your faerie tree story... comment or leave a link

my 98th post - 100 things about me (sort of)

If you really want to see this list
it is on my profile :)

One Crest of Wave

*This blessing by John O'Donohue is one of the most lovely things I have read in quite some time. Bless and Be Blessed, LarryG


For Eros


When you love,
May you feel the joy
Of your heart coming alive
As you lover’s gaze
Lands on your eyes,
Holding them,
Like the weight of a kiss,
Deepening.


May the words of love
Reach you and fluster
Your held self,
The way a silhouette of breeze
Excites a meadow.


When you are touched,
May it be the gentleness
You desire,
Your lover’s hands sending
Each caress deep into your skin
Like a discovering glance.


May slow sequences
Of kisses discover
Your secret echoes.


May your desire flow free
And never be fettered
By the thorn-chains
Of old guilt
Or crippled touch.


May you feel
How your soul loves
When you skin glows,
And your eyes darken
When promise ripens.


In the gaze of your lover,
May you see clearer
In the mirror
Of your own being.


May the silences
Be spaces where you
Can gather swiftly,
At ease with all
The subtle complexity.


May you be able to listen
To your lover’s heartbeat
And think only of the joy
You can awaken.


May you be able
To let yourself fall
Into the ocean of rhythm,
Unfolding even more


Until you become
One crest of wave,
Rising into wild foam


Whose beauty will show
In the graceful sweep
Of its home-breaking.

- John O’Donohue, excerpted from To Bless the Space Between Us, Doubleday , 2008
----------
My Note:
For all the lovers out there...
this was too lovely a blessing not to post.


Friday Fill-Ins #76

note from Janet: "Those of you with multiple blogs or private blogs...if you could add your link to the Fill-Ins, that would be GREAT!
I'm sorry I didn't get around to all of you last week; my Dad was very sick and in the hospital. He came home Tuesday and is getting stronger every day. Knock on wood!
As always, if you'd like to have your questions featured on the Friday Fill-Ins you can either leave them in the comments or email me at fondofsnapeATgmailDOTcom. Thanks!"

-----------------

1. Ireland is high up on my bucket list.
2. My favorite quote is "it's an old saying, I just made up"; it's from me (since about '81) so it may have circulated a bit. A dear friend had one they made up as a response to "what are you doing?" She'd answer, "Just shedding time." - I like that one too.
3. Love inspired me to start blogging.
4. Strawberries are best (period).
5. I called your name in the last dream I remember having.
6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is when it is just the two of us.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing with a book, tomorrow my plans include taking the kids to see mawmaw and Sunday, I want to see "her"!
-----------------

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Let It Go

Let it go - just simple words
to streamline space and time
put your worried heart at ease
keep simple words in mind

Let it go - it's positive
applied to a fresh emotion
one taking over and controlling
demanding unwise devotion

Let it go - a faithful mantra
reminds it's best to serve
not expecting to be waited on
or demanding "what I deserve"

Let it go - a freeing prayer
sent up on a wing
relax, believe, accept
much goodness it will bring

Let it go - a blessing
help to make amends
all is well, there's peace within
invoke this on dear friends

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Randy Pausch Inspires Graduates

This is a 6 minute vid...
he says some (imho) very important things starting at the 2 minute mark.

lost in the losing


excerpt from my journal June of '06
I was six months out from the death of my wife of 19+ years, mother of my three kids...
--------------------------------

What we cannot redeem God can and what we cannot erase God will. "Give and be blessed." Christ said in response to the people's cry. It is time to arise and go, saying "Give and be blessed." Have I given? My feelings are that you will use these gifts, I yield them to you, let the simple gifts give you the praise.

- Lord, today I ask you to allow me to let a little more of the hurt go. Not the memory, or the good, but the hurt only. I cast all my cares on you Lord.
--------------------------------

Hump Day!!!


TODAY IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED and DECLARED

"NO CALORIE DESSERT HUMP DAY"
therefore, any desserts eaten today are calorie free... lol


Mercedes Rocks


It is no accident to find in heart




It is no accident to find in heart,
Love there a year beyond a wondrous fall
Six months since breaking up it gives a start
No thought we’d meet, or greet, or tease at all
No lunch, nor meal, nor church, nor dance, nor mall
Yet in clear head this visage does remain
Reminder of the grace that love can gain.

Should fate tempt two as these in love once more,
Would life beg them cast this fond lot again,
It is known hearts are bound to wind up sore,
E’en if majesty outweighs any sin,
Shy will the two be, though they surely win,
Accept the lesson love’s storm has to teach,
Let go true lovers of the heart's strong leash.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Blessing For Freedom


For Freedom

As a bird soars high
In the free holding of the wind,
Clear of the certainty of ground,
Opening the imagination of wings
Into the grace of emptiness
To fulfill new voyagings,
May your life awaken
To the call of its freedom.


As the ocean absolves itself
Of the expectation of land,
Approaching only
In the form of waves
That fill and pleat and fall
With such gradual elegance
As to make of the limit
A sonorous threshold
Whose music echoes back along
The give and strain of memory,
Thus may your heart know the patience
That can draw infinity from limitation.


As the embrace of the earth
Welcomes all we call death,
Taking deep into itself
The tight solitude of a seed,
Allowing it time
To shed the grip of former form
And give way to a deeper generosity
That will one day send it forth,
A tree into springtime,
May all that holds you
Fall from its hungry ledge
Into the fecund surge of your heart.


- John O’Donohue, excerpted from To Bless the Space Between Us, Doubleday , 2008

Fun With Names

I just got this from skittle’s blog and had fun with it. I thought you might have fun, too! You can put your answers in comments and/or steal it as a meme.

  1. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (First 3 letters of real name plus "izzle") - Hogizzle

  2. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (Favorite color & favorite animal) - Green Pony

  3. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (Middle name, and current street you're on) - G Branch

  4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (The first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden) - Hoglafar

  5. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink) - Orange Merlot

  6. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (Mother's middle name and father's middle name ) - Farnes Hobson

  7. YOUR GOTH NAME: (Black, and the name of one your pets) - Noir Sindy

  8. YOUR SPY NAME: (Your name spelled backwards) - Gyral =) (ok so I left out an "r")
(It's important to do something for fun now and then - thanks skittle!)

A good beginning is half the work.



“Tus maith leath na hoibre” – Irish proverb

(A good beginning is half the work.)

Below is a blessing – it differs from a poem as the author says in the introduction to his book. “A poem has a first and last syllable, and in between it is its own force field. In contrast, the blessing form has an eye to the outside in order to embrace and elevate whatever is happening to someone.” (book reference below blessing)

For A New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.


Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with the energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.


Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.


- John O’Donohue, excerpted from To Bless the Space Between Us, Doubleday , 2008

HoT Week #42

HEADS - Flower
http://headsortailshome.blogspot.com/



F - Friend
l - lovingly
o - overtly
w - willfully
e - embracing
r - receiving

Flower, a beautiful offering of nature
Flow - e, the flow coming after flow -a - b -c -d...
Flow, the curve of a babbling brook
Flo, the lady at the diner
FL, the abbreviation for that state with the sand and beaches
f, in music this is forte or loud, and forte can be an area of strength or ability


Monday, June 9, 2008

the freak



Resentment, a freak in my neighborhood
close to us it resides - who thought it could
given a home by others nearby
in family or person who thought it would fly
away and leave, yet it stayed
away and leave, yet it stayed

Resentment, a freak in my house
it's staying over - get out you louse
but we opened the door in a time of disease
not thinking it might land, thought it would blow with the breeze
away and leave, yet it stayed
away and leave, yet it stayed

Resentment, a freak in my head
creeping around in there - making me dead
to the best that life offers, keeps me waiting and funky
not thinking or thankful, on my back like that monkey
that won't leave, yes it stayed
it won't leave, yes it stayed

week # 121

this from http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/

1) In what movie is the most violent scene you've ever seen? I thought the cold blooded killing in Private Ryan was the the most realistically violent. But I think the scene in Schindler's List where the commandant killed the building architect was the most brutal.

2) Of all the people you know, who would make the most successful TV evangelist? I have a friend named Brian, I think he could do it, everything he tells is bigger than life. But then he is the last person you would expect to become a TV preacher.

3) Who is the person who most deserves to be rewarded for something? I enjoy seeing my children rewarded - when it is due. Two of the three are classroom achievers and the other is an excellent vocalist.

4) When was the last time you cried and why? My heart was touched yesterday morning when I met with some friends to talk about our week. We were praying for one man's daughter who has a surgery coming up this Friday. He said she was very afraid, she is a teenager and is facing surgery on her elbow.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Photo © Cat. 2006
The travelers had reached their destination. It was an arduous journey. But not only had they found their way to Aunt Mattie's cottage deep in the wooded valley, Aunt Mattie had warmed the kettle and had a batch of her famous rabbit stew in the dutch oven. How she knew they would be arriving was a mystery. Folks that lived there said simply, Aunt Mattie has the sight. So, it was accepted that she could anticipate not only the arrival of company from far away, but also the departure of a soul from her circle of family and friends. It would never occur to Aunt Mattie to question the old ways. This was as much a part of living as the turning of the leaves in the fall, the coming of an early winter's snow, the blossoms in spring, or the humming of the cicadas in the warmth of summer.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

monte sano


Select the picture to link to the Monte Sano State Park web page.
The mountain of health :)
This mountain is the eastern boundary of Huntsville City in north Alabama.
The park is beautiful -
this is too close a drive to be neglected, that is too close for anyone in the Madison County area.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

a lovely day




This is a lovely day - and most of it ahead
I'm glad I've risen early - no need to lay around in bed
the sun is up it's humid warm, get out and enjoy
a lovely sunny green fresh day, man oh man, O! Boy!

Friday, June 6, 2008

"as yourself"


An "interesting fellow" repeated some "advice for the ages" with the words "and love you neighbor as yourself", these words have been around for a long time.

Yet getting into the mode is not nearly as easy as it is important.
The implication is that "I love myself" and further more that is the guide for loving my neighbor.
But what would happen if you "loved" your neighbor as you "love" yourself.

1. I am my own worst critic.
2. My expectations for me are very high.
3. I jump my case, judging myself much more harshly than I would ever judge a friend.
4. I don't take time to "love myself" with actions.
5. I often put everyone and everything ahead of me to my own detriment.
6. I don't set priorities, I let things happen. I don't set my own schedule.

Often times we are our own worst critics; being self critical reflects on how we treat people around us.

To restate, how I feel about myself shows up in my interactions with others.
I am just posting here to begin this process of "loving myself" so I can obey that old advice of "loving my neighbor as myself."

I'm afraid if I treated my neighbor like I do me they'd be sorta pissed at me :)

Friday Fill-In #75


http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/2008/06/friday-fill-ins-75.html


Questions courtesy of One Knutty Knitter; thank you, Knutty!

I'd love to feature your questions, if you'd like to leave some for future use please feel free!

1. Idle hands are okay, "just let it all go now and then ;)".
2. I love singing in the shower, (having someone there to sing to isn't bad either).
3. My favorite time of the day is when I get up, read, pray, and relax.
4. The last tea I drank was Lipton iced tea.
5. I like to be outside in the Summer.
6. My mother always said "wash up for supper".
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to hanging with the kids, tomorrow my plans include a visit to a park with picnic basket in tow and Sunday, I want to spend the afternoon by the river!