December 2010

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Smile!

December 31, 2010 in Inner Thoughts

Smile! 12-30-2010
Have you ever noticed that you feel uplifted when you see the wonderful perpetual smiles of a dolphin or a Golden Retriever? They’re born with them and are blessed to be able to bring joy to so many just by being. There’s a lesson there.

People have been even more uptight this year, in part due to the earth changes, spiritual changes, and most certainly from emotional changes that are exacerbated by the energy shifts going on. For example, look at the expressions of folks in grocery stores who are either on a tear, racing through the aisles, or others who appear almost bewildered as though wondering why they’re even there. But if you can catch their eye, try smiling; give a little nod, sort of an “I understand” communication.

The response doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you did it. Nine times out of ten, you’ll get a smile, albeit puzzled, back. The result? You feel better and so do they. It’s like seeing the Golden or a dolphin … it lifts the soul, takes a bit of loneliness out of life. And if you’re not careful, you might even find yourself humming, wondering what changed. Especially heartwarming is the smile you share with by a small child sitting in a cart or in a restaurant who’s a bit unsure at first, but then offers a big smile, maybe even playing peek-a-boo for a few seconds.

So it’s not a New Year’s resolution … those rarely work for me … but make it a life resolution. Smile and the world smiles with you. It’s joyful and contagious and so good for the soul!

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Messenger of Truth 1

December 30, 2010 in Poetry | No comments

I saw the tiny flower as I walked the morning trail.
Its shining face smiled brightly but its size made it seem frail.
Five petals, brilliant yellow, stood out against the earth
And brought my footsteps to a halt, stopped by the flower’s mirth.

I felt a message coming from this shining star of life,
To see the glory of the day and not have thoughts of strife.
To take me out of past and future and plant me in the now,
To realize this is all I’ve got. It hit me with a pow!

It said to share my joy with all, to pass the word along
That life is short and can be lost by following the throng.
By forgetting to slow down a bit, I’d miss the part of living
That brings the extra happiness that comes with heartfelt giving.

I laughed and whispered thank you to this Messenger of Love,
And wandered on my way again, with a promise to Above
To live each day as though it is the first and, yes, the last.
To share a smile makes life worthwhile…it’s over much too fast!

The picture of this blossom is imprinted on my heart,
And presents itself with vividness when I realize with a start
That I need a quick reminder of its lessons strong and true–
To bless the day and live in joy… and wish the same for you!

Return of the eagles

December 22, 2010 in Life on the lake

Eagles for blog

December 22, 2010
Our eagles are back! Well, sort of “our” eagles. A few houses down, a big ponderosa pine flourishes on the bottom half and is dead on the top. It’s a perfect spot for the magnificent birds to perch while scouting the lake for their next meal. Their annual winter return is an event the whole neighborhood looks forward to, as well as half the town.
All summer we enjoy a family of osprey that share the same tree, and it’s fascinating to see them dive bomb the lake for fish. We also watch the graceful Great Blue Herons glide over the water with their wide wings and long necks. A family of five swans plus one bachelor/bachelorette have chosen our lake as their home. Mom and Dad won’t let the loner near them no matter how much I talk to them about friendship. Sigh. I think the whole crowd will be spending the snowy, cold winter here. There are several places where aerators keep the water open for fishing.
Most people look forward to the holiday season?-the festivities, music, colors, smiles of good will, and being with family and friends. We do, too, but with the same anticipation and delight, we look forward to tracking the lives of our feathered friends, especially the eagles. There’s a continuity that’s comforting as they herald the beginning of our beautiful, and sometimes challenging, Colorado winters. I’ve always loved the change of seasons (I grew up in New England), and appreciate each one for what it brings.
And now the snow is turning the trees into a fairy land, the ground white for snowballs and Santa, and colorful lights sparkle on the tree. Yes, all is right in my world.    (Some photos compliments of Ned Abbott.)

Family is in our hearts

December 14, 2010 in Family

December 13, 2010
It’s our grandson’s birthday today … his 13th. (He’s one of eight grandkids … yes, we’re truly blessed!) But I started thinking. (That makes my husband say, “Uh, oh.”) Unfortunately, our birthday boy lives 1,500 miles away, not a quick drive in the car to help celebrate. We’ll talk with him later when he’s home from school, but of course, that isn’t the same. Missing him brought up other “wish we were together” thoughts … all the events we miss in the kids’ lives. But since those kids, old and young, live all over the United States, it would be impossible to fully take part in their daily lives.
But here’s the truly wonderful part. When we talk on the phone or get to see them, it’s like we’ve never been apart. They’ve grown taller, voices change, interests change. And we’ve definitely acquired a few more wrinkles. But they still love their Grammy and Grampy just as we love them … unconditionally, completely, be-there-on-the-next-flight-if-needed kind of way. There may come a time when we need to move away from this place in the mountains we love in Colorado or we may have to move for any number of possible reasons, but right now, it works for us.

Christmas is coming, and this is the first year in a long time we won’t be with family. On the other hand, we’re so blessed to have dear friends who will join us for the holiday, for a turkey with fixin’s, my mom’s famous apple pie, and wonderful music. One of the friends is an extraordinary pianist … he’s written a fascinating book about his amazing life … and others who love to sing (my husband being my all-time favorite), so it will be a festive event. I wish the rest of the family could be here, too, to take part, but we’ll get together on the phone or maybe even on Skype.
Thanks, Brandon, for reminding me that distance is only as much as we experience in our hearts. We can all connect that way, and sometimes that’s just the way it is. Jim and I thank God for giving us all these kids, all ages, to connect with in the very best way!

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The Purple Leg

December 6, 2010 in Poetry

My dad and I exchanged poetry for years, and I must say, most of his is much more interesting and creative than mine. But it was fun and a wonderful way to connect. This is one of mine, a true story and appropriate for the season. I love his return admonishment. I hope you enjoy …

In January of ‘74, I spent a rather memorable ski weekend in Utah with friends. We skied Alta the first day, a wonderful experience. But the next day at Snowbird was a different story. I still have a dent on my shin?and it really became a case of …

THE PURPLE LEG
by Judy (Drews) Horky   Feb. 1974

Apprehension made me shiver,
My hands began to quiver,
As the Doctor said, “Hey, wow, that’s quite a bruise!
That leg must be suspended
And your body kept upended
For eight days?now will you to that, Mrs. Drews?”

“Ho, ho,” said I, “you’re joking!
How about a simple soaking …
I’ve got three boys and a husband to look after!”
“But surely for their mother
They can cope with all the other.”
(I noticed in his eyes a touch of laughter.)

I got as comfy as I could,
And the heating pad felt good,
As I prepared for sympathy from the clan.
They said, “Hey, gee, that’s tough
But it doesn’t sound too rough.
By the way, we’re starved?when’s dinner ready, man?!”

I really hate to beg for service …
Being helped makes me feel nervous …
But I asked, “Could you please heat the kettle for some tea?”
The kettle started singing
And the telephone was ringing?
And the kids, doggone, had all deserted me!

When all had left for work and school,
I thought, by gosh, you’re no one’s fool.
Relax, enjoy your days of leisure life!
But as I glanced around the room,
My spirits sank to depths of gloom?
The mess was such, I groaned, “I need a wife!”

Socks and shoes were scattered,
The family room was battered.
The breakfast dishes the table did adorn.
The milk was on the doorstep?
If I could only take one more step
To let the dog out, barking all forlorn.

As the laundry pile grew higher,
And the family’s needs grew dire,
(“I’ve worn these socks three days now in a row!”)
I thought back on that day I skied
Off Snowbird’s cliff, all weak-kneed?
The edge that caught, the somersault so slow.

The ice and snow were unforgiving,
And I feel lucky to be living!
And confinement really isn’t all that bad.
But Dear Lord, I have been wondering,
Could you do some rain and thundering
And let that Utah mountain know I’m mad!?

<<<>>>

**I sent this tale of woe to my Mom and Dad and received this somewhat less than sympathetic answer …

POOR JUDY
by Vic Bowen

The picture that you painted
With poetry so well
Gave evidence that household chores
Have simply gone to Hell.

I ought to feel real sorry
But I really must admit
That people who go skiing
Deserve just what they get.

I hope that in the future
When your wish to ski is great,
Your accident in Utah
Will make you hesitate.
<<<>>>

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WRITING-MARKETING-LONG DAY!

December 1, 2010 in Writing Soul Shift

12-1-2010
Oh my, what a long day … week, month. Writing is definitely the easy part of being a self-published author. With some luck and positive thinking, “Soul Shift” should be available on Kindle on the 2nd. I’ll post that good news on FaceBook, but for the moment, I’m going to just trust. Now to figure out how to get “EarthShift” on it, too. Of course, the next step will be to upload (if possible) to IPad, Nook, and so many others. If they use the same format as Kindle, I just might make it. Such a new and different world?and it’s challenging for those of us that dig in our heels at adapting to new things.

Thanks to Bill Hudson, I now have a creative and quite dramatic flyer to send out where appropriate. I have managed to put together a Christmas letter with photos, and since we just never made it that far last year, I’m quite proud of myself. (Big smile) Thanks to Jim, we’ve signed, sealed, stamped etc. and are ready to send them out.

I have so many stories I’d like to share on these Journals and will get them sorted out now. But it’s Wednesday and it’s Nello’s Night. That means that from 5-7, we go to our favorite bistro and listen to incredible music. (OK, so it’s oldie jazz and it’s singable and danceable, and there will be so many good friends there.) My husband sings songs like “Kansas City” and “Wonderful World” and “Birth of the Blues,” and I’m his favorite fan. Makes my heart jump around, still. Then he dances a jitterbug or two with me. Sigh … what more could I ask for!
Until next time …