So here it is!  Another new year with its expectations.  Probably, or should I sey definitely, there will be surprises in store.  I certainly hope so.  What would life be like if there were none?  In theory, it sounds good, but if we could program all our desires and plans in for the year and know they'd all play out perfectly, I'm sure we'd be disappointed. Particularly if our program doesn't sync with those we want to share time and space with. There would have to be an "abort" button...

    Out of the warm house into a cold, dark, foggy morning I went today, wiped moisture off the car windows in order to see more clearly and not run into anything, turned the ignition switch and announced to the neighborhood I was leaving with a screechy noise that only sounds out on cooler mornings.  I completely understand the car's attitude about wanting to wait a littler longer, until brightness and warmth wake up to greet me.  But alas, our taxi duties and my choice of wellness activitie...

Now where is it?  I know it's here somewhere.
I had it just the other day and put it somewhere
that would be the logical place it should go
and where I'd look when I wanted it.
But, I've looked several times where
it should be, and it's not there.
Where could it be?

Maybe, I decided it should go somewhere else
and have blocked out where that somewhere is.
Or maybe, I took it out and didn't put it back.
In which case, I laid it down somewhere.
How can I figure out where that other somewhere is?

Okay, I ne...

To All My Mothers and Other Friends

            In this life, I’ve had many mothers, relatives, in-laws, friends and their mothers, mentors and teachers unbeknownst to whom I owe great debts for being part of who I have become and aspire to be.  I am a montage of their strength and tenderness, boldness and meekness, humorousness and seriousness, faith and doubt, order and chaos.

            Besides giving me a home during my grade school years, my dear Aunt Mary, you planted unconditio...

I complain about

the cold weather outside

while I sit on my bed

in my cozy fleece robe,

amid comfort-filled quilts

from family and friends.  

Here in my own room full of books,

mementoes, partially finished projects,

a closet crammed with clothing,

some just taking up space,

and “my life and loved ones” 

picture gallery, I sip hot tea,

play games and communicate electronically.

In open exposure and barest

of shelters, some hunker down

under whatever scrounged ma...

A pile of grocery items in a corner of the kitchen,
and a collection of camping gear
near the garage door--clues
of our family’s weekend plan. 
Lists on the refrigerator door, what to buy,
what to remember to bring along.   
Aromas of fried chicken, potato salad, and cake;
lunch for the first day, wrapped and put aside.    

Clothing selections laid out, to be packed in a suitcase.
Tent, sleeping bags, camp stove, axe, fishing gear,
air mattresses, towels, lawn chairs, stools, and lanterns
loa...

See It, Hear It, Feel it?

Within the cold December air we inhaled

were sights and sounds that attached

themselves forever our sensual

strolls through pre-Christmas.

Houses with decorated doors and bright trees

centered in living room windows,

a contrast against winter-white frosted

ground and rooftops.

Central Avenue, decked out with

lights, mechanical window scenes,

bell-ringing Santas and bundled-up,

bustling humans spewing smokey

white streams of breath.

Singers, alon...

Advent Pasts of My Childhood.

Receive our thanks, Lord, for the many blessings we have-- that we have the basic needs of warm shelter, food and clean water, as well as an abundance of love of family and friends.  We are especially thankful for the safe arrival of all around our table today. 

As we enjoy the food before us with gratefulness to you and all who have contributed to it, we pray for those who will have little or no food or shelter.

As we enjoy the company of each other here, we pray for those who are separat...

    It’s been almost nine months now since I moved into this house.  Although I pared off a lot of my possessions off, I have a sizeable coating remaining which I have been attempting to even out into an evenly distributed, appealing aesthetic.  Professional decorators would probably describe it as “partially contained clutter.” 
    So far I have some surfaces and walls I’m satisfied with.  Others are still in progress.  The arranged spaces have a lot of stuff which I suppose could be...

    I got home last night from vacation and am feeling satisfied, comfortable and grateful for both the break in routine and to settle back into the familiar.  I’m always ready for a venture, nearby or farther out, to look at and taste a new environment or activity.  I browse through local and getaway opportunities as I do cookbooks, searching for a different experience to blend into my ordinary meals. Often my interest is raised as I notice combinations of ingredients I hadn’t considered...

I give thanks to God:

 
for all the women in our lives,

Mothers all—biological, adoptive, “step”, surrogate,

pastors, teachers, friends, daughters, bosses, coworkers,

aunts, grandmothers, granddaughters, mother-in-laws, sister-in-laws

daughter-in-laws, aunts, nieces, cousins--

all females who contribute

to our health and well-being,

those who have and continue to plant mustard seeds

of love, faith and power in this time

and those who have planted in the past,

whose harves...

   As I was brushing my hair yesterday morning, getting ready for church, I was a bit surprised to see my Aunt Mary staring back at me from the mirror.  It was about twenty years ago that my father had said I looked like her, but I didn’t see it at that time.  Yesterday, it was there.  I smiled back at her and thought I’m honored if I’m like her in more ways than appearance. 

   I lived with my Aunt Mary, Uncle Lowell and Cousin Darlene during my grade school years after my parents di...

I’m sorting through the contents of boxes for the 4^th time in the last year and a half.  How many items will I actually need and use?  What are some of these things?  (As sure as rain in the Northwest, if I toss one, I‘ll discover it was a necessary part of something that won’t work without it and can’t be ordered because the something has been discontinued.)  Lives of sundry stuff have seen only fleeting moments of light as they’ve moved between boxes, homes and states.  Others dis...

What am I missing?  Sometimes it seems like a lot when I see all the empty space in my basket and look at my lists of dreams, intentions and goals.  As another years closes, I wonder what more I'll be able to gather in the time left.  I'm not so concerned about the things as I am experiences, places and activities.  The desire to taste more of what's in the marketplace.  Why?  I guess it's to see if I've been missing something that would somehow make life richer.

Then, I wonder what that could...

    Or in this case to the beat of the Energizer Bunny.   
    This morning, Andrea left her body behind and took the trip around the world she assured me she would be taking for free to see all the places she hadn't visited yet.  I suspect she is giving it all her studied, practical assessment and will be taking her recommendations to Management.  I'm also sure she is enjoying the beauty.  
    If I were to devote post after post to extoling her virtues, they would stretch across more time tha...

    Patience is one of my greatest qualities.  However, it is also one of my worst faults.  Sometimes, waiting turns out to be the wisest response to a situation.  Things have a way of settling down and sorting out as they would with or without my jumping on a horse and riding in at full speed.  That doesn't mean though that I am calm and serene as I wait. My mind is filled with possible solutions and fear over what might happen.  I pray and pace and consider what I might say and how to say i...

    Today I feel like I've been standing on the running board of an old car while it is going down a bumpy road at full speed, around curves and over small rolling hills.  At least, hanging on has required my attention and kept it away from my gloomy situation predicitons.  I just hope I can stay on through the weekend as I don't forsee being able to slow it down.  
    What am I doing with my retirement freedom?  Sorting out possessions and emotions, writing, putting off things I need to do a...