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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

DID YOU EVER WONDER...

Did you ever come across an old, run down building or discarded suitcase or other old item, and wonder what story it could tell if it could talk? I wonder about things like this all the time, hence my interest in taking pictures of dilapidation.

I was driving through McNeal, Arizona one weekend and on the way home there were so many old, falling down buildings and barns like this that I Just couldn't resist stopping in the middle of the highway to take pictures from the truck. Thank God it is a pretty lonely highway or I would have caused some serious accidents.

I think there is a part of me, maybe a part that has lived long ago, that sympathizes and wonders about all things past. I wonder who lived in this old house and why they had to leave it. How many families actually resided in it through the years, how many children grew up here, marking the walls with their growth patterns? I wonder if they planted that tree and how many gardens were sown and reaped there. I wonder why there is no fence surrounding the house. Did they use the whole field for a yard? Or just the back 40? Who patched the roof? How did it come to need patching? Were there curtains in the windows and what pattern was the fabric? I imagine a nice red or blue country print.

I find it so intriguing to paint a mental picture, especially with photographs, of how things used to be or could have been. I sometimes even go futuristic and think about how it could be if someone were to come along and make it new again. I hope I never outgrow my wandering curiosities as they keep me fresh!!!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

BEAUTY IS EVERYWHERE

Where do you find beauty? I find it in:

                • A cool Spring breeze
                • The smell of Jasmine in the air
                • The moon, in any cycle
                • Words/Writing
                • Photography
                • Friends
                • A hug from my son
                • Spending time with my mother
                • A brilliant sunset or sunrise
                • Morning dew on nature's beauty
                • Raindrops on my tongue
                • A walk
                • Fog
                • Wind
                • A leisurely drive to anywhere
                • My cat hugging my neck with both paws
                • The wind against my back
                • Tantalizing food
                • Sending/Receiving snail mail
                • Good health
                • Massage
                • Gardening
                • Meditation
                • Meals at the kitchen table
                • ...and things too numerous to mention

Saturday, January 10, 2009

WOW - I RECEIVED MY FIRST BLOG AWARD!!!!

Can you believe it? I was just tagged with my very first blog award. It is from Basia at SpiritSpace. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude Basia, for presenting me such an honor, and for the beauty and thoughtfulness you put into creating it.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU I'VE TAGGED:
These are the directions I received along with the award:
Come to my blog, take your butterfly, list my blog, then list 10 blog sites you would like to receive the same blog award, and list them on your favorite blogs. Leave the same message for each when you give them their blog award.


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Feeling so down, very confused, I don't know what to do;
It seems the further I try to forge, more steps I fear I lose;

I work as hard as I possibly can to keep us in the black;
but then comes that straw, that proverbial straw, that broke the camel's back;

I climb the uphill battle, to make ends meet and more;
I don't understand why my effort's defeated, this is getting to be such a bore;

I have a teenage son to raise, and all alone to boot;
Why does my plight go unrewarded, does anyone give a hoot?

I'm killing myself slowly but surely, to live the American "dream";
but I'll be damned if I'll let them win, no matter how weak I seem.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

PRECIOUS DAYS

Our life, as gifted to us in the beginning, is one large lump of time. Each individual receives this lump at birth and has only that allotted time in which to choreograph and shape what will become their life in totality. Some are blessed with more time than others, some are blessed with less, but the secret is not to waste a second of it. We must cherish every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every

year to the point that it could be
our last. That which is wasted on wishing we were older, wishing we were younger and wishing we had different circumstances, can nev
er be regained. Hold this time in your heart like a new born baby and cherish it as such. Laugh at everything possible, take joy in everything around you, love as often as you can, and befriend as many people that cross your path. In doing so you will enrich your life to its fullest.

Essentially, we are born into this world alone, we have to make decisions and live our lives alone, and we die alone. If we are lucky, we are born into families who nurture us and share in our lives, and as we get older we find friends and lovers to share with as well. If we learn to love ourselves, cherish who we are and love who we are, while all the while sharing ourselves with others, we can ask for no more.


Our children are on loan to us to teach and nurture so that they may go out into the world alone and choreograph and mold their lumps of time. We do not own them, just as wives, husbands, parents and siblings do not own each other. I think the keys to life consist of understanding two things: first, that you are you, basically one person on their own eternally, but able to share yourself and your time with others and second, knowing that we must not waste time with needless worries about materialistic ventures and ideals. Once you have these keys in your grasp, you can unlock the secrets to any realm you choose.

When I try extremely hard to shape my life into what I truly want it to be, it usually happens and I feel happiness from a soul depth. Other times I find myself working and going home and sleeping and complaining about parts of my life that bother me. This is wasteful and pointless, not to mention unhealthy. I am so thankful for this time that I have been given and have realized more frequently just how precious each day is to me and how much I want to fill up every day with the things that are important to me.

Make time now, even if it's ten minutes a day to keep for yourself, if only for a cup of tea or coffee, meditation, a favorite book or song, time with a cherished one, or time spent on a passionate venture.
You will soon realize just how little certain things truly matter in the grand scheme of things and just how free you can be.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS

Looking back on 2008, even though it was one of our toughest years so far, I feel strength and growth like never before. The old saying, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger," holds dear to my heart. My mother has just about beaten her cancer (I am still praying every night), my brother Scott is working on getting his health back from his setback, and I managed to find a job (having to take a $6.00 per hour cut in pay).

Most days I felt no younger than 92 because of everything they entailed to get through, but get through them I did.

The job is a blessing in that we are making ends meet, but barely. I am still looking for a job and think I might be on top of one right now. I have to go through a rather long application process, but it pays at least $9.00 per hour more than I am making right now and it is in the criminal justice field, which is what my degree is in, so I think it would be something that would really make me happy, while earning enough of a living to keep the house. Oy the turmoil.

Brice is such a blessing to me. He is growing every day in every way and I couldn't be a prouder parent. He is probably going to run away from home soon if I don't get my menopausal mood swings under control (and who could blame him). He is almost through his sophomore year and has become ever more the deep, reflective individual he's always been. I love the way his mind works and his sense of humor.

I had my first coffee table book published (see post below) and several calendars ready for sale. This to me was the most exciting thing to happen in a year necessitating challenge, hardship, soul-searching and just wallowing through the mire.

I want to wish everyone a very, healthy and HAPPY 2009, along with the years to follow. Thank you for dropping by my blog and visiting me. I cherish your comments and posts and the fact that you took the time to drop in. Please keep the comments coming and I will visit you as well.