Tag Archives: Love

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The Path Unknown

 

Photo by Muzzamil Soorma on Unsplash

Changes, changes, change is good.  And here we are, everyday changes.  Dramatic change full of upheavals and high emotions and a wave that is thrusting mankind forward.  Whether we want to go or not, we are going and no one really knows where. There are those of use who are full of confidence.  They know their path that they will follow and there are others that will flow with the tide. There is a pandemic, it’s seems to be relenting. In my part of the world it is not.  There is also revolution.  The abused have had a enough and mankind is joining together to create change that is good.  So all can live without fear and terror.

Photo by Derick Mckinney on Unsplash

We had an earthquake the other day and I didn’t even care.  It seemed trivial to the new way of life that was settling upon us.  People are craving socialization, but fearful that this may lead to a surge of new cases and then the Pandemic will never end.  We mourn the many that we have lost over these last six months.   Our loved ones, our friends, our elders.  We are realizing that there is most likely no going back and that our lives are now forever changed.  The masks, now everywhere are a constant reminder. I miss seeing smiles.

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Most of all, I see courage and hope.  I realize that we have to  let go of fear and forge ahead.  Because if we just sit and let disease and injustice loom over us, we will never be free, we will never have joy. I watch the brave first responders and our brave protestors march to their assignments, to somehow change the world for good.  It’s beautiful to see the human spirit rise and soar for justice and to save others.

My first experience with protest was in the 60’s.  Now, memories of the marches,  Martin Luther King’s and Kennedy’s assassination, are so clear it’s as if these events happened yesterday.  The Black Panthers, Angela Davis, The Women’s Lib movement. Woodstock. Protest was everywhere and it filled a dull black and white world with technicolor and opened the doors to new ideas and experiencing a new way of living.  Many sacrifices were made that made life better for us all.

It’s not the end, this is the beginning, just like many beginnings before this one. Tough, scary and the unknown and a challenge to the human spirit.

So, I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I know that if I wake up tomorrow, I will be looking for answers and learn to live well with what life gives me.

Photo by Aaron Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

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Aquarius Moon

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

In honor of tonight’s moon in Aquarius, I found this piece published over a year ago to celebrate tonight and the beginnings of new journeys.

Can I say I was thrilled when I learned that we were headed out of July and into a new month very soon and part of that meant that the new moon was in Aquarius? Yes, I love astrology. Do I live my life by astrological predictions and the phases of the moon? No. Astrology is fascinating to me. It’s an ancient science that goes back thousands of years and has endured centuries of changes in our world. We can learn a lot about our world, the space that our planet is hurtling through and how is this possibly affects the human race.

So what does it mean that the moon is in Aquarius? Well, the astrological sign of Aquarius represents philosophical ideology, humanitarian works, creating a better world, excellence in communication, quick intelligence and having fun in everything you do. Aquarius is an air sign and air signs usually act quickly and perform fast. Many people become slightly confused when they realize that Aquarius is an air sign, because Aquarius is the water bearer. It makes sense though when viewed from the perspective that water is necessary to life and that abundant water translates to abundant ecosystems and thriving organisms. Symbolically, Aquarius is bearing water and all it stands for to the universe. Knowledge and compassion flow from beloved Aquarius.

How do we make this auspicious time work for us? Do as an Aquarian would do. My first and foremost thing to do like an Aquarian is bring my people together. Gather up your loved one and friends and have a celebration. Include everyone you know from all walks of life and watch how different people from different worlds can connect and click. Plan a fundraiser or some event that’s for your favorite cause. Post good things that are happening in the world on your social media accounts and promote, promote, promote!

Next,it’s time to pull out those projects that have been on the back burner for who knows how long? Time to start working on them and complete them. The stars are telling us that to ignore these projects may result in a backward flow of good energy if not utilized for actualizing a better world.Like an Aquarian don’t delay, but remember to always stop and smell the roses, have fun, like an Aquarian would do.

I was blessed to have an Aquarius as a parent. When I was seven my life was thrown into chaos by illness of a family member. My Aquarius dad made lemonade out of lemons. Every weekend he took us into nature, despite his grueling career as a pressman. We regularly camped at Salt Point on the Northern Coast of California and treked up to the wild coast of Fort Bragg and beyond. We camped in the Sierras, Yosemite and Gold Country. He drove us back far into the mountains on dirt roads there were nearly impassable and showed us that the world was beautiful and we were capable enough to survive anything that life threw at us. He taught me to build things and how to forage for food in the wilderness. He bought us farm animals to care for and guided us how to keep them healthy and serene. Everyone I ever brought home was welcome. He loved and accepted people from all walks of life. So, yes, I know about Aquarius first hand. I learned about adventure, love, compassion and communing with my fellow man from an Aquarius and am grateful for those gifts.

By the time this is published, the moon is waning, but the door has been opened. Beyond that door are good things waiting for us all in this new moon of Aquarius.

Photo by Julie Tupas on Unsplash

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My Girl’s Boy

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

I was really tired, bone tired. I was in the maternity ward waiting room at a world famous hospital far from home in the middle of the night at 2 am. I was trying to rest and laid across several seats, using my purse as a hard, but sufficient pillow. Across the room sat my in-laws. They were trying to make pleasant conversation, but I was reaching the bottom of my energy barrel and had to make a move or fall into an uncomfortable sleep across the hard chairs. My first grandchild was on the way and I wanted to be there for the great event, but it looked like I wasn’t going to make it. Work, commuting and other life stuff had used up most of my energy reserves for the week already and I was running mostly on sheer will and the desire to see the birth of my grandchild.

I hiked over one last time to my daughter’s room. Her labor was slow and precarious. This was the third day and we were all worried. I felt that she was in good hands with a medical team that was well known all over the world for delivering babies safely.

Photo by Saul Ruiz on Unsplash

She was still awake and had not had a good sleep for the past 72 hours. Her husband, part man-part angel, was by her side. He only left to use the bathroom or other necessary human tidying up. Otherwise he didn’t leave her side once. He held her, massaged her, dressed her, bathed her and took her phone calls. He talked to her and kept the ambiance positive with unwavering faith that she and the baby would make it safely and they would have the family they had always dreamed of. I felt like crying everytime I saw them. I was helpless to make a significant human difference in the situation, the only thing I could do was pray and have faith that it would turn out ok.

They told me it was ok to go home. The plan was that I would stay with them for a week after, to help them adjust and help with caring for their new son. So, I went home and then the call came about four hours later that he was here and she was fine. My new grandson was healthy, with high Apgars and my daughter was relieved and new mom euphoric. She was now a mom. I wish I could have witnessed it, but thoughts of going to meet him and see him took over. I was excited to head back over to the hospital.

Returning to the hospital I was caught up in introspection. A birth is an everyday miracle. It happens four times every second. Few take it for granted. It’s the most beautiful thing that can happen to a human being or to be witnessed. To see new life emerge. Brought about by a spark of divine energy. Life is everything. Basically, it’s all we’ve actually got. Without life, nothing else could exist and things would have no meaning. We humans seem to need things. Sometimes lots of things, to make us appreciate ourselves and our time here on Earth. Many people of the world live in poverty and they don’t have things. They live without the material stuff and still manage to love life, their family and make everyday count. Faced with starvation and exposure to the elements on a daily basis, they reach deep within for strength and meaning. This is the deep human instinct to live.

I saw a great show on television, that showed cultures from around the glove. One family literally had no home. Just some wood posts and fabric. But they experienced joy everyday as evidenced by their smiles that lit up when a family member was there or approached. I thought that this was the gift that we received everyday that was priceless and better than anything else. Life and love.

Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash

I arrived at the hospital and there was my daughter, son-in-law and my new grandson settled in nicely to post delivery mode. My daughter looked exhausted but elated and was skin to skin with her son. My son-in-law was full of joy and stood by protecting his brood. It was a gorgeous sight. I felt myself getting weepy again and then the tears just came anyway, even though I struggled hard and painfully to keep my emotions in check. They wrapped the baby carefully and placed him in my arms. He smelled fresh and of life springing from something primordially. He was calm and perfect to me.

Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash

A new generation was here to carry on and bring goodness to the world.

Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash

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Father Time and Flea Medicine

Photo by petradr on Unsplash

While I was getting ready to apply my pet’s monthly dose of flea medicine the other day; I noticed a date that I had added in black sharpie ink. What stood out about the date was that it wasn’t the previous month like it should have been. Because you are supposed to apply the medicine once a month and two months had passed since I recorded the date. And I realized that I had been swept up in living, filling each day and night to the brim. And as I got busier and busier, time passed and it passed unnoticed. I realized that my resolve to relish each moment of precious life was slipping.

This one little very important chore that brought relief and comfort to my beloved pets, had been passed over without a thought; just as time had passed too. How many days had I missed without watching the sunrise which was one the most beautiful sights in the world? How many days had passed without thinking of how thankful I was for the blessings I had received?

I realized that this applied to so many things in life. Especially in our current times. We have so much information and so much to do. This life is so entertaining and as we enjoy all the offerings, time swiftly passes. Hopefully we immerse ourselves in each moment and that in the end we’re happy with our journey. That we can say we are ok with the way it went and that we are satisfied with the things that we took the time to love and pay attention too.

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Hello again, you dog

Photo by sarandy westfall on Unsplash

The pug ran towards me, flying through the air like a flying dragon. Her eyes wide with excitement and her little body wriggling in excitement. She looked amazing. She had just completed a three day stay at her favorite resort; the local vet. Her eyes were big and glossy, her fur shone. Her features were animated. I realized that the staff must have had quite a time with her and played with her often. When I made my payment to pick her up, the girl appeared a bit let down and said with a sigh, “Oh, you’re picking up the pug!”

I crouched to pet her and secure the leash to her collar. She wriggled in delight that it was time to go home. She dashed out the open door and sprinted to the bushes. The excitement had overwhelmed her and her bladder kicked in to relief mode. She finished her business and then off to the car. She was too short to get in, so I lifted her up. She was supposed to jump over to the passenger seat, but she set her round bottom right into the middle of my seat. She faced the steering wheel and panted, ready to go.

“No, you can’t sit there”, I instructed her. I tried to push her over, but she sprung to life and jumped down into the pedal area beneath the steering wheel. That definitely would not work and I picked her up again and placed her into the passenger seat. She spun around, sniffed and snorted and looked for any crumb she could find. I could see this was not going to be a peaceful ride home.

Finally, after a few calming strokes to her wrinkled brow and guarantees that she would be home soon; she settled into a rhythmic pant, pug breath perfuming the car cabin. I wistfully thought of the McDonalds on the corner and wondered if a small order of french fries would cut through the fog of pug steam in the car. She would be delighted to have a snack and the fresh fries would temporarily replace the smell of dog sinus. I pulled into the drive thru in search of a cure for smelly dog.

Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

We soon had the fries. I had to divvy them out, so she didn’t consume them within seconds. I wanted the fries to last at least fifteen minutes; the time it took to drive home. I placed a fry in front of her nose and within half a second it disappeared. She licked her lips and panted for more. Except now her breath smelled like french fries, mission accomplished!

So we sped down the interstate and I managed to hand feed the pug french fries in a timed fashion until we reached home. We pulled up in front of the house and there were still at least half the fries left and I hadn’t gotten one. I opened the car door, anticipating she would jump out, but she sat and waited. Her eyes locked on the bag of french fries I had left on the car console, her nose hopefully sniffing the air for just one more.

 

 

Reluctantly she decided to get out of the car and jumped to the grass. Once on ground, she sped into the house and to the kitchen to her favorite spot; her dish. She never gave up that hope, that there might be more food-the meaning of a pug’s life.  When the food didn’t come, she proceeded to find me and follow me around.  I was the best show in town.  Everywhere I went in the house, she was there.  Her eyes lovingly fixed on my person and anything I was doing. She watch rapt with attention and followed my every move.  I wondered what she knew and if she had retained the how to of the many goings on of everyday life.  Did she know how to cook, do laundry, take a shower, do yard work, do the bills or organize household items? She had watched me do these things so many times, I wondered how much she remembered. She definitely knew the location of things in the house and she was prescient about my moods.  The minute my mood went up or down she rushed over to see what was up.

 

Pug parents know the attentiveness, the love, adoration, devotion and infallible companionship that pugs  give to their owners.  And like icing on the cake, they are playful and love to perform tricks to make you smile  and laugh.    Pugs can become a whirling dervish at the site of loved ones and treats.  Twirling and twirling with joy with the anticipation of going on an outing to the dog park or shopping.

It was wonderful to have her home again and she seemed to love it too.  It was hello again to this loving little pug.

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T-painting

The onsies clung to small white handled  bags and dangled from various locations throughout my home. They were on lantern hooks, the front door wreath and the bookcases in my small library.  A blue laundry line traversed the expanse of my kitchen and onesies dangled from blue clothes pins painted in fluorescent and bright colors of every hue. They waved like flags saluting the joy of parenthood and inviting spectators to the event of a new life soon to enter the world.  Messages and love notes from family and friends.  We created wishes with our own hands  for a joyful and happy babyhood.

 

 

We ended up with 50 painted onesies. They were painted by women aged from 4 years old to 79 years old. Each creation was unique. Some hilarious with clever sayings to entertain my daughter and her husband in the darkness of night and some with sweet messages conveying love and caring. Sayings  that would cut through the fatigue of new parenthood, while the new parents were immersed in an endless cycle of feedings and diaper changes for the next two years. Maybe more if they continued to expand their brood.

 

It was a big baby shower.  I wanted to gather everyone there that had been there for us over the years. And new friends too.  Some of them were my daughter’s new friends through marriage or her teaching position.  So here we were; laughing, painting, creating and hosting a party.   The women gathered in and there definitely wasn’t enough room for us all. White rental chairs lined each wall and some of my friends had to sit in the hall.  I tried to make it around to everyone for at least a small chat and was fairly successful. We reminisced and shared our favorite stories.

We had mini 7 layer bean dips with huge corn tortilla chips.  Frozen grapes dipped in vanilla meltaways and rolled in slivered almonds. There was a croissant bar with chocolate humus and honied butter along with cold-cuts and cheese. Baby blue punch in glass decanters with spigots tied with sparkling blue ribbons.  I had kept my head in Pinterest for months looking up recipes and baby shower concepts. They ate and told me they loved the food- they never knew I could cook like that. I had been planning, practicing and plotting for months. The preparation had been an event in itself and  one of my favorite parts of the party.

 

 

 

Games were played, gifts opened.  The time flew and before I knew it, we were picking up chairs and taking down decorations. Sweeping up glitter and pulling brightly colored tissue paper out from underneath the couches where we had stuffed the paper to make room .  The onesies floated back and forth in the cool December breeze.  California sunshine poured down through a cloudless and brilliant blue sky drying the new baby couture.  Smiling faces and kind words floated around me.  After the guests were gone, we had tea. As we sipped, we reviewed the day, the highlights, the catastrophes, the sighting of new and old friends, the joy and the fun.

 

Baby Shower Onesies Activity:

Needed: Dreft(to wash the Onesies, Onesies(any brand, lots of sizes), small paper bags(to be used as hangers), twine, clothespins, paint, brushes, disposable wipes or old clothes to clean up messy hands and floors, aprons(optional), disposable vinyl gloves(optional).

1.) Wash the onesies prior to painting in a baby friendly detergent so the material will shrink a bit and assume a natural shape.  This ensures that when the new Mom washes them, the entertainment will go on, because the painted sayings won’t shrink or get distorted.

2.) Utilize fabric paint.  Fabric paint is the only paint that will be sufficient if you want your works of art to last and the color to hold.  The paint is non-toxic to baby and is easy to work with for novice artists.

3.) Buy bright and fun colors.  No explanation needed for this one.

4.) Buy a multitude of inexpensive disposable brushes made of various materials; such as sponge to create unique prints.

5.) Twine and clothespins. Tie the twine and secure between two nails. Do this  in an area  where you can easily wipe up spills and you don’t mind if it gets sprinkled with paint.

6.) Hang a line with samples over the activity area, so guests can get inspired.

6.) Laugh, make jokes, get creative and have fun!

 

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Falling Into Fall Love

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Fall is a time to love. It’s coming quick. We are in the last summer days of August. We had some heat and we had some unusually cool days too. What we did not have was rain. But here comes fall anyway. Falling leaves, new colors in the naturescape, brisk air and excitement of the holidays on the way. The stores become bright and fun with an array of merchandise that’s beautiful and jolly.

Fall is a time to get warm and love finding ways to do it. Building a fire, finding the perfect cozy blanket and drinking warm, comforting drinks. Fall is for cooking-serious cooking. Baking and stewing and creating delicious new foods that are hearty and full of spices. Foods that are sweet and warming that bring joy to the belly and the brain. Foods that when you take a bite, you become alive with warmth and joyous memories. It’s almost ridiculous what food like this can do to you.

It’s a time to be with friends and love ones if you have them and love life with the very core of your being. The season is about celebration and everyday is perfect for a new reason to do something fun or meaningful with anyone you can get to come along. It’s a time of year that’s inspiring and awesome.




Every year of my life has been punctuated by the brilliance of fall and all the wonderful events that take place this time of year. Even as a small child, memories were created that were embellished with sparkles and glowing lights that emphasized the joy and warmth of the season. It started with the excitement of going back to school. The anticipation of meeting a new teacher and seeing if everyone was still in your class. Halloween rose over September like a big hot air balloon filled with spooky treats and stories and the fun of creating a new costume, different than last year and of course, always better. The anticipation of hiking city sidewalks in the dark with crowds of parents and kids dressed up and asking for candy. Going from door to door and your neighbor excited to see you and wanting to know who you were.

Halloween evening passes at a brisk pace. First the preparation and then the rush home from work before it gets dark to get the kids ready. Then we are out the door and into the first really cold night of the season. We walk, we smile and call greetings to new and old friends. Up and down pathways we go and then our legs are tired and it’s time to head home. After counting the candy, we pass out and fall into a deep sleep.

The next morning we wake up to a new holiday rising. The promise of good food and family love and friendship. Thoughts of huge, juicy turkeys with steamy apple and nut dressing oozing into the baking pan. Golden apple pies shimmering with a dusting of sugar and cinnamon. The promise of Christmas, further away, but a shining light that will guide us into winter.

The leaves are golden and glorious and falling; leaving branches bare in preparation for winter. Animals scurry to collect the last portion of their reserves for the coldest days of the year. They prepare their nests for nestling and staying warm during a long winter’s sleep.

Fall is here. For one more time, one more year, we prepare, we enjoy and fall in love with life all over again.