Category Archives: Uncategorized

What’s Valuable to You?

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Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. ~Estonian proverb

The other day, Monkey and I were walking along when a truck pulled up beside us, slowed, and its window slid open.

‘I’ll give you $15 for that dog,’ said the stranger with a twinkle in his eye.

I thought about it for a half-second, then replied, ‘You know, there are days — like when I have to pick up this (and I showed him Monkey’s filled poop-bag) that I might take you up on that offer.’

We had a nice chuckle before he drove off.

The encounter left me pondering how much — or how little — we actually value things in our lives.

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Practice Before Perfection

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Things could be worse. Suppose your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player. ~Author unknown

Our symphonic band’s first concert of this year took place over the weekend and despite practicing, despite some of us being involved for four (or more) years, we finally found a way to crash and burn.

It was bound to happen, but it wasn’t pretty.

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Growth and Changes

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God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them. ~Author unknown

Sometimes growth and change happen in the smallest of ways. Ways nobody really notices.

Other times, the differences hit you like a load of bricks.

Most bloggers love when readers remind us to do an update on something we posted that piqued their interest. Something they wanted to fill in. “The rest of the story,” as it were.

This post will attempt to do just that.

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What is a Friend?

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It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend. ~William Blake, English poet and painter

I don’t know why we stayed friends as long as we did, but it’s my opinion some friendships are destined to die.

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Flying

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If the good Lord had wanted people to stay on the ground, he would have given us roots. ~Author unknown

What is this contraption? At first, I thought it was a parasail, but it doesn’t fit that definition. Then I guessed hang glider, but I think I’m wrong there, too. Finally, I hit on motor kite. Agree?

Today I’m playing something called Photo Shorts. The rules are simple: one photo, a brief written accompaniment, and must feel like fun. Fun is good, right? And we all can use more fun, especially at this hectic time of year. You can play as often as you like. Join us, why don’t you?

Deserted

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It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. ~Author unknown

I

Sit here

All day long.

Vacant, empty.

Dreaming of the past,

When I was loved. Needed.

When I kept a family safe

From storms, robbers, and other ills.

Love and laughter filled my rooms, and I

Felt secure in fulfilling my purpose.

Now my family’s gone, and I sit alone.

My lawn untended; my paint peeling,

Grass in cracks, weeds overflowing.

Who will fix me up again?

Will someone please buy me?

Will someone love me?

I can give much!

Don’t let me

Go to

Seed.

Note: Monkey and I pass this ranch-style house on our morning walks, and it never fails to sadden me. I hear the elderly owner passed away several years ago, long after his wife had died and their kids went to live out of state. A daughter came to look over (and, I assume, take what she wanted) after his death, but she hasn’t been back since. There’s no For Sale sign outside. This poem is a Double Etheree.

Twenty Years Later

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God is closest to those with broken hearts. ~Jewish saying

Yesterday, I made my own pilgrimage of sorts.

Back to where I was 20 years ago, when I first heard the news of the terrorist attack on our nation.

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Gone Too Soon

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In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years. ~Jacques Barzun, French-American historian and writer

I just learned that one of my former teachers died last year … from COVID-19.

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Coping with Disappointment

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There is no thief worse than a bad book. ~Italian proverb

Don’t you just hate spending time with a book that disappoints you?

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Crazy Bird Lady?

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All around the cathedral, the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can’t see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares — Mary Poppins

When I recently got a flat tire after hitting a chunk of wood the wrong way, I had my car towed to a repair shop for a replacement wheel.

But when I was notified the job was finished and they didn’t have anybody free to bring me my car, I had to scramble to find a ride.

I called a taxi, and that’s where the “fun” started. Continue reading →