Morning Thought

 Stepping Out

 

Can’t start from where you were.

Must start from where you’re at.

Assess your situation.

Visualize your destination.

What’s your next step?

Take it!

Just a Thought

 

Agreeing to Give a Talk

 

I find myself

Out on a limb

Hoping if someone waits

To cut it off

Someone else will catch me

flowers Poetic Asides

 

Details

 

As I tramped through

forest and field

at the nature center

with five first graders following me,

I marveled

at the purple, white and yellow wildflowers

sparkling in the sun

adding brilliance to our day.

The details of an Artist.

abab wordle

 

Genesis

 

There was a hint of something in his eyes

His gaze held mine, his lips curved to a smile

A shiver up my spine was a surprise

Feelings seemed to glow purple for a while

 

Perhaps this was part of a brilliant plan

Romance flickers in a snippet of time

Love and hope exist where they know they can

A gorgeous moment, yes, even sublime

Autumn Poetic Bloomings

 

Fall Favorites

 

Autumn leaves grow bold

Red, oranges and gold

Sunshine sparkles, skies are blue

Crunched leaves, earthy times

Tinkling of wind chimes

Walking hand in hand with you

Autumn Poetic Bloomings 2

 

Pumpkin, Pumpkin

 

Pumpkin pies and cakes

Pumpkin ice-cream shakes

Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread

Creamy pumpkin stew

Spicy pumpkin brew

Feeling like a pumpkin head

Autumn Poetic Bloomings

 Changes

 

As day shrinks, night cools

End of summer rules

Bask in sunshine, golden leaves

And then comes the rain

Winds rush like a train

Cold temperatures act as thieves

Lake Geneva, August 24, 2023, Thursday

 A Day of Ups and Downs

 

In the morning, Eli looked awful,

sweaty, bad skin tone.

Too much blood pressure meds.

Said he’d stay home from mail boat ride.

 

We wouldn’t let him.

Better to be with two nurses.

It was iffy—boat ride or hospital.

Lori had him lay down on bench.

 

Eli improved slightly.

We got on the boat.

My attention was torn

between Loren and Eli.

 

I sat with Meg and Josh, two seats

in front of Loren by bathroom.

Lori sat behind Eli

to keep an eye on him.

 

We watched the mail jumper

jump on and off the boat

delivering the mail.

I had a feeling he’d miss on purpose.

 

It was his last day, last delivery.

He rattled the mail box as if it was stuck,

like the girl had done in the video.

Sure enough, he fell in.

 

Came home and ate lunch.

Finally finished leftover chicken.

Maintenance guy fixed dishwasher.

Unintentional nap till five.

 

Hung out with Loren until time

to go to Judy and Karen’s.

Lori and Eli had a row over cheese and left,

Eli, still off kilter from blood pressure.

 

The rest of the evening went well.

Karen and Judy had enough ham for an army.

Karen cooked cabbage in memory of Mom.

We called Kathy and sang happy birthday.

 

Gift exchange went well.

We each told about our gift,

then drew the name.

We shared stories and laughs.

 

Lori got my candy wreath.

Oh well. So it’s back.

I got Tom’s tic-tac-toe board

It’s cute, but what do I do with it?

 

Some of us plan to go to the lake tomorrow.

And some plan to go to a circus town.

Loren plans to stay home.

His wheel chair is useless.

 

Lake Geneva August 23, 23 Wednesday

 Fifty Beans

 

Went to Judy and Karen’s.

Put my dots on the map

of all the places I’ve been.

Tried to anyway.

 

Loren and I counted beans

while Lori and Judy did crafts

for the craft exchange.

Then I wrapped my bean gifts.

 

I wanted to walk.

Linda said she’d go with me,

 but she’d rather play Scrabble

because it was so hot.

 

We walked down by the pool.

I had to agree that it was too hot.

It was 97 with high humidity.

So we and Lori played a game of Scrabble.

 

Eli washed some stuff for me.

Dave looked at Loren’s wheelchair.

It needs a new piece.

That chair hasn’t been the best.

 

We went to Tom and Heid’s.

They had a delicious meal ready.

Little Selah’s warming up to me.

Such a cutey.

 

After ravioli, we had the bean auction.

It was pretty funny.

Corey and Josh were first timers.

I got some useful items.  

 

Lori got her luggage finally.

They left it at the lodge.

Lori turned around in the dark.

Eli took Lori up to get her suitcase.

 

Kari gave me some TPM

so I might sleep better. 

I took some ibuprofen too.

Ant bites are still itchy.

 

I didn’t reserve the dinner cruise.

I feel bad that it’s full.

I am not the hostess with the most-ess.

We’ll still have sisters’ nigh out—somewhere.

 

 

Morning Reflection

 Glory

 

I remember sitting on the school bus

looking out the window

and seeing the splendor

of autumn foliage

and thinking, how lucky am I?

 

Even as a child,

I could appreciate the beauty—

God’s expression of who He is

 

May He wake in me the desire,

as part of His creation,

to express His beauty and splendor

by the things I think, say and do.

autumn Poetic Asides

 

Hubby’s First PA Autumn

 

I’ll never forget when,

almost 44 years ago,

my Wyoming fiancée

came to PA in autumn

never before seeing

the real meaning

of the word “fall”

when the leaves let go

in a bright cascade

to flit and flutter

and whirl about

in the wind.

Hubby-to-be

and I chased

and caught them,

laughing like kids.

 

And when we

prepared the yard

for our wedding,

he knew how much

I liked the sound and smell

of scrunching leaves

and he requested

they be left on the lawn,

not raked up neatly,

which some late-comers

may not have appreciated

as the crisp leaves

announced their arrival.

 

 

 

sea picture

 Sea Sick

 

It’s been a while

Since I sat in the beach

Sand tickling my toes

 

The rhythmic sound of waves

The occasional call of a sea gull

The wind blowing gently along

 

The sun set painting stripes

At the lacy water’s edge

Seals poking their heads up

 

Mountains, aspens, blue sky

Dry weather is nice

But I miss the ocean

First Time

 First Time for Everything

 

Well, this is the first.

It might have been the cold

Or the cold medicine

When I was waking up from a nap

I was babbling

To my dreams

About my dreams

Not making sense

I’m talking crazy

I dreamed I texted that

To my friend and to my daughter

But when I really woke up

I realized I actually did text that to them.

I’ve talked in my sleep before

But never texted

clouds Poetic Bloomings

 

Dreams

are like clouds.

With a little imagination,

they can take the shape

of so many things.

August 22 Lake Geneva

 First Day at Resort

 

Had Lori’s leftover pizza for breakfast

Did grocery shopping

Went a little overboard

Ran out of money

Eli helped me out.

 

Went swimming.

The water felt good

On such a hot day.

Little Selah was having fun.

Lori played with her a lot.

 

Everyone came for supper

which was a bit of a disaster.

Chicken wasn’t done.

Had Loren open his birthday gifts.

Cake and ice cream was good.

Stirring Poetic Asides #3

 What I do with Leftovers

 

Mushrooms

Cheese

Shredded cabbage

Onions

Leftover meat and veggies

Stirred together

Microwaved

Put on tortilla

Yum!

Stirring Poetic Asides #2

 Stirring

 

S tirred by Your Spirit

T empting me for good

I want to seek You

R eally, as I should.

R emove from me this laziness

I succumb to every day

N urture me by Your grace

G od, move on me today

Stirring Poetic Asides 1

 Super Power

 

Up in the wee AM

Not a creature stirring

But silence drowned out

By inner-ear whirring

 

Getting old is not

For the faint of heart

So I’m determined

To aim to do my part

 

Good food and exercise

Challenges for the brain

Doctor visits and medicine

Aspirin for the pain

 

A time of meditation

In this early hour

Prayer is really

Where I get my power.

Contemplation

 God and the Cat in the Hat

 

I feel like I’m juggling again,

like in “The Cat in the Hat.”

“’That’s not all I can do’” said the cat.

“That’s what the cat said,

then he fell on his head.”

 

Working at the nature center,

speaking for a women’s group,

housework, yardwork,

writing devotions for ministry

caregiving for a man with autism

 

walking, meals, errand-running,

going to church, learning Spanish

practicing the ukulele

writing a poem a day

praying with two friends each week.

 

And I’m binging on NCIS

which I can’t understand half the time.

Need to get my flu shot.

Need to get my ears checked.

Need to research Medicare

 

But above all,

I need to seek You first

Lord, I trust as I do,

all these other things

will find their place.

Sunday August 20th Lake Geneva Trip

 Another Pre-reunion

Woke up in Lincoln about seven

Headed for the church in Plattesmouth

Got there fifteen minutes late

Then another ten with hubby’s potty break

 

Linda met us and sat with us.

It was very dark in there.

Why are so many churches

Set up like a theatre?

 

A guy rambled about giving.  

Christian 101.

Grace was baptized.

A woman rambled about her ministry.

 

Maybe I was just tired,

but I was glad when it ended.

We took communion,

but not together.

 

Loren and I were “extras”

to Grace and Grayson’s parties.

I gave them their elephants.

They didn’t seem too impressed.

 

We ate doughnuts.

Then we had lunch in a good café

in Nebraska city.

Life is short, eat dessert first.

 

Settled back in Lincoln.

Took a nap.

Sloppy Joes for supper.

Made calendar for reunion.

 

Life seemed to be in slo-mo today.

Tomorrow drive to Wisconsin

For the family reunion

Though I feel I’ve had three already.

 

Poetic Bloomings The road

 

Here and There

 

The road to here was long and twisty

With some bumps along the way

Here wasn’t where I had aimed for

But where I landed just the same

 

Here is a place I’ve grown accustomed

Thought at times I wish for there

I’ll be content with all my blessings

And loved ones who show they care

 

Just like it was at the beginning

I am usure of where to go

And as I go away from here

There is one thing that I do know

 

God is with me in life’s journey

And whether I am there or here

I can travel with assurance

That the Lord is very near

Saturday August 19th Lake Geneva Trip

 Fun Family Tine in Nebraska

 

In Lincoln, woke up after fitful sleep.

Visited with Karen and Judy.

Changes in sizes produced a clothing swap

More “hopeful” shirts for me

 

Powwow about my pillow

I intended to make for craft exchange

from Grandma’s crocheting—no!

Too much of a family heirloom.

 

Karen, Judy, Loren and I

Visited Judy’s husband Mike

He had his fingernails painted.

I snapped pictures.

 

Margots birthday party-5 years old

Good to see nephew and family

Pizza, gifts, laughter. Kids liked

the colorful elephants I gave them.

 

Later, Karen and I made candy wreaths

Not the best idea: expense and calories

We had fun making them though

And we had to sample the candy