Pockets Full

How on earth did I end up on this desert island? Well, since I'm here, I'm glad I have the following 10 items:

1. Bible (no explanation needed)
2. iPod (to keep me sane w/lots o' jazz & podcasts)
3. cell phone (hmm... would have enuff bars to call for help?)
   
4. camera (i'm sure if i wander around, I could find something to shoot)
   
5. cigarettes (I know, I know - but if I'm bored.....)
6. lighter (see #5)
7. water (duh!)
8. food (duh, again)
9. my journal
   
10. a picture of my son (to keep me sane & hopeful)

Picture: Internet courtesy
Creativity Portal: "10 things you would want in your pockets on a desert island"

I saw you

As soon as I noticed him carrying the bag of cans,
noticing the way he scoured the ground for treasure,
I knew it was the thing to do

He didn't need to speak any words, he didn't even notice me
but I noticed him, and I knew his actions
he was searching for the lone coin that may have escaped a pocket

the piece of gold that maybe would make the difference
between something to eat or not, something to drink or not
how would that be for us? if our day or our next meal
depended upon what we found on the ground
or in the trash?

when i pulled the car up next to him & extended my hand
that held what I could spare, he jumped in surprise &
extended his own shaky hand & looked me in the eye.
I knew those eyes - they held weariness, despair, & little light
the hands were dirty, nails long, telling stories of hard life

I clicked on my biggest smile & said have a great day!
He, in turn, gave me his biggest smile, thanked me & blessed me
He couldn't have possibly known that his very existence
is my blessing.

To him, I give, I gifted & I gave. And my life feels all the richer for it.
I hope, in some way, his does, too.

Please take a sec & watch this tiny video clip produced by Shawnette Heard, called "John Doe." As soon as they showed the homeless man, tears sprang to my eyes. Let's continue to count our blessings.

Pictures: (hands-Internet Courtesy) (Daisy-me :-})
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "Give."

"In My Solitude..."

I took myself on a walk this morning. I could feel my shoulders relaxing as I strolled thru the garden center's flower beds. I charged up both the DSLR & the point-n-shoot. I left the the house at 9:00 a.m. & returned about 12:30p. As far as I was concerned, the time flew! Letting my thoughts roam while i freely snapped everything that caught my eye.

I felt like God was everywhere. It's amazing to think that less than 6 mos ago, we were buried up to the hiney w/snow. And now it seems the colors of the greens of the grasses & trees and the colors of flowers are in competition.

There were only a hand full of people @ that hour. The sounds of the birds & squirrels were at high pitch. Taking all this in, w/my coffee & cameras, in the sweet silence, gave my soul much needed calming & solitude. I was in the moment of each picture, each sound.

Bees & bugs were busy getting' their pollen on, not giving me any notice. My soul feels richer for giving this gift to myself.

We are blessed :-)

"Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic." ~Rosalind Russell

Pictures by me ;-}

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

January 30, 2011:

June 21, 2011

Happy 'Officially Summer", everyone!

Pictures by: me :0)

I wish you fun....

When i see children today, it's very, very rare that I see anyone running around, giving play serious time, thought & energy like we used to. when I don't see children outside, i imagine they're inside, more than likely parked in front of something digital or electrical. in an age where it seems like all children want to do is be grown - now, "play" has become a lost art.

If i could grant the children of the computer age 10 things or experiences from my childhood, they would be:

1. hide & go seek
2. red light/green light
3. mother-may-I?
4. kick ball
5. four-cornered hand ball
6. good old fashioned tether ball
7. play grounds - with supervisors, art contests, bubble-gum blowing contests, etc.
   
8. long, bike rides w/your siblings
9. outdoor imagination (no supplies needed except for what you find in nature), and
10. long, cold drinks out of the garden hose

We were raised, thankfully, back in 'days of safety' where after we finished our chores - we were gone!! All day. Until dinner time. Our parents did not have to worry if we were being stalked, abducted or harmed in anyway. And if another parent saw you doing wrong, you could best believe by the time you got home, your parents knew. And you paid for it.

Ahhh.... the good old days. :-)

Pictures: Internet courtesy
Creativity Portal: list 10 things or experiences
from my childhood for children today

BFF's

I can't remember when i met my best friend. it was probably not until I was in my 30's. I also don't remember where we met. I do remember that I was amazed at how much we had in common:

• reading
• cooking
• baking
• taking long walks
• writing
• compassion
• laughing
• love stories
• card making
• photography
• music of all types (but mostly jazz)
  

Another thing that blew me away is that she, too, has an autistic son. What are the odds? Imagine the hours we spent sharing our conversation of fears, doubts, tears, guilt and just day-to-day "am I doing 'this' right?' My best friend makes me laugh. A lot.

She has the uncanny ability to make anyone laugh, anywhere, at anytime. I think what I love best about her is that she loves to laugh at herself. She gets herself into the funniest situations and will bring herself to tears sharing the stories. My best friend is also a person-magnet. No matter where she is, folks smile at her, speak to her, strike up conversations with her. If you're around her for more than an hour, you feel the strange need to tell her your deepest secrets, which she keeps close to her heart, under lock and key.

And she never meets a stranger. She steps right into the invitation from others and makes them feel like they're the most special person on earth. She's a natural & I admire that gift in her.

Lastly, my even though we are best friends, my friend loves alone-time. She can spend hours alone, lost in her own thoughts. At times, she will stop what she's doing to grab pencil/paper & scribble down ideas for later. Oh - and my friend is beautiful. She doesn't think she is, but I do. She has always been wary of her smile (she thinks it's too 'big'), but I think it's mega-watt. I have been with her on different occasions when people openly tell her, 'you have a beautiful smile.' And she gives that smile to anyone, at anytime, for free. I love my best friend forever. Especially when..... she is me :-)

Pictures by: my best friend :-} (me)
Creativity Portal prompt: "describe yourself as if you were your own best friend."

Beauty & the real Beast

Some of us either are a victim, have been a victim, or know victims of the horrible domestic violence. At some point in our lives, it has touched us, be it through a family member, a friend, or a co-worker.

I was faced with the result of D.V. when I ran into a old friend. Her 'boyfriend' attacked her violently when she kicked him out of her apartment. He knew she was alone, he knew at the time she didn't have telephone access, and he knew she would be completely defenseless when he broke into her home in the very early morning.

This brutal attack on my friend erased her life as she and we knew it. After being in a medically induced coma for nearly a month, when she woke up, she was not able to speak. After months of therapy & finally being moved to nursing home, she has the vocabulary of a 2 year old.

As I watched my friend with her wide-eyed, child-like stare, I noticed she still had the big, beautiful brown eyes w/killer lashes, & beautiful hair & face. Then, I was sharply reminded that just 5 years ago, she had to re-learn the basics of living (eating, walking, dressing, brushing.) What was I doing five years ago?

The young, vibrant woman who used to be the life of every party, was now silenced. I am still not sure how much of me she remembers. I know she certainly doesn't remember my son. She lives in the capsule of what her life became.

Because of domestic violence.

Let's all pray that if we know of someone in this horrible nightmare, that they will find the strength & courage to save themselves from the storm.

And live a life of blue skies.

Amen.



Pictures by: me :-)
In tribute to B.J. Waters. Love & prayers to you always. I add the domestic violence link to my wall for you.