Wednesday Poetry Corner

A Saxon Epitaph

The earth builds on the earth

Castles and towers; 

The earth saith of the earth: 

All shall be ours.

Yea, though they plan and reap

The rye and the corn,

Lo, they were bond to Sleep

Ere they were born.

Yea, though the blind earth sows

For the fruit and the sheaf,

They shall harvest the leaf of the rose

And the dust of the leaf.

Pride of the sword and power

Are theirs at their need

Who shall rule but the root of the flower

The fall of the seed.

They who follow the flesh

In splendour and tears,

They shall rest and clothe them afresh

In the fulness of years.

From the dream of the dust they came

As the dawn set free.

They shall pass as the flower of the flame

Or the foam of the sea.

The earth builds on the earth

Castles and towers.

The earth saith of the earth:

All shall be ours.

Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthal

Well, today was going to be a beach day for me, but it's only 50 degrees out there and always colder by the ocean. I really would prefer some warmer temps so to get some color on my arms.  Friday looks like a better day.  I really don't like the sun and never overdo.  My skin is pale and turns like a lobster.  But, I do like to rid myself of some of that 'winter paleness', go back to work looking like, well, looking like I was 'on' vacation.

My co-worker emailed me that my little fish finally gave up his fight.  Yes, he was still alive until Monday.  He had his bad days and his good days, but by the end of last week, I knew when I came back from vacation he wouldn't be there.  So, Friday I said my good-byes.  I know this is all for the best, that he was suffering and only a shell of what he had been, but one always has that hope, and several so-called 'fish experts' had told us he was going to pull through.  

On another sad note, since the eaglets hatched, I've been following them more than the hummingbird babes.  Actually, thus far this year I've already seen two fledges from Phoebe's babes, so rather than watch day after day, I've checked in on them off and on. What I found  was devastating. It was all gone. On the 15th, a large bird, either a crow or a hawk, had attacked the nest and carried it and the babies away.   I started to watch the video of it, but once I saw those two little cuties lying peacefully in their nest, eyes open and looking around, I just couldn't do it.  I had to turn it off.  But, devastating as it was, it was, in fact, a necessary part of life.  

Mother Nature is beautiful, amazing and sometimes cruel. She demands life in order to give life. She doesn't always 'fair' to the human eye, but just as the hummingbird babes have to eat, so do the crow/hawk's babes. She who creates, destroys, and re-creates again.  The way nature works, Phoebe will go on and make more beautiful babies for us to enjoy.

All things in nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing.

They fulfill their function and make no claim. All things alike do their work,

and then we see them subside. When they have reached their bloom,

each returns to its origin. . . . This reversion is an eternal law.

To know that law is wisdom.

Lao-Tzu

Don't Dwell

Don't dwell on what might have been or the chances you have missed.

Or the lonely nights that lie between the last time lovers kissed.

Don't grasp too hard the memory of the things that never came.

The door that did not open or the wind that killed the flame.

There is still time enough to live...And time enough to try again.

Be Happy. 

Author Unknown

I really love the above quote.  Whoever wrote it, really got it right.  Whatever the past was, it's gone, and there is nothing we can do to change it. I often write about my memories, but that is not the same as focusing on what might have been. Dwelling on the past contributes nothing to what we need to do for now. It weighs us down and keeps us from moving forward. We have to let it go.  As the quote says, there is still time enough to live.
On another note, I had a wonderful day yesterday.  Found a little trinket shop not too far from my home, and I told the owner she has made a new friend.  One of my addictions is fancy little clips for my hair and beaded necklaces. And, most of them were only a dollar. She had so many little rhinestone clips in all colors, shapes and sizes that I could hardly make up my mind.  I ended up buying ten of them plus three headbands.  I sweat profusely in the summer, and even though my hair is short, I still like to pull it back.  Problem is that headbands usually give me a headache so before the day is even half over, I am yanking it off my head. These were different, though.  They were thickly padded with cloth and actually quite soft and comfortable.  I'm already thinking of my next trip there. 

I then hopped on the bus and went shopping at a store I hadn't been in for fifteen  years. There was no direct route from where I used to live, and taking three buses to get there was a bit too much, so I just gave up on it. Now, in my new, it's close enough for me to get there, and boy, did I ever have a ball.  The store I've been going to for so many years is great, but they mainly cater to thinner women.  Their plus size tops are super, but one needs a bottom to go with it.  My old store had 'everything', absolutely everything I've been searching for so long.  Take half slips, for example.  It's like they don't make them anymore. I can't understand why stores will sell skirts and dresses that one can see right through, but don't sell slips for those of us who don't care to show our private parts to the world.  

Ah, yesterday I found them and bought one of each -- white, tan, and black.  I found bras and panties for plus sizes in every shade imaginable and cotton gowns.  Oh, how I love my cotton gowns in the summer, but they must be roomy.  I found two sundresses for weekend wear, and now that I have the slips, I can also wear the three that I bought last year, but couldn't wear because they showed too much.  I also bought three summer skirts, and one new top.  Now, aside from shoes, I am set for the summer.

It's going to be 80 degrees today so you know I won't be hanging out in the house.  It's a great day to visit Mother Ocean, but banking and shoes have to come first.  Sadly, my feet are so bad that shopping for shoes is no picnic anymore--ugly bunions, weak ankles no heels, nothing between the toes, blister prone so must be soft, --but I am not giving up hope. Aside from the slips, I also found an old favorite 'Campbell's Bean with Bacon' soup that I haven't seen in years. Grandma always kept that on hand for me.  She knew it was my favorite.  And, OMG, did it taste good.  All that was missing was a glass of coca-cola.  Now, that is a part of my past, but that is a part that is well worth remembering.

On a Pleasant Monday Morn

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. 

--Robert Orben--

It's Monday, but there was no crawling out of bed in the wee hours of dawn for me.  This is my first full day of vacation, and it felt good to lounge about for awhile this morning.  Mind you, when I sleep-in I  never make past 9 am.  In my youth, I was one who could sleep the day away if you'd let me, but now that I am older, too much lying in bed stiffens my bones.  

This is my first 'real' vacation since last April. Yes, I did take two weeks in December, but that was at moving time.  The first week was spent finishing up the sorting and packing in the old place; the second week was spent unpacking and arranging in my new home. The first Saturday in the new place just happened to be a cooking weekend so, when you look at it,  Sunday was actually my only day of rest.  That was definitely not what I look for in a vacation.

I made myself a promise that I'm going to spend my time relaxing and working hard to stay in the 'now'.  There are hard times ahead at work, and it is important that I take this time to clear my head before it 'all breaks loose'.  One of my co-workers got a promotion, and she will be leaving at the end of the month.  Two of her clients will be added to my already overwhelming caseload of 30. I'm also inheriting a rather needy client from another co-worker who just cannot work with her. That, and an intake that is already awaiting my return will bring my caseload up to 34.  And that's not the whole of it.

My co-worker also runs three groups a week. In addition, our nurse has been given permission to take a month's vacation.  She just happens to run groups a week; luckily she has no caseload.  And, to add fuel to the fire, our intern will be leaving on May 3rd. She runs three groups.  That's thirteen groups that will have to be covered. I already have four groups.  It worries me because I see a major case of burnout coming.  At 65, I cannot handle the workload that I once could.  Age  has slowed me down.

 Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right nowwithout wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without

holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant

without fearing it will always be this way (which it won't).

-James Baraz-

But, look at me.  Didn't I say I was going to stick to the 'now'?  My objective is to forget work for this 'one' week and focus on 'me' and my needs. There's clothes shopping to do, hair to be cut and colored; I've decided to add a bit of red to my hair.  Not a bright red, but a very light auburn. The reddish shades have always made me look my best.   I'm also planning to hop on the 'Sea Beach Express' and head on out to Coney Island. Haven't had a 'real' Nathan's hot dog in  years.  Oh, there is so much fun to be had...and great weather to boot.  Who could ask for anything more?

We don't stop playing because we turn old,

but turn old because we stop playing.

Satchel Paige

TGIF and Vacation Almost Here: Hip Hip Hooray

When the first light dawned on the earth, and the birds awoke, and
the brave river was heard rippling confidently seaward, and the nimble early
rising wind rustled the oak leaves about our tent, all people, having reinforced
their bodies and their souls with sleep, and cast aside doubt and fear,
were invited to unattempted adventures.

Henry David Thoreau 

And oh, vacation is so needed.  I'm burning out.  I can't believe how tired I am.  After a Saturday of cooking, my week of self-time is on. Only a few plans for the upcoming week.  I'll be shopping for some weekend clothes and a hair cut is on my list.  Have to go back to the old neighborhood to deposit some checks, so, of course, I will visit my old favorite 99 cent store.  Otherwise, I'll be packing away the heavy clothes and digging out the summer things....and sleep.  I'm hoping for lots and lots of sleep.

Hoping you all have a great weekend.  I hear some warm weather is on the way.  Be sure to get out and enjoy it.  See ya on Monday.

The Rainbow: Thursday's Parable

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.

Green said 'Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves - without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority.' 

Blue interrupted: 'You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing.'

Yellow chuckled: 'You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun.'

Orange started next to blow her trumpet: 'I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.' 

Red could stand it no longer. He shouted out: 'I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.'

Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: 'I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do notquestion me - they listen and obey.'

Finally, Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others. 'You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.'

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening - thunder rolled and boomed. 

Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: 'You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me.' 

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: 'From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace.'

'The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow.' And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

It is too bad that we are often  so busy that we take people  in our lives for granted and forget to tell them how appreciative we and how much they mean to us.  It doesn't have to be something big, and  you don't even have to spend any money on it; it's not the material item or value that counts. It's the little things that we do that make a difference -- a smile for someone who has been feeling down, a heartfelt 'thank you' when someone does us a favor , a hug, or 'would you like me to run to the store for you?' when someone is under the weather. These are the things that show that we care. We have nothing to lose by being nice, and it sure could make the other person's day.

Wednesday Poetry Corner

'Over The Land Is April'

Over the land is April,

Over my heart a rose;

Over the high, brown mountain

The sound of singing goes.

Say, love, do you hear me,

Hear my sonnets ring?

Over the high, brown mountain,

Love, do you hear me sing?

By highway, love, and byway

The snows succeed the rose.

Over the high, brown mountain

The wind of winter blows.

Say, love, do you hear me,

Hear my sonnets ring?

Over the high, brown mountain

I sound the song of spring,

I throw the flowers of spring.

Do you hear the song of spring?

Hear you the songs of spring?

Robert Louis Stevenson


Hoping your week is going as well as mine has.  Very busy here in preparation for vacation, but also a sense of excitement. Diligently working to tie up all loose ends before Friday. Looking forward to the upcoming week off. 

Miracles by Walt Whitman

"As for me, I know nothing else but miracles, 
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, 
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky, 
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water, 
Or stand under the trees in the woods, 
Or talk by day with any one I love, 
Or sleep in bed at night with any one I love, 
Or watch honey bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon... 
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, 
Or of stars shining so quiet and bright, 
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring... 
What stranger miracles are there?"

Part of the magic of childhood is the belief in magic--Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, the Man in the Moon, monsters, fairies and unicorns. Oh, what a wonderful, magical time.  But, then, we grow older, the adults in our lives don't think it is so 'cute' anymore.  They tell us it was time to grow up and accept life for what it is.  They tell us that magic doesn't exist.  So, we stop believing.  Reality sets in and takes away the magic of our youth. We grow up and no longer see the pictures in the clouds or the wee folk hiding in the rose bush or  the wonder we see in the twinkling of a firefly and the magical excitement of Christmas.  It just seems to happen. One day you notice something is gone

Our ancestors believed that the world was a magical place. The earth was sacred and was treated with great respect and reverence. They saw magic and magical beings everywhere they looked. Thunder was the voice of the gods, clouds are the spirits of our ancestors, and the earth was a living being and the mother of all life forms that exist on the planet. The natural world was alive with spirits. They saw magic everywhere.

Sadly, the natural world has been pretty much neglected as of late. When we lost our magic, we lost our sense of wonder and  our ability to see all of those little miracles that take place in our daily lives. I believe all of us need to reclaim that sacred relationship to the natural world that surrounds us. It exists for us now, just as it existed for our ancestors.There is ordinary magic all around us.

All of the seasons have their magic, but there is something about Spring that is extra special. Take some time to look around you today.  The  trees are blooming,  the birds are singing, and the grass is green and rising. The daily passage of the Sun over the sky and the nightly procession of stars are magical. There is magic in the sound of Spring's light rain.  For me, it is the ocean. It both inspires and fascinates me. I feel its awe and power. The Moon also holds an intricate part in my life. Her beauty never fails to astound me. I feel her presence in my life. 

We should all follow the example of Walt Whitman and open our eyes to see. There's magic everywhere; the universe is full of magical things. Take some time to explore the natural world and  get to know its wisdom. Remember, it's all right to believe like a child, no matter how old you are ...

(The above photos are an example of some of our 'city' magic. They were taken on my cell phone, sent to my son, and sent back to my email.  I really do need to think about getting a new camera.)