Happy Halloween

In the light

Right now a major focus of my daily work and thought process is all about stained glass. As I would like to finish the latest project and deliver it, in December.

And inevitably glass comes around to life. For example the saying, "Look at a situation in the light of a new day."

These two images are of the same piece of glass. The first lying on a white piece of paper, and the second being held up to the light. Amazing and stunning. It just goes to show you light plays an important role in life and in art.

I will use this piece for a necktie and fingernails. As a way to colorfully link the married couple.

Downed Branches

Happy Birthday My Dear One

Miss you today.
A bright light of my life.
Remember,
I love you,
Always.

Snow before Halloween

Really words escape me on this one. Weather, like people can surprise you. Yesterday's ah ha moment: A heart full of prayer leaves no room for worry.

Progress

Day in and day out we work hard on growing. Even when we've technically stopped growing we are still learning. Progress is slow. Almost invisible, sometimes we suffer life's breaks, until coming up upon ah ha moments in life. Never give up. Keep your eye on the prize of progress.

Life is...

Life is like stained glass. It is up to us to shape the beautiful pieces into a masterpiece. All the while not worrying over the bad or untimely brakes... For those lines add character, certain strength, and definition.

People shouldn't have to wear a sign.

On the summit of Mount Washington there are signs warning hikers to stay on on trail: Be careful where you tread. Rare vegetation ahead. We should proceed with equal respect with the people that we meet each day. All rare flowers striving to grow in life's rocky terrain.

Treasure Hunt

Life is a seek and find.
Do you see life's treasure?
Careful it may bite you.

Tagline

We all have phrases or taglines that identify us. For at least twenty years, my trademark response to a request for a favor, was and still is, "No worries." Meaning, consider it done. It's not a problem. It's handled. I've got your back. Period. Truly, to the point where some people giggle when I respond, or respond in kind. It makes me smile.

Enjoy your day.
Enjoy your life.

Wouldn't name names

When it comes to inspiration, I wouldn't dream of trying to name all the individuals that have inspired and continue to inspire me all the days of my life; each day, every day. Or their influence could've happened just One Day, with one quote, one action, one story that lead to a positive change. One.

Truly all it takes is one. Will you be the one for someone today? Just wondering. We are all up to the task.

Who inspires you?

Who inspires you? That's a big question with what could be an even huger answer. For my daughter it's hands down Steve Prefontaine. She has his poster, bigger than life, hanging on her bedroom wall.

But does inspiration need to come from someone famous? What about the little old man who tirelessly walks his dog, rain or shine, through snow and sleet? Or the woman, who after losing her entire family to a drunk driver, gets up and exercises in the morning? Or the dear friend, who is losing her battle with cancer, still smiles making time for family and friends? No pity pool there... And let's not forget our children... so easily the inspiration flows both ways.

Inspiration... look close; it's in there. It's life.

Rain

Some say rain makes all things new again. While Irene showed us differently not too long ago. Her effects are still being cleaned up.

I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof. For three days now, rain washing away our iniquities. I wonder if Noah always felt hopeful.

And then there were three...

Love is...

having your collegiate daughter home for a mini break between terms.

Friends

They come in all shapes and sizes.

Naked as a squirrel?

This little guy was hanging out by our wood pile. I can't imagine what terrible luck cause it to lose the majority of its fur. Hopefully its coat will grow back in time for Fall/Winter. The biology lesson is: There really isn't a lot to a squirrel. ie Their fur makes them appear much bigger and broader. The life lesson: Not too far beneath the surface we are all vulnerable and naked.

Stay warm little guy. Maybe some of your friends will snuggle up with you.


This is my 2000th blog post.

Nature is the best teacher

Deer skull suture lines

Nature teaches us growth is not linear. That there is give and take, and eventually it all comes together.

Another lesson is: Chances are you won't find a deer skull unless you are willing to walk in the woods. Likewise, where do you walk to find success?

Is there a scientist in the house?

I was born and breed to be a thinker. No matter the circumstance: from coupling factor complexes, drug design, parenting to quality assurance testing: questioning and wondering. Pondering and figuring things out with my little brain. Lately I've noticed the nut is not falling too far from the tree. I'm delighted by her inquisitive mind.

Shoot for the moon, dear one. It's yours to pick.

Happy Blog-day to me...

Happy Blog-day to me...

Six years ago today, I blogged for the first time. I was coming up on my 45th birthday and wrote a reflection on where does the time truly go?

One thousand, nine hundred and ninety eight blog posts later, and time is still flying by. My baby is now 11. The oldest is in college. The middle one is maturing into a young woman.

There is an old says that goes something like, "He who has the most toys wins." Well, I really believe it's, "He who loves the most, smiles the most, kisses and hugs the most, reaches out to others the most, wins."

Care to race me?

Dola's 11th birthday cake

Chocolate a'la Hagrid. Decorations proudly applied by her sister.

Happy Birthday, Beach Girl

Love,
The Lucky Momma

Just one leg to stand on

Walking the beach we noticed this gull was missing its foot at the ankle. As we watched the bird, it would lower its maimed leg to the sand only to draw it up quickly once it touched the ground. Poor gull.

Life is not easy. Especially if you only have one leg to stand on.

Just some pictures for the birds

I hadn't been to the beach in years. It was nice to run into some old friends.

AIM HIGH!

Shoot for the moon!

Yes, the image is mine. Hand held, breath held, Canon 50D.

Huh?

A lifelong camper I've been seeing similar signs since before I could walk. Now with most camping families arriving with RVs, complete with their own running hot water, I wonder if this sign causes them to pause. Probably not, as they, in all likelihood never see it. For most campers have their own bathroom facilities as well.

Priorities

Camping offers a great opportunity for sorting out priorities. Initially I was thinking the first priority of camping is hot water. You get up in the morning and first thing is to get a pot of water boiling for hot chocolate, tea, oatmeal, dishes, and washing up. But I think slightly more important is the fire useful in heating water, cooking meals and warmth. But the real point here is camping allows you to get back to essential basics of life. Quiet, peaceful and simple.

A year ago...

"When you wish upon a star... Makes no difference who you are..."

For My Daughter

For her sisters
For my brother, my sister
For his wife, her husband
For my nieces and their families
For my aunts and uncles, and parents
For my friends
For their families, and loved ones

For me.

Cursed Scars

image from wikipedia

In the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 2, Harry (yes the Harry Potter) is distressed when his very visible lightening bolt scar burns. He looks in the mirror and it's not physically changed, but still it hurts. Last time his scar acted up Voldemort was close by. But he's not plain sight now...

We can all see his scar. We all know what happened to him as a baby. He was the baby who lived.

But what happens when scars aren't so visible? What then? We all have them. Admit it. Life, even living at its best can take its toll. What happens when our scars burn?

Playing with the big kids

Imagine being in middle school and being invited to play with the high school marching band at the first football game of the season.

Sometimes...

you have to take off the autofocus.

Don't let the blades of grass around you interfere with the dew drops of your attention.

... and learning to love every single moment.

That was the last phrase from yesterday's post. A post for my daughters, but really isn't it for all of us? College can be that first stepping stone to the life we make for ourselves. It's with great trepidation we take that first class, or for those not attending college, that first day at work -- it's all the same. LIFE coming front and center. LIFE to learn from and about. LIFE.

But to learn to love every single moment? I have 4 friends and family battling cancer. Two fighting, one taking up that mantle as she was diagnosed yesterday, and one dying a little bit faster each and everyday; resigned. What's there to love in cancer -- every single moment?

I firmly believe that God wastes nothing. And if you believe that this moment is not yours, then perhaps you are there for the person beside you. Then in turn, they're for you.

Waste not the moments.

For My Daughter

The other day, a dear friend showed this quote to me. She is going to send it to her collegiate daughter, and I am sending it to mine.

A student's time in college is about so much more than earning a degree, graduating, and getting a job. It's about learning how to create a world filled with options and creating a life driven by passion. It's about working to understand and define oneself while embracing the adversity that comes with being a person of character and conviction. It's about having the confidence and courage to demand and command respect in one's personal, professional and spiritual life. And most importantly, it's about having an amazing time and learning to love every single moment.

author unknown (to me)

Easy

It's easy to pitch in. To in some small way say, "I'm thinking of someone else." With that thought in mind, acts of kindness lead to other kindnesses: It's Easy. It's one step right after another.

My Easy: Picking up cans and other recyclables as I take my walk.

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