poetry in motion

I have not strayed from my resolve to choose. and all it takes is a whisper to remind me what a wonderful decision I have made.

if you follow Brene Brown at Ordinary Courage you have seen an amazing video by Liz Song. but the message in the video is music to my eyes. my heart. and deep down into my soul.

'I am on a journey of learning to follow my heart
and what I've found is simple
if we are willing to slow down,
listen
and say yes to what is before us
we can
see beauty in what is disgarded
value what is not valued
and know that we are home before we even arrive.

we can believe before we see.

I have learned
that it is far richer to live our lives
by the risk to follow our hearts
wherever it leads.

give eyes
give voice
give feet
to what lives within.'

hello friends

a few posts ago I talked about Poetry 180. this morning I wanted to share a portion of the poem of the day, Notice by Steve Kowit.

sometimes. most times. all the time. take time to give thanks. for the basic. everyday. unassuming. a gentle reminder. life is good. share the wealth.

'take heed, you who read this,
& drop to your knees now & again,
& kiss the earth & be joyful,
& make much of your time,
& be kindly to everyone ...
pass it on.'

in the garden

spent some time in the garden this weekend. my muscles are sore. little scratches cover my arms. there is dirt under my fingernails. and I am happy.

raking. weeding. trimming. puttering. discovering. signs of life from seeds sown. survivors of the deep freeze. surprises in unexpected places (like this volunteer columbine; or my Indiana lilac's little, but oh so fragrant, bloom). and I am hopeful.



enjoying. whiling away. stopping to smell the flowers. the earthy aroma of the soil. and herbs - as I type I can smell the scent of thyme waifing in from the open door. and I am content.

what to plant. where to plant. how to plant. I know just enough to make me dangerous. but I tell my lovelies it's not easy being green. they must try their hardest and do their best. I will dote on them but not spoil. water them but not drown in kindness. admire them. praise them. then hope for the best. they are good listeners. and I am still learning.

'just living is not enough,' said the butterfly. 'one must have sunshine, freedom,
and a little flower.'

today I believe this to be true

from Brené Brown's Ordinary Courage Quote of the Week.

southern comfort

we are getting ready to do a remodel project on our hundred-year-old house. and today I was ambitious enough to venture into Austin to snoop around for some light fixtures. as I was driving around - lost in unknown territory - I snapped a few shots of why I should travel south more often.

Austin is a mystery to me. creative. unexpected. facinating. a quirky world in the best sense. the folks are nice. the offerings unlimited. and the scenery oh so delightful. I had a very good day indeed.



'charm is a product of the unexpected.'

in the happy

I have had several extraordinary weeks. some ups. some downs. but all in all time very well spent. lessons learned. milestones crossed. family visits. memories made. so much love shared. but as to my biggest news I have been sworn to secrecy ... until now.

I love when the phone rings on Sunday afternoon because I know it is my children calling to catch us up on the events of the week. but when the phone rings on a weekday evening my first instinct is to ask 'what's wrong?'. (can I get an amen!). so with some hesitency I answered the phone with our daughter calling from sunny California. she asked for both the hubs and I to be on the phone together. ('oh my' ... somethings up).

but my baited breath turned into a breathless moment when she asked if we were ready to become grandparents. 'oh yes' I cried. quite literally. with kleenex in hand we heard all the wonderful details. due date. and whether or not to buy pink or blue. how mama was feeling. how ecstatic papa was (and preparing to go out to buy a baseball mitt from his beloved Red Sox - meanwhile grandpa was planning his trip for the Cubbie version). and I grab another tissue as she sends along a baby picture. hearing is a dream. seeing is believing.

so I am filled with emotion these days. my baby is having a baby. blissful days and sleepless nights fill my thoughts. health and happiness for all. excitement reigns. and joy abounds. and I have staked claim to the new title of grammy. happy me.

'life isn't measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.'

reading along

I like to share tidbits I come across in my blogging travels. and I learn a lot through blogs I read. little snippets of lives. loves. lessons. limits.

this morning I found a new one, Farmhouse. her writing is a fresh perspective as a student. cook. friend. she is honest and open and simply glows with anticipation and love of life. she makes me smile.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the few posts I've read so far. and look forward to following her on a regular basis.

in an entry from February 26 she quotes Philippians 4:11. I think I can.

'I have learned, in whatever state I am in, therewith to be content.'