a mourning dove landed on the backyard deck
I spied her through the window and said, “Good morning, beautiful”
the sun is shining
the sky is blue
welcome sights
yesterday’s dusting of snow lingers
the air is blustery cold
a bird from The Lord
for me, a widow
peace be with you
March 19, 2023
Continue Reading
let’s
chase sunsets
and heart dance
I dream of you
night magic
December 27, 2022
zen squirrel this morning on the backyard swing-set
this is why I keep it, even though my sons are grown
for zen squirrel, and the smile the squirrels bring me when they play and when they plop to rest
they are going to miss the old dead maple tree for acrobatic jumps and escapades
I will miss the maple’s shade, and cherish the memories made the past two decades
July 2, 2022
Dear Younger Me,
You are stronger than you know.
Everything is going to be OK even though it is different than we could have ever known or planned.
You have good intuition, listen to it.
Strive for head-heart-gut alignment when making decisions. If one or more is jangling, there is a reason. Pay attention, take time to pause, and figure it out.
Everything that comes before brings you to where you are now.
The journey is not easy and the lessons are many.
Peace is the goal: a peace-full home, a peaceful vibe, and peace in your body more often than fight or flight.
Speak up. Say exactly what you think. Be bold. It is OK to not be liked by everyone. Not everyone is for you and part of your tribe. Love one another, the greatest commandment, yes. Also, learn about boundaries and practice self care.
It is OK to feel all of your feelings and express them.
Don’t bite your tongue.
Don’t tamp down.
Trust yourself.
Stay close to your family of birth, they love you biggest, most, best, forever, and always.
Spend time with your grandparents.
Take notes.
Ask questions.
Learn about your ancestors.
Grit, steel, grace, and love, that’s what Janean Thompson is made of.
You can keep your maiden name for always. Ms. keeps people guessing as to whether or not you are single, married, or some variable.
Love yourself. Love is an inside job. Start there and grow.
You have a knack for growing peace lilies.
They talk to you.
You are brave and courageous and strong and fierce and a warrior.
Stay close to God.
God loves you and will never leave you.
Faith grows and yours is tangible, believing in what cannot be seen.
Hope is part of your DNA.
Joy is abundant in you, even on the hardest, darkest days.
Sit in the sunshine.
Walk in the rain.
Delight in snowball fights at every/any age.
Wear boots for courage.
Keep going fishing.
Keep making art for you, even without a classroom assignment. Do it for you.
Learn the rules of poetry or just write it.
Say hello to strangers because they may become friends.
Life is a beautiful, complex journey.
Have fun as often as possible, and fun is always possible.
There is more, I’m trying to avoid spoiler alerts.
Your friendships with other women will sustain you and give you strength on the days you feel depleted. There is strength in women gathering and sharing their real without masks or facades.
“Real like The Velveteen Rabbit” is the benchmark for beauty and love.
Here is the checklist that sees you through lots of hard stuff:
1. Take it day by day
2. Show up
3. Do what’s next
4. Find the joy
5. Thank God
You’ve got this.
God’s got you.
Everything is going to be OK.
It is OK to ask for help.
Rest when you need to.
Love and trust God and yourself (instincts).
All My Love,
Janean, age 49
December 12, 2020
Good morning, Moon
My second story view from the laundry room
I zoomed
Happy Christmas Eve Day
Almost Christmas
Yay!
December 24, 2018
3:36pm …and now the sun is out
May 30, 2018
pouring rain
a real soaker
coziness
peace
soul balm
summer rain
I love you
May 30, 2018
Blue Baird (September 26, 2011-May 1, 2018) Monday night Blue was much weaker, wobbly standing. I called the vet, to schedule a time if he made it through the night. He did. On Tuesday Blue spent the whole morning belly in the grass, listening to the birds, soaking up sunshine, watching the world go by. The vet came to the house around 11:30am. Blue and I sat in the grass in the front yard. The boys were inside, having already said goodbye. By 11:45am Blue’s spirit was gone. Oh. My heart. Big, sweet dog I loved. This picture of Blue and I is from yesterday morning at 8:55am, enjoying backyard sun, a few hours before his death.
May 2, 2018
Panzer pawing at the window to get Blue’s attention. For the first time ever, didn’t work. Blue did sit up when he spied a squirrel hopping through a neighbor’s yard. Sitting here awhile longer as the breeze blows.
April 27, 2018
Blue and I sat in the backyard sunshine this morning after both boys left for school. I took some still photos of Blue looking left and then right, assessing, protecting, for this is his turf. The birds serenaded as the cool breeze blew making the wind-chimes chime. I made this video to save and share this moment in time. Blue is slowing down, eating less and sleeping more. We are staying in our own yard instead of walking sidewalk paths we both know by heart. Thankful for each day, especially quiet moments such as this.
April 25, 2018
Turquoise Tangles 