I’m trying to be still and know that He is God, from the Psalms.
I am trying to Trust and Fear Not.
It is hard.
Faith is believing in things that cannot be seen.
Love is the biggest of all.
I am a Hope Full woman.
I’m also held together really carefully on the inside right now.
Love,
Janean
written Monday, March 18, 2013
damp sidewalk
from nighttime rain
brisk chill in the air
gray sky remains
no color
and yet
the birds are singing
trilling from the trees
beautiful
joyful
hopeful
birdsong fills me up
I smile broadly
and I mean it
from deep inside
my gut
I am a hopeful woman
for there is beauty
all around
hope springs eternal
like the songs
of those springtime birds
March 18, 2013
I’ve already declared my sister magic. Turns out my father is too. Perhaps that shamrock plant I bought, really did bring me some Irish luck, or perhaps it was just Papa, who promised five bucks, but look at this magnificent sight – not photoshopped and no dirty dishes/pots/pans stacked on the stove – two empty sinks and it was my oldest son who did them!!!! Best St. Patrick’s Day EVER!!!! That is all.
March 17, 2013
I’m wearin’ green today, includin’ a tiny shamrock pin that cost just 99-cents (many years ago). My St. Patrick’s Day ensemble includes a pair o’hand knit socks in kelly green (hidin’ inside my cowgirl boots), a top o’teal (a shade o’green), and a pair o’natural emerald earrings. Culver’s did the cookin’. I had a reuben for lunch.
March 17, 2013
Some mornings don’t go as planned.
^ That’s the understatement of the year, as every parent knows.
Things ran clockwork fine here, but my close, dear friend, well, that’s another story…
A private one mostly but had to do with car, truck, jeep trouble. Damn. All just while trying to get her children to school. Which she did (mostly) on time, because she’s not a quitter. Ever.
She texted her troubles. Summarized. She knows where a caring heart resides. Ended with, “Calgon…vodka…take me away!” Oh, how I heard her!
So, I saucily replied:
Oh, Vodka.
That blue bottle that I crave.
Not yet for me…
But I can mix and serve!
😉
We take turns making the other smile. ‘Cause that’s friendship at it’s finest. Love, prayer, propping up with hugs, kindness and laughter complete the lasting bond. Best of all, each of these, can be sent via text.
March 14, 2013
my heart longs to make art
it’s the soul balm
I am needing
layered alongside that though
is family business paperwork
waiting for me To Do
trying to balance my time
weighing heart cry vs. duty
I called the 1-800 number
the one atop this bill
seemed wise to double check
‘cause I thought I’d maybe paid it
handwritten check register read:
#9988 2/27/13 $389.90
the total due matched right up
answered the automated questions
by typing on the phone
was given a second number
for “facilities business office”
a person answered right away
gave ‘em the account number
they replied with a human voice:
“Zero Balance”
“Paid In Full”
what beautiful words those are
just like Jesus on the cross
who forgives us
over and over
BIG TIME
sinners saved by grace
a gift freely given
all we are To Do is ask
“Amazing Grace”
was played across radio waves
this very morning too
I sang along and cried
I almost always do
March 13, 2013
I’m finally mailing our Illinois state taxes.
Snail mail is necessary, to send extra paperwork required.
Doggone Tax Time.
Stapling W-2 then mailing.
Just a week or so after finishing…
There is a grape jelly smudge on them.
Oh well.
A l’il sign of Food, Family and Life.
That about sums it up.
For these are the things that go “in between” the famous Ben Franklin quote, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
So we learn to savor each day and happy moment we are given, even as we dutifully see to the need to fulfill all legal requirements.
March 13, 2013
The place I am in, is saying aloud, again and again, “I’m showing up.”
Sometimes, that alone is enough.
Just being present, in the moment.
Skimmed a Girl Power article in newest Time magazine today. (The March 18, 2013 issue.) One nugget jumped out, quoted as a sign that hangs in the Facebook offices (article was about Sheryl Sandberg):
“Done Is Better Than Perfect.”
That helps me, as I face so much needing done. Needed it. Gleaned it, in the time I spent waiting. Brief, though it was.
day by day
step by step
quietly abiding
that is all
(yet everything)
we can do
~ Janean
March 12, 2013
TIME magazine article link citing poster quote:
http://ideas.time.com/2013/03/07/why-i-want-women-to-lean-in/
in this moment
I’m all kinds o’weepy
still wearing my fleece pajamas
with peacock adorned rain boots
(of course)
I don’t care about societal rules
pajamas smajamas, I’m not nude
just leaving the grocery store
where I bought a shamrock plant
figured I could use a l’il luck
hoping for the good kind
years ago, more than 20
my mom gave me shamrocks
for my college dorm room
that’d be four of them
‘cause a green thumb is not my gift
I’d forgotten all about ‘em
until they recently caught my eye
plant after plant
set along a deep window edge
waiting to catch sunlight
I mentioned them aloud
walking down the window lined hall
following the kind woman
one of many helping me through
she casually replied
“They are mine.”
Shamrocks
for luck
‘tis their month you know
March and all
with the fun of St. Patrick’s Day
less than a week away
soon
March 11, 2013
I walked Blue through the park this morning early, our favorite route, while a cold rain fell. As my peacock adorned rain boots hit the wet sidewalk, after we made it through and were headed on toward home, these words rang in my head in a steady rhythm:
“Grit, Steel, Grace and Love
that’s what Janean Baird is made of.”
Of course it should read, “Janean Marie Thompson Baird” but that’s too long and ruins the word flow.
I’m going to wake up the boys next and plan on unplugging as best I can to make art today, for that is the soothing balm my aching and weary soul needs most.
March 11, 2013
Turquoise Tangles 