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
“It’s not the scary house anymore.”
I overheard a mother say this to her son on Halloween night from where I stood on the front porch holding a bowl of candy to give away. A moment later, the boy did walk up the driveway from the sidewalk and say, “Trick or Treat?” I gladly gave him treats and hope he’ll be back next year without the sidewalk hesitation. Like his mother said, that old designation is now put to rest once and for all. Getting there. Step by step. NOTE TO SELF: Get rid of all your old Halloween decorations. The ones you didn’t make time to put out this year.
January 12, 2014
I love the rain
Spring rains will come soon
thunderstorms and gentle mists
I welcome both
I love walking in the woods
and on a gravel road
lined with trees on either side
I love resting
whether on a proper bench
or plopping on the ground
I love the river
especially Grandpa’s river
the mighty Mississippi
standing atop his bluff
looking o’er her curving path
there I can breathe
I love to smile
and often do
a gentle curve of lips
or crooked at the corner
a flash of teeth and quick laugh
full wattage mega kind too
the best ones reach my eyes
I love the rain
I walk my dog without an umbrella
wearing rain boots with peacocks
splashing through puddles
with a grin
laughing at my prancing pup
I am not dead. I am here. Thank you, God, for these simple things and the ability to find joy in quiet moments such as these. Thank you for family and friends, and the powerful prayers of Your people who are lifting up my cancer fighting husband and me and our boys asking for the strength and courage we need to weather this vicious storm. We are thankful, humbled and oh, so very blessed. Hope bubbles fresh anew each day. Your love will see us through. ~Janean
January 25, 2013
Photograph taken on January 16, 2013, standing atop my Grandpa’s bluff, overlooking his river, my Heart Home, that place where I can breathe.
My youngest son is home sick-ish today. Mostly feeling lousy with a headache and overtired. Oh. How I know. That’s been me this week too. That’s why, mid-afternoon, my sweet, nine year old boy is tucked into my side of the big bed resting. I came upstairs to check on him and heard myself say, “I’m kind of shivery.” Then that wise child o’mine said, “You could tuck in too.” Hmmm. Don’t mind if I do! So, I grabbed my favorite romance novel of all time, the one I started rereading yesterday, and crawled between the flannel sheets and savored the weight of an extra comforter…the comforter my Grandma made for me, and a matching one for my little sister, long ago and far away, when I was still a child. Dog is pacing. Woofing too. This cozy moment won’t last long. Rest time is a nice thought though…
December 21, 2012
Turquoise Tangles 