Images

July 23, 2013 Image

doggone dog I love
woofed before 5:30am today
he hasn’t done that for awhile
he’s learned to sleep in, my Blue
today he barked and fussed a bit
to let me know he really meant it
up and at ‘em
put summer clothes on
enough to hit the sidewalk
and be decent
we set off for the park
on our usual morning route
I quickly realized
the beauty of his timing
for Blue knew
it was a special morning
the moon so full and luminous
glowing o’er our heads last night
twas even more lovely
in the early morning light
with pale blue sky
behind the glowing sphere
wisps of pink clouds surrounding
to keep her from feeling bare, exposed
she shows her lovely luminescence
as a new day dawns
a morning moon lit the sky before us
as the sun rose to our backs
Blue and I kept moving forward
looping through the park
circling back toward home
always
home

July 23, 2013

July 15, 2013 Image

It’s time to recycle the painted and yellowing newspaper that has been atop my art table for over half a year. The date in the upper corner reads, “December 29, 2012.” Sounds just right, since I painted a really blue, blue sky, on New Year’s Eve, as 2012 became 2013. Then on New Year’s Day I glued the landscape collage titled, “orange, yellow and blue.” I’ve made several pieces of art this year so far. “Hooray! Make more art!” I say. The next landscape background that I paint, will be atop a current newspaper. I’m thankful for my wonderful neighbors who will gladly set me up with yesterday’s news to make art upon. ~ Janean

July 15, 2013

July 9, 2013 Image

The peace rose planted by my front door has one bloom and sixteen buds. SIXTEEN! I can’t quite believe it! I chose this rose bush the first spring we lived here, way back in 2002, because the house I grew up in had a peace rose planted there. At my childhood home there were roses in an array of colors planted to the left of the front walk: red, coral, white, yellow, even a blue rose (really lavender), and peace. It was this peace rose, and its amazing beauty that comes in varying shades of yellow with white edges and a hint of pink blush, that was the only rose my dad commented on every time it bloomed.

“To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
—Luke 1:79

Before walking Blue this morning, I read this passage of scripture along with a devotion dated July 7. I loved the whole message, but my favorite part was the reference to a “path of peace.” Upon our return home, the dog and me, I photographed the peace rose bush planted to the left of the front walk at the house where I’m the mom. Then I stepped upon the butterfly adorned welcome mat that my sister insisted upon and walked through the front door into home. I’m always thankful for found moments of quiet, calm and peace, since with two growing up fast boys there are many times that noise, chaos and commotion reign. I love those zany times too. I do!

July 9, 2013

June 29, 2013 Image

I am the crazy lady who just planted sugar snap peas in her garden while a persistent summer rain fell on June 29th. Of course reading the back of the packet more closely now (after the fact), since I missed sowing in April-May, I should have waited until August to plant for a fall crop. Oh well. Seeds are cheap and I have a purposeful crop in my garden now, not weeds. The thistles are cut down and uprooted. The volunteer sunflowers are welcome to stay, for they invite the birds and make me smile.

June 29, 2013

June 29, 2013 Image

I baked the cake I promised my boys yesterday, after I said, “No” at the grocery store. They were both drooling over a display of square cakes near the bakery decorated in patriotic red, white and blue. Two heart shaped chocolate cakes are cooling atop the oven now. Those two cake loving boys are still sleeping which meant I got to lick the beaters, bowl and spatula all by myself. It’s a good thing I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror to clean the telltale chocolate cake batter off of my face before they wake up. I’m tackling the thistle roots in the garden next. It must be Saturday morning.

June 29, 2013

June 17, 2013 Image

I’m packing away
a comforter today
the one my Grandma made
to top my childhood twin bed
twas my winter comforter
made of heavy fabric
for extra warmth
with a tangible weight to it
you know
when you’re nestled underneath
you can feel it
even as you sleep
Grandma and Grandpa’s love
always with you
they worked as a tag team
in nearly everything
my sister’s bed
sported a matching comforter
Grandma made two
nearly the same
a lot like my sister and I
for years I’ve said
(a bit tongue in cheek)
“She is the blonde version
and I’m the brunette.”
but beyond our similar look
face shape, smiles bright,
dimpled chin from our dad
we’re more alike than not
on the inside
I’m packing away
a comforter today
thankful
for the warmth, comfort and strength
this decades old blanket
made with Thompson Love
gave me
through the fall, winter and spring
now past

June 17, 2013

June 16, 2013 Image

“When your life appears to be the most stable and calm, unexpected changes will occur.”
~ quote from the book, “Understanding and Sharing” chapter 7, page 141

I’ve just begun to sort through the boxes that hold the remnants from my childhood bedroom. It was February of 1994 when I packed up my basement bedroom at 21 Jones Place. I remember the date because that’s when my parents moved to their dream house, a new construction built just for them. Today I removed a slim spiral bound notebook from one of the boxes. It’s an odd size, 7 3/4” x 5”. On the cardboard cover I’d written, “Ceramics” and my maiden name, “Janean Thompson.” On page one, opposite from the quote shared above, the upper right hand corner of my notes declare, “1-30-90.” That’d be from second semester of my freshman year in college. Eons ago. Light years. More than two decades in calendar reality, not based on dramatic storytelling time. Of course I found this quote today, “6-16-13.” One of many notes I’ve uncovered this morning that I left for my future self. That’d be me. The woman I am now. The mother of two boys, ages 13 and so close to 10, who sees photographs of that teenage girl with the mane of long brown hair and smile so bright, and wonders, “Who was she? Where did she go? What were her dreams?” My soul whispers in reply, “I’m still here. Look inside.” I’m trying to. My sister’s wise advice is, “Just be you.”

June 16, 2013