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Autumn Nights

Chorus of crickets harmonizing as a soft breeze

combs the trees,

branches gently swaying...

Harvest moon winking at me through filmy clouds 

in the autumn sky,

a familiar face.

Memories flood back. I close my eyes recalling

games of hide 'n seek

with childhood friends...

Running, tripping in the dark through yards,

over rock and bushes

to touch Home Base.

Autumn's cool breath mixing with summer's

waning warmth beckons me

to stay and listen...

But turning a deaf ear to go inside and close

the door and miss

the chance to rest.

Tonight I pray Old Man Moon and cricket friends

resume their autumn play

for an audience of one...

Sitting in my Adirondack chair, head back,

absorbing the sight and sounds

of nature's best.

Colors and Textures of Nature

I didn't realize the extent to which colors and textures affect my moods; specifically the colors and textures of nature. When we re-decorated our family room recently, we chose neutral colors for the tile floor, area rug, and furniture: taupe, brown, and olive green, like the earth. Then I added reds, gold, and hints of orange to accent with pillows, pictures, and other pieces. Looking at the room, I see the colors of autumn, my favorite season of the year. Now I spend more time there, reading, studying, watching t.v., and spending time with family.

Whenever possible, I introduce some facet of nature into our home with pictures and prints of birds, flowers, and outside scenes. Since childhood, I have drawn energy and a sense of peace from God's beautiful world. Our father took my brother and me to the beach, and we camped in the Columbia Gorge, the Oregon Cascades, and Crater and Diamond Lake areas. Those happy times and memories remain with me to this day.

My husband and I just returned from Central Oregon: the land of ponderosa pine, mountains, and lakes. Of course it's winter and the colors are muted, the landscape is softened, and quieted with a blanket of snow. I loved every moment of our vacation as I soaked in the tranquility for six days. Bringing this feeling home, with a cup of tea beside me and a warmed spirit inside, I'll spend the next days recording my feelings in poetry and prose.

Countdown To Christmas

Countdown time to Christmas has begun. Last night we saw our grandsons and the last thing they said was, "Tomorrow is the Eve before Christmas Eve. See you in two days!" It's been a long time since I've felt such child-like excitement about Christmas.

For more years than I can recall, we had separate Christmas celebrations with my family. My parents had been divorced since I was 10 years old, so over time we spent Christmas Eve and day in the car traveling from house to house to my Mom's, my Dad's, and then to my in-law's. It wasn't very relaxing and I felt badly taking the kids all over town when I knew they wanted to stay hime to play with their toys.

In 1987 I decided to solve the issue of multiple celebrations, and it turned out to be one of the best Christmases ever. My brother could not remember having Christmas as a family with Mom and Dad, so I took the opportunity to invite everyone for dinner and to open gifts. I was a little nervous, but it was a day that my brother and I will always remember.

This week my heart hurts a little. It's the second year without Great Grandma, the last of the older generation. We miss her so much because she always put family first. Christmas is still centered on family but as the dynamics change, our experiences change too. On Sunday everyone will come to our house to open presents and share a meal. This year they'll come in the afternoon, following their own time for gift giving, church, and time with the other grandparents. But our children and their precious children will be with us - it doesn't get any better than that.

Merry Christmas to you, however you spend the day, and if we don't touch bases before, have a Happy New Year too.

Gift From the Past

The mind, particularly the memory part, is an amazing thing. Yesterday I was teleported to my childhood by an item in an antique shop. Hanging on a cup hook was a child-size bracelet exactly like the one I had many years ago. The pleasant reminder of my long, lost possession was accompanied with guilt. How could I have forgotten about my favorite bracelet?

My charm bracelet, a present from my father for Christmas or Easter, was faux pearl with eleven charms: a tiny mother of pearl Bible and ten gold octagons with the Ten Commandments imprinted on each.

As I held the doll-size trinket, I felt five years old again; better yet, here was an early Christmas present. My husband smiled, knowing that I'd ask to buy it. I didn't right away, only after thinking about it over a cup of coffee. You got it! The pearl bracelet will sit in my jewelry box until my granddaughter can slip it on her wrist.

Merry Christmas. Make good memories.

Here's to Springtime and New Life

Springtime always reminds me of a new beginning; it's nature's way of telling us, "Life goes on." Nothing illustrates this more clearly than rolling hills of green pasture land filled with colts, calves, and newborn sheep as they chase each other or simply jump for joy, happy to be alive.

I like to think on these marvelous scenes whenever I feel a little down; whether it's because of a rainy day, or because my writing is stalled, or because everyone else is busy when I have nothing to do. Children have much in common with our four-footed friends. They see the good in just about everything and get excited about little things: eating a chocolate ice cream cone, having a friend to share the afternoon with, or taking a bike ride on a warm summer day. I remember the carefree days of my youth and am grateful I can still do many of my favorite things.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday; it's the ultimate way of saying, "Life goes on." With His ultimate sacrifice, Jesus ensured that life can go on forever, if we choose to believe. Happy Easter & happy spring.