Textures of Nature

As I look around my neighborhood, my mind is alerted to shapes, sizes and textures of nature. The diversity in nature is infinitive.
Light touches these textures and highlights curves, bumps, and smoothness of the surfaces. 
Age in nature is also infinitive. How old is a rock? Why do leaves drop off from their trees and begin to feed the soil? How do trees live hundreds of years?
Nature is full of unanswered questions. The best I can do in nature is to observe everything around me.  

Notes From a Friendly Firefighter.

Never underestimate the need for good fire fighting equipment. Be prepaid. Get ready cause it is a coming. Man up or down but it is coming. It should take years before it comes, but, soon or later it will be here.

Nourish yourself. No one will take better care of yourself but yourself. So get busy. Organize, learn, dream, and get ready. 

Nourish yourself with good food. Don't nourish your self with sugar, syrup or fat.
Nourish yourself with educational activities that nourish your brain.
Get outside and sit up the trees. 
Go to Nature as much of the day as you can spare.
Nourish your soul. Music nourishes my soul and calms my spirit. 
Nourish yourself with good friend that know when to comfort you.
They know when you are hurting. They care that you are hurting.  

Don't be afraid of the daily demons, that will suck your time out -slowly one step at a time. 
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Now is the time to speak up and ask questions. More forward, step, by step but doing it slowly.

Learn from failures. Gain wisdom over time. 

Smile all day long. Never stop smiling. A smile is a beautiful thing. 
Make eye contact with other human beings. Say good morning. 
Connect face to face with people.

Days to Thanksgiving

I woke up this morning looking around for my walking shoes, old walking blues.  Walking Blues by Mr. Robert Johnson is playing on Lead Belly Radio. Nice old, crunchy and true blues. Just people singing about just how hard life is. Woody Gunthrie singing Jesse James. Great music station. I am hidden away in our small office with with two desks, and two chairs. Oh, and one large and noisy paper shredder



Thanksgiving is coming in three days. Trader Joe on Monday was packed to the gills. I spoke to the sweetest 98 year old lady who was following a women around the store. The 98 year old was walking and sitting on her "walker" and her daughter pushed the filled shopping cart. The woman had good posture, beautiful white hair and a very nice laugh. I continued picking up the items on my shopping list. Two aisles away, I ran into these two woman again.  I asked the elder, if she liked hot chocolate. The type of hot chocolate that formed  a putting crust on  top of the hot drink. She said yes, that sounded nice. I asked if she wanted a can of this product and let her know I was willing to walk through the mass of people looking lost as if it were the first time coming to Trader Joes. Yes,  the mob was new to TJ and did not know the edicate.
I dashed back two aisles with my filled cart and ended up in the coffee section and found the product and dashed back to the two ladies. The elder's eyes looked at the time and sound Oh thank you so much, this looks great. Her daughter read the label and said to her mom...that yes, she would enjoy this.
I went back to the elder who had been patiently waiting for me to return. I looked into her soft blue eyes and said " When you have this hot chocolate, think of me and the fun we had today."


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Changing of the Seasons

Changing of the seasons. As we enter the quiet winter season, I had to think back about this summer, my back and my arthritis. This summer I was extremely limited in my activities because I was in pain, I was fearful of being in pain, and I wanted to avoid any pain.
What is wrong with me. Why has pain tried to take over my active life style.  Why am I afraid to venture forward and confront my fears.

I must go into the afternoon light and enjoy the world around me. Walk in the woods once deer hunting season has past. Go into the sun shine and laugh out loud. Smile the marsh, listen to the ocean, watch the birds. Take command of your fears daily. Be strong and be happy.

Open up the artistic side of your brain. Fill it with sunshine. Listen to music. Find joy in small things around you. 

Be silly, be goofy, be original, be the women you have become. Have no fears little sister. You are in good hands.