Embrace the Poet's Spirit

"How important is the poetess whose goal is only this:

to bring a revelation to the soul as a gentle kiss."

from my new rose bush

 

I wrote this many years ago during a time when poetry filled my life and words of rhyme came very naturally. I write from time to time when I feel moved. Have you ever tried to write a poem? Now, there are websites to help you find word to rhyme. Maybe poetry can be a way to help express your feelings, desires, and dreams? You know it doesn't even have to rhyme! Maybe poetry can be a way to really connect with God in your heart and spirit? If you haven't tried it since your high school English teacher gave you an assignment to write one, then go ahead and try it again. Leave us a little legacy of your view of the world. You never know who you might inspire.

SIMPLE SENSATIONS

The mind was made for poetry and to hear poetic things.

Simple sensations are inspirations to cause our words to sing.

Imagine, hours of simple pleasures and days of noticed times

Where God’s creations are observations for us to lovingly find.

THANKS

My Lord I want to thank you for all that you have done.

For each day that starts anew beckoned by the rising sun.

The blessings you have given have truly enriched my life.

Please strengthen my heart within to live my days for Christ.

SPIRITUAL FIREWATER

Whether at times a burning flame or a flicker in my soul

This little light of mine will shine until at last I’m home

To touch even one inch of God or to see his loving light

To which my simple glowing coals with his fire reunite.

ELOHIM

Your friendship’s my ocean.

It refreshes me often.

Your support keeps me floating.

Your words are like dolphins

Who playfully splash me,

Guide me, and sing

The songs of the coral

And what you can bring.

An emotion so priceless

A friendship so rare

That I would drown of dryness

If taken from there.

The Journey - Concert in Tulsa and Exploring

 Hubby and I went to Tulsa recently to the Journey & Toto concert. We did some sightseeing too. It was great to get away and here are some photos and random order. 

Celebrating Life and Balance - My COVID-19 Pandemic Anniversary

Lone bird in a tree

For me, March 13th is the anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic. That day I was sent home to begin working remote. Appropriately, it was also Friday the 13th. I can hardly believe TODAY is that 3 year anniversary!

One challenge of March 13th was that I worked every day for the next month. This was exhausting but needed for such an unprecedented time. Secondly, being home with the kid'os full time was a challenge because I wanted to keep us safe and yet not go stir crazy. Thankfully, after about a month, life found its rhythm and we all were more balanced. 

It's this very idea of "balance" that I want to celebrate today in my life.

I almost found balance back when I visited Iceland in 2010. I came back with a refreshed perspective. The first day back at work I shared with a co-worker how I wanted to incorporate several things from Iceland into my life in the States. His response? "You won't be able to keep it." 

And, he wasn't wrong. It is hard to make life changes inside a culture that's bombarding you in a different direction. 

I felt a lot like this lone bird in a tree I saw the other day.

But then March 13, 2020 happened and I was able to spend over a year developing new habits and reprogramming my own mindset towards the lifestyle I desired. Not only do I have more life-work balance but I've learned not to push myself to the point of utter exhaustion. I've quieted my own self-critic and am trying to take care of myself. I also get more fresh air!  

This post is not to lessen the difficulty of the pandemic at all but to reframe some of it in my life so that I can celebrate ALL that's positively changed because of it. 

How has your life changed for the better since the pandemic? Today's a great day to reflect. 

What if you don't feel like anything good came out of it? Well, then why not make today your post-pandemic day of change towards the life you want!

Today, can be your day too.

Doing Something New - The 12 Decision Challenge by Chip Gaines

#makesense

I'm currently reading Chip Gaines' book, "No Pain No Gaines - The good stuff doesn't come easy." In one of the chapters he encourages readers not to go through life on auto pilot. There is a week long challenge to make 12 decisions and do something you usually wouldn't.

So far they have varied from decisions as simple as taking myself out to breakfast or driving down a different road in my new hometown to trying a home project. (Chip doesn't mention home projects but I was inspired!) 

Our new home has a duct in the kitchen for a horizontal vented range hood. Unfortunately, the hole was cut too low for a rear vent unit that could also fit below the cabinet. A technician came to measure and the recommendation was to fill the hole and get a recirculating unit. That wasn't the answer I had hoped for but ultimately I knew it would be the easiest fix.

HERE IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE PRIOR TO MOVE IN

I've patched holes but never one that went all the way through the wall. But since I took Chip's challenge, I decided to do research and take a shot. Some benefits are that it would be less expensive, we wouldn't need to find a handy man, and we wouldn't need to wait for scheduling. Plus, the weather turned cold today and a hole in the wall is not ideal. 

This morning I woke up, ran to the local hardware store and here are the results. Sure, a professional probably would have done things different, but for an all in cost of $62.98, I'm pretty proud of myself!

THAT IS OUR NEIGHBORS FRONT DOOR!

PIPE I REMOVED - IT STUCK OUT BOTH SIDES

PLASTIC CAP TO HELP WITH CLOSING HOLE

INSIDE CAP VIEW

FOAM TO HELP INSULATE

ADDED MORE FOAM TO INSIDE COVER

SOME GAPS BUT TAPED THE LEAVERS SHUT

UTILIZING THIS TO FILL GAPS - NOT SPONSORED

INSTALLED!

PATCH IS GOING ON

 

GOES ON PINK - DRIES WHITE SO YOU KNOW TO SAND & APPLY 2ND COAT

ALL DONE! I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF!

____________________________________________________________

PS - another thing I'm proud of is figuring out
how to cover the dryer pipe that also stuck out of our home.

Poems for Travelers - James Arthur Lyons

 I visited a bookstore called "Stranger than Fiction" to snag some new books. One was a book of poems for travelers by James Arthur Lyons. It's number 480 of 500 printed versions and is signed by the author with an inscription to The Smiths wishing them happy travels from 1972. BUT the coolest thing is that inside the pages of the book was this newspaper clipping. It's of a distinguished gentleman modeling a Scottish tweed jacket which happens to be the author!

The Loft @ Hangar 309

Hubby and I recently spent some time at an AirB&B located inside an airplane hanger in McKinney. We have been at the lakeside RV for almost a month now so we had to get a break into something a little larger and a place that didn't rock back and forth when you walked through it. :) 

The place was perfect for us. Here are a few trip photos.