It’s elusive
But needed
Without it
It’s hard to move forward
It’s hard to function
There’s a heavy feeling
Of darkness and despair
When we are knocked down
Hope lifts us up
To try again
To reach again
To be
Beyond ourselves
And our own limits
Hope inspires us
To new heights
It fills us with light
It gets us to look for better days
To focus on the possible
To open our hearts
Hope is everything

Hot baked sun streaming down
Intense bright light all around
Penetrating everything
Wilting flowers fighting to stay alive
Lazy cats and dogs seeking shelter and shade
Streets and sidewalks hot to the touch
Laundry put out dries in a minute

It’s summertime once again

Bright blue skies
Sleeveless tops and dresses
Nothing feels comfortable
Beds too hot
No where to sit in comfort
Cold drinks tempting the mouth
Thoughts go to sandy beaches
And ocean breezes

It’s summertime once again

I fear that we have lost our way
We have strayed off the path
We have changed
Not as once I remember

I fear that we have lost our way
The direction has changed
Not my choice nor idea
I don’t recognize things anymore
It’s not what I was taught
It’s not what I stand for
Things seem upside down

I fear that we have lost our way
We are mired down in muck and darkness
Struggling to find the light
Struggling to find our way back

I fear that we have lost our way
We have lost that special essence
It made us unique
Unusual
One of a kind

We were dreamers
We were hopers
Anything was possible
At any time

I fear that we have lost our way
We have strayed off the path
I hope we will find our way back

Come dance with me
Let’s touch the stars
Baila conmigo
Let’s listen to romantic music
Come walk with me
Anda conmigo
Come explore the world with me
Let’s see all there is to see
Let’s watch the stars dance
Watch the moon watching us
Let’s smell the roses
Vamos oler las rosas
Come laugh with me
Give me one hundred smiles
Come be with me
Ven conmigo
Forever

It was a cool sunny morning
Spring on the horizon
The sky had a crispness to it
Sky was bright blue
The cool air was refreshing

Tourists were coming back
After a hiatus
People were out sitting at cafe having their breakfast
Some seats were empty
The atmosphere was somewhat muted
It made one long for the coming of spring

Sitting in a café
Slowly drinking my coffee
Enjoying the light breeze blowing across my face
Teasing me tenderly
Watching the world pass by
Streets full of cars and people
Motorbikes and bicyclists

I’m street watching

Watching the trees swaying
Taking in the scene
Checking out the news
Feeling mellow and calm

I’m street watching

From where I sit I can see several streets, restaurants, cafes and shops
People walking to and fro
Seeking what they need or desire

I’m street watching

It’s morning
Not early nor late
But as one rises
For the day
Its a time for rituals
Of life
Both of the body
And abode
A time for coffee
Breakfast
Changing clothes
Feeding the pet
A time to get ready
For what is to come
Whether work
Or something else
Errands
House chores
It’s the morning
Time to get going

We have a choice every day of how we will relate and engage with people and the world

We can be kind or unkind

We can bring light or darkness

The choice is ours and we own the after effects, either positive or negative

If we all do that we can light up the world

Believe

When you left that night forever part of me died
You were my bright North Star
You glimmered like diamonds
Without you I wasn’t grounded
I had no center
My heart was weeping from the loss

My spirit was trapped in total darkness
I felt like I was slipping away
Lost without an anchor
Like a ship without a port
I was unable to find my way home
Everything was upside down and backwards

I had lost my bright North Star

Gone Just Gone

She’s gone
Just gone
She did her usual thing
The thing she did
Every morning
Returning early afternoon
But this time
She hasn’t returned
She’s always been a bit wild
She came from the street
Not the home
She lost her way as a baby
But we took her in
No question she was feral
Driven by the need of freedom
Tried to give her a home
And oh I loved her
My heart was full for her
I love all cats
I can’t help it
Actually all animals
She was a real beauty
Her face was stunning
And she talked all the time
In the morning she spoke
While getting breakfast
I’d like to think she was saying
Good morning
I know I was
I miss her presence
It’s a punch to the gut
There’s a hollowness
Where she was
I still look for her
In the apartment
On the terrace
But she’s gone
I’ve looked for her
But there’s no trace
She’s just vanished
Into thin air
All that’s left
Is an empty space
It hurts

He’s got the red velvet blues
He loves the feeling of the fabric
Smooth and silky to the touch
Intoxicating in its beauty

Red Velvet Blues

He once saw a girl wearing one
He was mesmerized
He’d never seen anyone like her
Nor the dress
Together they were beyond belief

Red Velvet Blues

She looked like an angel
Almost not human
So beautiful and fresh
The dress was stunning
So was she

Red Velvet Blues

He asked her to dance
Held her close
The red velvet dress soft to his touch
He never wanted to let go

Red Velvet Blues

Even to this day
Many years later
He remembers the girl and that dress
He never forgot
She was embedded in his soul

Red Velvet Blues

If someone touched your life a long time ago, but you lost touch -- reach out

If someone touched your heart in a very special way -- reach out

If there is someone you never forgot and wish you were still in touch -- reach out

For all those wished second chances -- wish and try again

Reach out
For all those lost opportunities, try once more
Reach out

For all the times you lost faith, believe again

Reach out

For every time you received a kindness, or a break, or something wonderful happened, be grateful and smile

Reach out

For all the love you have received, love back

Reach out

For all the smiles you have received, smile back

Reach out

This is a magical time, whether or not one practices these holidays

Reach out

Take advantage of this time, to love, to give, to remember, to smile and to reach out

Morning Chores

It’s morning
Not early nor late
But as one rises
For the day
Its a time for rituals
Of life
Both of the body
And abode
A time for coffee
Breakfast
Changing clothes
Feeding the pet
A time to get ready
For what is to come
Whether work
Or something else
Errands
House chores
It’s the morning
Time to get going

Burning embers sitting amongst the wood
Red orange in their color
From time to time a gold blue flame emerges
The wood crackles against the heat
The glow is calming to the spirit
Enticing like a natural perfume

Burning embers

As the wood burns,
the embers glow a red orange color with a slight stream of white gray smoke which reaches up towards the sky like fingers

Burning embers

It is Sunday morning
The American Girl gets dressed
Having finished her brief breakfast
She is going out

Dressed in her red coat and scarf
Ivory colored turtle neck sweater
Blue jean leggings
She looks like a typical American Girl

It’s winter at the end of January
Very cold outside
It gets into your bones
Makes them ache

She is heading out to the store
Afterwards she will stop for coffee at a favorite cafe
Before heading home

She is living her new life with her high school sweetheart
An unbelievable dream come true....

It’s that time of year
Fall crispness is in the air
Trees abound with bright colors
There scents of apples, cider and pies wafting through the air
Oranges, reds and golds are the colors of choice
Sweaters are pulled out
Vests and coats are worn
Boots and warm socks
Thoughts of holidays fill the mind
Light snow tickles the landscape
Piles of leaves in yards
Holiday decorations in stores
The mindset changes
To a holiday mode
Thoughts of sugarplums
Love, care and charity appear
It’s the season

As the moon brightens, the waves slow down to a constant rhythm
While it is dark, you can see every detail, including the white caps of the waves as they crash to shore

As the light hits the water like a painters brush, the reflection looks like diamonds glistening

There is no noise, only the sound of stillness and your heart beating
The air is fresh with a hint of salt

As you listen to the quiet, you realize that you are at peace
You are where you are supposed to be
Doing what you are supposed to be doing

Moonlight

Fall breezes gently blowing
Dark gray painted skies
Highlighting the trees below
Cool temperatures
Crisp and clean air
Bright colored leaves
Red, orange and yellow
Like precious jewels
Rustling in the breeze
Hugging the branches ever so tightly
Before falling to the ground
Chimes ringing in the wind
Moving back and forth
Playing their own muted tune
Serenading
On another day
Fall Memories

Hot steamy nights
Heavy night air
Just hanging
No clean air to breathe or feel
It’s just hot
Not comfortable
No refreshment on the horizon
Just pure heat
Breezes come
But don’t cool
No solace offered
I crave a hint of freshness
Anything
Torturing my dreams
Taking away calm sleep
Causing dreams of winter
Praying it will end soon
Hot steamy nights

Fall breezes gently blowing
Dark gray skies overhead
Muted clouds paint the sky
Fresh crisp air
Cleansing to the lungs
Bright colored leaves decorating the landscape
Red, orange and yellow
Like precious jewels
Rustling in the wind to their own melody
Offering their scent as perfume
Others hugging the branches ever so tightly
Hoping for another day
Before gently falling
Chimes softly ringing
Playing their own muted tune
It’s that time of year
Autumn

There is forest and quiet
The trees reach to the sky
Darkness abounds
The air is cool and clear
A cabin sits
Surrounded by snow and trees
Mountains are in the background
A light is burning in the cabin
Smoke coming out the chimney
Scents of pine trees in the air
A dog sits on the steps
He’s a husky
Beautiful white and black
Waiting for it’s owner
A pie is baking in the oven
Apple perhaps
Coffee is on the stove
A fire burns in the fireplace
There is sublime quiet
There is a sense of calm
It is intoxicating
Like a sanctuary

Deep in the woods

Snow covered pine trees
Blanketed with white
Muted lights outside
Cold air clean to the breath
Winter is here
Slow walking people bundled up
Bright colored scarves
Hats of all shapes and sizes
Birds seeking their next meal
Cats on the prowl
Fireplaces burning
Pies in the oven
Cookies being made
Delicious soups
Roasts awaiting the oven
Sweaters and boots
Heavy coats with scarves
The fare of the time
Warm flannel PJs
Winter is here

We all have a chance every day
In how we will be with each other

We can be pleasant or not
We can bring light or darkness
A laugh or a frown
One of the most joyous things
Is to bring a smile to someone

It doesn't take much to do that
You never know when someone
Might bring one to you as well
So spread the light
It’s a new day

Smile

We are all makers of it
With an action
Or a sharp word
We can bring darkness
Hurt and pain
We can also lift up
Inspire
Create great beauty
Art
Dance
Music
Wonderful things
In an instant
We can bring despair
Hopelessness
Deep pain
Or tremendous light
It’s all about choices
Each and every day
We have the power
To light up the world
If we want

Street scene
People out running to and fro
Cold breathes in the air
Its holiday time
The season is upon us

Street scene

Markets full of people
Bright colors and tinsel
Lots of good energy
People selling their wares

Street scene

Stores decorated
Streets full of holiday lights
People smiling brightly with cheer

Street scene

Trees decorated with their best
Children running and playing
Parents shopping

It’s that time of year

Street scene

As the semblance of a facade fades away like a coat being taken off for the night what lies underneath is a beating heart where the soul and spirit truly reside
Take off your coat and lay it down for a rest
It will be there
When you need it
Let me feast my eyes upon your heart for a while and see you
See who you really are
Let me listen to your heart and soul as they play the music of you
You are beautiful
You are unique
You are treasured

Sweet moments
Those small moments
Sometimes fleeting
Make life worth living
They can pass quickly
Touching our hearts
Touching our souls
Hard to hold onto
Delicate
Somewhat fragile
Like a butterfly

Sweet moments
Make lasting memories
Taste like honey
Decorating our days and nights
Brightening our lives

Put them together
They form a life

She is speaking to us
Pleading
Warning us
Advising us
Comforting us
Helping us
We just have to listen
We are all her children

She’s been telling us about the planet
Warning what will come
Showing us
With storms
Droughts
Fires
Extreme heat
We just have to listen
We must listen

She’s been crying for us
For all the creatures that live here
For the forests
Plants
She’s been begging us
To change
To stop
To respect what’s here
The planet
The boundaries between us
And them
All we have to do is listen
Then change our ways
Mother knows best

Shes a small baby bird
She’s been quite ill
Got hit with more than one thing
Little by little she’s healing
Taking small steps
One at a time
Trying small activities
She’s spreading her wings
Ever so slowly
Like a baby bird

As each day passes
She gets stronger
Less symptoms
More time feeling better
The feeling lifts her up
Her spirits want to fly
She wants to try to do something
Step to the edge of the nest
Explore
Like a baby bird

For just a moment
The sky is crystal clear
The air is fresh
It’s cool
I can breathe
Without struggle
Or stress
I feel human
For just a moment
Before the searing heat
Returns
Before the heavy air
Returns
Once again
I am grateful
For the reprieve
Even though
Brief

Dream makers make dreams come true

They spin magic
They create
They touch it
They live it
They own it

Dreams take on lives of their own
Like any creation

A dream maker takes an idea
And creates something out of nothing

Like a phoenix rising from flames

It takes true belief
In the dream and oneself
Become one
Make your own dream come true

Hundreds of brilliant white seagulls soaring
High above the dark blue ocean

Seagulls

Swirling around so fast they are hard to distinguish
They are just a blur

Seagulls

Suddenly they turn, aiming towards the sun
Flying higher and higher

Seagulls

So  that they can no longer be seen
But their faint cries can still be heard

Seagulls
As they disappear into the clouds
Watching their flight is majestic

Seagulls

The movements and speed
Like witnessing something being created
Part of the artistry of Mother Nature

Seagulls

We have the power to light the way
To shine a bright light
Where there is none
To take light over darkness
Every day
To take kindness over cruelty

To light the way
To lift someone up
Instead of putting them down
To reach for the stars
To choose love
Instead of hate

To light the way

To help when needed
Instead of turning away
To reach high
To shine a bright light
To do the impossible

See what you can see
Feel what you can feel
Touch what you can touch
Take in all the fragrances
See the wonder of life
See me for who and what I am

Open your eyes

Take it all in
Look everywhere
See Mother Nature
In all her glory
See the oceans
See the forests and mountains
See the animals
See me for who and what I am
I am Mother Nature
I am an artist
I am the mother of Earth

Feast upon the glory of it all
Take good care of it

For just a little while
One fleeting moment
I went home
To a place like it
I sat and had a cup of coffee
Like times past I visited
A small slice of America
One tiny sliver
For one moment it felt familiar
I looked around and felt
Just a slice of my country
The look, the feel, the smell

Oh I know there are problems now
Severe ones
A lot has to be done and change
But within me are threads from there
Those ties that bind
Once in a while they tug at me
Touching my heart
Memories
Life adventures
Family
Roots

This is true for all of us
We have roots to a place
Where we began

But, for just a little while
I touched home
Sat in a small slice of America
Drank my coffee
Same as years ago
Ate my cinnamon roll
Savoring the taste
Remembering my voyage through life and all that brought me here

When the hot heat burns into your soul and body
Where breathing is labored
When your skin feels on fire
Imagine that you are standing in a river
With cool water running over your feet
The bottom is sandy and smooth
Like satin
It is soothing to the touch
It is calming
Imagine a cool breeze
Gently blowing across your face like butterfly kisses
Your skin feels cool
Your breathing eases
Imagine the scent of pine trees in the air
Nature’s perfume
You are in another place
It is magic

It is an early summer’s day
The sun is out in full force
The sky is bright blue
There are a few white clouds scattered through the sky like a thin white veil
There is a slight breeze - cool to the skin
You are sitting in a field of wild flowers
They are all colors
Like a rainbow
They move gently to the breeze
As you sit  
A cloud of butterflies and hummingbirds surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand before flying away
Then, in the distance one of the birds  appears
It is emerald green with a touch of pink
It flies close to you
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you look at it, its movements slow down so you can see the wings beat
You are mesmerized
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm
As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze the hummingbird
touches your face gently with a kiss before flying away
You feel calm and pure bliss
As if you touched heaven

Our lives are treasure chests
Filled with memories and experiences
Feelings
Every emotion possible
Images, smells, sensations
Each one is precious
Unique to us

Like a gemstone
Each one helps to define us
Each one helps us grow
To become who we are
Who we are meant to be

Our lives are like treasure chests
Valuable like a diamond or ruby
As time moves on they take on more value
Each one is a thread that helps mold us

Our lives are treasure chests
Beautifully designed
Intricate in every way
Filled with memories
Filled with experiences
Each one precious

Golden threads tie us together
No matter what the distance
No matter the amount of time
They bind us as one

Golden threads tie us together
No matter the language
No matter the culture
No matter the place
They bind us as one

Golden threads tie us together
They reach across the universe
Never ending
They last forever
Never breaking
They bind us as one
Always

Sweet memories are like melodies that gently play in our minds which help define us as we weave our way through our lives

These memories have a sweet perfume of experience and life which touches our cheeks ever so gently each and every day

Memories the magic of life

Sometimes we need quiet
A time to be still
To stop the chaos
To listen to the nothing
It calms the mind and spirit
Allows us to refocus later

The world is so busy
Fast moving
Never stopping
Noisy
Sometimes it’s hard to keep up
Stillness can reset us to a better place
It can enhance creativity
Allow the mind to wander
Aimlessly
Slow down the body
Lift up the mood
Sharpen the mind
Go to a higher place

Every morning there is a  parade Carriages head across the city
Beautifully decorated in green and gold
Proud horses confident in their stride
Take them to their destination
The drivers sit up high as they make their way
Winding through the streets
Every morning there is a parade Carriages carrying passengers
Beautifully decorated in green and gold
Proud horses pulling them to their final destination

Every morning there is a parade
Beautiful Carriages march across the city
It’s a magical site

I saw him last night to say goodbye
The last time we were together before we parted
Not by our choice
We had to
He’s gone
Back where he came from

When I woke in the morning I had hoped he was still here but he’s not
He left in the murky shadows of darkness
My life left I am now alone left in the gray fog of life
My heart hurts. My soul stings with pain

He’s gone

The brightness has left me
The lightness of being
The humor and fun

He’s gone

And I am here alone searching for him

For just a little while
For one fleeting moment
I touched home
To a small part of it
I sat and had a cup of coffee
Like times past when I visited a place like this

A small slice of America
Just one tiny sliver in a large pink city
For one moment it felt familiar
I looked around and felt that
I had touched a slice of my country
The look, the feel, the smell all famliar

Oh I know there are problems there now
Severe ones
A lot has to be done and changed
But within me are those threads from there
Those are the ties that bind us
Once in a while they tug at me
Touching my heart with
Memories
Life adventures
Family
Roots

This is true for all of us
We have roots to a place, threads of personal history
Where we began

But, for just a little while
I touched home
Sat in a small slice of America
Drank my coffee
Same as years ago
Ate my cinnamon roll
Savoring the taste
Remembering my voyage through life and all that brought me here

As you get ready for Christmas, and start planning for the new year, may you be with people you love and treasure -- family, loved ones and friends.

May the world slow down just a little, and may kindness be extended beyond what is usually done.

Love a little more, care a little more, and give a little more. Have a generous heart. See light instead of darkness.

It is the time of year, for me when miracles can happen, and the goodness in people comes out even stronger, and this year, with the world in such turmoil, may our better angels win out.

And, once again, on Christmas Eve, as I have done for years, I will step outside on the terrace and listen to the quiet, as the world slows down just a little.

I will place a wish as I always do as well, wishing for peace and harmony all across the planet.

Happy holidays to one and all. May you have a blessed holiday and a happy New Year.

The time before sunrise
Early morning
The air is fresh
The world is sleeping
It’s dark outside
There’s a quiet across the city
It’s still and peaceful
Calm
The noises of life have not started
It’s a time to reflect
On everything
It’s like meditation
Early morning rise

When feeling lost
Go to the forest
Smell the trees
Breathe deeply
Take in the freshness

When feeling unease
Go to the forest
Feast upon nature
Walk amongst the trees
Listen to the wind

When feeling confused
Go to the forest
Sit amongst the beauty
Let it calm your soul
Let the beauty fill your heart
Be refreshed

When not sure what to do
Go to the forest
Listen to answers
Let it inspire you
It’s nature
It always will

I live among ghosts
Phantoms
They keep calling me
I walk by memories
Old haunts
I touch them ever so slightly
Carved through year’s of life
There are spirits
Vapors of life
I feel them touch me
They hover above
They watch
They listen
They are always there
I see remnants of where they were
I feel them
I can’t escape them
Every where I turn
Everywhere I look
I feel them
Echoes of them embedded
I feel them in the air
I feel them in thoughts
I feel them in faces
I live among ghosts and memories
Of another time

You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace
Your touch soothes and
takes away the pain

Your smile lightens my day
Your eyes show me wisdom

You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace

You are the strong tree in a storm
The beautiful flower
The unending dream

You are light and warmth
You are my sanctuary
You bring me peace

When I look at you
I see the light of the sun
Glowing a golden hue
I see the brilliance of the moon
I see sunflowers everywhere

When I look at you
I see the beauty of all things
Expressed in fields of yellow flowers

When I look at you
I see lightness
I see pure joy in all it’s splendor
I see happiness

When I look at you
I see the light of the sun
The brilliance of the moon
I see sunflowers everywhere

When I look at you
I see the beauty
Of the night sky laced with stars
White fluffy clouds
Bright blue skies
I see sunflowers everywhere

When I look at you
I see the beauty of the universe
I see happiness and bliss