TV on mute

Jan25

Watching TV on mute 

Does anyone else do that? 

A couple of people in my family do 

I guess you have to be a visual person

Not to need the audio so much 

Sometimes over breakfast 

The TV is on and a cooking show is in progress  

And we make comments as we watch

-That is a huge steak she is cooking

-It could feed fifteen people

-I don’t like steak 

-Look like it’s medium rare

-Not quite cooked inside 

-Oh, now she is cutting thin slices to make a sandwich

-The sub style sandwich is so big

-What size mouth do you need to eat that?

-I don’t like chewing my meet for so long

The lady keeps smiling 

And moving her lips

And we have no idea what she is saying 

But we get the general idea 

By the way most of those comments were made by me

When there is no audio, I add mine 

January 25, 2024

Tests of life

Jan19

It’s during challenging times that we can show who we are

How strong we can be

How resilient we are

Captaining a ship in calm waters

Can be done easily

The skilled captain can guide ships during stormy times

When we face illness and suffering in our lives

How we copes demonstrates who we are

Can we be content during the challenges of life?

Can we be magnanimous and continue to serve and create?

Athletes prepare themselves for competition 

We need to prepare ourselves for the tests of life 

January 19, 2024

January blues

Jan17

These are the lazy days of January

The world is frozen outside

A layer of snow making everything white

The days are shorter

And the sun is shy

We have to bring the light from within us

We have to warm up our surroundings with love

There are always things to be thankful for 

Things we take for granted until they are gone

Being in good health

Having good friends who care

Living in a peaceful society

The warmth of the family

Every time I want to complain

I remind myself to count my blessings

And be grateful 

January 16, 20224

creativity

Jan4

When describing art and creativity 

These words come to mind

The unseen world, spirituality, mediation

Openness to the universe, observation

So art and creativity are spiritual things

They reveal what is in another realm

In a beautiful story, poem or painting

The world of spirit is fascinating

But so much of it is unknown to us

What is the interplay between the spiritual and the physical?

How can we describe the spiritual realm?

These questions may not have answers now

But that’s how creativity manifests itself

The muse, inspiration, dreams, flashes of ideas

Help us create 

We need to be an open channel 

And let things emerge

  1. Jan 4, 2024

Tangled

Jan3


Tangled in my zentangles

And there is no way out 

It’s an obsession

It’s hard to stop

So much variety

So many possibilities 

All leading to beauty

Unexpected, a surprise

If I write poems

I try to write everyday

If I make collage cups

I keep making them and collecting them

Now that I draw zentsngles

It has becomes a daily affair

Something in the repetition 

Is soothing, reassuring 

It’s all about art

And art is uplifting

And there is the element of surprise

My work is never planned ahead 

So it is that my zentangles 

Have tangled me in their web 

Dec 30, 2023

In conversation

Dec18

In the company of fellow artists

I enjoy my conversations with them

“Oh, yes that’s exactly how I feel”

“That is a great point!”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself!”

These conversations bring me joy

Expand my knowledge

Touch my soul

To talk to an artist is healing

Because art is healing

And helps us connect 

“Art is a window to the spiritual world”

We need to connect to the spiritual world

Draw on its power

But uplifted by it 

Be enveloped in its warmth 

“We are spiritual beings having a human experience”

Thank you to my fellow artist for accompanying me

On my path of exploring my creativity

I’m grateful for their input

I would talk to an artist anytime, anywhere

It’s like talking to my brother or sister

Dec 18, 2023

Continue reading →

My hand

Dec14

As I hold my phone
My hand trembles a little
I know the reason
I don’t necessarily like the reason
Most people don’t notice it
It doesn’t happen all the time
Like when I write
Or hold other things
Maybe this is a message
That I’m on my phone too much
But this trembling is caused by the medication I take
Medication that helps me stay healthy, happy and productive
Is this a big price to pay?
Perhaps not
But it does bother me sometimes
After all, I have feelings too
I’m not a machine
My goal though is to be grateful always

December 14, 2023

My heart aches

Dec6

My heart aches for the Baha’is of Iran
A people who want nothing except serving their country and countrymen
And how are they rewarded?
With jail time
With raids on and theft from their homes
With the closing of their business
With them being unable to go to university
With being disrespected and counted as unclean
My heart aches for the Baha’is of Iran
Those who want to help their fellow man
Those who obey their government despite its injustices
Those who don’t lash out despite the cruelty they endure
We have been silent too long
What do we fear?
When a few minorities are discriminated against
Eventually many other groups will be as well
Because injustice like a virus spreads
It’s only antidote is the love and support of others
And speaking up for them
We are all one family
And our story is one

Dec 6th, 2023

Earthquakes and mountains

Dec3

There are no mountains without earthquakes

Tell me about your earthquake

Tell me what caused you to become a majestic mountain

Holding your head high

Yet as humble as the earth of which you are made of

The challenges of our lives 

Like earthquakes

Disrupt the normal state of affairs

They reshape the landscape of our spirit 

With a thunderous roar

They destroy the structures present

But in their wake

Arise magnificent mountains

A testament to the pain of destruction

And the rise of new formations 

Dec 3, 2024 

Sassy

Nov29

“Wait, wait, wait, don’t go

I need to tell you something

Just let me answer this call”

Said the receptionist at my Dr’s office 

…

“Your hair looks amazing

It’s sassy, it’s classy

It shows off your beautiful face

It looks amazing

Keep it like this”

I’ve heard this from many people 

They want me to keep my hair very short

This would not have happened had I not lost my hair due to chemo

I’ve always had hair to below my shoulders

Or up to my shoulders

So this is a big change 

But a welcome change 

No more blow drying and very low maintenance 

All challenges have a silver lining 

Nov 29, 2023