• Treasured People and Books

    Grandparents can be very special resources. Just being close to them reassures a child, without words, about change and continuity, about what went before and what will come after. Fred Rogers Seeing Queen Elizabeth brought back memories of my grandmother. They both had a sparkle in their eyes that was reassuring. You knew when you…

  • Knowing When to Say Enough

    The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the less I seem to know…Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly, This is enough. John Adams It is hard to experience the Palace of Versailles without being in awe of its majesty. The style is very ornate and a bit overwhelming.…

  • Authentically You

    Our power lies in our small daily choices, one after another, to create eternal ripples of a life well lived. Mollie Marti Today is September 1. I know autumn doesn’t officially begin until September 22, however for me it begins on the first day of September. I put up a garland of leaves and pumpkins…

  • Initiative

    God helps those who help themselves. Poor Richard’s Almanac, Benjamin Franklin While visiting Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, I photographed this tree filled with hanging, bamboo sticks on which prayers has been written. Whatever our faith we all look to a greater being for help. Have you heard the parable of…

  • All’s Well That Ends Well

    If we can be thankful for what we receive, we should be thankful for what we escape. Native American Quote Reading this quote made me think of Shakespeare’s play, All’s Well That Ends Well. Sometimes, in the midst of difficulty, we can only see what is in front of us. When we look back we…

  • The Small Things

    The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things…the trivial pleasure like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard. Barbara Pym When the movie, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, came out this summer, it reminded me that I had the original book…

  • Once More

    Sometimes, you have to look back to see the things that lie ahead. Yvonne Woon I’m taking one last look to reflect on my writing. Introspection has always been a useful tool for me. It’s easy to get caught up in the merry-go-round of life. Sometimes, it can be useful to stop and re-group. I…

  • Another Look

    Take a step back. Life gets distorted when you examine things from too close up. Michael Gungor I am taking a few weeks off from my usual Thursday posts. During this time I’m reposting some writing from past months. It may be new to many of you. If you have read it before, I hope…

  • Expectations

    Premature expectations are a big hassle for practical life. Dax Bamania Our dog, Hugo, would completely agree with this quote. He has narrowly definded expectations and finds it unacceptable when they are not met. Not only must they be met, they must be met in a consistent manner. Yesterday, I had an appointment with a…